Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian!

Be Water, My Friend by Ken Mochizuki My rating: 5 of 5 stars As a further extension on what I did with Corey Rosen Schwartz's The Three Ninja Pigs , I decided to connect Mochizuki's book as it delved further into Kung Fu and the greatest Sensei/Martial Artist that's walked this Earth: Bruce Lee . Yes, he's my childhood hero. But, what I liked about Mochizuki's book is that he discussed "Mo Shi Tung" as a child (read in the book what it means)...a hyper-active, jokster, who went from a trouble-maker to a world-wide icon, due to the discipline learned in Kung Fu. He expanded his learning even more by creating "Jeet Kune Do," and that's what I want to instill in my students as a librarian: Take what you've learned and own it so much that you can create your own enhanced version or style. To me, and hopefully to my students, that's true originality. I'd argue you to find a better model than Bruce Lee: the philosopher, the master...

12 Tips in Using Wordle (Some you may now… but other you may not.) This article is courtesy of 21st Century Educational Technology and Learning. Here's my Wordle on IDENTITY ! Welcome to a series of posts devoted to the use of Word Clouds. I know you will find new information… whether you are a seasoned user of word clouds, or brand new. I enjoy working with teachers and helping them use word clouds in their lessons because they are a great way to get any teacher started with integrating technology. In this series of posts I will cover: Over 100 ways to use Word Clouds in the classroom There is more to Word Clouds then Wordle… other awesome word cloud generators Beyond word clouds… cool sites and applications to integrate word clouds To ensure you do not miss one of these valuable posts or other resources covering PBL, STEM, 21st century learning, and technology integration please sign up for 21centuryedtech by email or RSS. As always I invite you to follow me on twi...

I absolutely abhor graduations...I know that sounds horrible as a teacher-librarian. But it's just the forever calling of names and the waiting for the one person you're there for to FINALLY walk across the stage. Yet, for those I love, I will sit through fire and brimstone just to savor the moment of seeing pure joy on their faces as they cross the stage! Recently, my oldest brother, at the age of 40, graduated with a Bachelor's degree! He did it his way...but he did it! My entire family came out to see him walk across the stage. When the graduate commencement speaker asked for siblings of the graduates to stand, not only did I stand, but I DANCED!! I was present, in the moment and over-whelmed with joy! But the best tribute and thank you ever given to my family came as my brother crossed the stage. Instead of having his name announced "Quentin M. Thomas" (which includes the middle name tribute to his father), he changed the announcing of his name to "...

As a former teacher and now LIBRARIAN (but still a teacher forever-more) I always look forward to the "noticed" recognition for the countless hours, tears and hearts we mend...muchless the teaching, inspiring and parenting we do "day in and day out." Therefore, to all my fellow teachers... THANK YOU! WE LOVE YOU! KEEP GUIDING THOSE KIDDOS TOWARDS ENLIGHTENMENT! and enjoy this wonderful article on "The Goal of Education." Here's an excerpt: Most of us would prefer our children become the very best people they can be, capable of effective thinking, acting, relating, and accomplishing in whatever field they enjoy and have a passion for. Rarely do we expect our K-12 kids to become anything besides good test-takers. We certainly don't expect them, by means of their education, to become what the Dalai Lama might call "good" people. Nor do we expect them to become good thinkers, actors, relaters, or particularly effective in o...

Here's some videos to make you laugh in the face of the stressful STANDARDIZE TESTS These videos are courtesy of Edutopia !

The biggest bonus for attending TLA this week was that I found my son a "Reading and Rocking" Pete the Cat shirt! I wasn't allowed back home without something Pete the Cat. Pete's taken over my house, I-pad and bedtime stories. If he wasn't such a cool cat, then I wouldn't allow that! Rhyming intentional!

Here are some photos from the Texas Library Association Conference this week in San Antonio! Be well! First and foremost, I had a wonderful chance to meet my LIBRARIAN IDOL Mrs. Shannon McClintock Miller!!! (Van Meter Librarian Extraordinaire!) @txla and just met my #librarianidol @shannonmiller AWESOME pic.twitter.com/I7th7ZHh2T — awakenlibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 9, 2014 Then, as part of my winning the 2014 Scholarship for TLA's Black Caucus, I interacted volunteer to "man" our booth and meet such wonderful people, such as Mr. Roosevelt Weeks of the Houston Public Library ! The Lovely Exhibit Booth The Amazing Author Sharon Draper Giving a Wonderful Speech About Engaging Reluctant Readers The Multi-talented Kimberly Gay (Black Caucus Scholarship Chair, who selected ME as their recipient) Receiving a Surprise Award And, TLA promoting our booth! Stop by the TLA Black Caucus booth #2541 to meet these lovely ladies! @awakenlibrarian ...