the Virtual Bookmark

Canada Council GG finalists..

Canada Council for the Arts announces the finalists for the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Awards

http://tinyurl.com/GGlit2009

Walrus-disappearance of public education investment in Canada

Recommended read.....A forensic investigation into the disappearance of public education investment in Canada by Roger Martin, dean of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Read his article and the rest of The Walrus's November 2009 issue at walrusmagazine.com.

Trailer: Who Killed Canada's Education Advantage? from The Walrus Magazine on Vimeo.

A forensic investigation into the disappearance of public education investment in Canada by Roger Martin, dean of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Read his article and the rest of The Walrus's November 2009 issue at www.walrusmagazine.com.

Video created by Ingenious Devices.

BCTLA Book Reviews-Fall 2009

Staff:

COORDINATOR:

Pat Parker

EDITOR:

Carolyn Cutt

BLOG REVIEWS AT:

F ADD

Adderson, Caroline. Bruno for Real. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 64pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469 -023-7 $6.95

This sequel to I, Bruno contains six separate stories in which Bruno, now seven, makes connections between home and the outside world. Bruno’s perceptions and comments may just be cute and adult responses may just be indulgent but the tone of the book is wholesome and kind, and reminds the reader to relax and enjoy witnessing children’s learning. Bruno’s badness extended from printing his name backwards on school work, to eating his dessert first, to putting one foot in the principal’s office at recess.

Each story, besides the illustrated title, has three black and white Illustrations by Helen Flook that match the text with enough added detail to keep the reader’s interest. The stories deal with birthday parties, family camping, swimming lessons and swapping.

Recommended for older Primary / early Intermediate grades.

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

F BRO

Brouwer, Sigmund. Absolute Pressure. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 176pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-130-2 $9.95

Since he was ten Ian has spent summers in Key West, Florida working for his uncle at Gord’s Dive Shop. This year there seem to be some mysterious happenings concerning sunken treasure and three lawyers chartering Gord’s boat overnight every Friday and Saturday. When Gord’s office manager, Sherri, finds that one of the lawyers, and uncle Gord’s employee, Judd Warner, are not using their real names something seems wrong

Some sudden reversals of plot and character behavior keep interest high. Though it is an interesting aspect, not a lot is made of Ian’s neural condition, synesthesia, in which some touches generate colour. Ian tastes blackberries when Sherri comes near.

Three short author’s notes are given: one on synesthesia, two on sunken treasure.

Recommended for Upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

F CHO

Choyce, Lesley. Skate Freak. - Orca Book Publishers (Orca currents), 2008.-108 p. - ISBN 978-1-55469-042-8.- $9.95.

The main character, Quinn Dorfman, doesn’t have many things going for him, except his love for skateboarding. The fish plant where his father works has closed down and the family has had to move away from their beloved Willis Harbor by the sea and into the dreadful city. Quinn had been the only and best skateboarder in that town. He thought of himself as the boy with the wings. Now that he is in the city, he finds the skate park populated either by young kids or juveniles. Then there is Hodge, who repeatedly provokes and intimidates Quinn in the bowl and half-pipe as well as at his home. Luckily, at Jerome Randall High there is a girl who also skateboards, is smart and has some sense. Quinn is better able to get through his schooling because of his new-found love for Jasmine. Finally, Quinn realizes that just as he takes charge when he is skateboarding, he must take responsibility for his life if he wants to live it fully. Through skateboarding, he discovers himself.

If the reader is not a skateboarder, some research or assistance may be needed to understand better the many descriptions of the skateboarding scenes in the novel. However, this book would be ideal for the reader who skateboards and sees himself/herself as a bit of a loner or distinct from others. This Orca Currents novel is aimed for reluctant teen readers and recommended for intermediate grades. A free teacher’s guide is available online.

Reviewed by Alexandra Carrea, teacher-librarian, SD#39, Vancouver

F CIT

Citra, Becky. Whiteout. Orca Book publishers, 2009. 112pp. ISBN 9781 551469 083 1 $7.95

Robin’s family is getting together at their ranch for Christmas. Her Auntie Liz and cousin April are driving six hours to the Interior from the city. During their last phone call Robin had begged "You have to come, Aunt Liz, Please, please, please. I’ll never forgive you if you don’t" These words come back to haunt Robin after her Aunt is badly injured in a storm related car accident. While her Aunt recovers April comes to live at the ranch. On other visits April and Robin have been very close and very happy in each other’s company. Now with Aunt Liz so badly hurt their relationship is badly strained.

Molly, Robin’s six year old sister, does not want to be excluded from the older girls’ activities. She tries to prove she is not a little kid by setting off for a wilderness cabin in a bad snowstorm. With no adult at home can the two girls find Molly in time?

Whiteout is Becky Citra’s seventh novel in Orca’s Young Reader Series. In this novel Citra gives us a glimpse into ranch life in B.C.’s Interior. Snow at Christmas, cutting the tree on your own property, but also the dangers of extreme weather conditions. This is an easy to read novel with concise vocabulary, targeting girls 8-11

Recommended Grades 3-5

Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired TL

F DAH

Daher, Anita. On the Trail of the Bushman. Orca Book Publishers, 2008. – 128pp. – ISBN 978-1-55469-013-8 $7.95

On the Trail of the Bushman is another book in the Junior Canadian Ranger series. Tommy is the main protagonist, with Colly and Jazz also part of the storyline. The setting is the area around Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The Junior Rangers are having a summer camp but during the first night of the camp there is a serious fire where the cookhouse is demolished and other buildings are damaged. It is thought that perhaps the fire might have started from a discarded pop can magnifying the sun’s heat on the muskeg. Tommy is dismayed that he might have caused the devastating fire from something as simple as tossing a pop can toward a garbage bin and then forgetting to pick it up. Throughout the story Tommy is dealing with his dilemma, should he tell the captain or not?

But life continues as normal as can be at the camp; there are scary stories told around campfires, visits to museums, and horseback rides through mountain trails. The scary stories include the bushman, also known as a Sasquatch or Bigfoot, and another is based on a character that killed his wife’s best friend and took off into the bush, never to be seen again.

These stories and his guilty conscience have affected Tommy, so on a horseback ride he is nervous about sounds and smells. Then, a series of events including a rock slide, vanishing horses, injured leaders and a mystery man living in a cave all contribute to exciting adventures for the Rangers, leading to an exciting conclusion.

There are a series of coincidences that are sometimes too contrived, but young readers probably won’t mind. They will like the page after page of adventure involving the children and a mad man. Of course all ends safely, with a hint of mystery yet to come. And Tommy confesses to what he thinks is his part in the fire.

Recommended for grades 4-6

Reviewed by Pat Parker, Teacher-librarian, SD #73, Kamloops Thompson

F DEN

Denman, K.L. Perfect Revenge. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-102-9 $9.95

The dialogue of Denman’s characters establishes the shallowness and tenuousness of in-group membership.

When Elizabeth "Liz" Lane is caught in a science test with an answer key given to her by her current arch enemy, she feels as though her world has fallen apart. The freaky geeky new kid from next door, with everything that is not desirable by the in group introduces Lizzie to some "magick" she is learning from her baba. Liz begins to develop empathy... the hard way.

A simple incantation that causes a huge zit on Rachel’s forehead brings Liz a feeling of revenge, until she realizes that she has three, and that every revenge-charged spell will bring the same problem threefold to the spell-caster. Only by concentrating generously on the other person’s higher self, on peace and harmony for her, can changes in relationships be made.

The attractive cover, somewhat like Stella’s weird costuming, is the only illustration.

Recommended for upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades.

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

F GOE

Goerzen, Christy. Explore. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN

978-1-55469-112pp.- ISBN 978-1-55469-119-7 $9.95

Twelve chapters of fairly large print with an attractive cover and grade 4 Fry readability should appeal to upper intermediate readers, and the plot that has Mike choosing to attend an outdoors wilderness program rather than going into juvenile detention should appeal to those boys who feel rebellious themselves.

\Mike does not like his dad’s constant bill skipping relocation but was almost pulled back into a loser’s life by a bad friendship. Meeting Lisa and finding skills and inner strength gives Mike greater hopes for success in the future.

Even with no illustrations, this book would be a valuable purchase for libraries serving grades 6 to 10 boys.

Recommended for Upper Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades.

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

F GRA

Grant, Vicki, Nine Doors. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. - 112pp. - ISBN 978-1-55469-073-2 $9.95

No one creates more likable, fully rounded characters than Vicki Grant’s protagonists and "good guys". Her central characters are memorable individuals whose comments clearly show their views of the world and the motivations and interconnections between them and their allies.

However, the resolutions of Grant’s plots tend to tax credibility with the ‘bad guys" being either too violent or not credibly able to do the physical feats attributed to them. In this book, three teenagers are captured one at a time and locked in a garage by one woman.

Emery’s friendship with Richard deals excellently with the problem of being manipulated into doing things we don’t want to do. The author meets the adolescent reader’s developing interest in boy-girl relationships with the involvement of Bebi.

Despite the weakness in plot resolution, this book, as any by Vicki Grant, is recommended for purchase by libraries serving intermediate, or junior high students, and especially boys.

Recommended for Intermediate / Junior Secondary grades

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

F JAC

Jackson, Melanie. Queen of Disguises. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. – 164pp. – ISBN 978-1-55469-037-4 $9.95

Queen of Disguises is book six in the Dinah Galloway mystery series. In this instalment, Dinah, whose singing voice has been highlighted in the other books, has been selected as a finalist in the advertising campaign for the 2010 Olympics. Violet Bridey, a protagonist from The Man in the Moonstone, has escaped from prison and is seeking revenge on the person who put her there.

The advertiser had promised his nephew the job, so Dinah and the other finalists are sent to a fitness retreat. Dinah initially withdraws from the competition, as she is insulted that her pudginess is seen as problem. But as Violet Bridey has threatened her, she feels getting away to a retreat would be a safe option. Other children at the wellness retreat are the advertiser’s nephew, Cornwall, and Violet Bridey’s talented niece, Angela Bridey. Strangely, Dinah and Angela become friends, and Dinah tries to adopt Angela’s kind, pleasant demeanour.

A number of hilarious adventures on Salt Spring Island ensue, with a determined Dinah. Her sleuthing continues, as she is determined to prove Violet Bridey is on the island and attempting to harm her. Dinah’s friends, Pantelli, the tree-lover who has a crush on Angela, and Talbot are sent to a science camp nearby and also assist in pursuing Violet.

A plot twist at the end adds an unexpected surprise. At the end of the day, Dinah adopts a calmer personality, learns healthy eating habits, and grows two inches taller, so therefore meets the criteria for the singing gig.

Recommended for grades 5-7.

Reviewed by Pat Parker, Teacher-librarian, SD 73, Kamloops Thompson

 

F HAR

Harvey-Fitzhenry, Alyxandra. Broken. Tradewind Books, 2008. 176p. ISBN 978-1-896580-41-8. Pbk. $12.95

Ash Perrault’s home has been broken by her mother’s death. Though she and her father have since been trying to rebuild it, she believes it is about to suffer further damage from Ella (her father’s girlfriend) who is moving in with her two daughters, Katie and Julia. To Ash, it is beginning to appear as if all these strangers may also stress her union with her father to its breaking point.

The title is not only a reference to Ash’s home but also to the state of her relationships and the theme of glass breaking mysteriously in her presence. Since meeting Ella and her daughters, her bond with her father has felt ready to crack. Seth, the boy at school who has kissed her many times but refuses to call her his girlfriend, offers only half of himself. Even her strongest connection with her best friend, Mouse, who seems to care most competently for her, threatens to shatter when Ash’s very identity fractures in her endeavour to please others around her, others whose expectations of her often fall short of being realistic.

Ash must find a way to reconcile what looks to be her life falling to pieces. By coming to view the recent events in her life as random occurrences rather than as part of a single narrative that confirms her low self-opinion, Ash gains confidence and a sense of control. While expressing her talent for constructing mosaics, she finally finds herself able to arrange not only aspects of her own personality but also some of the characters in her life in ways that feel less oppressive. As a result, she comes to see herself like a mosaic, as a beautiful whole made up of small but essential pieces that she accepts and even likes.

There is much to appreciate in this very timely treatment of a modern situation characterized by the remarriage of a single parent and the effects on the children involved. As well as presenting language with which young people can readily identify, (i.e. texting, e-mailing, on-line chatting), the story offers very genuine and engaging insight into the psyche of a teenage girl and her interpersonal relationships.

Unfortunately, however, the recurrence of glass spontaneously breaking in Ash’s presence seems entirely at odds with this genre of fiction. Since Broken would not be classified as fantasy, this fantastical element draws unnecessary attention to itself. With the author having neglected to create what ought to have been a greater degree of ambiguity, this layer of the story comes across as a heavy-handed endorsement of an extremely specious, metaphysical concept. Moreover, the attempt to weave it into a plot that focuses on such recognizable issues such as family and relationships, appears to be unsuccessful.

Recommended for junior high school students. Reading level: Grades 8-10

Reviewed by: Stefan David Martin, ESL teacher, SD #39, Vancouver

F HEN

Heneghan, James and Norma Charles. Bank Job. Orca Book Publishers, 2009 176 pp. ISBN 1 55143 855 9 $9.95

Nell has lived in many foster homes, as her mentally challenged mother is unable to care for her. Nell ran away from many of them. Now she lives with the Hardy’s and two foster boys named Billy and Tom. Changes in foster care rules compel the Hardy’s to put in a second bathroom that will cost over $10,000. Nell, Tom and Billy do not want to leave. Nell visits her mother, taking a pearl necklace she thinks is valuable. When it is not, the three look for other ways to get the money. Billy convinces Nell and Tom they must get the money by stealing it, just enough to pay for the renovations.

Norma Charles and James Heneghan were inspired to write this story by accounts of three teens that robbed seven banks in the Vancouver area. Both authors have written numerous other books for young people. How three teenagers manage to rob so many banks before capture is an interesting story. The authors could have dealt with the consequences of these crimes in more depth, still a very readable story.

Recommended Grade 4- 7

Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian

F MCC

McClintock, Norah. Watch Me. - Orca Book Publishers (Orca currents), 2008. - 94p. - ISBN 978-1-55469-039-8. - $9.95.

This brief novel is extremely well suited to the pre-teen reader or reluctant teen reader. The writing is simple, concise, and clear. The action is fast-paced and will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. Katz, the main character, is an adolescent boy who is full of frustration. After his recovery from burns in the hospital, Katz finds it difficult to readjust to school and home. His mother and father soon divorce. His father had caused the house fire that nearly killed them both. But it is Katz who is left disfigured. When he is outside, he always pulls the hood of his sweatshirt up to hide the scars on the side of his face and neck. He had been the hero who went back into the house to save his father. However, in school, he does not feel like the hero. There, he is not permitted to cover up. He also has a slight case of dyslexia, and the school bullies are after him. At home, he can’t get along with his mother’s new boyfriend, Neil, and only his best friend Drew understands him. Everything is as bad as it can be, it can’t seem to get any worse; but it quickly does.

One day in the park, Drew and Katz are throwing a Frisbee around. Drew throws the Frisbee and it ends up hitting an old lady on the head, who then trips and falls to the ground. Instead of helping her up, Katz grabs her purse and runs away with it. Katz and Drew find only a five dollar bill and an old rusty watch in the purse. Later, in detention at school, Katz ends up meeting Jana, the most popular girl. She actually speaks to him, and offers to help him with his math problems. To his great surprise, they start becoming friends. This friendship is soon in jeopardy when Katz learns that Jana’s aunt is in hospital after falling to the ground, and that her purse containing a very special watch was snatched from her.

Highly recommended for the pre-teen or reluctant teen reader.

There is a 7 page Teachers Guide online at www.orcabook.com/client/PDFs/TeacherGuides/Currents/Watchme.pdf which should prove useful to teachers and teacher-librarians.

Reviewed by Alexandra Carrea, teacher-librarian, SD#39 (Vancouver)

 

F MUL

Muller, Rachel Dunstan The Solstice cup Orca Book Publishers 2009 176 pp. ISBN 9781554690176 $9.95

Breanne and Mackenzie are twins, almost 13 years old. They are staying with relatives in Northern Ireland while their Mother is in Belfast with her dying father. This is not their first visit to Ireland. They had been in the country five years before in June. Mackenzie believes they had an encounter with something evil. While trying to run away from this unknown force, Breanne badly injured her ankle. This injury has refused to heal, leaving her with a pronounced limp. She has always blamed her sister for the accident.

Uncle Eamon has many fireside tales about the wee fairy folk, especially now the Winter Solstice is approaching. Winter and Summer solstice are times, he says, when the fairy and real worlds collide. Mackenzie, the more cautious twin sees danger in the bogs. Breanne, however, is determined to search for a gold ring she held then lost five years ago. Is the ring an ancient treasure or a lure to trap humans? Is the underground world they enter all dancing, music and great food or an evil place for humans?

Rachel Dunsten Muller was inspired to write this fantasy novel after living in Northern Ireland in 2001. Breanne’s character is very angry. Mackenzie follows her sister to protect her from herself, but there seems to be little twin empathy or sisterly bonds. There is lots of Celtic mythology, with Pookas, evil fairies and parallel times. This fantasy novel is for the reader who can easily suspend disbelief.

Grade 4-7

Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian

F TAT

Tate, Nikki. Venom. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. 168p. ISBN 978-1-55469- 071-8 $9.95

One of the most important things in sixteen-year-old Spencer’s life right now is his job as exercise rider at the stables of Hilltop racetrack. In the early hours of the morning Spencer feels himself becoming in tune with the thoroughbreds as he puts them through their paces around the track, easily communicating human to horse. But Spencer is also concerned about one racehorse in particular, Lord of the Fires. Something seems wrong during their workouts, though Spencer must admit that the horse is still racing well. Nevertheless he is convinced that someone is drugging the horse; but even his friend Em, the stable owner’s niece, cannot be persuaded. What dangers could he face in the tough racetrack community if he speaks up? Dare he risk his job and perhaps his friendship with Em if he is caught searching for more evidence?

This suspense-filled novel gives an inside look at the hard work of racehorse training and the dedicated people behind the scenes. It also deals with Spencer’s family issues and school problems. Written for the ‘Orca Sports Series’, this high-interest mystery moves at a fast pace but the vocabulary is appropriate for the reluctant reader. The characters are well developed and appealing. Containing much food for discussion, this story could be a popular novel study.

This novel is highly recommended for grades 4-7.

Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39

F WAL

Walters, Eric. Special Edward. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. 108p. ISBN 978-1-55469-092-3. $9.95

Edward is smart and personable, with a great sense of humour. When it comes to making an effort with his school work, however, he is extremely lazy. He is happy with his 50% average, but when even that is in jeopardy he looks for another easy way out. Learning that special education students, designated exceptional, get more time to write tests and additional support, Edward is convinced he has discovered the perfect scam. All he needs is more time to write tests without studying and his 50% is guaranteed! However to become designated as exceptional proves to be more work than Edward ever expected. Does he really have learning disabilities? Edward learns more about himself as the screening continues.

This story challenges the reader to look at special education from a totally different perspective. Humourously written and fast-paced, it will capture the reader’s interest and imagination. It should also present some interesting topics for classroom discussion. Written as part of the ‘Orca Currents’ series, this novel is recommended for an elementary school library collection.

Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39

F WIS

Wishinsky, Frieda. All Aboard. Maple Tree Press, 2008. 84 pp. ISBN 9781 897349 39 7 $7.95

Frieda Wishinsky has written another Canadian Flyer Adventure. Matt and Emily use a wooden train whistle and their inherited sled to travel back to 1885. All they wanted was a ride on an old steam-train, instead they find themselves in the B.C. Rockies hours before the Last Spike Ceremony. They get a glimpse into what life was like for railway workers. Poor accommodation, cold and great danger were part of the job. Matt and Emily also meet some of the men responsible for building the railway that would connect all of Canada: Sanford Fleming, Donald Smith, Van Horne and rail worker, Edward Mallandine.

All Aboard is the ninth book in the Canadian Flyer time travel series. Each adventure tells of a different Canadian historical event at an easy to read level. Also included is a section ‘From the Author’ in which Wishinsky explains further facts. In this book, it is the role of Chinese workers. All Aboard is easy to read Canadian history, especially relevant with a trip to Craiglache on the B.C.-Alberta border

Recommended for grades 2-3.

Reviewed byGloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian

370.92 MEH

Mehlmann, Gloria. Gifted to Learn. The University of Alberta Press, 2008. 325p. ISBN 978-0-88864-498-5. $24.95

This captivating memoir, written by a First Nations woman, tells of her twenty- year career teaching in urban Saskatchewan during the 1960s and ‘70s. Her life and the lives of her students were greatly influenced and affected by the discrimination and abuse that was prevalent during this time. The author’s personal story and that of her students is interwoven to reflect an educational system badly in need of reform. Her many challenges and accomplishments plus the invaluable lessons that she learned from her students, combine to make an informative statement for teachers today.

Beginning with her early teaching experiences, the author tells her story through a selected group of her students over the years of her career. As Mehlmann recalls: "children whose stories taught me about a side of teaching…that says more than university courses are required to elucidate." The text is well written, poignant, reflective and sensitive. Throughout, the author maintains how much she has learned from her students. This is reiterated in her closing comment: "…to become a good teacher, one has to remain a good student. It is a fine way to stay in the company of all who are gifted to learn."

This text should prove interesting and informative for both the experienced teacher and the beginning student.

Highly recommended for adult readers dedicated to education and specialists of Native Studies and Women’s Studies.

Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39

372.47 GEA (Professional Collections)

Gear, Adrienne. Nonfiction Reading Power: teaching students how to think while they read all kinds of information. Pembroke Publishers Limited, 2008. - 160pp. - ISBN 978-1-55138-229-6 $24.95

The author, a teacher for nearly 20 years including the last four years as a Literacy Mentor, was amazed to find that 80% of the time spent reading in the real world is reading non-fiction, yet little time had been spent on developing skills in nonfiction reading. This book sets out to counter that imbalance.

Over eight chapters Gear explains how Nonfiction Reading Power pertains to a surprising number of nonfiction forms (recipes, bills, manuals); providing lists of good Nonfiction Read-Alouds and Nonfiction Authors worthy of study. She then goes on to introduce the components of Nonfiction Reading Power:

Zoom-in,

Question/Infer

Determine Importance

Connect

Transform

and provides booklists for 18 Science and Social Studies topics.

Each Chapter from Three to Seven introduces one component i.e. Zooming-In and provides a list of books suitable for the study of Zooming-In as well as masters of student worksheets.

Chapter Eight gives advice on scheduling in two month blocks and includes some sheets to guide the teacher’s year end assessment and evaluation.

This book, rich in resources and clearly organized, is highly recommended for the professional collection of elementary schools, or to classroom resources.

Recommended for Elementary Professional Collections.

Reviewed by Marv Worden, retired classroom teacher, SD #68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith

398.2 PAU

Paulson, Kristoffer F. Scandinavian – American Folk Tales and Fish Stories. Illustrated by Kai Paulson. Mophouse Publishing, 2008. 52p. Illus. ISBN 978-0-9810287-0-5.

Pbk. $16.95

Every country and culture has its’ folk tales, past down through the generations from parents to children. Mainly handed down in the oral tradition, these tales are often embellished, exaggerated and changed throughout the ages. Similar stories are found in many cultures, especially fishing tales. Does a fisherman ever want to give away his fishing spot? ‘Little people’ also abound in folktales, as well as fierce, frightening characters and invisible nuisances.

The text is a collection of Scandinavian folk tales once told orally by the author to his children. Beginning with a fish story, the reader is then introduced to Oskar

(Stonebottom), a troll who dared to pick cloudberries while the sun was out. In the story "Old Hickory Chomper", the reader discovers how this fearful troll gets his ‘granite jaw’. The legend of the ‘Dragedukke’, "the doll who drags things away", is another intriguing story.

This collection is illustrated and published by the author’s son, Kai Paulson, a graphic artist. Each full-page illustration is vibrant, colourful and intriguing, adding fun and imagination to each tale. The reading level is sophisticated, suitable for intermediate readers and up. Written as simple family stories, the style is stilted in sections, but overall these tales should interest young readers. This text would prove useful for a theme of storytelling in the classroom, encouraging students to write stories from their own background and culture. It would also be an interesting addition to an elementary school library’s collection of folktales.

Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, Teacher-librarian (retired), SD #39 Vancouver

 

578.769 SEP

Sept, J. Duane. The Beachcomber’s Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest, Revised Edition. Harbour Publishing, 2009. 224p. ISBN 978-1-55017-453-3 $26.95

The intertidal marine life along the Pacific Northwest Coast is one of the richest in the world. Along these shores it is possible to identify and observe numerous animal and plant species. Whether on a class fieldtrip or a specific biological study, the observer will find this guide an essential resource tool. The introduction begins with a discussion on understanding tides and intertidal habitats, for example, sand beaches, mud flats and rocky shores. Micro habitats are also included, such as; under rocks, tidepools, floating docks and pilings. A magnifying glass is recommended for observation and a camera for records, rather than disturbing the fragile ecosystem or handling the sea creatures.

Appealing, coloured photographs enhance each entry. Full-page photos also introduce each animal or plant species. Notes are included with the entry for further information, as well as description, habitat and range. The final chapter lists "best beachcombing sites in the Pacific Northwest", including photographs, description, location and notes. Scientifically accurate, this guide is easily accessible for the young researcher or casual observer. This text is recommended as a useful reference for both an elementary and secondary school resource centre.

Reviewed by Carolyn Cutt, retired teacher-librarian, Vancouver SD #39

741.5 ODO

O’Donnell, Liam. Soccer Sabotage. Orca Book publishers, 2009 64 pp. ISBN 9781 55143 8849 $9.95

Graphic novel

Nadia’s soccer team has reached the National finals. Instead of playing as a team, the girls have become divas, each trying for individual glory. Helping with the team and narrating the story is Nadia’s younger brother, Devlin, and coach Nate’s son, Stewart. Rising soccer star, Aidan, is coaching an opposing team. He seems to be everywhere, sometimes in places he is not supposed to be. Is he also interested in dating Nadia?

Coach Nate is suddenly injured falling down a flight of stairs just before a playoff game. His duties are taken over by Stewart and Devlin. Stewart is determined to find out what really happened to his Dad. Was he pushed? Who is Mr. Singh and how does he know his father? What is Aidan doing in their dressing room just before player Lisa is injured by a falling object?

Liam O’Donnell and illustrator Mike Deas have created this graphic novel to appeal to both very good and reluctant readers. This easy to read, fast paced novel contains action, mystery, adventure and lots of soccer facts.

Recommended for grades 2-5.

Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian

971.009 ARA

Arato, Rona. Courage and Compassion : ten Canadians who made a difference. Maple Tree Press, 2008 96 pp. ISBN 978 1 897349 35 9 $19.95

Courage and Compassion by Rona Arato covers 400 years of Canadian history and profiles 10 Canadians from different eras in our history. Some names are very familiar and others are not. Jeanne Mance moved to the new colony of Montreal and put her nursing skills to work helping both colonists and Aboriginal people. She is credited with starting our first hospital. Josiah Henderson, born a slave in the US, made his way to freedom in Canada. He then became a conductor on the Underground railway helping others escape. He established Dawn community, an area where former slaves could work and own land. Nellie McClung was a famous author and suffragette. Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Prize for his peace -keeping efforts. He also gave Canada its own flag. Roger Obata felt the Canadian government had done its citizens of Japanese descent a grievous wrong during World war II. Although not evacuated himself, he fought for 41 years for a government apology and compensation. Other notables include June Caldwell, Judy Field Carr, Elijah Harper, Craig Keilburger, and Hannah Taylor.

Rona Arato celebrates ten Canadians by providing in depth coverage of their lives and accomplishments. This book is part of Maple Tree Press’ Wow Canada Series. Historical photos help the reader see into the worlds of these outstanding Canadians. She has covered many years of our history from earliest to modern times and from our older to youngest Canadians who have made a difference. Paperback format makes this a great book to add to a library.

Highly recommended for grades 4-7.

Reviewed by Gloria Reinheimer, retired teacher-librarian

Frankie's Friends-SD44

Frankie’s Friends and the Canadian Connection

by Karen Keys

SD 44, North Vancouver

Karen Keys, District ICT facilitator and teacher-librarian was working with students on a project about compassion. Feeling that students weren’t getting the real meaning of compassion she went to Teacher Tube and searched this topic. She found a video titled, "Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog". A heartwarming story of a daschund puppy who became paralyzed in her back legs but is able to inspire others when she learns to walk again with a cart. When Karen showed the movie to the students and staff, they got very emotional. After doing some more Internet searching Karen found out that a book had been written about this dog and contacted the author, Barb Techel, at www.joyfulpaws.com. Karen purchased the book for the school library.

Barb asked if the students had any questions for Frankie after learning about the project they were doing at Lynnmour. When they sent their questions and comments to Barb, it inspired her to create Frankie’s own blog. Frankie, with a little help from her mom, answers a few of the questions each week. The children get very excited when they check the blog (www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com) each week. Barb not only answers their questions, but also includes video clips and other articles about disabled animals. The students held a fundraiser for animals in need during the year as a result of the strong connection they made with Frankie.

In December, the students used a free videoconferencing program called Skype and connected via the Internet with Barb and Frankie in Elk Lake, Wisconsin. The students were so excited and they asked many thought provoking questions. They learned a lot about animals with disabilities and about the true meaning of compassion. Barb is hoping to do more Skype conferences for children as a way to bring Frankie’s message all over North America. Contact Barb at www.joyfulpaws.com for more information.

During the school year, students wrote their own "Frankie" stories for a wiki created by Karen. The wiki (http://bugbug.wiki.zoho.com/Frankie-the-Walk-N-Roll-Dog.html) is called Frankie’s Friends…the Canadian Connection. Karen is convinced that the students in grades 3-7 are reading and writing more thanks to Frankie and her mom, Barb. Students have also written their own book reviews about Frankie’s book and other classes have designed doggie outfits and created Frankie pictures using graphics tools on a software program.

Next school year, students will have their own blog, called Frankie’s Friends…The Canadian Connection. Each week, a few students will create a blog entry on a variety of topics. It is just in its beginning stages, but you can check it out at

http://frankiesfriendsthecanadianconnection.blogspot.com.

Crossing Genres: Melding of Sci- Fi and Mystery-Savard

Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading

by Stew Savard, eLibrarian,, Comox Valley

Query previous submissions from Stew: http://tinyurl.com/savardarchives

Crossing Genres: The Melding of Science Fiction and Mystery

Many readers are creatures of habit. They read Historical Fiction or Fantasy, Science Fiction or Mystery, but don’t expect them to cross genre. That other genre is not what they read. One aim of this article it to present, from the point of view (POV) of a Science Fiction reader, some Science Fiction and Mystery/Detective crossover novels so that teacher-librarians might tempt some students to open new passages in their reading patterns. This also opens up an opportunity for other Bookmark readers, who come from the POV of Mystery/Detective readers, to identify some novels with Science Fiction elements to encourage more genre blending.

One of Canada’s best Science Fiction writers is Robert Sawyer. He has won the Aurora, Hugo and Nebula awards for Science Fiction. He states that: "Science fiction and mystery have a great deal in common. Both prize the intellectual process of puzzle solving, and both require stories to be plausible and hinge on the way things really do work."

Crossover novels have been around for a long time. It could be argued that, when they were published, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels and some of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew novels, for a younger audience, with their reference to then cutting edge technologies combined strong elements of Mystery and Science Fiction. In recent years, these kinds of crossover novels have been, perhaps, less common. Fortunately for me, over the last few years I’ve read a stream of crossover novels and begun to ask myself, "What else is out there?"

Some of the mixed genre novels I’ve read include: Halting State by Charles Stross, The Yiddish Policeman’s Union (which won the Hugo and Nebula awards for 2009) by Michael Chabon, The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez, Necopath by Eric Brown, The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds, Third Claw of God (from The Andrea Cort series) by Adam-Troy Castro, Time Machines Repaired While-U-Wait by K.A. Bedford, Farthing by Jo Walton, and End of the World Blues by Jon Courtenay Grimwood.

From these books I would strongly recommend these three novels: although all are worth consideration.

Halting State, by Stross, is set in the near future in Edinburgh, Scotland. It blends an edgy techno theme with near future geopolitical elements, from a Thomas Friedman style ‘flat world’ in which India and China present grave threats. This might attract both techno readers and those interested in geopolitical thrillers, such as the novels by Tom Clancy and Dan Brown.

The Yiddish Policeman’s Union features the considerable talents of Michael Chabon who has also published contemporary and Historical Fiction novels. Set in Sitka, Alaska this novel is in the style of some of the alternate histories written by Harry Turtledove and S. M. Sterling. In this novel, Jews have been settled after the Second World War, by reluctant agents of the American Government on leased land in Sitka rather than in Israel, which remains under Arab control. With the lease soon to run out, a recent murder can either be pursued or dropped. In the best tradition of the detective novel, Meyer Landsman sets out to solve what will likely be his last case as a police officer. This is a highly recommended read.

The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez is a humorous novel. Mack Megaton drives a Bluestar cab, but would rather be a classical Sam Spade style private investigator. A major problem he faces is that he is a very large robot—actually a modified military robot designed to take over the world by force—but sidetracked into driving a cab. But a robot’s gotta do what a robot’s gotta do. With the help of his sidekicks—a genetically modified and cognitively enhanced gorilla named Jung and the voluptuous, and rich, Lucia Napier, Mack sets off to solve the case of a missing person. Martinez upends every cliché identified with detective novels with twists and turns reminiscent of the works of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams when they set tradition on its head with their quirky and funny Fantasy and Science Fiction writings.

Another form of cross-over writing comes from the blending of Vampire, Mystery and Science Fiction themes. Jes Battis with Night Child, merges CSI style detective themes with the advanced technology found in Science Fiction. Tanya Huff with Smoke and Mirrors, provides an example of this kind of genre fusion.

James Patterson’s Maximum Ride Series, Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider Series, and Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl Series all have elements that allow them to be described as crossing over between Science Fiction and Mystery. Certainly, many students who have enjoyed the different writings of these authors and who are looking for additional suggestions from teacher-librarians might consider dipping their toes into either the more traditional Science Fiction or Mystery genre.

Libraries may already have some crossover material in their collections. Kiln People by David Brin, Carlucci by Richard Paul Russo, the Eve Dallas novels by J.D Robb, Do Androids Dream of Electonic Sheep (which was made into the movie Bladerunner) by Philip K. Dick, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams, and The I, Robot series by Isaac Asimov are all examples of crossover novels.

My bias as a fan of Science Fiction shows throughout this article. What is needed is for another Bookmark reader to lay out the path for Mystery and Science Fiction novels that can be used to cross these genre from the other direction. I’m looking forward to your suggestions!

And the Nominees are…

As with every article, here are the nominated books for some of the other yearly Science Fiction and Fantasy awards that are, perhaps, not as well known as the Auroras, Nebulas, and Hugos. Included are the nominated novels for the Sunburst Awards for Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy, the British Science Fiction and, separately awarded, British Fantasy Awards, and the Golden Duck Awards, with an emphasis on Science Fiction for K-12 students.

The eBook Challenge

by Stewart Savard

eLibrarian/eResource Teacher

SD#71 (Comox Valley)

ASUS Eee Reader - Image from Wired Magazine

In spite of media hype, libraries will not disappear in the next few years. But eBooks and eBook Readers will challenge the traditional roles and practices of K-12 libraries and the staff who work there. Librarians need to know what eBooks are, how they may evolve and what eBook Readers are and how this technology may develop. As important as it may be to stay on top of technological developments, teacher-librarians also need to anticipate some changes in practice that will be required as eBooks and their readers show up in schools.

What are eBooks?

eBooks are books in a digital form. eBooks have been around for more than a decade. The availability of eBooks, like audio books, has been a source of interest for teacher-librarians, but their presence has not yet changed daily operations. The continued development of devices that ‘read’ eBooks, eBook Readers and changes in the sophistication of eBooks themselves will change that.

The first generation of eBooks—novels and some non-fiction material—were one-dimensional: they lacked sophistication and intelligent operations. The textual material, that could be found in a traditional novel was presented as a plain computer file. You could not, for example, pop up a map or photos to enrich a story. Computers, both desktop and laptop, were the original ‘market’ for most of these eBooks. Many of the original eBooks were either demonstration projects–not likely to have a large market–or material that was out of copyright, from groups such as Project Gutenberg.

Since almost all contemporary books are, in publication form, computer files, some publishers also sold copies of novels in a digital format. At the same time as these fiction and non-fiction books were being marketed, textbook and magazine publishers also began to offer their materials in a digital format such as a PDF file. In a school setting, requests for these formats often came from the parents and teachers working with students facing a variety of learning challenges.

There have been a number of problems with eBooks. Essentially these problems break down into two main categories: format issues and ownership. As with most new technologies, format[1] has been, and to some extent still is, an issue. Some eBooks worked on some computers and not on others. Some school computers had the software needed to read an eBook and some didn’t. Proprietary, and thus access limiting, formats were initially the norm. Recently, more widely available formats such as PDF (from Adobe) and ePub have become common. However, format challenges continue to plague the acceptance of eBooks. Some publishers have begun to deal with these concerns by providing their works in multiple formats. However, just as it took more than a decade to work through the VHS vs. Beta videotape and other format wars[2], some challenges remain. Without regard to the eventual outcome, librarians, support staff, and district technicians will have to gain some level of sophistication in dealing with format issues in order to provide materials to students and teachers in a digital format.

A second major problem with eBooks has been ownership. A purchase of a traditional book transfers ownership of that copy of a book and the rights to resell it to the purchaser. Intellectual copyright is retained by author and publisher. This works well because of the challenges linked to copyright theft—especially with novels. Digital resources present a very different problem. The electronic transfer of files is simple and so, threatening to authors and publishers. Some early eBooks tried to address this with limits around Digital Rights Management: DRM. Essentially, ‘buyers’ leased an eBook for a fixed term (even though they might not have fully understood that). At the end of that term their ability to access the eBook was extinguished. They didn’t own the book. They couldn’t, in some cases, even transfer the book to another computer (desktop to laptop). They couldn’t ‘lend’ the book to a friend. In many cases they couldn’t print pages from a book: such as a map or chart referenced throughout a chapter in that work. Public libraries, such as the Vancouver Island Regional Library: VIRL, use specialized software to help manage eBook distribution and to retain the digital rights for an author/publisher. Users must download software, provided by VIRL, onto their computer and then can access a book for a ‘term certain’ period (typically 21 days for a novel) before the file becomes unusable.

Limits on ownership of an electronic copy of a book cause other problems. Will readers want to purchase books that they can’t re-read as they see fit over years and decades? (Ask readers of the Lord of the Rings series or Robert Munsch books how many times they have read those books.) Some book owners make way for new material by selling their ‘read’ books to used book stores or by donating books to charities. eBook ownership, as it moves past the restrictions imposed by DRM schemes, will certainly raise issues related to the transfer of that ownership and the rights of the copyright holders. Libraries, with their special responsibility to not violate copyright, will have to deal with these issues. This will be especially true with eTextbooks as they reach the end of a use cycle.[3]

In the last year or so, as more eBook readers have come onto the market, textbook publishers have found new ways to market expensive College and University materials for traditional computers and eBook Readers. New companies, such as CourseSmart, provide students with a way to lease their textbooks as a kind of ‘subscription’.[4] ‘Subscriptions’ typically last for a semester or academic year and cost 50-60% of a print copy. CourseSmart materials are available either via an online account or to a specific, and "non-transferable" computer (a laptop for example) or to an eBook Reader or smart phone such as the Blackberry Storm, Apple iPhone or Palm Pre. Some eTextbooks allow computer versions of their material to print pages or study materials or workbook questions; a function not always allowed, or possible, in other eBook formats. These kinds of ownership add more complexity to issues of ownership.

eBooks will evolve over the next few years. Some eBooks will continue to be presented in a one-dimensional format. Novels might remain largely one-dimensional. Non-fiction material, newspapers and magazines and eTextbooks must evolve if they are to retain value for both the user and seller. With 50 million K-12 students in the U.S. and another 18 million students at the college level, the textbook market is significant and competitive. Cash strapped governments at the K-12 level, such as California, are seriously looking at eTextbooks as a way to save money.

ARC BC: Accessible Resource Centre British Columbia, from SET BC, is the K-12 educational body with the most experience with digital resources. Established a little over a year ago, it has begun to collect and distribute digital resources to qualified students throughout the province. ARC BC also cooperates with a number of similar bodies and agencies across Canada. The librarians at ARC BC and the digital librarians associated with public libraries in BC have key information and experience in handling, cataloguing, and the distribution of digital resources that can be tapped into by the K-12 system.

eTextbook 2

Librarians can anticipate a fairly rapid evolution of eTextbooks. Rather than continuing to be one-dimensional, they will become more sophisticated. Additional material, which takes full advantage of the technology, can be added with minor increases in the file size of an eTextbook. eTextbook 2 could contain, for example, a fast slide show of a beating heart or of an engine working—and so give the illusion of animation—without too much difficulty. eTextbook 2 could contain greatly increased information in the form of glossaries, additional exercises, and even, and this is where teachers might be interested, alternate formats that support different reading and skill levels. The SFU Museum site "A Journey to a New Land" and the University of Michigan site "Windows to the Universe: The Earth’s Moon" provide Universal Design for Learning: UDL examples of content tailored to users.

Independent suppliers of second edition eTextbooks might take this customization a step farther. It is technically possible for a teacher to select specific chapters from different textbooks in order to compliment their instruction. This could be done, for example, with the McGraw-Hill Ryerson and Nelson Science 7 textbooks. Both address the same provincial learning outcomes. A teacher might prefer the presentation of the Earth Science unit from one publisher and the Chemistry Unit from another. Independent textbook suppliers, working with both publishers and a school, might sell, on a yearly basis or longer, the rights to different parts of different textbooks to the same school. (Publishers might find themselves in a situation where they need to update their textbooks on a regular basis in order to be the ‘current’ supplier. This might have the beneficial effect of allowing mistakes in textbooks to be corrected and new information added with each new sub-edition.)

eTextbook 3

Second edition eTextbooks are also likely to be quickly replaced by multi-dimensional textbooks: eTextbook 3. Tailored to a student and their teacher, in terms of their reading skills, learning style, teaching style and other preferences, these books can and would be updatable on an ongoing basis. A student showing mastery of a math topic, might move, in their eTextbook, to a section expanding the breadth or depth of their knowledge, whilst a student struggling with a topic might receive additional help that compliments their needs and strengths. Advances in a topic, such as Science, could be incorporated into eTextbook 3s on an ongoing basis. In mid-September 2009, McGraw-Hill announced its version of an eTextbook 3 that allows students to capture audio and video copies of notes and link them to specific sections of the textbook, take quizzes and receive grades and suggestions for further work, and provide teachers with course management tools.

Teachers might find that this kind of smart eTextbook, which need not be platform or publisher dependant, could act as a powerful synthesising agent and knowledge launch pad. This might bring value to a teaching resource: the traditional textbook, which is frequently underutilized because of its one-dimensional, and quickly outdated, format. The combination of an adaptable primary information resource with the powerful skill sets that teachers bring to their classroom might result in some significant changes to education.

What are eBook Readers?

eBook Readers are electronic devices specifically designed to read eBooks. Typically, they show material using so-called e-paper which allows text to be read, usually in black and white, much like a paper book in direct sunlight. Text is stable on the screen and is not constantly refreshed. As a result, battery life can extend for up to a week compared to hours for most laptops. (Computer-based PDF readers and programs such as the Microsoft Reader can read eBooks on those machines.)

Most manufacturers separate eBook readers into 5" and 6" sizes and bigger devices.[5] Smaller devices, the 5" and 6" readers, are designed primarily for paperback and trade paperback publications. eBook Readers have been available for about a decade, but have only slowly been accepted by large numbers of users. Part of the acceptance challenge they have faced has revolved around incompatible formats, limited connectivity, limited tools (so that all a reader could do was show text) and the ownership issues linked to Digital Rights: DRM. The November 2007 launch of the Amazon Kindle provided a spur to the acceptance of eBook Readers.

In the fall and winter of 2009 a number of larger eBook Readers will appear. These include the Asus Eee Reader, the Amazon KindleDX, the PlasticLogic reader and Sony’s Daily Edition. These devices can all present larger books, such as textbooks as well as magazines and newspapers. Advances in technology continue at a rapid pace. The ASUS device, for example, is a clamshell style which will reportedly have two screens (see photo at beginning of this article) and display colour text. The two screens will allow it to act like a traditional textbook. The screens can be used to display different information: a textbook page, for example, and a supportively designed web page. The Plastic Logic screen is about the size of a MacLean’s magazine and has the same weight as a Seventeen or Transworld Skateboarding magazine and a flexible plastic screen that might provide considerable wear and tear for student users.

Built-in and add-on memory cards allow these devices to easily hold all of the textbooks required in K-12 schools and still have room for additional material. Each wave of readers has had more technological sophistication. Models out this fall reportedly include tools for user annotation/note taking, limited printing, and the ability to play, through an earphone jack, stored music and audio books as MP3 files. The ASSU device, raising the stakes, is reported to have a microphone, built in speakers, and a webcam that, via its wireless connection, will allow users to use Skype and similar software. Most eBook Readers can access resources wirelessly using a combination of Internet and cell phone technology. (Although this connectivity is still limited in Canada as users of Kindle devices can attest.)

Newspapers, such as USA Today and the Financial Times, which will be available on the PlasticLogic Device and magazines, such as Time and the Economist, already available on the Kindle, will be pushing for the kind of technological convergence which brings users to these larger sized products and keeps them there. A larger screen will allow publishers to integrate advertising into their presentations in ways that attract readers, rather than just taking up critical screen space. The more users can rely on one device, the more likely that device will be adopted. Increased technology convergence seems likely with each new model. Thus, an eBook Reader that allows you to read a book, view a GPS map, answer a phone call (via Skype), read and respond to an email, and listen to music or an audio book, and dictate notes for eventual conversion via Speech to Text software seems likely in the near future and represents significant challenges for the present manufacturers of some of these separate devices. The search is on for the value added device that reduces the number of gadgets in our lives. Manufacturers are all looking for a Goldilocks solution.

Challenges for K-12 Libraries

Like many new software programs and electronic devices the promises are many. As these two separate technologies continue to advance, greater and greater expectations will be placed on librarians and libraries. These challenges can be largely summarized in four areas: ethical issues, library planning and operations, content problems, and mechanical problems.

Ethical issues abound in the eWorld. Theft of copyright material is a challenge facing the music industry and so it will be for publishers. The fact that eBooks and eBook Readers are not likely to appear in large numbers for the 2009-2010 year means that teacher-librarians have the benefit of some time to begin to sort out ethical issues. While copyright issues are important, social justice issues are, perhaps, more critical. So the questions begin with: How do we ensure equity, what role do librarians (and our technical advisors) have in ensuring that all school distributed material is legal (that we have purchased what we are distributing), what role do we have to play in ensuring that school devices present, at least in the main memory chips (provided within the machine), only legally purchased material: eBooks, eTextbooks, audio books and music, newspapers, magazines, where do our ethical responsibilities end, and what powers, if any, do we have to enforce our ethical choices on school supplied machines being used by students. (Can we require them to delete stolen files from eBook Readers we supply?)

Planning and operational challenges come in terms of: who, what, how, and money. Who within a library, or school system, is going to act as the initially responsible agent? What service, or services, will a school library provide its users. Will they, for example, be responsible for just eBooks? Will eTextbooks be added on? Will they provide eReaders to staff and students? (All staff and students?) Whom will they be responsible for dealing with: publishers, content suppliers, and/or device suppliers? How will they deal with the simple mechanism of ‘signing out’ an eBook or an eBook Reader? Where will the money come from and are there assurances that this will be built into the budget of the Education System, a School Board, and a specific Library?

Resource management for eBooks and eTextbooks will be a second level of challenge for librarians. They will need to know what has been selected (and by whom and from what budget), what they have within their eCollection, in what format (a physical disk or a downloadable file), the number of copies of a resource (from one or two for a novel to potentially hundreds for an eTextbook), the mechanism needed to purchase (lease) more copies, how to deal with Inter-Library Loans (ILL), and how to dispose of surplus to need copies.

Mechanical problems will challenge libraries from the day the first eReader comes into their school. Questions here include: where is the money for this coming from, who is the supplier, who is responsible for minor challenges, such as battery recharges and "I forgot my eReader at home. Can I borrow another one?" to who is going to fix eReaders devices, update their firmware and software and the software on school computers that reads eBooks and eTextbooks. Because eReaders can hold a significant amount of material, another technical question will revolve around where, on a school managed device, the eTextbooks reside. (Will these be near the core and not easily discarded by a user who feels that their collection of 1950s Mad Magazines is more important than their Science textbook or else a student may report that their "eTextbook didn’t work and couldn’t do their homework.")

Challenges for Providers

Much of this article deals with the potential of eBooks and eBook Readers. An August 26, 2009 webinar presented some very interesting information on how these technologies are doing on at least one college campus. In this webinar, titled "E-Readers and E-Textbooks: Current Reality and Future Possibilities" by Jon T. Rickman and Roger Von Holzen from Northwest Missouri State University, the authors PowerPoint presentation reviewed that school’s decision to invest in both eBooks and eBook Readers for a number of faculty and students during the 2008-2009 academic year.

They found that there was a learning curve for which they needed to provide training in order for students and faculty to make effective use of the technology. Users wanted eBooks/eTextbooks and either the readers or software to support keyword searches and note-taking. These researchers also found that eReaders captured attention, but did not keep it unless support features, such as "search and annotation", were built into them. (This supports the need for devices that provide convergence to the multi-tasking expectations of users.). Users found that some subject-based eTextbooks were different from others. eTextbooks, with dense columns of information in tables or charts, often did not display this information as well as text-based material. (Thus, the need for eTextbook 2 and 3.)

Students and faculty, according to Rickman and Von Holzen, found that, computer-based software readers provided more utility. On desktop and laptop computers, students could make more use of the material because of built-in search and note-taking functions, but these machines also allowed them to customize page views and to share searchable notes. (And, of course, students could multi-task and listen to music, e-mail, and be a part of their social network while on their own computer.)

Technical issues, while a focus of this article, once resolved behind the scenes and before the experiment began, were negligible. The researchers reported that:

* "The delivery of eTextbooks to students via their notebook computers was a simple and very efficient process

* Students were able to complete the downloading of eTextbooks with little assistance from university support staff

* Several publishers were able to provide enhanced eTextbooks with quizzes and shared notes

* The need for standardized reading features appeared useful as some students used multiple eTextbooks

* Some eTextbook features, if used in the classroom, need additional Wi-Fi connectivity"

In summary, based on their experience after one year, students at Northwest Missouri State University found ways to use, and maybe embrace, most eBooks, but eBook Readers still had a way to go.

Another challenge for publishers and manufacturers should come in the form of the minimum expectations by the Public School System, for eBooks and eBook Readers in terms of Social Justice. Several expectations must be met. First and foremost is that all eBooks must meet the different needs of students with learning challenges. Thus, an eBook or eBook Reader, without meeting the Text to Speech: TTS needs of students facing learning challenges should not be considered. Other tools supporting learning adaptations for students facing visual challenges—such as changeable text size, font, colour/shading (for colour blindness)—must also be built in at a fundamental level, for a product or device to be considered. With 50 million users, the system has the purchasing muscle to identify and set minimal standards and the system should not forget their responsibilities for meeting these student needs in a rush to new technologies. A second minimal expectation must deal with the intra-system transferability of materials. At present, some computer software is only usable within one school in a district. That must not be allowed to continue with eBooks and their readers, which should be seen as always being open to meet the intra school needs within a purchasing district.

eBooks are here to stay. We should expect that, as they learn from their experiences, publishers will quickly move their materials from the one-dimensional approach that mirrors traditional print books to more sophisticated and multi-dimensional resources. eBook Readers, provided they pass the Goldilocks test and provide for individualization, are likely to become more commonly used. Teacher-librarians have some time to begin to grapple with the issues associated with these technologies. However, in these tough economic times, where governments are looking to save money, and where media reports of the impact of eBooks may add pressure on authorities to act, Teacher-librarians need to begin to sort out their answers to the challenging questions around planning, resource management, hardware/software problems, and ethics. Two strong themes running through all of our responses will be: Do I know enough? and where will the money come from?

Additional Readings and Links

Allen, Nicole. "Course Correction: How Digital Textbooks Are Off Track, and How to Set Them Straight." PDF download from: Make Textbooks Affordable.org. Retrieved August 30, 2009.

Haywood, Keene. "Ready of Not, here come the e-textbooks." New Media Consortium. Posted August 10, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009.

Kenney, Brian. "As Goes California: A Flawed Initiative Could Become a Fabulous Opportunity". School Library Journal v. n. 9, September, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009.

Levin , Tamar. "In a Digital Future, Textbooks Are History." The New York Times August 8, 2009. Retrieved September 1st, 2009.

Paul, Ryan. "Study: DRM a major barrier to e-textbook adoption." Ars Technica. Posted August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2009.

Rickman, Jon T. and Von Holzen, Roger. "E-Readers and E-Textbooks: Current Reality and Future Possibilities". Webinar via Educause. Retrieved August 30, 2009.

Seidel, Kim. "Online Textbooks Deliver Timely, Real-World Content." Educause Review v. 44 n. 1, January/February 2009. Retrieved September 2st, 2009.

Stewart, Robert. "Some Thoughts on Free Textbooks." Educause Review v. 44 n. 1, January/February 2009. Retrieved September 5st, 2009.

Young, Jeffrey R. "Six Lessons One Campus Learned from E-Textbooks." Chronicle of Higher Education. Posted June 11, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2009.

e-Textbooks: Feasible or Futile at aceonlineschools.com. January 23, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2009.

Flatworld knowledge Home Page (free eTextbooks) Retrieved September 7, 2009.

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00154JDAI

Plastic Logic: http://www.plasticlogic.com

Sony eBook Reader: http://www.sonystyle.ca

[1] For a comparison of eBook formats check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats or http://www.ebookmall.com/choose-format/

[2] See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Format_war for more information on a century and more of format wars.

[3] Some libraries are able to recover some textbook costs by carefully managing the sale of either surplus or ‘no longer in use’ textbooks. While the sums are seldom large, they can help to cover some costs such as rebinds.

[4] Taylor’s "Principles of Economics: Global Financial Crisis Edition" (978-1439078204) lists for $207.95 on Amazon.com vs. $103.00 for the 180 day subscription at CourseSmart.

[5] For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebook_readers

Reading Writing- 2.0 sites

Some interesting reading sites I've bumped into. Add your own with a comment below and I will collate a list for the Bookmark.- thanks Al

_____________________________________________

Seen Reading.

 http://www.seenreading.com/

Book tags, reviews, poetry and podcast.  Julie Wilson is the creator and author of the literary voyeurism blog, Seen Reading. She has appeared on CBC Radio’s “Here and Now” to discuss the reading habits of Torontonians. She partners with CBC’s “Canada Reads” each year to sleuth out sightings for each of the contest’s contenders.

What is Seen Reading?

1. I see you reading.
2. I remember what page you’re on in the book.
3. I head to the bookstore, and make a note of the text.
4. I let my imagination rip.
5. Readers become celebrities.
6. People get giddy and buy more books.

Tells it all I suppose.

_____________________________

We Tell Stories.

http://wetellstories.co.uk/

We Tell Stories 6 is digital fiction by Penquin. Six Authors. Six Stories. Six Weeks.

______________________________

The 21 Steps

http://wetellstories.co.uk/stories/week1/

The 21 Steps is a fun example of authors publishing with web 2.0 tools.  Charles Cummings homage to The Thirty Nine Steps by John Buchan. 
 

Follow the narrative through a visual map- say Graphic Novel meets Google Maps. Mashup at its best!

skill for economic survival in the 21st century is- creativity

21st C Skill- creativity!

http://lateralaction.com/articles/9-responses/

So, here are the nine ways your audience will respond to your online content:

1. Spam: If your content does not provide a reasonable ROII (return-on-investment for an interaction) for the reader or is self-serving or simply useless, the reader will mark it as spam. Posting something that may be assessed, as “spam” is the fastest way to losing credibility.
2. Skip: The reader makes an assessment that he or she won’t lose much by reading it. In this case, the reader has not written you off yet but if you consistently create content that is worth “skipping,” the reader might write you off.
3. Scan: The reader thinks there are only a few parts that are of relevance and wants to get right to the core of the content and skip the rest.
4. Stop: The reader is touched by the article and stops to think about the article, it’s relevance and what it means to him or her personally and professionally.
5. Save: The content is so good that the reader might want to re-visit this multiple times.
6. Shift: The article is transformational. The reader is so deeply affected (in a positive way) by the article that it shifts some of their values and beliefs. In other words, this piece of writing will transform the reader and make him or her grow.
7. Send: The content is not only useful to the reader but also to one or more people in the reader’s network. The reader simply emails the article or a link to it to people that he or she cares.
8. Spread: The reader finds the article fascinating enough to spread it to anyone and everyone via a blog, twitter or the social networks that he or she belongs.
9. Subscribe: This is the ultimate expression of engagement and a vote of confidence that you will continue to provide great content. When the reader wants to continue listening to your thoughts, he or she will subscribe.

Finally, here are a few things to consider before you post your next online content:

1. Understand Your Audience

2. Check Your Objective

3. Unleash Your Creativity

4. Learn from Feedback

Check out Rajesh Setty, www.Lateral Action.com

http://lateralaction.com/articles/9-responses/

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks                  
          

by Greg Smith

 

September 2008

 

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. The Amazing Heritage Challenge. A great new resource for BC Grade 10 Social Studies teachers and students. These lessons are a perfect combination of exciting activities, curriculum relevance and real world engagement! http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/heritage/education_training/lesson_plans.htm

 

2. Civic Mirror. CM is an educational simulation that turns “classrooms into countries” and “students into citizens”. Check out the “testimonials” button.  http://www.civicmirror.com/whatitis.php

 

3. Federal Election Coming?  Another great new site created for teachers and students in anticipation that a federal election will be called soon. Great ideas to start off the school year! http://bestlibrary.org/election/

 

4. Geography and Beyond!  Fantastic new sites created in BC as a portal to hundreds of geographic ideas, lessons, research topics, maps and a whole lot more. Check out both sites! http://elibrary.sd71.bc.ca/socials/geography-canada.html

http://elibrary.sd71.bc.ca/socials/geography-world.html

 

5. Great War Letters Project. Young Canadians ages 14-18 are invited to pen a letter imagining what it was like to serve in the First World War. The contest starts Sept.8, 08 and is to coincide with the release of the new movie Passchendaele.    www.dominion.ca/passchendaele

 

6. Kalahari Library Project. How about a class or school citizenship project to help support literacy among children in the southern Kalahari? A simple and guaranteed way to make a difference in the lives of children. www.kalaharilibraryproject.com/adopt.html

 

7. Law Courts Education Society. Another new resource to help teachers and students understand our legal system. This resource even has a talking guide named Alex who will help you through the website. http://www.courtsofbc.ca

 

8. Michelle Mulder. Need a refreshing start for a unit on government, citizenship or social responsibility for grades 4-7? Meet Michelle, a Victoria based author of historical fiction.

www.michellemulder.com

 

9. Sierra Club BC. Empower your students to appreciate the many values and perspectives surrounding environmental and sustainability issues and to take ACTION in a fun and credible way. www.sierraclub.bc.ca/education

 

10. Social Studies Videos On Sale! From October 6-24, ERAC will host its annual sale of videos with discounted prices and free shipping! Remember BC teachers have checked out all these videos. http://www.bcerac.ca/Catalogue2008/ERAC2008Catalogue.aspx

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      October 2008

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1.      Asians, First Nations and the History of the Vote in BC. Plan to attend this discussion in Vancouver on October 28/08. Check out all the other teacher resources at this site. www.cchsbc.ca/

 

2.      BC Mining Class of the Year Contest. Win this contest and your whole class will become expert gold panners. Check out all the other great ideas from the BC Mineral Resource Education Program. http://www.bcminerals.ca

 

3. The Canadian Social Studies Super Site. This site contains an annotated list of quality websites for Canadian social studies educators and anyone interested in Canada. http://www.ualberta.ca/~jkirman/

 

4.      ExploraVision Awards Competition This competition gives students in grades K-12 the chance to create their own vision of the future. Win thousands $. www.exploravision.org

 

5.      The History of Metropolitan Vancouver. A great site with all kinds of teacher resources and quizzes. www.vancouverhistory.ca/index.htm

 

6.      Google History On-line- One Newspaper at a Time. Google has just launched a new service to make old newspapers available for everyone. Look back in time! Check this out! http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/bringing-history-online-one-newspaper.html

 

7.      Mapleleafweb. A non-partisan Canadian political education web-site for teachers, students and the “attentive” public. http://www.mapleleafweb.com/

 

8.      Teachers Are Agents For Change. Plan to attend the BC Social Studies Teachers Fall Conference in Coquitlam on October 24/2008. Check out all the great workshops and get a look at the latest Social Studies resources http://www.bctf.ca/psas/bcssta/

 

9.      Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook. This American Social Studies/History site may be the most complete interactive, on-line resource for K-12 educators anywhere!

       http://directory.teachersourcebook.org/category_index.cfm?category=8

 

10.  The 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month. JudithComfort has just updated her site to assist teachers and students with new Remembrance Day resources. www.bestlibrary.org/nov11/

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      November 2008

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. Being Victorian. Welcome to Victoria BC circa 1858-1914! Visit this great new site with an innovative format and written for Social Studies 10. http://www.bcpcc.com/Outreach/ss10/index.htm

 

2. BC 150 Resources. More new and exciting ideas and lessons to help students and teachers celebrate BC’s 150^th Anniversary. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/bc150/

 

3. Comfort Women- a play by Chungmi Kim. Watch this Off-Broadway hit based on a true story about three women who survived the shame of a terrible chapter in Asian history. Special student performance-Nov.21/08 in Coquitlam BC. Contact Kevin Sung hyosoosung@hanmail.net for tickets. Sponsored by www.alpha-canada.org

 

4. Green Learning. Comprehensive, fun and free lessons aligned to the BC curriculum and designed to help students participate in their own learning regarding today’s complex energy and environmental issues. http://www.greenlearning.ca/

 

5. History of Quebec. Get to know La Belle Province a little better. This site has all the information plus great self scoring tests and tutorials. http://www.lbpsb.qc.ca/~history//

 

6. History Wire. HW invites your perspectives, stories and opinions on the relevance of history in understanding current events, the importance of history education and much more. http://historywire.ca/en/index

 

7. Law Courts Education travels BC.  The Law Courts Education Society of BC will hold 6 regional law workshops for teachers in early 2009. Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Coquitlam, Vancouver and Victoria. Contact Marylou Leung at marylou.leung@lawcourtsed.ca or call 604-660-9874 to attend.

 

8. Online Publishing for Social Studies Teachers. Check out Judith Comfort’s site on why, what and how to publish as well as a portal to other great Social Studies resources. http://www.bestlibrary.org/ssworkshop/

 

9. Women in World History. This unique site is full of information and resources to help you learn about women’s history in a global context. www.womeninworldhistory.com

 

10. The World Factbook. Straight from the Central Intelligence Agency! This CIA resource is one of the best sources for up to date information on all the countries of the world and it even has lesson plans. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      December 2008

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

 

1. British Columbia Moments. Your words could be engraved in stone on the grounds of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria forever! The Deadline is December 12,2008. Just do it! www.leg.bc.ca/speaker/moments/index.htm

 

2. Canada at a Glance. This tiny free publication is a must have for all social studies teachers and students. Use up to date facts when making sense of media headlines. http://www45.statcan.gc.ca/2008/cgco_2008_000-eng.htm

 

3. Coalition Governments in Canada. This may be the hottest topic in social studies classrooms this month. Definition, history, types and a lot more for educators at this hot site. http://www.mapleleafweb.com/features/coalition-governments-canada

 

4. Fort Langley National Historic Site. A great Canadian resource that should be on every BC teachers’ and students’ must visit list during BC’s 150^th anniversary. http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index_E.asp

 

5. Human Rights Day. December 10, 2008 is Human Rights Day. Passages to Canada has new resources to help teachers celebrate this occasion in their classrooms. www.passagestocanada.com

 

6. Macdonald and Laurier Days. A new interactive WEB site dedicated to telling us all about the accomplishments of two great Canadian nation builders. Great prizes too!

www.macdonald-laurier.ca

 

7. Phyllis Arnold Professional Development Award. An award to help Canadian teachers participate in professional development conferences or courses in geography. http://www.ccge.org/ccge/english/Pro_development/programs_phyllisArnold.asp

 

8. Shafran Teachers’ Conference. Sponsored by the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, this day will focus on discussions around comparative genocide and literary approaches to the Holocaust. Register today. www.vhec.org/development.html

 

9. Transatlantic Outreach Program. The purpose of this free teacher study tour to Germany is to provide Canadian social studies teachers with global understanding from an international perspective. http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/lp/prj/top/enindex.htm

 

10. Youth Ambassadors of Remembrance.  Students are challenged to create a 3-5 minute video in honour of Canadians who served or are serving the cause of peace and freedom. This Legion sponsored contest is open to all grade 10-12 students in BC and the Yukon.

http://www.legionlegacies.org/userfiles/image/youth-ambassadors/YAPosterContest.pdf

 

Comments? Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      January 2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. Better Classroom Guidebooks. Crossword puzzles linked to the BC social studies curriculum and common resources. A great way to learn! www.bcguidebooks.ca

 

2, BC Youth Parliament. BCYP offers students aged 14-18 an opportunity to be involved in the parliamentary system in their own community.

http://www.bcyp.org/main.html

 

3. Canadiana Musical Theatre. The CMT Company creates and performs musicals drawn from pivotal points in Canadian history. Book a performance today! http://www.canadianamusical.com/

 

4. How Well Do You Know Your World? Check out this fun way to find out how well you know world political geography. Be warned- it could be addictive!

http://www.minijuegosgratis.com/juegos/hwdykyworld/hwdykyworld.html

 

5. Jack Pine. Social studies and opera? Yes it can be done! The Vancouver Opera will be touring BC schools this year educating and entertaining children about our forests. http://www.vancouveropera.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=15

 

6. Peace & Reconciliation Study Tour to China & Korea. Join with other social studies teachers for this memorable summer journey of discovery and understanding. http://www.alpha-canada.org/StudyTour/index.htm

 

7. Pearsonpulse.  A great new blog site created by Pearson Education Canada for history and law teachers. A cool place to exchange ideas! http://www.pearsonpulse.ca/

 

8. Show What You Know-Media Literacy Contest. Grade 3-12 students are invited to develop a multi media project about poverty and sustainable development. Great prizes! http://www.chf-partners.ca/medialiteracy/

 

9. Spirit of Mandela Week. A challenging initiative for Canadian students to help raise money in order to change the lives of children in South Africa through a curriculum based program. www.spiritofmandela.ca

 

10. What in the World. A new social studies resource designed to enhance students’ understanding and interest in current events. A great resource for grades 3-5. http://www.lesplan.com/en/publication/what-world-le-monde-en-marche-level-1

 

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      February 2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts. Meet Will Richardson the guru of how these new technologies are changing education. Feb. 20^th in Sannich. http://literacy.sd63.bc.ca/

 

2. The Colonel Douglas H. Gunter History Award. Are you a senior high school history student? Do you want $1,000 to continue your history education? Then check this out! thttp://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=20439

 

3. The Great Canadian Geography Challenge. Register today for this friendly competition for grades 4-10. A great opportunity for your students and school to shine! www.geochallenge.ca

 

4. Horizons. The second edition of Pearson’s much-used grade 10 Social Studies text is about to be published. Check it out and you may win a class set. http://www.pearsoned.ca/school/horizons2/

 

5. National Film Board. Happy Birthday NFB! To mark its 70^th birthday the NFB has an online Screening Room giving instant access to over 700 movies. Check it out! www.nfb.ca

 

6. Okanagan History Vignettes. Stories, pictures, maps, lessons and answer keys all about one of BC’s most beautiful and historic valleys.

http://www.nal.ca/library/learning/okanagan/history/cover.htm

 

7. Open School BC. Not just for correspondence students any more. OS provides exciting packaged courses for many social studies courses and is available to teachers, schools, students and parents. http://www.pss.gov.bc.ca/osbc/

 

8. Refugees. Do you know that 33 million people (the population of Canada) are stateless refugees today? Check out this site for info. maps and project ideas including “Gimme Shelter”.www.unhcr.org

 

9. Teaching For Thinking. This BC company designs digital learning world history materials that challenge the imagination and stimulate higher order thinking skills. http://www.teachingforthinking.com/index.html

 

10. XA:YTEM. A 9,000-year-old Aboriginal village site that contains “BC’s oldest house” at 6,000 years old! Wow and just a short drive from Vancouver! www.xaytem.ca

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks      March 2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. Access.ca. A new way to find social studies lesson plans, articles, and multi media resources for all grade levels. This is the way to find what you need in your classroom! http://access.ca/home.html

 

2. Canadian Olympic School Program. Free downloadable lesson plans, interactive components, contests and stories about Olympians designed for students between grades 2 and 12. http://www.olympicschool.ca/

 

3. Face To Face: The Canadian Personalities Hall. FTF presents 27 outstanding Canadian men and women whose ideas and contributions have transformed this country. Check out these lessons, activities and games.

http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/biography/biographi100e.shtml

 

4. Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Canada’s National History Society is looking for Canada’s best teachers of Canadian History and Social Studies. http://www.historysociety.ca/gga.asp?subsection=rul

 

5. LIFE photo archive hosted by Google. Wow! For the first time search millions of photographs from the LIFE photo archive from 1750 to today. Lots of Canadian content!

http://images.google.com/hosted/life

 

6. Making Space. A new free resource available from the BC Ministry of Education to help teachers deal with social justice issues across the K-12 curriculum.

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/program_delivery/ss.htm

 

7. Our Roots, Our Future: Experiencing Canada’s National Historic sites in the Classroom. These lessons help students understand how nationally significant places, people and events interacted to create the story of Canada. http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/prof/racines-roots/index_e.asp

 

8. The Premiers. CPAC presents an unprecedented new TV event starting March 1/09 that focuses on the premiers and provinces that shaped a nation. Check out BC’s W.A.C.  Bennett on March 8/09 at 6pm PST. www.cpac.ca

 

9. The Summits of Canada. Join with schools and teachers from across Canada and the world for this unique look at Canada from the rare viewpoint of a mountain expedition. Lessons included! http://www.summitsofcanada.ca/canatrek/expedition/expedition.html

 

10. World Neighbours Canada. Based in BC’s Okanagan Valley, WNC is an international people-to-people organization that supports community initiatives to alleviate hunger, disease and poverty. Get involved today. http://www.worldneighbours.ca/

 

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks  April  2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. BC Public Education Election Kit 2009. Great ideas for teachers planning to hold an all candidates’ meeting in their classroom and to give students insights into public education decision-making. http://bceducation.wordpress.com/

 

2. BC’s 39^th Provincial General Election: May 12, 2009. Judith comfort has done it again with the creation of a new site to help BC teachers and students understand the upcoming election. “This election is an opportunity to bring real life into the classroom”.

http://www.bestlibrary.org/bcelection/

 

3. Canadian Social Forum. Join with other educators and community leaders for the first Canadian Social Forum targeting Canadian poverty-both urban and rural. Witness, experience and participate in what can happen with people working together.

http://www.ccsd.ca/csf/2009/

 

4. The Honorable Steven Point. BC’s Lieutenant Governor has made a pledge to visit as many schools as possible during his term. Invite him to your school! www.ltgov.bc.ca/ltgov/biography.htm

 

5. The Memory Project. The MP is designed to connect veterans and students online and in classrooms across Canada. Over 1,500 veterans are available to visit classrooms and to share their stories with youth. http://www.thememoryproject.com/index.asp

 

6. Meyer & Gita Kron & Ruth Kron-Signal Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education. Awarded annually to a BC elementary or secondary teacher for commitment to teaching about the Holocaust and its lessons for humankind. Apply today. http://vhec.org/development.html

 

7. The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. If you know of someone who should be recognized, please encourage applications. Benefits for teachers, schools and boards are “tremendous”. http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/Home

 

8. Provincial Capital Commission’s Student Travel Subsidy Program. This school year the PCC spent over $200,000 so more than 5,400 students could travel to Victoria. Check out the activities and curriculum connections and plan to bring your class next year. http://bcpcc.com/Outreach/Student_Travel_Subsidies.htm

 

9. Student Vote BC. SV aims to empower teachers to facilitate election curriculum in their classrooms as well as to engage families in elections through dialogue and activities with their children. http://www.studentvote.ca/home.html

 

10. United Nations Cyberschoolbus. A great site aimed at all social studies grade levels to help students learn more about international issues. Lessons, games, classroom project ideas and information-this site has it all. http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org

 

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks  May  2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. BC Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy. An intensive professional development opportunity for grade 4-12 social studies teachers. Apply today! http://www.leg.bc.ca/info/bcti/

 

2. The Commons. “If people won’t come to the museums, the museums will go to the people”. Check out these pictures from the archives of 24 museums from around the world.

http://www.flickr.com/commons?PHPSESSID=ea7b4da468f5935f24b65f41dbfc356f

 

3. Elementary Education Resources-Social Studies-Geography. Another great super site with all kinds of lessons, games and ideas to help make geography come alive in an elementary setting.

http://www.pitt.edu/~poole/eledGeography.html

 

4. “The Good Nazi”. A new movie that documents how John Rabe helped save over 250,000 Chinese from death. This is part of the “multiple perspectives” that is stressed in the BC curriculum. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/festival/film-review-john-rabe-1003939509.story

 

5. Kids’ Stop. A fun zone for students and teachers to find lots of interesting facts about Aboriginal history and language, educational games and stories and classroom resources.

http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/lr/ks/index-eng.asp

 

6. Seal hunt in Canada. A great opportunity for a classroom debate. Have students check the internet for seal hunt “facts”. Then debate the pros and cons and then maybe make your findings known. Start with a search engine like Google. www.google.com

 

7. Statistics Canada. Free lessons dealing with Aboriginal studies, economics, Canadian Studies, civics, environment, geography, history and law. A very active site! http://www.statcan.gc.ca/kits-trousses/edu05_000-eng.htm

 

8. Teachers’ Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy. Spend this November in Ottawa with social studies teachers from across Canada. Submission deadline extended. Apply today!

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Education/TeachersInstitute/index.asp?Language=E

 

9. Teachers Introduction to Cuba Tour. Win a free trip to Cuba August 1 to 8, 2009.Witness an education system based on equality and optimism. Apply today! http://HelloCuba.ca/

 

10. Unicef. When students ask-what can I do to help the children of the world? Help them take action with Unicef. http://www.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=1451

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

 

 

Greg’s TOP 10 Picks  June 2009

Exciting Ideas and Opportunities for Social Studies Teachers and Students!

 

1. Canada’s Political History Newspaper Assignment. An educational and fun end of the year activity for your students. Check out many other great ideas at this site too.

http://www.historysociety.ca/content/en/pdfs/Underhill-Farrell.pdf

 

2. Canada Remembers. Remember Canada is still at war. Check out this site for classroom ideas you can use over the next few months. http://vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=canrem

 

3. Canadian Index of Wellbeing. Set to launch June 10, 2009, the CIW will look at our standard of living, health, community vitality, education, arts, culture, recreation and lots more. www.ciw.ca

 

4. Courses in Heritage Studies. Do you want to improve your skills and knowledge related to heritage studies? Check out this site. http://www.tca.gov.bc.ca/heritage/education_training/studies.htm

 

5. Dignity For All. DFA is a new campaign for a poverty-free Canada. Schools, teachers and students can all be a part of this project to make Canada a better place for everyone. http://www.dignit, placws and things yforall.ca/

 

6. The Importance of Geography in the School Curriculum. This easy to read made in Canada pamphlet will answer your questions about why a good geography education is a necessity for your students. http://www.ccge.org/ccge/english/geoLiteracy/default.asp

 

7. Images Canada. IC provides access to thousands of images of Canadian events, people, places and things that make up our collective heritage. http://www.imagescanada.ca/r1-220-e.html

 

8. Media, Mass Culture and Historical Thinking. Plan to attend another great BCSSTA Conference October 23^rd, 2009 in Port Coquitlam, BC. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/conference/conf_2009/conf_2009_index.html

 

9. Mineral Resources Education Programs of BC. These good folks need your help to ensure they are meeting the needs of teachers and students in their educational programs. Please take a few moments to give them your feedback. Contact Sheila Stenzel at

 stenzel@bcminerals.ca

 

10. National Day of Reconciliation. Mark June 11/2009 on your calendars to remember and discuss the first anniversary of the Government of Canada’s apology for the attitudes and policies that led to residential schools.    http://www.afn.ca/article.asp?id=3

 

 

 

Comments and ideas-Contact Greg at 250-485-8295 gtgsmith@gmail.com . Check out all the great ideas for Social Studies teachers at the BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association website. http://www.bctf.ca/bcssta/

 

 

 

 

 

New on the Net May 2009-Goldsmith

NEW ON THE NET
by Bookmark Contributor John Goldsmith
E-mail: cyberjohn@detools.ca
Blog: http://www.detools.ca

EDUCATION:

The Worksheet Library
http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/

The Worksheet Library is quite literally a web site filled with worksheets (approximately 11,000) on every topic imaginable from Kindergarten to high school.  Worksheets are grouped by subject, grade level and standards (US criteria). 650 are available at no cost. The rest require a subscription fee.  In addition members and non-members can sign up to receive a free worksheet each week.

ENGLISH

Can I Have A Word
http://www.barbican.org.uk/canihaveaword/

“Can I Have A Word” is a web site designed to inspire creative writing at the middle and secondary school level. The site features four projects including the elements, the human body, the Odyssey, and changing voices. These four projects cover the various areas of creative writing such as descriptive writing, conversational and narrative prose, creative character prose, and influential writing.  Teachers will find worksheets and poems, classroom displays, teacher tips, and a link to download the Flash animation to their desktop for easy viewing in the classroom. (Education World News Letter)

Thinkfinity Literacy Network

 http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/tln/
 

The “Thinkfinity” Literacy Network website is filled with valuable literacy resources for teachers, volunteers, adult learners, tutors, parents and students. There are free online courses which focus on the best practices for literacy instruction and lifelong learning habits a library of resources for literacy development which includes print articles and podcasts. Resources can be accessed by keyword, drop down boxes or  by subject, grade, resource type or content partner.  The grade levels include the usual K-12, as well as vocational education, adult education, community college and higher education. (Linda Hof-Webbits)

 

KiddieRecords
http://www.kiddierecords.com/

KiddieRecords is a web site featuring free recordings of popular children’s radio programs from the 1940’s & ‘50’s. Many of the shows were as well known back then as Sesamie Street and the Muppets are today and featured well known period actors and lavish production values. (Diane Flynn Keith – ClickSchooling)

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/harrypottersworld/index.html

This web site is a companion to a traveling exhibition "created to explore the link between Harry Potter and the history of science." The site features illustrated essays comparing Harry Potter's world with the history of science in the areas of potions, monsters, herbology, magical creatures, fantastic beasts, and immortality. Also includes lesson plans, online activities, and a bibliography. (Librarian’s Internet Index)

Literature Learning Ladders
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf826227.tip.html

This site is describes as a web site that will help teachers make the connection between theory and practice by exploring some online resources related to literacy, themes, literature circles, technology, and learning. (Weekly Favourites)

Reading Resources.Net
http://www.readingresource.net

“Reading Resource.net offers free resources and materials for teachers and parents or anyone interested in teaching children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties to read. The site was developed by a certified speech and language pathologist plus an early childhood reading teacher.” (Education World Site Reviews)

LIBRARIES

Libraries and Autism: We're Connected
http://www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/

 

This site provides "a customer service training video primarily for library staff to help them serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively. The video focuses on what you need to know about autism and will empower you with specific techniques to offer more inclusive service to this growing and underserved population." Also includes print resources and links. (Librarians Internet Index)

 

World Digital Library (WDL)

http://www.wdl.org/en/

 

Launched in April 2009, the WDL "makes available on the Internet, free of charge and in multilingual format, significant primary materials from cultures around the world," including manuscripts, maps, books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, and photographs. Browse by place, time, topic, type of item, or institution. Developed by a team at the U.S. Library of Congress, with contributions by national libraries and with the support of UNESCO and companies and private foundations. (Librarians Internet Index)

 

SCIENCE

 

CERES Project
http://btc.montana.edu/CERES/

 

This Center for Educational Resources (CERES) project provides "an extensive library of on-line and interactive K-12 science education materials for teaching astronomy." These resources include online lessons on topics such as planet sizes and lunar phases, two "virtual missions" that show "sequences of NASA images linked to the paths of the Voyager and Galileo missions," information on education standards, and related material. (Linda Hof-Webbits)

 

Gardening With Kids
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf826227.tip.html

Part of the “Thrifty Fun” web site, Gardening With Kids is packed with helpful suggestions and ideas to interest and involve young people in gardening such as giving kids their own space, using kid sized tools using child friendly themes. (Weekly Favourites)

 

Isla Earth Radio Series

http://www.islaearth.org/

 

The Isla Earth Radio Series is a fun and engaging weekday radio program/podcast with an information rich website and free monthly newsletter called the e-Digest. Their team of science writers and editors scour the planet for breaking news about the issues most critical to the health and well- being of this island we call Earth. They bring you the latest on alternative energy development and about the environmental and conservation work of community groups and organizations. An excellent website/resource for environmental science educators.

 

The Virtual Body
http://www.medtropolis.com/vbody.aspx

The Virtual Body is an web site with incredibly detailed graphics and animations of various aspects of the human body, including the brain, skeleton, the heart and digestive system. (Kim Komando’s Site of the Day”.)

SOCIAL STUDIES

Digital Karnak
http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Karnak/

Website devoted to the ancient Egyptian temple of the god Amun in Karnak (near modern day Luxor, Egypt). Features a "timemap" showing the development of the temple complex (view by date or by pharaoh or other leader), video animations of the temple model, modern video footage of Karnak and Luxor, photos, and instructional texts on topics such as daily ritual, architectural features, and construction methods. (Librarians Internet Index)

 

BCTLA Position Statement-Book Levelling and School Library Programs

BCTLA POSITION STATEMENT:                                                                                                  

BOOK LEVELLING AND SCHOOL LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

BCTLA Annual General Meeting, April 2009

The practice of levelling books, used to support guided reading instruction in classrooms, is not consistent with the values of teacher-librarians and should not be applied in part or in whole to school library collections.  Children have opportunities in well-developed school library programs to acquire, develop, and use important lifelong skills that will enable them to select independently their own reading materials.  Levelled collections, whether located in school or classroom libraries, inhibit the use of authentic strategies for selection and directly contradict the message of pursuing reading for the interest and passion it inspires. 

Students have access to school libraries and to teacher-librarians to learn and practice the skills for finding the “just-right” book to read.  School library programs build in opportunities for child or young adult readers to engage in the complex task of finding a book that they can understand, that holds personal interest for them, that speaks to their life experiences or cultural identities or gendered reading preferences, or that extends a topic being studied in class or one catching their attention as something that simply needs to be explored more deeply.  Teacher-librarians, as specialist teachers, work with these sets of understandings about book selection, as well as particular knowledge about individual students gained through relationships built over time, and with the students themselves to help them come independently to the right reading level and the right book.  Teacher-librarians and teachers of literature eschew word counts and syllabic structures as measures of readability, looking instead for literary merit, sophistication of ideas, developmental appropriateness, capacity for engagement, or maturity of theme or language. 

Research into the field of reading literacy supports the position that book levelling is something that ends with classroom guided reading programs and is not meant to apply to classroom libraries or, by obvious extension, to the school library collection (Fountas & Pinnell).  “We seem to be in the midst of a levelling mania in which massive amounts of time, money and energy are devoted to organizing books by reading levels … teachers are driven to attach a level to every text that students encounter during their school day” (Dzaldov & Peterson).  Teachers, in so doing, are well-intentioned as they “whitewash” over the diversity factors of selection noted above in order to reduce the frustration students might experience that unquestionably confounds literacy development.  But these teachers act to suppress students’ natural interests even as they are also reducing

the field of choice, researchers suggest, where they need to be building connections and scaffolding their background knowledge and experience, motivating students to read and enabling them to reach beyond their assessed level, usually measured by a single standardized test which, interestingly, many would argue is inappropriate assessment practice. 

There is little evidence to support the decision to acquire and build levelled collections in our schools.  While certainly supporting the literacy industry, the notion of applying a single strategy to entire collections eliminates the importance of both balanced and differentiated approaches to literacy development in schools, threatens to turn rich and dynamic collections into extended bookrooms, may be largely budget-driven, and is incompatible with the goals for school library programs.  We know that it limits choice and may cause children to miss “great reads.”  Capable readers may not choose books, perceiving them to be too low for them.  Students may miss light reading opportunities that are, in Stephen Krashen’s view, conduits to more substantial reading or, in Jim Trelease’s terms the very “home-run” books that turn a child on to reading more.  Worse still, it may exacerbate reluctance and resistance to reading, stigmatize struggling readers, and mislead others into believing that reading level is the important criterion in choosing a “just-right” book. 

References

Dzaldov, B. S. & Peterson, S.  Book Leveling and Readers. The Reading Teacher. 222-224.  November 2005.  Retrieved March 2009 from ProQuest Education Journals.

Fountas, I. & Pinnell, G. S.  Leveled Books K-8: Matching Texts to Readers for Effective Teaching.  Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2006.

Krashen, S.  The Power of Reading.  2nd ed.  Portsmouth, N.H.: Libraries Unlimited.  2004.

Reuter, K.  Teaching Effective Book-Selection Strategies and Inspiring Engaged Readers in the Library Media Center.  Library MediaConnection. April/May 2008. 26 (7) 18-20. Retrieved March 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals.

Rog, L. J. & Burton, W.  Matching texts and readers: Leveling Early Reading Materials for Assessment and Instruction. The Reading Teacher.  Dec 2001/Jan 2002.  348-356.  Retrieved March 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals. 

Trelease, J.  The Read-Aloud Handbook.  New York: Penguin, 1985.

Wedwick, L. & Wutz, J.  Bookmatch: How to Scaffold Student Book Selection for Independent Reading.  Newark, DE: International Reading Association, 2008.