In the wake of the destruction wrought by Sandy, Marc Aronson emphasizes the importance of the Common Core standards as students and teachers discuss the link between the recent hurricane and climate change.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Graphic Novels and the Common Core
By on November 12, 2012 Leave a Comment
If you’re looking for official justification for the purchase of graphic novels, look no further than the Common Core State Standards. In grades 6 to 12, students will be required to apply the Reading standards to a variety of text types and formats, including graphic novels. Today’s graphic artists and writers provide a plethora of titles for beginning readers to adults. Check out these new titles that will strengthen your collection and thrill your readers.
Wondering how to put Common Core into practice? It’s easier than you think.
By on November 8, 2012 6 Comments
This fall, as we’ve traveled around New York State doing workshops for librarians and teachers on the Common Core State Standards, we’ve been living and breathing the new education standards.
Consider the Source: On the Common Core Trail
By on November 6, 2012 Leave a Comment
Here’s Marc Aronson’s latest report from Common Core land. Two weeks ago, he was on the road for four days along with Sue Bartle leading Common Core (CC) workshops. They learned a lot—much of it encouraging.
SLJ Summit 2012: Nonfiction Authors Address the Common Core
By on November 5, 2012 Leave a Comment
At the School Library Journal Summit held October 26-27, authors Deborah Hopkinson, Barbara Kerley, Steve Sheinkin, and Sally M. Walker came together to share their views on their work and how they can address Common Core principles as they conduct research for their books.
Common Core Will Stress Already Inadequate E-rate Funding
By on November 5, 2012
The E-Rate program, which is responsible for the funds dedicated to connecting schools and libraries to the Internet, is unable to keep up with high demand., and schools’ needs are only becoming more urgent with the advent of the Common Core Standards.
Forensic Scientists at Work | Noteworthy Nonfiction (For Older Readers)
By on November 5, 2012 Leave a Comment
New titles point to the tantalizing clues left by ancient remains, and the painstaking work of geologists, archeologists, and physical and cultural anthropologists, as they search for and consider evidence, draw conclusions, and re-examine theories in light of new information and technologies.
Severed Limbs, Devil’s Hairs, and Boys Turned into Beasts | A Delightfully Grimm Approach to Fairy Tales
By on November 5, 2012 Leave a Comment
Blending modern-day sensibilities with an avid appreciation for the source material and an endless knack for inventiveness, two novels by Adam Gidwitz, make sound starting points for examinations of folklore.
Common Core and Common Sense: Editorial | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
Series Made Simple Fall 2012Cover and illustration by Daniel Pelavin
When I get interested in a topic, I become obsessed. I don’t really have hobbies; I have infatuations. I don’t have favorite movies or novels; I have look-but-don’t-touch collections. And when it comes to learning about a new subject, I can’t just read one book on it—I have to read everything I can get my hands on.
And that is why so much of the Common Core State Standards [...]
Numbers Everywhere: Mathematics | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
With the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the need for informational books has increased; math volumes must satisfy both the language arts informational text standards and the mathematics standards.
Nonfiction Series and the Common Core State Standards: Back Page | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
Superheroes Among Us: Librarians are the unsung tech leaders in our nation’s schools | Editorial
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
Photograph by Mark Tuchman
Action figures don’t usually weigh in on SLJ’s design, but Flash, the iconic DC Comics superhero, zipped into the story this month. He snuck his way into my purse and then onto my desk just as editors Kathy Ishizuka and Rick Margolis and I talked about our cover strategy with art director Mark Tuchman. Flash didn’t say much, but his force was unstoppable.
Our conversation about the findings of SLJ’s 2012 school library tech [...]
On Common Core | Content Over Coverage
By on November 1, 2012 1 Comment
One of the most common complaints about state or local curriculum standards is that they focus on covering a range of topics while sacrificing depth of understanding. Chances are you’ve heard your colleagues bemoan that these standards are “a mile long and an inch deep.” Are the Common Core State Standards any different?
A Match Well Made: The standards’ emphasis on information aligns with librarians’ skills | On Common Core
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
I grew up on the ’60’s outside New York, where there were racial riots and free love. The Beatles boomed from boxes and people sang about clouds, vanity, and love. Today we are largely beyond racial riots, love is cheap, and music still booms in ear pieces playing tunes of confusion, vanity, and love. Transformation has occurred, but there are timeless elements. Information is one—valuable and priceless, but packaged differently today than it was 25, 50, or 100 [...]
SLJ’s Resources on the Common Core
By on October 22, 2012 3 Comments
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have become the topic du jour in educational circles, and librarians are key participants in the conversation. School Library Journal’s Leadership Summit, “Advocacy and E-volution: Creating Stronger Schools Through Stronger Libraries,” taking place in Philadelphia October 26-27, will focus on how librarians and school media specialists can propel the dialogue and help teachers and administrators deliver on the full potential of the Common Core.
A Video Hosting Solution for Schools
By on October 21, 2012
Under Common Core, students will be writing scripts, reviewing books, making public service announcements, and creating other content, all using video. For schools, this presents a technical challenge: Where to host all this video? SLJ columnist Christopher Harris has found a solution.
Libraries, Ebooks and Beyond: Library “Makers” Share How It’s Done
By on October 18, 2012
Searching for some great ways to get kids hooked on creating digital content? Attendees at the October 17 Digital Shift event got some great tips from Wes Fryer, Melissa Techman, Liz Castro and Erin Daly, all participants in a panel on “Makers in the Library.”
Consider the Source: Shuffling Off to Buffalo
By on October 10, 2012 Leave a Comment
School librarians and the Common Core (CC) have been my focus all year, and especially this fall. Sue Bartle and I have been holding one workshop after another with teachers and librarians, spreading our CC gospel and hearing their issues and concerns. The great thing about being out in the field is that I learn as much as I teach—and one spectacular example of that recently took place in Buffalo, NY.
Crazy About Comics? Visit Kids’ Comics Revolution!
By on October 3, 2012 Leave a Comment
Cartoonists Dave Roman and Jerzy Drozd always seem to have something fun going on at Kids’ Comics Revolution! blog—which features podcasts, tips on creating sound balloons, and visual storytelling. Now is an especially good time to drop in for a visit. Drozd has just launched an online book club that’s devoted to Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl (First Second, 2011), the tale of a young explorer whose best friend has been abducted by a space alien.
The Wild World of Steve Jenkins | An Author Study
By on October 2, 2012 4 Comments
The Common Core’s emphasis on nonfiction challenges educators to provide insightful and interesting materials to students. In order to best serve my population, I decided to create a series of nonfiction author study units similar to those we already did. Since most teachers at my school tend to assign animal research reports to introduce nonfiction, I chose Steve Jenkins for my first nonfiction author study—someone whose books are found in most classrooms and libraries.
