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The Foran Learning Commons Lowdown

(Student Ed.) Tech Tidbits, Riveting Reads and Resources

The Foran LearningCommons Lowdown(Student Ed.) Tech Tidbits, Riveting Reads andResources

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.

Have a Wonderful, Relaxing and Safe Holiday Season!

The Lowdown on Podcasts for Teens

Podcasts are a great resource for finding out about our world's influx of information, however, finding ones that are relevant and appropriate to our needs can be challenging. I have listed some worthwhile podcasts to listen to for various needs and entertainment below. If you have any questions on these or how to access them, please stop by the TLC to see me.

Mostly Mindful for Teens and Tweens is a podcast that teaches mindfulness strategies such as meditation, breath work and grounding exercises. The purpose of this podcast is to build resiliency and compassion in teens and tweens. Themes of compassion and kindness are weaved throughout the episodes that explore topics like friendship, feelings of anxiety and difficulties with focus and attention. (Commonsensemedia.org)
This Teenage Life is a podcast for teens hosted by teens and guided by adult educator Molly Josephs, centering teens' experiences, struggles and triumphs in their daily lives. Episodes focus on teaching teenagers that their feelings are valid and that they're not alone, while also showing them how to manage, deal with, and overcome their feelings. (Commonsensemedia.org)
Criminalia is a podcast hosted by Maria Trimarchi and Holly Frey, each episode unpacks a person from history who has committed a murder via poison. Who were they? What circumstances led up to the crime? And did she actually do it? What can we learn from the criminals and crimes of the past, and have humans gotten better or worse over time? (shondaland.com)
Hey YA is a podcast that highlights great new books to favorite classic reads, from news to the latest in on-screen adaptations, Hey YA is here to elevate the exciting world of young adult literature. (whiteplainslibrary.org)

Holiday Reads!

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Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green

A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.


Goodreads.com

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My True Love Gave to Me by

Sheila Keenan's captivating stories, paired with Nathan Fox's stunning art, bring the heroic military actions of man's best friend to life!

Some war heroes heard the wind whistling over a hidden trip wire.
Some war heroes sniffed out a sniper 1,000 yards away.
Some war heroes stood tall . . . on four legs!

DOGS OF WAR is a graphic novel that tells the stories of the canine military heroes of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. This collection of three fictional stories was inspired by historic battles and real military practice. Each story tells the remarkable adventures of a soldier and his service dog and is rendered with fascinating and beautiful detail, bringing to life the faithful dogs who braved bombs, barrages, and battles to save the lives of countless soldiers.

Based on the real-life roles of military dogs that served as Red Cross rescuers, messengers, scouts, search-and-rescue teams, sentries, and mascots, DOGS OF WAR captures both the adventure and the devastation brought on by war, as well as the celebrations of life and friendship between boys and their dogs.

Goodreads.com

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10 Blind Dates by

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever... or is it?

Goodreads.com

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 November'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.


We now have HGTV and Food Network!!

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. Please see the video below that will walk you through the process of how to login and navigate Destiny's features.