Middle School Reading Workshops A Success!

What began as just the seed of an idea flowered into three unique reading and technology workshops for seventh grade students from Boston Middle School. La Porte County youth librarians met with librarians and English teachers at Boston Middle School in December to discuss possibilities for collaboration. The result was an exchange that saw increased use of library materials and enrichment opportunities for 50 advanced students.

Our first reading workshop was led by Sarah White, Continuing Lecturer of English at PNC. Ms. White gave a presentation on what makes a good book review, and then students wrote their own reviews of the library books they had read prior to the workshop. These reviews will be posted to the Library’s new teen blog in the coming months.  

The second session involved teaching students to use bitstripsforschools.com, a new program which allows anyone to make their own comics online. Students created comic panels based on memorable scenes from the books they had read. Pictured above is one student’s interpretation of Bethany Hamilton’s Soul Surfer.

Our last workshop was a Google Hang Out with YA author Donna Gephart. The Library provided copies for all students to read her book How to Survive Middle School, and then students were able to virtually “meet” her and ask questions about the book. She included a screen capture of our visit in her latest blog entry.   

What can the Library do for you? Our librarians love collaborating on new projects to create unique educational opportunities. Call us at 219.362.7128 or email us - let’s talk ideas!

Welcome Back, "Dog Days" of Summer!

The benefits of interactions with pets have been scientifically proven for years. According to Julie Rovner of NPR, “One of the earliest studies, published in 1980, found that heart attack patients who owned pets lived longer than those who didn't. Another found that petting one's own dog could reduce blood pressure.”

More recently, the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine has reported that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the hormone oxytocin-- which, according to a nurse at the University, “is very beneficial for us-- oxytocin helps us feel happy and trusting." Scientists believe that these physiological benefits may be one of the ways that humans bond with their pets over time.

This summer, all students K-8-- pet owners or not-- are invited to come gain confidence and improve their reading skills as the library welcomes back “Tail Waggin' Tutors”, courtesy of Therapy Dogs International. These dogs provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that allows struggling young readers to focus on their book--and the company of a warm, furry friend-- rather than others' perceptions of them.

The program is meant to help all students, but it especially helps those who may have a little trouble reading and are self-conscious reading aloud in front of classmates. The tutor dog visits also provide opportunities, for children who may not otherwise have them, to visit with and become accustomed to interacting with dogs.

The dates for the program are June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; and August 1 at 4pm. Learn more about Therapy Dogs International here.

GeoGuessr, or Where in the world are you!?

Want to get lost in the middle of a desert or foreign country and have to guess where you even are? Or even just want to see remote sights from the comfort of your chair? If that piques your interest at all then GeoGuessr might be worth a visit.

This ingenious little website takes street views from Google Maps and drops you in the middle of somewhere. Your task is to figure out where you are and mark it on the map. The closer you drop the marker on the map to your location the more points you score.

Clues are all over if you know what to look for! Famous landmarks might pop up, or even a sign that says “Welcome to...” but just normal road signs can help you figure out your location. See a road marker that says “Km” instead of “Miles?” Well, you’re not in Kansas anymore. Palm trees abound? Maybe you’re not in Canada. Ruling things out is as fun as ruling them in. Play for yourself or post your scores and challenge your friends. Prove your total domination at being dropped into the wild and knowing just where you are! Even Bear Grylls will be impressed.

http://geoguessr.com/

Van Gogh Slide Show

Everyone knows that Vincent Van Gogh cut off a chunk of his ear (and gave it to a woman at the local bordello). But did you know that the love of Van Gogh's life was his widowed cousin? And that the only painting he ever sold was “The Red Vineyard”? Van Gogh's short and fascinating life has been endlessly analyzed since his tragic suicide in a French wheatfield in 1890. Though Van Gogh never met with financial success, and dismissed his art as being of “very secondary importance”, his sketches and paintings are now recognized as vital forerunners to Expressionism. Images such as “Starry Night”, which Van Gogh declared “a failed attempt at abstraction”, have become iconic, and now adorn coffee mugs, t-shirts, and countless apartment and dorm walls in the form of ubiquitous prints (not too much, however, is seen of “The Red Vineyard” these days). 

Learn even more about Vincent Van Gogh's life and art in a free slide presentation and talk, courtesy of the library's Speakers Bureau. Arrange a date and time to best suit your group by calling (219) 362-6156. 

The Batman brought down by Owls?

It’s May and that means another meeting of The Panel. We’ll be meeting Wednesday, the 22nd, to discuss Batman: The Court of Owls, volume 1 of the New 52 Batman series. A sinister cabal, so secret even Batman has not found them out yet, is showing its iron grip over Gotham. How could a group of Gotham’s elite run the city without Batman knowing, and why are they revealing themselves now? And will their message that they indeed intend to kill Batman with their servant the Talon come true? Well, we only read the first half of the story so we can’t really answer all those questions! But come join us in our speculation. SPOILER WARNING: we’re enjoying the story so much we’ll likely all finish volume 2. So be warned there might be some talk of spoilers. Feel free to cover your ears or leave the room!

Big Library Read!

La Porte County Public Library is participating in the Big Library Read! People all over the world will be reading one title during the last two weeks of May. From Wednesday May 15 to Saturday June 1, download the e-book The Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone. This title will always be available to check out from the "downloads" tab on www.laportelibrary.org.

Annie, a Navy pilot, must deal with her estranged and dying father and return a gift he gave her if she wants to learn the truth about her mother's identity. The Four Corners of the Sky is a warm-hearted story about love, forgiveness and the bonds of family.

Download Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone today!