Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian!

In an effort to self-improve, I created a better representation for Black History Month...especially after watching some SNL Black History Jeopardy . I hope you enjoy my version more than SNL. I found the template here . As a footnote, I created this game using the template in Microsoft PowerPoint. However, I saved it as a PowerPoint Show and then converted it into video. I found the ease to use directions here .

We are living in an age where teenagers are no longer just rebels without a cause, but down-right dismissive with their faces stuck to a screen...j/k...lol...sorry, not sorry! For my inaugural month at high school campus, I'm sticking with tradition and teaching digital citzenship, by way of detox! What did we use to do with our hands before the invention of cell phones? Lol! Please check my Padlet for excellent resource articles:

Self-Acceptance Despite the Stereotypes As I fall further in love with my role as a librarian, I love the “ Aha Moments ” that happen when on duty! Yesterday, while checking books out to students, I had to use my “Mama skills” when interacting with one young. Not the save the “save my toddler’s world from impending doom” strategies, but rather the “I know you better than yourself” skill-set that parents master before their child makes their first complete sentence! I’d just finished reading Grandma’s Purse to the class, when we played a righteous game of “What’s in the Library Lady’s purse?” A true-or-false game based on bluffing: Do I have a dirty sock in my purse? Show me the letter “T” with two fingers if you think I’m being truthful or “F” with three fingers (like an old-school “OK” hand gesture!) if you believe I’m fibbing! If the students guessed correctly, they could have the item from my purse (Option A) --there were fun items in my purse like earbuds, snacks and...

Today is a BIG day in my realm of living. It's the release of the much anticipated #BlackPantherMovie! I love the comic series written by Christopher Priest . I love the actors. I love the reflection of faces like mine. It's a cultural game changer for every black kid/kid-at-heart. Period. Therefore, I could not let today pass without acknowledging it's significance. The whole concept of Black Panther is based on AFROFUTURISM. According to Jaime Broadnax , "Afrofuturism is the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a black lens. The term was conceived a quarter-century ago by white author Mark Dery in his essay “Black to the Future,” which looks at speculative fiction within the African diaspora. The essay rests on a series of interviews with black content creators. There's an in-depth analysis here . Or you can see this wonderful interview with the Costume Designer from Black Panther, Ruth E. Carter. Taking that...

At GLEC-PVA and every spring, we do a magnet arts enrichment program. This spring, we've chosen The Lion King, Jr. to celebrate the wonderful continent of Africa! So to use one of my favorite books again, Mummy Cat -(it's the perfect combination of animals, Africa and curriculum)-we're going to explore the importance of storytelling using pictures. The artistry in The Mummy Cat background tells the story just as well, if not better, than the words! However this time, in addition to the wondrous beauty of Queen Hatshupset and her cat, we're going to double whammy the picturesque component of storytelling and discover HIEROGLYPHS hidden within the pages! Click on the slideshow to grow what you may not know about hieroglyphs! There's a bonus bit of knowledge at the end regarding how we STILL use hieroglyphs in 2018! In case you missed the slide, EMOJIS are the modern-day Hieroglyph! Discover more here . But students, don't think that emojis are ...

Here's my last post of the year...I think! Lol! It's been a rough year, but the good news is that I've inspiration for a wondrous 2018! With that being said, I bet it would surprise most of you to know that I wanted to be a park ranger when I was younger. It's was a "wildling wish" that I abandoned after thinking I was too chunky for a ballerina and had altitude sickness to prevent me from piloting a plane! I wanted to learn about the plants and surviving with the earth. I knew it would inspire my writing and creativity. Plus, I could connect with nature without the cages of the zoo. But then the thought of crossing paths with a cougar reminded me of the need for cages and pushed me away from that aspiration too! Fear is such the motivator! Where am I going with this? Though this city girl talked herself out of one of her dreams, doesn't mean you should. When you're looking for direction, don't let fear guide your compass. Self-doubt eats a...