Alabama LM Update January 2025
On January 17th from 9:30-10:30, Crystal Ballard, an Implementation and Training Specialist, will present on TeachingBooks for Elementary Librarians and will be available to answer your questions afterward. In the afternoon, from 1:30-2:30, Kat Baxter and Jennifer Northrup will present on our ALSDE Board-approved Library Handbook.
From Crystal: Explore TeachingBooks and uncover new ways to help readers connect to books, authors, and illustrators. Unlimited access, provided at no charge by AVL, to professionally vetted resources like author interviews, book trailers, lesson guides, and more, is seamless. So, take advantage and start exploring!
Don’t forget to check our First Fridays site for topics, registration, and archived sessions! (All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to our First Fridays site.) If you have any session requests or are interested in presenting/facilitating a topic related to library management, please submit your idea(s) using this Form.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on January 8th!
January 17, 2025, 9:30-10:30 AM, PSPL session: 521516
January 17, 2025, 1:30-2:30 PM, PSPL session: 521518
Note: The session login information is included in the "Notes" session of PSPL. You will have access to the Notes section when you register.
Encourage your students to earn the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy this school year!
A big shoutout to Vestavia High School for its ongoing dedication to inspiring students to earn the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy! In January 2025, an impressive 95 students will be honored with this prestigious award, showcasing their hard work and language proficiency. Way to go, Vestavia Hills!
Want to know more about English Learner Education? Click this link to sign up for the newsletter.
Enjoy this book review from Jennifer Harden, an AMSTI Elementary Math Specialist for Grades 3-5.
Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream
Author: Cindy Neuschwander
Pictures: Liza Woodruff
Illustrations: Marilyn Burns
Math Standard: Number and Operations
Concept: Introduction to Multiplication
Specific grade: Beginning of 3rd
Amanda Bean loves to count anything and everything. Her counting is astounding, but it takes up much of her time, sometimes she just can’t count fast enough. Her teacher tries to convince her that multiplying might help, but Amanda will have none of it—until she has an amazing dream about free-wheeling sheep on bicycles, speed-knitting grandmas, and who knows how many long-sleeved sweaters. Only then does Amanda realize that she can count on multiplication. The story helps children see what multiplication is, how it relates to the world around them, and how learning to multiply can help them. This engaging mathematical adventure is designed to show multiplication principles in a tangible way. Some pages represent objects in rectangular arrays and others in equal groups.
After you read the book, go back through each page asking the students how they counted various objects. The students can write corresponding equations to represent their counting. For example, on the first page is an illustration of a large building with six windows. Each window contains window panes in a six-by-three array. Ask students, “how many panes are in each window?” Various counting sequences or equations could be used to represent students’ counting.
6 + 6 + 6 = 18
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 18
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
6, 12, 18
3 x 6 = 18
6 x 3 = 18
You do not have to complete this activity, including all of the pages in one sitting! Revisit the book over and over! Let the students’ interest be the guide!
You may also try a tangible object, such as popcorn in a bowl! Popcorn is hard to count piled in a bowl. Ask the students to discover ways to arrange the popcorn for an easier count. “What about in groups or rows of 5s, 10s, 20s?” “Does grouping and skip counting make it easier to count?”
What are the Yellowhammer Book Awards?
The Yellowhammer Book Awards were created by the Alabama School Library Association to highlight new books that have literary merit, instructional application, and student appeal. The award includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult.
Yellowhammer Picture Book Awards
You can find the Top 10 Picture Book List along with book activities and resources on the ASLA website. Elementary students from across the state of Alabama are encouraged to read 7 out of 10 of the books in order to cast their vote. The voting form will be open from March 1, 2025 to April 25, 2025. The winning book will be announced the first week of May.
How do I register?
Be sure to register your school to be a Yellowhammer School. In order to cast your picture book votes, your school must be registered. Middle Grade and Young Adult Top 10 Lists will also be sent out to registered schools. Please note that you do not have to be a member of ASLA in order to vote or to receive the lists.
Please contact Jacquelyn Wilson (aslayellowhammer@gmail.com) if you need additional information about the Yellowhammer Book Awards.
National Board Certification is a prestigious certification recognizing educators who meet high standards of excellence in the profession. This certification is an opportunity to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in supporting student learning, promoting literacy, and fostering a love of reading.
The rigorous process for becoming a National Board Certified Library Media Specialist involves completing the following:
- Portfolio Submissions
- Assessment Center Exercises
- Reflection and Professional Growth
Achieving National Board Certification is a mark of distinction that demonstrates an educator's dedication to professional growth and their impact on students. The ALSDE is thrilled to announce the following librarians have earned National Board Certification in Library Media in December 2024.
- Lisa Arnett: Harlan Elementary School
- Elishaba Larson: Guntersville High School
- Julie Miller: Discovery Middle School
- Leah Smith: Glencoe Elementary School
- Holly Bigham: Cary Woods Elementary School
- Jacquelyn Wilson: Stonebridge Elementary School
- Devon Block: Robertsdale Elementary School
- Mary Alice Pouliot: Barton Academy
Congratulations, colleagues! We will be hosting a First Fridays in the 2025-2026 school year regarding National Board Certification. Stay tuned!
A message from Katie Rainer, ALSA President, regarding House Bill 4
HB4 is a bill that was pre-filed in the Judiciary Committee of the Alabama House of Representatives for the 2025 legislative session, which begins on February 4, 2025. It first appeared as HB385 on April 2, 2024, during the 2024 session and was introduced by Rep. Mooney along with 30 colleagues. It passed the House but on the last day of the legislative session, the Senate did not bring it to a vote due to a filibuster by Senator Smitherman. It is a bill amending the Code of Alabama; specifically the sections relating to obscenity laws in Alabama.
The rest of the message from Katie is here.
CLASS ACT: Going Beyond the Library to Make an Impact
Wetumpka High School Library Media Specialist, Lori McKenzie, has served an impressive 30+ years in education. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the library program, integrating technology into learning, and fostering a passion for reading among students. Known for her dedication, she has adapted to the changing needs of students and educators, helping to bridge the gap between traditional library services and modern digital resources. We are proud of Lori’s work and the lasting impact she's made on both her students and her community, continuously evolving to meet the challenges of an ever-changing educational landscape.
