BYOD... What is it Anyway?

BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device.  It's an initiative that's taking hold in schools and businesses in an effort to turn "no zones" into "yes zones."  People are simply more comfortable with their own technology.  Many adults and students alike carry a very powerful computer in their pocket daily in the form of smartphones.  For years, students have been told to turn their devices off when they enter the building or not to bring them at all.  That mantra is no longer a reality in today's connected age.  Why not let students turn their devices into productive tools for learning instead of merely using them for social networking?  BYOD has multitudes of pros and cons; simply search it and you will find a slew of articles for and against it.  Several districts across the country are successfully implementing BYOD, and WCPSS is turning to those districts for guidance during this pilot year.  At LMES we are doing a very small pilot with only 2 classes starting BYOD.  Once we've worked through the bumps and policies, we hope to be able to determine whether BYOD is a great fit for Lake Myra or not!
 

More Great Books for 5th Graders

 

“Game Changers: Heavy Hitters” by Mike Lupica

Sports writer, Mike Lupica, weaves an excellent tale centered around middle school aged baseball.  Ben and his friends, the Core Four Plus One, learn how to deal with fear, pressure, and friendship during this baseball season that's leading up to the championship game of the All-Star Baseball League.  In the first game of the season, Ben gets hit by a pitch, and he gets hit hard.  Will he be able to overcome his fear of hitting?  I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I mistakenly thought was going to be only for boys who are sports fans.  How wrong I was!

“Savvy” by Ingrid Law

What’s your savvy?  Can you make water bend to your will, creating storms of hurricane caliber? Or are you electric?  Maybe you’re just about perfect, getting things right 98% of the time?  What if your savvy was that you could hear what people were thinking… well, only if they have some ink on their skin - like a tattoo or some writing?  What happens when someone can’t control their savvy and gets angry?  Can you imagine if your brother could electrify you?  This story involves one very special family with a whole bunch of unique savvys, but this family is dealing with a tragedy.  Confused, angry, and desperate to help their father, the kids and some new friends take an unexpected journey that will cause all kinds of mischief, but will also form bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime.  What’s your savvy?

More Great Books for 4th Graders

 

“Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” by Chris Grabenstein

Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory has nothing on Mr. Lemoncello’s library.  Get ready for the craziest escape game with puzzles and clues and serious competition.  Would you play dirty like Charles Chiltingon, you know, Chiltingtons never lose.  Or would you play desperately like Haley or would you ally yourself with strong team members?  These kids will see holographic librarians, talking Pharaohs, experience a hover ladder to reach the high heights, and be tempted by treachery and deception.  Think you’re ready to be the new focus for Mr. Lemoncello’s commercials?  Enter the library and let the games begin.

“Flora & Ulysses” by Kate DiCamillo

It all started with a with a multi-terrain vacuum cleaner.  Before you know it, I, Flora one of the world’s natural-born cynics, was rescuing a squirrel.  Holy Bagumba, who vacuums their yard anyway, but that’s exactly what I witnessed, one poor little squirrel getting sucked right up.  For a cynic, I was surprisingly helpful and I dashed over to my neighbors’ and shook that squirrel right out.  I can tell you that there was nothing in the back of favorite bonus comic “Terrible Things Can Happen to You” about how to give an unresponsive squirrel CPR.  Something amazing happened after I saved that little beast... perhaps he was destined to be a superhero or maybe a writer.  For a cynic, I have surprisingly high hopes for my new friend, Ulysses.  Unfortunately, the powers of evil are working against us in Ulysses’ arch-nemesis, my mother.  And then there’s William Spiver, an annoying boy who’s temporarily blind, but kind of growing on me and with serious sidekick potential.  All I know, is that together, Ulysses and I are better... check out our illuminated adventures to see what kind of craziness we we get into.

More Great Books for 3rd Graders

"Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House” by Geronimo Stilton 

Geronimo is at it again... this time, he's lost in the woods and he stumbles upon a haunted castle.  He wishes over and over again that he was at home.  His sister Thea shows up to discover the mysteries of the castle, but all of the scary tricks are only revealed to Geronimo.  Will Geronimo ever make it home?

“Ramona the Brave” by Beverly Cleary

I am Ramona and this is my year… the year I’m going to have something to tell all the kids at school when it starts.  It’s actually been an exciting summer at our house for a change - we have an actual hole in our house.  I know, unbelievable but true, and it’s going to be my new room!  But you know, this year just isn’t turning out like I thought - my sister thinks I’m a pest, the kids think I’m a liar, I’m kind of scared of my new room, and my teacher just doesn’t like me.  Do any of you have 1st grade brothers or sisters?  Just remember that the really are trying to grow up, but it’s really really hard.  

More Great Books for 2nd Graders

“The Year of Billy Miller” by Kevin Henkes

Billy Miller is worried.  He's worried that he won't be smart enough for 2nd grade, and he has good reason to worry.  He started the year off by falling off of a giant statue of the Jolly Green Giant and miraculously coming out of it with only a large bump on his head.  His mom is concerned that he might have long-term issues from the fall, but his dad has assured him that this is going to be "The Year of Billy Miller."

“An Angel for Soloman Singer” by Cynthia Rylant (gorgeous illustrations)

Soloman Singer was an unhappy man… he lived in a place he didn’t love, no balcony, no pets, nothing like his Indiana home, and he was lonely… so he wandered.  One evening he wanders to a little cafe with a kind waiter.  He has no idea that an “Angel” is about to help him change his outlook.  This is the story about how we look at the world around us, how the people we connect to can make such a difference in our lives, and how one man manages to keep his dreams alive while learning to love what’s right in front of him.

More Great Books for 1st Graders

“Best Friends for Frances” by Russell Hoban

Frances is a young badger who just can’t find anyone to play with her.  Her friend Harold has decided that girls can’t go on walk-abouts and they can’t play baseball games either.  Frances discovers that she has a built in best friend at home in her younger sister, Gloria.  When she and her new best friend set out for a picnic outing, Harold decides that girls aren’t so bad after all, especially when they have such a fantastic looking picnic lunch.  I wonder if Frances and Gloria will let a “boy” come on their fun day.

 

“Oliver Button is a Sissy” by Tomie dePaola

“Oliver Button was called a sissy.  He didn’t like to do things that boys are supposed to do.”  What kinds of things do you suppose that would be? “Instead he liked to walk in the woods and play jump rope.  He liked to read books and draw pictures.”  Even his papa called him a sissy.  He was always trying to get Oliver to play baseball or football or basketball.  One day Oliver gets a nice shiny pair of tap shoes.  He gets so awesome at tap dancing that he decides to enter the talent show.  Do you think Oliver will win and earn everyone’s respect?  Do you think that his Dad and friends will finally accept him for who he is?  Or will Oliver be doomed to be called a sissy his whole life? 

A Moonlight Walk at the East Regional Library

More Great Books for 1st Graders to Read!

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!  Or fill out an online request form for them!

“Best Friends for Frances” by Russell Hoban

Frances is a young badger who just can’t find anyone to play with her.  Her friend Harold has decided that girls can’t go on walk-abouts and they can’t play baseball games either. Frances discovers that she has a built in best friend at home in her younger sister, Gloria. When she and her new best friend set out for a picnic outing, Harold decides that girls aren’t so bad after all, especially when they have such a fantastic looking picnic lunch.  I wonder if Frances and Gloria will let a “boy” come on their fun day.

“Oliver Button is a Sissy” by Tomie dePaola

“Oliver Button was called a sissy.  He didn’t like to do things that boys are supposed to do. Instead he liked to walk in the woods and play jump rope.  He liked to read books and draw pictures.”  Even his papa called him a sissy.  He was always trying to get Oliver to play baseball or football or basketball.  One day Oliver gets a nice shiny pair of tap shoes.  He gets so awesome at tap dancing that he decides to enter the talent show.  Do you think Oliver will win and earn everyone’s respect? Do you think that his Dad and friends will finally accept him for who he is?  Or will Oliver be doomed to be called a sissy his whole life? 

Great Books for 3rd Graders

“Miss Daisy is Crazy” by Jim Paillot

I go to a really weird school where the teachers don’t know anything, I say stuff all the time that isn’t even funny but everyone laughs, and the principal is willing to rent us the school. Well, we really wanted to buy the school and turn it into a video arcade cause my friends and I made a pact to always always HATE school. Since we couldn’t buy the school, we’re going to rent it.  You know the best part?  We don’t even have to pay for it, we just have to read a MILLION pages - sounds impossible, right?   What can I say, I have a really weird school where lots of crazy, impossible things happen!

“The Man Who Walked Between The Towers” by Mordicai Gerstein

The year is 1974, the year the World Trade Center is being built. We know The World Trade Center as the infamous Twin Towers (picture).  A young aerialist named Philippe Petit got a crazy idea as he watched the towers rise further and further into the sky.  Do you know what an aerialist is?  Can you imagine what he wanted to do? This is the true story, with gorgeous, artistic illustrations, of a man who will live forever in the memories of those who witnessed his death defying stunt.   

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!  Or fill out an online request form for them!

Great Books for 2nd Graders

“Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey

When I went to Boston last year, I ran into several beautiful bronze statues of all these little ducklings. Boston inspired Robert McCloskey to write this lovely story about Mr. and Mrs. Mallord and their family that they raised in the heart of Boston. After the ducklings are born and unable to fly, they must make their way on foot across the city to Mr. Mallord. This means crossing dangerous roads filled with impatient drivers. Read how the city opens its heart to this family and "Makes Way for Ducklings."

“Nate the Great” by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

I, Nate the Great, am one of the world’s greatest detectives.   Unfortunately, I’m on the trail for a missing painting a day late. I hate cold trails.

Suspects… first there’s Annie, completely obsessed with yellow, but since she drew it, she’s probably innocent.

Then there’s Fang, Annie’s somewhat vicious looking dog.  Of course the picture is of him so it doesn’t make sense that he would take it.

And how about Rosamund - if Annie is obsessed with yellow, Rosamund is obsessed with cats.  Cat lovers do not take pictures of dogs.  I, Nate the Great, must think of everything.

Finally, there’s Annie’s little brother, Harry.  Hmmm… little brothers can be into everything. Did he take the picture?  Will this search have a happy ending?  I, Nate the Great, am on the case, so you can bet that I will not rest without an answer.

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!  Or fill out an online request form for them!

Great Books for 4th Graders

“Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” by Robert C. O’Brien

Can you imagine living in a cage and having scientists give you injections to make you smarter?  What happens when you get smarter than the scientists?  That’s what happened at NIMH… several rats and a few mice got so smart that they were able to figure out how to synergize and escape by reading the laboratory signs.  Only a couple of mice make it, but several rats set out to create a new, civilized rat society, one that uses, or rather steals, human inventions.  Mrs. Frisby has no idea that she is connected to these rats.  Her son is dreadfully ill and she must use all her courage to find out how to help him by visiting the wise old owl.  His advice will lead her on a journey that will reveal secrets that her husband never had a chance to tell her.  Will the rats help save Timothy?  Will they learn to live without stealing?  Or will NIMH come and exterminate them all?

“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate

This is the heart wrenching story of a beautiful Gorilla named Ivan who finds hope through a friend who teaches him to be an artist. Based on a true story, Ivan is a captive Gorilla in a type of circus on the side of the highway. As he grows, he struggles with who he is. He tries to be human, but fails, and he's not even sure he remembers what it's like to be a gorilla. This is a very fast read, but the story will remain with you for a lifetime.

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!  Or fill out an online request form for them!

Great Books for 5th Graders

“The Name of this Book is Secret” by Pseudonymous Bosch

If you’re listening to this booktalk, it’s probably already too late for you.  I shouldn’t have even written this book, but sometimes a secret just has to be shared.  It all started with a simple box called the “symphony of smells” - sounds weird, right?  Trust me, it is… but it’s the key to a centuries long search for immortality.  There are some seriously bad (and totally people who are responsible for multiple kid disappearances.  All these kids had something “special.”  I’d tell you but then you’d really be involved and that just might not be safe for you.

“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio

Have you ever felt different?  Like you just didn’t fit in?  Well, chances are pretty good that you’ve never experienced anything like August, better known as Auggie, Pullman.  He’s going to school for the first time ever this year, and let’s just say that middle school is just not the time to make a grand entrance when your face looks like Auggie’s.  Auggie has a serious deformity, one that you just can’t ignore and it’s, frankly, really hard not to stare. This is a classic story of a kid who, against all odds, makes true friends who are willing to stand up for him against some older bullies and even a rich and popular antagonist.  I know this sounds like some sort of special education created book, but I promise you it’s not - it’s the story of friends who are going through growing pains - and it will make you want to be friends with someone like Auggie, not because of how he looks, but because of who he is.

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!  Or fill out an online request form for them!

Great Books for 1st Graders!

“Diary of a Wombat” by Jackie French
Wombats are super cute. I should know cause I am one. I love to sleep, scratch, and dig holes and I think carrots are super yummy, until I get bored with them, that is. Are you curious about what a typical day looks like in the life of a wombat. Well, I’ve just written the best selling story, “Diary of a Wombat,” to tell you all about it. In this story, I find myself some new pets, and they are super easy to train. They bring me carrots and oats, and they are getting much faster at responding to my needs. Yep, I think humans make pretty good pets! Read my book to find out just how I managed to train them.

“Henry and Mudge: And the Starry Night” by Cynthia Rylant
If you love dogs and are ready for a beginning chapter book, this is the series for you. There are lots of stories about Henry and his dog, Mudge. In this particular story, “Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night,” the two best friends go on a camping trip with Henry’s parents, and let me just say that Mudge particularly enjoys camping, especially all the awesome smells and many chew toys available. Henry is excited about the trip but kind of worried that he might meet a bear. Do you think he will? Will Mudge protect him? Or will he find something much more meaningful and beautiful than a silly old bear?

Check out these books at the LMES Media Center!!

A Year in Review at the LMES Media Center

Before beginning a new school year, I like to reflect on what was accomplished the previous year.

Here's a snapshot of 2013-2014:

*  Mrs. Pittman retired (and has taken several fabulous trips) and Mrs. Behrend moved from music to the library!  Thank goodness for Mrs. Johnson to keep me in line!!
*  The computer lab, laptop carts, and iPad carts were broken down so that more technology could be integrated into the classrooms.
*  Ten additional laptops were purchased along with 10 more iPads to be utilized in our collaborative Synergy Suite space.
*  All students underwent library orientation with videos, quizzes, and scavenger hunts.
*  We adopted the "Leader in Me" and the library had a transformation with murals relating to the 7 Habits.
* We have continued to offer flexible-access and kindergartners have weekly storytimes.
*  MTAC (Media and Technology Advisory Committee) formed and wrote a two-year tech plan.
*  "The Loop at the Lake" was born, a weekly video announcement by students every Friday.
*  The PTA donated money from the book fair in the fall and spring to purchase over $1500 worth of books.
*  Wendell Rotary club donated $500 for book purchases from Quail Ridge.
*  Our Storybird Authors Club wrote and published seven bilingual books that are now a part of our library collection.
*  Students created book trailers and reviews for almost 100 "interactive" books using QR codes.
*  Fifth grade students researched three weekly stories using the eWISE model and reported them on "The Loop at the Lake."
*  Scads of student work has been published on our Pinterest page.
*  All computers in the building were upgraded to Windows 7 - let the troubleshooting continue!!
*  Almost every teacher leader in the building supported reading with a book review.  Our Pinterest wall of fame continues to grow.
*  We had "Book Madness" in March to celebrate Read Across America with a beginning bracket of "Sweet 16" authors and an ending champion, Dr. Seuss... over 60,000 reading minutes were logged and over 1600 books were read that week.  Ms. Wall totally lost in the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge, but the students won as they watched Mrs. Zarzecki and Ms. Wall sumo wrestle at our reading celebration to end the week.  Listening to the whole school read "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" out loud was exciting and moving at the same time. What a fun week of reading!
* We had books on wheels anytime the library was closed to continue access this year.
* The LMES website was somewhat rebuilt due to upgrade issues.
*  A new media tech webpage was created using a fun tool called Thinglink.
* Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Behrend started the online graphic novel "Media Mayhem... This is Your Library!"
*  Lunch in the Library on Fridays was started to give kids the option to hang out in the library.
* Miss Adams and Mrs. Behrend started weekly technology professional development videos for teachers.
* Mrs. Behrend gave a reading professional development and a PDpdq review with Miss Adams.
* Over 117 technology woes were answered (documented).
* Over 37,000 circulations (yes, that means we shelved 37,000 books, too:) this year and over 700 holds were placed.
* Student library leaders helped in the mornings and with shelving, adult volunteers assisted as well.
* "Storytime with Sibs" was born and PK students were invited to the Lake for a story and a chat with a staff member four times per quarter.
* Oh, and Mrs. Behrend is finally finished with grad school... again!!

Whew, it's been a busy and productive year.  I'm looking forward to another fabulous year in the media center with even more awesome research and reading!!

Keep reading,
Mrs. Behrend

My Digital Portfolio of my Internship at the LMES Media Center (hover over the picture to see the links appear)

Come to the "Land of Dreams"

Hey LM Students... I know many of you have made reading goals this quarter, which is totally awesome. If you need help finding something to read or just want to check out something new, come and visit what Samantha and Alana call Lake Myra's own "Land of Dreams." You won't be disappointed! I love that these ladies came to me and asked me if they could do an iMovie about our library. Way to be proactive, girls!! I hope they convince you to visit the LM Media Center; there's no better place to help you achieve your reading-for-fun goal.

 Keep Reading, Mrs. Behrend

"Reading Isn't a Seasonal Sport"

Students and Families... after our crazy week of "Book Madness" to celebrate Literacy Week, you may have heard me say that "Reading isn't a seasonal sport." Sometimes, we get really excited about reading during Literacy Week, but then we get caught up in the craziness of the fourth quarter and we forget that reading is something we need to do daily. I'm not talking about reading for school; I'm talking about reading for fun. Did you know that students who read for pleasure typically do better on standardized tests than students who have been given direct instruction on the test (Gordon, 2010)??!! Kate DiCamillo has said that reading is a precious gift.  It has the power to "literally change the thought processes of the reader" (Willingham, 2009). You owe it to yourself to own reading...  reading for school, reading for information, and most of all, reading for FUN! If you think you hate reading, you just haven't found the right book. Come see me down in the media center, and I will accept the challenge to help you find something you will enjoy reading. I promise not to judge your choices... don't believe me? Check out this edition of our graphic novel, "Media Mayhem: Reading Rocks"!!


I challenge all of you, staff included, to create a reading goal. It could be to read five chapter books before school is out or to re-read the entire Harry Potter series (I'm talking to you, Mrs. Powell:) or maybe to try to read 4 different genres.  Whatever it is, tell your teacher and she will post it to Edmodo. Keep track of your goal, only you are in charge of your reading destiny!  Where will the Media Mayhem take you?  I can't wait to find out!!

Still aren't sure about the power of literacy? Take 2 more minutes and watch this beautiful video and maybe it will convince you how important it is to be motivated to want to read!



Keep Reading and remember that reading isn't a seasonal sport,
Mrs. Behrend

Gordan, C. (2010). Meeting readers where they are. School Library Journal, 56(11), 32. 

Willingham, D. T. (2009). Why don’t students like school? [Kindle version]. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from Amazon.com.

Our Final Storybird Collaboration: "Poetry at the Lake"

You may see several poems by a budding author named Avelin. Avelin writes poetry all the time at home, so we asked her to bring in some of her favorites to be published. Many of our Storybird authors had enough time to contribute a poem or two, though! Enjoy our final product!! This has been a wonderful club, and I cannot wait to see what we put together for our Leadership Day to be led by Avelin and Ariana!

"Halloween Slimed"... a Hilarious Story by Tristan, Dixie, and Michelle

We howled as we all helped to finish this story... a true collaboration!

"Nature is Everywhere" by Aaliyah, Ariana, and Sheyla

A sweet story by three Storybird authors!

Storybird Story!

Here is Avelin and Alexa's beautiful story.

Storybird Story!

Here is Taylor, Natalie, and Mackenzie's work.

Storybird Authors... New Stories

And here is a short story by Alexis and Brisely. We hope you enjoy all of our stories!!!!! They have been such a fun group of authors. Hopefully we will have a few more coming!! Keep reading, Mrs. B