IG Holiday Highlights & More!

Here are some of our recent IG Highlights from the Holidays, Winter Smash, #MHTVNews, #makermondaycrafternoon, and our MHMS Memory Book Cover artist winner!

Now, most of our kids love, I mean LOVE getting their pics taken for our Instagram. But some are a little shy – this is an example! But I showed these pics to her Mom, and she LOVED them and gave me permission to post! Hee hee hee. Don’t worry, my sporty friend here is really super outgoing!

Moms gave me permission to post this! The total cuteness of these two pictures is undeniable!

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Had a great time with a Speed Dating with Books activity with my 6th graders!

We had a super fun time running the Winter Smash Photo Booth! A few celebrities joined us!

Super #WinterSmash #PhotoBooth Fun! With @kimkardashian & Yeezy!

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Kids also had a fun time dressing up in our PhotoBooth costumes!

More fabulous #WinterSmash pictures from our #photobooth

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Ms. Gould and I were really proud of our set up with a roaring fire (YouTube Video), a “Mr. Microphone, and lots of cool tunes playing on our retro iPod!

I visited my sweet Librarian friend, and former student teacher, Ms. Danielle Du Puis at Hammond High School to support and join in with her amazing #Makerspace program she calls: #mondaycrafternoon

With Ms. Du Puis of @hahsmedia getting ready for #makermondaycrafternoon ! So excited!

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I met a couple of her awesome @hahsmedia kids there, like Zion on the right! He’s also part of the  @bestbuddieshahs !! group participating in #makermondaycrafternoon #celebratehcpss

#MHTVNews Kids!

Our #MHTVNews Crew being a little silly & we LOVE that!

We’re so proud of our MHMS 2018-1019 Memory Book Cover Artist Winner, Miss E!

And finally, the BEST part of the holiday or any season is getting notes & cards from kids. THESE are the BEST presents of all!

This. Is. Everything. #librarylife #futurereadylibs #istelibs #tlchat

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Why is having a professional School or School Library Instagram important? Read here!

12 Insta Easy Instagram Library & Literacy Promotion Ideas

Say Yes! To a School Instagram! – The Daring Librarian

15 Librarians To Follow On Instagram +5 More!

 

10 Things to Think About Before You Post

This is a much needed update to a 2014 post. Over the years we’ve had a great educational partnership with our NYC friends at Flocabulary. I’m even an MC Educator or Flocabulary #HipHopEd Ambassador.

We’ve been using their Week in Rap news feature in our school since they landed on the hip hop education or #HipHopEd scene in 2008! Murray Hill even earned a video shout out in 2013! W00t! (We were SO proud!)

10 Things to Think About Before You Post video stands up to the test of time.

It’s just practical advice and one we like to play on our #MHTVNews at least once a year!

So, when I heard that they were teaming up with the awesome Common Sense Media people, to put out a music video about Digital Citizenship, – I was SO there!

Common Sense Media has added some handy extras! You can view the Video Discussion Guide and Download the Lyrics Poster, Top 10 List Poster, and Fill in Your Own Top 10 Poster.

I’ve been on Twitter since 2009 (professionally – not personally)  and Instagram since 2015, and I have an AMAZING & generous personal learning network of students, teachers, & followers – so being careful, upbeat, positive and mindful of what I post is important to me, too!

I don’t use Facebook – we just never got along and I never warmed up to Snapchat. But it’s not about what kind of social media or App you use but HOW you use it!

I think you’ll like the video – let me know in the comments!

 


We all want our kiddos to make good choices online! We share this video on our daily #MHTV News show every year & we just wanted to share it with you!

Cheers!

~Gwyneth Jones – Your Daring Librarian!

UPDATE:

And for Teachers & Librarians…here’s this thought!

And a blog post for you on this topic.

Flocabulary: Hip-Hop Learning That is Out of this World!

6 Ways to Avoid Those Social Media Landmines

The Art of the #Shelfie


“Can I Take a Shelfie of You?

Is something I ask quite a bit at the MHMS Daring School Library. The easiest way to share on Instagram is taking the humble shelfie. Like a selfie, but with a book? Asking teens and patrons to hold up the book they just checked out or are returning are called shelfies.

OK….it’s kinda a stretch…but as I mentioned in an article I wrote last year for the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association a branch of the ALA) blog last year, it’s just one positive quick, fun, and easy way to promote reading, literacy, books, and community using social media. Kids like to see what other kids are reading.

6th grader Olivia w/ an awesome #Bookface

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Six grader John with a classic big smile #Shelfie #Bone #graphicnovels

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Missy M. Showing off her Mary Jane shipping novel #shelfie #GreatReader

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I #mustache you to enjoy these #shelfie pics! @hcpss_mhms #CelebrateHCPSS

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I always ask if they want to take a shelfie, and I never give any guilt trips if they’re too shy or would prefer not to. But most of my teens love to show off their latest book, and even tag themselves in the picture! Holding up a mustache bookmark is just a bonus. I mustache you to believe me in this!

Mr Raj #Shelfie & his @MikeLupica book! #TravelTeam 💕our readers!

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Cammy & Precious giving me a great #SHelfie

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#CaughtReading

Beanbag reading at the @hcpss_mhms Daring school library media center!

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8th grdr Dom finishing his latest sports fiction book! #caughtreading

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Summer Reading on the Hill

The Summer Reading List is Here!

View & Download the  Middle School Summer Reading List

Thanks to our our A+ partner Librarians at the Howard County Library and two of our local HCPSS Middle School Teacher-Librarians we have created this Super Fun Reading List for all the kiddos in our district! (or the world!)

Visit our Howard County local Savage Branch Library & Hi Tech STEM Education Center this summer and FLIP over summer reading or flip over some amazing tech learning opportunities! ((Pssst!
The 8th Grade Slide Show is at the bottom of this post!))

Recommended Summer Reading Lists

Middle School – #1 Most Awesome Teens

Kindergarten – Grade 1 – Baby Squirts

Grade 2 – 3 –  Little Kiddos

Grade 4 – 5 – Minions

High School – Cool Kids

Great Books for Grown-Ups!

Black Eyed Susan Nominees

I Mustache You To Consider This Challenge!

I #mustache you to enjoy these #shelfie pics! @hcpss_mhms #CelebrateHCPSS

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Bonus!

For a FREE Paperback Book of your Choosing when we come back in August:

This summer, take a Shelfie (selfie holding a book) or share a picture of you reading and Instagram it tagging me @thedaringlibrarian or @GwynethJones on Twitter

After School Ends, Look for the

Summer Reading List Display

in the Front Office!

8th Grade Slide Show!

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Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back Kiddos, Parents, & Families!

Happy 20th Anniversary Murray Hill!

That means, the 8th grade kiddos I taught when we opened Murray Hill back in 1997 would now be in their 30’s! Whaaaat? That’s Crazy! But seriously, I am SO honored to have been a part of this community since the beginning. I never thought I was one of those teachers who would stay in the same school for like, forever!

But here I am, still happy, loving our quirky middle school kiddos and the vibrant and rich diversity of our neighborhood! I also like that I live near our community and only have to drive 7 minutes to get here!

This year is going to be both fantastic and challenging! Ms. Bell, our amazing Media Assistant, is still not with us full time. But, we’re grateful for any time we’re given to support our awesome Library and Literacy program here at MHMS. A big thanks to our wonderful new Principal Mr. Wilson for valuing our program and letting Ms. Bell work with our kiddos in the mornings whenever she can in between her other duties as a paraeducator.

We’re both a “cup half full” kinda people! And our mantra for this  and every year is borrowed from the esteemed fashion educator & Project Runway mentor, Tim Gunn – WE like to  “Make it work!

Please follow us on Instagram and on Vine!

I will try and share all the amazing things that happen every day here at MHMS.

Like the fun we have during recess in the Library Media Center! Here are some of my wacky 8th graders from last year who are now Freshmen in High School!

We also LOVE Instagram Shelfies!

Shrutina & her #Shelfie for #springbreak reading! @hcpss_mhms kids LOVE to read #CelebrateHCPSS

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Dom & his #Shelfie a Mike Lupica book! @hcpss_mhms #tlchat #celebratehcpss w/ mustache bookmark!

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Creations and highlights from our Makerspace Area!

Josiah & his. Awesome #Lego creation at the @hcpss_mhms

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and our Coloring Corner!

Nyah G in 8th grade showing off her #ColorMyFro artistry! @hcpss_mhms #STEAM #MAKERED #makerspace #art

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Updated Coloring Corner Guidelines- let’s see if my six graders notice! LOL #MAKERED #makerspace

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Speaking of making and working I’m excited to set up again our ever evolving Makerspace Station at MHMS in our Daring School Library Media Center for the third year! We’re going to be adding more stations, robotics, technology and opportunities to create, make, craft, design, code, and construct in our school!

One of the BEST Things Ever? When former students come back to visit!

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Awesome high school peeps come back to visit make every librarian and very happy!

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Former @hcpss_mhms student Carlos comes back to visit he’s off to NYU next year! w00t!

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Especially when they’re teachers now, themselves!

Happiness is: Having a former student come back as a graduate & a sub in your school! ❤️ @shawada22

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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

Research_Databases3.jpg

Don’t forget our Research Databases Wikpage helps with homework & school projects!

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The Zen of Coloring

 

There’s a NEW! feature in our Library Media Center Makerspace area!

It’s Coloring!

I have to admit when I first heard about how coloring books for adults and teens are all the rage, I was a bit skeptical. Then I saw the beautiful new coloring books with loopy, fabulous, mesmerizing line drawings and I was sold! I also just like the smell of a new box of Crayons!

I then did some research on the Zen of Coloring and found out that teens find coloring very relaxing, meditative, and stress relieving – perfect for middle school! I also think in this world of multi-tasking, coloring keeps our hands busy and let’s our mind wander free- it’s also related to another hot topic mindfulness.  I know that when I’m in a group setting without technology, say a staff-meeting, a conference, or a lecture, I find myself doodling and making line drawings.

So, I got permission from our principal Mr. Wasileswski and bought a variety of coloring books, a huge box of Crayons, and a passel of colored pencils. I tried to get a good mix of coloring books – for boys, girls, grownups, and also appealing to the rich multi-cultural tapestry and different interests that make up our student body.

Star Wars, Minecraft, Dragons, Ocean, Hispanic & Celtic heritage, Indian Mehndi henna designs, Afro and Luv My Curly Hair designs… a cornucopia of creative coloring books! See?

After a few weeks, I did find that we had to have some guidelines for the coloring corner – I don’t like to call them rules! (Teachers & School Librarians: You may want to read the more “How To”  blog post here on my professional blog)

Some of the guidelines are: claiming a page, sharing a page, giving us permission to Instagram or blog about the artwork & most important – not tearing out the pages. Because there are designs on the other side of the page and that would just wasteful and not fair.

Download the High Rez or poster version of this for your class or Makerspace. Click to see all sizes! All Creative Commons, Take, Use, Share!

Coloring Bookmarks!

Want some FREE Coloring Sheets to Download? We’ve got you covered!

From the website:

Download Many Sizes Here:

As seen above – used with permission from Dawn Nicole

Get More! FREE Printable Bookmarks

Winter Bookmarks Coloring Page | by Dawn Nicole Designs

Don’t believe coloring can be good for you?

Here’s some of the cool research I found!

“There are plenty of studies on the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing stress, and coloring seems to offer some similar benefits, as William Brennan wrote in this magazine when he noted the coloring books’ particular popularity in France. And doodling is a way for people to organize their thoughts, and focus. Coloring offers that relief and mindfulness without the paralysis that a blank page can cause.”  – Julie Beck of The Atlantic

Coloring has also been used to “gently ease veterans suffering from PTSD into art therapy. (5)”  One study on college students found that “coloring pre-drawn patterns significantly reduced signs of stress and depression. (6)”  Coloring before bedtime can even help you sleep!” (7)

“One of the first psychologists to apply coloring as a relaxation technique was Carl G. Jüng in the early 20th century” reports the Huffington Post.

2D Mandala Flickr CC Computer by RunnerFrog

“Mandalas are concentric circle drawings that originated in India and mean “sacred circles” in Sanskrit. (10)  Buddhist temples, Muslim mosques, and Christian cathedrals all incorporate mandalas into their architecture.” – By of BeBrainfit

Mandalas and similar circular or spiral designs are thousands of years old. Look around and notice how abundantly the circular pattern of the mandala appears in our environment. You can see this geometric shape in all aspects of life. The sun in the sky, the nucleus of the cells in the body, and the unique design of a snowflake.

Kids are loving the coloring! Boys, girls, and grown-ups!

Now it’s YOUR turn! 

What do you think about coloring for teens and adults? Please share your thoughts in the comments!


Resources:

Zen and Anti stress | Coloring Pages for Adults

Anti-Stress Coloring Books for Adults: The Latest Way to Relax

Mindfulness and the Popularity of Adult Coloring Books

How Colouring Books Are Helping Adults Beat Stress

The MHMS Instagrammy’s!

History Day in the Library w/ the Absolutely Awesome Alexandra! #HistoryDay @hcpss_mhms Ps. That’s a record player!

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I was inspired recently by another librarian (Ms. Diana Rendina) to create an Instagram account for our Library Media Center and our school! So that when cool things were going on I could share them with our kiddos,  parents,  our community, & the world!

Brently playing with the puzzle ball that totally confounds me in the library media center #Patient A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

Kids love to tag themselves in the photos! Whether it’s History day, a Science experiment, a Daring Library Media Lesson, or the school play – they can see pics of themselves actively involved!

#ThrowbackThursday at @hcpss_mhms looking quite fly.

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Like Vine, these social media tools forge a creative bridge with our students.  This lesson #StoryIn140 was mentioned in a previous post – here are more pics!

The pancake obsessed table writing #StoryIn140 A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on


Showcase special talents or special events! Here’s Palwasha showing off her upcycled folded magazine page bowl!

Gorgeous student artwork = upcycled awesome! @hcpss_mhms #ArtMatters!

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Here are 3 little fairies from Peter Pan! Oh Lillian! Has your older sister Natalie seen this, yet?

Janice, Lilian, & Anna as the cutest fairies in Neverland! At @hcpss_mhms #PeterPan production! A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

Our Lost Boys are Rocking it! Featuring our own MHTV Daniel D as the Fox!

Lost Boys dancing! Feat. Daniel as the fox! @hcpss_mhms #PeterPan

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More Peter Pan! Watch out Capt. Hook!

@hcpss_mhms #PeterPan Awesome Cast! A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

And the amazing Lauren sharing inspiring words from Oprah Winfrey for Black History Month!

The amazing Lauren sharing inspiring words from Oprah Winfrey for Black History Month! @hcpss_mhms @hcpss #hoco

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Follow us on Instagram & enjoy the

AWESOME that is our kiddos and staff!

J’Pia looking quite Fleek for @hcpss_mhms #WackyTacky day! A photo posted by Gwyneth Jones (@thedaringlibrarian) on