Digital picture and children’s books

Here are a couple of sites that give students access to picture books and children’s books, to be read from cover to cover, in colour. Lookybook is easy to use and features picture books (mainly English language) , and the International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) is fabulous for books from countries around the world – if you were doing an international kids literature unit, this would a great place to start .

Rowan

Aggressive Girls

In today’s Toronto Star, Simona Siad has written an article titled Girl Fight (page L1, L4).  the article includes a reference to a 2002 document titled Aggressive Girls published by the (Canadian) National Clearinghouse on Family Violence. Aggressive Girls examines reasons why girls engage in aggression and violence (including:  family and parental relationships, school difficulties, boredom, connection to gangs)  and includes a table comparing myths (other peoples’ rationale to explain their  behavior) to realities (how girls describe their actions) .

The Library has several new books on this topic, including the following titles: Sugar and Spice and no Longer Nice; Aggression, Antisocial Behavior; and Violence among School Girls; Mean Girls; Bullying in the Girl’s World;  See Jane Hit.  Teachers can call the Library if you would like to borrow any of them.

Note that Aggressive Girls makes 2 key points. The number of charges laid against boys out numbers charges against girls by 3 to 4 times, and the actual number of girls charged is so small that even a small increase results in a large percentage jump.

21st Century Skills

Recently, we’ ve received a couple of questions on teaching students for 21st century skills. One of the best sources is the Partnership for 21st Century Skills <here>.  While it is very American, check out their publication page for reports on the preparedness of secondary school students for the workplace, and the pivotal role of technology.

The Ontario School Library  Association is working on a draft document to update the old gem Partners in Action. The draft document is titled Togther for Learning: Transforming School Libraries in Ontario and currently is being reviewed by TLs.  It examines today’s learners as the ‘net generation’ and looks to create a learning commons for the future. Look for the final edition in the near future.

A couple of books that are interesting to read are titled Educating the Net Generation: How to Engage Students in the 21st Century by Pletka and The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century by Friedman. Call us at 416.395-8289 to borrow.

Rowan

New Books March 2008

I’d like to highlight a few of our new books, those that are somewhat different from the usual ‘teaching reading’ or ‘teaching special ed. students’ of which we have oodles.

The ETFO has published a 2007 book ETFO Arts: Introducing Visual Art, Drama, Dance, and Music in the Junior Grades.  Another title,  Why is Johnny so Detached? A School Professional’s Guide to Understanding and Helping Students with Attachment Issues.

Books clubs are a hot topic and two new titles are: Book Talk: The Power of Books Clubs in the Middle Grades, and Grand Conversations:  Literature Groups in Action.

For educators in leadership positions, try Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader or Mindset: The new Psychology of Success: How we can learn to fulfill our potential.

Lots of great reading, give us a call at 416.395-8289 to borrow any of these.

Rowan

Being Green

Being green is a hot topic these days, especially with the approaching Earth Hour on March 29th.  In a March 17th Direct Line notice, TDSB EcoSchools,  encourage schools and offices to plan activities in preparation of Earth Hours.  The Ministry of Education has released a new resource titled Ready Set Green: Tips,Techniques and Resources from Ontario Educators, click here for a link to the PDF document.   The Library has purchased a new book titles Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning:Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool, K-8 . Call us at 416. 395-8289 to borrow.  And don’t forget to call the Medianet people (416.395-5148) to borrow videos like An Inconvenient Truth.

Rowan