Technology Integration in the Library Katie Claxton Chandler Elementary Library Media Specialist, VISD

A little about me: I began teaching in I have taught in Bay City ISD, Tidehaven ISD and Victoria ISD. I have taught 5 th grade ELAR, 2 nd grade self-contained, Kindergarten and Special Education. I taught in the classroom for 8 years. This is my third year in the library. My Contact Information: – – (Chandler Elementary, VISD) – Library blog: – Chandler Library Website: (click on library)

Opening: We will learn about different websites that can be used during library classes to integrate technology with library skills. We will look at examples of how technology can be integrated in the library. Closing: I can set up a blog on Kidblog for my class. I can share ideas for integrating technology in my library. I can name websites that I plan on using in my library.

Google Forms Google Forms are a great tool to use in the library because students/patrons can access them from any computer/device that has internet access. I used Google Forms to create a “Rave Review” form that my students fill out when they have finished reading a library book and want to share with others what the story was about, what their favorite part was, etc. (I got the idea for the Rave Review form from another librarian and with her permission, altered it and used it for my library)

Rave Review A link to the Rave Review form is on my Chandler Elementary Library Webpage. After a student submits a Rave Review, I read the review and then put the review on the Chandler Library Blog for others to read. Students who complete a Rave Review get an “Awesome Dolphin” Award with a piece of candy. Each Monday during announcements, the principal congratulates those students who completed a Rave Review.

What the form looks like: A Rave Review from Chandler Library Blog

Texas Bluebonnet Books A link to the Texas Bluebonnet Nominee Review form is on my Chandler Elementary Library Webpage. Students who complete a Texas Bluebonnet Nominee Review get an “Awesome Dolphin” Award with a piece of candy. Each Monday during announcements, the principal congratulates those students who completed a Texas Bluebonnet Nominee Review. When it is time to vote on the Texas Bluebonnet books, I print off each student’s reviews so that they can look over what they read before they vote. This also helps me to know who has read at least 5 Texas Bluebonnet Books.

What the form looks like: A Texas Bluebonnet Nominee Review

Kidblog is a free blogging site that is very user friendly (even for young elementary students) You can create as many classes as you want You can have up to 50 students in each class Students can access it on any device/computer that has internet access.

I try to write at least 1 post per month. Students in 4 th grade rotate through centers. Each week they visit a new center. Kidblog is one of my centers that students participate in after they have finished checking out books. Students can also access Kidblog outside of the library. I approve each student’s comment before it shows up on the blog. I reply to each student’s comment. I set aside time to do this on either Friday mornings or Monday afternoons.

Go to Click on create a class and follow directions to create your account/class. (You can have up to 50 students in each class, but can create as many classes as you need to). Once class is created click on settings. Look down for class URL in blue text. To the right of that, write your class URL including the part that has Kidblog. For example: Now make sure you save changes. Go to the top to the pale blue bar next to settings and click on users. Go to add new users and type only the first name or first name and initial of last name. Each students password should be different (I suggest using an ID number- something they use often). Example: User name- Jane Password Do this for each of your students. In the pale blue bar at top click on new post. This is where you write your first post. Make sure you click publish when you are finished. You are ready for your class. Setting up a class:

Question of the Week Every 2 weeks I post a question of the week. The Question of the Week is posted on my blog with a link on the library website. Student’s use Encyclopedia Britannica online, Gale databases or a non-fiction book to find the answer. Student’s record their answer on a slip of paper. It must have the source or it will not be counted correct! During morning announcements, students who answered the question of the week correctly are congratulated. I give those students an Awesome Dolphin Award and a piece of candy or a bookmark.

Educational Websites Educational websites are one of the library centers that students visit. Below is a list of websites that my students are allowed to visit:

Technology Integration When teaching, I try to incorporate technology into my lessons. Below are websites that I use often. I have a Smartboard so students are able to come up and respond. If you don’t have a Smartboard, a Mimeo teach, or a Mobi interactive board, a clipboard and a wireless mouse work great! library.com/play-shelver/

Word Clouds

Avatars

Magazine Cover

Trading Card

Motivator Poster

Word Webs We read about book about President’s Day. Students collaborated with their tables. I called each table up to write/type something in the word web.

Jot It We read The Wall by Eve Bunting. We discussed Veteran’s Day and how we will honor veterans. Students were able to come up to the Smartboard and jot down how they plan on honoring veteran’s on Veteran’s Day.

Padlet- Collaborate Students can visit a Padlet that the teacher created via a shared url. Student’s can access the Padlet wall from any computer or device that has internet access.

Shelve-It! When learning about how our library is organized, we play this game. Each table is a “team”. The student’s earn points for their team by putting the books in the correct order.