New Library Blog

Due to our new Library opening this term, I have started a new Library blog to introduce all of the new resources to our school community. I can't wait for the shelves to go in so that I can finally put books in and get everything up and running. Very exciting! http://bcslibraryblog.blogspot.com.au/

Christian Resources for the school library

One of the most important features that I envision for our School Library is Christian Resources. I tend to purchase all of my Christian Resources from Koorong Bookstore however I have recently been made aware of Christian school suppliers in Queensland. Christian School Suppliers is a specialist provider of school supplies, school resources, teacher resources, educational resources, teachers professional development, school leadership resources and library school books. Their educational supplies and school library books are selected based on the needs of those in Christian education, and their popular book reviews also reflect Christian values. Teaching resources are available for a wide range of subjects, and as the publishers of Review, the Christian School Library magazine, and providers of the Christian School Library Standing Orders, they are rapidly becoming the library suppliers of choice for Christian schools. Why not check them out at: http://www.christianschoolsuppliers.com.au/

My first hub get-together

Yesterday I attended my first ever TL Hub meeting at Tyndale Christian School. It was great to meet such enthusiastic Teacher Librarians all keen to share ideas. They were all overjoyed to discuss the prospects for the CSA TL Conference planned for next year. The difference between e-books and e-textbooks also enlightened me to some of the pitfalls of e-textbooks. Creative ideas from Book Week were shared including: 1) A Reading Expo (similar to a Wedding Expo), for Years 5-8. Groups had to make a stall to try and sell, advertise their book ( a book on the shortlist for book week)eg. Students made a stew and some bookmarks to hand out for the book Wombat Stew, other groups made book trailers (Children's Book Council) 2) A Reading Olympics - Reading Incentive which began with an Olympic Torch moving around each classroom. Students had to complete Reading events, eg. sprints=1 Home Reader=1 point, Hurdles=3 Bible Stories=3 points, Ping pong= Read a book and pass to a friend=points. Reading Logs kept in Library. 3) Reading Quiz - Guess who's Reading? Pictures of Teachers with face covered by a book. 4) Reading Hour -Over 1 week, whole school during Devotions. 5) Teacher's reading their favourite short-listed books to the school. 1 per week to each class - teacher's move to each class, students stay in their own classrooms. Teachers dress up and take props to make their Readings interesting. Wonderful Picture Book - " Bus called heaven". Idea for opening of our new Library - Guest Writer - Penny Reeves (author of 11 Children's picture books). What I need to research? 1) Wheelers. 2) Read Cloud. Viewed an amazing School Library at PLC - Croydon, They have 4 floors and a digital TV and interactive whiteboard on each level joined together by a single column.This library is really embracing 21st Century learning!!