El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. NY: Abrams

This graphic novel is about a little girl who becomes sick with meningitis.  She loses her hearing because of her sickness.  She gets to go to a special school for children that are deaf.  She has to wear a Phoinc Ear, which CeCe is embarrassed to wear.  At the special school CeCe is taught to read people’s lips.    At the end of the year the family has to move from the big city to a small town.  CeCe notices that her Phonic Ear lets her hear things she should not hear.  Cece uses her Phonic Ear to turn herself into a Superhero names El Deafo.  El Deafo is the superhero that can hear everything with her Phonic Ear.  Everyone at school finds out that CeCe can hear everything they think it is awesome.

I would recommend this book for students in 4^th -6^th grade that is going through something that makes them feel different or an outsider. The strength of this book is that it lets children know that just because you are not “normal”, it is ok. There is always something that makes you unique and there is more important things than being “normal.” Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, and Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm can be excellent for follow up reading or lessons. Lessons that might come from reading El Deafo can be that Cece can relate to anyone who might have an impairment. 

Image of El Deafo.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin

Melinda Sordino attended a party with her friends and ended up calling the cops because she was afraid.  As she enters high school, Melinda is an outcast because of her actions at the end of the summer party.  All of her friends have abandoned her, believing she was out of her mind for calling the cops and breaking up the party.  They have no idea what she went through that night beening raped by Andy Evans.  She is alone, and her lips are sealed. Melinda struggles socially, academically, and mentally, but she finds shelter in Mr. Freeman's art class. Mr. Freeman seems to be the only one who notices something is actually wrong and bothering Melinda.  Melinda is given the assignment of turning a tree into a piece of art.  Melinda reminds herself that what happened to her was not her fault as she begins to stand up for herself and speak.

Speak is an excellent young adult book for any girl who has been the victim of rape. Speak is for ages 12- 18 years old.   The potential for healing through Melinda’s eyes. Girls will hopefully begin to realize they can speak up for themselves and begin to heal.  Melinda exhibits behaviors of a rape victim, grief, shame anxiety, lack of interest and trouble in school.    If you like Speak, I might also recommend  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobksy or Dreamland by Sarah Desson.  The strength of this story is a realistic novel that in the end Melinda stands up for herself, This book could also be used to explore different themes, including: social & family issues, sexual abuse, depression & mental illness, and growing up.

Image of Speak.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. NY: Little Brown.

Junior’s real name was Arnold Spirit, Jr., Junior lives on the Spokane Reservation with his parents and grandmother.  When Mr. P, Junior's geometry teacher, recognizes hope in Junior's future, he advises him to leave the poverty and isolation of the reservation and attend high school in Reardan, the nearest all-white high school.  This causes problems with his fellow Indians, especially his friend Rowdy, who starts mistreating him.  Being the only Indian at Reardan High School, Junior also gets picked on by a jock named Roger.  Junior stands up to Roger and punches him in the nose.  Roger begins to respect Junior and they become friends.  In the end Junior and Rowdy make peace with each other through a game of basketball.  Though Junior had a horrific year losing his grandmother and a stressful freshman year, Junior finally finds his true self by balancing between two worlds.

This book is appropriate for 9^th grade and up.  If you like this book I recommend Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher and True Believer (Make Lemonade, #2) by Virginia Euwer Wolff.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian delivers a relatable message of perseverance, reminding its readers to rise above limitations the world may put on them.  This book could also be used to explore several different themes, including: bullying, friendship, sportsmanship, alcoholism, death and grief, and controlling one's future.

Image of The Absolutely tree diary of a part-time Indian.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/

Parents and Social Media

Being a parent, I wanted to read about how parents use social media.  It seems that parents and non-parents have some differences. 

In the report the findings found that out of parents Facebook topped the list with Pinterest 2^nd, Linkedin 3^rd, Instagram 4^th and Twitter 5^th. 

Parents are more likely to use Facebook and they use it to share, respond to good and bad news, and for support.   It seems that more moms use it the most frequently.     I also found it interesting that a typical parent has 150 Facebook friends one third of them are “actual” friends, while non-parents report that less than one fourth of their network is made up of “actual” friends.  Most parents over 40 are likely to be friends with their children on Facebook. Parents with one older child will more than likely be friends with their children on Facebook.  Lots of parents are more likely to be friends with their own parents, children and neighbors.  I find this to be true, I am friends with my children where I can keep up with my grandchildren.

Instagram, 54% of non-parents post on their accounts than 39% of parents.  I don’t follow anyone on Instagram.  I know my daughter-in-law loves it and post continuously on it.

Moms are more likely to use Pinterest than fathers. Also 20% parents over the 16% post or use Pinterest.   Among Twitter and Pinterest users, there are few statistically substantial differences in how often parents and non-parents use them.

More parents than non-parents are likely to use Linkedin.   I have used Linkedin but only with my children.  

Parents also use social media as a source for parenting advice and information. Also they use it to keep up with the children or grandchildren.

1 out of 3 parents expressed concern about their child’s social media and technology use. 

I do believe that parents are on social media because they want to keep up with the times or the kids.

M. Duggan, A. Lenhart. (July 2015) Parents and Social Media, Pew Research Center, Retrieved October 2015 from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2015/07/Parents-and-Social-Media-FIN-DRAFT-071515.pdf

36 Pages

9 Things You Need to Know about Teens, Technology & Online Privacy

1. Teen internet use is becoming more mobile. 74% teens have Internet access on cell phones.

2. Teens are diversifying their social media portfolios. Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram etc. 81% teens are on social networks.

3. Teens are sharing more information about themselves.  In 2012 91% posted photos of themselves on a social media.

4. Privacy norms vary by platform. Facebook 60% of teen have private sites but tweets or 64% public

5. Network size and composition matter. Students with lots of followers tend to have joined more social sites and have "friended" people they have never met. 

6. For teens managing their “social privacy” online is "paramount," Teens delete people from the network, edited something that they posted in the past, and have deleted comments from others.  Teen devote a lot to managing their network.

7. Advertisers and others are not on the top of the mind of teens. Teens are interested in the relationships not the information that is shared.  They don’t realize that other people might be able to see their post.

8. Parents of online teens express a wide range of concerns. Parents are concerned about what people know or can find out about their children.  Parents are concerned about their child’s future academics, employment, and reputation of their children.

9. Teens are turning to peers and parents for advice. Teens know that it is necessary the for privacy and ask for advice. Many are turning to friends and their parents.

Not only do teens spend too much time on social media but so do some of their parents.  Parents and teens need to spend more time together and talk face to face.

Yes we need to be social but more eye to eye contact is what best for all.

9 Things You Need To Know About Teens, Technology & Online Privacy. (2013, November 6). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/11/07/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-teens-technology-online-privacy

pages/ slides 12

" 10 Things to Know About How Teens Use Technology

“10 Things to Know About How Teens Use Technology"

The words teens and technology go together like peanut butter and jelly. The following 10 facts about teens and technology will be informative for parents and teachers alike.

1.  Teens 12-17, social network site growth has slowed (particularly Facebook), but Twitter use is growing.

2.  Teens are sharing more personal information online. Teens post pictures the most and the cell phone number the least amount of times

3.  Teens do care about online privacy. Parents of online teens are concerned about their child’s reputation and safety,

4.  Today's teens take active steps to manage their online reputations. One out of five teens regret something they have posted on social media, and most have deleted or blocked people.

5.  Parents of teens are very aware that online content can impact their teen's lives. The majority of parents are concerned with strangers online.

6.  Most teen's educational environments include the use of at least some digital technologies. Cell phones are used more than other electronic devices such as e-readers or tablets.

7.  The Internet has altered how teens do research. The Internet provides a vast array of information and resources.  Teachers’ see the internet as both positive and negative impacts on student’s research habits and skills. Positive outweighs the negatives. 

8.  Digital tools can benefit teen's writing skills and abilities, according to teachers. They feel these tools inspire creativity, personal expression, and teamwork. Students take shortcuts and don’t put as much effort in their writing.  Students have poor grammatical and spelling skills.

9.  Teachers are divided as to whether "digital natives" are all that unique. Today’s students are more media savvy that previous generations.  Pew Research show just about equal that there is no different than previous generations, they just use different skills to express themselves.

10.  A digital divide persists in the area of education and technology. 54% of teachers say all or almost all of their students have sufficient access to digital tools while in school, but just 18% say the same is true at home to complete school assignements.

Purcell, K. (2013, July 10). 10 Things to Know About How Teens Use Technology | Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/07/10/10-things-to-know-about-how-teens-use-technology

pages/ slides 46

Libraries at Crossroads

Libraries at crossroads

This is an interesting article since I want to be the best librarian that I can be.  My job will be to help not only the students but also help the teachers at my school.

The findings in the report were very interesting.

1.    Pew Research center survey libraries need:

·         Support local education

·         Serve special constituents

·         Help local businesses

·         Embrace new technologies

2.    Closing libraries

People believe that libraries are important to their community.  They feel that libraries can offer new programs to everyone young and old.  Two-thirds of Americans ages 16 and order feel that closing the library would have a major impact on their community. 

3.    Library Usages

46% of Americans ages16 and over said they visited a library or bookmobile in the last year.  22% ages 16 and older have used a library website in the past year.  27% of those who have visited a public library to use their computers or Wi-Fi signal.

4.    Libraries are important

Most of the books are borrowed from higher educated and well off people, while low income people where more likely to use the help of the librarian.  Lower income people will watch or listen to media.  Also low income people will more than likely use computers and internet access from a public library.

5.    How most people use the library’s websites

Research

Library Catalog

Placing holds on materials

Renewing materials

Databases

Downloading ebooks

Checking or pay fines

6.    Librarians contribute to our communities

Share Information

Learn how to use technologies

Learn about our community

Finding Jobs

7.    Ebooks

Local libraries are lending more and more ebooks.  I love using them because I don’t have to worry about an overdue book the library website returns the ebooks for me or my grandchildren. ALA says the 90% of libraries have ebooks.

This was such a great article I shared it with my superintendent and my principal.

Harrigan, J.(2015). Libraries at the crossroads. PEW Research Center. September 2015.  Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/09/15/2015/Libraries-at-crossroads/
Pages 51