Webinar 1 - Checklist Item 4

This week I attended the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) online. I attended two sessions on 1/26 and one session on 1/27. My favorite session was Making Across the Curriculum with PBL. This year we haven't been able to use our Makerspace due to COVID restrictions. I really miss it because the students really enjoy Makerspace. I heard some great ideas in the session that I plan to implement as soon as we can get back to it though! One of the ideas is to have students create a shoe from 4 sheets of newspaper, a foot of tape, and a foot of yarn. They have to design it, build it, and then market it. Some of the examples the presenter showed were really amazing! One student made a high heeled shoe and was actually able to put weight on it. Wow! I can't wait to try that project with students!

Week 2

It was a busy week in the Media Center! Students were back in the building and everyone came to the Media Center to switch out their books.

When books are returned to the Media Center, they are quarantined on a book cart for 2 days due to COVID restrictions. This makes Monday mornings very busy, as we have two carts of books to shelve each week.

I processed book holds for students and seperated them on the cart by in-person and digital students.

In-person students pick up their holds when their class visits the Media Center each week. Digital students can pick their books up curbside. Once a digital student's books are ready, we send an email to the parent letting them know they can pick them up. We have two designated parking spots in the front of the school that they can park in. Then, they call the Media Center phone number listed on the sign to let us know they are here. Next, Media staff brings the books out to the car. It works just like grocery curbside pickup.

Before each class came to check out this week, I made sure that the tables were restocked with books.

Pictured above are the tables for 2nd through 5th grade. There is a table for graphic novels, chapter books, and non-fiction books. Before each class comes to check out, I make sure the books on the table are a good mix of all reading levels.

This week I also finished putting together our Black History Month bulletin board. I am happy with how it turned out. I printed book covers for each title with a summary of what the book is about. Next week, we will display the books together so students can find them easily.

One of the ways our Media Center is promoting reading this year is by having teachers display a poster with the current book they are reading somewhere in their classroom. The idea is to show students that even as adults, we are always reading. The teachers fill out a Google form with their name and title of the book they are currently reading. If this is their first time filling out the form, we give them a new poster. If they already have a poster, we will go to their classroom and update the information for them. This week we gave out nine new posters to teachers.

Week 1 - Digital Learning Week

This has been a very quiet week around the Media Center. Gwinnett County Schools had too many teachers and staff out sick or quarantining the previous week and there were not enough subsititues to fill in. The school system decided to have all students learn digitally this week due to the staffing issues. Teachers and staff who were not ill or quarantining reported in-person this week to teach virtually.

My Media Specialist asked me to assist her in collection development for her spring book order. I created a spreadsheet with twenty-seven book suggestions with a link to their reviews on the Kirkus website (if available). I also recommended purchasing additional copies for a popular series called HiLo. While browsing the shelves, I noticed one of the books our first grade teachers use annually for lessons was only available in paperback. I recommended that we add a library bound copy of it as well.

I spent part of my week processing three new books and three new magazines in the Media Center. I stamped each book, added barcodes, spine labels, label covers, and added the items to our media catalog. I covered two of the books with book jacket covers to help preserve the dust covers. I added barcodes to each magazine, added the items to the media catalog, and then placed them in protective clear magazine covers. I can't wait to share these new items with students next week!

I also prepared for next's week's in-person students by laying out books on the tables for checkout. Due to COVID, students cannot choose books directly from the shelves this year. Books are laid out face up on tables throughout the Media Center for students to choose from. Each table holds a different category of books: picture books, beginning chapter books, K-2 non-fiction, graphic novels, chapter books for 2-5, and non-fiction for 2-5. Students have the option of placing specific books on hold as well.

I was able to help organize the leveled book room and weed some of the older books out. These will be packed up in boxes next week to be sent back to the warehouse.

Today, I began working on cutting out book covers and descriptions for a Black History Month display that will be going up next week.

Overall, it's been a quiet but productive week. However, I am really looking forward to seeing the students next week!

Georgia Library Media Association Membership - Checklist Item 3 (Membership)

I have been a student member of the Georgia Library Media Association since November 13, 2020. I am hoping to attend the Summer Institute in Savannah, GA this summer. I have really enjoyed all of the resources and webinars GLMA offers!