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The Foran Learning Commons Lowdown
(Student Ed.) Tech Tidbits, Riveting Reads and Resources
The Lowdown's Mission
The Foran Learning Commons Lowdown (Student Ed.) is meant to provide Foran students and families with an insight into savvy digital tools or technology tips that will assist you with everyday academics, recommendations for meaningful literature and/or resources to support individual learning from our Teaching and Learning Commons.
Celebrating With Some Phenomenal Reads!
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race,” a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men—bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today, threatened, locked up, and murdered out of all proportion. What is it like to inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its burden?
Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempt to answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son. Coates shares with his son—and readers—the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children’s lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
Goodreads.com
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.
But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.
The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?
Goodreads.com
Run: Book One by John Lewis
To John Lewis, the civil rights movement came to an end with the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. But that was after more than five years as one of the preeminent figures of the movement, leading sit–in protests and fighting segregation on interstate busways as an original Freedom Rider. It was after becoming chairman of SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) and being the youngest speaker at the March on Washington. It was after helping organize the Mississippi Freedom Summer and the ensuing delegate challenge at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. And after co-leading the march from Selma to Montgomery on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” All too often, the depiction of history ends with a great victory. But John Lewis knew that victories are just the beginning. In Run: Book One, John Lewis and longtime collaborator Andrew Aydin reteam with Nate Powell—the award–winning illustrator of the March trilogy—and are joined by L. Fury—making an astonishing graphic novel debut—to tell this often overlooked chapter of civil rights history.
Goodreads.com
Library Transformation in the WORKS!
I am very excited to announce that we have several pieces of sample furniture in our Library! Feel free to come by, try them out and give me your feedback! We are continuing to move forward with our plans to renovate and create a welcoming and spacious Teaching and Learning Commons. Don't miss out on the chance to try out this furniture; they may not be here long!
Looking For YOUR Help!
Our Teaching and Learning Commons is continuing to devise plans and meet with architects on the update of our library renovation. We are really excited to embark on this phase! As we head into our 2nd semester, I am looking for assistants to be a part of our TLC TEAM! If you enjoy marketing, organizing, books, quiet spaces, planning and/or technology, consider joining our TEAM! Check out the presentation which contains a video link to find out more about this amazing opportunity where you can receive school credit for volunteering your time to work in the library!
Innovation Lab!
Please come by the Library to check out our Makerspace materials! Students had some fun during Common Time trying out the Snap Circuits. We have the mBot Makerblock, Turing Tumble, Snap Circuits and various coloring books with markers and colored pencils. Tinkering is not just fun but also a great way to explore innovation and creative works! These items are available during Common Time, or you may use them here in the library if you have a Study Period.
Mindful Moments Extended!
In addition, take a look at our February edition of our Mindful magazine on Flipster, which contains pertinent and valuable resources for practicing self-care!
Student IT Assistance
If you're having issues with your Chromebook, your login information or additional district computer issues, please see the video below to find out how to submit an Incident IQ ticket for repair.
Some of February's Flipster Magazines to Take a Peek At!
Our magazine database, Flipster, is back! Log in with Password-foran, Username-#1lions to find out what magazines this database includes and access articles on any digital device! Go to our TLC Website to log in to Flipster or click the button below to be brought there.
Logging Into Destiny
Destiny is our digital catalog database. If you are wondering if our TLC contains a specific read, you can log into Destiny to conduct a search. You can also place a hold on a book or check one out virtually. Please see the video below that will walk you through the process of how to log in and navigate Destiny's features.
Jackie DeLoma
Email: jdeloma@milforded.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/milforded.org/foran-library/home
Location: Foran Library
Phone: 2320
Twitter: @foranlibrary