Carve the Mark

Roth, V. (2017). Carve the mark. New York: Katherine Tegen Books.

The first book in a two book series from Veronica Roth the author of the Divergent Series. The new world she crafts in this book is unique and fascinating. While reading, the reader, is able to experience the growth and change of the two main characters. Akos is a simple boy who lives on one half of the planet occupied by the Thuvhe people. He has a fate from birth, but does not know what it is. His mother is an oracle and can see different versions of the future. He has a brother named Eijeh and a sister named Cisi both have fates also. One day they are all picked up at school by their father and taken home. They are meet by three Shotet soldiers in their house. The Shotet people are not like the Thuvhe people they are very aggressive and strong. The Shotet want Akos and the second born child of the family Kereseth. Their father is murdered in their home. Akos and Elijeh are taken to Shotet. Akos kills one of the soldiers on their way to Shotet. He earns his first mark on his arm. The Shotet people remember the people they kill by marking their arms so the person is always remembered. The leader of the Shotet is Ryzek Noavek. He wants Eijeh because he is fated to be an oracle. Akos learns he is fated to serve the Noavek family. He is sent to learn survival and military behaviors for two seasons. Then Ryzek makes him serve his sister Cyra. Cyra has the current gift that causes pain to herself and anyone who touches her. Akos has the current gift that anyone he touches puts their current gift to sleep basically. He brings relief and strength to Cyra. She has not been able to stand up to her brother until she spends time with Akos. Akos is set on saving his brother and escaping back to Thuvhe. Unfortunately he fails his first attempt and Ryzek uses his current gift on Eijeh. Trading good memories with painful memories. He breaks Eijah and starts to be able to get prophecies from him. The Shotet people one time a season go on a sojourn through space to scavenge another planet for their discarded goods. Akos experiences this adventure with Cyra. By the end of the journey both have learned new things about beliefs they had that makes their understanding of the world around them change. Cyra aligns herself with rebels. Eventually Akos makes it home with Cyra's help. But Akos is not okay being with out her or his brother. The Shotet attack Thuvhe and kidnap the sister of the chancellor. Akos reunites with his sister Cisi and meets the chancellor Isae Benesit. One of the Benesit' are fated to bring about the death of Ryzek, so he tries to change his fate with Eijah's help. Eventually Cyra, Akos and the renegades create a plan to murder Ryzek and try to save Isae's sister. The book ends with Ryzek death being faked, Eijah in a coma like trance and the renegades in space on their way to the Assembly Headquarters.

So much happens in this story, my summary does not do it justice. I like how Roth wrote the book alternating back and forth from the perspectives of Akos and Cyra. 

Learn more about Veronica Roth at her official website.

Cartoons and Comics

Cartoons and Comics creators are fun ways for students to share information they have learned with others. I have explored several different tools for creating comics and cartoons. Below you will find my opinion of each:

ToonDoo

ToonDoo is my favorite tool out of the ones I explored. I loved the vibrant colors and all the choices. The format was very user friendly, drag and drop. The tool bar at the bottom was easy to use and adjust items in my strip. It is very easy to save and I did struggle a little to figure out how to share my comic. I went to the help and did what was suggested. I was able to share the visual with out having to link to a sight as you can see below. I would defiantly recommend this site.

By scj014 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

MakeBeliefsComix

I liked MakeBeliefsComix because it was able to be created in several different languages. The bilingual teachers at my campus would be able to use this application with out having translation issues. The pictures and backgrounds were not as colorful and inviting as ToonDoo, but it was functional. I had difficulty retrieving the strip. The site has you email it to yourself and a friend. I thought I would get it in my email box but it never came. So I went to my friend and had to forward the link to myself. I could not figure out how to embed it to my blog so you can see it with out having to link to another window. So click below to see my comic strip:

My Comic

I did like that the site provided a lot of additional resources. I will be recommending it to teachers at my campus. There are lots of writing tools and a link to Bill Zimmerman resources.

Pixton

I attempted to create a comic/cartoon in Pixton. Unfortunately, I could not get the Adobe 10 to download correctly onto Chrome or in Microsoft Edge. So I went into Chrome and found a comic creator called Story Top.

StoryTop

Here is the comic strip I created in Story Top on chrome.

My Comic

Story Top was my least favorite out of the three apps I tried. It was fairly easy to make and had a decent selection of pictures and backgrounds. I struggled with being able to copy the link to share. I think I attempted at least 10 times to copy the link. Finally it worked and I was able to link it to my blog page. If your school is a heavy Chromebook user it might be a good app extension to add to your students Chrome books. It is simplistic for telling more of a cartoon story then a comic strip story.

In conclusion, how can you use these tools in your classroom. Well, I think there are lots of ways to use them. A teacher could create the beginning, and middle of a story that focuses on a concept being studied. Then students can finish the story either on paper or using the app to draw the ending. Another way would be to have students create a comic/cartoon to share a reflection on a book they are reading. Teachers can create cartoons and comics to advertise activities in the classroom and send it out to parents in a newsletters. As the librarian I might also send out comics/cartoons to advertise events or displays in the library to teachers. Encouraging them to share it with their students or sign up to join us in the library to participate. Kids love comics/cartoons creating one uses several higher order blooms taxonomy and digital taxonomy thinking skills. Such as Designing, planning, producing, just to name a few. 

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Creating videos for educational purposes are becoming really easy to create and access. Teachers and students can use YouTube to find all kinds of resources for instruction and learning. Animoto is another tool that can be used to create videos (later in the post you can view the booktrailer I made using Animoto).

I explored a few library YouTube channels that I would like to share. 

1. Calypso Gilstrap (Norman High School Library). The video I thought would be most helpful to students was the one titled - Getting started with the NHS Library website - because it sets the foundation of how to access all the information in the library. The video - Tiger Visits the Norman High Library - I thought students would like the best because it is fun and engaging, plus it points out all the basics about how to use the library.

2. The Unquiet Library - It is very hard to pick just one video that I thought students would find helpful. The channel has multiple videos with mini lessons / tutorials on how to use different technologies or how to use them for research purposes. I learned something new from How to Export a Bibliographic Data File from LRC to EAsyBib.  The video that I think students will like the best would be the student centered videos. Again hard to pick just one, the channel has so many student projects that are posted. My favorite was The Importance of Choice for Igniting Student Passion and Learning Through Research Projects.

3. Pikesville High School Library - The videos posted on this channel are very fun and full of energy. The video I think students would like the best would be ones that are of interest to them. I think the video Hip Hop Day would be a great way to show students how relevant and hip the library is.

I think students would find the information in PikesvilleHighschool FAFSA to be helpful to students. The video helps students realize all the ways to stay connected and informed about the happenings around the school.

4. bbmsmedia - This channel is full of great videos. The video crew is very talented. I think students would like all the videos the media crew created that help communicate information about the library. I'm The One by DJ Khaled Overdue Library Book Parody is a great way to get students attention to return their books.

The video that I think is the most helpful to students would be all the Noodle Tools videos - NoodleToolsGAFE. Lastly I want to include this video because it is very impressive that middle school students produced it and it is awesome.

QR Codes

A QR Code is short for Quick Response Code. The codes are every where. The first step in becoming a consumer of QR codes is finding a reader and downloading it on your phone or tablet. I chose to download QR Code Reader from Google Play on my phone. The app icon looks like this:

 

I created a booktrailer that is linked to the below QR code. Use a QR reader to view it by scanning it. Enjoy!

Mlynowski, S. (2012). Whatever after: Fairest of all. New York: Scholastic. Annotation - From the Publisher - A fresh, modern spin on a classic fairy tale - from bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski! In this fresh, funny new middle-grade novel, bestselling YA author Sarah Mlynowski writes for a younger audience for the first time! In each book, Abby and her younger brother Jonah visit the magic mirror in their basement at night, and the mirror transports them inside a different fairy tale. In the first magical adventure, Abby and Jonah find themselves tangled in Snow White's story. Once there, they accidentally change key events in the tale! In order for Snow White to get her happy ending, it's up to Abby and Jonah to make things right.

To conclude this post I will share a few ideas of how to use QR codes in the library.

1. Use QR Codes for students to learn more about directions on how to do something, quick access to files, quick access to websites during inquiry projects, PowerPoint, handouts, etc.

2. Put QR Codes on promotional materials such as bookmarks that will link to key library information.

3. Can use QR Codes for students to follow a library scavenger hunt.

4. Use QR Codes for students to easily to connect to book trailers, author websites, and ebooks.

5. Use QR Codes on bulletin boards for students to scan to learn more about the display concept.

Reference

QR Code Generator. Retrieved from https://www.qrstuff.com/

Scan Me! Retrieved from http://eduscapes.com/sessions/qrcodes/

Vincent. T. (2012) Learning in Hand. Retrieved from http://learninginhand.com/blog/learning-in-hand-25-qr-codes.html

Zinkovich.B. (2015). Using QR Codes to Promote Your Library. Retrieved from https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist/novelist-special/using-qr-codes-to-promote-your-library

We're All Wonders

We're All Wonders by R. J. Palacio

If you have read R.J. Palacio's novel Wonder you know how special the story is. Wonder is a book about a boy who is not seen by the world like a normal kid. R.J. Palacio has written a picture book simple version of how to be kind to all people. The pictures are simple, but very meaningful. I plan to read this book at the beginning of the school year to discuss how we are not all the same and it is O.K. The world would be a boring place if everyone was exactly alike. I think my pre-k students will love this book and the story will help me teach them how to be kind to each other. I teach a blended half-day pre-k class where some of my students have developmental delays or physical delays. My co-teacher and I like to help the students understand that we are all special. Along with the idea that everyone does not learn the same way and that is O.K. We also supplement our social/emotional development curriculum with Dan St. Romain materials and Filling Buckets.

TeachingBooks.net resource
Publisher Resource

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Hallie and Grace are sisters who could not be more opposite of each other. Their father dies which creates new challenges and changes for the family. They are left penniless. Their mother contacts a relative and the family moves to Hollywood to live on their Uncle Auggie's guest house. Both girls struggle with the change and what life sends their way. Hallie falls head over heals in love to only have her heart smashed. Grace the more down to earth sensible sister is to afraid of her feelings to admit she loves Theo. In the end they both grow and mature.

The story could be used as a compare and contrast to the Classic book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. A student could read McDonald's book and watch the movie of Sense and Sensibility (or read it). Then create a compare and contrast essay, or Prezi to share how they are similar and different.

Lesson idea for compare/contrast stories.

Screencasts, Instagram and Flipagram

Today I have made a screencast on Google Keep. Google Keep is an app extension that can be added to chrome. I thought it would be a great tool to use in the classroom for students to write summaries of what they are reading. It could also be a great place for kids to keep notes when doing research. If your students have chrome books I highly recommend looking into this app to add to use in the classroom. It can take the place of a paper journal. Students can share their entries with the teacher which allows the teacher to be able to read and comment on their summaries or notes. I also recommend the website Storylines Online  were students can go and have books read to them from famous people and authors.

I have done a few screencasts for teachers to help them be able to use google drive and upload data into Eduphoria for student records. The more experience I have with making screencasts, the more comfortable with creating them. I recommend Screencast-O-Matic as a resource for making your screencast. Then uploading to YouTube.

Instagram - I just created my Instagram account. I have done a few posts of books I am reading. I can see how this could be fun to use in the library as a quick pick reference of what students are reading. Teachers need to be careful to create a private account to use within the classroom to protect their students. This app is a great way to allow parents to see what is going on in the classroom. Teacher's can have kids post pictures of projects, that then parents can see. Middle School students, High School students and teachers I think will get more use out of this app than elementary students.

Flipagram - I just created my Flipagram account, also. I am still playing around with it and learning how to create short videos. I could see students enjoying using this app to create quick educational videos about concepts they are learning about. I also think because they are short students will have to use some pre-planning skills before using the app. I have not figured out how to take pictures and create a short video. I still have a lot to learn and explore with this app. I think I could use it in my classroom to film my Pre-k students retelling stories or taking pictures of a block tower being built. I am sure older students from 2nd grade up could use this app in the classroom with out much teacher assistance. A teacher could video a student telling how to solve a math problem, then other students could watch it as a little tutorial if they are struggling. 

I personally like the screencast the best out of the three different media recording applications. I like how you can go over how to do something on the computer and then post it for others to use. I have fellow teachers who struggle with technology applications. I have created screencasts to help them. It allows others to learn at their own pace and view the video as many times as they need. Which saves me time because I only have to share it one time. Each application offers different ways to share information with others. I think I like the screencast the best because I have experience with it. Who knows maybe in the near future I will be making all kinds of Flipagrams in the classroom with my sweet Pre-k students.

Infographic 101

Infographics can be seen in lots of places. I have noticed them a lot in my Twitter feed, and other social media platforms. I wanted to learn more, so I listened to a podcast interview by Connie Malamed. She interviewed Alberto Cairo who is a professor at the University of Miami. Their talk was very informative. I learned basic information to try my hand at creating an infographic myself. 

The background information: An infographic is a visual story telling tool. It tells a story using data and graphics. By using information to display data in pictures, charts, and graphs helps save the reader cognitive resources. I can see how this way of presenting information is becoming very widely used. I for one do not have lots of time to read long lengthy explanations, but looking at an infographic is fast and very informative. The infographic is eye catching and my brain scans the picture and makes sense out of the data/information on display. If you would like to explore different infographics visit the Daily Infographic. The site is full of cool picture representations of information in 9 different categories. Some categories are animals, education, food, health, entertainment, etc. 

Where to begin? I explored three different web apps that are designed to help create infographics. All three apps can produce wonderful visuals. My favorite was Piktochart. All three were very easy to create an account with by using my Google+. 

Easel.ly - This site has great templates and one can go to fresh start to create one from scratch. The tool bar has lots of great accessories to use in your infographic. I was a little disappointed that some of the tools had a limited selection, unless you upgrade to the Go Pro package. The site was very user friendly - pull, drag, drop. One can upload files and pictures to use. The template has grid lines to help you plot it, which reminded me of Prezi. The charts and graphs were a little complicated to make using the information I wanted. It is very easy to get a shareable link to your finished product. Easel.ly was my #2 out choice out of the three I explored.

Infogr.am - This site was my least favorite. The templates all look the same to me. Limited icons are available unless you upgrade. A user is able to upload from Google drive files, Drop box, One drive and JSON feed. I attempted to create a graph and was very overwhelmed. I could not figure out how to change the scale in the graph. After playing around with this site I gave up and moved on to the next one to explore. This site seemed way to technical for me.

Piktochart - Well, this site was my favorite. I loved all the templates that could be chosen to get one started. I picked one and got started right away. I was able to upload a graph that I saved as a jpeg. I did not end up using it, but now I know how to do it. When working with the template all the formatted information was easy to move and rearrange. I like how easy it was to make the document longer by stretching it out to create more space. The charts/graphs were easy to make and adjust to my information. I did have a little confusion at the end on how to share my infographic. I downloaded it as a jpeg and uploaded it here as you can see below. Also I love how at the very bottom one is reminded and given space to cite their sources used to create their document. My infographic can be seen like a slide show, which is a neat way of sharing your information in small parts. It would be great for using your infographic in the classroom to teach a new concept.

Reference: 

Lenhart, A., Smith, A.., Anderson, M., Duggan, M., Perrin, A., “Teens, Technology and Friendships.” Pew Research Center, August, 2015. http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/06/teens-technology-and-friendships/

Pew Research Center, January, 2016, “Parents, Teens and Digital Monitoring” http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/01/07/parents-teens-and-digital-monitoring/

How to Design Real (Not Fake) Information Graphics. Retrieved from http://theelearningcoach.com/podcasts/10/