Happy Independence Day!

Ah yes, America...it's that time again. July has swept over us, bringing with it sticky summer days, sweet summer nights, and an explosion of patriotism. If you can bear to unfurl yourself from those red, white and blue streamers and put down that veggie burger, we'd like to share with you some of our favorite "America, yay!" library materials...

Okay folks, step right up! First things first, you've got your history - U.S. history - and plenty of it! From that fateful summer of 1776 to the Civil Rights era, we've got your history needs covered, with titles such as America's Story (IM 973 BER) and Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong (973 LOE).  You'll also find an abundance of materials that put a more unique slant on American history, such as Building a Legacy: Women in Social Education 1784-1984 (372.89 CRO), A History of Black Achievement in America (IE 960.73 AMB), and The Latino Experience in United States History (IM 972 CAB).

When it comes to highlighting our unique nation, history is only the beginning.  We're going to let you in on a little secret...the SERC Library owns nearly 50 National Geographic videos!  These amazing documentaries manage to walk that elusive line between education and fun, and we think they'll be equally useful to a bright-eyed classroom as well as kids on summer vacation who need a little break from the sun.  There are geographical explorations of America's natural beauty, like The Pacific Edge (IM 970 NAT) and Let's Explore a Wetland (IM 591.52 NAT).  Then there are the sciences, from biology - Your Body: Muscular and Skeletal Systems (IM 612 NAT) - to chemistry - Solid, Liquid, Gas (IM 530.4 Nat) - to botany - What is a Leaf? (IM 581 NAT).  You'll also find videos on wartime history, dinosaurs, the four seasons, and geography.  Oh, and our personal favorite, Killer Whales: Wolves of the Sea (IM 597 NAT), which wins based on that title alone!

Of course, being SERC, we also have plenty of items that focus on education in America.  Some of our newest titles in this area are Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Face of Globalization (370.973 ZHA) and Immigrant Families in Contemporary Society (308.4 LAN).

In honor of our nation's birthday, we are offering a free eco-friendly SERC Library tote bag to the first commenter to guess what tune the following is set to: (yes, really!)

For my education degree
I love the SERC Library
From thee I bring:
Tests in rolling suitcases,
DVDs with fancy cases,
IMS, IEs and Young People's Books...
And membership is free!
                                                                                                                                  

21st Century Learning

We have heard the term 21st century skills but what does it mean for the classroom? Technology is moving along at a rapid pace! Using technology is one method of engaging students as they learn. These titles were written to help teachers incorporate a variety of technology which can help keep students excited about learning.

21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in our Times, By Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel (370.73 TRI)
This 206 page book and companion DVD examine the 21st century skills needed as students become citizens of a global world. Topics include skills needed in the areas of learning, innovation, digital literacy, career and life skills and global education. Digital literacy is required!


The World is Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education, By Curtis J. Bonk (331.334467 BON)
This 470 page book explores the exciting and ever-changing world of educational technology and how it has helped open the education world up to anyone with internet access. As more technologies have become available, people in even the most remote reaches of the world can access a wealth of online resources from a vast variety of educators. Communication and learning are now possible between a scientist on a ship in Antarctic waters, a child in a Philippine village and a student studying the environment in a U.S. middle school? Explore!

Teaching Vocabulary with Hypermedia, 6-12, By Susan O' Hara and Robert Pritchard (428.10712 OHA)
This 106 page book focuses on ways to engage students by teaching content area vocabulary using hypermedia and ways to teach studnets create their own hypermedia and virtual learning experiences. A hypermedia environment is one like the World Wide Web that links video, sound, graphics and text with learning. Now that's exciting!

National Educational Bosses Week

To children, the principal's office can be a scary place, reserved for punishment of the worst behavior. But to teachers, the principal's office is...well...still pretty scary! But there's no need to be so intimidated by your boss. Sure, principals and school administrators usually have a lot on their plate, which can sometimes make them seem unapproachable or difficult to connect with. But their bottom line is often the same as your bottom line: giving children the best education possible and facilitating a productive, challenging and ultimately rewarding learning environment. May 16th-22nd is National Educational Bosses Week. In honor of our staid leaders, why not check out some of the SERC Library's favorite books related to school leadership?

Rethinking teacher supervision and evaluation: How to work smart, build collaboration and close the achievement gap, by Kim Marshall (371.144 MAR)
This 258-page book introduces a holistic approach to teacher evaluation, emphasizing informal, quick visits to classrooms to build a rapport between principals and teachers and to allow for a real sense of familiarity to develop, rather than just relying on standardized tests and and metrics to measure performance.

Preparing principals for a changing world: Lessons from effective school leadership programs, by Linda Darling-Hammond (371.201207 DAR)
This 320-page book is a comprehensive resource for implementing effective school policies and programs. By examining a variety of nationwide programs, the author recommends pathways to an ideal educational environment.

Meeting the needs of students of all abilities, 2nd Ed., by Colleen A. Capper and Elise M. Frattura (371.9046 CAP)
This step-by-step 162-page book provides the foundation for school leaders who want to shift from costly special learning programs for a few learners to excellent, inclusive educational services for all students, including English language learners, students with learning disabilities,and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Teachers wanted: Attracting and retaining good teachers, by Daniel A. Heller (371.1 HEL)
The public school system in the United States faces a perpetual challenge in attracting and retaining well qualified teachers. In this handy 114-page book the author, a principal, provides an insider's view of the sources of this ongoing problem and powerful suggestions for resolving it.

Who is your favorite pop culture principal?

Best Evidence Encyclopedia

In your explorations of our blog you may have noticed a link in the sidebar to the Best Evidence Encyclopedia, which may have prompted you to wonder what kind of resource could be worthy of being so prominently featured to the illustrious readers of the SERC Library Blog? Well, let us assure you, dear patrons, the Best Evidence Encyclopedia is truly our cuppa' tea! This informative site rates and summarizes reviews for a variety of programs for use in K-12 education. The website is a product of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education's Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE), and is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences and the U.S. Department of Education. This is an excellent resource for principles, school administrators and teachers. Truly a no-nonsense source of information (unlike our blog, which contains just a teensy bit of nonsense!).

Saturday Hours

This is just a reminder that our Saturday hours end on May 8th this year. The Library will re-open on Saturdays starting in September. Our extended evening hours will continue through June 24th. Thank you!

Attainment's Do the Right Thing: Social Competency in the Community

Do you have students who are trying to "do the right thing"? This interesting kit is designed to help young adults resolve social and community situations and dilemmas they might realistically face. Twenty-five high interest/low vocabulary stories address topics such as handling invitations to social events, emergencies, hospital visits, stranger danger, attending a wedding, making a purchase, reacting to dishonesty and making a mistake. Reproducible worksheets and student activities are provided in the teacher's guide and on the accompanying CD-ROM.