Media matters, Vol. 2, Issue 8 (Mar. 2004)

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 8

MARCH 2004

MEDIA MATTERS

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Wake Me Up! I Must Be Dreaming!
My First Summer at the Governor's Honors Program

By Dr. Paula Chambers Media Specialist
West Bainbridge Elementary 507 Martin Street
Bainbridge, GA 31717
Last spring I read that a media specialist position was available at the Governor's Honors Program at Valdosta State University. I did not know very much about the program, except that it is for high school gifted students and I was excited that the location would be less than two hours from where I live .

Governor's Honors is a six-week summer instructional program designed to provide intellectuallyand artistically-talented rising junior and senior high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. This exceptional summer enrichment program is designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge, while having a remarkable time. With this information in mind, I decided to apply. Little did I realize that I was about to begin a wonderful summer of teaching, learning, and developing inspiring friendships with my peers and students. My ideal job began with a telephone interview with Dale Lyles, Assistant Director of the Governor's Honors Program. In the spring, I interviewed with Dr. Joe Searle, Program Director, in his office in Atlanta. At last, I was hired officially!

(continued on next page)

Inside this issue

Finding Unique Ways to Connect

3

Hershey's Contest

4

Dr. Seuss and GLC

4

Ohio Study

5

Why I love being a media specialist

5

Do the LoTI Motion

6

Idea Corner

7

March Calendar

8

MEDIA MATTERS
Page 2
(continued from page 1)
The 13 major instructional areas are: agriscience/biotechnology, English (communication arts), foreign languages, mathematics, science, social studies, visual art, theater, music, dance, design, technology, and executive management. Instruction is also provided in four support areas: computers, counseling, library/media, and physical fitness. As part of my "Media Orientation" for each instructional area, instructors asked me to show their students where the materials for each particular instructional area would be found in the stacks. No Dewey used here. I never dreamed how fast Library of Congress cataloging comes back when one is slightly panicked!
Each day I worked with students and instructors in groups and/or individual situations. I relished helping students with individual research, such as finding environmental resources about Valdosta's Lake Louise, locating images of Gothic architecture, discovering different sources of information on the San Fermin Festival (The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona). I did research with a German major to find a collection of German fairy tales titled Der Sruwwelpeter, an historical collection of German cautionary tales meant to scare the daylights out of small children.
I collaborated with instructors to develop different ways to help students. For example, one student seemed "blocked" with getting usable digital photographs for her Adobe Photoshop assignment. I grabbed my digital camera and we both took shots all over campus. She showed me how to take a picture of a reflection in a puddle left by the rain. Her newest photographs allowed her to finish her assignment. What a joyful assignment this was! Also, I enjoyed critiquing math presentations, going with the science majors on short field trips, and being able to contribute to the theater major's performance about Terezin, the children's concentration camp in Prague. I negotiated with Rabbi Elbaz and his wife to speak with the theater majors and answer their well thought-out questions.
In the evenings, performing arts major areas rotate performances. There are over 150 performing arts majors at GHP, including music, theater, and dance. Most weekends there is a concert or performance of some sort. Music, dance, and theater majors put on several wonderful performances. I was thrilled to be called on stage at the theater major's "Live at the Improv." It was "This Is Your Life, Dr. Chambers!" One great line was, "Look, Dr. Chambers, you're in Heaven. It's the Library of Congress!!"
After GHP life is not quite the same. When I arrived home, a thank you note was waiting for me from one of the students. He thanked me for being the best media specialist he ever had. I checked with fellow instructors to find thank you notes were not mandatory. I remain in contact by e-mail and telephone with many of the instructors and look forward to another summer at GHP, a definite dream come true.

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 8
Page 3
Finding Unique Ways to Connect with Students and Teachers
Judy Serritella
As I read about Paula's experience, I was encouraged by the way she took the initiative to find a unique way to connect with students and teachers. I also found myself wishing that I could be a media specialist at the Governor's Honors Program! I imagine some of you feel the same way. However, the Governor's Honor Program isn't the only statewide initiative that needs your involvement. Here is a list of other ways you can be involved right now in your own school:
Some suggestions include:
Become a familiar with LoTI. Encourage your faculty and staff to use this free service and the wonderful resources located at: http://www.lotilounge.com/ (see page 3 of this newsletter for more information on LoTI).
Use and promote Georgia Learning Connections (GLC). Submit lesson plans that you have developed. Encourage your faculty to submit lesson plans. There is an online tutorial on the Valdosta ETTC site. This excellent tutorial is available at: http://ettc.valdosta.edu/. There is also an excellent source of information on GLC under Professional Development/GLC Training Materials.
Look at the State Technology Plan. Share this information with your faculty and staff. http://techservices.doe.k12.ga.us/edtech/2003techplan.php
Did you conduct the Hardware Survey at your school? The assessment is posted on the DOE site at: http://techservices.doe.k12.ga.us/edtech/edtechinventory.htm You can look at your system, your school, and the entire state. You can search for your school by hitting "control f" and entering your school name. Work on an analysis of your school's hardware. Present it to your faculty at a staff or department meetings.
Keep abreast of legislation that affects schools, library media centers, and students. Keep your faculty and staff informed. Two current bills in the state legislature that concern library media programs are: SB 429 and HB 1190. You can access more information about these bills at: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/leg/legislation.htm
Support your professional organizations. Accept leadership positions, volunteer for presentations, and serve on committees. GLMA and GLA both provide legislative information, grant opportunities, conferences, and more. GLMA: http://www.glma-inc.org/ GLA: http://www.library.gsu.edu/gla/
Apply for the Exemplary Media Program. This is an excellent way to share your ideas, your media program, and to let others know how vital media specialists and media centers are to the students and teachers they serve.

MEDIA MATTERS
Page 4

The Cat in the Hat art TM and copyright 2003 by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved Copyright 2003 Random House, Inc

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Take advantage of the wonderful resources located on the
Georgia Learning Connection page.
URL: www.glc.k12.ga.us
Choose: Teacher Resource Center
Choose: Literature Resources
Direct link: http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/trc/cluster.asp?
mode=browse&intPathID=5304

With Tony Hawk on the ramp, HERSHEY'S Milk and Milk Shakes and America's libraries have issued a national call to action for America's teens. And what's the challenge? For your students to check-out one of one of their favorite books - those found on the shelves of libraries - and submit an entry about how the book is meaningful to them. The students may work alone or in teams of up to four and are encouraged to be creative in their submissions. There are two categories in which students can submit an entry - a written essay or a creative entry including a poem, painting, or video - it's entirely up to the students. All a student needs to do is print and fill out contact information on the sponsor and contestant form (http://www.hersheysmilk.com/ getonboard/downloads/librarian_sponsor_form.pdf) and take it to the library media specialist to sign once a student has read a book from the local public or school library and created the entry.
Mail the entries to Get on Board and Read @ your library, PO Box 118070, Chicago, IL60611. See official rules for more details.
(http://www.hersheysmilk.com/getonboard/getonboard/index.asp)

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 8
Page 5
New Study Confirms School Media Centers Play Major Role in Helping Ohio Students Learn
Portray Librarians as Dynamic Agents of Student Learning and Student Achievement COLUMBUS Nearly 100 percent of Ohio students who took part in a research study indicated that the school library, its services and school librarians have helped them with their learning. More than 13,000 students from Grades 3-12 throughout the state participated in the study, Student Learning through Ohio School Libraries, which sought to understand how students benefit from school libraries and to quantify the school library's relationship to student learning.
Unlike studies done by others in the field, this research focused on student evaluation of the media center. What do your students say about their school library program? Maybe we should ask them to tell others and us. You can read more about the study, the research findings, student comments, frequently asked questions, and a PowerPoint presentation, and much more at:

Why I love being a media specialist.

Why do I love being a library media specialist? It is that light bulb that goes off over their heads when you help them find more information that they thought possible with so few books, not relying entirely on the Internet, and looking in books they did not think could be used.
Shyrell Owen Media Specialist 16 years Crawford County Middle School Roberta, GA.

I love learning. I love children. I love information, books, and libraries. I love teaching information literacy. I love problem-solving. I love helping others and satisfying needs. I love making a difference in someone's life.
Jane E. Roberts Milford Elementary School Cobb County

MEDIA MATTERS

Page 6

The Level of Implementation (LoTI) surveys are designed to provide descriptive data on how technology is being used in classrooms. The online LoTI surveys include 40-50 questions and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Results are reported in terms of LoTI levels, Personal Computer Use, and Current Instructional Practices.
Through a contract with the National Business in Education Alliance (NBEA) the Georgia Department of Education has made the LoTI surveys available at no charge to school systems through August 30, 2004. Using LoTI is not mandatory but the surveys are simply one way of gathering information useful for technology planning, grant proposal preparation, and/or program evaluation.
Your system's Lotus Notes Technology Coordinator has the information needed for you to access the survey. Please contact this individual for the URL, password, group name, and directions.
The LoTI Lounge Web page (http://www.lotilounge.com/) has project information, articles, research, professional development opportunities, and a lot more.
Why do you love what you do? Please share your thoughts. Send an email to:
jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Student achievement is the bottom line!
1952 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Kathy Cox, State Superintendent

Share your story, your ideas, a tip or two. E-mail: jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

Phone: 404-657-9800 Fax: 404-657-6822
E-mail: jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

IDEA CORNER

When it comes time to order a few new "READ" posters from the ALA graphics catalog, I post the catalog pages on the bulletin board in the media center and have the students vote for their favorites. They enjoy seeing who wins and having input into the decoration of their media center
Catherine Chastain Westside Middle School Barrow County Schools 5 years

I had to have an attitude adjustment after my first year. My office is a quick shortcut to the bathroom and copy room. No matter that there are five other ways to get there, teachers are used to going through my office. My first year I tried stopping the parade without success. By that summer I embraced the constant flow. I keep candy, office supplies (and air freshener) by the door and phone. I am using these quick bits of visits to inform teachers what we are doing in the media center and ask what they need from us.
Susan Lamothe Media Specialist Russell Elementary

We made "celebrity posters" of the people who deal with all the students i.e., principal, assistant principal, art, music, and PE teachers, media parapro, head custodian, and cafeteria director. They were all reading their favorite children's book. I had KINKOS blow them up to 18x24 posters and then I laminated them.
Beth Tovi Media Specialist King Springs Elementary School

MARCH 2004

Library Media Calendar

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

1

2

3

4

5

Saturday
6

1st census: 1790 Dr. Seuss's birth-

Meindart DeJong T he Boston Mass- Ring Lardner, Mic-

Robert Lowell day!!! 1904-1991

born: 1906-1991 acre: 1770

helangelo and

born: 1917-1977

Star Spangled Banner declared

Elizabeth Barrett Brownin g born.

National Anthem:

1931

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

Kenneth Grahame born: 1859-1932

Death of Harriet T ubman: 1913

T elephone patented: 1876

Amerigo Vespucci born: 1451-1512

Birthday of WandaJuliette Low found-Uranus discovered: Gag: 1893-1946 ed Girl Scouts: 1781 1912

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Albert Einstein's birthday: 18791955

1st African American

Wyatt Earp born: Lois Lowry born:

newspaper published:

1848 -1 929

1937 -

1827

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Andrew Jackson born: 1767-1845

James Madi- St . Pat rick 's Day! Birthday of Grover

son born:

Cleveland: 1837-

1751-1836

1908

published: 1852

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Johann Bach born:Birthday of Rando-Patrick Henry give2s6th amendment Birthday of Flan- Birthday of RobertAlaskan earth-

1685 -1 750

lph Caldecott: famous speech: ratified: 1971 nery O'Connor: Frost: 1874-1963 quake: 1964

1846 -1 886

1775

Mary Stolz born: 1925-1964 T ennessee Willia-

Louis L'Amour

1920 -

Linda Sue Park ms born: 1911-

born: 1908-1988

born: 1960-

1983

28 29
Ch ild Labor Law enacted: 1848

30
Amendment 15 ratified: 1870

John Tyler born: 1790 -1 862

31
Eiffel Tower officially opens: 1889
Octavio Paz born: 1914 -1 998

February
S M T WT F S
1234567 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

April
S M T WT F S
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I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by
the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Booker T. Washington