Ford Media Center

Book Munchers Club in Full Swing

Members of the Ford Book Munchers club met yesterday to discuss the books they selected for the week.  Many excited conversations took place as students met in small groups to discuss the best parts of the books, character overviews and themes.  The club is made up of 3 different groups of students who select one book per week from the Georgia Book Award nominated books for middle grades.  After reading the books, students write a short summary of the plot, list all of the characters and the role each plays, then write questions about the book on 3 x5 cards to try and stump the other team members. 

After reading and studying each of the books, selected students from the club will participate in the Helen Ruffin Bowl in January. These books are great stories that are well written and cover a variety of genres.  We are having a great time!

Scholastic Book Fair's One for Books Contributions to be Donated to Clarkdale

This year Ford's Scholastic Book Fair will be held on October 5-9.  We hope that all of you will attend our book fair and purchase hot-off-the-press books for your children, nieces, nephews and  grandchildren. The book fair proceeds pay for our Accelerated Reader program, books for the media center, equipment and furnishings.

Ford will also participatie in Scholastic's One For Books program.  For every dollar donated, Scholastic will match that dollar toward books for children in need. Books and proceeds from this program will go toward replacing books for classroom teachers at Clarkdale.  Teachers spend a large amount of money out of their own pockets each year to provide classroom libraries for students.  It is our privilege to be able to help restock those libraries.

For more information go to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/fordbookfair

First Graders Learn the 5 Finger Rule for Selecting Books

First graders learned some great strategies for selecting a great book on their level from the story Goldisocks and the Three Libearians  by Jackie Mims Hopkins. Students in Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hyde's class practiced looking for just right books!  We are using the five finger test this year to help students determine if a book is just right for them.

First, a student picks a book then makes a fist with one hand. Choosing two pages from the book, the student then reads and holds up a finger for every word not known. If five fingers are up after 2 pages the book is too difficult and another one is selected.  This is a good rule to follow at home as well. Happy reading!

New Enpowerment for Patrons

Students are going to love Destiny's new empowerment options for patrons.  Yes, empowerment folks!  Students in grades 2-5 will be taking control of their "Destiny" while learning more and more about the wonders of the media center.  Listed below are some of these new features. 

• Create a user account that is password protected.
• My Info tab gives information about the student's account.
• Renew books.
• Create a resource list.
• Recommend titles to friends.
• Write a book review or rate a book using the star system.
• Submit wish lists to the media staff.
• Customize the Destiny Quest view.

Mrs. Harp and Mrs. Bales look forward to seeing all of you soon.  Can't wait to teach you about all the new ways to become an information super star!

Cobb Virtual Library Just Gets Better and Better!

If you haven't checked out the Cobb Virtual Library in a while, you might want to give it a look.  This is a fantastic service offered through your school.  During  orientation students will receive the new access information in order to be able to take advantage of these resources from home.  Ever need some information about a topic but don't know where to search?  The Cobb Virtual Library is the place to go.

World Book Online has added some wonderful new features that will be showcased in upcoming lessons as well as Gale Resources, Britannica Online Encyclopedia and a multi-media component that includes a subscription to Soundzabound, royalty free music that students and teachers may download for use with presentations.

The newest addition is Pebble Go.  Finally, a research product for younger learners.  Pebble Go was developed by Capstone Books and includes simple information about different types of animals.  The site is interactive and includes short facts that students can read on their own or listen to.  There are review games, short video clips of the animals and and audio of animal sounds.

Please visit the media center during sneak-a-peek to pick up more information about this resource.

Welcome Mrs. Bales!

We are happy to welcome our new Ford Media Center paraprofessional, Mrs. Greta Bales.  Mrs. Bales has been at Ford for quite some time as a kindergarten paraprofessional. She is looking forward to working with students in a new capacity. Mrs. Harp is happy to have her on board!

Back on Track!

We have not been absent from the media center this year here at Ford as it might appear by this blog. I have spent an inordinate amount of time redesigning the Ford school website using our new Web development program along with redesigning our media center layout to better facilitate student use of computers for instruction.  Both turned out very well, though we are still making some small adjustments here and there!  

Last week we enjoyed having Chad Crews visit our K-3 students.  As you can see from the photos, the students had a great time and I think Mr. Crews did as well.  His show brought in facts about animals and   books, with a little bit of magic thrown in. 

Setting Up a Wiki

Interested in using a free wiki with your class?  Check out the Power Point presentation for step-by-step instructions for using PB Wiki.  It's as easy as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! 

Download presentationstepbystepguidewikis.ppt

Ami Blackford, Author /Illustrator

Ami Blackford, author and illustrator of the new series The Duncan Family Adventure, will bring her own brand of magic and storytelling to Ford students in February.  Ami is a recent graduate of  the Atlanta College of Art where she studied to become an artist in order to illustrate her own tales.

Students can also win a private art lesson with Ami. During the Spring Fling, parents may bid on this opportunity.  Books by Ami: Quest for the Elfin Elixir and Quest for the Dragon Stone

Michael P. White, Illustrator, to Visit Ford

Michael P. White, illustrator of some of our favorite books will speak with grades 2-4 on Wednesday, January 9th.   Michael has illustrated such classics as The Library Dragon and Old Jeb  both by Carmen Deedy and Harriet's Horrible Hair Day by Dawn Lesley Stewart. He will demonstrate how he plans and draws illlustrations for children's books.  His books are available for purchase through the Ford PTSA and the Owl's Tree Bookstore.