Despite the media center being closed recently for MSA testing we have still seen a few classes and had special events.  Just today the culmination of research in the media center on different historical figures involved with the crusades came together in Ms. Gieger’s 7th Grade Social Studies Class.

We have a new look and a new home.  There was a bit of confusion with our old URL so this one will hopefully be easier for students and staff alike.  Until all of the old links from the Sykesville and Media Home Pages are changed, both blogs will be available.  This may take a few days, but in the mean time what do you think of the new look?  Did you like the old one better?  Also note that now in the side bar there are links to recent comments for those of you who are regular readers. You’ll be able to see your comments and those of others without having to go to the original post.

Ok, so it now seems we have some regular readers who are commenting that we don’t have new content as often as you might like.  Perhaps then it is time for interested students to become creators of the content for the blog? What do you think about having student posters?  Everything would of course have to be approved by the blog administrators before being posted, but if you are interested in writing a post let me know.  You can do this by just typing something and leaving in the media center (we will have a blue box on the counter labeled blog posts soon)  Or stop by and see Mrs. Mayo in the media center if you would like to have the rights to type it here on the site.  This requires some forms and parental permission.  We would love to have students talking about all things literary or media related!

April is School Library Media Month and National Poetry month.  We will combine the two by using our school library blog to capture some of the poetry you are writing.  Simply post your poetry as a comment to this blog entry.  Go ahead and take the plunge.  What have you written? Please share it with us.

Students in every grade have been doing a lot of research lately.  We have had 7th graders research Islamic achievements, 6th graders researching a wide variety of topics from their social studies class, and 8th graders finding information about people. So the media center has been a busy place lately.  My question for you today is what do you hate about doing research during school?  What is difficult? What is easy?  Now is your time to vent and let us know what the research experience is like from your point of view.

What’s new for 2008?  Well for one there will be loads of new books arriving in the media center any day now. Also hopefully we will have several more special programs in the media center.  What ideas do you have?  And yes we have heard your idea about a fashion show— you need to take this idea to your team or the administration— the media center currently has no plans for a fashion show, but it is an interesting idea. How could we make it relate to books or media literacy?

Blogs are changing the way we communicate, and they have have tremendous potential to change education, too.  How do you think your teachers could use blogs in their classroom? How could or would you use one to help you learn better?  Share your ideas here and maybe we can host a classroom project here.

We have had several rounds of book exchanges now with most grades.  It appears some authors are quite popular here at Sykesville Middle School.  Which authors would you read or recommend to fellow students?  Why do you like those  particular authors? Here in the media center we like Sarah Dessen, Andrew Clements, Gordon, Korman, Gail Carson Levine, Gary Paulsen… just to name a few. Perhaps we should give a Sykesville’s favorite author award.  Who would you nominate and why?  Remember to use good grammar when you write your post.

Choosing a book to read is an individual decision. Some students choose a book by its cover, others because of a recommendation from a friend or teacher, and still some choose authors that they love or the next book in a series. What book did you choose today and why? What do you think the book will be about? Explain your book choice today and make some predictions about what you think it is about.

The public library has recently launched a book club program. Every month, the club meets to discuss the book that they read that month. This month’s book is Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz. Make sure you check it out! The book club meets on October First.