Why is technology important?

Research is becoming easier online. Not only are there great databases, but those databases contain more current, more affordable information for schools and their libraries. Libraries are adapting to meet the needs of users, which is changing  progressively into being more and more online-based (Cassell &Hiremath, 2011, pgs 13, 50-52).

Inquiry-based activities help to engage students in gaining information and also increasing their technological literacy. Collaboration between teachers and librarians to find these resources will help to make sure that students are being connected with information that can strengthen student achievement in all subjects (Woolls, 2008, p 25).

Technology helps to bring things to life for students. Alvermann and Hagood advocate for diverse media literacy, saying, “… there is a need for including critical media literacy as a regular component of school curricula in the United States… The binaries of in-school and out-of school literacies will need to be blurred if we are to move beyond the current discourse and begin to learn about, and to meet, the changing literacy competencies. To ignore the importance of doing so in these new times is to short-change adolescents destined to live out their lives, literate or otherwise, in a highly technical and global 21^st century” (Alvermann & Hagood, 2000, p. 203).

Alvermann, D.,& Hagood, M. (2000). Critical Media Literacy: Research, Theory, and Practice in “New Times.” Journal of Educational Researcg, 93 (3), 193-205.

Cardon, Phillip L. "At-risk Students and Technology Education: a Qualitative Study." Journal of Technology Studies. 26.1 (2001): 49-57. Print.

Cassell, Kay Ann., and Uma Hiremath. Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2011. Print.

Krashen, Stephen D. The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Libraries Unlimited [u.a., 2004. Print.

Standards for the 21st-century Learner in Action. Chicago, IL: American Association of School Librarians, 2009. Print.

Tama, M. Carrol., and Anita Haley McClain. Guiding Reading and Writing in the Content Areas: Practical Strategies. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt., 2007. Print.

Woolls, Blanche. The School Library Media Manager. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Print.

Great House

Hey all! It's been a while, but I'm back, and here with a review.

This book is officially the first from the new Powell's list, and it's Great House by Nicole Krauss. Incidentally, we also read it for book club, so it was win-win.

Now, I would love to give a clear definition of what the book was about, but there's no good way to explain it. Essentially, the book was about lives with common themes, including Judaism, family relationships, and possessions. These lives intersect, and... don't.

So, the good things. The writing is absolutely wonderful. Krauss transitions between perspectives cleanly and is engaging and real. I found many of the characters to be extremely relatable, and touching.

Now for the bad news. It was quite... confusing. One thing we discussed was the existential trend in literature right now, and that so many books seem to begin halfway through and end without really ending. This book was a great example- it seemed to meander through several stories, with no real plot or ending.

So, if that doesn't bother you or if you like books that are more of a social commentary than a story, then go for it. I actually enjoyed it, though I know it doesn't sound like it.

Happy Reading!

My Wish List...

My amazing husband got me a beautiful blue wingback chair that is PERFECT for snuggling up with a book in, and I am beyond ecstatic. Yes, be jealous.

But here's the thing... I need something else now.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64545695/no-102-key-to-the-secrets-leather-mini

It's a book necklace! And my fav one has a key- a KEY! Do you know how much I love keys?

So, there you go. Enjoy. Thanks Elena for the link!

Confession # 4!

Forgive me, forgive me- I have digressed. I intended for this to be a blog with hilarious/true/deep/fascinating confessions, with random book reviews and commentary. In turn, it's become less about the confessions, which I intend to remedy. So here goes, confession 4...

I HATE The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

I loathe it, with every fiber of my being. I don't even think it's necessary to explain why. I mean, who WASN'T traumatized by this book? IT. IS. MEAN.

Now, don't get me wrong- I don't think kid's books need to be sugary or fake or anything like that. I'm a huge advocate for subversive children's literature- like The Gashleycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey. I mean it- I'm a little strange. The point being that I don't care that this book isn't a typical children's book- normally, I would applaud good ol' Shel for that. But this book was like a punishment to children everywhere- a big old punch in the face for being, you know, KIDS. Guess what, Shel? KIDS ARE NEEDY! They should NOT be punished for taking from their parents or asking for things. Instead, he makes you feel like a heel for needing a provider, like parents. Urg.

Before everyone jumps down my throat, I recognize that the book is about the consistent taking from people who love you too much to say no. I also know that this is a person (the boy) that continues to take long into adulthood, and he begins to only come around when he need things, and all that jazz. I understand this, and I still think it's stupid.

Here's the irony. I was at Borders waiting for my PF Changs order to be ready, and I decided that my next confession would be this one. Literally minutes after, I was walking by the humor section and saw The Taking Tree: A Selfish Parody (http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Tree-Selfish-Parody/dp/1442407638/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297742535&sr=1-1) by Shrill Travesty (?). IT IS HILARIOUS! It's basically the awesome version of Silverstein's torturous "classic", but the tree's angry and sarcastic and eventually falls down and crushes the (now old) boy. HA!

So here's what I want to ask- am I the only one? Do you think I'm crazy? Also, what other kid's "classics" do you think are awful?

Anyways, Happy Reading!

The Weight of Books

Sorry it's been a while, but we've been moving. GAHHH!

Thank you to everyone for well wishes, prayers, and HELP. It was a huge blessing. It was wonderful to see everyone join us in our new home and now we're in the "fun" process of unpacking, which brings me to my topic...

Do you Kindle? (Or Nook? Or whatever?)

I'm firmly encamped in the REAL books trenches- I contend that nothing will ever, ever replace the smell, feel, or perfection of a paper bound book. You can't have a first edition signed KINDLE copy of a book. You can't smell the pages of a Nook. You can't even use a fancy bookmark! So what the heck is the deal? I get that books can be cumbersome at times, but it's a delightful weight because it's a commitment, it's solid, and it's so indisputably there. A paper book won't run out of batteries or shut off. You can read them while the airplane is taking off, or fold the cover back. These simple joys of book reading are stolen when you use a Kindle!

So, now, let the comments begin. Please, someone, explain this to me! I would love to hear what you love about your Kindle or Nook or whatever so you can try to persuade me. I really and truly want to understand. If you agree with me, lemme know that too! Is anyone out there playing both sides and willing to open up a few points on either side?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts- Happy Reading!

BEST. VIDEO. EVER.

Okay, so maybe it's not the greatest thing ever, but in regards to this blog it is! Thanks to David for the recommendation- this is literally the theme song to my LIFE. I've been told I'm less scary than this guy, but only by a little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuRuwR2JSXI

I read because...

If you're anything like me, you've had to defend your love of reading to a *scoff* nonreader. One of my favorite quotes (that I'm sure I've shared before) is, "For those that understand, no explanation is needed. For those that don't, none will do." It's often like that for me-I don't quite know how to explain why I love to read, but I do. It seems, too, that I can never convince some people- it will always be "boring" or something like that. I always wish I had something prepared for these people, so here it is.

I love to read because...

---I get to be someone else for a time. I can be a princess, a warrior, a vampire (a la Anne Rice, thank you very much), a woman in London, a woman at the beginning of time, a young child, an animal- ANYTHING.

---I get to be somewhere else. I don't care if you believe it or not- a good author can take you to a dungeon, to a forest, to an ocean, or to space. I've been to Ancient Greece, Egypt, the future- it's as close as I'll get to time travelling.

--- I learn. I learn constantly- whether it's fact or fiction, I'm learning something, even if it's useless anywhere other than Jeopardy.

---I can relate to people I've never met. Now, I know it's true that this can be said of anything- loving the same music, following the same blog, whatever- but I maintain that books are different. I have a bond with people that have read and loved the same books that I can rarely duplicate with other common interests. I doubt that I'd feel an instant kinship with anyone over loving Con Air (though I suppose it's possible, and yes, I do love it), but give me someone else that loves Agatha Christie and BAM! We're friends. Done and done.

--- I'm given a chance to see into someone else's soul. Not the characters- oh no. The author. I have been trying to write for years and if I've learned one thing it's that an author can't hide in their writing. you're revealing the depths of your very being and I am so honored to see people's passions come out in their writing. Now, this isn't pleasant with everyone, which is probably why I hate F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. (Yeah, I said it- wanna fight about it?!?)

--- It soothes away my day. I know that sounds like an awful sign they sell at the counter at a Hallmark, but hey, it's true. I can come home from being spit on, sneezed on, and pooped on, with glitter and snot in my hair and... what, you don't want me to go on? Okay then, you get the picture, I work at a preschool. So I can come home from a day like that and still feel better with a good book. It's perfect for forgetting your day.

--- They comfort me. Like everyone in this world, I've had issues. I've still got them, and I will continue to have them until the day I die, I suspect. And while friends are absolutely wonderful, we always feel like they don't get it, or it's not something we can share or... Anyways, sometimes, a character just goes through something that we share with them, or, at the least, we can imagine that they do- and it is comforting. Am I right?

----I get to be a kid again. Need I say more? If I do... read the last blog post. It's magical.

Now, to be honest, I'm sure there's more. I know I'm missing things but for now, this is it. Please, please, please- SHARE WITH ME! I want to know your thoughts, your opinions, your feelings- whatever!

Happy Reading!