Check It Out! Our FIRST Video Book Talk!

It might not be perfect, but here's our first book talk!  I hope to do more as the years go by, and hopefully production value will only be on the rise!  I also want to encourage students to film book talks for the website, too...with proper signed permissions in place, of course.  

This first, original Library Land book talk is on Colleen Gleason's The Clockwork Scarab.  Here are a couple of notes on method:

1.  I downloaded a free teleprompter app for the iPad, so I didn't have to memorize a script.  Once I did this, my anxiety about filming was alleviated 110%.  The app was great, easy to use, and you could control the speed of the text.  It's simply entitled Teleprompter, and I found it through the Apple App Store.
2.  I wanted this video to double as a readers' advisory/read alikes opportunity, too.  That is why I've surrounded myself with genres I've mentioned in the book talk.
3.  Even though I had other props around, I still made sure the book was the highest element on the table.  

I hope you all enjoy!...Or, at least TOLERATE my first attempt. 

Teen Read Week!

It's Teen Read Week!  

I promised I'd let you know about the shenanigans I'm trying to get our students to participate in, so here we go:

1.  FLASH US YOUR BOOKS!  I'm collaborating with friend Kristi Danger Murray Costello at Arkansas State University Writing Center for this one, everybody.  Her group had the great idea that everyone should flash their favorite books.

They are meeting at their campus' fountain, by the student union, on October 22 at noon.  Everyone will read aloud the first line of their favorite book.  Sounds awesome, right?  Well, we might not have a fountain to gather round here, but I am hoping students AND staff will come take a picture holding up their favorite book, so I can create an iMovie/slideshow.  So far we don't have any takers, but it would be a great way to participate with A-State's Writing Center, and I'd upload the iMovie to our YouTube channel at noon on 10/22, as the A-State students are reading.

2.  RECORD A BOOK TRAILER!  Supervisor Amy and I are hoping that this week's recorded book trailers are just a jumping off point for a year-long trailer drive.  We want to post these on our YouTube channel.  We ask, however, that the students have a small index card to consult during their reading/recommendation recording, so it's not just a bunch of rambling.  We'd like them to have a bit of structure and to have their book with them.  We want to continue to record these throughout the year.

3.  TEEN READ OUT!  We want to end the week with a read out.  During our Uni Period on Friday, we want students to come in and read their favorite poem, short story, or the first chapter of their favorite book.  We will have snacks to try to lure those teens in....MUHWAHAHAHA!

Didn't like my ideas?  Well, for Teen Read Week Inspiration, visit the official website.  There are programming ideas, products for purchase, and other information for this awesome week of reading.

I'm super excited about all of these activities, and I hope there's a high level of participation.  I'd love to have at least ten students present for the Teen Read Out on Friday.  We'll just have to wait and see!  Read on, Teens!  Read on, EVERYBODY!!!