From the "Class Tech Tips" blog

What websites can help you capture student thinking and check for understanding? 

The recent announcement that Flipgrid, now known as Flip, will only be accessible through Microsoft Teams has left many educators feeling frustrated. When the features of favorite tools or the way we access them change, it may be time to look for alternatives.

If you are a Microsoft Teams user, you might stick with Flip. But if you don’t use this tool, you might want to try another option. So today, on the blog, I have nine websites to replace Flipgrid. Replace is a bit of a loaded word since these websites certainly don’t do the same thing as Flip.  They may help you address some of the same goals you had when using Flipgrid in the first place.

Read the entire article and learn what tools are best at this address: 

https://classtechtips.com/2024/06/13/replace-flipgrid/

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Try out the new Khanmigo at https://www.khanmigo.ai/teachers

"Khanmigo streamlines class prep and gives teachers more time and energy to spend with students. As your planning ally and instructional collaborator, Khanmigo leverages Khan Academy content to simplify AI for teachers. No prompting is required."
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https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2024/05/enhancing-the-future-of-education-with-khan-academy#:~:text=Khanmigo%20streamlines%20class%20prep%20and,No%20prompting%2

You can create your own free teacher account (using your AAPS Google account) and can quickly find ways of incorporating it into your lesson planning.
Check it out!

I ran across this free service and thought some of you may find it useful: it is a way to organize your classroom library and keep track of which students borrowed your books. Plus it runs statistics and reports for you to learn about your student's reading habits. 

From FOLLETT:

​A Free and Easy-to-Use Tool for Staying OrganizedBring clarity and order to your classroom shelves. However you have your classroom library set up, Classroom Library Manager not only helps you keep it straight but also provides powerful insight into your students’ reading habits.
Start Organizing Today


​​Connect with students.
Get to know your students by seeing what they are reading and what topics interest them. The details you get from Classroom Library Manager are a great place to begin a conversation around reading and build a relationship with your students.

Keep everything in its place.If you’re like most teachers, more than a handful of books have disappeared from your classroom shelves. You’ve probably also dipped into your own wallet to buy books for your students. Classroom Library Manager helps you keep everything organized. You’ll know the who, what, where and when behind each title in your collection.

Measure growth and progress.Support student reading development. Get insight into whether or not your students are reading books within their level, or even see which students aren’t reading as much as they should be. You’ll also get an overview of which categories in your library are most popular.

Make sense out of what’s on your shelves.

See who’s reading, and who isn’t. You’ll also get an overview of what’s popular in your library – by author, bin, series and more.

Create reports showing how your collection breaks down by reading level, fiction or nonfiction quantities or even which books have never been read.


Students get a simplified view, allowing them to easily check out and check in books. They’ll even be reminded which book bin the book belongs in when they return it. Turn on game settings to allow students to earn points to get new badges.

How does it work?
Enter your titles.The time you put in to add each title will be worth it! Imagine getting ready for the end of the year and knowing where EVERY book in your library is.

Keep everything in its place.
​Create bin labels and place each title into their corresponding place. This will remind students where each book belongs when it’s time to put it back.

Measure growth and progress.Enter your class list so that every student can access your library. It’s time for them to dive in and start reading.

The Tappan library depends heavily on book reviews to ensure that we are selecting only the best and most appropriate titles for our students.  School Library Journal is one of the best sources for these professional and reliable book reviews.  Here is an article that discusses the review process and the people that do this important work. 

from School Library Journal:
A “Serious Responsibility:” Four SLJ Reviewers Talk Process, Selecting Stars
by Kara Yorio
Jul 14, 2023 | Filed in News & Features

A group of approximately 500 practicing or recently retired school, public, and academic librarians from across the United States, as well as Canada, Zambia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Belgium—along with some children’s literature academics and the SLJ Reviews editors—comprise arguably the most invaluable part of the  School Library Journal team. They are SLJ's reviewers.
In conjunction with our July Stars Issue, SLJ spoke to a few of the reviewers who are part of that collection of contributors who writes the roughly 5,000 reviews published per year. They each have their own process for reviewing a title, but all come to the practice from a common thread: Having used SLJ reviews for their own collection development over the years, they know what is expected and what librarians need from a review.

​Read the full article here: 
https://www.slj.com/story/A-Serious-Responsibility-four-SLJ-Reviewers-Talk-Process-Selecting-Stars?utm_campaign=SLJ%20Extra%20Helping&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=267286363&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FTmBW3_7tgExBdfkx98ZYOLdmA8CMvApEVimzlsD5-EN7m_pUwli-Hig5AftApHrgEypyCjDvjLeylxR1ACfwQWAvKw&utm_content=2&utm_source=hs_email


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If you are looking for some of the top most recommended books for young people to read, here are some useful lists from the American Library Association, vetted and compiled by experts and professional librarians for appropriateness and quality.  
 
American Library Association's Recommendations Specifically for Middle Schoolers and Teens
https://libguides.ala.org/recommended-reading/YA-teens
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2022 Association for Library Service to Children - Summer Reading Lists 
https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists/2022-summer-reading-list

2023 Association for Library Service to Children - Notable Children's Books
https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

American Library Association's Recommended Reading Guides
https://libguides.ala.org/recommended-reading

 National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID)* is a nationwide event that was launched by an AAPS educator, Mr. Joe Dulin in 1995. 

Dulin was inspired after he participated in the Million Man March, and envisioned a day created to encourage parents to begin practicing the goals of NAAPID, which include:

• Promote African American parent involvement in their child's education.
• Promote and provide strategies for African American parents and students to take full advantage of the educational process at all levels of the educational system (preschool through post secondary).
• Identify and develop partnership efforts between all sectors of the community (business, school, home, etc.).
• Create a national network on the state and local levels to achieve the mission and goals of NAAPID.
• Offer educational workshops, seminars and institutes relating to parental involvement and eliminating the achievement gap.
• Establish an annual National African American Parent Involvement Day celebration on the second Monday in February.

                                         (* This information is adapted from the African American Registry webpage)

Historically, families were invited into the building and attended classes with their students during NAAPID, but this year's event will be fully virtual due to pandemic restrictions.
Tappan will observe this day by offering families four powerful sessions that focus on ways to continue to support their students during the pandemic.

The main event will be keynote speaker, Patrice Lee, who is a mom, author {Leep4Joy Books}, speaker, publisher, entrepreneur, webinar host, and workshop facilitator, with a joy for life. Lee overcame many years in a hostile work environment, and simultaneously, while raising a young family, served as caregiver and guardian for ailing loved ones, and pursued a postgraduate degree. It was through love and forgiveness, that she was able to change the course of her work life.  Her love of people and passion for life is what motivates her to write, and gives her an opportunity to help others overcome their obstacles too.  Patrice Lee shares a positive message in each book to help parents, children, and teens "live on the happy side of life."  
See a list of Ms. Lee’s books here. Instructions on ordering books can be found here.

Mr. Kyle Kipp, Tappan's Library Media Specialist will review some online tools and resources that families can benefit from as we endure the pandemic. 

Online Technology Resources discussed will include:

• NAAPID, a day for family bonding - background information on the NAAPID program and its roots
• Why is February Black History Month? - a great article by NPR that explains the significance
• More information on Black History Month - from blackhistorymonth.gov
• Free Learning Resources for Black History Month (and Beyond) - from Common Sense Media
• Ann Arbor African American Historical Sites - fascinating local history
• Washtenaw County African American Genealogical Studies Resources - research your family history
• HealthCorps.org - resources for families and their children to live healthier lives
• Common Sense Media - trusted source for parental guidance on their child's entertainment and technology
• Teaching Your Children About Internet Safety - from the GCFLearnFree.org program
• ​Five Free Ways to Protect Your Children Online - the best and quickest way to help protect your child from the pitfalls of online dangers
• Internet Safety for Children Resources - an extensive list of tools for keeping your children safe online
• AAPS Student and Family Help Desk - contact our IT department for technology and/or device problems
• Quarantine Learning Support - LIVE academic support is available for students that are quarantined or have an extended absence!
• Sora Online Book Library - AAPS's ebook and audiobook library, free and easy access for any device
• Ann Arbor District Library Resources - so many wonderful free programs and resources all year long
• March Is Reading Month at Tappan - fun activities to help promote a love of reading
• Tappan Book Drive - donate your previously enjoyed books and we donate them to local community centers
• Tappan's new Little Free Library - a community book exchange
• Summer Reading Programs and Resources to Help Prevent the "Summer Slide"
• MeL.org - The Michigan Electronic Library
• Read Harder Challenge - activities to expand your reading horizons and stretch your "comfort zone"
• Multicultural Books Collections by Lee and Low
• Tutoring Resources - get help with your schoolwork online and locally
  • https://www.826michigan.org/
  • https://www.tutor.com/
  • https://www.gvsu.edu/k12connect/

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Kipp at: [email protected]

Middle and high school teachers, registration is open for the 2021 Teen Press Conference on November 10!

A free virtual event hosted by @kwamealexander with the Finalists for the #NBAwards for Young People’s Literature.

​To learn more and register, visit: 
https://www.nationalbook.org/programs/teen-press-conference/
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Powerful Readers’ Advisory with NoveList PlusPatrons often have questions about what to read next. NoveList Plus, an eResource from MeL.org, is a tool that can help provide readers’ advisory. Though library staff become familiar with their collections over time, no one can read as widely or deeply as we would like. NoveList Plus can help broaden library workers’ ability to recommend the right book and create engaging displays that will draw attention to hidden gems in any collection.
Premade Lists
Premade lists are a quick way to find books with a particular genre or theme. On the NoveList Plus home page, the left menu provides over 100 recommended reading lists, both fiction and nonfiction, divided by age level (Adult, Teen, Ages 9-12, Ages 0-8). These lists are diverse in topic and scope. For example, the adult mystery category has 15 lists including Cooking Up Crime, Vacation Interrupted, and Historical Mysteries. Lists can be printed for patrons or used as a starting point for a book display or programming idea.
Readers’ Advisory Toolbox
Across the top of the home page, the Especially For menu includes a Readers’ Advisory Toolbox designed to help library staff become more proficient at understanding genre and theme, recommending books, and creating booklists and displays for their libraries and patrons. This menu also includes Working with Youth, a page of specialty resources designed for those who provide youth services. The articles are based on age range and provide programming ideas and information about diverse books.
Basic and Advanced Searches
NoveList Plus includes basic and advanced searches to find just the right book. The basic search box is on the home page along with a link to an advanced search page. In order to perform better searches, NoveList Plus has a story elements guide called The Secret Language of Books that library staff can use to learn more about the best search terms to find books. The idea center also has videos to help staff learn about the story elements of appeal, theme, and genre and how to use them in a search.
Catch Reader Attention with Amazing Displays
Making a display of books to increase circulation takes time. The Book Display Ideas in the Quick Links menu not only provides lists that can help library staff get started, but each list also includes a premade Library Aware poster that can be printed and used with the display. NoveList Plus has also a curated Books to Movies list which would make a great display to help patrons find stories they can read and then watch.
NoveList Plus is a powerhouse eResource for readers’ advisory. From pre-made booklists to vast searching capabilities, library staff will find NoveList the perfect MeL eResource for helping patrons discover that just right book.


If you are having any issues linking to items on this page, please explore the MeL eResource Access Page. Contact [email protected] for help.

Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL TeamSupporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or Michigan library access only.
MeL Minutes are brought to you by the Library of Michigan.  Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.
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Stay sharp over the summer and prevent the dreaded"summer slide" by reading books that you enjoy!
See the presentation below for ideas, tips, resources, and strategies to enjoy reading what you want to read and stay sharp so that you show up to school next year up to speed and ready to start your new year right!
Or, click this link.

Research indicates that students who read at least 4-6 books over the summer halt the traditional "summer slide" that occurs in the off-school months. 

“Summer slide” is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. 

We at Tappan Middle School strive to end summer slide and get our kids on path to becoming lifelong readers! 
Here are a few ways we aim to accomplish this goal.

Ann Arbor District Library Summer Game
The local library gives free prizes to students that read at least 4 books over the summer, plus they have a lot of interactive activities in which you earn more points to redeem for more fun prizes!
See this link for more info:  https://aadl.org/play

Lee & Low multicultural books and summer reading resources

This company specializes in culture-rich content and they provide a wealth of summer reading suggestions, resources for teachers, printables, and summer reading activities for all ages.
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See this link for more info: https://www.leeandlow.com/educators/summer-reading-book-lists-k-8

More Summer Reading Links

• BookSource Summer Reading Resources
• ​Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
• Nicola's Books Summer Reading Club
• NewsELA Summer Reading Clubs
• NoveList K-8 Plus
• BEST YOUNG ADULT FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION - Goodreads Choice Awards
• BEST YOUNG ADULT FICTION - Goodreads Choice Awards
• BEST MIDDLE GRADE & CHILDREN'S - Goodreads Choice Awards
• ​SRC Book Recommendations
• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Recommendations
• ​Brightly Summer Reading
• ​Three Ways To Prevent Summer Slide (Scholastic)
• ​Great summer reading for teachers

OYLA Science Magazine
by Susan Hahn (Big Deal Media)
OYLA is a popular science magazine for young readers and their families. Every issue offers a look into world-changing discoveries, unsolved mysteries, and surprising scientific principles behind everyday objects. For example, students can read about why bats are breeding grounds for epidemics, when dogs became human’s best friend, who is spying on us from space, or how an ant turns into a zombie!

OYLA magazine has been published in more than six languages across 10 countries since its launch in 2015. An international team of visionaries, educators, scientists, and science journalists introduces young readers of all ages and genders to the beauty, wonder, and tremendous potential of science, and empowers them to ask questions about the world around them and make their own scientific discoveries. Their goal is to help transform the image of science, making it open and accessible to all.
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Looking for more amazing resources? Download the fall 2019 Big Deal Book of Technology for K–12 Educators.