Up to the Challenge: Dealing with school library book challenges before they happen
When I worked as a school librarian at Little Elementary in Arlington, Texas, I was terrified of having a book challenged. Sometimes I would wake up at night worrying. I was afraid a parent would be angry with me, and my principal would think I was a bad librarian. If you ever find yourself wide awake and troubled about possible challenges: Get out of bed, drink some water, and remember that you have nothing to fear—if you’re prepared before a complaint occurs. Build your foundation The first step is to be an excellent educator. The second step is to find the section in your district’s school library handbook on reconsideration of school library materials. The third step is to have a policy allowing all students the opportunity to come to the school library daily to check out books. Real-world applications You are likely to have five to 10 books to worry about. For example: A parent walks into the school library. Know how many challenges I had that moved up the chain of command?
Best Websites for Teaching & Learning 2017
The 2017 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. They are free, Web-based sites that are user friendly and encourage a community of learners to explore and discover. Gone but Not Forgotten The following sites have closed, reorganized, or become pay-based since being recognized as an AASL Best Website: The Learnia (Digital Storytelling)
Teachers' Essential Guide to Google Classroom
What is Google Classroom? And how are teachers using it? Learn more about this popular platform and how to use it with students. What is Google Classroom? It's hard to avoid Google's most popular tools -- Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs are now staples for getting organized and getting work done. Read on to find answers to teachers' most commonly asked questions about the platform, with all kinds of information on how you can use Google Classroom with your students. What is Google Classroom? Google describes Google Classroom as "mission control for your classroom," and this might be the easiest way to think about it. Is Google Classroom an LMS? Technically, no. Who can use Google Classroom? Anyone! How do teachers use Google Classroom? Because it's a fairly flexible platform, educators use its features in a lot of different ways. Streamline how they manage classes. How do I set up my Google Classroom? Article 5 Talking Points About Tech for Your Back-to-School Night
NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center
Author Laurie Halse Anderson Speaks for Intellectual Freedom On November 21, 2015, at the NCTE Convention, Laurie Halse Anderson (pictured on the left with Joan Kaywell on the right) accepted the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award with the following words that embody the purpose of the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center. Thank you very much for this wonderful award! Recognizing the significance of intellectual freedom is more important than ever, now that America is finally entering her adolescence. The two greatest promises that America made to herself and to her children were that all people are created equal and that Americans are granted the rights to think, to speak, and to write what we want. Without our intellectual freedoms, we will never be able to fulfill the glorious dream of equality, or the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all of our people. I see America as entering her adolescence because that is the time of the most intense search for identity.
Here’s A 4 Part Explanation Of Snapmaps and Ghost Mode For Snapchat « 100.3 The Bull
Okay friends, a lot of you heard about the new Snapchat update that introduces it’s users to Snapmap. At first, it is an alarming idea that someone could know where you’re located. Here are few things you should know about Snapmap and it’s potential dangers or confusion spots. First, we shouldn’t be afraid of technology but we should always be aware of it’s power. Privacy is a thing of the past when it comes to people we know in this world. With the extreme interconnected web the Internet weaves between us makes us feel ‘okay’ with sharing more information to our peers than ever before. With that said, here are the important factors you need to know about Snapchat’s new update: It’s actually pretty cool. I hope this list helps those of you who are a little behind the curve with technology but love Snapchat. Follow me on the links below. Follow me on Snapchat: mrnickrusso Follow me on Instagram: kingnickrusso
Access to Print Books? Yes!
In this time of virtual and hybrid learning, are print books still important? My answer is a resounding “yes”! However, what do you do if your administrator doesn’t “get it”? I received a request for advice from a school librarian who said that her principal has been telling her to get rid of books because everything is online. I had expected to advocate for library budgets and positions this year as many school budgets have been cut due to COVID-19 and the slacking economy. The idea of balancing the collection and having access to both print and electronic sources is one supported by AASL’s National School Library Standards. The following bullets address some questions and ideas to consider when advocating for access to and budget for print resources: What are your administrator’s main goals or objectives? Our students need equitable access to diverse school library collections in multiple formats. Works Cited: Antolini, Tina. 2009. Barshay, Jill. 2019. Jacobson, Linda. 2018. Like this:
Best Websites for Teaching & Learning
Best Websites for Teaching & Learning honors websites, tools, and resources of exceptional value to inquiry-based teaching and learning. Sites recognized foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. They are free, web-based sites that are user friendly and encourage a community of learners to explore and discover. The Landmark Websites are honored due to their exemplary histories of authoritative, dynamic content and curricular relevance. Landmark Websites for Teaching & Learning 2018-2019 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning Committee Stacy Brown Elizabeth Kahn Joy Millam Maria Muhlbauer Floyd Pentlin Leslie Preddy Kathryn Salmela Deborah Schiano Karen Scott Krista Welz Sherry Gick, Chair Phoebe Warmack, Board Liaison Jennifer Habley, Staff Liaison
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO) Home The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Or you may contact us at the following address:
ALA | School Library Media Centers and Intellectual Freedom
Dianne McAfee Hopkins Dianne McAfee Hopkins is professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is also faculy coordinator, school library media program. She is the 2001 recipient of the American Association of School Librarians/SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award. Introduction As the first library that many children and young adults are introduced to and use on a continuing basis, school library media programs play a vital role in promoting intellectual freedom. Access As views on schools and schooling evolve, so does the role of the school library media specialist in preK-12 education. In the school, the library media specialist works closely with classroom teachers to make school library media center (LMC) resources an integral part of daily instruction. Today, resources available in school LMCs have expanded beyond books and basic audiovisual materials in many schools to include CD-ROM products and electronic information. Policies and Procedures
