The Media/Tech Minute

We're starting the month off with our Fall Book Fair, and then we have the annual librarians conference and Fall Festival thrown into the mix, among all the other things going on, so this is always a crazy month--hang on tight!

The NC Reading Association's annual Young Authors and Illustrators Project is going on, and members can submit up to 5 students' pieces into the contest. We had 3 state winners published in last year's book, and I hope to have more this year. Please let me know if you're interested in introducing this with your class. I'd be happy to collaborate with you on this wonderful opportunity!

The theme is connected to literacy and innovation for a reimagined world, and there are lots of ways to incorporate that into some neat writing pieces. All pieces must be submitted for local judging no later than November 2nd, and I can help you with this if you have questions.

Check out the website for more info!

Kindergarten:

Focus--Sharing; Being Yourself

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• I Need My Monster! by Amanda Noll
• Library Orientation/Book Care
• "Hands Go Up" Song
• "Bookie Lookie" Song

• Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
• Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds
• Library Orientation/Book Care
• "Hands Go Up" Song
• "Bookie Lookie" Song

2nd: Focus--Facing Your Fears; Bravery; Friendship

• The Dark by Lemony Snicket
• Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett (illustrated by Christian Robinson)
• "Hands Go Up" Song
• "Bookie Lookie" Song

3rd: Focus--Skeletal System; October Cultural Celebrations

• Skulls by Blair Thornburgh
• Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
• Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler

4th: Focus--Genres (scary/horror); "Dare to Be Scared!"

• Patrick Carman "3:15" stories--"Intruder Alert!"
• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz--"Just Delicious" and "The Babysitter" (audiobook)

5th: Focus--Genres (scary/horror); "Dare to Be Scared!"

• Patrick Carman "3:15" stories--"Snap!"
• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz--"The Dream" and "Harold" (audiobook)

Stations/Centers/Activities:

• Wooden "Tetris" set
• People stacking STEAM challenge
• Guess the Mystery Book (book quote station)
• Book Recommendation Station
• Ride and Read Station
• Puzzle station
• STEM stations with building supplies
• Lego Station: Build a haunted house, a fire station, a pumpkin patch, or an apple orchard
• "I Spy" station
• Magnet boards
• Bookmark Creation Station
• Keva Planks
• Tic-Tac-Toe
• Checkers

Library Schedule:

**September 24th-October 2nd--Fall Book Fair (No Library Classes)

October 5-9--Week A

October 12-16--Week B

October 19th--Checkouts ONLY (Sign up for a quick checkout for your class HERE)

*October 20th--DTL Meeting 8-12:00

*October 21st-23rd--Golightly Out at NCSLMA Conference (No Library Classes)

October 26-30th--Week B

November 2nd-6th--Week A (Check-ins as well, so some a.m. classes affected)

Click the image above to see a slides presentation with everything you need to participate in the Global Read Aloud. The books that are most appropriate for our age groups are:

*The Dan Santat picture book study (one book per week)
*Growing Home by Beth Ferry (early chapter book readers)
*The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly (older chapter book readers)

I have read all of the elementary selections and can tell you these are some great books! I have ordered a copy of each for the library, and I'd be happy to help anyone get started who's interested! I've participated as a classroom teacher, ESL teacher, and librarian, and it is really fun for students to make those global connections with other readers around the world. Let me know how I can help you get started!

Below is an image linked to the picture book Padlet I've created. This is just one easy way to connect with others after reading these stories. Every year kids from all over the world connect this way, and it's asynchronous so it can be at your convenience.

These Tech Tidbits are just in time for the busyness of our fall schedules--hope you find something fun or helpful to make this season a little better for you and your students!

Remember, if you have questions about technology or new tools you'd like more information about, let me know, and your question may be featured in a future "Tech Tidbit"!

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Do you need CEUs? Are you trying to move from "proficient" on your teacher evaluation tool to "accomplished" or "distinguished" and looking for ways to do that? Join the Crystal Coast Reading Council! The Crystal Coast Reading Council (CCRC) is the local level of the International (ILA) and NC Reading Association (NCRA). As Past President and current Digital Media Director of the NC Reading Association and past president of the Crystal Coast Reading Council, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. We would love to have you join us!

Mission Statement: To foster lifelong literacy for all citizens by partnering with educators, parents, and community members through programs, meetings, and scholarships.

We provide monthly PD (both virtual and face-to-face opportunities), and we also sponsor a statewide Young Authors and Illustrators Contest. Our next meeting will be October 15th from 5-7pm at Michelle & Laura's Charcuterie (down Hwy 24) and we will be doing book bedazzling. Bring a book or two that you love and would like to decorate, and we will supply the materials! This is a great time for conversation, creativity, and connection with other educators. I hope you can make it!

Library Schedule:

**September 24th-October 2nd--Fall Book Fair (No Library Classes)

October 5-9--Week A

October 12-16--Week B

October 19th--Checkouts ONLY (Sign up for a quick checkout for your class HERE)

*October 20th--DTL Meeting 8-12:00

*October 21st-23rd--Golightly Out at NCSLMA Conference (No Library Classes)

October 26-30th--Week B

November 2nd-6th--Week A (Checkins as well, so some a.m. classes affected)

If you see open slots and would like to work with me on a research project or the annual Young Authors Project, please reach out! You can bring your class to me or I can come to you and collaborate to help students submit writing for the Young Authors Project. (9:45-10:45 in your morning block is a GREAT time for us to work on projects together.)

(Currently available on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, I Heart Radio, and Google)

Email: emily.golightly@carteretk12.org
Website: bit.ly/golightlyreads
Location: 219 Chatham Street, Newport, NC, USA
Phone: 252.223.4201 x324426
Facebook: facebook.com/nesmediacenter
Twitter/X: @EmilyGolightly3

Email: john.daniels@carteretk12.org

Location: 219 Chatham Street, Newport, NC, USA

Phone: 252.223.4201 x324409