Summer Reading 2022

Howard County Library Summer Reading Program

May 31- July 29 & Celebration August 4

Adventure reading with the Summer Reading Program, this year’s theme is:

“Have Fun!” 

Enjoy stories, crafts, & special events. 

Summer Reading Booklist for MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Read Books • Do Activities • Win Prizes!

Check out our Summer Reading Presentation with Embedded YouTube Videos of Cool Book Talks!

Howard County Library Summer Reading Program 2022

Visit the 

HCL Website or your local Library Branch

for more information or

Pick up one of these cool fliers from your 

ELA Teacher 

or in the 

Library Media Center!

(while supplies last!)

WAIT! Did I mention the  Summer Reading Booklist for MIDDLE SCHOOLS?

 

 

 

Research Made Easy: Our A+ Partnership ROCKS!

Years ago, when I was on the ISTE Board of Directors,* I was honored to tour a few of the Nashville Metro schools & observe their amazing partnership with the Limitless Library system. It was the coolest! With one login kids could access all the public library databases, get one on one help,  AND request books online – and the library system trucks delivered those book right to their school! WOW!

But did you know that something similar is available in Howard County?! W00t! (Not the delivering books part, a girl can dream, right?)

Howard County students have FREE Access to millions of items, live homework & History Day help, and amazing database, primary source, and research resources!

“HCPSS students now have access Howard County Library eContent in the classroom, at home, or anywhere they need to do homework or research. The Howard County Library System (HCLS) and the Howard County Public School System have launched the A+ Student Card to deliver the library system’s extensive catalog of electronic resources directly to students.” (This great service was launched in 2017) 

From Ms. Jones:  All HCPSS students (Pre-K–12) will have online access to their A+ Student Card account number through Canvas and Clever. Students will use this to gain immediate access to all HCLS eContent by using the A+ Student Card account number to login via the HCPSS.me portal. If you can’t find your A+ student card through Canvas call the Savage Branch Library and they can sort it out for you lickety split. (410) 313-0760

“The A+ Student Card account also provides students with full customer privileges at all HCLS branches. While previously issued HCLS cards may still be used at library branches, the A+ Student Card account enables students to use just one number for all their homework and research needs.” Source: HCPSSHoward County Library System Launch A+ Student Card

But sorry, Parents & Teachers, this service is just for the kiddos

From the HCL website: “In addition to receiving guidance from HCLS staff, students (K-12) and college-age adults can connect with free tutors for assistance with math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors are available seven days a week from 2 pm until 11:55 pm. Special thanks to the Howard County Public School System for contributing toward the cost of this service.”

When you log into Clever, you have access to more Epic resources!

(Disclaimer: These resources change from year to year and day to day – depending on our contracts)

With MackinVia, our kiddos can access “3 Million Print Titles- 1 Million Digital Titles- and now features a growing catalog of nearly 3 million print titles from 18,000+ publishers and a burgeoning digital collection of more than 1 million eBooks, educational databases, audiobooks and videos.”

 

Check out these slideshows for more details! Though the resources are subject to change. Usual disclosure

Thanks Howard County Public School Library Media and Howard County Library! These great resources will be transformative!

———

MHMS Bitmoji Show

HCPSS Trooper Show

More info!

A+: Students & Teachers – Howard County Library System

A+ Partners in Education – Howard County Library System

*(shameless humble brag!)

Give Thanks

from our friends at the Howard County Public Library:

 

Recommended Reads for Thanksgiving

Whether you need a last-minute dessert recipe for your Thanksgiving meal or a seasonal picture book for your little one, we are here to help. Our team compiled several book lists for readers of all ages this Thanksgiving:

While the public Library buildings will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, don’t forget that our digital collection is always available.

As long as you have an HCLS card and WiFi, you can borrow eBooks and eAudio from the comfort of home. Download the Libby mobile app from your favorite app store. It’s free, simple, and convenient! Watch this quick video for instructions.

Accessing Digital Content through MackinVia

and the Howard County Public Library A+ Library Card


 

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back Kiddos, Parents, & Families!

This year is going to be challenging. I’m not gonna lie. It’s gonna to be weird at first, a little anxious, and like nothing we’ve experienced before. But, we got this. It’s who we are. We go forward with optimism and determination and we will win this. 

This is my 25th and last year at MHMS. Wait, what?? Whoda thunk it?

I am SO honored to have been a part of this community since the very beginning. I never thought I was one of those teachers who would stay in the same school for like, forever! But I never transferred to another school (and I had offers) because I love our  community, our kiddos, and our beautiful School Library. I’m retiring sometime this year and I can honestly say it’s been wonderful. Thank you for the precious memories and the opportunity to be a part of your lives. Honored. If you’re a former student, I’d love to hear from you – please leave a comment or email me @ gwynethanne@gmail (dot) com.

But here I am, right now, still happy, loving our quirky middle school kiddos and the vibrant and rich diversity of our amazing neighborhood. I also like that I live near our community and only have to drive 8 minutes to get here.

I’m so happy Ms. Kathi Bell, our amazing Media Assistant is here by my side, to also serve our Library. Couldn’t do it without her.

We really appreciate having our Library & Literacy program fully staffed – because we serve about 800 people. 730+ kiddos & 80+ teachers and staff.

That’s a lot of people and we love it!

MHMS History - Old Skool Pics!
 

Please follow us on Instagram!

I will try and share all the amazing things that happen every day here at MHMS – the awesome kiddos, the fun times, the Science, the ELA, the Social Studies, MHTV, ART, STEAM, Drama, well – as much as I can.

We LOVE to share the cool things that happen every day here at MHMS! In the Library, in the hallways, everywhere!

Here’s a throwback sample.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Mr. C enjoying our new sticker coloring book! #6thGradeMakerBoys19 #makerspace #steam @hocoschools #celebrateHCPSS

A post shared by @GwynethJones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Beautiful Friday #Shelfies on a 2 hour delay day!

A post shared by @GwynethJones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

But wait! There’s More!

The following are student, parent, and community resources I want to bring to your attention.

hcpss-connect-banner16This page will also feature our new HCPSS Parent Portal – HCPSS Connect

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If there’s something you need or that I can help you with…please don’t hesitate to let me know! I’d love to help!!

#MHTVNews: A Virtual TV Show for Teens by Teens

Hey Mountain Lions! Enjoy the latest MHTV-COL News Show written, filmed, produced, edited and created by our talented #MHTVNews Producers & Staff! 

We’ve posted these shows on our MHMS front Webpage and on our Library Media Canvas Student Resource Course page

#MHTVNews Episode 3 COL Edition

(Click CC for Closed Captioning)

CBBC – Strange & Happy News  (Links to an external site.)

#MHTVNews Episode 2 COL Edition 

(Click CC for Closed Captioning)

#MHTVNews Episode 1 COL Edition

(Click CC for Closed Captioning)

Mr. Dunbar and I are so very proud of our hard working #MHTVNews staff!

Got an idea for a story? Let us know! And remember, next year at MHMS you can apply to be part of this super talented crew!

NEW MHTV News & Metro Newspaper

Our wonderful kids have been working hard on their journalism assignments!

How you doin, Mountain Lions?! Enjoy Episode 2 of our #MHTVNews-COL News Show written, filmed, produced, edited, and created by our talented #MHTVNews producers & staff! FEATURING a *Surprise Special Guest!

#MHTVNews Episode 2 COL Edition

(Click CC for Closed Captioning)

#MHTVNews Episode 1 COL Edition

If for some reason, the video doesn’t come out for you, please visit our Student Resource Course page to view!  Mr. Dunbar and I are so very proud of our hard working #MHTVNews staff!

Got an idea for a story? Let us know! And remember, next year at MHMS you can apply to be part of this super talented crew!


EXTRA, EXTRA! GET YOUR LATEST METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPER HERE!

Our #MHMSMetro (Links to an external site.) student run & #GTSeminar newspaper is available for download!

HERE IS THE LATEST ISSUE!

DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION BELOW

PDF iconCOL ISSUE 5.PDF (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

EXCITING NEWS: ANYBODY WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE LOGIC PUZZLE AT THE END CAN FILL OUT A GOOGLE FORM THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO WRITE A SHOUT OUT IN ISSUE 6.

In order to see our past issues, visit the archives at: bit.ly/mhmsnews

Extra, Extra! MHMS Metropolitan Newspaper: Issue 4

Extra Extra! Get your MHMS Metro News Here!

Our #MHMSMetro student run & #GTSeminar newspaper is available for download!

Featuring:  Sports |  Arts, Music and Sports | International News | Politics

Page 5: Boredom Busters – DOWNLOAD the PDF Version below.

Our Mission: “At the Murray Hill Metropolitan we are dedicated to authentic, realistic and unbiased news for our students, their families and the public. Every month we cover a wide variety of stories from what’s happening at Washington to our new hall pass system. We hope to make sure our school is conscious and respectful of other people’s opinions, the news and politics.”- Murray Hill Metropolitan Staff

Download :  MHMS-Metro-Issue 4

Enter our Comic Competition!

Missed an Issue? – Want to get in touch? – Questions? Suggestions? 

Catch Up With Us On Our Website!

DOWNLOAD: MHMS Metro Crossword 1 -PDF

 

Keep Calm & Read On!

Hello, kids, parents, our community!

I’m not gonna lie, it’s kinda weird out there right now but I truly believe we’re going to be OK. Things will get back to normal. They always do. #History. I don’t know when, but they will. Practicing positivity is important and good for you! That, and washing your hands! In the meantime, HCPSS and our education partners have some cool and FREE resources for you!

Don’t forget we’re all in this together — even if we’re physically apart right now. I will try and update this post as I stay at home and help my community and to take care of my family. Starting with scrubbing all floors and not letting anyone inside with shoes on. It’s a slipper & sock zone only! I so heart fuzzy socks!

FREE Grab-N-Go Meals in the parking lot of Laurel Woods Elementary and 8 other locations throughout the county.

HCPSS Continuity of Learning

From a recent email to all HCPSS educators from our amazing Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano:

“I’ve had the opportunity to check in at a few of our meal distribution sites, where I have been proud to observe our Food Services staff members hard at work ensuring children continue to have access to nutritious meals while schools are closed. Today on our second day of distribution, 5,304 meals were served at our nine sites. I am grateful that HCPSS is able to provide this service and I’m even more pleased that we have been able to expand our typical meal offerings to include three meals each day. I encourage all families to take advantage of this service.” ….also from Dr. M 

“On Friday, all students went home with a document that detailed ideas for engaging students in learning activities while schools are closed. These resources are posted online and have been translated into multiple languages. While the activity ideas do not represent the same level of instruction that occurs in our schools, they are intended to help keep our students stay intellectually active while they are at home during this closure.” 

I have to confess, I’m an unabashed fangirl for our Sup! And it’s not to curry favor or kiss butt, I’m retiring in 3 or 4 years! He’s just all that, has his heart in the right place, and he brought back our School Library Media Assistants after they were cut by she who will not be named!

Oh and I gotta warn you, if you’re new to this blog or my Daring Librarian professional blog — I write in a conversational style and I use a lot of exclamation marks. Kinda like Elaine Bennis. Just. Like. That!

Got Books? 

The last day before we left for this unexpected early spring break, I checked out a LOT OF BOOKS! There were no limits on how many books our readers could check out. From one book to 10, I encouraged our students to take as many home as they could hold! I even offered string bags to carry them in. Did I check out enough books? NEVER! lol

But if you didn’t get a chance to come by the Library Media Center and get some books, it’s OK….you have other resources!  Keep reading!

 

ALL HCPSS kids can access great stuff using their school login.
Every HCPSS kid can log into hcpss.me – from there you can get to all kinds of great resources! FREE eBooks from MackinVia and more! The kid has to remember his/her Active Directory or school login & password. Outside our school server they may need to add @inst.hcpss.org to their regular login – see below.

example regular login: dvader9644
another way to login: dvader9644@inst.hcpss.org

3/30/2020 — NEW! Students now have the ability to reset their Active Directory HCPSS Network (Canvas, GSuite, & Synergy) passwords without intervention from HCPSS staff – please direct parents & students to this new resource:

 From Dr. Martirano’s HCPSS Update:

Advanced Placement (AP) Online Review
Beginning on Wednesday, March 25, the College Board will provide free, online, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These courses are optional, mobile-friendly and available on-demand, so they can be accessed at any time. The focus is on reviewing skills and concepts from the first 75% of the AP course, with some supplementary lessons covering the final 25% of the course. Access course schedules on the AP Students website.

Digital Resources for Elementary Students
Elementary Students can log on through hcpss.me to use:

  • Wixie: an online publishing and creativity platform that lets students share what they know through their writing, their voice, and their art.
  • Type to Learn: an online, research-based keyboard curriculum that includes pre-tests, lessons, assessments, and typing games and activities tailored to grades 3-5.

Naviance Resources for Middle and High School Students
Naviance is a comprehensive college, career and life readiness program that allows students to explore career interests, begin their post-secondary exploration and discover careers matched to their interests. Find more details online. Students can log in through hcpss.me, then click Naviance.


DISCLAIMER: I am sharing these resources in good faith that at the time I curated this list the offers, logins, and sites were active. However,  at any time, the companies listed could change their permissions. Access problems? Please contact the companies directly. I’m sorry I can’t troubleshoot for you. Mostly because I’m lazy. For the record: I have not NOT been sponsored or compensated (not even a cool T-shirt or swag!) for any inclusion on this list.


Don’t have eBooks, a Kindle device, or other Digital Reader

Hello YouTube!

You can listen to loads of books read aloud on YouTube! Search for audiobooks & your favorite author, title, or subject. Here’s a great example from one of my favorite authors Neil Gaiman.

The 6 Best Audio Books You Can Listen to For Free on YouTube 

Here’s my Curated YouTube Playlist of 30+ FULL Audiobooks (I will be adding to this, would love suggestions!) of FREE Audiobooks – You know Harry Potter had to be #1!

ALL HCPSS Kids can get to these FREE digital eBooks & audiobooks from MackinVia.

Free Online Events and Activities for Kids at Home

by our friends at Common Sense Media – Including LIVE Virtual Storytimes!  Provide some structure and schedule to your family’s day (updated regularly).

SMUSD Library at Home from my Californian friends 
From Katie Boone: Here’s a free access and resource from our partners Capstone and PeppbleGo  “You have been set up with free remote access to PebbleGo and Capstone Interactive eBooks. This access is valid through June 30, 2020 (The majority of you already subscribed to PebbleGo can of course continue to use your school’s login credentials). We hope these resources are helpful to your school and your students during this sensitive time.” 

Student Access Instructions

  • PebbleGo:
    • Visit www.pebblego.com and click “Sign In”
    • Username: engaged
    • Password: learning

Additionally, the following resources may be helpful for community communication and usage:

Super Resources from Scholastic! 

Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.

“Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin! -The Editors of Scholastic Classroom Magazines.”

From PBS Learning Works:PreK-12 Resources for Emergency Closings

“As teachers, students, and families deal with school closures, PBS LearningMedia producers and educators have come together to curate a special collection of resources organized by grade and subject area. Find videos, lesson plans, and activities that support learning at home. Create a free account to save and organize content.”

From our partners in learning Follett School Solutions (PreK-12)

“Follett has created a resource page outlining the array of eLearning solutions, including Collections by Destiny, Follett Destiny Discover, WebPath Express, and more. Video tutorials, forums and instructions for accessing these solutions also are available.

To help schools with eLearning during the closures, Follett announced March 11 it is waiving the cost for current Destiny customers through June 30 for its Classroom Ready Collections (CRC), which are standards-aligned, educator-curated Open Educational Resources (OER) that include lesson plans, activities, videos and worksheets. More than 2,300 free CRC licenses have been activated in less than a week.”

UPDATE:

“To help make eLearning easier, we are providing free access to eBooks from Lightbox™ and AV2 World Languages through June 30, 2020. You can register for access here.

Lightbox™ offers over 1000 PreK-12 titles in science, social studies, language arts, math and more. AV2 World Languages features high-interest titles in 10 different languages with full audio support.

Parents and students will find these resources interactive, easy to use and a great way for students to independently explore a new topic. We hope that you, your students and their families find this helpful during this challenging time.

Visit Follett Community for more details on this offer and other free eLearning resources available through Follett Destiny Discover®

 

 

Extra! Extra! MHMS Metropolitan Newspaper

Extra Extra! Get your MHMS Metro News Here!

Our #MHMSMetro student run & #GTSeminar newspaper is available for download!

CONTENTS: Page 1: Politics | Page 2: Arts, Music and Sports | Page 3: Crossword – bottom of page |

Page 4: Comic – DOWNLOAD the PDF Version below.

Our Mission: “At the Murray Hill Metropolitan we are dedicated to authentic, realistic and unbiased news for our students, their families and the public. Every month we cover a wide variety of stories from what’s happening at Washington to our new hall pass system. We hope to make sure our school is conscious and respectful of other people’s opinions, the news and politics.”- Murray Hill Metropolitan Staff

Download : MHMS_Metro_Issue1-FINAL

Enter our Comic Competition!

Missed an Issue? – Want to get in touch? – Questions? Suggestions? 

Catch Up With Us On Our Website!

DOWNLOAD: MHMS Metro Crossword 1 -PDF