Presentation List - 2010

Keynote: 9:30am - 10:30am

Gwyneth A. Jones

Don't Hate the Hashtag: A Social Media Revolution for School Librarians

Having a web presence, keeping hip with cultural literacy, transliteracy, and building strong personal learning networks is not just an extra burden, but a necessity for the modern teacher librarian. It’s never too late to start...and it’s easier than you might think! Advocate for our profession by embracing change: Don't Hate - Appreciate! Viva la Revolucion!

Concurrent 1: 8:15am - 9:15am (Click here for Session 1 descriptions)

Concurrent 2: 1:15pm - 2:15pm (Click here for Session 2 descriptions)

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Concurrent 3: 2:30pm - 3:30pm (Click here for Session 3 descriptions)

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Descriptions - Concurrent 1: 8:15am - 9:15am

  • Taking One Book One School Programs to a New Level

    Nancy Woodward, Wooster School

    To promote critical thinking and expand the usual academic approaches to literature, Wooster School created a unique One Book, One School program. Involving grades five to eight, this project takes collaboration and experiential learning to new levels. Last February the school celebrated the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen with a full day of activities. It was a busy school day of problem solving, hands-on learning, critical thinking, survival strategies, and even a camp fire. This presentation will share some unique and "out of the box" learning experiences that can be incorporated into your library program while at the same time expanding opportunities for collaboration with teachers and a chance to appeal to a wide range of learning styles.

  • Send in the Clouds: Google Apps for your Library

    Michelle Luhtala, New Canaan High School

    Google Forms for assessment, Google Calendar for productivity, Google Wave for collaboration, Google Sites for publication. It's all free, accessible, and easy! Become a professional development leader in your school. Google tools can transform your library program immediately. In a time where budget cuts are hitting libraries hard, visibility is essential. Leave this workshop with strategies to get these tools help you obtain the recognition you deserve.

  • Author, Jake Halpern

    Jake Halpern is an author, journalist, and radio producer. His first work of fiction, a fantasy novel entitled Dormia (2009), has been hailed by the American Library Association's Booklist as the next Harry Potter. World's End the sequel to Dormia, will be available at the beginning of November. Mr. Halpern will also be available for book signing and sales following the morning keynote.

  • VTS & TPS: Open Your Eyes to Critical Thinking!

    Christine Jewell, Fairfield Museum and History Center

    Both VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) and TPS (Teaching with Primary Sources) encourages the student to analyze information with a critical eye and an open mind. Learn how these two strategies together can place your students "into the picture" to give them a deeper sense of real historical events through real historical documents. Using resources from the Fairfield Museum and the Library of Congress, learn the tools necessary to allow students to analyze primary sources and to make informed judgments about their meaning. Don't always believe what you see!

  • Relinquish the Repeat - Screencasting for the School Library

    Thomas Vaghini, Stafford High School

    Library Media Centers are at the heart of the technology use in schools. In many cases, the Library Media Specialist is the only one to turn to for a quick answer to computer questions. "How do I save this document so I can open it at home?" "How do I print double sided?" "Where is word count?" Screencasting can be a useful solution to those technology FAQ's that come up daily. In addition it can be equally useful in technology instruction when used to create tutorials.

  • Summer Reading Like You've Never Seen It!

    Julie Yulo-Medeiros, Cromwell High School

    Is it possible to get students excited and motivated about summer reading? Will that excitement extend throughout the summer? This workshop will demonstrate how Cromwell High School attempted to answer these questions by adding Web 2.0 applications. Book contests and ALA READ posters were used to hook students. Destiny Quest, VoiceThread, YouTube, Facebook, and many more Web 2.0 applications were added to the traditional mix to encourage and motivate students to stay connected to reading throughout the summer.

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Descriptions - Concurrent 2: 1:15pm - 2:15pm

  • First Impressions: Making the Transition from Library Student to Teacher Librarian

    Alexandra Stevens, Greenwich High School and Carolyn Shea, Westover Elementary School

    Two newly-minted school media specialists will discuss their first months on the job. Topics of discussion will include making the transition from SMS student to actual SMS, preparing for your new job, reaching out to new colleagues to establish collaborative connections, recommended technologies, classroom management tips, and making connections with students and the community, and navigating ethical, bureaucratic, and "office politics".

  • Google Tools for School Librarians – Valuable Educational Resources

    Carol LaRow, Google Certified Teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, Smithsonian Laureate

    Google can help you gather resources for classroom teachers, students, and parents. Develop an iGoogle "startpage" for your library, which can be a jump-off point for research. Include Gadgets that bring pertinent information to the desktop with links to additional resources. Use Google Earth to create "LitTrips" based on novels, with links, questions, resources, and activities. Create "history trips" based on events in social studies. Assist teachers in designing virtual tours. See how Google Maps can be used for student projects. Use Book Search to find books on relevant topics; link to searchable text; download ones in the public domain or read the entire book online. Create online Book Lists for teachers, parents, and students to access from any computer. Get practical ideas for student projects as you assist classroom teachers in creating resources.

  • Documenting your Program: How to Publicize your Accomplishments through Documentation

    Michelle Luhtala, New Canaan High School

    This workshop will help prepare school librarians who feel ready to apply for the AASL NSLMPY award. They will learn how to set up organizational systems that will enable them to efficiently compile evidence of an Information Power program, as delineated by the American Association of School Libraries.
    New Canaan High School is the 2010 winner of this prestigious award.

  • Story Re-telling

    Sue Selk, Riverfield School, Fairfield CT

    Storytelling can be used to develop active and analytical listening skills, encourage imagination and visualization, encourage student exploration, and help students put information into a meaningful context. Participants will experience storytelling and how it can be used help their students focus on their understanding of what they hear and challenges them to communicate what they learned to others. Participants will come away with stories and activities that will encourage increased comprehension skills, organization of events, and detail in retelling.

  • Library Media Promotion through Easy Animation

    Gwyneth Jones

    Promoting your library media center and program has never been easier. Using quick, free, and easy animation studios teacher librarians can create engaging videos to market their media center, databases, research resources, special programs, and their love of reading to students, teachers and the community. Combining easy animation with a wiki, website, or a blog your message will captivate your audience and reach beyond the brick and mortar walls of your school.

  • L4L: Empowering Learners in YOUR School Library

    Mary Ellen Minichiello, Katrina Palazzolo and Irene Kwidzinski

    Join AASL-trained, L4L coordinators, Mary Ellen, Katrina, and Irene discuss implementing the AASL Standards for 21st-Century Learners and Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs, and the potential of the new, online AASL Planning Guide.

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Descriptions - Concurrent 3: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

  • Gadget A-Go-Go: Fabulous Freebies, Great Gadgets, Tasty Tools that Go the Distance

    Gwyneth Jones

    Be cool in school! Do you dig knowing the sweet sites, great gadgets, newest Web 2.0 tools and the current buzzwords? Don't have time to read every journal, wiki, blog, ning, tweet, or plurk, but don't want to be left out in the techie chat cold? Presented triviaoke style, as a quick and irreverent look at the latest and greatest stuff to turbo charge your Library Media Program.

  • Book talking by Design: Tips and Strategies to Hook the Middle School Reader

    Mona Biondi and Monica Sheehan, Saxe Middle School

    Experience ways to design effective book talks that will inspire students, and teachers, to keep coming back for more! See how using technology tools, unique displays, and the principles of responsive teaching can scaffold your book talking presentations into dynamic results to help foster lifetime readers.

  • Books on Buses: A Summer Partnership to Encourage Reading

    Linda Robinson, Mansfield Public Schools

    As the school year draws to a close, school libraries prepare to send students home in hopes that they will use their public library during the summer months. This initiative developed into collaboration between school and public libraries, to make access to books easier for students with limited transportation options. Using school buses, public library books, school library staff, bus company insights, and community support we traveled our Town's roadways during the summer to provide access to library materials, promote library programs, and encourage students to read. Hear how we designed and delivered this service as a partnership to increase summer reading opportunities.

  • Virtual World Learning with River City (Multi User Virtual Environment)

    Terry McCabe, Greenwich Public Schools and Rob Swercewski, Shelton Public Schools

    Presenters will exhibit their use of River City: As visitors to River City, students travel back in time, bringing their 21st century skills and technology to address 19th century problems. Based on authentic historical, sociological, and geographical conditions, River City is a town besieged with health problems. Students work together in small research teams to help the town understand why residents are becoming ill. Students use technology to keep track of clues that hint at causes of illnesses, form and test hypotheses, develop controlled experiments to test their hypotheses, and make recommendations based on the data they collect, all in an online environment.

  • Advocacy Is Every Day

    Irene Kwidzinski

    In this budget climate advocating for students is critical, but advocating for your school library program is not just when your program is under threat. Irene will share strategies and resources so that you can effectively advocate for your program every day. Our students need and deserve the benefits a good library program provides.

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