Dymocks have now released their top 101 list for 2015. For the full list click here.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak has topped the list again after 15 000 votes were cast by Dymocks readers to determine the best 101 books of all time.
The top ten has been dominated by books that have been adapted to films. Only one book in that top ten is yet to be a film.
Also I have a link to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald today relating to the list.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Are Teacher Librarians on Borrowed Time?
An article was published in The Age Newspaper in Melbourne last year that questions the relevance of the Teacher Librarian to the learning process.
But at the same time it looks at the threat that the profession is facing as some schools opt for specialist teachers in other subject areas instead or in some instances closing libraries and replacing them with IT Centres.
I have to say "well done" to the paper for highlighting the challenges that the profession is facing.
But there was one thing that I felt that was missing from the comments provided by Dianne Ruffles (Teacher Librarian - Melbourne Grammar) and Alison Lester (Author); the importance of communicating information.
As a Teacher Librarian, I believe that providing students with skills in the effective communication of information is important to the learning process. It is one of the most important life skills that one can possess as it allows us to share and transfer information from person to person, whether it may be in a written form, visually or verbally. Through that new knowledge can be created.
But are we on borrowed time? I'd say no. Jobs are under threat from budgetary but as the research indicates, Teacher Librarians are gaining an ever more important role in the learning process. For me, just continue to advocate the role and show to everyone how wonderful Teacher Librarians are.
But at the same time it looks at the threat that the profession is facing as some schools opt for specialist teachers in other subject areas instead or in some instances closing libraries and replacing them with IT Centres.
I have to say "well done" to the paper for highlighting the challenges that the profession is facing.
But there was one thing that I felt that was missing from the comments provided by Dianne Ruffles (Teacher Librarian - Melbourne Grammar) and Alison Lester (Author); the importance of communicating information.
As a Teacher Librarian, I believe that providing students with skills in the effective communication of information is important to the learning process. It is one of the most important life skills that one can possess as it allows us to share and transfer information from person to person, whether it may be in a written form, visually or verbally. Through that new knowledge can be created.
But are we on borrowed time? I'd say no. Jobs are under threat from budgetary but as the research indicates, Teacher Librarians are gaining an ever more important role in the learning process. For me, just continue to advocate the role and show to everyone how wonderful Teacher Librarians are.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
AIS TL Network Meeting - February 26
Just under a fortnight ago, I was able to attend my first Association of Independent Schools network meeting which was held at Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta.
Even though I'm only casual in a teaching sense, it does give me a very good opportunity not just to meet those within the profession but also be informed on what schools are doing and what we can do.
Being new, I had to introduce myself to the group and provide a few lines on my teaching background.
Paul Macdonald of The Children's Bookshop at Beecroft provided us with an overview of the books that teens should read in 2015. Already I'll admit I have recommended some of those titles to one school where I was doing relief work last week (St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes).
The Library team at Our Lady of Mercy College at Parramatta provided us with an overview of their wide reading program and I was quite impressed with some of the activities that they do during their wide reading sessions which I would not have thought of in the first place including speed book dating (examining covers, blurbs etc), and using QR codes to access author websites. The readers group is a good strategy as well as it allows students to discuss books in a more relaxing manner. There was also an overview of how library services are promoted including orientation for year 7 students, staff morning teas and a book trivia contest.
Thanks to Our Lady of Mercy College for making me welcome and for their presentation along with Ruqqiya Dean (Pymble Ladies College) for organising the meeting.
Also some photos I took on my Ipad of the school library. Some had proper cameras with them which was a nice idea and hopefully I can do it next time.
Even though I'm only casual in a teaching sense, it does give me a very good opportunity not just to meet those within the profession but also be informed on what schools are doing and what we can do.
Being new, I had to introduce myself to the group and provide a few lines on my teaching background.
Paul Macdonald of The Children's Bookshop at Beecroft provided us with an overview of the books that teens should read in 2015. Already I'll admit I have recommended some of those titles to one school where I was doing relief work last week (St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes).
The Library team at Our Lady of Mercy College at Parramatta provided us with an overview of their wide reading program and I was quite impressed with some of the activities that they do during their wide reading sessions which I would not have thought of in the first place including speed book dating (examining covers, blurbs etc), and using QR codes to access author websites. The readers group is a good strategy as well as it allows students to discuss books in a more relaxing manner. There was also an overview of how library services are promoted including orientation for year 7 students, staff morning teas and a book trivia contest.
Thanks to Our Lady of Mercy College for making me welcome and for their presentation along with Ruqqiya Dean (Pymble Ladies College) for organising the meeting.
Also some photos I took on my Ipad of the school library. Some had proper cameras with them which was a nice idea and hopefully I can do it next time.