American Association of School Librarians 12th National Conference and Exhibition

October 6-9, 2005 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Friday, October 7, 2005 10:00-11:15 A.M.

David L. Lawrence Convention Center Room 310/311

Making Magic with Middle School Programs

Judy Sima

MAKING MAGIC WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Judy Sima 30053 Spring River

Southfield, MI 48076 248-644-3951

Judy@JudySima.com www.JudySima.com

REFERENCE CHALLENGE Chatterton Middle School’s 8th grade students have been challenged to a contest of skill, determination, and perseverance.

The CHALLENGER: Wolfe Middle School The CONTEST: The Reference Challenge The DATE: December 11, 2004

To meet the challenge, I will meet with your Social Studies classes in the Media Center for five class periods according to the schedule listed below. Your students will be introduced to a variety of Library reference books. Content, arrangement, and use will be discussed as well as rules of the contest. The students, working in teams of 4 will be asked to answer trivia questions, finding the answers in these reference books. Prizes: The top scoring team in each class will compete in a "Final Challenge" Tuesday, December 11, 2004 in Chatterton Media Center from 11:00 to 1:00. Following the competition, students from both schools will share a pizza lunch Chatterton's top score will be matched against Wolfe’s top score. The team with the highest score will earn the trophy for their school to be kept in the Media Center. The names of Chatterton’s top scoring team will be inscribed on a plaque in the Media Center. Teacher Responsibility:

1. Divide class into teams of 4 students each prior to coming to the Media Center. Designate one student to act as captain of the team.

2. Bring classes to the Media Center at the scheduled times. Remain with the class to assist. 3. Team scores will be given to you at the end of the contest. Because your students will be spending five class

periods in the Media Center you may wish to give them a grade or in some way hold them accountable for the time spent.

3. Prior to the final competition, I will meet with the top scoring team from each class during their Social Studies period to review and prepare for the Final Challenge.

Student responsibility and rules:

1. Take notes on all reference books covered. Bring the notes to the Media Center each time. Bring pen or pencil.

2. Complete two Reference Challenge game sheets. Help other team members complete their game sheets 3. Look for answers in a second source. Complete a minimum of 5-6 questions per class period. There are 15

questions per student; a total of 60questions per team. 4. Do not talk to members of the other teams. 5. Use only one book at a time. Return all books to the cart at the end of each class period. DO NOT WRITE IN

THE BOOKS. 6. Team captain - Give team game sheets and notes to the Media Specialist at the end of each class period. Keep

all team work together with paper clip. Scoring: 1 point for correct source 1 point for an additional source 1 point for correct page number 1 point for additional page number 1 point for each part of question answered correctly

SEARCH STRATEGY

WHAT IS THE WHICH BOOK? WHAT IS THE KEY WORD? QUESTION ABOUT? * * * * * * * * * GENERAL INFORMATION…………... WORLD ALMANAC (WA) DEFINITIONS ………………………….. UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY (D) PLACES ………………………………… ATLAS (A) GEOGRAPHIC DICTIONARY (GD) WORLD ALMANAC (WA) PEOPLE ………………………………… BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY (BD) CURRENT BIOGRAPHY (CB) FACTS ABOUT THE PRESIDENTS (FAP) 20th CENTURY DAY BY DAY (C) TIMETABLES OF HISTORY (TH) WORLD ALMANAC (WA) WHAT SOMEONE SAID ………………. BARTLETT’S FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS (Q) “FIRSTS,” INVENTIONS …………….. FAMOUS FIRST FACTS (FFF) HISTORIC EVENTS, DATES, STATISTICS, LISTS …………………… 20th CENTURY DAY BY DAY (C) TIMETABLES OF HISTORY (TH) WORLD ALMANAC (WA) HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS …………. 20th CENTURY DAY BY DAY (C) DRAWINGS, OBJECTS,……………….. VISUAL DICTIONARY (V) DIAGRAMS

THE REFERENCE CHALLENGE Answer each part of the question. Give source, page number (include volume number or year) 1. Name a "first" that occurred in Warren, Michigan. What year did it occur? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Source ____________________________________________ Page______________________ 2. Find a photograph of Rosa Parks on the bus that began the Civil Rights movement. What was date of her historic bus ride? In what city and state did her protest take place? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Source ____________________________________________ Page____________________ 3. Betsy Ross was supposed to have made the first American Flag. What year did she die? What other famous American died at the Alamo that same year? What State was admitted to the union the same year? What famous Indian chief was born that year? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Source ____________________________________________ Page______________________ 4. If you were a "Maharajah" in what country would you be a prince? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Source ____________________________________________ Page______________________

READING QUEST Are you tired of correcting papers or watching the same TV shows every night? Are you looking for a great escape? Well……………. The 8th grade Reading Quest is about to begin and you are invited to participate! Reading Quest is a reading incentive program designed to encourage 8th graders to read and interact with staff members. Students will earn coupons for every book read. A pizza and prize party will be held for students earning four coupons or more. The party will take place in May. All coupons will be place in a drawing for prizes provided by area merchants, parent club, staff donations, and library fine money. How will we know if a student has actually “read” the book? That’s where you come in! Staff members are asked to a book sponsor by reading one or more young adult books. Sponsor your favorite novel or ask the media specialist to select a book you’ll enjoy. After completing a book, students make an appointment to conference with the book’s sponsor. Sign your name to the Reading Quest coupon following the discussion. Students return signed coupons to their teachers who in turn give them to the media specialist. The more staff members who participate, the stronger the program. Let’s show our 8th graders that we all think reading is important! Sample question to help students to reflect on the books they have read.

• Tell me your opinion of the book, the characters, the ending? What changes would you make? • What is the theme of the book? • Tell me about the best or worst part of the book. • Tell me about parts of the book that confused you or made you wonder. What part of the book would you

change and how? • Tell me about the character you admire most. In what ways are you like any of the book’s characters? • Describe the most important event or turning point in the book? • How has this book helped you to think differently about your life or the world around you? • Who else should read this book? Why?

Reading Quest Coupon

Name:__________________________________ Book title _______________________________ Language Arts teacher _______________ Hour ________ Sponsor signature ___________________ Date_________

BOOK CIRCLE TITLE AUTHOR

PAGE #’S READ REACTION Would I read?

8th grade READING QUEST Author Title Staff Member Almond ** Kit’s Wilderness Posner Alphin Ghost Soldier @ Flett Anderson Fever 1793 @ Posner

Speak Tassone, Posner Arrick Tunnel Vision Rioux, Heythaler AVI Crispin: the Cross of Lead Dimmer, Posner

** Escape From Home Stafford ** Lord Kirkle’s Money

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle @ Exline Barron **The Fires of Merlin Flett

**The Lost Years of Merlin Flett **The Mirror of Merlin Flett

**The Seven Songs of Merlin Flett **The Wings of Merlin Flett Bauer Backwater Gruel

Hope Was Here Hamilton Rules of the Road St. Sauver Squashed Gruel

Bellairs Curse of the Blue Figurine House with a Clock in its Walls Posner Bennett The Coverup Burke The Executioner Hamilton Balckwood The Shakespeare Stealer Posner Bloor Tangerine Smith Blume It’s Not the End of the World Posner Tiger Eyes Exline Bourland When Legends Die @ Hunter Brancato Uneasy Money McClellan Brashares Second Summer of the Sisterhood Giuliani

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Giuliani Britain The Fantastic Freshman Burke Burgess Oren Bell Posner Bunting Someone is Hiding on Alcatraz Island Giuliani Spying on Miss Mueller Exline Byars Summer of the Swans Gruel Cannon The Shadow Brothers Bollan Card Enders Game Carter **Education of Little Tree Fried Choi Year of Impossible Goodbyes Tassone Christopher The White Mountains Gruel Cleary Fifteen Hillman Cleaver Where the Lilies Bloom McDougall Colfer Artemis Fowl Exline Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident Tassone Collier Jump Ship to Freedom @ Posner

My Brother Sam is Dead @ Flett, Giuliani Conford Dear Lovey Heart I’m Desperate Titus Cooney Burning Up Posner

Both Sides of Time Osentoski Drivers Ed Giuliani

For All Time Osentoski Out of Time Osentoski

Prisoner of Time Osentoski The Ransom of Mercy Carter @ Posner Voice on the Radio Stafford What Janie Found Stafford

Whatever Happened to Janie Tassone, McDougall Cooper The Dark is Rising Flett Greenwitch The Grey King Over Sea, Under Stone Gruel

Yep Ribbons @ Child of the Owl @ Exline Cook’s Family @ Green, M Dragonwings @ Posner

Yolen Armageddon Summer Exline ** Briar Rose Griessel The Devil’s Arithmetic Griessel Girl in a Cage Queen’s Own Fool Tassone

Zindel Begonias for Miss Applebaum Fried Confessions of a Teenage Baboon Hamilton Doom Stone Gruel The Gadget Loch Exline Pigman’s Legacy Exline Undertaker’s Gone Bananas NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY Dash (BIO Harrison) **The Longitude Prize Fried Keller (BIO K) The Story of My Life @ Hornberger Felipovic (BIO F) ** Zlata’s Diary Tassone Frank (BIO F) ** Diary of a Young Girl Exline, Posner Lyons (BIO Hurston) Sorrow’s Kitchen @ Posner Myers (BIO M) Bad Boy Posner

(BIO X) Malcolm X; by Any Means Possible @ deMesa Opdyke (BIO O) **In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer Parks (BIO P) Rosa Parks, My Story @ Fried Paulson (BIO P) Guts Posner Sugihara (BIO S) A Special Fate Exline, Posner Zindel (Bio Z) The Pigman and Me Exline POETRY Glenn (811.54) Jump Ball: A Basketball Season in Poems Giuliani Macy (810.8) Girls Got Game Wayland (811) Girl Coming in for a Landing St. Sauver, Posner Whipple (811) If the Shoe Fits Yep (811) Locomotion HISTORY Gorrell (973.7) North Star to Freedom @ Lanier (973.4) Jefferson’s Children Lester (326) To Be a Slave @ MacKay, Hammond Murphy (973.7) The Boys’ War @ (977.3) The Great Fire @ Nelson (940.54) Left for Dead @ deMesa Philbrick (910.91) Revenge of the Whale @ deMesa Double Coupons given for:

** Challenging books Non-fiction American History @ American historical fiction @ First student to turn in a coupon for any book

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

6th and 7th grade Language Arts classes are divided into teams of five or six students. Students read as many books as they can in the seven weeks prior to the Classroom Battle. Each team is responsible for reading the twelve books listed for their grade level. At the end of six weeks classes will come to the Media Center to be quizzed on what they have read. This is a team effort. • At the Classroom Level Battles students are seated according to teams. One or two questions are given for each book

on the list. As a team, students decide the best answer for the question. The team captain writes the answer along with the author’s last name on a piece of paper and gives the paper to the media specialist. After answer sheets are submitted, the correct answer is given. Scoring: 5 points for the correct answer. 1 point for the correct author’s name. At the end of the class period, the points are totaled. Extra points earned by team members are added to each team’s score.

• Two highest scoring teams in each class participate in the Final Tournament and compete against winning teams. The

final tournament will take place in the Cafeteria. Top three scoring teams earn medals in final tournament. The first place team wins a pizza party for their class, and team members’ names will be added to the Media Center plaque.

• Teacher Responsibility: Create teams of 5-6 students in your Language Arts class. Each team needs a team name and

a team captain. Submit a list of teams and team members to the Media Center. Send Parent Letters explaining the Battle home with students to be signed, returned and given to the team captain. A copy of the letter is attached. Provide time in class for reading and making team posters.

• Team Captain’s responsibility: Keep a list of books read by each team member. Make sure that all titles have been

read. Every book on the list should be read by two or more team members. Collect “Clifford Coupons” and signed Parent Letters for extra points. Team members should memorize authors’ last. Attend Captain’s meeting to review procedures and responsibilities. Submit team poster to the Media Center.

• Extra points: will be added to Classroom Battle score.

A. Parent letter - 1 extra point for each signed parent letter. B. Book check - 1 point for each "Clifford" coupon. Students are to carry a Battle book with them at all times.

The media specialist will make surprise Book Checks in Core classrooms. Coupons will be given students who have a Battle book.

C. Team poster - 10 extra points given for poster advertising team name and team members. Posters may be turned in as soon as they are finished. Posters are due two weeks after Captain’s meeting. Judging will take place the next week. Prizes (pencil, bookmark, sucker) are given to each team member for winning posters. One or more team members must design the poster. 12 x 18 white drawing paper available in the Media Center. Any materials may be used in the construction of the poster including: pencil, crayon, marker, computer graphics, collage, sparkles, construction paper.

D. Overdue books – 5 points will be deducted for each overdue book at time of Classroom Battle. 7th Grade – Battle of the Books – 2004 6th Grade Battle of the Books – 2004 1. Cooney Flight #116 is down Byars The Pinballs 2. Draper Double Dutch Coville Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon 3. Haddix Among the Hidden Gilson Hello, My Name is Scrambled Eggs 4. Kehret Cages Hesse Letters from Rifka 5. Lowry A Summer to Die Konigsburg From the Mixed-up Files of

Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 6. Nixon A Family Apart Korman No More Dead Dogs 7. Roberts View From the Cherry Tree Roberts The Girl with the Silver Eyes 8. Serraillier Escape From Warsaw Ruckman Night of the Twisters 9. Spinelli Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? Snyder The Egypt Game 10. Sleator Interstellar Pig Spinelli Crash 11. Van Draanen Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Wallace A Dog Called Kitty 12. Wallace Trapped in Death Cave Wright The Dollhouse Murders

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

All 6th and 7th grade Parents: Your 6th and 7th grade Chatterton is now engaged in a battle --- The 20th annual BATTLE OF THE BOOKS that is! During the next 6 weeks your 6th or 7th grader will take part in an exciting reading program. Every student is a team member. Every student is responsible for reading as many books on the Battle list as they can. There are 12 books in all with a variety of stories and reading levels. Students earn extra points for their team by making a poster, carrying a Battle book with them at all times, and returning a signed parent letter. Classroom Battles take place in March. Two winning teams from each Language Arts class compete for medals in a Final Tournament taking place on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 – 7th grade 8:15, 6th grade 9:20. Teams answer questions recalling specific details of each book on the Battle of the Books list. First place teams in each grade level earn medals, have their names engraved on a plaque located in the Media Center, and a pizza party for their class. This communication is meant to enlist your support. Please encourage your child's reading efforts at home. Sign the slip below and return it to school with your student. Judy Sima, Coordinator of the Battle of the Books and the Language Arts Teachers --------------------TEAR OFF--------------RETURN to Team Captain------------------------------------------------------- I acknowledge my child: (name)_______________________ is participating in the 2004 Battle of the Books at Chatterton. Parent Signature: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

7th grade BATTLE OF THE BOOKS – FINAL QUESTIONS 2004 1. VanDraanen In what book does a clever 7th grader solve the mystery of a fortune teller’s stolen

money? SAMMY KEYES AND THE HOTEL THIEF 2. Serraillier In what book do three children brave the Nazi’s and Russians to be reunited with theirparents during

WWII? ESCAPE FROM WARSAW 3. Cooney In what book does a teenage girl find courage and direction in her life when a major disaster happens in

her own backyard? FLIGHT #116 IS DOWN 4. Roberts In what book does the hero of the story see his next door neighbor murdered, but everyone is too busy to

listen to him except the murderer? VIEW FROM THE CHERRY TREE 5. Nixon In what book does a poor mother send her six children west on the Orphan Train to begin a new life?

A FAMILY APART 13. Nixon (A Family Apart) Before Mike was caught pick pocketing, what did he and Danny do to earn money for

their family? THEY SHINED SHOES 14. Cooney (Flight #116 is Down) In a disaster or major accident there is a period of time that the body can care for

itself before help is needed. What is that time period called? THE GOLDEN HOUR

TEAM “R” – READING ADVISORS Team “R” member: __________________________________ ______________________________________ _____________________________ Book Title Author 1. Write a two-sentence summary of the book that will make someone want to read it. 2. Briefly describe:

Main characters; ______________________________________________________________________________ Setting: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Plot: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Problem:____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Tell what you liked best about the book 4. Where appropriate discuss:

Genre: _________________________________________________________________________________________ (Mystery, Biography, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Sports, Animal) Series or Sequel:_________________________________________________________________________________ Hankie rating: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Read several paragraphs: (page number) ______________________________________________________________ Other books by author: ____________________________________________________________________________ Information about the author: _______________________________________________________________________ Awards:________________________________________________________________________________________ Begin or end with a question: _______________________________________________________________________

5. Look for “hooks” (scary, fast paced, funny) ____________________________________________________________ 6. End the book talk with a “cliffhanger” or question. NEVER GIVE AWAY THE ENDING 7. Keep the book talk short and simple – 3 minutes – leave them wanting more. 8. Other ideas:

Props: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Hat or costume _______________________________________________________________________________ Book talk with a buddy;________________________________________________________________________ Other: ______________________________________________________________________________________

BROWN BAG SEMINARS

Animals: Paws with a Cause - Helping Hands monkey - Dog obedience – Cats - Exotic birds, Retired Greyhounds as Pets – Snakes and reptiles – Pigeon racing - Leader Dogs for the Blind - Humane Society – Animal rescue shelters – Show dogs Hobbies: Student hobbies (model cars, horseback riding, music, dirt bike/ motor cross racing) – Clowning – Archaeology – Astronomy – Baseball cards – Native American crafts and artifacts – Animation art Occupations: Sign Language interpreter – TV News, Weather or Sports Personality – Commercial Diver – Newspaper Reporter – Sports Photographer – Wildlife Removal Specialist – New Principal/Superintendent – School Architect – Police Evidence Technician – Sports Medicine – Radio Disc Jockey – Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician – Community College Occupational Therapy Program Sports: Fencing – Lacrosse – Para-Olympics – Baseball Bat Boy or Basketball Ball Girl - Karate High School Clubs or Alumnae: Electric car club – Robotics team – Primitive archery – Drum player – General Motors Explorer Scouts rebuilt Corvette – former Chicago Bears football player Final BB Seminar: (June) Open to students who have paid their fines and returned all library books. Meribar Pet Store.

SIMA’S SURVIVAL GUIDE

• Find Your Passion and Share It o Book talks o Storytelling o Technology o Bulletin Boards

• Change Happens – Roll with the Punches

o (Embrace it?) o Budget cuts, number of schools

• Keep Kids First

o Spoil them o Safe haven o Prizes o Feed them o Accept them

• Anything Worth Saying is Worth Repeating

o And publicizing – newspaper, Board of Education, parent group

• Be a Book Pusher – Find Time to Read o Book talks, programs o Get teachers to read (teacher bookshelf)

• A Happy Staff is a Cooperative Staff

o Breakfasts and lunches o Feed them o Make yourself indispensable

• Network – Keep in Touch with Your Peers

o You’re the only one o Join local, state, national organizations o Libres – form a book review group with colleagues

• Give Back – Get Involved

o Nominate deserving colleagues for awards o Give workshops o Write articles

MEDIA CENTER STAFF MEMBERS SERVICES

Postage Stamps Headache Remedies

Laminating Art Wax Machine

Poster Printer Scanner

Printer Ink Cartridges Overhead Projector Bulbs

AA & AAA Batteries for Remote Controls Refrigerator Microwave Paper Cutter Sewing Kit

Clear Nail polish Cling Free Spray

Feminine Products 3-Hole Punch Long Stapler

Student School Supplies Sweaters

Candy – Candy Store Gift Certificates MISCELLANEOUS

Pencil Slogan Contest - Atlas Pen & Pencil Company (800-327-3232)

ARTICLES ON THE WEB

Media Spectrum: Spring 2002. “35 years in Media Center and Still Loving It.” http://michiganteacher.net/pdf/s02sima.pdf Media Spectrum: Fall 2003. “Raising Voices: Storytelling in the Media Center” http://michiganteacher.net/pdf/f03sima.pdf The Yarnspinner: Call of the Story Article Archive. “Adding Action to Your Telling” http://www.callofstory.org/en/archive/articles.asp?id=article.2.c.5

Judy Sima: AASL Pittsburgh October 2005

Judy Sima is an award winning author, storyteller, media specialist and a leading authority on youth storytelling. She has performed and presented workshops across the country. Judy’s storytelling articles have been featured in The Yarnspinner, Storytelling Magazine, Storytelling World, Teaching Tolerance, Oasis Magazine, Library Talk, Media Spectrum, Book Links, and The National Storytelling Network publications Tales as Tools, A Beginner’s Guide to Storytelling, and Telling Stories to Children. Judy’s book, Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes (Libraries Unlimited, 2203) coauthored with Kevin Cordi, received the 2005 Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award, 2004 VOYA Five Foot Bookshelf selection, and a 2004 Storytelling World Honor Award. Judy is available for workshops, school assemblies, and author talks. Check www.JudySima.com for a complete list of programs.

Email Judy@JudySima.com for an autographed copy: Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes – Free shipping!

“Mounting evidence supports and recognizes that storytelling provides marvelous venues for the development of language skills among young people. Judy Sima and Kevin Cordi offer a reassuring blueprint, so librarians and teachers can avoid reinventing the wheel. Practical in its every suggestion, this book offers ideas for attracting kids to join a storytelling group, as well as organizational plans for both leaders and young participants. They incorporate activities to assist in learning stories, in presenting stories, and offer suggestions for raising funds. With this guide in, all who believe in story and its value for young storytellers will find them selves inspired and well on their way.” - Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award “Sparkles with insight, wisdom and every basic tool you could possibly need to nurture your own Storytelling Troupe.” - Karen Chase, East Freetown, MA 2003 ? 275 pages ? $34.00 ISBN 1-56308-919-X * 2004 Storytelling World Award Honor Book

* 2004 Voice of Youth Advocates “Five Foot Bookshelf” selection *2005 Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award