Children's Event Organizer, 12/21/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 336; December 21, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/

In this issue:
Ruhama’s Review
Make a Splash – READ!
YALSA’s 2010 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Social Networking Sites Boost Kids’ Writing
Franklin Public Library’s Mock Discussion Results
Events This Week
Dates to Remember
Website Faves
And Finally……


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
http://tinyurl.com/yzrgrxv

Thomas doesn't remember anything except his name. He wakes up to find himself in what seems to be a giant courtyard, filled with boys of varying ages, none of whom will answer any of his questions. Instead, they promise to show him around the next day and find a place for him in the group. But Thomas wants answers now, especially when he learns there is a maze outside the walls, which close every evening. What's more, Thomas has a sudden desire to be one of the Runners, despite knowing nothing about the job or the Glade. Unfortunately, this means fighting Grievers: nasty, vicious creatures that roam the maze at night and are the reason for the rule that no one goes out in the maze at night. As days pass, Thomas keeps getting a nagging feeling that some of what he's experiencing is familiar, and when a girl is sent up in the Box, he can't help but think he knows her, too, but doesn't know how. She is the catalyst, though, and triggers the beginning of the end of the maze and life as they know it.

Think of this gripping thriller as Lord of the Flies, but with scientists controlling the experiment. A hierarchy is formed, words are developed and tasks are completed. Thomas is the main character, but the others are by no means static or two dimensional. Overall, everyone is pretty well developed, though there were times I got a little frustrated with Thomas, especially when he would do an about face in his thinking pattern. My biggest disappointment: though it stands well enough on its own, it does rely on the books coming after it (this is a planned trilogy), ending rather abruptly. It does grab you, though, and boys will enjoy the survivalist nature of this story, which is another plus in its favor.


MAKE A SPLASH – READ!

NOAA's Aquarius
http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/
Off the shore of the Florida Keys sits the Aquarius, the world's only undersea research station. The station is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and their research and education programs are quite impressive. On their website, visitors should check out the "About Aquarius" area to learn about the daily operations of the laboratory and its operating costs. In the "Mission Info" area, visitors can look over profiles of the aquanauts on duty aboard the Aquarius, read their blog, and ask these intrepid souls questions about their work. Educators should look over the "Lesson Plans", which include activities based around teaching students about buoyancy and pressure. Finally, visitors should look over the "Missions & Project Info". Here they will find information about recently completed projects, including scientific work on coral restoration and the role of sponges in coral-reef ecosystems. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 11/25/09)


Polar TREC Bering Sea Ecosystem Field Study
http://www.polartrec.com/bering-ecosystem-change

In March 2008, my brother Craig participated in a Polar TREC (Teachers & Researchers Exploring & Collaborating) Bering Sea ecosystem study onboard the ice boring ship USCGC Healy. While on board the Healy they documented late winter ocean conditions, studied biological communities found in sea ice, examined early spring plankton bloom, and investigated light penetration through open water and ice cover. Craig kept an online journal of his journey, posted photos, and responded to questions submitted by his classroom back in Anchorage and others interested in his trip.


YALSA’S 2010 EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS

YALSA chose five books as finalists for its brand-new 2010 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, which honors the best nonfiction books written for young adults between Nov. 1, 2008 and Oct. 31, 2009. YALSA will name the 2010 winner at the Youth Media Awards on Jan. 18, during the Midwinter Meeting.

The 2010 finalists are:

"Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream" by Tanya Lee Stone, published by Candlewick

"Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman, published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

"Claudette Colvin: Twice toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose, published by Melanie Kroupa Books/ Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

“The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous and Stupendous Life of the Showman P. T. Barnum" by Candace Fleming, published by Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House

"Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland" by Sally M. Walker, published by Carolrhoda/Lerner

More information on the finalists and the award can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction.


SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES BOOST KIDS’ WRITING

Still on the fence about the value of social networking sites and blogging in the classroom? A new report from the UK’s National Literacy Trust finds that although nearly half of all students there think writing is boring, when that activity is tied to technology, kids become more confident about their skills.

Although the exchanges on social networking sites and by texting and instant messaging are often vilified in the media as dumbing down literacy for today’s kids, the new study, “Young people’s writing: Attitudes, behaviour and the role of technology” shows that technology offers different writing opportunities for students.

“Young people who write on a blog were much more likely than young people who do not write on a blog to enjoy writing in general (57 percent vs. 40 percent) and to enjoy writing for family/friends in particular (79 percent vs. 55 percent),” the report says. “Young people with a blog (61 percent) as well as young people with a profile on a social networking site (56 percent) also displayed greater confidence, believing themselves to be good writers.”

Of those surveyed, 56 percent say they have a profile on a social networking site, such as Bebo or Facebook, and 24 percent say they have their own blog.

The research also shows some 12 percent of students said they don’t believe writing is an important skill, which is why it’s crucial that educators incorporate more multimedia activities into the curriculum, the report says.

When it comes to gender differences, boys lag behind girls in more than just writing proficiency. Boys don’t enjoy writing as much as girls (38 percent vs. 52 percent), regardless if it involves family and friends or for schoolwork. Boys are also more likely than girls to agree with statements that writing is boring (57 percent vs. 41 percent); however, boys are more likely than girls to believe that computers are beneficial to writing.
(Library Hotline, 12/14/09)


FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY’S MOCK DISCUSSION RESULTS

About a dozen of us met on Monday, December 7 at the Franklin library to discuss potential Caldecott and Newbery contenders. Thanks to Debbie Olguin at Franklin for hosting the event.

Here are the results of our vote:

Caldecott: 1) The Lion and the Mouse; 2) Coretta Scott; 3) All the World

Newbery: 1) When You Reach Me; 2) The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate; 3) Faith, Hope and Ivy June

The actual awards will be announced on Monday, January 18 at the ALA Midwinter conference in Boston. Stay tuned!


EVENTS THIS WEEK and a few more days….

Monday, December 21
Crossword Puzzle Day
Forefathers' Day
Humbug Day
National Haiku Poetry Day
Winter Begins

Tuesday, December 22
Capricorn begins

Wednesday, December 23
Festivus
Humanlight Celebration
Feast of the Radishes (Mexico)

Thursday, December 24
Christmas Eve

Friday, December 25
Christmas
A’phabet Day (No L)

Saturday, December 26
Kwanzaa Begins
National Thank You Note Day
National Whiner's Day
Saint Stephan's Day
Boxing Day
Day of the Wren

Sunday, December 27
Asarah B’Tevet
Ashura: Tenth Day
Saint John Feast Day

Monday, December 28
Childermas
Pledge of Allegiance Day

Tuesday, December 29
Tick Tock Day

Wednesday, December 30
Oh My! Day

Thursday, December 31
New Year’s Eve
Blue Moon
Lunar Eclipse
Make Up Your Mind Day
No Interruptions Day
Universal Hour of Peace


DATES TO REMEMBER

December 24-25 Lakeshores offices closed
December 31 Lakeshores offices closed
January 1 Lakeshores offices closed
January 11 CSLP Board conference call
January 14-19 ALA Midwinter, Boston
January 29 SLP Retreat, Country Springs Hotel Water Park, Waukesha
(more info to come, tomorrow most likely!)
January 30 Riverport Chorus, DivaQuest, Kenosha
February 15 WLA Board meeting, Madison
February 16 Library Legislative Day, Madison


WEBSITE FAVES

Storybook Corner
http://www.hfrp.org/family-involvement/storybook-corner

Storybook Corner contains free downloadable Web-based resources for educators and families. These materials show how storybooks that thematically emphasize family involvement can promote family involvement in real life. Many of the resources -- such as the original bilingual children's storybook "Tomasito's Mother Comes to School," illustrated by the award-winning children's book illustrator Joe Cepeda -- are especially useful for promoting involvement among culturally diverse families. Also included at the site are lesson plans and many other resources. (Education World Site Reviews, 11/24/09)


The Braille Bug
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/

On this site, students can learn about blindness and related topics and develop a better understanding of how disabled people adapt to meet their needs. The site also provides a good explanation of what Braille is and a brief biography of Louis Braille. A printable Braille alphabet key and a variety of games are available to help children learn how to recognize Braille letters and numbers. Another valuable section is the Helen Keller Kids Museum. It offers information -- in a timeline format complete with photos and videos -- on the life and achievements of this remarkable woman. Included in the section for teachers and parents is an instruction sheet on how to download the Braille files, classroom activities, and other resources. (Education World Site Reviews, 11/24/09)


Jazzed in Time
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/jazzintime/timeline.html

Developed for middle and high school audiences, Jazzed in Time follows the development of this great American art form. An interactive timeline, divided by decade, highlights events that helped shape jazz and illustrates the styles of each period (swing, bebop, fusion, etc.) through music and images. As they scroll through the decades, students learn about important moments and trends in U.S. history. By listening to music clips within this historical context, students can gain an in-depth understanding of a musical form that took root in American soil and made a global impact. (Big Deal Book Newsletter, 12/1/09)


AND FINALLY……….

Okay, so you all know I don’t cook and if it can be burned, I’ll burn it. Not intentionally, of course, it just works out that way! This is a recipe that makes an interesting side dish for your holiday get togethers, and one that even I can’t compromise. Happy Holidays!

Wild Rice Casserole
1 c. wild rice
1 small onion
6 slices of crisp bacon, crumbled
1 small can mushrooms
1 c. beef broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ c. celery (optional, I never put it in but my mom does)
1 can beer

Soak wild rice in beer overnight, drain. Fry bacon. Chop onion and celery, saute in bacon drippings and drain. Mix mushrooms, soup, and broth to onion and celery mixture. Add crumbled bacon. Add wild rice. Bake 350 degree oven in covered 2 1/2 qt. casserole dish for 1.5 to 2 hours. (I’ll often double the recipe and put it in a slow cooker for 4-5 hours.)