Beautiful Designs
Our library currently has some wonderful artwork outside done by students in MS Art. We always love hosting the artwork as it really gives a ‘gallery feel’ to the library. However, the other big display right now is for Banned Books Week. The MS Library Council put together a wonderful design to help encourage others to become aware of the issues currently surrounding book banning in the United States. While this is largely out of our control, it is important that our young people be aware of these issues and educated on these issues. A library is first and foremost a place of learning. Everyone is welcome to have their own opinions on this, however for our students, the ability to read is seen as an opportunity. As reported a couple of weeks ago, we have seen a really great uptick in reading and checkouts, so this is an important issue for our students.
Lastly, we have now returned to the library to nearly pre-COVID settings and then modified with what we think are some great improvements. Stop in and see how the Pit has been rearranged, how we have VR available to anyone to explore, and how the upstairs has returned to a silent space for learning/studying. Let us know what you think and what we can do better. Have a great weekend!
Kehe’s Recommendation:
The story takes place in 1957 Madrid during the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, where an awful secret Spain was hiding is slowly revealed. There has been an increase in tourists and diplomats visiting Spain in search of sun and adventure. Daniel, an oil tycoon’s son joins his parents, eager to discover the country of his mother’s birth and explore his passion for photography. An encounter with Ana, a beautiful maid at the hotel where he is staying, opens his heart and shows him the darker side of Franco’s Spain. Featuring colorful characters, including a bullfighter, this is a fast-paced, meticulously researched story. Bell’s Recommendation:
Four Faces of the Moon – by Amanda Strong
While this is a Graphic Novel, it is Historical in nature and it is also realistic as well as memoir. Amanda Strong, the author relates the story of her grandmother and family. It is a deep look into how the middle of North America was settled. A major focus is on the value the buffaloes provided to these people. A side story is the mingling of cultures and languages. This is a book about the celebration of differences and the harshness of the methods used to settle. The artwork and writing is accessible to all and this is one that leaves you thinking. It is beautifully structured and the video is highly recommended.
Tech Tools:
4 Tools to help you in your daily work as a student, teacher, or parent. These three tools together will help you use Google Chrome more effectively.
The first one is a Webtim-Tracker. This will help you identify how much time you are spending on websites. Sometimes we ‘lose’ time to Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, or Tik Toc – All of these programs are ‘Time Thieves.’ They draw you in and then keep you. This Chrome Extension will help you figure out where your time is going and allow you to BlackList sites to keep yourself from being distracted.
Want to write better? Need suggestions on spelling and grammar? ISB pays for the pro version of Grammarly. Simply log in with your ISB email and then add the Chrome Extension for Grammarly. Then everything you write gets a review by Grammarly. It helps me write emails, letters of recommendation, and much more. Use this as a tool to ensure your writing is the best!
Riding home on the bus and getting sick when reading? Have websites read you using the Read Aloud Chrome Extension? This simple extension will read anything in your web browser out loud. This works well, is easy to use, and free!
Digital Citizenship Resource:
Do you know what ‘Trolling’ is? “In Internet slang, a troll is a person who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community”. (Wikipedia) This can move into the realm of bullying or harassing behavior as well. At ISB we work hard to educate about why this is not the way a good digital or any citizen conducts themselves. SpottheTroll is a quick quiz that will allow you test your skills at identifying internet trolls. Take the quiz and check out some of the other resources on the site.