Striking Gold: Teen Readers' Advisory

Presented by Abby Johnson, New Albany-Floyd Co. Public Library and Kate Conklin, Charlestown-Clark Co. Public Library

These presenters booktalked many popular teen books in a variety of categories. Find these books and the categorized lists on Goodreads:

http://goodreads.com/striking_gold

Resources to know:

Alex Awards – http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/alex - Given annually to ten books published for adults that have wide crossover appeal for teens.

The Cybils Awards – http://www.cybils.com – Check out the shortlists and the award winners for books that combine literary merit and teen appeal.

Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award – http://www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction

The Printz Award – http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz - Given annually to the teen book with the most literary merit

“Rosie” Awards – http://www.ilfonline.org/programs-awards/eliot-rosewater-indiana-high-school-book-award - Indiana High School book award for young adult fiction.

YALSA Book Lists – http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook - GREAT resources for readers’ advisory, these lists include the annual Best Fiction for Young Adults and the Teens’ Top Ten. Teens’ Top Ten is a list of titles nominated and voted by teens.

Young Hoosier Book Award – http://www.ilfonline.org/programs-awards/young-hoosier-book-award/ - Indiana state book award for picture books, intermediate, and middle grade fiction.

What’s Next Books in Series database – http://ww2.kdl.org/libcat/whatsnext.asp - Free place to find series books in order and print easy-to- read lists. Developed by the Kent District Library in West Michigan.

Blogs to check out:

These blogs contain reviews of great new teen and tween books and highlight upcoming releases.

Forever Young Adult – http://foreveryoungadult.com

Guys Lit Wire – http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com

Stacked – http://www.stackedbooks.org

The Story Siren – http://www.thestorysiren.com

YA authors/series you should know:

Heather Brewer—Writes the popular Vladmir Tod Series about middle school vampires.

Meg Cabot—Writes an eclectic mix of popular series, including The Princess Diaries (funny, contemporary), Mediator (paranormal mystery), Abandon trilogy, and the 1-800-Where-R-U series (as Jenny Carroll)

Ally Carter—Writes the Gallagher Girls series, a tween-appropriate chick lit series about girl spies.

Cassandra Clare—Writes the popular paranormal series The Immortal Instruments and other paranormal series.

Suzanne Collins—Writes YA and middle-grade fiction, including the uber-popular Hunger Games trilogy.

Sarah Dessen—Writes YA chick lit where contemporary girls deal with family, friends, and finding love. Similar authors include: Joan Bauer, Deb Caletti, Susane Colasanti, and Elizabeth Scott.

John Green—Writes literary fiction for teens and has a massive online presence through his videoblogs and the online Nerdfighter community he started wit his brother. Similar authors include: Chris Crutcher, David Levithan, and John Corey Whaley.

Ellen Hopkins—Writes edgy novels in verse about teens dealing with drugs, prostitution, religion, depression and other tough subjects.

Darren Shan—Writes creepy stories including the popular Cirque du Freak series.

Maggie Stiefvater—Writes literary paranormal romance including the popular Mercy Falls series.

Scott Westerfeld—Writes sci-fi and fantasy, including the Uglies systopian series and the recently alternate-history World War I series Lefiathan.

What about Manga and Anime?

Manga=books. Japanese cartoon, often published in the Japanese style (i.e. you start at the “back” of the book).

Anime=movies, Japanese animated movies.

Some series have both manga and anime. A few popular juvenile and young adult series have been made into manga as well.

A few popular manga series are:

Anima; Blue Exorcist; Death Note; Fruit Basket; InuYasha; Fullmetal Alchemist; Maximum Ride; Naruto; One Piece; Pokemon; Skip Beat; Soul Eater; Yu-Gi-Oh!

A few popular anime series are:

Black Cat; Blue Exorcist; Death Note; DragonBall Z; Eureka 7; Fruits Basket; Fullmetal Alchemist; Hetalia; InuYasha; Naruto; Sgt Frog; Soul Eater

Pass It On ECRR 2.0

Presented by Emily Hartsfield, award winning librarian from Muncie Public Library.
The focus of this presentation was the of importance early literacy teaching.
Most adults think that children who have not learned early literacy skills can learn them once they reach Kindergarten. In reality, children have great difficulty cathing up once they are in school. Early literacy learning gives children the foundation they need so that when they start school, they are ready to learn to read. In fact, in Indiana children not only is preschool education not funded, but children are not required to attend school until age 7. Read the Indianapolis Star article that sites studies conducted by Indiana Kids Count about how Indiana fails its young children.
In this country 42 million adult Americans cannot read are read only at a 4th or 5th grade level. This level of literacy is below what most adults need to have to function successfully--such as reading newspapers, job applications, and drug and food labels, or balancing a check book or figuring a tip. An estimated 800,000 to 1.5 million adults in Indiana have literacy skills that are below the level necessary for daily life in this country.
Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they actually learn o read and write. Learning early literacy skills builds the foundation for reading so when children are taught to read, they are ready. Early literacy does not mean teaching children how to read.
What the research shows:

·         Parents who frequently spoke to their infants and young children knew significantly more words than children whose parents rarely spoke to them.

·         Reading aloud to children helps stimulate brain development, but only 50% of infants and toddlers are routinely read to by their parents.

·         Children’s brain development is fastest from 0- age 3. Synapses (connections) are formed at a faster rate during this time than at any other time. By age 2 or 3 the brain has more synapses than it needs and these surplus connections are gradually eliminated through a process called pruning. Repetition keeps connections from being eliminated, which has important repercussions for early literacy.

·         Creating the right conditions for early childhood development is likely to be more effective and less costly than addressing problems at a later age.

ECCR 2.0 encourages the teaching of 5 practices that help children learn the essential early literacy skills they need to know in order to learn to read:

·         Talking

o       Children learn new words

o       Children learn the meaning of words

o       Talk to children, but take the time to listen to them talk.

·         Singing (includes rhyming)

o       Helps children learn about language and the different sounds that make up words

o       Assists in developing letter knowledge, phonological awareness, and vocabulary.

o       Try singing nursery rhymes or a book instead of reading the text.

·         Reading

o       Reading together helps increase vocabulary and general knowledge

o       Teaches children how print looks and how books work

o       Spending time reading helps children develop an interest in reading

·         Writing

o       Writing activities help children learn pre-reading skills.

o       Reading and writing are connected, both represent spoken   language and communicate information.

·         Playing

o       Children learn about language through play.

o       Playing helps children think symbolically, so they understand written and spoken words stand for real objects and experiences

o       Playing helps children express themselves and put thoughts into words.

Incorporating ECRR into library programming:

·         In nearly every program some aspect of ECRR can be included—from Lego programs to Toddler Time.

·         Promote it daily during interactions with your young patrons and their caregivers. Make children feel welcome. Say hello, make eye contact, talk with them.

·         Be sure books are easily accessible for children.

·         Make paper and crayons available for children to color draw, and write.         

The core message of ECRR is that everyone has a stake in helping children become fluent readers, lifelong learners, and productive citizens.

The Web in My World

The Web in My World was presented by Karen Ault, who is an award winning media specialist at Brownstown Central Middle School. She discussed web tools she uses with teachers and some that she uses with students. Many discussed were not free. She did refer attendees to the following website:         https://sites.google.com/site/bccscprodev/webworld

This is a table of useful and mostly free websites, from Wordle (building word clouds for free) to Animoto—making free online videos. In fact, I registered for free with Issuu and was easily able to link the PowerPoint (in pdf form) about book trailers from an earlier session.

This table of useful websites is from the above website and was created by Karen Ault:

The Web in My World

Tech Tool	Description / Use	Notes	Example
Word Clouds Wordle Top 10 Word Cloud Sites	Wordle is a free online tool which allows user to create word clouds. No registration required. Word Clouds are great for vocabulary related activities (synonyms, description, etc.) Show survey results created from a word list.	Read the Wordle FAQ page. Wordle clouds can only be saved by capturing a screenshot. *To make words or phrases stay together, separate the words by a tilde (~), ie. Way~to~Go.
Jing	Jing is a free download that allow users to create screencasts up to 5 minutes in length. These files can then be uploaded to Websites or YouTube and used in My Big Campus.	With Common Core Technical Reading and Writing standards, this is a great tool for student to design "How to" guides for other students.	How to Set a Hanging Indent Using Open Office Writer -teacher created
Paint.net	A free image and photo editing software. Teachers and students use it to resize photos for online presentation.	For quick instructions on how to resize a photo using Paint.net, click here.	Sample of a graphic created in Microsoft Word and resized for online use with Paint.net
ISSUU	Free tool which allows user to share online publications. Upload files in selected formats including pdf. An online magazine or newspaper will automatically be generated. Registration required.	The final publication can be linked or embedded. Other publications are advertised on the opening page of your publication. [Some publications displayed are not suitable for student viewing. However, careful selection of keyword tags may assist in ensuring that acceptable publications are offered.]	ICE Conference Guide  All About Me - Creations by 8th grade students learning to use Open Office Draw.  About the YHBA Authors - Open Office Draw documents BCMS Newspaper
LiveBinders	Free online tool which allows user to create online binders containing resources in various formats (text, image, web site, etc.) Email addresses required. Don't forget to search LiveBinders to locate great resources. Just search public binders for a topic such as American Revolution.	Instructions provided so that teacher can use one Gmail account to set up student accounts. Great Tech Resource Binders Web Tools for Teachers by Type Free Technology Tools for Teachers Top LiveBinders for 2012	Click the link below and enter this access key:      ka22 ICE Conference Guide Health Sample
timetoast	Free online tool which allows user to create a timeline. Registration with active email account required. [You can create multiple accounts using the same mail address. Just register using a pattern of email as follows: kajault+01@gmail.com, kajault+02@gmail.com. You can then confirm each account from your gmail account. Then you must give students the email address and the Timetoast password. Students will not have access to the gmail account.]	Timeline events can include images, text, and a link to additional information. Great for social studies projects. User names are displayed. Students using individual accounts should create cryptic names.	The Battle of Gettysburg (student created) YHBA Winners (teacher created)
Symbaloo	Create a webmix of iconic bookmarks that you can access from the Internet. (I am experimenting with this to replace iGoogle which apparently will be going away soon.)	Users need to register to create webmixes. This is a great way for students to create pathfinders for particular topics. (An email address is needed for verification.)
Animoto	With a basic free account, users upload photos, video clips, and music to create short videos accessible online. The video can be accessed via link or embedded into a web site.	Educators can register for a classroom code providing access to Animoto Pro to create and download full length videos. For best results avoid using low resolution images.	Teacher created samples using basic free version 2010 YHBA Intermediate Nominees An American Generation
Museum Box	This site provides the tools for you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would you put in a box to describe your life; the life of a Victorian Servant or Roman soldier; or to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary? You can display anything from a text file to a movie.		BCMS Example
Survey Monkey	With a free account, users can create a survey with 1-10 questions and collect results from up to 100 repondents.	Great for collecting data. A link that can be emailed and added to web pages is generated.	BCCSC Technology Workshops
Diigo	A free account allows users to highlight and archive online research. This information can be shared in collaboration with others.	Educators can apply for an upgraded account which allows them to create collaborations with classes of students. This tool would be personally useful for any educator who regularly uses the Internet to search for information.	Visit the Diigo homepage to take a tour
Study Stack	Visitors can access a variety of ready-made flashcards, hangman and other vocabulary related activities.	Users can create their own activities if they create a free account. Create one account and have students use this account to create study stacks for other classes.	Hangman: Types of Maps Crossword: SAT Voc.
Quia	Visitors can access a variety of ready-made activities in the Shared Activities section. Free tutorials are also available. Our advanced 8th grade LA students have created activities for other grade levels and classes. I use Quia quizzes for preliminary eliminations in competitions such as Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, and Vocabulary Bee.	With an account ($49 per year), users can create their own activites such as hangman and matching as well as others similar to the Millionaire and Jeopardy games. Also, quizzes can be created and automatically scored. No need to enter student info for multi-grade level quiz activities. Just assign a secret word, require students to sign in, and tell them to enter their grade level before their last name. (Example: 7 Jones). This allows you to sort by grade level.	Sample Activities Rags to Riches: Oceans and Continents Activity page created for student review Vocabulary Bee Preliminary (secret word= read) Professional Development Bloodborne Pathogens
Google Calendars	With a free Google account, users can create calendars that can be shared via a link or embedded into a web page.	Calendars can be shared so that more than one person can enter information.	Library Calendar
Google Maps	With a free Google account, users can create personalized maps that can be shared via a link or embedded into a web page.	Maps can be shared so that groups can collaborate in creating a map.	Around the World in 80 Reads (student collaboration)
Google Sites	With a free Google account, users can create personal web sites	Access a guide.	This BCMS Library Media Center site was created using Google Sites. Student Created Sample for  collaboration project.
Google Spreadsheets (Google Docs)	With a free Google account, users can create and share spreadsheets.	Teachers can create spreadsheets viewable by those who have the link. Then share the link with students who would not need to create an account.	Poetry Scavenger Hunt Science Speed Challenge Professional Use - Homework Level Review
Google Forms (Google Docs)	With a free Google account, users can create and share forms. Results are recorded in spreadsheet format.	Teachers can create a form viewable by those who have the link. Then share the link with students who would not need to create an account.	Recommend a Book Professional Use - Collect passwords

Karen Ault, Teacher Librarian

Brownstown Central Middle School * 520 W. Walnut St. * Brownstown, IN  47220

 

Book Trailers with Animoto

Step Inside the Book & Let the Digital World Enwrap You

Presented by Colette Husford, Shenandoah High School

Book trailers are like movie trailers and are fun and easy to make. You and your patrons, young and old, can create amazing book trailers by using the website, Animoto, http://animoto.com/. It’s free to sign up, but the free account limits your choices of videos, backgrounds, pictures, and music. Mostly, it limits the length of each video to 30 seconds. Upgrading lets you make full length videos, more than enough for a book trailer. Libraries can probably sign up for a free educator’s account, but that involves applying for an educator’s code and I haven’t pursued that yet. With an educator’s account, the user can set up individual accounts for students.

Windows Movie Maker lets you do the same sorts of videos, but Animoto is faster and easier to use.

You are limited in the number of words that can be used, so it will be helpful to your kids to give them a worksheet to plan their book trailer before they start: http://www.ilfonline.org/clientuploads/Animoto%20Rubric.pdf.

All handouts are available from the ILF site:

http://www.ilfonline.org/main/2012-annual-conference-handouts-and-presentations/

For the PowerPoint from this presentation, scroll down to:

‘Step Inside the Book & Let the Digital World Enwrap You Power Point’

The presenter has many book trailers posted on her school’s library media page. They were created by high school students:

http://www.shenandoah.k12.in.us/education/components/links/links.php?sectiondetailid=3511&linkid=nav-menu-container-4-22669

They are on the Shenandoah High School site, www.shenandoah.k12.in.us. Click on ‘School Media Center.

See some of our recently created videos on the Cedar Lake Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Lake-Branch-Library/121851962662

And on the Teen blog:

http://cedarlakelibrary.blogspot.com/

This is a great way to encourage narrative skills along with creativity and comprehension. So far the youngest child to make one of these book trailers is a four-year-old. She had to think about the characters, plot, and the most important things that happened in the book. And she had a great time doing it. Of course, older kids enjoy this too and I anticipate using Animoto most with the teens here at the library.

PowerPoint (in pdf form) all about making book trailers from Animoto.