Let's BookJam!

Hey, Greyhounds!  Do you like to read?  Do you like to play with computers to create cool presentations?  IAre you musically inclined or like to act?  f you answered yes to any these questions, check out the following contest!  I know this school could put together some rockin' projects.  Come see Ms. Dinneen in the library if you're interested....or better yet, respond to this blog post.  It gets lonely just writing for myself - I'd love to hear from you!

How Do YOU BookJam?


Create a Digital Book Report video connecting core standards to 21st-century skills for your chance to win a portion of $20,000 in prizes.

Have your students pick their favorite book or a book from your lesson plan and create a song, performance, or debate. Get creative and win! Use music, props, and costumes! But make sure that it covers the core standards. We’d love to see rap songs about grammar, interactive presentations highlighting setting and symbolism, plays about conflict starring Hester Prynne to Harry Potter, and whatever else you and your students dream up!
For more details, visit
www.digitalbookreport.com

Here's what you could win!  
 - Fifteen finalists per category will be judged by our panel of guest judges and by public vote for a chance to win one of two grand prizes—one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12—worth $20,000.
 - First 25 entries get a FREE audio book!

Numerous “Honorable Mention” prizes will be awarded!

Welcome!

Hey, Greyhounds! I'm so glad you found your way to the Johnston MS Library blog. You'll find some stuff that is new, some stuff that I wrote a couple of years ago, and some stuff that I need your input on.

As you scroll through the blog, you'll find some postings about books, some examples of technology and some interesting links to help you find other books to read. Take a minute to read through and check out the links...you might find a book that's been out for a couple of years that you didn't know about.

I love to play with new technology and there are some great "free" programs. I'd like to share that knowledge with you, so if you're interested in learning how to create book trailers or "Glogs" or talking avatars, let me know. I'd love to explore some of these media with the creative students at JMS.

That's it for know.....Ms. Dinneen

Name That Book Media Contest

Like to read? Love to use computers? Consider participating in the "Name That Book" mutli-media contest. You don't have to read all 36 books...only a few of them. Then you'll work by yourself or with a partner to create a 3 minute multimedia project that captures the essence of the book(s). You'll have lots of flexibility and choices. Let me know if you're interested....

Here's an example for The Great Wide Sea by M. H. Herlong

PhotoStory3 & Book Trailers

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Check out this great book trailer created by Sofia D'Arcy using a free program, Photo Story3. If you'd like to learn how to create your own books trailers using Photo Story3, let me know. I'd love to show your how!

Thinking back...

At the beginning of a New Year, we're told that it is important to think back over the year past to remember the good and the bad. Here are my top ten best things from the library...

10. Starting the 2009 school year with more new books!

9. A great group of library assistants!!

8. Working with students and teachers on History and Science Fair projects!!

7. Having a great group of 6th graders who came to BMS with a love of reading!!!

6. A really supportive faculty and administration

5. 15 new computers!!!!

4. 20-30 fantastic and wonderful students who use the library every morning before school!!!!!!!

3. Students who responded to the request for book recommendations - 65+ books were suggested!!!!!!!!

2. 18 dedicated Name that Book team members!!!!!!!!!

1. At the top of the library list is YOU! You make the library great!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday...remember your library books are due :-)!

Help, Help, Help!!!!

Help!Help!Help!Help!Help! The Library Needs YOUR Help!
Now that I have your attention, you might be wondering WHY does the library need MY help?

It's that time of year when we think about the things we want. Well, just like you, the library has "things" it wants and the "things" the library wants is BOOKS! And not just any books, either. The Library wants to know what books YOU want. So here's how you can help. Stop by the Library and fill out a "wish list" entry with the title and author (if you know it) of any books that you would like to see added to the Library's collection. Ms. Dinneen will consider any suggested books AND three students will win a prize for taking time to suggest a book.

SCARY Books

For those of you who have been waiting with suspense to find out the books are considered to be the SCARIEST by Black MS students and teachers.....(drum roll, please!)


HERE's the list!








Ranked the 3rd scariest book - Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish

The 2nd scariest book - Lord Loss by Darren Shan

The Really, Truly, Scariest book on campus is.....






Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer


Other nominated books include:
Summer of Fear Carrie Cirque de Freak
The Devouring New Moon 10 Scary Stories
Sons of Destiny

Thanks to all those who participated by nominating books!