LibrarianMom
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Posts posted by LibrarianMom
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For Canadians, or anyone who is looking for information about children's books written by Canadians or set in Canada, PIKA (http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/pika/index-e.html) is a great site.
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I would suggest allowing 1 week per page for first papers. Don't discount the importance of shorter papers though. A longer paper (10-12 pages) sometimes tends to be padded with lots of quotes and filler in order to meet length requirements, while a shorter paper (4-6) requires being more selective about word choice and clarity.
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Northwestern Elementary (and Jr. High and Senior High)
Elementary Principal: Mr. Mahan (1-6 gr.)
K. Mrs. Dowling
1- Mrs. Rumple and Mrs. Rich (she retired at the end of the year and is still living; wonderful godly lady)
2. Mrs. Jobst and Mrs. Reynolds (then she was on medical leave and we had Mrs. Prograis)
3. Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Prograis
4. Mr. Pearson (It's fun when you later teach a graduate class and have your teacher as a student.) and Mrs. Kelley
5. Mrs. Cordes and Mrs. Thorndike
6. Mrs. Sexton and Mr. Jackson
Art. Mrs. Bone Music. Mrs. Curry Band (4-6) Mr. Fleming
Junior High:
Reading/English 7: Mrs. Hayes, Social Studies: Mr. Mahan (previously principal) Science: Mr. Waters but everyone called him Coach
Math: Mr. Bryan English 8: Mrs. Daley P.E. Mrs. Eyer Band: Mrs. Ninmer (7) Mrs. Mahan (8) Study Hall: 7 Mr. Griffith, 8 Mr. Waters
High School:
Band: Mrs. Mahan (9-12) P.E. Mrs. Eyer Science: Mr. Metcalf (9-12)
World History, U.S. History, Driver's Ed, and Psychology: Mr. Campbell (we called him plaid pants, but he also took my senior pictures and did my wedding photography) Geography: Mr. Mahan Health: Mr. Long English: Mrs. Daley (9) Mrs. Holloway (10-12) French: Mrs. Daley Math: Mr. Griffith (9-12) General business and typing: Mr. Pence Computer Applications: Mrs. Chandler (old Apple 2s) Study Hall: Mr. Woods (9); library volunteer (10-12) with Mrs. Chandler
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We are using a variety of things with dd (K). Dr. DooRiddles (preK-2) is great because the riddles are short and great to grab for those fill in the gap times. Can You Find Me? (2 books; PreK and K) has been a winner as well. We're using Mind Bender Beginning (PreK-2) which my daughter absolutely loves. She asks can we do some mind thinkers?
We tried Mind Bender Warm-ups (K-2), and they were a little more difficult so we're shelving those for a bit. I think Warm-up is designed for after completing Beginning and before moving to A1/A2. We have Hands-on Thinking Skills (K-1) which uses attribute blocks, pattern blocks, and interlocking cubes. DD was less than enthused about this one, but we pull it out every once in a awhile to work with. I think she felt it was too easy, but it does build in complexity.
These items are pricy, but they are reproducible if you have multiple children. I've also found several second hand. I'm excited about getting some of their resources for older children as computer games.
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Reading all of the posts about libraries, I thought I would post a few things from the other side of the desk as my husband and I are both librarians. :D
1. If your library is part of a library system through your county, a larger multi-county system, or your entire state that includes an online catalog with ordering--be extremely thankful. Your library pays dearly for the opportunity.
2. If you library is not tied into the larger library system through the online catalog, know that it is still possible to get interlibrary loan books but as you have indicated will probably take a little longer. See if your library card is honored as a reciprocal card at other libraries in your system.
3. If you have to pay for access to your library because you live out of the district, be thankful. I think someone mentioned paying $20 for an adult card for a year. Where I live an out of district card is $75 per year, and the college where I am a librarian charges $25 per year for an outside borrower card. We tell people that you can pay $25 to check out books from our library for a year or you can pay $25 to buy one book at the local book store. ;)
4. If you have web access at home to databases through your local library, be extremely thankful. If you don't, ask at your library if they have access to various databases. Many, many libraries receive access through their state, but sometimes smaller libraries (i.e. the public library in my town) does a poor job of advertising it or does not have the technology staff to enable web access. If you ask, they might give you the password to connect from home.
5. Know that not every one who works in a library is a degreed librarian with an MLS. In our public library in a town of 15,000, only the director has an MLS. In the library my husband words at, also a town of 15,000, he is one of two individuals who have an MLS--neither work in the children's department. For some without degrees, it is just a job. For some without degrees, they love books and people and know their job inside out. Others have the degree but wish they were employed in a different type of library. Others have the degree, but spend their time dealing with boards or city officers who don't understand libraries and think that everything is on the internet so why do people need a library. Others have the degree and want to do more for you, but have their hands tied by directors or boards.
6. Let your librarians know that you are interested in certain programs being offered and offer to help. My husband received a state grant for his library to build services for "underserved populations"--homeschoolers and senior citizens. Another library near us hosted a home school science fair.
7. When you have books that weren't checked in properly, don't pull them off the shelves yourself. Instead ask the library staff to go double-check for them. If the library finds them, we eat crow; if you find them, we say "yeah right.
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we are life-long residents currently afterschooling right off interstate 55. We have easy access to Springfield, Bloomington, Decatur, Peoria, and Champaign.
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I'm just finishing reading Climbing Parnassus which I have really enjoyed. My desire to learn Latin and Greek have been rekindled both for my own learning and as a precursor to teaching my children in a few years. What program, textbooks, or other resources would you recommend for someone who wants to learn Latin?
LibrarianMom
(I could put my reference skills to use and find an answer, but I want first hand reports and feedback.)
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Some of you have mentioned in other posts that you utilize time before school to work with your children. I'm trying to fathom how that works out. I'm wondering specifically what time your children's school begins, what time they have to leave, and what time they have to get up/go to bed in order for that to happen.
My dd gets on the bus at 7:45-7:50 a.m. so we'd have to get her up around 6 or 6:15 :eek: in order to get anything productive done which means I'd have to get up even earlier which just isn't happening right now.
LibrarianMom
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Breann, I love your statement "I have no intention of turning their educations over completely to the system." That's precisely why I afterschool since as the parents, I feel my husband and I are ultimately responsible for their education.
Needleroozer, I'm curious how the part-time enrollment at the high school works for you. That is something I'm interested in exploring with our district once dd gets to high school as their history offerings are dismal and the foreign language program isn't far behind, yet they have great programs in drama, music, and art. Do you consider that your son is enrolled at the high school for some classes and you will award his diploma or are the classes he takes with you considered independent studies so his diploma will eventually be awarded through the high school?
I love the new forum and that afterschoolers have our own space now.
LibrarianMom
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AR is definitely one of those things you love or hate. My dd doesn't do AR yet as she's only in K. But in a previous job I was the administrator for our school's AR program so I heard a lot of the hate. :)
40 points is a lot for 5th grade and would definitely encourage kids to read down a level instead of challenging themselves. Does your teacher require students to read on grade level (i.e. only level 5 and up)? I have heard where some schools do that which bothers me because kids should be able to read for fun, and I know that not all of my reading is at a post-college level. Also as the tests are all multiple choice they are based completely on what happened rather than higher-level analysis.
A couple of suggestions. 1. Ask your teacher or library media specialist for a list of books they have tests for that are at a certain grade level on up. That way you can look for those books at the bookstore or public library because there are always books they have tests for but not the book. You may also decide that you want to read a book with your child and talk about what happens to cement the comprehension. Or have your child take notes about what happens in each chapter particularly if the book took a while to read. 2. If there is a book your child wants to read and there isn't a test available, as you teacher/librarian to make up a test. AR allows the option to enter tests for any book you want if there isn't a test available. They might balk at this suggestion but it is possible.
Let me know if you have other AR questions.
LibrarianMom
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Hello all! I afterschool my dd who is in K. We started afterschooling when I learned of the Sonlight curriculum from a homeschooling friend. So we follow their curriculum (currently Core C) afterschool for our bedtime reading. We are also slowly working through OPGTR with ETC and Singapore Earlybird Math 2. We just started working on some mind benders which dd just loves. Ds just kind of tags along listening in, scribbling, and trying to cut.
Mainly I afterschool because I would love to homeschool, but I don't think I have the patience for it and I love my job. I also love the health insurance my job provides for my children. I've only been following the WTM boards for a few months and have learned so much from them.
How much time should I allow for a research paper?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Here are two resources I've put together for the college library where I work.
Begin Research covers narrowing a topic, types of sources to use, where to find them, and some basic citation information (all geared towards our institution).
Choosing and Defining a Research Topic is much more detailed about selecting a topic. I try to remind students that you can approach one topic from several angles or lenses which change your topic.
Hope you find these helpful!