Cool Product--CPS

I'm taking a tech class at the moment, and we are learning about many interesting new tech tools to be used in the classroom or library. CPS means Classroom Performance System, and they are hand-held clickers that allow you to take a survey quickly and with immediate feedback. You can create a test with the software and have students take the test from their seats. What a fabulous way of assessing kids quickly but also jazzing up the test process! There is a 30 day trial offer where the company will send you the bag with 32 clickers and the base to try for one month. All you are responsible for is the return postage.

I'm already thinking that a fun introduction for teachers would be to create a short, lighthearted test to have them take during a staff meeting as a demonstration of the coolness of the product. The final part would be an invitation to collaborate with me in the library to come up with a test together to do with the students.

Grammar Girl

A great site for middle and high school students (and not just girls!) is the Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips to Clean Up Your Writing site. Grammar Girl has podcasts explaining various grammar rules as well as including the written explanation of the rules. Although it's a bit lengthy, it's well-written and would be a great resource, especially for second-language learners. And for the super-tech twist, there is a voicemail on the sidebar that allows someone to ask a grammar question to Grammar Girl herself. I'm thinking that English teachers would appreciate this site when collaborating with the librarian or working with students who are needing extra reinforcement.

One For The Boys

A great recommendation from a librarian friend today led me to a fabulous website created by the always wonderful Jon Scieska. GUYSREAD.com is set up with titles that appeal to the younger, middle and older boys. It includes links to authors and also has GUYSREAD posters and bookmarks available for downloading. What a great resource for parents and teachers alike as a springboard of recommendations and ways to get more boys in the library!

FBA-Todd Parr

This author/illustrator is one of my favorites! Being home in the US for the summer, I have a basket of books that I read with my six-year old niece. Without fail, the ones she chooses to read over and over (and over!) again are my Todd Parr books, and a recommendation from a first grader is considered an expert opinion in my book. His books are beautiful in their simplicity and whimsical nature with a message gently tucked inside. In my search for an image of Todd Parr's books, I came across his website . This discovery is one of my favorite things about technology--you start by looking for one thing and wind up going down paths along the way that lead you to fantastic new information. I had no idea that he had a TV show and is also a designer! My library will be stocked with all his books, including a new book coming out in the fall about adopted children called We Belong Together.