K-12 Library Site Wishlist

Fairly quickly after being hired as an elementary librarian, I began the hunt for websites that could help me figure out my job.  What I found out is there is a shortage of K-12 library sites that are truly helpful.  I have tried to start a site of my own, but time is limited between my job and classes and life, so here is my top 5 wishlist for a library site (hopefully mine):

1. Straight forward, easy navigation design.  I have found so many sites with links that stretch for miles and graphics that pulsate and chime.  Way too distracting for me! Once a simple, easy to follow design is set up, the rest is cake.

2.A link for the schools OPAC with a way to reserve books.  I allow my 4th-6th graders to hold books on OPAC.  This makes my job a little easier as I'm not having to hunt down books because they already have reserved what they wanted.  I love reserving my books on our public library site for Great Falls.

3. I love me a good research database.  I think all library websites should have links to school research databases.  The issue here is, of course, money.  We pay for our databases and we can't let any Joe off the street use them, so there has to be a login of some kind. 

4. Book recommendations organized by grade level and enhanced by book trailers.  I know, I cheated.  I lumped two together, but it's my wishlist so I get to do what I want.  I would have to get recommendations from a variety of people because my own recommendation list would be a bit prejudicial.  I would also love the books to be current as there are always new books to take for a drive.

5. Big 6 and Super 3 lesson planning ideas.  This is just a personal request.  Coming up with lesson plans out of thin air can be frustrating and is freakishly time consuming.  I've yet to find a site with dynamic teaching ideas and I know I'm not the only librarians who is looking for them.

There you go.  The list you've all been wondering about.  Fine...the list I was asked to post, but it has been on my mind and now it will be my go to list when I get the time to work a little bit on my own site.

Birthday Boy ....I mean TEEN

Cooper Ammon Lott
Born:  February 16, 1999
Due Date:  March 5, 1999
Weight:  5 lb 12 oz
Length 20"
Time:  12:15am

This little miracle baby of mine turned 13 this week.  Since Hunter left the teen years a few months ago, it's only fitting I get to have another one.  Cooper is such a joy to our family.  There are so many things about him I admire.  He is hilarious and sweet.  He is so tender hearted that his gets broken every once in awhile.  He does not like to see people sad...ever.  I love to hear him sing and watch him create.  He is very in tune with how he feels when he helps others.  He's a smarty pants who doesn't like to do homework.  He has strong moral values and an innate sense of right and wrong.  Who knew one little boy could bring so much joy into my life?  Who knew one little boy could teach me so much about what's important in life.  Who knew one little boy could love so big?  He's been our miracle in more than one way.  Happy Birthday Cooper!

The different faces of Parent Teacher conferences

Being a teacher isn't easy.  Being a parent isn't easy.  At least four times a year the challenges of those two roles converge as children and parents and teachers meet to discuss student progress (academic, social and behavioral).  Keep in mind those are 12 hour days teachers are putting in trying to create the best educational team possible for each student.  Tonight, as I tried to tackle one of my many library to-do lists, I took some time to observe the  trek families made down the halls of our school and how each one was so unique.

I watched some parents being pulled with excessive force by children who couldn't wait a second longer to jump into the throws of their conference, knowing it would be full of positive praise and glowing test scores.  Oh how blessed those parents and children are.  I watched some children sit on benches outside the classroom, head down, smile gone, trying to disappear inside themselves as parents sat solemn faced waiting for the doomed news they knew would be given.  My heart goes out to those families. 

I watched some children come with an aunt, grandmother or grandfather because there wasn't a parent to take them.  With just slight disappointment they eagerly headed to their teacher, who also helps meet the caretaking role for these little lambs.  Oh how I want to wrap my arms about them and tell their guardians thank you...thank you for stepping up and caring.  Then there are the invisible.  Invisible children, invisible parents who cannot make it for many different reasons, but who really should be there.  Oh how I wish they were.  I wish they knew how important they are, the children and the parents. 

Finally, after 12 hours of constant movement, I walk the halls to head home.  There are still many teachers trying to prepare for the next day.  They've congratulated, communicated, tenderly explored, and sadly related diverse tales to one group after the next.  I see them, day after day, doing the best they can while they are disparaged by the public and completely taken for granted.  The next time you see a parent, cut them some slack.  The next time you see a child, give them a smile.  The next time you see a teacher, show a little gratitude.

RSS Feed Me!

  I'm not sure how many of you love a good RSS feed, but I'm a sucker for a tidbit of juicy information.  I currently subscribe to RSS feeds in two different ways, through Microsoft Outlook and through Google Reader.  I definitely prefer Outlook but I only use Outlook at work.  

My feeds at work include ed tech feeds, new book release feeds, author review feeds, BSU feeds, and iPad app feeds (just trying to see how many times I can use the word "feeds" in one post).  At home I use Google reader where my feeds are more personal (you know what I mean).  I like to follow blogs, news, and the feeds of the current University I'm attending (seriously though, how many schools can one person go to). 

There are feed directories you can use to find information you think you can't live with out including Feedage.com, Feedcamp.com, and Feeds4all.com.  You may be wondering why I'm trying to jam RSS down your throat, but the truth is it's just another little tech tool I like to use and I like to share the wealth.  So the next time you see the RSS symbol on a website you love to visit, you just might want to click it.

Four months is a long time.

What can happen in four months?  Here's a peek:  

 Somehow I missed Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Hunter Tech School graduation. Although, just looking at that list makes me tired.  Now I'm back mimicking a full time library teacher and taking 7 credits of library classes.  I'm still the primary president and I like to think of myself as a mother as well :)  Speaking of, Hunter is back in Great Falls, working up at the Guard and purchasing his first new (used) vehicle and Cooper is singing, playing the violin, and imagining his way through life.  We've almost been in this house a year and our house in Meridian is, well, still our house.  Life is challenging, but looking back on the last four months, I did all of the above and managed to make it through two surgeries.  Here's to an ever improving 2012!

Skin Cancer is Ugly (Warning: Graphic Image)

At 41 I've had skin cancer.  I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise.  I have fair skin, freckles, blue eyes.  I wasn't a sun lover, hated laying out like my friends, but I have had a few bad sunburns in my time.  My Grandma has had multiple skin cancers.  My Dad has had multiple skin cancers.  He's had melanoma, the worst of all skin cancers.  Luckily, his was caught at the earliest stages.  Still, it was a surprise.  It just was. 

Last February I had a little abrasion appear on my shoulder.  I just scraped it off and didn't think much about it, but it kept coming back until it formed a little oval, about the size of a pencil eraser if they were oval.  It caught my attention often because it just wouldn't go away, but it didn't look like a mole.  Then, when I found the lump in May and went into my doctor's office, I also mentioned the little abrasion.  My doctor told me I should get it checked out. This sounds simple enough, but there just aren't a sufficient amount of dermatologists in Great Falls, so she recommended a clinic in Helena.  The receptionist called and set up an appointment for me.

With all the breast biopsy stuff going on, the abrasion was overshadowed.  Then, in August, my cousin, grandmother, sister and I made a day of it in Helena as I went to have my little abrasion checked.  This doctor felt it needed to be biopsied, and she cut it off.  Before I left the office, she told me she thought it was basal cell carcinoma, but wouldn't know until it was analyzed.  I was glad she planted that possibility in my mind because the call telling me it was didn't catch me as off guard as it would have.

I was told the next step was Mohs surgery and the soonest they could fit me in was Oct. 19th. (The doctor only does them on Wednesdays).  Basal cell is a highly common form of skin cancer and very treatable, so I wasn't overwhelmed with worry.  Kurt, Cooper & I went to Helena and made a fun day of it as the surgery wasn't until almost 2pm.  Right before surgery was a full body check in which they did 2 more biopsies.  I'll get the results in a week.  The surgery took about an hour and a half.  I was very blessed that the doctor got it all the first time.

Today I removed the bandages.  I was caught off guard once again.  That little oblong eraser end was much more menacing than it appeared.  Skin cancers can be like icebergs, we only see the tip.  I feel a little like Frankenstein, which is appropriate for October.  This is my story, my experience.  Everyone's is unique.  I don't like to show off my skin, at all.  I'm a bit prudish.  In this case though, I want my family, my children, to realize the importance of listening to the Spirit, of following those promptings, of paying attention, of knowing your family history.  I don't even want to know what this would have involved had I put it off even longer.  Skin cancer is ugly.  The picture below is ugly.  Knowing the cancer is gone is beautiful.

Ramblings of a Couch Potato

It's a week and a half post surgery and I think I'm at about 80% of my old self.  I don't really like it.  All of the sudden laying in bed and never leaving sounds enticing.  Not pretty, but not surprising.  I had my post op appointment yesterday.  The bad news: I will feel lethargic for a few weeks.  It will take a few months for my insides to heal.  The good news:  It's okay if I'm not all that hungry, that will subside.  I'll never have to worry about my gall bladder again. As for now, I'm panicking.  Having  nightmares.  How does one teach having a bout of low energy?  How am I going to get up on time?  How am I going to efficiently put away books with my 20 lb lifting restriction?  If there isn't something to worry about...I'll make something up.

So last night I was alone and, of course, didn't sleep well.  The boys were camping.  Yep...CAMPING.  Did you see the pouring rain for days?  I kept thinking of my poor little skinny Cooper freezing in a damp tent.  It just sounds miserable to me.  I was never meant to sleep in a tent.  I remember going to girls camp in my teens and using all my camp bedding to try to create furniture in the tent.  Cabins are another story.  I think real women sleep in cabins...or hotels.

Today is an extra special day.  I get to attend 2 baptisms, one of a sweet little girl and the other my kind, compassionate cousin's.  There is a peaceful joy that attends these events and it's a blessing to all who attend.

How much do you think a laundry basket full of dirty clothes weighs?  Do you think that is over my weight restriction limit? How about a dirty plate?  The vacuum?  I'm now wondering if the doctor should have written a prescription for a housekeeper for the next couple of weeks.  Get up Leslie.  Get up.