PMBW teacher librarians

Getting started with IWBs

ianmclean — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:48:48 +0000

At our professional development day in November 2009, teacher librarians Colleen Blancato, Fran Mead and Shelley Napper gave a presentation about how Smart notebook 10 software, which is free and downloadable on every NSW DET school computer, even if you do not have an IWB. Teachers can make resources to use on their IWBs.

Or, use Smart notebook 10 with a laptop, data projector and screen. Students can create interactive quizzes and activities of their own to explore topics. This IWBs presentation also includes how to download the software for home use, and how to use the toolkit to make resources (very easily), plus links to finding resources that are already made!

Download the presentation here.

Ready to rap with “Bear & Chook”

ianmclean — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:36:38 +0000

There is already activity over on the “Bear & Chook” books rap blog site. This book rap, based on two picture books, “Bear & Chook”, and the newly-released “Bear & Chook by the sea”, is aimed at students in Early Stage 1 (Kinder) and Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2). It officially commences Term 4 Week 2 (26 October, 2009). But please, by all means, drop by rapblog6.edublogs.org/ and have a look around any time.

Several schools have already introduced themselves, there are some great comments turning up on the Teachers‘ section, and there are already things to look at in the Gallery. This book rap will also feature participation by the author, Lisa Shanahan, and illustrator, Emma Quay. An online video, of Lisa and Emma reading “Bear & Chook by the sea” at Caddies Creek PS, and answering students’ questions, will be an exciting addition to the usual teaching resources. The rap is being coordinated by Jenny Scheffers (TL at Caddies Creek), “Scan” editor Cath Keane, and yours truly. Interstate and international schools are welcome, and there is no cost involved in book rapping.

I’ve had a few questions from first-time teacher book rappers, and people who last did a rap in the previous email listserv format, regarding the whereabouts of the support material (programming and planning, syllabus outcomes and rap sheets) for the “Bear & Chook books rap”. The rap pages on the NSW DET website are still under construction and will be open for viewing from NSW’s Day 1, Term 4. When live, they will be linked from:
schools.nsw.edu.au/raps/index.htm
The rap itself will commence in Week 2, Term 4, in the week of 26 October 2009.

If you’re trying to visualise the scope of the programming and planning, syllabus outcomes and rap sheets, you might like to check out previous recent raps, such as the 2008 Stage 1 “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” book rap, in which the discussion component was also in a blog format:
schools.nsw.edu.au/raps/wilfrid08/index.htm

You can also email cath.keane@det.nsw.edu.au for further information about the rap. Have a great holiday and don’t forget the warm honey toast!

Regards,
Ian McLean
Teacher librarian and rap co-coordinator,
Penrith PS

Committee meeting minutes

ianmclean — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:05:38 +0000

Meeting held: 2nd September 2009-09-15
Venue: Penrith Panthers
Meeting opened : 4:05pm
Present: Jenny Scheffers, Sharon Laurence, Lee Arundel, Colleen Blancato, Shelley Napper, Honor White, Isabelle Cumberland, Jan Poona, Belinda Doyle
Apologies: Michele Young, Lorraine Baxter, Fran Mead, Ian McLean

Discussion of Term 4 Professional Learning Day
Speaker fee for for Tohby Riddle
$$ to cover relief for Pam Priestly, Ruth Buchannan and Janelle Van Capelle
TLs to sign in at Katoomba HS front office, including all delegates on day of conference PLUS sign-in at conference desk in library. Need to give Katoomba HS front office a list of people attending
Venue has computer lab with IWB, upstairs/downstairs areas, may need laptops?
Need 3 tables for registration area
Katoomba HS catering
Sponsor is Syba Signs
Gifts for delegates x 7
Online registration now open
Registration needs to be streamlined e.g last meeting not everyone’s seminar preferences received. Feedback to regional office as procedure cumbersome
Issue for private schools as they cannot register online with DET system – direct to Lee Arundel at Blacktown
Advertise to Lithgow and Bathurst area?
Shelley Napper to coordinate workshop sessions and options via email preferences.

2010 initial discussions for professional development days
Term 1 – Afternoon tea for new TLs?
Term 4 – Venue for bi-annual conference (the big one)? Suggestions – Penrith RSL? (Ian McLean to ring re waiving of booking fee), Blacktown Workers Club?. Transport a major factor in picking venue i.e. train access.
Term 4 – Kevin Hennah follow up?

AGM: Term 4 2009-09-15
Chaired by Jan Poona
Positions vacant
Nominations
Jackie Hawkes retiring – she was a previous committee member – gift – Honor White to enquire.

Finances: presented by Lee Arundel, treasurer.

Meeting closed: 5.15pm

Term 4 Professional Learning Day: Agenda announced

ianmclean — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:41:48 +0000

Hi everyone!

Here are the details of our Term 4 Professional Learning Day, which will be held on Tuesday 17th November Term 4 (Week 5) at Katoomba High School. The cost is $30.00, which covers professional catering for Morning Tea and Lunch and photocopying of hand-outs.

Online registration is now available (until early Term 4) at: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/inservice/w_sydney/

Please mark this date in your diaries and I look forward to sharing a rewarding day of professional development with you!

Jenny Scheffers (TL @ Caddies Creek PS)
Chairperson,
Penrith, Mt Druitt, Blacktown & Windsor Teacher Librarian Professional Learning Group

AGENDA

8.15am Registration & Coffee

9.00am Welcome by Principal: Gail Ross

9.10am – 10.00am Practical Strategies for supporting Visual Literacy: Lizzie Chase (School Libraries & Information Literacy Unit), Pam Priestly (Springwood PS) & Janelle Van Capelle (Chifley College Bidwill Campus)

10 – 10.10am DET update

10.10 – 10.30am Sponsors’ Presentations: Syba Signs & Viking Books

10.30 –11.00am MORNING TEA

11.00 – 11.20am AGM & offers for 2010 host schools

11.25 – 12:15pm Concurrent Workshops 1
A: Co-operative Planning & Teaching & the integration of Guided Inquiry: Jenny Scheffers (Caddies Creek PS)

B: IWBs in the Library: Colleen Blancato (Hassall Grove PS, Fran Mead Eastern Creek PS, Shelley Napper Quakers Hill PS)

C: Transforming your school library: Ruth Buchanan (Colo HS)

12.25 – 1.15pm Concurrent Workshops 2
A: Co-operative Planning & Teaching & the integration of Guided Inquiry: Jenny Scheffers (Caddies Creek PS)

B: IWBs in the Library: Colleen Blancato (Hassall Grove PS, Fran Mead Eastern Creek PS, Shelley Napper Quakers Hill PS)

C: Transforming your school library: Ruth Buchanan (Colo HS)

1.15 – 2.00pm LUNCH and Sponsors’ Displays

2.00- 3.00pm Recent Work – from Board Books to YA: Tohby Riddle (author and illustrator)

3.00 – 3.30pm Concluding Evaluation / Lucky Door Prize Draws.

School libraries 21C

ianmclean — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:12:37 +0000

The School Libraries & Information Literacy Unit at State Office, NSW DET, is asking for comments on the question, “Do we need a school library in 21st century schools?”. There is a School Libraries 21C blog and associated readings.

The moderated discussion blog will be engaging a diverse range of perspectives, working towards a common vision. Discussion started 1 June 2009, and concludes 26 June 2009.

Dr Ross Todd, Director, Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL), School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers University, USA, and Lyn Hay, Lecturer in Teacher Librarianship at Charles Sturt University, are guiding the discussion.

The Suggested background reading, “School libraries building capacity for student learning 21C” by Lyn Hay & Colleen Foley is linked from the site. It is also in hardcopy in the current issue of “Scan”.

The discussion is organised under three main headings:
1. The future of school libraries
2. The school library of the future
3. What will it take to get there? Supporting continuous improvement and capacity building in school libraries.

Please do join in the discussion. It’s also a great way to become more familiar with blogging in education.

Collaboration!

ianmclean — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:33:13 +0000

Today Emma Quay, illustrator, and Lisa Shanahan, author, launched their exciting, new children’s picture book, “Bear and Chook by the sea”, at our very successful teacher-librarians’ professional development day.

I can’t wait for Term 4, when Jenny Scheffers and I coordinate a book rap based on their two “Bear and Chook” titles.

Committee meeting – March minutes

ianmclean — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:41:48 +0000

Meeting held – Thursday 26^th March 2009 (extracts)

Venue: Penrith Panthers

Meeting opened: 4.10pm

Present: Jenny Scheffers, Isabelle Cumberland, Lorraine Baxter, Lee Arundle, Colleen Blancato, Shelley Napper, Ian McLean, Belinda Doyle, Sharon Williamson and Michele Young.

Apologies: Fran Mead, Sue Pitt, Honor White, Sharon Laurence.

General Discussion

Jenny:

Ø Term 4 full day meeting to be held at Katoomba H.S. Confirmed with Laureen Sheppard

School will organise the catering

Ø New Patron needed – suggestions? Ask Colleen Foley for suggestions?

Greg Prior has replaced Lindsay Wasson

Lindsay overwhelmed with his gift and best wishes from PMBW group

Ø Afternoon tea was cancelled due to DET changes in organisation of Professional Development advertising and registration

Reschedule for Term 3? Discuss with Honor and committee members at the next meeting – Colleen suggested using this event as a forum for addressing general questions/answers

Ø Received an email from Ruth Buccanan (TL Colo H.S). Borrowing rate has increased as a result of changes implemented after Kevin Hennah’s workshop. She suggests a follow up workshop, perhaps in Term 4

Ø Jenny and Ian – Book Rap in Term 4 to follow up Term 2 meeting presentation by Lisa and Emma.

Michele:

Ø Thanks to Jenny and Colleen for visiting Lindsay and presenting him with a gift on our behalf.

Ian:

Ø Presenting a workshop with Ruth Buchanan at ASLA meeting Saturday 31^st October at Penrith P.S

Ø Suggestion made to use PMBW funds to employ someone to set up an email database of schools, Principals and Teacher Librarians.

Lorraine:

Ø Offered to collate email data base of TLs in our region – to be paid a casual day

Possible start date – Monday 6^th April (Week 11).

Discussion of Term 2 Professional Learning Day

Jenny:

Ø Term 2 full day meeting to be held at Jamisontown P.S Week 6 Wednesday 3^rd June

Confirmed with Teacher Librarian – Tracey Jones

Cost – $30

Sue has organised sponsors – Edufun and Elizabeth Richards. Sponsors and Children’s Book shop will be donating prizes

Colleen Foley has been invited (attendee)

Parramatta district TLs will be invited

Responsibilities

Committee members:

§ Please arrive at Jamisontown P.S at 7.45am.

Colleen:

§ Email Lorraine – school list word document

§ Email Lorraine introductory letter to be sent to TLs – introduce PMBW Professional Learning Group, instructions for registering for TL Professional Learning Days etc.

Honor:

§ Print certificates for participants

§ Pass on new PMBW logo to Jenny.

Jenny:

§ Email Agenda to committee members

§ Send Agenda to Parramatta group, explain new registration arrangements

§ Inform non DET TLs of Term 2 meeting – Promote Agenda on TL list serves

§ Jenny, Sue and Michele to visit Jamisontown P.S early next term to check venue for the meeting

§ Check with Lizzie to see what she needs for her workshop presentation

§ Inform Tracey that Ian will need data projector, laptop & internet access for his presentation

§ Ask Laureen to contact Tracey to let her know what technology is needed for her presentation

§ Near closing date for registration – look at the numbers to see if more needs to be done to spread the word about the meeting.

Lee:

§ Find out how to pay Lorraine for a casual day (or two, if necessary) using PMBW funds.

Sharon:

§ Help Lee at sign-on desk.

Lorraine:

§ Stickers to be placed on name badges to indicate workshop preferences – may not be possible to organise before the day – lists to be written up on the day

§ Create email data base of TLs in the region

§ Liaise with Lee regarding payment for casual day.

Michele:

§ Prepare and print copies of the Evaluation Form

§ Bring laptop to the meeting (back up)

§ Ask Cate to organise gifts for presenters.

Cate:

§ Organise gifts for presenters – Tracey, Laureen, Ian, Lizzie, Paul, Lisa & Emma

Next Committee Meeting: 3:45pm Wednesday 17^th June at Blacktown Sports Club.

Meeting closed: 5.00pm.

Online registrations

ianmclean — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:31:03 +0000

Hi all,

Registration for our T-L professional development days is now done online, as are all NSW DET professional development courses from this year. The information and registration details for our Term 2 Professional Learning day is now available at the Western Sydney Professional Learning Events Registration link (found at the School Administration tab on the NSW DET intranet). Or, go to https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/inservice/w_sydney/.

Once you register, please print of a copy of your registration and send it together with a cheque for $30 made out to Blacktown South Public School to:
Attention: Lee Arundel
Blacktown South Public School, 183 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown, NSW, 2148.

Soon after the closing date you’ll receive a confirmation email. To nominate your chosen workshops, you will need to reply to the confirmation email. The day’s program is shown here.

Regards, Ian McLean & Colleen Blancato,
on behalf of the committee.

World Book Day: April 23

ianmclean — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:15:31 +0000

Tara Moss, the successful Canadian Australian novelist, model and TV celebrity, has decided to get behind the concept of “World Book Day”, and is happy for me to pass on her recent Facebook posts about it, should you wish to mobilise and get something happening in Australian schools. She says:

“Let’s celebrate ‘World Book Day’ on April 23, and encourage it to become a recognized and significant day on the Australian calendar.

“The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, Spain, as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of Saint George’s Day (also 23 April) in the region, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and, since 1925, for the woman to give a book in exchange. Half the yearly sales of books in Catalonia take place around ‘World Book Day’, with over 400,000 sold (and about 4 million roses). In 1996, the United Nations (UNESCO) declared April 23 ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ and, in 1998, Tony Blair launched ‘World Book Day’ in the UK, where there have been strong programs each year since, involving booksellers, schools, publishers, parents, writers and readers.

“Can we be next?

“Books are key in my life, and I believe that an officially recognized and notable celebration of ‘World Book Day’ in Australia could go some way to ensuring a future where books continue to hold an important place in Australian lives.

‘If you share my interest in making this happen, please join this ["Facebook"] group, and give a book to someone you love on April 23. (The rose, I dare say, is optional.)

“… Let’s get the word out there so that ‘World Book Day’ becomes a notable date on the Australian calendar each year. ‘Book Day’ eclipses ‘Valentine’s Day’ in Spain, so I say, ‘Enough with the Hallmark greetings. Let’s get all of Australia to give their love a book on April 23 instead. Am I asking too much?’

“Happy reading, Tara Moss.”
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61720981519&ref=mf

So there you go! Now, of course, the “Facebook” group won’t be accessible through many educational institution firewalls, but if you celebrate in your school, post your ideas here and I’ll relay them back to Tara. Maybe all those great “Library Lovers” ideas from February 14 can be recycled more than once a year?

Regards, Ian McLean,
Penrith PS

Agenda: professional development day

ianmclean — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:30:41 +0000

Our Term 2 Meeting is set for WED 3^rd June at Jamisontown PS, Penrith South.
Teacher Librarian: Tracey Jones
Address: Thurwood Avenue, Penrith South
Parking: In-ground parking available at back of school
Phone: (02) 4733 2200

8.15 am Registration & Coffee

9.00 am Welcome by Principal: Mrs Lorraine Segula

Housekeeping

9.15 am Guest Speaker: Paul MacDonald (The Children’s Bookshop): Review of the Shortlisted CBCA titles and What’s Hot

10.15 am Sponsors’ Presentations: Edufun and Elizabeth Richards

10.30 – 11.00 am MORNING TEA

11.00 – 12:00 pm Concurrent Workshops 1

A: OASIS Beginners – Stocktake and Adding Websites Laureen Sheppard (Katoomba High School)

B: Integrating Blogs & Wikis Into the Library Teaching Program Ian McLean (Penrith PS)

C: Kress and van Leeuwen’s Visual Literacy Framework – A useful frame work for analysing images Lizzie Chase Review Coordinator, School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit

12.10 – 1.00 pm Concurrent Workshops 2

A: Advanced OASIS - Better Library Reports or how to make them do what you want them to do Laureen Sheppard (Katoomba High School)

B: Integrating Blogs & Wikis Into the Library’s Teaching Program – Ian McLean (Penrith PS)

C: Kress and van Leeuwen’s Visual Literacy Framework – A useful frame work for analysing images – Lizzie Chase Review Coordinator, School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit

1.00 – 2.00 pm LUNCH and Sponsors’ Displays

2.00 – 3.00 pm Looking Forward, Looking Back: the art of picture book collaboration – Lisa Shanahan (author) and Emma Quay (illustrator)

3.00 – 3.30 pm Concluding Evaluation / Lucky Door Prize Draws.