Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Neil Gaiman, Shaun Tan and Mariken Jongman-NYC- 4/30/09

April 30, 2009
Leaps and Bounds, Fits and Starts: The Evolution of a Children’s Book Writer
Thursday, 6:30-8:00pm
With Neil Gaiman, Mariken Jongman, and Shaun Tan; moderated by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Picture books! Novels! Graphic Novels! And more! Authors and their works develop in distinctive ways. Some ideas and books are nurtured for years while others have a eureka moment. Join children's book authors Neil Gaiman, Mariken Jongman, and Shaun Tan for a discussion about the ever-evolving landscape of children's and young adult literature with Scholastic Executive Editor Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Where:
Scholastic Auditorium
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
212.343.6100
R/W to Prince Street
B/D/F/V to Broadway-Lafayette

Free and open to the public
Presented by PEN's Children's Book Committee and Scholastic

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3213/prmID/1376

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Earth Day Research Project

In honor of Earth Day, a quick but illuminating interdisciplinary research project for grades 9-12 reflecting

NJCCS (New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards)
STANDARD 5.10 (ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES) ALL STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AS A SYSTEM OF INTERDEPENDENT COMPONENTS AFFECTED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY AND NATURAL PHENOMENA.

B. Human Interactions and Impact
Assess the impact of human activities on the cycling of matter and the flow of energy through ecosystems.
Use scientific, economic, and other data to assess environmental risks and benefits associated with societal activity.


Background

Research the industrial history of Jersey City in the following library books and websites:
F144 .J543 G33 2007 2007
Jersey City : a monumental history

F144 .J5 J47 1910a 1996
Jersey City of to-day, Hudson County, New Jersey, America : its history, people, trades, commerce, institutions & industries

F144 .J5 J47 1910a 1996
Jersey City of to-day, Hudson County, New Jersey, America : its history, people, trades, commerce, institutions & industries

Jersey city Online
http://www.jerseycityonline.com/history/jc_history.htm

Jersey City History-Past and Present
http://www.njcu.edu/programs/jchistory/

New Jersey Department of Environmental Chromium Map
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/chromium/map.htm

Jersey City Now
Students can view the following videos




Research
Note some of the main points of the videos
View the videos again and note some of the visuals that accompanied the main points
Note what emotions the visuals tried to elicit, if any.

Research the terms "chromium" and "Jersey City" in several periodical (newspaper)
databases such as Lexis Nexis or Academic Search premier.

Are your sources authoritative?
Does your research confirm the main points of the video

Discuss your findings with the class

What conclusions can you make, if any?

Follow Up
If you are concerned about industrial pollution, what actions can be taken?
Contact your representatives
Do more research
Contact environmental organizations

Monday, April 20, 2009

School Board Elections-April 21, 2009-VOTE!

Don't forget to vote in the School Board Elections held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in New Jersey!

Jersey City Residents can find information on candidates here:

The Powerhouse Arts District site
http://www.padnajc.org/
has questionnaire responses for the majority of candidates

School Board Panel Debate report
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/04/10/school-board-candidates-i_ws_185608.html

Talking Politics- JC Board of Ed Candidates
Click on JC Board of Ed Candidates to watch video interviews with 4 of the 12 candidates
http://www.channel125.com/tp12.htm

Jersey City Independent
Interview with 3 of the 12 candidates
http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2009/04/10/meet-the-school-board-candidates-william-derosa-moshe-rozenblit-and-tom-wilen/

Coverage of panel
http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2009/04/10/school-board-candidates-introduce-themselves-at-community-forums/


Candidate websites:
Three of the candidates have a website with their biographies,mission and other information
http://www.jceen.org/

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Interesting online Education Grant Database

While browsing for information, this site popped up. It is a compendium of grants for teachers, students and other educators, started by two individuals in 1996 with backgrounds in education and grantsmanship.

Take a look and see if it is helpful:
GrantsAlert.com http://www.grantsalert.com/resources.cfm

Please leave a comment if you find it useful, or if you have problems with it.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

New Jersey Library Association Conference Programs of interest to educators

See http://njla.pbwiki.com/Conference+2009


Friday, April 3rd is the last day for Early Bird Registration for the NJLA Conference!!!


Sign up now and save on your chance to go to these great programs of interest to Educators and faculty



Tuesday, April 28, 2009

9-9:50

What’s the Big Idea? Math & Science Programs

Learn to incorporate science in math concepts in all your interactions with children, use picture books and investigations to promote conversations, language skills and higher-order thinking. Engage children in hands-on investigations that help them explore math, science and literacy skills and concepts.

Michelle Willis, Scotch Plains Public Library, Vicky Kulikowski, Somerset County Library, Hillsborough Branch, Sharon Rawlins, NJ State Library and Allison Santos, Princeton Public Library



11-11:50

New Books for Tweens and Teens

Discover the best of the new books for tweens and teens presented by this expert in literature for young people.

Teri Lesesne, Professor at Sam Houston State University; Moderator: Susan Fichtelberg, Woodbridge Public Library



1:30-2:20

The State of Publishing LGBTI-Themed Picture Books Today

It is has been twenty years since the groundbreaking publication of LeslĂ©a Newman's Heather Has Two Mommies. What is the market like today for children’s books with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex-related themes? This broad question will be explored from the lens of an editor/publisher and from an author whose first picture book was published in 2008.

Sarah S. Brannen, author of Uncle Bobby's Wedding and The ABC Book of American Homes; Bobbie Combs, co-founder of Two Lives Publishing, editor and author of A, B, C: A Family Alphabet Book and 1,2,3: A Family Counting Book



3:30-4:20

Paired Reading Lists

Matching fiction and non-fiction titles with core curriculum requirements enhances children's learning experiences and leads them to literature they might not otherwise discover. View fiction and non-fiction titles that work well together and tie into curriculum units and learn tips for providing this service for your students and teachers.

Susan Fichtelberg, Woodbridge Public Library; Pat Vasilik, Clifton Public Library



4:30-5:20

A Visit with Children's Author, Lenore Look

Lenore Look, author of picture books like Uncle Peter's Chinese Wedding and transitional chapter books including Ruby Lu, Brave and True, an ALA Notable Book, and Alvin Ho, will discuss her work featuring Asian-American characters.



Wednesday, April 29,2009


9-9:50

Picture This: Art Exploration for Kids

Looking for ideas for art-based programming for this year's Summer Reading Program? Our speaker will share ideas from a program that merges literature, art, and creativity, and will present program plans for everything from prehistoric cave paintings to Pointillism, Cubism to Chagall, Escher, O'Keefe, Matisse, and many more. This program is suitable for both public libraries and school settings.

Carol Simon Levin, Somerset County Library/Bridgewater Branch



11:30-12:20

Summer Reading Committee Presents Floyd Cooper, Illustrator

The theme for the upcoming Summer Reading program is “the Arts” and the 2009 Summer Reading Committee would like to inspire you with artistic ideas so you to can “Be Creative @ Your Library.” Join us for this expressive and dramatic presentation of art and illustration.

Floyd Cooper has won many awards, including the Coretta Scott King Honor for Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea (1994), Meet Danitra Brown (1995), and I Have Heard of a Land (1999).



12:30-2:30

Garden State Book Awards Luncheon: John Green

Celebrate this year's winners of the Garden State Book Awards with award-winning and highly acclaimed YA author John Green. Green's debut novel, Looking for Alaska, received the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award, followed by a 2007 Printz Honor for An Abundance of Katherines. His latest novel, Paper Towns, has received multiple starred reviews. In addition to his writing accomplishments, John and his brother Hank have created a major following on YouTube with their vlogbrothers channel. Book signing to follow.



2:30-3:20

Serving the Homeschoolers

Public Libraries are serving an ever growing grassroots educational movement. This workshop will include the following: how we can best tap into this market, educating staff to serve this diverse population, and evaluating your libraries resources. In addition we will address how book discussion groups can be a valuable tool for this population and providing computer services and college prep information for the Homeschooling community.

Nancy Voiko, Ocean County Library



3:30-4:20

Welcoming Library Programs for the Special Needs Community and Their Families

Library personnel will learn how to develop and execute library programs that invite special needs children and typically developing children to participate together. This program is an outgrowth of the INFOLINK initiative "Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and their families." It is geared towards responding to the challenge of NJ residents whose children have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum and other high functioning children who are participating in inclusion programs in their public schools.

Carrie Banks, Supervisor, The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs/Kidsmobile, Brooklyn Public Library