Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Celebrating Black History Month
This
guest post is by Tia Beaumont, School librarian. Tia's Black History Month
displays are both educational and entertaining. The perfect mix of digital
media & traditional books to appeal to the varied tastes of Robertson’s
kids. This included Author bio's, Book Reviews, scannable barcodes and video
footage on iPads/computers.
Of
all the books and dynamic video footage of amazing & notable people who've
contributed so impressively to our society, the one that's getting the most
attention from the children is Jazz Age
Josephine
Josephine
Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald in 1906 to a laundress and a musician.
At the age of 13, she began touring the United States with the Jones Family
Band and The Dixie Steppers, two comic groups. She performed various comical
skits. When the troupes split, she tried to advance to a chorus girl, but she
was turned down because she was “too skinny and too dark.” She continued to
have trouble landing roles as a singer, actress, and dancer, so she moved to
France.
She
was wildly popular in France. During World War II, she performed for the French
troops and smuggled secret messages for the French government that were written
on her music sheets. In the 50s and 60s, she visited the United States to help
fight for Civil Rights. She spoke out about her experience of being refused
service at the Stork Club. To show that children of different colors could get
along, she adopted 12 children from around the world. She called her family the
Rainbow Tribe. She spoke at rallies and was a speaker at the civil rights
convention where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
General Meeting - February 21, 2013
Don't forget. Our next PTA meeting is next Thursday, February 21, at 6:30p.m. We will have a guest speaker from the Mockingbird Education Foundation. The topic will be "Strategies for Helping with Homework". Check out their website: www.mockingbirdeducation.net
Monday, February 11, 2013
Robertson Library
The picture book of the Month is Ruby Saves Valentine’s Day. The
K- 2nd Graders loved hearing about the Valentines party that was cancelled due
to snow storm. Ruby was a problem solver & pack
ed her sled
with the valentine goodies and took the party to her friends.There are a few
twists & turns but in the end Ruby had indeed saved her favorite holiday
and got to spend it with her friends. Ask your kid’s how much they liked this
book & what happened along the way.
For books on the go, access the FISD digital library via the
free App ‘Overdrive’
All that’s needed is a password & an e-mail address. Books
have a two week due date.
This is great for week-ends and perfect timing for Spring Break
road trips & vacations.
Difficulty getting access? Mrs Biamont your friendly librarian
will help!
This Blog post was written by a Robertson Volunteer & Mom who’s
children’s e-book is featured in t
his months
Dallas Child magazine. Download Grendel's Great Escape on iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grendels-great-escape/id585972636?ls=1&mt=8 or Android Tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.bluesandpiperimprints.grendelHD&feature=search_result
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Children's Apps
In the vast sea of Children’s apps available
today, choosing the right ones can be a difficult and daunting task for parents
of digital kids. As a Mom, I prefer Apps that encourage learning with fun
interaction and well crafted stories to encourage reading. Here are some of the
best fun & reading ‘go to’ Apps listed by age group, the links below are for iPads/iPhones but many Apps are also
found on Android tablets as well.
Grendel’s Great Escape Blue Sandpiper Imprints - 4-8yrs https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grendels-great-escape/id585972636?ls=1&mt=8
A funny show and tell’s day adventure about
Martin, a messy little boy and his pet Ferret Grendel. Kids will love the
animation, interactive features and surprises on every page. The Features
include original background music and sound effects, as well as the read to
me/read by myself function with highlighted words.
Beck and Bo is not stop fun and giggles. The
unique creative artistic style and music is a great backdrop for the activities
and it’s a great learning environment and entertainment for children.
Leo’s pad Appisode1 - kidaptive inc. - Preschool -1st Grade https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leos-pad-appisode-1/id566773525?mt=8
This
is a perfect blend of entertainment and education which encourages user
interaction. Features include lovable characters, amazing 3-D animation.Kids
engage in a series of story-related activities which includes drawing a
birthday card or finding letters and shapes as they watch the animated story
staring Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci
Little Fox Music Box - Shape
minds Preschool -K https://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios/id36?mt=8
Young
children will love this music & sound based sing along App with 3
Children’s songs and lovable characters.
My Beastly ABCs Duncan Studio
-PreSchool & K
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-beastly-abcs/id578158826?mt=8
Kid’s join in
this interactive adventure on a magical day filled with friendly monsters from
around the world! This brilliant original story comes to life in an
educational, fun experience sure to enchant kids. Features include entertaining
games and fun interactive activities.
My Dad Drives a roller Coaster Car -Crabhill press preschool-6yrs https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-dad-drives-roller-coaster/id428268576?mt=8
The
name says it all! A funny, interactive book App that’s
full of actions to touch and discover. This picture book App combines
interactive graphics and sound effects to keep younger children entertained.
The amusement park setting and whacky park rides is filled with surprises
around every corner.
The house that went on strike -Jumping pages
4-8yrs
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/house-that-went-on-strike/id543678181?mt=8
The home and it’s appliances go on strike
against it’s family to win their respect. This app about respecting the home is
wonderfully told in rhyme and beautifully illustrated. Features include loads
of interactivity, Original music and word highlighting.
The Magnificent traveling palace -PlaneTree
Family Productions 4-8yrs https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magnificent-travelling-palace/id512502528?mt=8
You’ll be instantly
transported to India in The Magnificent Traveling Palace which is a unique
animated book app for children. This app uses technology to bring the
enchanting world of India and it’s culture to children. The captivating
colorful 3-D illustration and animations together with original music,
authentic sounds, and rich interactivity, create an exciting Indian atmosphere
through which the adventure comes to life.
Treasure Kai and the lost gold of shark Island
-Treasure bound books 5-10yrs https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/treasure-kai-lost-gold-shark/id418289114?mt=8
This is one of the most unique and original
Apps available which has set the standard for interactivity and activities that
move the game forward. Join Kai a modern day explorer as he embarks on a
treasure hunt through history in search of lost gold. This
unique treasure hunt adventure app uses a choose-your-adventure format.
Gone Wishing by Fi Productions 5-9yrs
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gone-wishing-interactive-storybook/id488516540?mt=8
Gone wishing is a highly interactive story
about a Genie who couldn’t grant wishes. This app features a fantastic world of
Goblins, Fairies, loads of magic and amazing graphics.
The Fantastic Flying books of Morris Lessmore 5-9yrs https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fantastic-flying-books-mr./id438052647?mt=8
Based on the short film, this story app is
just lovely. This well illustrated, wonderfully told story is vividly stunning.
The animation and activities such as the piano and the alphabet cereal are
seamlessly integrated into the story.
This blog
post is by Michelle Anaya, a children’s book writer and blogger. As the mother
of two boys who gravitate more towards electronic games than books, Michelle
created Blue Sandpiper Imprints. A company dedicated to creating
interactive books and apps that encourages voluntary reading through digital
technology. www.bluesandpiper.com An
Article featuring her work can be found in The February ’13 issue of Dallas
Child Magazine
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