Electronic Newsletter of The
Oregon Educational Media Association
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume 19 No.4
December,
2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS:
the "official" letter
----- Allan Kopf
1. 2007 Conference Committee Update ---- Janet Setness
2. Legislative Update --- Jim Tindall
3. New Reader Arrival --- Kelly Kuntz
4. Online Membership --- JoAnn Klassen
5. Winter Classes --- Ruth Murray
6. Interchange ideas --- Stephanie Thomas
1. AASL Announces New Reading Grant --- Patty Sorensen
2. Letters About Literature Deadline Dec. 8th --- Patty Sorensen
3. PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS SPEAK UP! --- Kathy Agarwal (AASL)
4. AASL Offers Pre-Midwinter Institute On Reading -- Kathy Agarwal (AASL)
WHAT'S NEW! WHAT'S GOOD! WHAT'S FUN!
===================================================
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FROM THE
PRESIDENT --- Allen Kopf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It seems impossible that December is already here.
This is always such a busy time in school and at home with musical programs,
parties, shopping and gift-wrapping. It sometimes seems as though there is little time for teachers to teach and for students to
learn. Many students, especially those in elementary school, seem to be so excited and happy about the approaching holiday season
that they have trouble focusing on the work at hand.
This is also a busy time of year for OEMA.
Gregory Lum, OEMA President-elect and JoAnn Klassen, membership chair,
have been working on membership issues and getting MemberClicks, the new membership database, up and running.
Edith Fuller has been updating the OEMA Listserv.
Jim Tindall, OEMA Past president has been working hard on legislative
issues and preparing a slate of officers for the upcoming OEMA election.Ê
You might remember that the ballot will also
contain a measure that will allow a number of changes in the OEMA Bylaws. The most important change, if you vote in favor
of it, is the name change - from Oregon Educational Media Association (OEMA) to Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL).
The OEMA Board is urging all OEMA members to vote in this upcoming election.
On November 4, I attended an Oregon Battle of the Books Committee meeting at Ridgeview Elementary School in Portland. The committee, under the leadership of Debbie Alvarez, worked very hard on that day and many initial tasks were completed. You will be hearing more about the work of this committee after the first of the year.
NOTICE:Ê The OEMA Full Board meeting has been changed from Saturday, January 27 to February 3, 2007. The meeting will be held at Jesuit High School in Portland. Board members, please change the date on your calendar. If you need more information about this change please contact me.Ê kopf@umatilla.k12.or.us
Also please remember to mark February 7, 2007 on your calendar.Ê It is Oregon Library Legislative Day. For more information, please contact Jim Tindall. tindallj@nwasco.k12.or.usI want to wish all of you the best for the upcoming holidays.
Allen
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. 2007 Conference Committee Update
----- Janet Setness
I have offered to be the 2007 Conference Chair and have been talking with Kathy Jensen in preparation to getting a
committee together.Ê If you are interested, please contact me atÊ jsetness@pps.k12.or.us.
Ê If you offered to help at the last conference and don't get a call, don't be shy -- we still need you!
Janet
2.
Legislative Update ----- Jim Tindall
Calling All Advocates!
February 7th is Oregon's Library Legislative Day. Would you be willing to come to Salem to be part of the group that
meets with legislators to advocate for healthy funding for school libraries? If this sounds like fun leadership to
exercise, please write to Jim Tindall tindallj@nwasco.k12.or.us
and give him your name, your address, email address andÊyourÊhouse and senate district numbers.
3. New Reader Arrival ----- Kelly Kuntz
Emily Carlson gave birth to our newest reader in Beaverton on Saturday, November 11:
Reed Carlson Sibbet weighed in a 8 lbs, 9 oz.
Emily is the library media teacher at Emonica Elementary
in the Beaverton School District.
4. Online Membership ----- JoAnn Klassen
"Soon membership will be available online.Ê
You will have electronic access to a directory of information about OEMA members.Ê You will be able to update and
revise your own information.Ê A bulletin board, announcements and listservs for OEMA membership and committees will be be available.Ê
Watch for more information, coming soon!"
5. Winter Classes ----- Ruth Murray
The following classes will be offered spring semester (January - April 2007 )Ê at George Fox University :
EDFL 554 Core Collection Development
3 semester hours.Ê This course introduces the Library Media specialist to Information Access and Delivery,
including the development of information resources, learning characteristics of students and staff, and methods
for matching student needs with appropriate materials. The course will also emphasize reference and information
sources and services in the school media center.
Offered spring semester Format: Combination of two Saturday sessions at Portland Campus and Online.
January 13 and April 14 9:00-4:00
EDFL562 Multi Media Design and Production
2 semester hours.Ê This course will give the examination and practice of effective design concepts for content
delivery. Design and production of lessons and student projects keyed to national standards will use various multimedia
software programs.
Offered spring semester Format: Combination of two Saturday sessions at the Portland Center
January 20 and April 21Ê 9:00-3:00
Online registration is available @ http:edfl.georgefox.edu
Further information is available from:
Karen Wedeking
Coordinator of the library media endorsement program
George Fox University
kwedekin@georgefox.edu
503-554-2858
PSU Offerings :
Please check out the interesting and informative classes to be offered Winter term at PSU.
We have two day workshops, and 3 credit classes. Some are online some aren't. There are many choices to fit your needs and
schedule.
If you would like to register go online to: http://www.pdx.edu/registration/register.html
If you have questions, contact Deanna Draper at draperd@pdx.edu or Ruth Murray at murrayr@pdx.edu.
WKSP: MUTLICULTURAL Storytelling
Ê Class meets Fri 9am-4pm Sat 5-9pm Feb 9, 10 -ÊÊÊ 1 credit
Selection and use of stories from diverse cultures in the classroom and library. Emphasis is on sharing the
oral tradition in storytelling and creative dramatics.
WKSP:INFO LIT ONLINE SEARCHING
Class meets Fri 4:30-8:30pm Mar 9 and Sat 9am-4pm Mar 10 +TBAÊ 1 -credit
Approaches for improving online information searching skills for school library media specialists and assistants.
Selection of databases, advanced search strategy techniques, and methods for teaching information literacy skills to K-12 students.
Lib 428/528 - Children's Literature, K-5
Course Description: Materials grades K-5. Traditional genres such as picture books, traditional tales, modern realism,
romance, adventure, mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, biography, poetry, and nonfiction. Study of
literature that illustrates cultural diversity. Resources for selection; awards and honors.
Lib 429/529 - Young Adult Literature
Course Description: A survey of books and nonbook materials suitable for students of junior and senior high school age.
Emphasis on selection and evaluation of books, adolescent reading interests, and reading guidance for curricular
and personal needs.
Lib 432 - Multicultural Literature K-12
Course Description: An introduction to contemporary multicultural literature, fiction and nonfiction, for use with early
childhood, elementary, middle school and high school students. Emphasis is on the selection, evaluation, and utilization
of literature in the classroom and library media center.
Lib 542 - Collection Development and Evaluation
Course Description: Principles and practice of evaluation, selection, and acquisition of all types of materials included
in a library media center collection. Selection and collection development policies and procedures. Study of professional
evaluation and selection sources. Field activities included.
Lib 547 - Library Media Instructional Programs, K-12
Course Description: A study of the K-12 information skills program, including the development of a scope and sequence,
effective teaching strategies, specific tion with the classroom curriculum, and organization and development of a teaching
program in the library media center.
Lib 576 - Planning and Evaluation of Library Media Programs
Course Description: Analysis of media center programs and planning techniques; study and application of media center
evaluation instruments; analysis and development of library media center programs.
6. Interchange Ideas ----- Stephanie Thomas
Greetings Colleagues and Friends,
It's that time already-- to begin thinking about the Spring Issue of Interchange!
I will be serving as guest editor and am
looking forward to submissions!Ê
The Spring Issue's theme will be: Intellectual Freedom for All: Tools and Resources to Stay Informed.
The deadline for contributions (submitted to me) is March 16, 2006.
Here is a listing of possible topics that we can explore:
--Political Advocacy: Current and Upcoming National & State Legislative Issues
--Online Social Networks: Web 2.0 technologies, promoting positive interactions on on social networking sites.Ê
How do we reduce online bullying & prejudice?
--Information on Book Challenges-does your library have a book challenge process in place?
Tips and Tools during a challenge.Ê Case studies of challenges that have occurred in our areas?
--Control & Censorship of the Internet; Filtering Legislation in Oregon; USA Patriot Act & Children's Internet
Protection Act, how are Librarians using Filtering & Monitoring Software?
--Case studies and personal experiences from colleagues promoting Intellectual Freedom in their libraries:
Examples of how librarians celebrated Banned Books Week in September
--OEMA and State representatives on Intellectual Freedom.Ê Have a list of contacts for people to ask questions.
If you have any additional ideas, please let me know.Ê I know several of you have served on committees
and written articles that address this theme.Ê It's very important for all of us to stay abreast on current issues
that pertain to our libraries given that we are heading into a very political year.
Please email me with questions and/or format guidelines for submission.
stephanie_thomas@parkrose.k12.or.us
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. AASL Announces New Reading Grant
----- Patty Sorensen
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the newest addition to its grants and awards program - the AASL Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, the $2,500 grant will support the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for students that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.
"Reading fluency is fundamental to overall student success and achievement," said AASL President Cyndi Phillip. "AASL is proud to offer this new funding opportunity to school library media specialists who teach these essential life skills to their students."
The grant is designed to fund literacy projects for grades K-9 that promote the importance of reading and facilitate literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice, and policy. The selection committee will look for initiatives based on original ideas and methodology, which showcase innovative ways to motivate and involve students in reading. Projects need to demonstrate potential to positively impact student learning and growth of reading skills. Program proposals submitted must include a timeline, a budget and a statement of purpose, and should have potential for replication.
Applications and detailed information will be available on the AASL Web site
http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards on September 1, 2006.
Deadline for submission is February 1, 2007.
The Innovative Reading Grant is sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, whose companies include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books and Red Brick Learning
2. Letters About Literature deadline Dec. 8th
----- Patty Sorensen
Be sure to encourage classes entering the Letters About Literature contest to mail their entries by December 8th.Ê
As of Thanksgiving, Oregon only had 128 entries compared to over 1200 last year!Ê I'm hoping that means folks are finishing
up those final copies and going to mail them soon!Ê
More information can be found at:
http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/aboutlit.shtml.
3. PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS SPEAK UP!
----- Kathy Agarwal (AASL)
Now in its 4th year, NetDay Speak Up's national online survey invites students, teachers, and parents from around the
country to share their input in an online survey.
The deadline has been extended with the survey remaining open until
December 15, 2006Ê to allow maximum participation.
This is an opportunity for students, teachers and parents to participate in the national dialog about science, math,
technology, and 21st century workforce skills.Ê Learn more about NetDay Speak Up and how schools and districts can register
and participate at http://www.netday.org/speakup.
The results of the surveys are shared with participating schools and districts so that they can use the data for planning and community discussion. In addition, the findings and data are used by local, state, and national organizations and government agencies to inform new programs and polices. Additional help is needed to get participation from the following states * AK, AR, HI, OK, DC, ID, MN, MS, MT, NH, ND, NV, RI, SD, VT, WV, WY, IA, WA, KS, UT, DE, NE, AL, ME, IN, NM, OR, and NJ.
PREVIEW THE SPEAK UP SURVEYS :
To preview the Speak Up surveys for students, teachers and parents go to
http://www.netday.org/SPEAKUP/speakup_surveys.htm
4. AASL offers Pre-Midwinter Institute on reading
----- Kathy Agarwal (AASL)
AASL will offer a Pre-Midwinter Institute, Reading and the School Library Media Specialist; on January 19, 2007, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.
This all day workshop will address critical topics in reading for P-12 library media specialists. Session presenters will review current research on reading instruction, discuss how it informs classroom practice, explore reading strategies, and explain what the library media specialist can do to enhance them. Using the program Web site and print guide, facilitators will help attendees gain the confidence to adopt and implement strategies to meet the reading needs of all their students.
Find out more at . http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2006/october2006/AASLPreMidwinterInstitu.htm
Register for ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle at http://www.ala.org/midwinter.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
WHAT'S NEW! WHAT'S GOOD!
WHAT'S FUN!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. Winter Collaborations
----- Janet Setness
An English teacher and I partnered up to provide her students with a Winter Break reading activity.
Here is the quick
and easy version: It involves them self-selecting a book group (3-4 people).Ê She and I did a Siskel & Ebert type book
talk off the top of our heads about books we had 3 or more copies of, with a chance for them to pick something different
if they had it okayed.Ê They can meet during the break, do an online sharing, 3 way conversation, invite us to join them
for a session, but they must document their interaction and will spend the first couple days after the break doing a large
display of their book group work.
Another English teacher brought her classes in to check out non-fiction books so they would have something to read now and over break.Ê After break, they will know about something enough to write essays about them.Ê She said this has worked well for her in the past.
2. Photo-op
----- Emily Crawford
Each year, my family has a Christmas picture taken and Christmas cards made out of it. This year, we are having our picture taken of me and my husband reading one of our favorite Christmas stories to our 4 children; The Nutcracker.
3. Reading styles of the Rich and Famous
----- Daurel Coolidge Carhart
It's certainly not an original idea but we put up a display of "Favorite Books of the Rich and Famous" and were amazed
at its success.Ê For fun, we added a picture of Buster, our school cat, with Lilian Jackson Braun's book
"The Cat Who Went Up the Creek."ÊÊÊÊ
P.S.
*I got married after school on Thursday, Nov. 16th to a wonderful gentleman I met online just over a year ago.
4. Ode to High School Librarians
----- Jan Nichols
ÊIt's been an entertaining, enlightening, growing year for Hermiston High School's "new" library media- specialist-teacher.Ê Envisioning a relaxing, lazy change in career domains - from Middle School to High School, I compared what I'd find to our own Columbia River - surely the learning curve would meander as slowly?Ê
Wow! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
For everything I've ever said about the "easy job High School Librarians have" I am truly sorry
and regretful. The learning curve here is something akin to the downhill at Bachelor. Or read that as "terrifyingly fast and
a large blur!"
In my former library, computers are used 2/3 or more of the year in testing. There is no lab in existence
after November 1.Ê In this library, the schedule, projects, kids, revolve around an ever changing array of computer schedules,
learning opportunities, researching, and paper writing.Ê There are 25 kids, in 5 periods or shifts, working behind the
Circulation Desk; faces that change and must be retrained, every single trimester.
ÊÊ There is a whole new staff of interesting, exciting, demanding individuals - fellow teachers - who need my time every day.Ê There's new equipment to learn, a mentor to satisfy, 3 or 4 committees in building, 2 district committees, fellow librarians; and 1350 students, who require texts, books for class, and questions answered.
It's been overwhelming, tiring, interesting and I LOVE it!Ê From the very first moment when the very first class in the lab, blessedly peaceful on this early Sunday morning, asked me about websites in which they could find stock quotes and stories of entrepreneurship - to the past week's AP History class on annotated map making and the history of Hermiston - it's been a wonderful experience.
Lit classes have asked for citation demonstrations, research techniques, definitions and writing time.Ê In a massive introduction to Google Notebook, the Ag Classes researched, organized and classified diseases of poinsettias.Ê Economics visits on a biweekly basis - researching the Stock Market, writing weekly financial reports and research papers; and the math department, whom I rarely expected to see, after an air-conditioning breakdown, has visited bimonthly ever since, researching or just doing homework together.
OSLIS is used on a weekly/daily basis and I find myself looking to the LISTSERV for messages from Patty, elling what part of the APA / MLA cite pages might not be working.Ê It took brilliance to develop OSLIS, and I've heaped praise on your heads every time I've used it ever since. There is no word, past thank you, for the amazing, invaluable resource that's become.
OEMA President Allen Kopf is 7 miles down the road.
Ê
His wisdom, demonstrations of all things wonderful at Umatilla High (and it's a GREAT school library) have rescued me time
and again. (Didn't have a V-Tel machine at the Middle School.Ê Didn't know how to run a V-Tel either. Thanks to Allen and
his Tech person, know exactly how the thing works!)
To make an ever growing story a bit shorter - thank you.Ê Thanks to all of you High School Librarians/Media Specialists/Teachers out there who do this every day and make it look deceptively easy.Ê Thanks to Allen, to Carol Dinges and that wonderful library at Lebanon High that I toured in May, thanks to Gregory Lum and the conversations at this summer's Board Retreat, to Patty, Sheryl Steinke, and all of you who developed OSLIS.Ê Thanks to Pam Hankins and the great conversations while travelling west to board meetings. Thanks to all of you who put on this year's OEMA Conference in Salem and remind me what is like to learn and grow as a professional.
You people who drive the roller coaster called "High School Library Media Specialist" - and at a whip crack pace - made me a High School Librarian this year, and you deserve bushels of praise and big thank you's for it. I find I'm loving the ride.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
***** From Gregory Lum -- Middle School Suggestions
Almond, David. Clay.
Random House/Delacorte, 2006. $15.95. (0-385-73171-X).
Stephen, a strange new kid, convinces Davie to create a huge clay monster that obeys their commands.
Caputo, Philip. 10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum/Byron Press, September 2005. $22.95.
(0-689-86231-8).
Through concise text, striking photographs, and basic maps, an award-winning journalist and Vietnam Vet explains
the causes and consequences of Vietnam War for young people.
Coleman, Janet Wyman and with the International Spy Museum. Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies: A History of Spies and Espionage.
Abrams, 2006. $24.95. (0-8109-5756-6).Ê
An inspiring collection of stories about spying and espionage that explores the history
of famous individuals, double agents, events, tools of the trade, and covert operations.
Flanagan, John. The Burning Bridge: The Ranger's Apprentice: Book II.
Penguin Group USA/Philomel, 2006. $16.99. (0-399-24455-7).
Will's knowledge and experience as a Ranger's apprentice are tested when he learns the enemy war plan discovered by his mentor
was a trap that could destroy the army and defeat his king.
Fleischman, Sid. Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini.
HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 2006. $18.99. (0-06-085094-9).
A biography of the magician, ghost chaser, aviator, and king of escape artists whose amazing feats are remembered long after
Harry Houdini's death in 1926.
Fletcher, Susan. Alphabet of Dreams.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum/Ginee Seo, 2006. $16.95. (0-689-85042-5).Ê
Desperate to find her family and hunted by the king after her father's rebellion, a starving Mitra sells her little
brother's ability to dream other people's futures, thus involving them both with the magi Melchoir as he seeks the birth
of the king foretold in the stars.
Jaramillo, Ann. La Linea.
Roaring Brook/Deborah Brodie, 2006. $16.95. (1-59643-154-7).
Fifteen-year-old Miguel has
waited for years to join his parents in the United States. Finally his papa sends money for him to leave Mexico and cross "la linea,"
but the journey is full of danger and hardship.
Linking for Learning. 2005 ed. Canton, IL: Illinois School Library Media Assocation, 2005.
Now available at the State Library.Ê Call Number:Ê # 027.8 illinÊÊÊ
You can request this item from the Oregon State
Library for inner library loan by faxing your contact information; name, title, address, phone number, etc. and the item
requested:Ê Title, Call number to (503)-588-7119.Ê The item will be mailed to you for 28 days use.Ê Prior to the return date,
you simply mail the item back to the State Library.Ê
I found this book to be a useful resource for school libraries, district librarians, and college level instructors in LMS
certification programs.Ê It covers Essential Program Components, Implementation Documents and a variety of resources
such as model job descriptions, job interviews, program planning guide as well as 21st century information fluency.Ê The rubrics
for Program Evaluation are set up in understandable English. They are worded in a positive fashion with indicators for Basic,
Proficient and Exemplary library programs.The book comes with a CD that has several of the resources available to the user for
personalizing to help support you in your pursuit of library excellence in school libraries.
Purchase information is at http://www.islma.org/linkingforlearning.htmÊ
for $18.50.
Three day road / Mark Boyden
I hate war stories, but found this book interesting nonetheless.Ê The descriptions of trench warfare during World War I
are compelling.Ê It's the story of an old auntie, her nephew and his friend, and her sister, all Northern Cree Indians,
set in upper Canada at a time when Catholics were establishing mission schools and in France during World War I.Ê
Auntie rebels against the strictness of missionary school, becoming a 'bush' Indian; her nephew and his friend join
the Canadian infantry to fight overseas during World War I.Ê It's a story of change, of war, of conflict between civilizations
and I'm not doing it justice.
There & Then / the travel writing of James Salter.
Engaging collection of travels - richly and elegantly described.Ê Wonderful to dream about on cold, wet days.
We have a 2006 favorite at our school, Blue by Joyce Moyer HostetterÊ -Historical fiction, polio, WWII.
Check-out with a package of tissues to the borrower.
For a gift this year I am giving my daughter the new 2006 by her favorite author, Susan Fletcher, Alphabet of Dreams.
One of her all time favorites was Shadow Spinner and we are both looking forward to Alphabet of Dreams for a holiday read.
Teen readers across the country voted "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling as their favorite book to take
the #1 spot on the annual Teens' Top Ten (TTT), sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA),
a division of ALA.
The vote took place during Teen Read Week (TRW), October 15-21, 2006, and gave teens an opportunity to
voice their choice for the best new young adult books.