What is Qwiki?

Qwiki is a new way to search for information.  It is still in Alpha – testing mode.  It really looks intriguing.  It reminds me of those early Star Trek episodes when they ask the computer for information about a topic. 

One topic I searched was Alzheimer’s.  It pulled up pictures, text and a computer simulated voice told me about the disease.   It amazes me as I watch new technology and software pop up before my eyes and I realize I am watching history unfold in front of my eyes.  I believe Qwiki is one of the tools that will revolutionize how we process information.

Check out the site at http://www.qwiki.com  You are invited to look the future  gathering and researching  information.  They are also inviting people to give feed back.

As I was reading a post on their blog, I came across this quote - “In the end, all we have, machine or human, are stories and methods of finding and using those stories” – Roger Schank.   This statement really got my attention.  I believe the future is about sharing those stories, because humans are hardwired to share their stories.

Related link:  http://ilearntechnology.com/?s=qwiki&x=0&y=0  Uses in the classroom

The Thanksgiving Myth

By LibraryDragon | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

This is a re-post from a post on gather.com

Today's Thanksgiving has been a series of myths and successful public relation moves. Somewhere a long the way it was dubbed the "first" thanksgiving.  The colonists had celebrated many "thanksgivings" in their homeland.  These celebrations usually consisted of prayer and fasting.  The Wampanoag Indians and other Native American Tribes had feasts of thanksgiving through out the year.

Part of the myth around our national holiday involves the colonists inviting the Indians to this feast.  When you read the surviving letter from Edward Winslow and listen to the re-tellings of the oral traditions of the Wampanoag you see this gathering in a different perspective.  The Wampanoag were not sure of their new neighbors and kept an eye on them.

During that first year many of the new colonists died.  They were buried at night to try and prevent the Indians from knowing the true number and strength of the colonists.  In March Somoset and Squanto pay the colonists a visit.

The autumn festival is surrounded by controversy about what really happened.  Did the colonists invite their new allies or did the Wampanoag invite themselves for some reason.  After reading the research and oral histories of the time I believe that autumn, the colonists chose to celebrate their survival and were shooting off muskets.  The Wampanoag were quick to respond.  Massasoit arrived with 90 men to see what all the shooting was about - figuring the newcomers were going to war.  When they arrive they realize they are not going to war but are having a party.  Massasoit sends out men to bring back food.  They stay for three days, during that time they feast and negotiate a military alliance.

Related Links for further investigation:

Oyate - Deconstructing the Myths of the "First Thanksgiving" http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html

Plimoth Plantation http://www.plimoth.org/

History Channel http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

Popplet - Request an invitation

BrainBoltz visual review.

I am taking a new technology class and we explored some great tools that many of you already know: Glogster, Smilebox, Dropbox, WallWisher and Storybird.  We also looked at a brand new tool still in Beta but with great potential Popplet  http://www.popplet.com .

You can stop by the site and request an invitation.  I am really excited about it.  It is collaborative.  I can see using it in the classroom to connect reading, writing and images.  What a powerful tool!

Lesson I am working on:  Books - Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, If You're Not From the Prairie by David Bouchard, and Mama, Where Are You From by Marie Bradby.  Having the students reflect on what connects these stories and how it connects to their life.

Popplet is a fluid program so when changes are made your link reflects current changes.  No going back to edit what has already been published.  I think this has so much potential.  The review at BrainBoltz says it well.

Operation Military Kids

The deployment of American soldiers has affected many communities.  What we may not think about is the families - the children - of these service men and women.  Any time a parent is separated from their children can be emotionally difficult.  When you add risk factors and extended time it makes for a very turbulent time.

As a teacher I may see the stress from these students come out in many ways.  If I am not aware of the back story (Mom or Dad is deployed) I may not be able to offer this student the support they need.  Families of Active Duty soldiers are more aware of what resources are available to them.  Families of Reserve or National Guard Units may not initially know about Family Support Services that are available.

One resource that many people may not know about is "Operation: Military Kids".  OMK is the Army's program to support children and youth affected by deployment of their family members.  The military is partnering with community resources to support and enhance the life of these students.  They are encouraging schools and teachers and 4-H to be an active part in this program. Many states offer professional development through this program.

One of the programs offered is the Mobile Technology Lab - students learn about technology as they communicate with deployed family, learn to make podcasts and how to use other equipment.  In 2009 - this program was active in 49 states and the District of Columbia.  You can click on this link to find out about current events and contact information. The MTL (Mobile Tech Lab) is available for all OMK partners working with military children.  Our kids need support and with your involvement they can get it.

Related posts: 


Constitution Day http://libearycorner.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html 


When Is Veteran's Day? http://libearycorner.blogspot.com/2010/07/when-is-veterans-day-why-would-kids.html

Where Are You From?

That's a fairly direct question, but the answer to that is more complex.  The surface question is" Where do you live?", the underlying question is "What influences made you the person you are?"  These questions came to the surface for me a couple of years ago when I was introduced to two pieces of literature. "Where I am From" by George Ella Lyon and "Momma, Where are you From" by Marie Bradby.


As I thought how I would use it with my students, the possibilities tantalized me.  I was not the only person who was touched by George Ella Lyon's poem, other teachers had been inspired and shared their ideas and experiences.  I found a template for student's to write their own "Where I am From" poem.  I also found some great ideas at The Book Chook for using the poem with students. at The Book Chook, Sue has a link where George Ella Lyon reads her own poem. Using these pieces of literature would make a great bulletin board by combining your students poetry and a childhood snapshot.

Two Voice Poems

Two voice poems are an interesting form.  They are great at showcasing different points of view.  Paul Fleischman first showcased this type of poetry in his book "Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices".  Reading this type of poetry is a great tool for helping students develop fluency.  David L. Harrison wrote the book "Partner Poems for Building Fluency" to help teachers use this strategy with students.

In the American Memories(Library of Congress) lesson section "Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself" there is a poem called "A Graduation Poem for Two", that is a great example of comparing two different points of view.  Lesley Roessing writes eloquently about comparing and contrasting a students life with a person from another culture.  I think this poetry format has lots of applications.

Mary Ann Hoberman has written several books in her series "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You".  They are delightful.  Great two people stories.  The one I think makes a good October selection is titled "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together."  I think my favorite story in the book is called "The Witch and the Broomstick.".  In her book she uses color to make it easier to read - purple (reader 1), lavender (reader 2), orange both read together.  I am going to share her first poem in the hopes that you will explore this format further.

Introduction

Do you like to

Quake and quiver?

                         

                              Do you like to

                               Shake and shiver?

Do you like your

Mind all jumpy?

                             Do you like your

                             Skin all bumpy?

                  If you do,

                  Then take a look

                  At the stories

                  In this book!

I'll read here

And you'll read there.

                             Both sides give you

                             Quite a scare.

                 Then, with middle

                 Words before us,

                  Read together

                 In a chorus.

                 Now we know

                 Just what to do:

You'll read to me!

                           I'll read to you!

  

Carousel Magic

I have always loved the carousel horses.  I first met them in books as a child, oh how exciting to be able to ride a real Merry-go-Round whenever you wanted.  I looked forward to the carnival that came to out community every year, because they had a Merry-go-Round!  My love for the beautiful horses continues to this day.

A few years ago Doris a friend who lives in Helena, MT took us to "The Great Northern Carousel".  What a great piece of art by many wonderful artists.  Here is an excerpt from the website:

"The Great Northern Carousel is a modern hand built menagerie carousel reminiscent of the splendid, turn-of-the-century carousels. Most of the 37 animals and one chariot were hand-carved by Ed Roth of Long Beach, California and hand painted by Bette Largent of Spokane, Washington. Todd Goings built the mechanism in Marion, Ohio and also built the spinning tub for the carousel.  And, local artist Mary Harris created the original glass artwork depicting Helena area landmarks and scenery on the Carousel rounding boards."

Last year one of art teachers did an art unit with Carousel Animals.  I did a little research for her and learned about the National Carousel Association.  Last year they visited  two Montana carousels the Great Northern Carousel in Helena, MT and "A Carousel for Missoula" in Missoula, MT.  When looking at the archives I found out about a private carousel "Dream Maker Carousel" that is open to the public in Somers, MT.  I told my husband I want to go see it next year.

This brings me to one of the new books that I added to our school library collection.  "Feivel's Flying Horses" by Heidi Smith Hyde.  This picture book tells the story of a woodcarver that comes to America and became one of the wood carvers making carousel horses for Coney Island.  I found the historical note by the author very informative.  It is a great book to introduce the Jewish immigration to America in the late 1800's.

Links of Interest:
 http://www.carouselnews.com/ Carousel News
http://www.agilitynut.com/carousels/links.html Carousel links
Carousel Live Binder - http://livebinders.com/edit?id=35838