Earth Hour, Saturday, March 31st from 8:30 - 9:30 pm

Earth Hour is a global movement to increase awareness about climate change.  For one hour, people all over the world are asked to turn off all non-essential power sources.  What are your plans?

If you want some ideas about how to share in the movement and even get some fun ideas, below are a couple of links - one to the Earth Hour Canada website and the other to the global site.

http://earthhour.wwf.ca/earthhour/index.html

http://www.earthhour.org/

Flaman Foundation

The Frank Flaman Foundation is funded by Frank's share of the profits from the Flaman Group of Companies, and by private donations. The number of organizations that have received support from the Foundation is too long to list, but includes both local and global charities - to Frank, a needy person is a needy person, whether they live just down the street or thousands of miles away.

For frequently asked questions about donations, event planning, volunteering and other items, visit http://www.flaman.com/foundation/aboutus.htm

Stirling McDowell Foundation for Research into Teaching

Stirling McDowell Foundation for Research into Teaching

The McDowell Foundation funds research into teaching and learning in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools.
It supports a wide range of activities aimed at the improvement of education:
• research projects

• publication of research results

• conferences and workshops on research

• awards for educational research

• networking and mentoring opportunities for teachers and researchers

Deadline to apply is March 31. Read more at  www.mcdowellfoundation.ca

http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.com/2012/01/school-library-services-plan-2012.html

March 7 is World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud Day: March 7, 2012
Read more at  http://litworld.org/worldreadaloudday

Get your Fellowship Applications in Now! The Alan Thomas Fellowship

The Alan Thomas Fellowship is now accepting applications. The Alan Thomas Fellowship is meant to provide a sabbatical to a leader in the nonprofit/voluntary sector who would not normally have the opportunity to take a sabbatical. The fellowship, valued at up to $60,000 for one year, is intended to free up the recipient to pursue research and possible publication that makes a contribution to the sector. Applications are due March 30th, 2012.

Get your Fellowship Applications in Now! The Bob Ward Memorial Fellowship

Get your Fellowship Applications in Now!
Cuso International is now accepting applications for The Bob Ward Memorial Fellowship. The first annual Bob Ward Memorial Fellowship will be granted to an individual who has been engaged in social change in the nonprofit/voluntary sector. The fellowship is valued at up to $25,000 and is intended to allow the recipient to make a substantive contribution to the sector through research that illustrates the positive impact of volunteering. Applications are due March 30th, 2012.

Students in Hobbema celebrating February as 'I Love Reading' month by participating in the Book Award activity

Read more at http://bookaward.blogspot.com/

Libraries to host student art shows

Cook Park Library will host Libertyville School District 70's first ArtEffects Art Show. Artwork from students at Butterfield, Adler, Copeland Manor, Highland and Rockland schools will be on display from Feb. 29 through March 19 at Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville with a special reception to honor all of the student displayed artists on Feb. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Additional parking that evening will be available at the parking garage on Brainerd and Lake Streets.

Meanwhile, the Aspen Drive Library will host Hawthorn District 73's second Art Show. Artwork from students at Hawthorn Elementary North and South, Aspen Elementary, Townline Elementary, Hawthorn School of Dual Language, Hawthorn Middle North and South and the John Powers Center will be on display the entire month of March at the Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, with a special reception to honor the young local artists on March 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Additional parking will be available that evening at Hawthorn Middle School South.  Read more at http://vernonhills.suntimes.com/news/10744739-418/story.html

http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.com/2012/01/school-library-services-plan-2012.html

I simply love the world of books and reading

Visit the following page to see our passion for books at our Book Fair http://booksale2012.blogspot.com/

Reluctant Readers resources

Readers Theatre scripts and Literature circle ideas can be downloaded from the the ORCA publishers site.
http://orcabook.com/reluctantreaders/connections.html   


http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.com

Students in Hobbema celebrate National Flag of Canada day

http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.com/2012/02/national-flag-of-canada-day-is-february.html

Teaching with Podcasts

I would the persuasion maps and use of podcasts interesting. Read more at http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teaching-with-podcasts-30109.html

Students can learn the financial realities of life—and have a chance to win a laptop computer

New Contest Launched for The City: A Financial Life Skills Resource

Ottawa, February 7, 2012 — The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is offering Canadian students the chance to win one of three laptop computers while they learn about budgeting, savings, credit, debt and financial planning. The City provides students with a fun and effective way to learn important money management concepts. Using The City and entering the contest is class work that really pays off!
The City is a free, Web-based learning program developed by FCAC and the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC). The City is easily accessible and can be used by teachers and students online or on paper. In order to qualify to win the laptops, students face a "100% challenge":  they must complete four modules in The City and score 100 percent on a follow-up quiz. The three winners will be chosen randomly from a draw of all qualified entrants. The contest is open until March 31, 2012.
The contest rules are available on FCAC's website, or can be obtained by calling the Agency's Consumer Services Centre toll-free at 1-866-461-3222.
Teachers and students who have used The City talk about their experience in FCAC's Success Stories videos featuring students in Alberta and New Brunswick.
Read more at: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/917357/students-can-learn-the-financial-realities-of-life-and-have-a-chance-to-win-a-laptop-computer




http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.com/2012/01/school-library-services-plan-2012.html

Diversity writer Cherrye Vasquez

Author Cherrye Vasquez is a public school administrator and an adjunct professor. She is a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction; a Master of Education in Special Education; and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology/Audiology.
.
Vasquez specializes in Multi-cultural education and holds certifications in Early Childhood Handicapped, Mid-Management and Educational Diagnostician.

HELPFUL TIPS

Culturally Proficient Teachers

• Teach with the intention of valuing diversity and pay attention to things that reflect diversity in your classroom.
• Observe your students behaviors
• Respect your students and encourage your students to respect you, and other students in the classroom.
• Continuously monitor your students’ progress. Organize and revise your instruction to help students become a community of learners who yearn for your teaching.
• Think about ways that you can learn more about your students: whether they prefer to work alone, in groups, have more assistance from you, peer assistance, and etc.
• How will you obtain this information? – You can use questionnaires, talk to them, actively observe them, and via a variety of other activities.

http://www.booksthatsow.com/

Asani nominated for 2012 Alberta Chamber of Commerce Business Award

Asani nominated for 2012 Alberta Chamber of Commerce Business Award – Aboriginal Women Entrepreneur Award of Distinction

Asani (“rock” in the Cree language), a contemporary Aboriginal women’s a cappella trio from Edmonton, has been captivating audiences with their breathtaking harmonies, their dynamic vocal artistry and their powerful rhythmic style. Carrying with them the traditional influences of First Nations and Metis music accompanied by drums and rattles, their songs resonate with their own blend of traditional vocals infused with the sounds of jazz, folk and blues.

Asani has been nominated for the Alberta Chamber of Commerce’s Aboriginal Women Entrepreneur Award of Distinction. Go to http://abbusinessawards.com/finalists for more information!

February 1st Digital Learning Day

Read about the awesome activities planned by librarians to celebrate digital literacy.
http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/02/k-12/digital-learning-day-librarians-doing-great-work-with-tech/

Dreamcatcher Foundation

The Dreamcatcher Foundation is a registered charitable foundation with objectives and a mission to address situations unique to the First Nations community. The Foundation will provide support through grants to individuals with a goal of developing youth as future community leaders.

The Foundation also provides grants to community involvement projects that have a lasting and positive impact on their members.

The Dreamcatcher Fund will contribute to eligible applicants in the areas of:

• Arts and Culture
• Education Support
• Health Support
• Sports and Recreation

Click here to download the Dreamcatcher Info Package and Application
Dreamcatcher Foundation Website

http://www.dcfund.ca/index.php