
1st Things First
For Great Prairie AEA's Teacher Librarians
May 2024
Three things not to miss!
- We still have some awesome posters and calendars you may claim. Fill out a form today.
- From the "Land Down Under" this gem is too good not to explore. In fact, I will be sharing lots of resources in this newsletter and newsletters to come, that I have discovered here. https://studentsneedschoollibraries.org.au/ says it all, doesn't it?
- Yes, May is Teacher Appreciation Month, with Teacher Appreciation Week taking place from May 6–10, 2024, and National Teacher Day on May 7, 2024. In many schools TL's are celebrated this day/week, instead of April 4th. I felt this graphic really illustrates what actually sets us apart in the school setting, even if others don't recognize it. Keep doing the 27+ distinguishing things that impact our students and celebrate you (but not too loudly - LOL)!
Book Creator
Book Creator! Featuring Teacher Librarians!
Mira Campbell shares this wonderful book, full of project ideas, resources and lesson tips to make your Library Learning Commons the place where students want to be!
What can my students do with Book Creator in May?
I'm glad you asked. How much fun would it be to have your students make a handbook for their underclassmen on all things library? What might your HS Seniors tell the next year's freshmen? Or a 6th grader share with a 3rd grader?
AI
Where are we at with AI?
Pascal BORNET aka Top Voice | AI & Automation Expert, 20+ Years | Keynote Speaker | Best-Selling Author | Forbes Tech Council | 1 Million+ followers ✔️has a lot so say about AI.
"The preeminence of AI in technical skills is largely due to its capacity to handle and analyze massive amounts of data much faster than humans, its consistent accuracy in executing routine tasks, and its ability to adapt by learning from new data to enhance its capabilities continuously."
Check out this newsletter for the full view of the graphic I've shared. Pascal takes a look at common skills humans have and tells us why AI excels and what career fields it will impact. However, he closes with the idea that our humanity will never be replicated and that even in those fields, humans will always be needed.
They're Here!
The Association for Library Services to Children has posted their summer reading lists for Birth - Pre-K, Kindergarten - Grade 2, Grades 3 - 5, & Grades 6 - 8
https://www.ala.org/alsc/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists/summer-2024?_zs=OjHmm1&_zl=23RX9
Middle and High School
Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council
SYBAC Applications are Open through May 31st!
ICAN is looking for students in grades 10-12 who are interested in technology to join their tech council.
Encourage any students who like tech, video games, and/or cybersecurity to fill out an application today.⭐
Another tip from Matt at Ditch That Textbook
New Flyer Features Lexile Level & Text Complexity Features
Lexile Level & Text Complexity Flyer
Why are school libraries so important?
May
Check It Out!
Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Check it Out! is a monthly webinar series from the State Library of Iowa spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18. Youth Services Consultant Janeé Jackson-Doering will share collection development tips, programming ideas, the best books to use for storytimes, and of course, new titles galore for kids and teens. This is a fun, fast-paced session that will fill both your library shelves and your TBR list!
June
Teacher Professional Development: Integrating Social Studies and Literacy Connections into K-5 Classrooms
Monday, June 19 to Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - All day
State Historical Museum of Iowa
600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA
Teacher Professional Development: Integrating Inquiry and Primary Sources into 6th-12th Grade Classrooms
Monday, June 26 to Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - All day
State Historical Museum of Iowa
600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA
Please reach out any time. My cell is listed for your convenience.
Email: lindy.harmon@gpaea.org
Website: gpaea.org
Phone: 660-341-0223