Some Geography Fun in the Library II

Just before the school holidays in NSW, I had posted a photo that I had taken on the wall in the library, with a lure of a small prize for a correct answer.

I did mention that senior students were "keen" and they got even keener. We had some junior students also give it their shot.

It did not take long for a Year 9 student to take out the prize because they got the mountain range correct and then it led them ultimately to the city - Los Angeles. The mountain range was the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The photo was taken by me in December 2016 from the Observation Deck atop the US Bank tower in central Los Angeles.

My second photo looked like it was going to be hard, but they got New York and Central Park correct. The common reason was that they felt that they saw that location or setting in a film. I took this one in early 2017.

With so many people wanting to take part, I have had requests for when the next photo is being posted on the wall and some students want to submit their own photos. I look forward to what students submit and how they can challenge others in this!!!

Some Geography fun in the library

As some of you may know, I love taking photos and came up with an idea today to tie in with a library display to reflect the winter season.

I've decided to post a photo of a snow capped mountain range rising over the suburbs of a city outside of Australia. There is a prize of chocolates for the first student to get it correct and an extra prize if they can name the mountain range!!!

I know many students dread Geography, but they are even getting into it. The senior students are most keen at this stage!!!

I do have a second one planned...

Internal Reading Challenges

I am trying to create an internal reading challenge at school. Over the past few weeks, I have managed through the OZTL_Net forum and within the Association of Independent Schools to find out how schools have coordinated their own reading challenges.

Thank you to those who have lent me a hand in sharing their ideas

Some schools will also offer the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge if in NSW alongside or equivalent if in other states.

Each school that I have come across so far has adopted different approaches whether it may be:

• Students must read from a set list.
• Students can read any book and earn points according to the format or genre of the book read.
• One school has a book bingo system which students must read books that reflect a statement or description of the book e.g. "A book that was published in 2019".

At Dapto High School several years ago, my jobshare partner and I created a challenge that was similar to book bingo, but it was a collaborative effort with students in their English classes deciding which student was going to meet each challenge e.g. read a book with a red cover. We also had the students complete short book reviews, which were published in their newsletter. There was a pizza lunch at the end for the first class to complete the challenge. 

It was only open at the time to Year 7 and 8 English classes. 

In addition, Barbara Braxton provided me with a link with ideas that any Teacher Librarian can use and can be adapted to any age.

https://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/dr-bookloves-reading-challenges/ 

I am hoping to reflect on this further in time.

Cheap US Magazine subscriptions to Australia

We have some great magazines here in Australia but sometimes there are magazines which can be useful to support teaching and learning that are not published here and if they are available would be sold at a hefty premium in CBD newsagents.

Note this will not apply to US titles that publish Australian editions like Time and National Geographic. 

Personally, I recently decided to subscribe to The Atlantic, an American news and commentary magazine that is published monthly. Being a teacher, I managed to get a one year subscription for around $70 including postage and delivery. This is cheaper than the retail price in the United States and I have seen it in CBD newsagents for around $20 per issue.

There is also Smithsonian magazine which I also signed up for at a similar price. They focus on the social sciences and culture. I am also giving to give it a go and see how useful that they are within an education context.

Magazines.com is a good reference point if you are seeking magazines that are available in the United States, however I would go direct to the magazines website and see if they will deliver to a foreign address.

Back on track

It has been two months since I last posted here and some might be asking - Where have I been?

The second half of term 1 had proven to be a little too busy for me, not to mention that I had run out of some ideas to comment and/or reflect on.

I did spend Term 1 as a classroom teacher at Gymea Technology High School in an "unfilled vacancy" in their HSIE faculty, teaching all Commerce classes along with some junior Geography and History. While it was a demanding role, it was a rewarding time there, working with lovely staff and students.

I also have been working with Australian Electoral Commission as a Second in Charge at a pre-poll booth at Hurstville covering three electorates (Banks, Barton & Cook).

With the elections now over, I am back in the library now based at Bethany College Hurstville, and hopefully being back in the library gives me time to reflect on matters in our school libraries.

Autographed Books

This week, something a little different but I was lucky to land some autographed editions of some best sellers during my recent trip to New York.

The autographed copies were at the Barnes & Noble Store in Fifth Avenue (Corner of 46th Street).

Below is one by David Limbaugh, author of  Jesus is Risen.

This one was of Hank Green, author of the recently released teen novel - An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.

This was a rare opportunity to secure autographed copies of books by big name authors. Barnes & Noble do sell autographed editions through their online store, but given I have concerns over their shipping, chances are they will be damaged by the time they reach Australia.