Videos and QR Codes in the Library

 I saw some really nice videos done in the library on Youtube.  I don't remember the library being so much fun while I was in school.  I plan to share and create videos when I get a librarian position.  So, I can create a book trailer and a QR code? That's what I asked when I saw this task.  So I dine decided to do a trailer about the book Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate.  Something about this family's resilience just tugs at my heart.

     I saw some videos from the Norman Public Schools.  One video "Norman Public Schools Celebrates Your Freedom to Read featured different readers reading different book that are popular children books.  The other video I enjoyed was the school mascot a "tiger" visits the library and uses the computer to check out a book about tiger and later returns it.  The "Unquiet Library" had a unique library on wheels.   A librarian had books on a cart and a computer and students were able to check out books while at lunch.  I thought is interesting and risky.  What if they spill a drink on a book?  There was another video of  scenes from the library.  It's always refreshing to see what others do in their library.  The Pikesville Library featured a Hip Hop Day at the library.  They were able to Skype one of the artist from Flocabulary among other things.  The librarian also share a snapshot of things done in the library.  The mission of the library is to Create, Research, Share and Learn.  My favorite videos came from bbmsmedia.  I know that my students would enjoy the Fifth Harmony Overdue Library Book Parody.  It's a repetitive song that is catchy with a beat and done by students.  Students will like this one best because they will remember the message because the way its presented.  The Hotline Overdue Drake Library Parody is most helpful because there is a teacher included.  I look at that as teachers have to follow the rules too.

 


https://animoto.com/play/x5OCqVHaXHTX50J5GFVwKg#



     Please scan the QR code above to see the trailer.  I also included the link to the trailer.  Crenshaw is a book about a boy who has an imaginary friend who comes around when his family is having a hard time.  This cat who continues to grow helps Jackson cope with the stress and struggle the family endures.
Publisher Synopsis
  In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

  We do a lot of guessing games and sharing of information at the campus where I work.  I can use this during black history month and poetry month to share information on display.  I see QR codes are use to track things, get quick information and for labeling.  It's a good quick way to get information.

Citation
Applegate, Katherine.  (2015).  Crenshaw.  New York, New York:  Feiwel and Friends.

Instagram, Vine and Screencast

     Teachers are using Instagram in the classroom? When I saw this website I was definitely surprised.  I never imagined using Instagram in the classroom.  Now that I see how it can be used I figure why not use the app in the classroom.  Today, I will show you three things I got a chance to experiment with, screencast-o-matic, Vine, and Instagram.

      When I think of Instagram I think of posting selfies or vacation photos.  I never would thought about using Instagram in the classroom or personally to be honest.  So when exploring options I chose to post two pictures as a compare and contrast.  I like the fact that I can use my phone features to do a side by side picture for easy comparisons.  I can also use this to display exemplary student work.  Also, to display for coworkers finished products of student projects.

     I had never heard of Vine until I had to do this assignment.  I plan to use this as reminders for students of character traits we discuss each morning in circle time.  I can use it for transitions during the day.  The video below is clip of the suggested homework environment.  I really like the Vine app.

(via https://t.co/xqbJ52x6gs)

— Jennifer Adams (@mrsjadams13) October 24, 2016

   
     I have seen screencast to do training for first grade math.  They were very helpful.  It's like having the hands on experience when learning something new.  I can use this to introduce the new literacy program to students.  I always find screencasts helpful.  Here is one that I did.



Sources

Hudson, H.  (2014, August 7).  10 surprising ways to use Instagram in the classroom. 
    Retrieved October 22, 2016 from
     http://www.weareteachers.com/10-surprising-ways-to-use-instagram-in-the-classroom-2/

Pictures from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/4727537268
     Retrieved October 23, 2016
https://www.tonasgraphics.com/wordpress/category/uncategorized/
     Retrieved October 23, 2016

Infographics

     I had an interesting day of learning what infographics are and how they are used.  I listened to a podcast, read at least three articles, watched tutorials and signed up for three websites that helps you create infographics. I have always thought that infographics were interesting, but never knew the name.  I have to admit that watching the online tutorials made creating an infographic look very simple. 'It wasn't so easy for me when I sat down to do one.  I thought maybe because of the information that I was to present from the article.
     I started with a template from https://piktochart.com/.  Now, this is suppose to be a easy website to use.  Well, I was challenged a little.  I used a template that was already created that which is a suggestion for first time users.  I found an interesting template that I worked with.  I had data and titles put in the template.  I tried to add a chart/graph to the page.  I was confused and had too many options.  So, I stopped there and tried another source.  I later came back to work with the site a little more and start having success, but had already finished my infographic using another source.
     I then went on to try  infogr.am (https://infogr.am/app/#/library).  I was able to create a nice line graph.  When I wanted to add more info I kept getting a message to upgrade to PRO.  Well, I like free things so, I didn't bother to do an upgrade.  This site was easy to use to create an infographic.  I just didn't like that it constantly asked you about upgrade.
     I chose to use easel.ly (https://www.easel.ly/).  I was able to use a simple template to relay the data from the article I read.  My infographic is simple, but I am proud of it as my first.  I felt like I was able to use this like I do Microsoft Word.  There isn't a large selection of pictures or photographs to use unless I upgraded my account.
     Overall, I would use easel.ly or infogr.am to do an infographic.  I used the article 15% of American Adults Have Used Online Dating Sites or Mobile Dating Apps  from Pew Research Center for my information.

My infographic
https://www.easel.ly/create?id=https://s3.amazonaws.com/easel.ly/all_easels/2143197/Onlinedating&key=pri

Citation
Smith, Aaron.  (2016, February 11).  15% of American Adults Have Used Online Dating Sites or Mobile Dating Apps. Pewinternet.org.  Retrieved October 16, 2016 from http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/02/11/15-percent-of-american-adults-have-used-online-dating-sites-or-mobile-dating-apps/.
   
 

Feedly

       

 Keep it Simple! This seems to make life easier doing so.  Staying organized helps me to keep things simple.  I need things together and put in the right place.  I get extremely frustrated when I misplace something or didn't put something in the right place.  I loose a lot of time looking for things. Then when it comes to finding something I found on the internet I finally learned to use bookmarks.

        I was excited about blogging and looking at other people's blog.  When I signed up for twitter and began "following" people I enjoyed ease of use.  That is how I feel about Feedly.  It is easy to use and organize.  This is a "free" website to use.  I read the article  The 10 Best Feed Reader Apps for RSS, News and More by Vicky Cassidy two or three times before fully understanding what the feed reader it.  You can find this article on the following link https://zapier.com/blog/best-rss-feed-reader-apps/ I first chose Feedly because it is free.  Majority of the other apps had a cost.  I'll take free any day.  Also, Cassidy said"Feedly is designed to be a simple way to build your own news feed about your favorite topics."  There you have it, simple.  That is the other reason I chose to use this feeder.  Feedly also gives users a starting point with popular sources to choose from or a search.  You to discover and follow or search by topic or URL.
     When I signed up it was quick and easy.  Feedly is is easy to set up and organize.  I created a folder for Librarian Stuff.  The first thing I pinned was School Library Journal (http://www.slj.com/slj-blog-network).  I chose this because it lists new books and reviews for the books.  I think that this will be helpful as a librarian to choose new books.  I like it personally because my family and I enjoy reading and like to explore new titles and authors.
     Another pin is Goodreads  (https://www.goodreads.com/blog/index.)  I enjoy Goodreads is because I can see reviews of books from more people. Goodreads will give you news about your favorite authors.  I  noticed that a recent feed gave information about Self Published Author's on Indie Day.  I now have Goodreads in one central place with other blogs I am following.  I look forward to hearing about book signings and new releases from my favorite authors.  I also chose Library Displays .  While I consider myself a organized person I am not creative.  As a future librarian I will need some ideas about to organize and decorate things in the library.  I saw a display that showed a set up for Bee Awareness Month.  When I visited The Children's Book Review  at (https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com) I noticed that there is a drop down menu for children books by age.  There is a section for interviews, trending subjects and even giveaways.
     I chose to follow ABC (Newshttp://abcnews.go.com/)  and New York  Times(Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/) .  I titled this folder News.  I am not a big TV watcher, but I will watch the news almost every morning.  I chose these because of how it updates the news frequently.  It's important to keep up with what is happening around us.
   I started a Tumbler account.  Like Feedly it gives you somewhere to start looking.  Across the top of the explore screen you can search by text, chat, links, quotes and trending.  I am still learning to use this site.  I am unsure if I like this site just yet.  I did see a few quotes that I like.  You can find my account at https://www.tumblr.com/blog/mrsjadams1.  I am looking forward to what I will learn and discover through Feedly and Tumblr.

Article quoted from:
Cassidy, V. (2015, September 22).  The 10 Best Feed Reader Apps for RSS, News and More.                   Retrieved from https://zapier.com/blog/best-rss-feed-reader-apps/.