Tuesday Tips May 30, 2017

TECH TIP:  3D Printing

A fun collaborative project this week between Kristi Farina, Tom Roy and myself.  Kristi's Geometry classes designed geometric models using the Tinkercad software, and then Tom and his Makerspace interns helped to print out the models on the 3D printer.  There are all kinds of ways the 3D printer could be incorporated into your classes, let Tom and I know what you might want to do.

BOOK TIP:  LEGO Mindstorms Discovery Book

Along with the 3D Printer the library Makerspace also has LEGO Mindstorm Robots.  This is a book that is available from the library for you to learn how to use these.  We would love to find ways to incorporate these into your classroom, reach out to Tom Roy or myself if interested.

Tuesday Tips May 23, 2017

TECH TIP:  Library Databases and TurnItIn

As you begin to plan end-of-year projects, papers, and presentations, a reminder about the databases available through the library website.  In this time of fake news and questioning sources, databases take a lot of the guess work out of it for students as these are compilations of vetted sources.  Check out the full list of databases, or stop in the library and together we can plan out what your class needs.

The library also subscribes to TurnItIn, which can check for plagiarism on student papers, and it also has a grammar check part that can be very helpful in the draft writing process.  Stop in and I'll help you set up a class.

BOOK TIP:  The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

This book is pretty dark, but yet, I couldn't put it down, read it in two days.  If any of you remember Flowers in the Attic, this is the grown up version.  Lane Roanake's mother commits suicide, and she goes to live with her grandparents and her cousin, but all is not good in the house.  And when Lane returns ten years later after her cousin disappears, the family secrets start to come out.  

Tuesday Tips May 16, 2017

TECH TIP:  Library as Space

A broad interpretation of "technology" this week, but great examples of alternative learning.  Last week, the library hosted a gallery showing of Lisken Van Pelt Dus' Latin and Comparative Language class creative projects.  This picture of  Dorian Page's "Euphemism box", which drew a large crowd.  

The library also hosted the Modern Euro debates, another great use of library space.  I love the use of the library for these sorts of events, and as you can see the events drew a great audience, allowing students an opportunity to highlight their learning and creativity beyond the classroom.  I would love to host such an event for your class!

BOOK TIP:  The Diabolic by S.K. Kincaid

This is our student Book Club pick, which we will be discussing tomorrow.  It is a science fiction book, where a humanoid named Nemesis must take on the role of her human master in order to save her from the Emperor.  It is the first book of a trilogy.  We will see what the students say about the book!

Tuesday Tips May 9, 2017

TECH TIP:  NASA Image and Video Library

NASA recently announced the release of a searchable library of image, video and sounds from its many missions.  There are over 140,000 items in the collection.  When I searched for Mars, found this incredible image from the Mars Rover:

This could be a great resource to use in science classes or use the images as story starters for writing projects.  Worth checking out!

BOOK TIP:  Space Books

In keeping with the space theme this week, here two of my favorite space books in the MMRHS library collection.

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickham.  This memoir inspired the film October Sky.  Two young men from a West Virginia coal mining town go on to develop rockets despite many odds.  

Blue Marble:  How a Photograph Revealed Earth's Fragile Beauty by Don Nardo.  The astronauts of Apollo 17 took this image of Earth, revealing the Earth as a floating ball in an inky black sea.  It went on to become one of the most reproduced images ever.  This is it's story and the impact it had on the way we view our planet.

Tuesday Tips May 2, 2017

TECH TIP:  Stupeflix Photo Video Editor

Each quarter, I use a new tool to complete a quarterly report that highlights the statistics and happenings in the library.  This quarter, I used Stupeflixto make a photo video slideshow.  I used the Top 10 template, counting down the top 10 things in the library.  You upload your images, add in text and slide transitions, and then select a piece of music and hit Produce.  Very easy - and free!  This could be a great tool to use with students.  Final project can be uploaded to YouTube and shared.  

Watch the one minute video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlDD5FhmFnY&t=16s

BOOK TIP:  We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

This book has an interesting premise:  Henry Denton has been abducted by aliens off and on for years.  They have given him the power to press a button and save the world by a certain date.  If he doesn't press the button, the world will end.  But the book isn't really about that, it is about making that decision in a world where your boyfriend kills himself, a mother who struggles to make ends meet, a father who abandoned you, a grandmother with Alzheimer's, and a school that taunts you by calling you Space Boy.  A thoughtful look at whether or not the world is worth saving.