Tuesday Tips September 27, 2016

TECH TIP:  Election Debate Resources

In honor of last nights first presidential debate, here are two great resources for your classes about presidential debates.

 PBS Learning has a wonderful collection of election resources, including an interactive map that shows you where the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are each day.  And if you are looking to do a debate in your classroom (on any topic), there is a Classroom Debate download which guides you on how to run a successful classroom debate.  (Side note: I love hosting class debates in the library!)

TheWashington Post also has an interactive debate site, where you pick the issues that the two candidates will be debating.  You then click on the candidate's picture and it shows you video clips of the candidate talking about that issue.  Could be a great way to show students how the candidate's stand on specific issues. 

BOOK TIP:  Clinton and Trump books

Two books in the MMRHS Library on the two candidates:

Great Again: How to Fix Our Crippled America by Donald J. Trump is the book where Trump lays out his vision for fixing America's economy, military, and education system.  Hard Choices, by Hillary Rodham Clinton, is Clinton's memoir of the choices and challenges she has faced in her life, particularly during her tenure as Secretary of State. 

Tuesday Tips September 20, 2016

TECH TIP:  Words With Friends EDU Edition

I've long been a Words With Friends fan (you can play me at Librarylady159), but now there is a classroom edition of Words with Friends.  As a teacher, you set up your account, then set up a classroom.  Give that classroom code to your students, and they play against each other in that closed class environment.  There are Power Words that earn bonus points, a built in dictionary to look up words they don't know, and there are even lesson plans on the site.   On the teacher dashboard, you see who has played and how many points and badges they've earned.  Could be a fun classroom game or extra credit opportunity!

BOOK TIP:  The Secret Lies by Megan Miranda

A fast paced suspense and survival thriller.  Kelsey's mom was kidnapped as a teenager and after escaping, goes on to build a house that is a fortress.  A house she never leaves.  So when Kelsey comes home and her mom is gone, she knows something is really wrong.  But maybe the "fortress" was more about keeping people out rather than keeping her in.  

Tuesday Tips September 13, 2016

TECH TIP:  Vizia Video Quiz Creator

Vizia is a great tool for making YouTube videos interactive and allows you to ask questions and get feedback from students as they watch videos for your class.  With Vizia, you paste in the URL for the YouTube video, and then you select points along the video timeline to add in questions (can be multiple choice or short response).  You then share the link to this Vizia video with the students and when they watch it, the video actually stops on the points you've set up and they must answer the question.  All of their responses are then put into a Google Spreadsheet in your account, where you can see all their responses.  You can set it up so they have to log in with an email.  

Click here to see the example one I set up using a library video.  You'll get a sense of how this works AND I'll give a prize to those who complete the quiz!  http://vizia.co/videos/a8e0aa755901529f678d98/share

I found this tip at FreeTech4Teachers:  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/08/how-to-create-video-quizzes-on-vizia.html

BOOK TIP:  The Fireman by Joe Hill

This was a great science fiction book with a dystopian twist.  A terrible plague has taken over the world, where you burst into flames.  There is a small underground group, led by the Fireman, looking to save the world and control those who burn.  An especially good read for fans of The Walking Dead or Robin Cook books.  

Tuesday Tips September 6, 2016

 TECH TIP:  The Hidden World of the National Parks

This is the 100th anniversary of the National Parks service and in recognition of that, Google put together astunning interactive featuring 5 of the National Parks.  If you're already dreaming about your next vacation, spend some time here!  And be sure to wear your headphones for the full experience! Enjoy the trip.

I found this tip at Larry Ferlazzo's Blog:  http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2016/08/26/google-unveils-impressive-site-the-hidden-worlds-of-the-national-parks

BOOK TIP:  A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

This was hands down my favorite book of the summer! I absolutely adored it.  Ove is a grouchy old man whose wife has passed away and he has decided to kill himself.  But life keeps getting in the way.  Underneath the grouchy exterior, though, is a man with a big heart.  This book will charm and delight.