Media matters, Vol. 7, Issue 4 (Nov. 2008)

Inside this issue:

No Principal Left 2 behind

United Streaming 2

TIE Network

3

SAT Info

4

Thinkfinity

6

Jumpstart

6

Kelly Posey

7

Luella

8

Elementary

Media Specialists 9 around the state
Georgia College 10 411
Middle School 10 Media Specialists

CBA

11

COMO pics

12

Media Specialists 12 of the Year

Picturing

13

America

GPB Knowledge 14 Channel

From parapro to 15 LMS

Jones County

16

rocks!

Learners Bill of 17 Rights

Calendar

18

Media Matters

Volume 7 Number 4

November 2008

High School Library Media Specialists Vital to SAT!

The Official SAT Online Course is a terrific web-based tool that you can access from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it is a great way for a student to prepare for the SAT. Once the account is active, a student will be able to access:
18 interactive lessons Six full length, official SAT practice tests, plus a diagnostic pretest Over 600 practice questions Explanation of answers Automated essay scoring Personalized score reports
See page 4 for details.

Join the TIE Network GPB Needs YOU!
(see page 3 for systems who still need a member...or two or three!)

Page 2

Media Matters

Thanks to Doug Johnson and Linworth Publishing for permission to reprint Doug's article "No Principal Left Behind" from his Head for the Edge column, March 2003. Doug has 10 tips for the school Library Media Specialist to help inform and educate your school administrator about good school libraries and the positive impact they can have on students. You will find one tip each month in this newsletter.
Tip #4:
Know you principal's goals and interests.
Can you rattle off right now the three or four things your boss considers important in your school? Test scores? Climate? Meaningful technology use?
Figure out where your goals and your principal's goals overlap. That's not apple polishing that's being politic.
Next month: Try to speak on behalf of a group, not just yourself.

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds.
A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.
William James 1842-1910

A Library Media Specialist asked:
Can I share the United Streaming password with students and parents?
The answer is:
No.
The GPB Education statewide license with Discovery Education is for the streaming service to be provided to K-12 educators (not parents and students).
While the statewide GPB Education streaming resource is provided to K-12 educators, other FREE resources are available for parents, students, and teachers at the following sites:www.thinkfinity.org (accessible from the GA Standards.org website) www.teachersdomain.org (great streaming video and other digital content)

Volume 7 Number 4

Page 3
We will lead the nation in improving student achievement.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Judy Serritella Phone: 404-657-9800 Fax: 404-656-5744 E-mail: jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us
1754 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334

The GPB Technology in Education (TIE) Network is Georgia's own professional network of educators who are passionate about integrating technology into the classroom to enhance student performance. Currently, the TIE Network has over 900 members who contribute to the community blog, share resources online through the TIE Network website, and attend regional events hosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting.
One of GPB's goals is to recruit at least one TIE Network member from every school district in Georgia by December 31, 2008. They currently have members representing 116 of the 181 school districts in the state. In order to reach 100 % participation of all Georgia school districts, we need your help! If you are an educator in one of the districts listed below, we'd love for you to join the GPB TIE Network.

Bacon County Buford City
Charlton County
Clay County Dodge County Emanuel County Jeff Davis County Marion County Pelham City Quitman County Taliaferro County Turner County Wilcox County

Ben Hill County Burke County
Chattahoochee County
Commerce City Dooly County Fannin County Jenkins County Morgan County Pierce County Rabun County Taylor County Walker County Wilkes County

Bleckley County Butts County

Brantley County Calhoun City

Chattooga County

Chickamauga City

Crawford County Early County Floyd County Johnson County Oglethorpe County Pike County Randolph County Toombs County Joined! Webster County Wilkinson County

Dade County Echols County Haralson County Macon County Peach County Polk County Schley County Trion City Wheeler County Worth County

We invite you to visit the online professional community at www.tienetwork.org where you can join the group and become a contributing member of the GPB TIE Network.

Page 4

SAT Online

Media Matters

The GaDOE has a subscription to SAT Online and has had this wonderful resource for the past four years. However, it is not being used to its fullest potential.
At a recent meeting, State Superintendent Kathy Cox said that we need to get the high school Library Media Specialists on board...and I agree. When you have an educator in the building who works with students, teachers, staff, and parents....what a resource and what an opportunity we have to make a difference!
The message below is from Becky Chambers. Please remember...we don't want just a high number of students registering...we want a high number of students USING SAT Online! You are also not "in charge" of the SAT program, but rather the PR person, the encourager, the cheerleader!
I wonder which high schools in the state will take up this challenge!
GaDOE hopes that every high school media center in the state becomes a hub for registering students in the SAT Online Course!
SAT Online is a web-based tutorial the state of Georgia makes available to all students grades 9-12, high school teachers, media specialists, counselors, and administrators. SAT Online gives students access to six practice SAT tests and provides students with explanations of answers to all questions in the online course. Plus, the program allows students to work through 18 interactive lessons which cover the SAT math, critical reading, and writing sections. The lessons feature interactive activities and multimedia content. The lessons are accompanied with practice quizzes. All quizzes, essays, and online tests in the program are computer scored, immediately. Students receive scores and detailed personalized feedback within seconds.
Educators may receive student, class, and school reports to follow students' progress in SAT Online. The detailed reports provide educators with views at item, quiz, and test levels.
All of our media specialists may establish SAT Online accounts as educators, by requesting a teacher activation code. To request a code, email satonlinecourseschool@collegeboard.com.
Upon receipt of your code, go to www.satonlinecourseschool.com.
(continued on next page)

Volume 7 Number 4

Page 5

SAT Online (continued)
On the right-hand side of the web page in the "Educators" section, click on "Register Now!"
On the next web page, enter the activation code and the six digit College Board testing code for the high school .
Each code may be used only once by an individual teacher.
Once you have successfully created an Educator account, you can proceed to The Official SAT Online Course. On all subsequent visits, you will use the username and password you created. With your educator account, you can print activation codes for students by entering SAT Online, clicking on the Class Management Tab. On the Class Management web page, look to the left-hand side and click on Manage Student Accounts. This option will let you print activation codes for students.
Students follow the same registration process as educators, but must register under the "student" section on the homepage of SAT Online.
Questions? Contact the SAT support unit at GaDOE:
Georgia McSwain, gmcswain@doe.k12.ga.us, 404-657-9799; or Bonnie Marshall, bmarshall@doe.k12.ga.us, 404-656-6854.

(At this writing, over 60 Library Media Specialists have emailed SAT Online for their code!)

A good book has no ending. R. D. Cummings

Page 6

Media Matters

Thinkfinity @your library!
Check out the Thinkfinity page just for Library Media Specialists. On the main page (available from GeorgiaStandards.org. Scroll down to "Thinkfinity @ your library." Be prepared to be amazed!
Emily Jennette, Georgia's 2008 Teacher of the Year, recently traveled to NYC with TOTYs from across the country. Emily visited the Today Show to promote the Jumpstart Program that many of you participated in a few weeks ago.

Volume 17, NIssuumeb1er 4
Jasper Elementary Patch Club!
Check out Kelly Posey's wonderful webpage for the Jasper Elementary (Pickens County) Library Media Center.
Kelly does many outstanding things with her Library Media Center program, her students, and teachers.
One of Kelly's innovative projects is the Patch Club. The Patch Club is a reading program sponsored by the Media Center to encourage the school community to read a wide variety of books. Readers can choose the categories that interest them and read books from that category to earn a patch. Readers can choose which reading plan they want to use for each category.
To earn a Patch Club Hat, you must read one chapter book or five picture books (from any category). Fill out a Patch Club Hat Tally Sheet once you've read your books and turn it in to the Media Center.
Patch Club Hats may be worn every Friday. The club is open to all students, faculty and staff of Jasper Elementary. Parents can also join.
More details at:
http://jesmedia.wordpress.com/jes-patch-club/

Page 7

Helen O'Brien, Media Specialist at Level Grove Elementary in Cornelia, took her Kathy Cox Georgia Read More poster and let the world know that our superintendent is really, really smart!

Page 8

We will lead the nation in improving student achievement.

Media Matters

Luella Elementary School (Henry County) held an Open House to celebrate their recent selection as National School Library Media Program. Media Specialist Anne Wallace was the consummate hostess to many, many visitors.

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? John Wooden

Volume 7 Number 4

Library Media Specialists Around the State

Media Matters

Pioneer RESA Media Consortium

Check out the blog on the GLMA website for a lot of wonderful
information.

Heart of Georgia RESA Media Consortium

Does your ETC or RESA have a Media Consortium? Many do...but some don't.

Page 10

Georgia College 411!

GAcollege411 is a mentor system which is an online resource to help students and their families select a college, apply for admission, and plan to finance higher education.

The mission of GAcollege411 is to: 1) increase access to postsecondary education in the state of Georgia and, 2) make the tasks and processes related to planning, applying, and paying for higher education simpler.

GAcollege411 offers access to information about colleges, universities, and technical colleges in Georgia. The student is responsible for the standard application fee charged by the college or university when submitting an application for admission, but otherwise, the GAcollege411 mentor system is provided free of charge.

Personal data entered by the user is not released to third parties without the user's express consent and direction.

Check it out at: http://www.gacollege411.org

Attention Middle School Library Media Specialists:
Are you doing something innovative, interesting, outstanding, as well as making a positive impact at your school?
Please consider applying to be a presenter at the 32nd Annual Georgia Middle School Association Conference. The conference will be held on February 23-24, 2009, in Savannah at the Riverfront Marriott.
Registration cost is $130 for members, $190 for non-members, $75 for presenters, and $25 for students. People who register before November 10th will receive $20 off the registration fee.
For more details and to download the forms go to:
http://www.gmsa.net/

Volume 7 Number 4

Page 11

Georgia Children's Book Award Conference A Call for Presenters
If you have programs, activities, research, or ideas about children's literature to share, UGA would like to hear from you! Please consider being a PRESENTER at the 40th Annual Conference on Children's Literature, to be held in Athens on March 6-7, 2009.
They are especially interested in presenters who are Public librarians School media specialists Classroom teachers Reading specialists Graduate students General enthusiasts of children's literature
The small group sessions offer a great opportunity for sharing your passion and expertise in any aspect of teaching children's literature with your colleagues and individuals interested in this field.
Here are some ideas for possible topics that you might consider:
- reading in the classroom, media center, public library, and at home - exploring various literary genres - exploring children's responses to literature - reaching reluctant readers - helping children find books they can read and enjoy - exploring the library and media center - literature and teaching standards
readers theatre organizing to participate in the GA Book Awards -- tips from your school
Please note that the breakout session proposals will need to be submitted earlier this year.
Presentation proposals are due no later than November 05, 2008. To access the application form, please go to: http://www.coe.uga.edu/gcba/award/submit_presenterform.html
UGA hopes that you will join them both as participants and presenters.
Please visit their website www.coe.uga.edu/gcba for updates and details about the 2009 Conference.
If you have any questions about presentation topics, the conference, or the Georgia Children's Book Award program, please do not hesitate to contact UGA at gcba@uga.edu

Page 12

Were you there?

The Media Coordinators from around the state had a round table discussion.
Congrtaotuallal!tions

Andy Spinks had a wonderful presentation about assessment.

Library Media Specialists of the Year From L-R: Rebecca Greene, Janie Cowan, Pattie Morton, Stephen Williams, Judi Teston, and Anna Oliff.
Rebecca (Bibb County) was named the Georgia Media Specialist of the Year!

Volume 7 Number 4

Page 13

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Martha Reichrath, APS representative Kathy Augustine, and NEH Chairman Bruce Cole at the Picturing America Kickoff event at the MLK Center.
DEADw(LsweIweN.tghaEedoSeet.pootregbma/sNeibpae_eproansalv_ynleidebfmrOxoactrrtybeo.aPebnsepridrxcM?e1tPedu4adgtrieathiRoMne!qag=ttIAeTrAsmrfochreidvreeidtcaNiales)whsas

Page 14

Media Matters

WHERE CAN I FIND MY FAVORITE GPB EDUCATION PROGRAMS?
Georgia Public Broadcasting launched a new digital education channel on October 1, 2008. This new channel, GPB Knowledge, will be available throughout the state of Georgia and will replace the existing satellite delivery method (formerly PeachStar Satellite Programming.) Much of the content is available through GPB Education Streaming and the GPB Digital Library On-Demand, as well as on our new channel, GPB Knowledge. Educators have the same recording rights as before.
To receive GPB Education programs, educators have the option of: live viewing of GPB Knowledge (on television) downloading from GPB Education Streaming to their computers for later viewing storing on portable devices for more convenient viewing (i.e., flash drives or burning to CDs)
Schools will receive GPB Knowledge via: cable - Contact your local cable provider for channel location. commercial satellite digital receiver - Tune to 8.3 for our new digital channel, GPB Knowledge. A converter box may be purchased wherever electronics are sold and costs between $40 and $80. A converter box will convert analog televisions - these are TVs with "rabbit ear" antennas - to digital so you and your students may enjoy digital broadcasting.
In the event that your area does not have access to broadcast television and you'd like to watch GPB Knowledge, the channel may be accessed on your computer by using a USBTV tuner and antenna.
GPB Education Streaming will continue to provide On-Demand delivery of over 5,000 full-length videos with segments and educator resources. Visit www.gpb.org/education for more information and a complete list of all GPB Education programs.
Remember - you can enjoy Pipeline as a BLOG! You can subscribe to RSS feeds for Pipeline. By subscribing to RSS feeds, new content will be distributed to you as soon as it is posted. Depending upon the web browser used, you may need to download a feed reader before you are able to begin using RSS feeds. If your browser has a built-in feed reader, simply click on the RSS icon in the URL address box when you are on the blog's homepage to add the blog to your feed reader. If your browser does not have a feed reader, you can find suggestions on which feed reader to download at www.gpb.org/rss.
You can check out all the GPB Education blogs by visiting www.gpb.org/education.

Volume 1, Issue 1
From ParaPro to Media Specialist: True Stories from the Library Media Centers of Georgia

Page 15

I began my library media career as a student aide in my high school library. Our librarian really enjoyed books and her career. Her enthusiasm was contagious!

I continued my own library media career at our local public library. During this time I earned a degree in early childhood education. I attended college full-time and worked part-time while raising a family. After I graduated from college, I worked as a full-time library media specialist for three years with a provisional certificate. At this time, I earned a masters in media from the University of Georgia.

Now I am in the 19th year of my career in education. I have been in the classroom for eleven (11) years and eight (8) in the library media center. I currently serve a K-5 elementary school.

Don't ever give-up (Winston Churchill) on your dream of becoming a media specialist! It's a great career!

The job is different everyday, and to be able to assist with one's reading or enjoyment of literature is a gift that is very valuable and precious as we serve others.

Colleen Swanson Ed. S. Towns County Elem. School Hiawassee, Georgia 30512

Please share these inspiring stories with your parapro. We may have many more future Library Media Specialists just waiting for those little words of
encouragement.

Do you have a story to share? Please send it (along
with a picture of yourself) to: Judy Serritella at jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

Page 16

Jones County Schools Celebrate "The Year of the Media Center"

Jones County Schools are celebrating the "Year of the Media Center" during the 2008-2009 year. Throughout the year, many activities and events are planned to keep the media centers in the spotlight. Eight different schools comprise the Jones County System and serve over 5,500 students in Gray and the surrounding areas.
Planning for the event began during the summer when media specialists and their paraprofessionals met for two days to plan and organize themes, activities, and fundraisers to spotlight their media center being the "HOTS" or the "Heartbeat of the School". Each month during the school year has a common literacy theme, with the theme condensed or expanded to meet the needs of elementary, middle, and secondary students.
The district calendar was printed and distributed to each family in the district, with pertinent district and school dates and information. Each month of the calendar highlighted a different school and their media center. To kick-off the year-long celebration, Media Specialists were treated to an ice-cream social by Jones County Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vicki Rogers and Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Ms. Monica Radcliff.
During the September Jones County School Board meeting, Media Specialists introduced Board members to the various roles and duties performed by a media specialist, as well as their plans for the year. There were presentations from the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Several events are planned to assist with fundraising. "Pennies for Pages" is a loose change fundraiser and an "Old Book Sale" will also be held in January of 2009 to raise even more funds. Throughout this school year, media specialists will continue to highlight the wonderful things school library media centers have to offer students, staff and the community, as well as how they can affect student learning and achievement. In Jones County, Georgia, the Media Center is the HOTS!

Volume 7 Number 4

Page 17

Learner's Bill of Rights The learner has the right to: 1.question and be curious. 2. have personal ideas. 3. choose how to learn and share understanding. 4. plan and participate in learning at a level that's appropriate. 5. grapple with challenging ideas or concepts. 6. access the information and resources needed. 7. participate in and contribute to a learning network. 8. think critically, solve problems and make decisions. 9. make mistakes and learn from them. 10. reflect on learning.
Copyright: 2008,Colorado School Library Leaders

Storybook Character Day at Ellijay
(Gilmer) Primary!

Sund a y

November 2008
Georgia Department of Education

Mond a y

Tue sd a y

W e dn e sda y

Thursday

Frida y

Sa tur da y
1
Stephen Crane born: 1871-1900

2

3

4

What is the

Betty Bao Lord's Electio n Day!

Spruce Goose? birthday: 1938- Gail E. Haley:

1939-

5

6

7

Roosevelt elected Birthd ay of John

to 4th term:

Philip

1944

Sous a --1854-

1932

Birthd ay of Albert Camus: 1913-1960

8
Bram Stoker's birthda y: 18471912

9

10 11

Lynn Hall's birthda y: 1937-

Nation al Young Mayflo wer

Reader's Week Compact

W. E.

Bu- Signed --1620

tterwo rth--

1929-1990

12 13

Marjorie

Birthd ay of

Weinman

Robert Louis

Sharmat--1928- Steven son--

1850-1894

14
William Steig-- 19072003

15
Daniel Pinkwa ter-- 1941-

16
Birthd ay of Jean Fritz-- 1915-

17
Suez Canal formally opene d--1869

18
Antarc tica Discov ered-- 1820

19
Nation al Educational Support Profes sionals Day

20
Marion Dane Bauer-- 1938-

21 22
Elizabeth George George Speare--1908- Eliot--1819-1880 1994
Leo Po liti--19081996

23 24 25

Franklin Pierce is born: 1804

.Darwin published Marc On the Origin of Brown --1946the Sp ecies: 1859

26
Charle s Schult z--19222000

27
Thanksgiving

28
William Blake-- 17571827

29
C. S. Lewis-- 1898-1963
Louisa May Alcott --18321888

30
Mark Twain (Samu el Clemen s)--18351910

October S M TW T F S
1234 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Decembe r S M TW T F S
123456 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. C.S. Lewis