Next Lunch Bunch

Hi!

The next Lunch Bunch will take place on Monday, December 2. Sign up in the Media Center. Dennis from the public library will be telling you all about an upcoming program at MAPL, you'll get to do a craft and eat your lunch in here, and hear about some new books. AND if you have a loyalty card, you'll earn a point for attending! 

*Please note: there needs to be at least 4-5 students signed up per period. The public librarians won't be able to stay if only one or two kids have signed up- convince a friend to sign up with you if you want to attend during periods 7 or 8!

Don't forget: the Catching Fire trivia contest is still happening! Swing by the library by the end of the every day to answer that day's question. Raffle winner will get a gift card that will cover two movie tickets!

Catching Fire contest

Hi Hunger Games fans! 

To celebrate the second movie coming out on 11/22, the library will be holding a Catching Fire trivia contest. One winner will take home a gift card that will cover the cost of 2 tickets! Here's what you need to know:

1. One question a day: in the morning announcements, posted outside the library, and posted the night before on Twitter (follow us @mamslibrary)

2. To answer: if you know the answer, stop by the library by the end of the day to write it down on a slip with your name on it. 

3. To win: One winner will be chosen. The more correct answers you submit, the better your chances of winning the movie gift card!

Copyright-friendly images

Hi!

Now that we're well into the school year, you've probably been assigned several projects and many of those projects probably include pictures that you've found on the Internet.

The 8th grade Bee team came in this week for a lesson on plagiarism and using images. All of us need to be aware that whenever we use ANY information or material from someone else (words, images, music, video, etc.) we need to give them credit by handing in a Works Cited or a list of the websites we took the images from. Check out the information below on how to find images that are labeled for re-use and how to give credit.

Google Images

-When using Google Images type in what you're searching for. Then click on the wheel (right next to Safe Search).

-Click on Advanced Search, then scroll down to where it says Usage Rights. Select "Free to use or share" OR "Free to use, share or modify" (if you'll be editing the image in Photoshop, etc).

-When you hand in your work, include an Image List or slide with a link to the website that the image came from. This is not "Google Images" - Google is only taking you to the website; you cannot cite Google as a source for research or pictures.

Bing Images

Type in what you're searching for, then click on License. Follow same steps as Google Images (Free to use, cite the website, etc)

Other Sites to check out: (free to use, just give credit!)

Animal Photos: http://animalphotos.info/a/

Clickr (clip art): http://www.clker.com/

Flickr Creative Commons: http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/flickrCC/index.php

The Morgue File: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/

Open Photo: http://openphoto.net/

School Clip Art: http://www.school-clip-art.com/

Calling All Loyal Library Users!

Coming soon...our library loyalty card! If you frequently visit our library, you can start earning prizes for taking part in various activities. Just ask Ms. Emili or Mrs. Weissman for a card! 

How it works:

1. Ask for a punch card. Write your name on it- if you lose it, you'll have to start earning points all over again.

2. Start earning points. After each completed activity, you'll get your card punched. 

3. Once you've earned enough points, cash them in for prizes! 

How do you get your card punched?
Earn 1 point for doing any of these activities:

*Attend Lunch Bunch
*Read a genre of the month book and hand in a mini review slip
*Submit a book review for our library blog
*Volunteer in the library during your study-hall. Help Ms. Emili out by putting away the fiction books, straightening the shelves, helping with displays, etc.

What can you earn?

Earn 3 points: pick 2 (small) prizes from the prize box. Small prizes include things like pencils, candy, bookmarks. 

Earn 5 points: pick 1 (bigger) prize. Big prizes include things like posters, books, and small toys.

Earn 12 points: win a $10 gift card! Your choice of Barnes and Noble, Dunkin Donuts, or iTunes.

Welcome back!

Greetings from the MAMS Media Center! I hope you had a wonderful summer. I'm excited to meet our new 6th graders and to see our returning students back in the library! Whether you're new to MAMS this year or you're an 8th grade library regular, here are the top 5 things you need to know. See you soon and best of luck this school year!

 

 

1. When can you visit the library? 

Unlike in elementary school, there is no "library class." However, your classes may come in sometimes for research, projects, or to listen to book talks. You can visit the library by yourself during your study hall or lunch periods, as long as you have a pass. Sixth graders may visit the library AFTER your class has come in for library orientation (sorry- you have to know where things are before you can check out books!)

2. What's the deal with study hall? 

Coming to the library during studyhall is a PRIVILEGE. In order to keep that privilege students must: have a pass from their studyhall teacher, sign in when entering, have something productive to do while you're here, and leave the library the way you found it.  You may come to the library to do any of the following: use a computer for research, print out an assignment, find a book, or read a book or magazine. Homework should be done in studyhall, unless you need a computer or help with research! Because we have limited computers, students playing games or wasting time on a computer will be asked to leave.

3. How do I check out a book?

Have your ID with you. You may take out 2 books at a time and keep them for 2 weeks. Most of our fiction books have stickers on them, telling you which genre they fit into. Ms. Emili and Mrs. Weissman can always help you find what you're looking for- don't be afraid to ask!

 4. What else does the library have to offer?

In addition to regular books, we have:  e-books that you can read on any device (Kindle, Nook, iPad, smart phone, etc), magazines, databases to help you with your research, daily newspapers, and lots of other resources available on our website.

5. Are there any special activities that happen in the library?

YES! Most months we have a reading contest with prizes and a Lunch Bunch event, when a librarian from the public library comes in to tell you about new books, shows you how to make a craft, and you can eat your lunch in the library with your friends.  Some of our language arts classes have Skyped with authors. We had a dressup day last year for School Library Month in April. Sixth graders participate in Six Flags Read to Succeed. This year we'll be starting a Library Loyalty program, where you can earn prizes for participating in contests and volunteering in the library. Stay tuned to the morning announcements, read the blog, or stop in to find out what's going on!

 

End of year stuff

Summer vacation's only a month away! Just a few reminders before the end of the year:

*The LAST day to check out will be Friday, June 7. 

*All books must be returned by Friday, June 21!!!!!!! Your fines must also be paid by the 21st!!!!!!!!!!

* May is Mystery Mayhem Month in the library! Read mysteries for prizes. This will be the last contest of the school year.

*E-books will be available all summer! We will not be lending out any Nooks after June 7, but if you have your own Kindle/Nook/iPad/ipod/Droid device, you can still check out books this summer! Just click on the link "E-books/Nooks" on the Media Center page OR stop by the library before the end of the year and I'll show you how to download e-books. The best part is, they automatically return themselves after 2 weeks, so no late fees!

*Do you (or would you) ever read magazines in our library? Fill out our magazine survey so that I can make sure we have the magazines that you want to read! 

1 month to go!
Ms. Emili 

Great job!

Hello friends of the library,

April's over and so are the School Library Month celebrations! Here are some of the highlights:

*We had a successful Dress up Day fundraiser, where we raised $135 to send to Belmar Elementary School to help re-build their library after Hurricane Sandy! Lots of teachers and students dressed up and you all looked great!

*We finished the puzzle!!! It took 14 days for kids and staff members to finish placing all 1,000 pieces!

*The Scavenger Hunt Challenge winner was sixth grader Samantha Siragusa!

There are still I <3 my library bookmarks left- stop on by to pick one up.

Mescal- Publications

Hi Mrs. Mecal's classes!

Today you'll be using the information you found on your volcano to create either a travel brochure or a newspaper front page. Here is the link to Read Write Think's Printing Press, as well as some tips:

ReadWriteThink

*Make sure you pick a layout that will include enough space for the minimum number of images

*Think of your audience: remember you are trying to SELL your publication; make it interesting and informative!

*Headlines: should be short, draw the reader in, and appear in a larger font

*Bylines and captions should be small and appear under your article or photo

*you might want to type your work in Word and save it and then copy and Paste into your publication!

*make sure to Save As draft so that you can go back to your work!

*Printing brochures: print in landscape mode!

Mescal- Volcanos (4/22)

Hi Mrs. Mescal's students!

This week you'll be researching a volcano and then creating either a travel brochure or a newspaper using the information you found. Below are some links to help you with your research. Good luck!

Discovery Kids Volcano Explorer

http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/volcano-explorer

Earth’s Active Volcanos

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/world.html

FEMA’s Ready website:

http://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

Global Volcanism Program:

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Michigan Tech’s Volcano page:

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/Volcanoes/Index.html

National Geographic Kids- Volcano pictures

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/gallery/volcanoes/

Natural History Museum- Kids

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only/earth-space/volcanoes/index.html

Scholastic’s Facts About Volcanoes:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/general-facts-about-volcanoes

Volcano World

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/

Volcanoes

http://www.learner.org/interactives/volcanoes/entry.html

Weather Wiz Kids:

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-volcano.htm

Happy Poetry Month!

Did you know? April is National Poetry Month! Whether you're a poetry lover or you'd like to learn a little more about the genre, check out these links for some literary fun:


Children's Poetry Archive: http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/poemsHome.do

Giggle Poetry:
http://www.gigglepoetry.com/

Teen Ink Poetry:
http://www.teenink.com/poetry/

Poet's Corner:
http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/

The Poetry Foundation:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

Shocked Poetry (online magnetic poetry):
http://www.shockedpoetry.com/

SLM updates

As you can see, our community puzzle is coming along nicely! The edges are put into place and significant progress has been made on the hot air balloons. Awesome job, guys!

Here are some other updates on School Library month Dress Up Day:

**New info for Literary Dress Up Day!**
-date has been changed to Friday, April 26
-Will now be a fundraiser for Belmar Elementary school library (they are still rebuilding their library after hurricane Sandy)
-To dress up: drop off a $1 fundraiser donation to the library any time during the week of April 22-April 26 (by the end of 1st period on Friday)
-Once you drop off your money, you'll receive a name tag to wear with your costume. You will need this name tag as proof that you donated and in order to dress up!
-On Friday: wear a costume to school!

Costume Rules:
-must be a character from a book (or a movie that is based on a book)
-all school dress code rules still apply
-no masks or weapon props (i.e. if you're Katniss you can't bring a bow and arrow to school!!!!)

All fundraiser donations will go towards a Barnes and Noble gift card so the Belmar library can purchase new materials. If everyone donates $1, think of all the money we can raise! Teachers are welcome to dress up too- so start working on your costumes!

Hi there,
April is National School Library Month! To celebrate, we have several activities happening in the Media Center. Stop by to participate!


*Since the theme this year is Communities Matter, let's see if we the MAMS community can finish a 1,000 piece puzzle! Drop in during lunch or studyhall to work on it with your friends.

*Try our Scavenger Hunt challenge. It's tricky! But if you complete it, you get a prize and a raffle ticket for a Barnes and Noble card.

*Coming soon...a Sandy fundraiser/Literary Dress Up day! Donate $1 to help buy new books for Belmar Elementary School (they were hard hit by the hurricane) and you'll be able to dress up as a book character for the day. More details (and an official date) coming soon!

Monro- MyHistro timeline

Hi Mrs. Monro's kids!

Here are directions for using the MyHistro website. 

1. Register for an account and log in

2. Click on Stories > Create new story

3. Give your story a name and short description and add a thumbnail picture of your author

4. Click Add Events/create new event

Aside from dates, you might want to add:

-details about how this event influenced the author's work
-a summary of each book is about
-links: to a book review, an article about the author, etc.
-photos: of your author, book covers
-videos: youtube clips of your author speaking if available

-All of this will be visible when you click "Read More" on an event in the timeline

- NOTES: My Histro asks you to pick a location on the map for each event. If you're not sure where an event takes place, just pick the city that your author was living in at that time or their current city. You DO NOT have to pick specific dates for events: just select Unknown.

-If events in your timeline are appearing out of order, just refresh the page. 

-When you view your timeline, you can click Next instead of waiting for it to auto-play. 

Monro-Author study

Hi  Mrs. Monro's students!

Today you'll start doing your research for your author study. Below are some links to help you get started. Remember, you can also use the author databases in Ebsco and Facts on File as well.


Author/Book Sites

Biblio.com
http://www.biblio.com/

Book Browse Biographies
http://www.bookbrowse.com/authors/allauthors/

Children's and Young Adult authors list
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/authors/on_the_web/auth-illA-I.html

Harper Collins Children's Books
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/authorsandillustrators/websites.aspx

Harper Collins Teens- Author Interviews
http://www.harperteen.com/author/interviews.aspx

Internet Public Library Author Page
http://www.ipl.org/div/askauthor/

Kids' Reads
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/authors.asp

Lib Guide- scroll down to list of author sites
http://palibraries.libguides.com/content.php?pid=261432&sid=2158278

Random House Authors
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/authors-and-illustrators/

Random House- Kids
http://www.randomhousekids.com/authors-illustrators/

Scholastic Authors
http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/ab/biolist.htm

March Madness

Hey there sports fans,

March Madness has hit the library. Read any sports book, and win prizes. Fiction novels, non-fiction books (ex. books about a sport or team), and athlete biographies all count!

See the list below for some sports fiction titles:

Above 95 Street And Other Basketball Stories by Geof Smith
Babe & me by Dan Gutman
The batboy by Mike Lupica
The big field by Mike Lupica
Dawn patrol by Jeff Ross
Football Champ by Tim Green
Football Hero by Time Green
Football genius by Tim Green
Game by Walter Dean Myers
Go big or go home by Will Hobbs
Heat by Mike Lupica
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Hot hand by Mike Luipica
Jackie & Me by Dan Gutman
Jim & Me  by Dan Gutman
Kick  by Walter Dean Myers
Long Shot by Mike Lupica
Mickey & Me by Dan Gutman
Million dollar throw by Mike Lupica
Ray & Me  by Dan Gutman
Roberto & Me by Dan Gutman
The rivalry: mystery at the Army-Navy game by John Feinstein
Roberto And Me by Dan Gutman
Rush for the gold by John Feinstein
Safe at home by Mike Lupica
Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Sports shorts: An Anthology Of Short Stories by various authors
Travel team by Mike Lupica
The Underdogs by Mike Lupica

Happy Read Across America Day!

Hello, readers!

Friday, March 1 is Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday! It might be the perfect day to...

*check out a book or a Nook from your school library!

*Create an account on Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/

*Sign up for the next Lunch Bunch (March 19)

* Find something new to read:Teen Reads

*Earn a free book:Free Book Friday

*Play some games on Scholastic's site: http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/games/?lnkid=stacks/nav/games/main

*Tell your parents, friends, or teachers about what you're reading!

*Read to a younger sibling

Happy reading,
Ms. Emili 

Evaluating Websites activity

Hi Mrs. Nilsen's classes,

Here are the links for the evaluating websites activity. Remember, you'll take one link and your partner will take the other. Good luck!



Topic #1: Women and AIDS
Link 1: Global Coalition on AIDS
Link 2: AIDS Facts

Topic #2: the Holocaust
Link 1: Institute for Historical Review
Link 2: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Topic #3: September 11 terrorist attacks
Link 1: After 9/11
Link 2: National September 11 Memorial & Museum

next Lunch Bunch

The next Lunch Bunch will take place on Monday, February 11. Miss Linda from the public library will be here to book talk some titles and teach you a craft. Don't forget to sign up in the Media Center!

Evaluating Websites Activity

Hi Ms. Sobieski's classes,

Here are the links for the evaluating websites activity.



Topic #1: Women and AIDS
Link 1: Global Coalition on AIDS
Link 2: AIDS Facts

Topic #2: the Holocaust
Link 1: Institute for Historical Review
Link 2: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Topic #3: September 11 terrorist attacks
Link 1: After 9/11
Link 2: National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Historical Fiction month

Looking for something to read? The library's genre of the month is historical fiction. Read books for prizes! Any fiction book that's set in a historical time period counts. Here are just some of the books available in our library:

Al Capone does my shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
The best bad luck I ever had by Kristen Levine
The book thief by Markus Zusak
Bound by Donna Jo Napoli
The boy who dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Catla And The Vikings by Mary Nelson
Chains and Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
Copper sun by Sharon Draper
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
Cursing Columbus by Eve Tal
I Survived... series by Lauren Tarshis
Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe
Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Once and Then by Morris Gleitzman
Riot by Walter Dean Myers
Ruby Red by Kirsten GierA Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
A stolen life by Jane Louise Curry
Three Rivers Rising: a novel of the Johnstown flood by Jame Richards
To Come And Go Like Magic by Katie Pickard Faucett
What World Is Left  by Monique Polak
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
Yellow star by Jennifer Rozines Roy

Research papers

Hi 7th grade researchers! 
Here are some links for websites that explore controversial issues. Remember, your best bet is to start with the Points of View database to find articles, since it will give you an overview and a pro-con debate on your topic. Then you can explore other websites and books. Please remember, Wikipedia/Wikianswers/YahooAnswers/etc. are not valid sources for research! Good luck!

Middle School Debate topics:

http://www.middleschooldebate.com/topics/topicresearch.htm

Controversial issue starter links:

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/persuasion/issues.html

Hot Paper Topics:

http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm

Debateapedia:

http://idebate.org/debatabase

Food Insight: Hot topics in food and nutrition:

http://www.foodinsight.org/healthy-eating.aspx

Pro-Con.Org:

http://www.procon.org/

Social Issues:

http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html

Do you do GoodReads?

Hi there,

If you're on Good Reads, the library would love to friend you! Mrs. Pape's and Ms. Gregg's classes have already joined. Good Reads is a social networking site for books (like a literary version of Facebook). Keep track of what you've read and what you'd like to read, see what your friends are reading, get recommendations, and much more! Check it out: http://www.goodreads.com

Happy reading!
Ms. Emili

Mescal- Scientist sites

Hi Mrs. Mescal's classes!

Here are some websites to help you with researching your scientist. Please remember to write down the websites (and books) that you use on your graphic organizer. Good luck with your work!

Links for the ToonDoo directions and the graphic organizer are also located at the bottom of this page. If you lose your handout, you'll have to print another copy.

CyberSleuth Kids: Scientist biographies

http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/Society_and_Culture/Biographies/Scientists/index.htm

Factmonster: Notable Scientists

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/scibio8.html

Kids.gov: Inventors and Scientists

http://kids.usa.gov/teens-home/science/scientists/index.shtml

4,000 Years of Women in Science:

http://www.astr.ua.edu/4000WS/summary.shtml

Science Heroes:

http://myhero.com/go/directory/page.asp?dir=Science

Surfnet Kids: Science

http://www.surfnetkids.com/directory/Science/

 

Easy Bib:

http://easybib.com/

 

ToonDoo Directions

 

Graphic Organizer