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.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Friday, May 24, 2019
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.
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.
Friday, March 8, 2019
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.
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.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
The need to read for pleasure
The Weekend Australian recently published an article by Rebecca Urban on recent comments by the headmaster of the SHORE school in Sydney - Tim Wright in a school newsletter.
He was concerned that boys were too dependent on social media and online news and that it could impact on their intellectual development.
Also, he has challenged the boys to read better quality books and challenge themselves in their reading.
I agree in particular with this statement:
“Reading develops your imagination, emotional skills and reasoning power. If I am a reader and I have chosen my reading wisely I will see through simplistic slogans, facile arguments and tinsel values. I will understand more completely the perspectives of other people and I will not believe in unidimensional solutions to life’s problems.”
I really believe that you can get great insights into the state of our world or how others see the world. I for one have believed that literary works have an underlying message that an author embeds about the world. Bear in mind that great literary works have affected historical change.
For example, Charles Dickens through his novels highlighted the atrocious conditions that workers were subjected to in 19th century Britain. That would influence improvements in working conditions and has helped each of us work in safe workplaces today.
Many teen fiction novels today are based on real-life experiences. One can gain a real understanding of the issues facing teenagers by reading the novels. In fact, they have led to a public debate on the issues themselves. This is great for the progress of society
As there is a firewall for access to The Australian online, click here to view a pdf copy of the article.
He was concerned that boys were too dependent on social media and online news and that it could impact on their intellectual development.
Also, he has challenged the boys to read better quality books and challenge themselves in their reading.
I agree in particular with this statement:
“Reading develops your imagination, emotional skills and reasoning power. If I am a reader and I have chosen my reading wisely I will see through simplistic slogans, facile arguments and tinsel values. I will understand more completely the perspectives of other people and I will not believe in unidimensional solutions to life’s problems.”
I really believe that you can get great insights into the state of our world or how others see the world. I for one have believed that literary works have an underlying message that an author embeds about the world. Bear in mind that great literary works have affected historical change.
For example, Charles Dickens through his novels highlighted the atrocious conditions that workers were subjected to in 19th century Britain. That would influence improvements in working conditions and has helped each of us work in safe workplaces today.
Many teen fiction novels today are based on real-life experiences. One can gain a real understanding of the issues facing teenagers by reading the novels. In fact, they have led to a public debate on the issues themselves. This is great for the progress of society
As there is a firewall for access to The Australian online, click here to view a pdf copy of the article.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Amazon Bookstores
On my recent trip to New York, I took the opportunity to visit two of the physical Amazon Bookstores. One was located at Columbus Circle and the second was located on 34th Street right opposite the Empire State Building.
It does break some rules against conventional book stores.
Unlike other bookstores, you will not find prices on the shelves, but rather you as the customer will need to scan the book at a scanner located in the aisles.
Otherwise, get ready for a surprise when you pay for your books.
If you want discounted books, you need to sign up to Amazon Prime and from my understanding, the membership is global. Here in Australia, you should be able to access the discount if you have joined through amazon.com.au. You will be able to pay the online price
No Prime Membership? You will have to pay the recommended retail price.
The shelves are stocked with books based on book sales or highly recommended reads by Amazon shoppers. Hence its based more on online sales through their website. The shelves will change according to what is popular in the marketplace. It is however organised by genres and subject areas like a typical bookstore.
I would at least recommend taking a browse if you come across one in the United States.
It does break some rules against conventional book stores.
Unlike other bookstores, you will not find prices on the shelves, but rather you as the customer will need to scan the book at a scanner located in the aisles.
Otherwise, get ready for a surprise when you pay for your books.
If you want discounted books, you need to sign up to Amazon Prime and from my understanding, the membership is global. Here in Australia, you should be able to access the discount if you have joined through amazon.com.au. You will be able to pay the online price
No Prime Membership? You will have to pay the recommended retail price.
The shelves are stocked with books based on book sales or highly recommended reads by Amazon shoppers. Hence its based more on online sales through their website. The shelves will change according to what is popular in the marketplace. It is however organised by genres and subject areas like a typical bookstore.
I would at least recommend taking a browse if you come across one in the United States.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Photos from the New York Public Library
I spent a fortnight in New York last month and decided to go for a stroll in the New York Public Library in Fifth Avenue at Bryant Park.
Below are a few photos of the Rose Main Reading Room.
If visiting New York, I would recommend that you pay a visit. It won't hurt your pocket. There are also displays and even a theatrette that screens a film documenting its history.
I also took some photos of its entrance as seen from Fifth Avenue.
Below are a few photos of the Rose Main Reading Room.
If visiting New York, I would recommend that you pay a visit. It won't hurt your pocket. There are also displays and even a theatrette that screens a film documenting its history.
I also took some photos of its entrance as seen from Fifth Avenue.
