Midwinter Night's Dream

My apologies to William Shakespeare, but my experience at Midwinter was just like his play, but set in winter, in Philadelphia....

This was my first American Library Association Midwinter Conference and it was like a dream. 

I loved being part of discussions, at the national level, regarding school library programs. I feel empowered and inspired to continue the advocacy and legislative work of MSLA, our state board, as well as expand outreach efforts and build membership.

When not in Affiliate Assembly Meetings for the American Association for School Librarians, I attended meetings where I heard about the latest in school library research. There was significant discussion about accessing and promoting research, including the White Paper.

There were also some open meetings regarding books.  I was intrigued to hear the discussion of the Notables committee. The volume of books the committee discusses is astounding,

Time seemed to slow and allow for the leisurely browsing and reading of books in the publishers' booths. I created many vines, many vines, here are a few pictures though: 

I enjoyed the conversations with the publishers and editors. I was able to hear background information on books as well as have questions about certain books answered.   

I talked books (a lot) with bookish people. Enough said.

Then there was the completely out-of-this-world experience of being in the room during the American Library Association Youth Media Awards announcements.

Here there be phone calls made - very early in the morning.

The ballroom!

Barbara Stripling kicking off the event.

Laura and me waiting for the event to begin.

Our reaction to Flora and the Flamingo

Our reaction to Flora and Ulysses

I did not want to wake from this Midwinter Night's Dream. I can't wait until next year!

Award Winning Book Trailers!

...book trailers for the books that won an American Library Association Youth Media Award. These book trailers were created by my 5th graders as part of a Mock Caldecott unit.  

I didn't anticipate the excitement my students would feel over having a book that they created a trailer for then win an award. It was an added bonus to this fun and engaging project that was embedded with important lessons about finding and citing images that allow for reuse.

Caldecott Books
Locomotive, illustrated and written by Brian Floca


Journey, illustrated and written by Aaron Becker



Mr. Wuffles, illustrated and written by David Wiesner


Flora and the Flamingo, illustrated and written by Molly Idle


Sibert Books
A Splash of Red: The Life of Horace Pippin, written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet



Look Up! Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard, written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate


Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca

Assessing the impact of a Mock Caldecott Unit

I saw the fourth graders today.  I had an incredible amount of fun revealing the American Library Association Youth Media Award winners.  The fourth graders had been engaged in a Mock Caldecott unit for the past few weeks.  You can read about the unit here. You can find their evaluation rubric here. You can read about their Mock Caldecott winners here. 

I am starting the assessment of the Caldecott unit. The classroom teachers are working on opinion writing with the students. I figured I would give the students some practice! Here are their opinions regarding the question, "Should the Caldecott unit be part of the curriculum next year?"

Should I include a Caldecott Unit in my 4th grade curriculum next year?

I think I have my answer.