This Week In the Media Center

AND SO IT BEGINS!

This week begins regular Book Choice for all classrooms.

I will be going over the "Rules" and "Procedures" with each class.

Students with overdue materials from the past will only be allowed to take ONE book until those materials are returned!

It will be a pretty jam packed week....so please make every effort to come on time so that your kids have plenty of time to choose those new books!!

If you need my help with a computer session, be sure to check the book choice schedule when you sign up!  I will not be able to leave those sessions to help you!  You should pick a time when there is NO library book choice on the schedule.

 

Would you believe that MAP testing starts NEXT MONDAY!!!

YIKES!

I will be working on the schedule and sending it out to 2-5 grade teachers.

If you have any "special events" on your schedule for the testing window...

Sept. 16-Oct. 4

I need you to let me know ASAP!

 

Here are a couple of fun websites you might want to take a look at!

School Girl Style

This blog is one that Judy Contreras shared with me...

All about fun decor for the classroom!

Rockalingua

This site has great short videos with basic Spanish themes.

I think they would be great transition activities for the early grades!

Kim Wieber and I are thinking about holding a little work session on Wednesday after school for anyone interested in learning how to create a BLOG in WEEBLY.

More info will come by email when we actually have a plan.

If you have been thinking about moving to the BLOG format for your weekly newsletter...this might be a workshop for you!

Have a Great Week!

Headphones and Earbuds in the Computer Lab!

Rumor has it that almost all grade levels put Headphones/earbuds on the supply list! 

Hurrah!

I know you will set up great routines and procedures for managing these when you come to the lab!

The school owned headsets WILL NOT be put out at the computer stations. 

We will store a basket of headsets in the lab for kids to use on a casual basis.

Remind students who use these to return them to the basket at the end of the session.

Julie Yakes emailed me the info that there are 30 donated headsets in Deb Probst's office for students who did not/are not able to bring their own!

I certainly won't miss this view!

Have a Great Day!

Computer Lab Details!

Both of the computer labs are open for business!

The sign-up sheet is on the counter like it always is.

If you want my assistance with your projects, please note that in the center column!!  But it never hurts to also let me know face to face what your project is and how I can help!

I am going to try to be better at noting times when I am not available to help out...but you know how that will probably go!!!

NEW GUEST LOGIN!!!!

You might have noticed that the log in for the guest account has changed!!!!

It is NO LONGER     guest account

NOW it is simply the word    guest in lower case with no password needed.

We are in the process of changing the signs in the lab....there ARE stickers on the machines with the new info on them.....

If you would like stickers for your classroom machines, they are in the document holder by the door to the center.  Help Yourself!

REMEMBER!!!  All students should be logging into the computers as guest 

If you need to have something saved and aren't using GoogleDocs, come see me and we can make a plan!

A Helpful Hint When Scheduling Lab Time for Activities Involving the Printer!

If you are planning a project that will be printed.....the easiest thing for you is to sign up for the large back lab.  The computers in that lab default to the color printer with no extra step for you.

If you try to print from the computers in the center lab, they default to the small black and white printer and you will need to have the kids pull down the printer list and choose the color printer.

I KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO!!!!   More often than not, if the back lab is already spoken for, the person will probably be willing to switch with you....just ask them!

You might want to hurry and sign up.....Why???
MAP Testing will begin on September 15th....taking up an awful lot of lab times for 3 weeks!

Before you bring your students into the lab....please have a discussion about taking care of the spaces.

 Schedule a couple of minutes at the end of the session to straighten up the lab for the next group!

Some classrooms have an assigned "helper" who goes around and checks this.

• DO NOT HAVE STUDENTS LOG OUT of the guest account when you leave...this saves time for the next group!
• Remind students to NEVER turn off the computer unless they are instructed to do so!!

Hope to see you soon!

iPad Protocols

So many iPads......

30 for kids to use.....

5 For Teachers to use... 




I thought this would be a great time to review the procedures for checking out and using the iPads at PSI!

The 30 Student use iPads work like this:

15 of the iPads are kept on the top shelf of the iPad cart.  This is considered a set and are numbered 1-15.  

 




The OTHER 15 iPads are separated into 3 sets and stored in red crates in my office!  

Sometimes a crate will be there with no iPads in it.  That is because those iPads are on the cart charging.  We will leave a note to that effect.


To reserve either the iPad cart or a set of 5 iPads, you will need to put your name on the calendar in your GoogleDocs.  It is called iPad Sign-out and can be found at this link.

IPAD SIGN OUT LINK



Now it gets a little complicated....

To take the cart....just make sure you have reserved it....

To take a set of 5 OR a Teacher iPad you need to follow a couple more steps!

Notice the Notebook sitting on the counter below the cupboard with the iPads!

Please help yourself to take the iPads you have reserved!

NO NEED to ask us to get them for you!

BUT....and this IS important!

Please make a note of which crate/set you are taking on the notebook.  (who and when)

Sometimes students are using single iPads for a project (short term....) 

and they are signing them out on this notebook too!

The reason for this is to keep track of items that might need to be saved on a specific iPad.

When you take a teacher iPad (in the boxes).....just put your name on a post it note and put that on the chart that is hanging inside the cupboard door!  It wouldn't hurt to write that down in the notebook as well.

Last Spring an ad hoc group decided on some general guidelines for using the iPads in shared setting.

THE COMMANDMENTS FOR USING iPADS AT PSI!

1.
Thou shalt 
always check out the iPads on the calendar or notebook!

2.
Thou shalt 
always return the teacher iPads in a reasonable time!

3.
Thou shalt 
return the iPads to the proper slot in the cart and plug them in!

4.
Thou shalt 
return the sets of iPads to the cupboard at the end of the day and cross off your name!  

5.
Thou shalt 
return the teacher iPads fully recharged.

6.
Thou shalt 
Download any pictures or videos to your laptop or Youtube before returning the teacher iPad!

7.
Thou shalt 
remind students to use NOT to sit on the floor and use the iPads!

8.
Thou shalt 
NOT let students move the iPad cart or carry the sets of iPads!

9.
Thou shalt 
Make a note and attach it to any iPad that has an ISSUE!

 

 But....no matter how hard they are to manage...just one look at the engagement and possibilities for learning....I am thinking it is worth the effort!

     

Sign Up For A Book Choice!

Here is the first PSI Media Medley for 2013/14!

Welcome Back!  

I am excited to get started with the year!

Just a note:  I have added the ability for you to send me a comment via email.  In the past, the comment tool on the Media Medley was difficult to manage.  Just fill out the info and submit any question or comment!

It's time to let me know your choice for Library Book Choice!

I have waited to send this because I need to see how the various schedules in Fifth Grade and Kindergarten work so that I can block in my fixed schedule!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING 

BEFORE

You tell me your top 3 choices for a time!

• Try to give options that are other than the same time on different days.  
• Pay attention to the times that I am not available to be with you.  Even though you come with your class for book choice, I often do lessons that your class will miss if I am scheduled with other things.
• Lisa's Hours:  8:15 to 2:15....that means that it is hard for us to be ready for ANY class until at least 8:45 and she will be unavailable to help with check-out if your class comes after 1:45.

The following times ARE NOT available

8:15-8:45 MTWTHF (Grade 3-4-5 Math Jumpstart)

12:20-2:00 Tuesday (Fifth Grade English Intervention)

2:00-2:45 Wednesday (Fifth Grade English Media)

12:20-1:10 Thursday (Fifth Grade English Media)

1:10-2:00 Thursday (Fifth Grade English Media)

In addition: Library Media Meetings are scheduled once a month on Monday mornings from 8:30-10

Submission Form for Library Book Choice

Book Choice will start the week of September 9th.
All Students will be able to check out 3 books beginning that week.
Students with books from last year still on their records will only be able to check out 1 book until this is resolved.

Important Information about BOOK BOXES!

Grades 3-5

• You may sign up for a time to check out Book Box Books beginning September 5th.
• This ALWAYS needs to be arranged with Lisa! Please TALK with her, not just write a note.  Many times there are schedule issues that are not apparent and having a book box class can be a problem if you don't clear it with her.
• Remind students that book box books are due after 1 month.  This keeps the favorite books in circulation rather than "stuck" in one classroom!

I am looking forward to a great year.

PSI Staff Computer Update! Important Information!

Since I talked to you last week regarding the laptop update....

there has been a slight change of plans!

You now have 4 options to choose from to get this done!

Oh my.....choices-choices!!

OPTION 1

There are 16 slots available before school is out!
Four spots on each of these days!

OPTION 2

Keep your computer until the end of the last day (June 11)

Turn it into the office and it will be picked up by IT for the update.

You will then make an appointment to pick your computer up on one of these 2 dates

June 20        or                 June 26

OPTION 3

Keep your computer until the end of the last day (June 11)

Turn it into the office and it will be picked up by IT for the update.

Make an appointment to pick up your computer during Workshop week.

OPTION 4

Say the heck with the whole thing and 

go back to doing everything on paper and chalkboard!

 

For those people choosing option 1:

The update takes 48 hours.  

You will receive a "loaner" laptop for those 2 days!

Any documents you need for those days need to be 
loaded on a flash drive and moved to the "loaner"!
(this is true for those opting for 2 or 3 as well....but that is pretty obvious)
There are no "loaners" for folks choosing Option 2 or 3....but hey those are the first weeks of summer vacation....go outside and play!

REGARDLESS Of the option you choose:

 YOU Need to complete all the items on this check list before you drop your machine off!!! If you don't......the tech folks will send you away until you get it done!

 

I told you that I would "translate" this for you.....

Some steps are pretty easy!

But.... fair warning....this will take some time!

1.  Pretty self-explanatory.  If you put your desktop items in a folder, the best thing is to put that folder in your Documents folder.  I call mine....Desktop Storage!

2.
This item is about all of the "i" stuff.....and the one that takes some time.  iPhotos need to be exported...if you don't know how to do this....ask a friend or me!  Same with movie files in your Movie folder...  the stuff that has .mov or other file extension can just be moved. 

3. Just more about the "i" stuff.....my advice is to just put all this on a storage device unless you have huge amounts of school stuff.  I have lots and still think 16 G is plenty of room. So don't think you have to spend a lot of money on a storage drive!

4. This is pretty simple: Just make a folder name it yournamemedialibrary and put them in there.  Put that in your document folder.

5. If you are like me, you forget to clean out your downloads....look at the stuff that has piled up there....delete the stuff that you don't need and move the other stuff into appropriate folders in your Documents.  Great chance for "cleaning".  Stuff you leave in Downloads will go away!

6. If you have bookmarks in Firefox, Safari or Chrome that you don't want to lose, you need to export them to a file. 

 

For Firefox:

Go to the bookmarks tab at the top of the browser.

Pull down the little star and select Export Bookmarks to html.

This file will go in your documents.

When you get your computer back you will reverse the process.

For Safari

Go to the File tab.

Choose Export Bookmarks

save that file

Put it in your documents

reverse the process when you get your computer back.

7. Open iCal 

 

pull down the file tab

choose Export

an ics file will go to your downloads...

put that in your documents folder

reverse the process and import that file when you get your computer back!

8.  I don't think many people use the address book on their computers, but if so it is a similar process 

This file will be a vcard file...

9.  You can do this....but if you have put the folders in your documents you don't have to.

10.  I doubt many of you have authorized your itunes on your school computer.  If you have and purchase stuff through this...call 7315 and get help if you don't know how.

11.  Do this relatively close to the time of your appointment to turn in your computer.  Allow time if you have LOTS of STUFF!

12.  I assume that if you check YES I use Stickies, they will be preserved!  As a JUST IN CASE....I arrange ALL of my stickies on the desktop and take a screen shot that I save in my documents (rename this photo of stickies).  At least then if they somehow disappear....you have the information.  Just sayin' !!!

13.  Be sure to write down any applications that are specialized to your situation.  If you aren't sure....call 7315 and ask!!!

There you have it.....my best "translation" for getting this long list taken care of without too many questions.

You are Welcome!!!

End Of Year Schedule

As I write this......there are only  15 more student days of school left!

Here is the book check out information for the following weeks!

This week is a regular book check out week!

Students in grades 3-4-5 will not be able to check out new books if they have even 1 overdue!!

Students should return books as usual.

Students will be allowed 1 new book-if all other materials are turned in.

All library materials are due.

Please send your books to the media center each day as they are turned in.

I will place a sign-up sheet on the counter for you to sign up for a 

time to bring your kids for a read-a-loud...15-20 minutes!!!
 

 Please return all BOOK BOX books by Thursday June 6th!

Please return any teacher materials that you can.....as soon as you can live without them!

The Computer Labs and iPads will be available until the very last kid is gone!!!

iPad Procedures....or the never ending saga of how to manage shared iPads!

I have a serious LOVE-HATE relationship with iPADs!

I LOVE the great things that we are doing with them.....

I LOVE the enthusiasm and excitement when kids are using them.....

I LOVE the possibilities,,,,


BUT.....
I HATE HATE HATE trying to figure out the best way to manage them....
They are sort of like that gifted child in your classroom.....lots of fun and very interesting....but sometimes hard to figure out how to get the most out of them!!!!




The other day, I looked at the counter in my office and realized that the 20 iPADs sitting there in plain sight were worth upwards to $8000....and sometimes my office is not locked....

So here is the new plan!

The sets of iPads in the crates and the teacher iPads in boxes are no longer just sitting on the counter.....

now there is just a notebook

But just open the cupboard and.........

There are the crates and the boxes safely hidden away.....

I had to convince Lisa that there COUND NOT be a label on this cupboard....oh my!!

No use advertising!  

You DO NOT need to ask to pick up the iPads you have signed out....just have at it!!

BUT....

Please make a note of which crate/set you are taking on the notebook.  

Sometimes students are using single iPads for a project (short term....) 

and they are signing them out on this notebook too!  

The reason for this is to keep track of items that might need to be saved on a specific iPad.

When you take a teacher iPad (in the boxes).....just put your name on a post it note and put that on the chart that is hanging inside the cupboard door!

One last thing.....about the stylus pens....

I bought cheapies....only $1.50 each

I had to buy a lot so thought that made sense....

But....

Our kiddos seem to be having trouble keeping the tips on them...

These are just a few of the stylus's as they came back....

Remind them to be careful and please make sure to take any broken on out so that they don't get used by accident and scratch the surface of the iPads!

Yikes....now do you see why I LOVE/HATE the iPads?

I think I will go sit on the back steps and look at the flowers.....they don't need any managing....!!!