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Sqworl is More Tasty than Del.icio.us

Posted by gwyneth jones on February 17, 2010 at 8:01am

Re-post from my Library Media Tech Musings Blog

Dear Sqworl...I Love You!
my new obsession is Sqworl! or for my Tweeps....#Sqworl!
i mean, i seriously have a super geek crush on this site! backstory: ever since Backflip has died (RIP) i've tried to find an easy alternative to bookmarking to use for myself and with my kids.

i've never really warmed up to delicious... and i'm a visual kinda gal....so when i stumbled across this it was love at first click! My first group was called Addictive Tech Crisps for Education: Web 2.0 Tools : Mmmm tasty techie crisps so good you can't just nibble one! I also created one called: Animation Sites & Education Resources : Animation sites & resources for school use. Some for media/classroom/unit marketing and some to use with kids!

each Sqworl group page is a yummy screenshot thumbnail lightbox of the sites AND with a short url! - SO easy for sharing or adding to a wikipage for students...WITH the added benefit that each time you add sites to it...its automatically updated!

when creating a group of blogs or journal pages - select blog mode = on. that way, each time the page is updated you'll get a nice little star in the corner of the page! yes, that's right...it tracks the RSS feed of a page!

Sqworl also keeps trcks of your views and stats...just click and you'll get a link to how many people have tweeted your group or linked to it! SWEET!

with easy to add bookmarklet button for your toolbar you can add pages on a fly in only 2 clicks!

Using the combination of Sqworl's collections and thumbnails, you may soon be scanning for links based on visual clues - much like the icons on your desktop. If saving URLs with a visual reminder sounds helpful to you, take Sqworl for a spin and start squirreling your URLs away.

Talented wunderkind Caleb Brown created this resource and it's amazing! AND he's very responsive giving out his email address at the bottom of the page and when i had a question - he actually answered it himself within a day or so!

You can even edit the page reposition the links easily!

keep up with new updates by checking out the Sqworl blog

To get to a cheat sheet of this posting to share on your blog or to give out to your staff visit my wiki and snag or link back to it!

3 Best Attitudes Towards a Successful Paper Writing

Posted by Brenda Funchess on January 26, 2009 at 8:10pm

Every writer, in order to excel in paper writing, must note that writing is not just a mere activity that requires knowledge and critical thinking, but an action that demands attitude. There were writers who often fail and end up disregarding their own works. A person, no matter how insightful and smart, can still end up in a fiasco if there is an undesirable attitude associated with the task. To be a successful writer, one must remember these:1. Patience is a virtue. This cliché covers every human activity. Especially in paper writing, patience builds up a writer to accomplish the works started. A writer may be tempted to reject a written work after a couple of mistakes. Impatience leads to anger, and anger subsequently leads to nothing. It could just ruin the writer’s entire mood and cause distraction. To be patient, a writer must have a vision, that at the end of the day, there should be an output.One prominent technique associated with patience to prevent rejection of works is counting one to ten immediately after a writer commits a mistake. Holding the composure and emptying the mind for a moment contributes to patience.2. It is now or never. If a writer can do it now, then do it now. Do not defer an action should there be a chance in accomplishing it. Procrastination is a virus that is fatal to ever career. Have discipline. Deferring paper writing not only jeopardizes the deadline, it develops a degrading psychosis to the writer as well. Procrastination is an easy habit but is also a disease.Focusing on the writing task is a good motivation to finish it. A writer may use a pen and paper or a computer, but all the same, holding these tools sets up the mood and focus. The tools also build up the vision (like “Why stare at the screen?” or “What is this pen and paper for?”), a goal, or a finish line.3. Be involved. To effectively come up with a good write up, a writer must have involvement in it. The topic must be at least associated with personal interests, or there must be willingness to write about it. Paper writing is not solely about research and the obligatory working towards the finish line; it is also about acquiring new lessons and experiences, and broadening the writer’s personal interests.No topic is irrelevant. Every topic, whether outside the writer’s discipline, is significant. A writer must have the want and need to discuss a subject.Research and essay writing skills go hand-in-hand with favorable writing attitudes. The two are complementary in a way that in the absence of one, a writer cannot be totally effective. There must be balance in the writer.

And the winners are . . . (from my blog)

Posted by Joyce Valenza on May 10, 2007 at 12:31am

SEOmoz’s new Web 2.0 Awards were announced yesterday. Last year’s list led me to tools that became a regular part of my life online. There’s lots to explore. Some are already favorites. Some look like great fodder for pathfinders. Others present some cool potential for incorporating in learning activities.

Among the categories:

Dead Girls Don't Write Letters by Gail Giles

Posted by bj neary on January 18, 2009 at 8:13am

bookshelves: read, mystery, realistic-fiction, ya status: Read in January, 2009 review: Sunny is a tough teen who doesn't really miss her sister, Jazz who died in a fire at college. Jazz was a master manipulator who tortured Sunny,impressed and beguiled everyone, especially her parents. Now her mom is a zombie, crying and laying around all day. Her father is a drunk who has fled their home and Sunny is left to care for her, go to school and keep things together. All that changes on the day a yellow letter arrives from Jazz; has she risen from the dead, was she really out of town...more Sunny is a tough teen who doesn't really miss her sister, Jazz who died in a fire at college. Jazz was a master manipulator who tortured Sunny,impressed and beguiled everyone, especially her parents. Now her mom is a zombie, crying and laying around all day. Her father is a drunk who has fled their home and Sunny is left to care for her, go to school and keep things together. All that changes on the day a yellow letter arrives from Jazz; has she risen from the dead, was she really out of town during the fire? When Jazz comes home to her mother, her arms enfold her in a big hug, but Sunny and her dad are not convinced this is Jazz. Giles uses her suspenseful writing to spin a haunting tale that reluctant readers will love .

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi

Posted by bj neary on July 6, 2012 at 1:05pm

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This companion novel to
is totally gripping and as much as I totally loved it, the torture many of the characters went through was beyond what any child or adult during a time of war should have to endure!!! I disliked thoroughly what Mahlia, Mouse and any of the child soldiers were put through minute by minute, never knowing if they could be killed even by their own friends, war maggots and/or leaders. Seeing Tool back in this book was awesome, he is so unbelievable and there were many times you just were not sure he would survive this time. The characters of the doctor, Mahlia, Mouse, Tool and Ocho were very well drawn and author Bacigalupi did a terrifyingly good job with the evil characters and there was never a short supply of them. I lost hope alot, can you imagine what it was like for the characters in the Drowned Cities. Mahlia's hope was always being buoyed by recalling her Chinese mother and her teachings about survival because if she didn't constantly think about a better way; she could just abandon hope with all the violence she sees surrounding her. Mahlia is now one of my favorite heroes and so is Tool (I loved him in Ship Breaker too!) with his augment status and his allegiance to no one but himself. Two of my favorite quotes, Dr mahfouz is explaining why the troops keep fighting, "Whe people fight for ideals, no price is too high, and no fight can be surrendered. They aren't fighting for money, or power, or control. Not really. They fight to destroy their enemies. Soeven if they destroy everyhting around them, it is worth it, because they know that they'll have destroyed the traitors."
The boat man they took captive on being forced to take Mahlia, Mouse and Tool down river. "Children with guns, We aren't even people to you."

Highly recommended, just know it is very difficult to read...you will keep thinking about this book again and again and cringing again and again. Unfortunately the author did his research on the child soldiers and what they are forced to endure...

View all my reviews

The Girl I Used To Be by April Henry

Posted by BJ Neary on March 5, 2016 at 10:37am

The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group and Henry Holt and Co. for providing an advance copy of The Girl I Used To Be by April Henry. Mysteries by April Henry were always read and enjoyed by my students in my library. The Girl I Used To Be is a thriller and a winner for teens. Olivia/Ariel is the calm, smart, determined protagonist who has been in foster care for too many years after the death of her mother at the hands of her father. Fast forward fourteen years and Olivia has returned to her home town and learns her father’s jawbone has been discovered. Olivia needs justice for her parents’ murders and begins clandestine sleuthing with Duncan, her old friend and neighbor, for clues to the real murderer. With methodical attention to detail and building suspense, Olivia hopes to find the murderer before the murderer realizes Olivia/Ariel has returned. Teen readers will relate to Olivia as a vulnerable teen, as a foster child whose life was not easy, and root for her as she searches for clues while keeping her identity a secret. Recommended for those who love mysteries and suspense and for the reluctant reader as well!

View all my reviews

My Suicide Wordle

Posted by Zulema Rodriguez on March 1, 2011 at 1:56pm

High School Field Experience Reflections

Posted by Kim Butler on October 23, 2010 at 9:18am

What in particular did you like?

My field experience at Arvada West was not at all what I expected. I had heard storiesabout what high school libraries were like. I admit I was nervous about havingnothing to do and sitting around for 80 hours feeling a sense of desperationand frustration.

Was I ever wrong! I spent my time at AWest working with students and teachers, helping torefine processes, researching tools for lessons, setting up for classes andattending meetings that will drive the school. I enjoyed every minute of it andI learned so much from Susie Lackey. We had some great and inspiringconversations about advocacy. We did some networking and reached out to folkswe knew to help us resolve some problems and answer some questions, and we doveinto the unknown by creating lessons that were new to everyone involved. It was80 hours filled with broad thinking, problem solving, teaching, researching,and learning all kinds of amazing tools. I came away from the experienceenergized and ready to tackle some of the issues in my own building. I met withmy principal and shared my insights, and we devised a plan to share some of myideas with the staff. I also joined the district library leadership team!

What were some successful activities you did?

I was able to teach several lessons during my time at AWest, I began with just helpingstudents with some science research. Later that week I helped prep for anancient civilization class and then I taught all but one of the sections ofthat class. Finally, I did quite a bit of work and research for a documentaryproject, including meeting with the teacher, making suggestions, puttingtogether the information for the students and then teaching 2 different lessonsabout it to the students. All of these were great experiences and I trulyenjoyed them. I was particularly tickled when I would later see the samestudents in the library outside of class time doing more research. I was glad Iwas able to continue to help the kids.

All together the experience was an excellent one and I am thrilled I had a chance to work withsuch an energized and dynamic high school librarian. I learned more than Icould even fit in a paper and I will take away not only the skills I learnedbut the relationship I developed with an inspiring high school librarian.

Book review: Whisper by Lynette Noni

Posted by Arlen Kimmelman on March 25, 2018 at 7:10am

I wanted to like this more than I did. I just felt like in our current social culture, it was another you-don't-know-who-to-trust and everyone-who's-not-like-you-is-to-be-approached-with-caution and look-what-we've-done-to-our-world... I know that's what dystopian fiction is, but this wasn't unique enough to wow me. Noni did her best to make the reader flip flop as to 'who's to blame,' but it was too easy to figure out, which made me lose a little sympathy for our hero (victim?). I'm no longer a YA, so perhaps YA readers will enjoy the challenge more of deciding which side deserves their loyalty. Characterizations are diverse enough to get to know them as individuals - this is a plus. In spite of my critique of the thematic premise, the plot was interesting enough that I do plan on reading the next book in the series. My curiosity is piqued.

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali

Posted by bj neary on December 26, 2012 at 4:49am

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nujood’s story was appalling because it brings to light the cultural practice of marrying young girls to much older men in Yemen. Nujood was a young ten year old who loved her family, playing with friends and didn’t have many cares in her daily life. All that changes when her father who is not working, just sitting around chewing khat and getting high on sucking the leaves of this plant, pledges Nujood in marriage to a much older man. Nujood is not afraid leading up to the wedding since she knows nothing about what will transpire. It is that night, where she is pounced upon by her husband, she runs around the room, escapes the room and calls for help throughout the strange rooms (no one comes to her aid) until she is dragged back into the room and raped her(he promised her father he would leave Nujood alone until she reached puberty). Nujood is traumatized by this man every evening; beaten, hit with sticks and cursed at; until she is raped again and again. It is after months of pleading that Nujood persuades her husband to take her home for a visit with her family. When she is alone with her parents and brother and tells them what he is doing to her and to let her come home; her father, mother and brother all tell her she must stay with him because she is honor bound. It is when she pretends to go to a bakery and instead goes into the judicial district (recommended by her father’s second wife who lives as a beggar in squalor) and seeks a divorce. Nujood has 2 judges and a female lawyer who decide to protect her (they put both father and husband in jail) and grant her a divorce. Nujood becomes an example of the pain inflicted on young women in this culture, but she becomes a role model to many similar girls throughout the world. I loved Nujood’s voice, her fierce personality that would not settle for a life of trauma with a much older violent man just because it is the way Yemen women have been treated. The worldwide response to her plight and the many interviews she granted after the divorce also allowed her to return to school with her sister. But this book only shows how many other girls suffer and makes it a difficult read for the many girls throughout who are being sold as young as ten into a slave-marriage.

View all my reviews

A PROGRAM FOR MAGICAL STORY TIMES, Sopngs, Dances,Stories, and Teaching Tools for Children's LIbrarians

Posted by Esther Nelson on September 7, 2012 at 5:10am

Esther Nelson and Davida Hirsch ( GRANNY PRESS) have just released their latest project

A PROGRAM FOR MAGICAL STORY TIMES

Song, Dances, Stories, and Teaching Tools for Children's Librarians

This unique program is the result of our many years of experience teaching young children, and presentintg hundreds of Workshops on the importance of music and movement in developing literacy to Childrens Librarians,, Early Childhood Teachers, Head Start Staff etc. across 26 states in the country.

Includes an 86 spiral bound book incljuding a section with 28 songs and directions for use

A CD of the 28 songs the book

A DVD showing us in live action with a Nursery School class of 4 year told providing commentary

about how an why these experiences foster literacy.

3 picture books in rhythm and rhyme with sheets of suggested activities for learning while have fun

This packet can be ordered from GRANNY PRESS 101 GEDNEY ST. #5d, NYACK, NY 10960 FOR $79.

Discounts are available for quantity orders from Library or School Systems. or through

webmaster@grannypress.com. You can see photos of the package at www.grannypress.com

Review from UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE, Early Childhood Development Team...'enjoyed watching the DVD and listening to the songs. I have placed these resources in our Resource LIbrary so that techer sn our community may benefit form them. We believe strongly that music and movement are essentail components of any early childhood experience, and WE'RE HAPPY YOU ARE SPREADING THE MESSAGE.'

Dewey and Wordle

Posted by Kathy Epps on October 5, 2008 at 12:11am

I read Joyce Valenza's post (thank you Lucy and Ethel's Library Schemes') and couldn't wait to test this great idea out with Wordle! Here's the results so far. Also discovered that there's a Dewey Decimal group on Flickr, so I sent these pictures there.

Looking for "real" reading incentives

Posted by Brenda Branson on August 19, 2008 at 1:39pm

I want to see our student reading because they are soooo excited about a new book. I believe that we can entice our students to read using all these wonderful Web 2.0 tools and look forward to watching them grow and share their reading experiences. We'll be using blogs, podcasts, book discussions both online and live group, Photostories, scrapbooking, plays, news broadcasts. I'm sure there are many other ideas that will "grab" students and have them drooling for a specific book.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Posted by bj neary on August 21, 2011 at 11:57am

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Neal Shusterman and his writing---no matter what he puts into words, he creates a very believable scenario. Bronte is a twin and her brother, Tennyson, is horrified when he finds out his sister is seeing Bruiser Rawlins, creepy guy, most liking to kill someone, need I say more? But what happens in this story is supernatural but it is so believable because Shusterman weaves a believable story about the pain of daily life; including divorce, dating, family, popularity, and acceptance. Shusterman takes 4 characters in the chapters they narrate and we see what is going on in their daily lives. There is a reason Bruiser has developed the bad rap of being a loner; his uncle makes him come home everyday after school and watch his little brother Cody and be family. Once Tennyson, sees that there is a whole lot going on at Bruiser's house; he begins to relent on his harsh assessment of Bruiser. Bruiser has all kinds of scars and marks on his body that Bronte and Tennyson think is the uncle'd fault. It is only when Bruiser shares his secret with Bronte that the reader realizes there is a whole lot going on...and Shusterman weaves a fantastical story with very memorable characters who find out the true meaning of friendship and caring.

View all my reviews

Retaliation by Yasmin Shiraz

Posted by bj neary on November 15, 2009 at 12:54pm

Retaliation by Yasmin Shiraz had my heart pumping the whole time I read it. Now I understand why it received 2009 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers! What would you do if someone you loved was senselessly targeted, beaten up and left for dead? This is the premise of this book and what happens continues to reverberate through each chapter. People's lives are changed (Sheila Odom and her son Khalil who was in a gang and now spends his days in a wheelchair)--- they jump to conclusions that are unwarranted and they want justice and they don't care as long as Tashera who was beaten by a group of girls who are disguised, doesn't suffer anymore and is vindicated whether it be a beatdown on one of the girls who commandeered her friends to beat, kick and assault Tahsera. They run away when help comes from Ashe, an EMT who saw and heard it from a nearby building. Each chapter involves some other person who has been drawn into this nightmare....I purchased three for my library and they are all out in students hands, I think it will continue to generate buzz and also hopefully some sensible conversation about the CHOICES many of these characters make....

My book review of The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

Posted by Arlen Kimmelman on March 8, 2012 at 11:22am

The Princesses of Iowa My book review of The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes due out 5/8/12.

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Posted by BJ Neary on March 26, 2016 at 12:26pm

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22450859-the-boston-girl" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Boston Girl" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418103945m/22450859.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22450859-the-boston-girl">The Boston Girl</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/626222.Anita_Diamant">Anita Diamant</a> 
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1583167289">5 of 5 stars</a> 
I read/listened to this audiobook as part of the Hub Challenge (Amelia Bllomer YA, Top 10 List) and oh was it good. I could not stop listening to actress, Linda Lavin's beautiful retelling of her life as Addie Baum to her granddaughter. I learned so much about the 1900's in Boston as Addie was born and raised by immigrant parents from Russia who argue incessantly, the turbulence of the times with illness, death & war and the strong personality of Addie and her sister while her oldest sister has a very sensitive constitution. Addie's view of the world is humorous, honest, and forward thinking. I so enjoyed this vibrant novel; highly recommended!
 
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Posted by bj neary on November 14, 2012 at 1:36pm

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book rightly deserved the Schneider Family Book Award which honors the disability experience in children's and young adult literature. The author is also committed to reading writing and running. Jessica is a normal 16 year old finishing a race one moment and as she rides on her school bus going home, disaster occurs. An uninsured truck driver hurdles down a hill into the bus, killing a classmate and depriving Jessica of her leg. Not onlyis she a runner and racer; she is a winner and while losing her leg causes her all kinds of hurt, anxiety, and insecurity; Jessica is the kind of person who always tries to be positive, works hard to be the best and cares about others. This book was so good on so many levels; Jessica has great friends but Fiona is truly a best friend who is willing to wait for Jessica to come around, support her when she is down and find a way for the track team to get Jessica back in action with a prosthetic leg. Jessica's family is supportive; her dog, Sherlock accompanies her on runs and the most supportive person is her coach, Kyro. Kyro has winners on his team because each runner knows what it takes to do their best and they strive to be winners. Since Jessica had to use a wheelchair when she returned to school, she was placed with Rosa who has cerebral palsy. From Rosa (who Jessica barely acknowledged before)Jessica learns how to reach out and help Rosa feel the wind flying on her face and in her hair. Gavin has been her crush for two years now and he contacts Jessica about doing a story about her in the school newspaper. It is because of Jessica's can do attitude that a friendship develops between them, will there be a romance too? You will have to read this emotional book to find out!

View all my reviews

New Teacher wanting Online Librarianship Diploma Program accepted in BC, Canada

Posted by Carole Fleetham on June 1, 2009 at 6:40am

Hi,I am entering into my second career as a teacher. I recently completed my teaching program and am currently a Teach On Call. I am looking for a librarianship certificate program that is online and will be accepted by the College of Teachers in BC where I live.Thanks,Carole

Book Review: Things I'd Rather Do Than Die

Posted by Arlen Kimmelman on April 22, 2018 at 9:26am

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die
by Christine Hurley Deriso

Pub Date: 18 Sep 2018

Read courtesy of www.Netgalley.com

I recently reviewed Christine Hurley Deriso's All the Wrong Chords, which I loved. I really wanted to like Things I'd Rather Do Than Die as much, but alas, I give it 4 instead of 5 ⭐. I also read Deriso's Acknowledgment section of this novel, and I'm glad she took the advice of her editor; having the main characters tell their tale in alternating scenarios made this story more thoughtful than if it had been a one-sided story. Stereotypes of jocks, brains, Jesus freaks, popularity, race and ethnicity, financial status, family structures, and illnesses became something about which I wanted to contemplate rather than be swayed. I can picture my teen readers discussing this story.

However, it was those amount of topics Deriso tried to squeeze into this one novel that caused my rating to lose a potential star. Maybe teens with slightly shorter attention spans won't mind the topic hopping, but I found it a bit distracting. I think it will affect my ability to discuss and recommend the book to my students. Other than being able to remember the basic plot, it's the nuances that might be lost to what I usually try to relate with enthusiasm.

On the other hand, Deriso handled all of the sensitive topics well. She allowed the characters to present their different points-of-view just like 'real' teens would. Kudos to that!!

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.