The best of the web for k-12 media specialists and educators from School Library Journal en-us http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/community/Web+Sites/47080.html?nid=3271 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/info/260304.html Terms of Use. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:45:21 MST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6705631.html?nid=3271 With both the Swine flu and various strains of seasonal flu hitting schools hard these last couple of weeks, it’s definitely time to make sure kids and parents have up-to-date information about how to protect themselves from the flu, how to help stop it from spreading, and what to do if they or a family member comes down with it. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6703706.html?nid=3271 ALA Grants & Fellowships bit.ly/1lNIAb The American Library Association (ALA) has created numerous grants and awards to help support programs and provide funds to individuals wanting to attend professional meetings. This handy page provides links to not only ALA grants, but also awards sponsored by the various divisions, including PLA (Public Library Association), YALSA (Young Adult Library... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6703477.html?nid=3271 Next week kids will be carving pumpkins and figuring out what they'll be for halloween. They’ll also start anticipating the sweet and gooey treats they’ll receive. Why not provide the kids in your library with three sweet Halloween games as well? Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:03:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6702217.html?nid=3271 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This well-written, age-appropriate Web article explains to teen girls why they need to start examining their breasts, teaches them how to properly perform a self-exam, and explains, in a very reassuring way, the warning signs to be aware of. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:46:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6700778.html?nid=3271 The folks at Gale and Cengage Learning have created this excellent Hispanic Heritage Web site specifically for teens. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:37:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6699730.html?nid=3271 This site was designed to enhance the BBC's children’s television programming, but kids don’t have to be familiar with any of the TV shows to have a blast discovering its hundreds of entertaining and educational online games, stories, and activities. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:57:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6698550.html?nid=3271 Next week is Banned Books Week and many of us will be spending time educating library patrons, staff, and parents about the ongoing efforts to limit what children and adults can read. Many of us will discuss the First Amendment and censorship of not only books, but also of other media. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:17:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6697443.html?nid=3271 Last Friday many of us paused to remember that harrowing day eight years ago when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. A memorial and museum are being planned on the site, dedicated to the people who lost their lives that day. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:35:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6695406.html?nid=3271 For the past three years, Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum, creators of the library e-comic strip Unshelved, have held an online competition to see how creative folks can get when spiffing up a standard book cart. The deadline is October 31, so now’s the time to start designing your cart. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:46:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6687037.html?nid=3271 This wonderful, interactive world atlas, created by National Geographic’s Map Division, will be an invaluable information resource for elementary age children, teens, teachers, and librarians. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6685553.html?nid=3271 At the Intersection of School & Home—Parent Corner school.discoveryeducation.com/parents Some kids look forward to the start of school—others are less than thrilled about it. On this site designed to help parents encourage their children, start at the “MotivationStation” for articles on various issues from academic performance to fitting in at school. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6685549.html?nid=3271 www.teachersfirst.com/firstday.cfm Ah, the first day of school. For students, educators, and parents alike, it’s a remarkable occasion, loaded with excitement, anticipation, and, yes, sometimes even a tear or two. To help get things off to a good start, the Web site TeachersFirst has created “First Day of School Icebreakers. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6676968.html?nid=3271 It’s almost time for school! To help kids start to shift from summertime play to school-time learning (while still having a ton of fun) there’s no better Web site than WordGirl. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6674348.html?nid=3271 It’s the end of the summer. Youngsters are searching for interesting stuff to do, especially when it’s too hot to play outside or when it’s rainy. And librarians are always looking for new crafts and activities for programs or for after story hour. The solution? The Activity TV Web site. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6673577.html?nid=3271 www.loc.gov/teachers Most of us know the excitement that primary sources can bring to teaching. Photographs, maps, correspondence, and other original records that have survived from the past spark the imagination, and a staggering 13 million of these items have been digitized and made available online, thanks to the Library of Congress. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6673402.html?nid=3271 Summer vacation is heading into its second month and by now kids are anxious to find new things to do online, whether they’re sitting at a computer in your library or at home. Some of our neighbors to the north, at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, have put together a super set of online games for kids age 8 to 15 that will take care of the boredom blues. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6672112.html?nid=3271 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6670828.html?nid=3271 During the summer, older kids and teens generally have lots of free time. Some play sports from morning to night and others have summer jobs that limit their unstructured time, but those who “hang out” with nothing to do may end up involved in activities that parents and community members are concerned about. What are these negative activities, exactly? How widespread is youth violence? And what can libraries, community officials, and schools do about it? Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6668991.html?nid=3271 The late Paul Harvey’s radio program often featured a spot called “…And Now For the Rest of the Story.” Since we so recently celebrated Independence Day, why not encourage older kids and teens to discover the exciting “rest of the stories” of the Revolutionary War that led up to the ratification of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6666676.html?nid=3271 Exploratorium Sport Science www.exploratorium.edu/sport/index.html Here kids learn not only about baseball, cycling, surfing, and the like, but also the fascinating science behind each sport, from how bicycle gears work to how the angle of a baseball bat can determine a foul ball or a home run. Created by: The Exploratorium Museum, San Francisco, CA. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST