Sunday, December 31, 2017

Webinar Resources

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Webinars are an excellent way to stay informed. Below are listed a number of organizations that deliver excellent programming.

All the Best in 2018!

Webinars to Inform and Educate the Teacher-Librarian


Ideas/skills addressed and garnered can be embedded in the steps of the Inquiry Process. The process helps students find answers to their Problem-Based Assignments.  

Topics addressed include:
·       Implementing Problem-Based Design,
·       Library Layout and Design,
·       Marketing Library Program,
·       Fake News,
·      The Common Core are examples of topics explored.

1.     BookList                                                                      
2.     Demco                                                                         
3.     Infohio                                                       
4.     Library Journal                                                
5.    The Principal Center                                                
6.     School Library Journal                                                  
7.     Teaching with the Library of Congress                     
  
The following organizations profile wonderful stories of student success. The strategies shared can serve as a starting point for your own creativity in the development of collaboratively planned library lessons.

Transforming Literacy and Learning, Embedding Technology, as a means of accessing/organizing information and communicating new knowledge and understanding, is emphasized. A variety of subjects can serve as entry points for the collaborative process.  

1.     ASCD Learning Community                                                   http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars.aspx
2.     KQED Education: PBS Member TV Station, Public Media for Northern California
3.     PBS “Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age” http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/selfpacedcourses/
4.     NCTC National Council of English Teachers
5.     NCTE SmartBrief
Weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox
6.     ISTE International Society for Technology in Education
Educators using technology to solve problems in education


Coming Soon
Maker-Space Links to Ideas

Resourcefully Yours
Julie Andreacchi

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© 2017

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

MakerSpaces




California School Library Association Presents

Harvet The Possibilities 2017 State Conference Rohnert Park California
Connect, Collaborate, Grow 

Thank you once again to the CSLA and its members for a warm welcome and their interest in my workshop: Makerspaces.




“I Make Therefore I Am”, a workshop about Maker Activities, created from budget friendly ideas, thrift store finds, was an opportunity for students to unplug their cell phones and to move from the consumption of knowledge into risk-taking and creation.  A number of activities such as:
·      Collage,
·      Knitting,
·      Sewing “Stupid Sock Creatures”
·      100 Sculptures, 100 Artists a project sponsored by Baycrest Health Science
·      St. Basil Great College School Tomato Project
·      Holiday Card Making

Served as models for “Designing Art for Social Causes”.


 

Images/pics© Julie Andreacchi 2017


"You can't use up creativity...the more you use it the more you have..."
M. Angeliou
Resourcefully yours,
© Julie Andreacchi 2017
All rights reserved

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Studio 89


Good News!
I have been invited to work with Aanchal Mogla, volunteer at Studio 89, to develop workshops/activities addressing and supporting local school academic programs.

Our focus:
to expose students to important social and environmental issues.

is a non-profit organization in Mississauga, Ontario sponsoring a variety of community events with money generated from its operation.

See article in Toronto Star detailing the organization’s philosophy and contribution to the community:


1.  Kudos to Stephen Lewis S.S., and teacher Brett Boivin, Peel Board of Education.

“Alone we are smart. Together we are brilliant”. Steven Anderson
is the mantra students from Stephen Lewis S.S. has adapted. 

Image  © J. Andreacchi 2016

Agenda for the day included examining:
  •  History of Studio 89
  •  Reasons for Rainforest Certified, Bird Friendly for choices,
  •   Vegan, Gluten Free Menu choices
  •  Conscious Consumerism
  •  Social Justice Issues and the Toronto Star's Editor/Atkinson's Philosophy 

Students utilized a variety of Web 2.0 Tools to share new knowledge and understanding:
·        www.canva.com -- Infographs
·        www.animoto.com

The day culminated with the development of a number of Action Plans for “making a difference” in the community.

                            Images  © J. Andreacchi 2016

2.  Students from Glenforest S.S. and teacher Michelle Allen, Peel Board of Education, examined Sustainability from a number of perspectives.

Agenda for the day included:
  • Examining the production of Nutella and if its consumption and production is Healthy for the Environment
  • Examining the statement: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, or what’s inside the face, or what’s behind the face?” Pablo Picas  
          By creating a message out of Rubbish to define what “Eco-              Consciousness” means to the group
  • Writing and singing a Rap Song to promote the philosophy of Studio 89
 
Images  © J. Andreacchi 2016

"We can make a difference if we put some effort into change for the better."

Resourcefully Yours
Julie Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
© J. Andreacchi
2016

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Children’s Books to Hook

Repurposing Children’s Books


Working within the philosophy of Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds,

Repurposing Children’s Books can serve as a
“Springboard to Inquiry” and Engagement.



This poster presentation had its debut at the:Georgia International Information Literacy Conference Savannah, USA – Sept. 2015


.

The Activities developed, using Children’s Books, can be used to:

  • expand/support/enrich
  • serve as a motivation/introduction to any topic with minimum modifications


 Why Children’s Books?

1. Ignite Imagination—How?
  •  Stories create a sense of “Serendipity” 
  • Eg. First Kiss/First Pet – How did you feel?
  • Stories connect to emotions, real life connections
  • Knowledge is garnered through senses

2. Children’s Books – The Selection Process


  • “A children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last…it certainly is my opinion that a book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then” 
  •  http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/childlike-in-george-macdonald-and-cs-lewis/
  • Picture/Photograph cues for understanding of science concepts and vocabulary
  • Accurate Scientific Facts
  • Imaginative—Layout/Design is unique
  • Emotional impact, cortisol released, creates a memory, triggers a logical mind
  • Inexpensive
  • Cross-curricular
  • Ebook vs Book
  • Print exposes students to new words outside realms of speech
  • Interesting stories/conversation engages mind
  • Contributes to general knowledge
  • Lyrical Language


Children’s books tell stories…image + text is powerful.

People remember stories.

Trigger:
  • Lateral Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Imagination   

3. The Search Engine Dilemma
Problems and solutions in life require creativity eg. cancer, climate change. Hence the importance of engaging:

  • nonlinear thinking and
  • daydreaming

"School/teacher assigned topics, utilize search engines. Search engines are efficient but do not allow daydreaming and imagination".


4.  Starting the Research…Virtual Thinking Vs. Physical

  • Physical Clears the Mind, Reduces Brain Clutter
  • Writing out your thoughts/questions de-clutters the brain. 
  • Pen/pencil to paper/post-its is an opportunity to organize thoughts!

Dollar Daze Tools!!  Post-its, Plastic Card Sleeve, White Boards to assist with reducing brain clutter


5. Then Mindful Inquiry can Begin…

The Right Question!
·      Open Ended, Challenge Thinking
·      Subtopics guide, direct students with purpose
·      Subtopics extends brain and frees it from overload
·      Think of the Triage Nurse—how he/she categorizes to reduce time wasted

6. Example of Thinking Process


a)    The Book:
Me…Jane McDonnell, P. + Tarzan Books

b)   Consider the Big Ideas--Brainstorm
  • Animal Consciousness  “Animals possess a theory of mind and can intuit what a  rival might do in a given situation and act accordingly. They exhibit deceit, compassion and the ability to see themselves through another’s eyes”.
  • Animal Welfare/Abuse/Cruelty/Poaching
  • “Find your purpose and live it”
c)    Consider Essential  Questions
  • Community connections—”Let your hook always be cast!” Bring in Headlines…
  • Death of mother bear spurs Italian protests: TS Sept. 12, 2014
  • Dog Left at Train Station with Suitcase of Doggy Belongings
  • Boots—Kitten Nanny 
  • http://www.fuzzfix.com/meet-boots-hurricane-katrina-survivor-and-adorable-kitten-nanny/?utm_content=bbb0015&utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral
d)   Develop The Right Question—Focus Question
1.   How do you create awareness/empathy/change re: animal abuse?
2.   Why have we not been able to eradicate puppy mills? Solution to the            
       problem.
3.   What animal would make a good pet and why?

What will the Knowledge Product look like?
  • Action/Fundraising/Posters/Announcements/Web presence to inform
  • Baking cupcakes for fundraising
  • Save the animals – Vanity Plates—list of words as a means to inform
  • Buying Guide/Tip Sheets/Check List—Would you make a good pet owner? List animal choices + criteria/special care required using a matrix box.
  • Owing a Dog/Cat Poster and Responsibilities

6.  Egs. Of Web 2.0 Tools to gather, store, consolidate, demonstrate                                                    
     new learning and understanding

Reference: --- to be uploaded shortly


For a list of children’s books, please leave a message.

Resourcefully yours,
Julie Andreacchi
©2016
All rights reserved