What is TeLMS? A bit like a THNEED that everyone, everyone, everyone needs

I have always loved reading Dr. Seuss http://www.seussville.com/books to children. I was always fascinated by the way he could create rhyming in his stories in the most creative ways. The best part is how he makes up words when he can’t seem to find just the right word for the next sentence. Wouldn’t you love to visit the Island of Sala-ma-sond or the far end of town where the Grickle grass grows? How about going to the zoo with Gerald McGrew seeing a Iota from the far Western part of Dakota. Beside places and animals, Dr. Seuss creates nouns and verbs that are often a very important part of the book. For example a thneed is a fine-something that all people need. It’s a shirt. It’s a sock. It’s a glove. It’s a hat. But it has other uses. Yes, far beyond that. 

Sometimes Seuss just creates a fun variation on words like chimley for chimney to rhyme with nimbly. The best part is that it all works and they are a joy to read aloud. My favorites are HORTON HATCHES AN EGG, THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS and of course THE LORAX. If none of this makes any sense to you than you must begin to read Dr. Seuss.

I guess I actually should not be so amazed at this Suess Language. We have an even greater repertoire of educational JIS jargon. It is almost like a secret language. We don’t use it to help us rhyme or create rich stories. I think our language makes you part of the club. If you understand it all you belong. I always thought it would be fun to write a JIS story using JIS language. What could we name this language: JISism, JIS-function (like dysfunction), JISology, JISjargon, JISations, JIStalk, JISpeak, JISlang, JISwanttobe, JISdoit.

My hand at Seussisms or JISisms...

JIS

In the center of the huts where our kids hang out.

Full of trash and things all about. 

Running to the SWLC is taking my time

As I try to make this story rhyme. 

There is always traffic in front of CIL

I have to say I have had my fill. 

Near the FAT, I’m past the gate,

Will I get there at this rate?

My EQ’s are on edge.

As I have made a solemn pledge...

To create norms and make them work

Collaborate in PLC with every jerk.

The PTA or PAF what’s the differences in the name.

Is it all just one big game?

Does EDM really need to everyday,

Making the ends of my nerves fray.

The AP/IB program runs this place

A bit like a rat in a never ending race.

And now we want to give the MAP

To see if there is a learning gap. 

If you are new and work at PIE,

Don’t you just want to curl up and cry 

Don’t forget PEL and EAL and KKJIS

How can all these things exist.

Can my son get enough credits for CAS

Without dying or running out of gas.

EARCOS, EARCOS, want to go

There goes you PD money for one big show.

Now we need some TLC 

But none of this is about me.

I have to say that at JIS...

It goes on a bit like this.

How do we get through the day

That is the question, I ask... if I may?

by a Dr. Suess want-to-be

If none of this makes any sense to you, than I suggest you read the WASC Report. 

Here is my interpretation of it all...

TeLMS=Technology & Library Media Services, EQ=essential qualities, SWLC=school wide learning council, WASC=Western Association of Schools and Colleges, IB=international baccalaureate, EE=extended essay, PEL=Pattimura Elementary, PIE=Pondoh Indah Elementary, CIL=Cilandak, FAT=fine arts theatre, MPR=multi-purpose room, W3=wantilan, EDM=everyday math, JIS=Jakarta International School, PAF=parent academic forum, PTA=parent teacher association, PLC=professional learning communities, PTC=principals training center, VP=vice principal, HLC=High School Learning Council, SST=support service team, EAL=English as another language, S&E, KKJIS, TLC (tech, learning and communication, the learning center), TeLMS=technology and library media services, IASAS=International association of south asia schools, AP=advanced placement, CIS=counsel of international schools, EARCOS=East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools, ELA=english language arts, ELL=English language learners, GLSA=grade level subject area, ISTA=International School Theatre Association, MAP=MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS, CAS=COMMUNITY ACTION SERVICE,TAA=tolong anak anak, VPA=visual performing arts, 

How can I get you to read my blog? Feel good news.

If you are a newspaper reader or a TV news watcher you are well aware that what you see is almost all the bad news. I always wanted to start a feel good newspaper, knowing very well it would NOT be popular. I actually found a feel good newspaper in Bali, of course! Than there is the onion news that you can read and watch athttp://www.theonion.com/content/index This will give you a great laugh, but it is just making fun of all the bad news. Try  this video http://www.theonion.com/content/video/are_violent_video_games

CNN Heroeshttp://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/ is a great place to find feel good ideas that people are doing. You can nominate a 2010 hero! 

If you are one of the few who enjoys good news, than become a follower of the PEL Library Blog. Here you can read good news. You can even write to the author, ME, and suggest what you would like to hear and know more about. 

At this point, I have 9 followers on the PEL Library Blog. My own son is not even following it. If you want to motivate the author, ME, please log in and click follow. I wish to have 200 followers by the end of the school year! 

Make my WISH come true!

BEING RESPONSIBLE WORLD CITIZEN NOW!

How can it be that every 3.5 seconds a person dies of hunger and WE HAVE enough food to feed the world? This is a question that the Pattimura Grade 5 students have been asking themselves, each other and their teachers. Java Feeding the Millions is a unit of study they have been working on for the last 4 weeks. This unit was introduced on a wiki that can be found at: http://javafeedingthemillions.pbworks.com/FrontPage

If you are an interested in logging on to this site, please contact rpolonsky@jisedu.or.id

Here is their task:

Dear JIS Grade 5 Students:

My name is Ibu Siti Pattimura. I work as an aid agency called FOOD FOR ALL or YAYASAN MAKANAN UNTUK SEMUA (YMUS) and we are trying to feed the world. As an aid agency we are looking for a group of experienced researchers to create a compelling "story" about hunger.

The author, Daniel Pink writes, "Stories can be healing." Throughout the ages children have been told stories by adults at times when they need guidance in order to cope with a difficult life situation. Stories teach us what is right and wrong. Stories are how we learn. YMUS would like your research group to create a compelling true "story" of hunger. We will use your presentation to:

1. Convince large companies and governments to improve conditions which lead to hunger.

2. Convince the public to give generously when they donate to our cause.

We are interested in hiring the research team that best expresses the facts of hunger in a compelling and empathetic way that speaks to all who view your presentation. YMUS knows that there is enough food to feed the world population, but still many men, women and children are hungry everyday.

You have 4 weeks to create a project to present to the Board of Directors of the Yayasan Makanan Untuk Semua.  Your teachers will divide you into groups for collaboration. See the pamphlet from the library about the "Six Easy Steps for Research Projects" to help you with this process.

This presentation must include the following information:

Background: This is where the team has to provide general information on hunger based on research that they have conducted during their inquiry. This portion of the presentation should demonstrate that you understand:

    * What hunger is?

    * The different causes of hunger

    * Why, despite there being enough food, people are still going hungry?

    * The different types of programs that are currently being used

    * Hunger from the perspective of person who you are trying to help

 

After you have researched your background information your group will decide on how they will present the information using appropriate visual media to engage your audience. Your team should include innovative suggestions of how to solve this global issue but understanding the steps may start small.

Remember the saying: “If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day, if you teach a man to fish they will eat for a life time.”

OR

“If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. If you teach a man to learn, you feed him for a lifetime and he doesn't have to only eat fish. ..."

OR

They don't need to be taught to fish-instead, they need an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. (by Shawn http://uncultured.com/)

In four weeks time the Board of Directors  of YMUS will be here to experience your presentations.

Good Luck!

Sincerely Yours,

Ibu Siti Pattimura

The wiki has resources that include websites, videos and books to assist students in their research. It also includes the rubric on creativity and has information about how to research. The Pattimura TeLMS (technology & library media services) as a team have decided to introduce the first NETS-S standard on creativity. We want to thank Bindu Bammi a MS art teacher for her useful rubric that we changed slightly. The rubric was introduced to all the classes and gave them the vision of what to strive for.

The excitement and learning has been escalating over the last few weeks as students learning research skills, new technologies, how to collaborate and most important how can they be responsible world citizens!

Sticking Your Neck Out...I Want to be a GIRAFFE!

So, here is my new goal in life... to be a giraffe. About Giraffes: Here at the Giraffe Heroes Project, we have long honored the risk-takers, people who are largely unknown, people who have the courage to stick their necks out for the common good, in the US and around the world. This site will tell you more http://www.giraffe.org/ YES, I want to be a giraffe! Giraffes stick their necks out. We all have to stick out necks out if we want to create a better world. I am a baby giraffe right now. I do the recycle program at Pattimura School, I run the roots and shoots after-school program. I am Captain Code Green, reminding everyone about helping mother earth. I have encouraged service at school in many different ways. BUT...I still want to be a big giraffe with a long neck. What could that look like? I think I have to get my hands dirty and really get out there and do something. 
So...here I am at a huge crossroads in my life and I really could check out the me to we organization. I could send them my resume that I started on service and see what happens. Why stop here. Why not sent the resume to a slew of service organization world-wide and see what happens. Why not really stick my neck out!  

Don’t JUST google Please, Where to find information with your children?

Do you realize that if you GOOGLE the word dogs, you get 153,000,000 hits. What can you do with all that information about dogs? Who wants that much information about dogs? How long would it take to read all that information about dogs? How much of that information about dogs is accurate? This kind of searching is overwhelming for our students. We want to teach your children how to best access information and for now in elementary school we want to keep it simple.
Our library catalog is created by a company called Follett Destiny. Besides just finding books for you in all JIS Libraries, you can go to Webpath and find sites that are kid friendly. JIS has given Follett the names of our units of study and they have been able to find sites that are evaluated by experts. We know these sites contain correct information that is helpful and kid-friendly. We would like to invite parents to explore the PEL Catalog and see if they can use Webpath. It operates like any other search engine. Here is where you find it. Explore!

One Search is also a great place to find information. You can find a number of different kid-friendly online encyclopedias, and other kid publications like Yahoo! Kids, Atlapedia, World Book, GOT QUESTIONS? GET ANSWERS, netTrekker, sirs, and KidsClicks. You can find One Search on the PEL Library Catalog under Find, all the way to the right with a handheld magnifying glass.

If you are still not information rich, go to the PEL Library Homepage. There are connections to a number of search engines, but remember these are not evaluated or censored. Some of my favorites are PBS Kids and Onekey for kids (a google site for kids). You will also find DK Encyclopedia and Smithsonian on the homepage.
If you are more confused than ever...please stop in the library and ask. We are here for you and your child's information needs. Or email me at rpolonsky@jisedu.or.id.


Remember the PEL Library Homepage for your information needs!

Grade 3-5 BLOGS

We are starting blogs with our grade 3-5 students. It has been a great process and they are all very excited. I would love to know how others are using blogs with elementary kids. We want them to use it for writing, reflection, special final projects, and projects in progress. It will be great if they keep these throughout their school careers as places to share work. I will search some ideas about what others are doing.

If you are interested in creating your own blog, go to blogger.com It is easy and simple and you and your child can follow each other.

Off to Hong Kong on Wednesday for a 21st century tech conference. I went to one last year in Shanghai and learned a great deal. Blogging with kids is the kind of ideas sharing I will be able to get.

How to stay YOUNG

How to stay YOUNG?

Sometimes I think I am to old for this, but it all just too much fun! Kids seem to keep me young. They bring out the silliness and child's play in my being. I love seeing the library full of active elementary kids being kids and being noisy. Sometimes I think the PEL Library sounds like Grand Central Station at rush hour. I just sit back and enjoy all the activity and soak in the youth.
Like this super hero librarian say, "Do the DEED, READ!

Dear Parents

NEWS FROM THE PEL LIBRARY:

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to another exciting year in the PEL Library! We have loads of new books and items for your family’s’ reading pleasure.

New books for parents are listed below.

A message to all JIS parents: Please remember that the JIS Library Catalog is available to you all on the Parentnet. On the catalog you can access books from all the JIS Libraries (PEL, PIE, Middle School and High School). Make JIS Libraries your family’s resource for books and information. If you are interested in getting a book from one of the other JIS Libraries, please let me know (email: rpolonsky@jisedu.or.id ) and we can have it delivered to PEL. If you need any help finding this information, please stop in the library.

You are all patron of the JIS Library system and may use your parent id as your library card. Father’s too!! Please stop by the PEL Library and model reading and library usage for your children.

Thanks,

Rhona Polonsky,

PEL Teacher Librarian

New Books for Parents:

HOMEWORK WITHOUT TEARS: This is a parent’s guide for motivating children to do homework and to succeed in school.

REVIVING OPHELIA: Saving the selves of adolescent girls: What is happening to the selves of adolescent girls? Why had these lovely and promising human beings fallen prey to depression, eating disorder, and crushingly low self-esteem? The answer hit a nerve with therapist, Mary Pipher. Crashing and burning in a “developmental Bermuda Triangle,” they were coming of age in a media-saturated culture preoccupied with unrealistic ideals of beauty, a culture rife with addictions. This book is told in the brave, fearless, and honest voices of girls themselves who are emerging from the chaos of adolescence.

SOLVE YOU CHILD’S SLEEP PROBLEMS: Incorporating new research, Dr. Ferber provides important basic information that all parents should know regarding the nature of sleep and the development of normal sleep and body rhythms throughout childhood. He discusses the cause of most sleep problems from birth to adolescence and recommends an array of proven solutions for each so that parents can choose the strategy that works best for them.

WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR TUMMY, MOMMY? This the only book you’ll need to explain exactly what goes on inside a pregnant mommy’s tummy. Month by month, spread by spread, the stages of pregnancy develop. Mothers-to-be can hold up the pages and use the life-size illustrations to show how the baby grows.

Many more books and topics are available to parents.

We also carry these magazines for your reading pleasures: Find them on a book shelf behind our couches.

Parenting Early Years

Additude: For People with Attention Deficit

Readers Digest

Mother Earth News: The Original Guide to Living Wisely

Jakarta Now

ENJOY!

TEACHER AND LEARNER

Dear JIS Community,
Yes, the better to see you with my dear...
You can now all follow along in my circuitous journey to teacher librarian-hood. I will use the PEL Library Blog as my learning log and my reflections in a course called Teacher Librarians as Leaders.
Leadership is about what Peter Senge calls, "learning organizations". What that must boil down to in education is that anyone who is creating more learning for students is a leader. The idea that this week JIS is implementing, Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is a move towards a learning organization where the focus in on learning and not on teaching. Within these PLC's, teachers emerge as leaders. The big picture has to include inquiry, collaboration, and reflective practice. We are over 100 teachers in the PLC workshop out of a total teaching faculty of 250. That is what I call distributed leadership. It is all very exciting. Here is a quote from the workshop today: Collective Commitments of Administrator: "IF we are to be a school with widely dispersed leadership, THEN we must create structures to promote multiple leadership opportunities and define our job, in part, as developing the leadership potential of OTHERS at our school. If you want to know more about PLC's have a look at this website:
http://www.allthingsplc.info/

Rainy Day Ramblings

Rainy Day Ramblings: JAKARTA

April 6th, the heavens have opened and chaos prevails. You would think that it was the first rain people here have ever experienced in this tropical rainforest. There is static electricity in the air. Gate B at Pattimura is flooded and closed. We need web feet to walk to our cars and I remove my shoes. I left school at 2:45, let’s see how long this trip takes and what we see on the way.
As I drive home, I begin reading an article in Ed. Leadership, but can hardly ignore the frantic mobile masses trying to inch forward. The torrential down pour has calmed and with that the streets are filled with vendors selling snacks to those who fear they may not reach home for dinner or maybe breakfast?? Buses continue to stop in the middle of the crowded streets to drop off patrons as they try to disperse through the carnage of mobiles held at a standstill in most cases. Motorcycles return from their hiding space under bridges causing one lane traffic in the busiest sections of roadways. As the rain lessens the motorbikes return in masses as if a swarm of mosquitos have hatched suddenly but expected. Umbrellas are colliding into each other on sidewalks that are uneven and difficult to maneuver in the best weather. Heads covered with plastic bags are in fashion along with rolled up pant legs. I have moved maybe 10 meters in the last 30 minutes and my driver is planning the best route in his mind. We have turned off the main road and will begin our circuitous weave home. I fear there is no best route. Students in white uniforms are braving the steady drops but most people have found shelter in even the smallest aperture of their toko or warung. We have settled in for the long arduous trip ahead, glad that I remembered to visit the ladies rooms before leaving the security of school. I go back to the movie, BLADE RUNNER, where the setting was a constant drizzle combined with fluorescent lights and a mix of old and new. I must watch that movie again sometime. I begin to envy those that are at home sipping tea and watching the rain outside their window and long to be there. How patiently my driver dances with the other drivers to create a ballet of slow delicate movements always making sure contact is avoided. Wondering how long my computer battery will last and dimming my screen to save energy. It is 4pm now and I am on Jl. Tirtayasa, not far from school and still far from home. I always tell new arrivals to Jakarta that the traffic will teach them patients and to create a home away from home in your car. Have pillows, blankets, water, books, suduko, crosswords and rarely do you need to look where you are going. Sending joking messages to my husband that I may never get home tonight. Intersections become gridlock and you wonder if you will ever move again. Motorcycle drivers and passengers with no shoes weave by. No ones listens to a man trying to direct the chaos and you wonder why he is even trying. Huge puddles continue to form and you know that there is no place for all this wetness to escape to. I do love the sound of rain and in a car I am reminder of the tin roof in our Vermont farmhouse during rainy evening in our loft. I have cancelled my tai chi lesson and Pak Dyon is grateful that he doesn’t have to be a part of the rain scene. I have helped keep one motorcycle off the road. Unbelievably the sun is trying to shine down on us and it seems to want to clear, but I fear it is to late and there clear skies will not help. Traffic police wave franticly to try and clear a route, but there is no clearings in sight just bumper to bumper. I love that we create our own lane and are lost in no where land. If I was at the wheel, I would feel like covering my eyes, clicking my ruby red slippers and repeating, “I want to go home, I want to go home”. I think we are close to the penis trees a landmark that I am familiar with just before the road to Kemang by the building with the clock tower. We have made progress and it is only 4:23 p.m. How much more you notice as you maneuver slowly and you see the red cross building you never saw before with a sign outside that reads in big red letters, “I can save a life”. Three lanes merging into two is always tricky and slow. Back to my Ed. Leadership, as I settle in for the uneventful trip down artery with what feels like half the population of Jakarta. HOME: 4:52 not bad and the sun is shining and the skies are clearing.

GIVE A BOOK TO INDONESIA: Pages to Grow

Indonesia Week 2009 has come and gone. It was another wonderful experience for both teachers and students. We were able to experience dance, music, art, food, and crafts of this diverse archipelago. Thank you Lanny Jizhar!
This Indonesia Week was especially busy in the PEL Library. On Thursday and Friday the children were able to buy books in Bahasa Indonesian for a kampung in Bintaro. They have set up a small library and have been in desperate need of books . Our 6th graders have been working in conjunction with the WatSan, a yayasan that works with disadvantage Indonesian communities to improve water and sanitation conditions through educational activities. Watsan was working under the guidance of Yayasan Emmanuel, but has grown to establish an independent organization in Indonesia. One of the requests from this community was to set up a public library. The library is up and working, but the book collection is very limited. This was another wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about being responsible world citizens by giving to their host country. The response was overwhelming. Students, teachers and the PEL community contributed more than Rp14.8 million worth of books in two days. Each student was able to sign their book and stamp it with a Pattimura Library stamp.
Pages To Grow is a Blog that was created by my Grade 11 son, Jared Smith, who is working on his IB service project. He is working with four Grade 8 students Isabella, Mansi, .... , .... on acquiring books for distribution in Indonesia. A blog has been created for others in the global community to help with this cause. You can visit his site at: http://pagestogrow.blogspot.com/search?q=pagestogrow

BUYING A MAC

HOW IS BUYING A MAC LIKE BUYING A BANJO?

I think it must have been in the 1980, but I am not good with remembering dates. I decided that I would learn how to play the banjo, Now...you have to realize that I am not musical at all. I can't sing, I can't read notes and I had traumatic experiences in school with music teachers. I love the banjo, so I walked into a music store and brought a 5 string banjo. No problem there, the problem came when I left the store with the banjo. How can a non-musical person walk around with a banjo. I felt like an impersonator and as I walked it was difficult to actually hold this instrument close to me. This is the same feeling I had today when I brought my mac. I've never had a mac and don't know how to use them, who did I think I was. Once again there was that feeling of being an impersonator, and holding the box in a detached way.
BUT...writing my blog on my new mac on flock is lovely and wonderful and much easier than learning the banjo...so far!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Ms. Polonsky's Favorites

Here is that FAVS favorites list:

THE HUNDRED DRESSES (F EST)

SHAKESPEARE'S SECRET (F BRO)

THE LIGHTNING THIEF (F RIO)

DRAGONKEEPER (F WIL)

HATCHET (F PAU)

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA (F PAT)

SHILOH (F NAY)

ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHIN (F ODE)

NUMBER THE STARS (F LOW)

IQBAL: A NOVEL (F DAD)

DEAR MR. HENSHAW (F CLE)

STRIDER

INDIGO BLUE

CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY (F CUS)

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (F JUS)

THE CITY OF EMBER (F DUP)

STAR GIRL (F SPI)

THE GOLDEN COMPASS (F PUL)

PENDERWICKS (F bIR)

PLATFORM 13 (F ISS)

CRISPIN (F AVI)

A SINGLE SHARD

TORNADO (F BYR)

BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE (F DIC)

ESPERANZA RISING (F RYA)

HOOT (F HIA)

SKELLIG

MIDWIFE APPRENTICE (F CUS)

BUD, NOT BUDDY (F CUR)

WALK TWO MOONS (F CRE)

THE TIGER RISING (F DIC)

THE LION BOY (F COR)

ELLA ENCHANTED

SILVERWING

THE WANDER (F CRE)

THE ARTHUR SERIES

REDWALL

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY

DRAGONWINGS (F YEP)

MOLLY MOON (F BYN)

SPIDERWICK

MAGYK/FYTE/PHYSIK

DOG SENSE

FRINDLE

THE INVENTION OF HUGO GABRAI

Things that make you HAPPY

THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY!

How could it be that I can get excited about placing my favs (favorite) list on a website. I guess it could be because right now they are sitting on my desk on 4 stapled together post its. Just how techie is that when one of the PEL kids asks me for a recommendation of one of my favs and I take out this ratty stapled together post it. Not anymore! Watch out, because now there is the PEL Library Blog. I actually danced around my house today singing, "I have a blog, I am cool."

Yes, these are the things that make me happy and tomorrow just watch out as I place my favs on here and recycle the post it list!

STAY TUNED

WHAT YOUR LIBRARIAN READING???

What is Mrs. Polonsky Reading NOW:

TEST by William Sleator: I am wondering if this book should be a MS book or a elementary book??? So far I am thinking it is more for MS.
REVIEW: Library Media Connection (October 2008)
Romeo and Juliet meets High Stakes Testing and Political Corruption in William Sleator?s latest novel. Sleator does not deviate from the style that he is known for in this young adult novel that would appeal not only to teenagers, but also to any teacher or administrator with a stake in public education or any person running for an elected office. This book could become controversial in a school, because a teacher sides with students and works with them to create a protest against the XCAS, a test that determines schools? AYP (adequate yearly progress), funding, and students? graduation. Other teachers join the protest as well. This is a well-written work of realistic fiction with believable characters that are well developed. The cover and designs throughout the book are very relevant as well.

Ribbons
I just finished Ribbons by Laurence Yep. Grade 5 this could be an interesting multi-cultural read.
A promising young ballet student cannot afford to continue lessons when her Chinese grandmother emigrates from Hong Kong, creating jealousy and conflict among the entire family. I think Bryanny is reading it now. Ask her what she thinks about this story.

Laurence Yep is a dependable author whose books I highly recommend.

If you like his writing try Dragonwings, a Newberry Honor book that takes place in the early twentieth century, when a young Chinese boy joins his father in San Francisco and helps him realize his dream of making a flying machine.

We now have 27 of his books in the library. You can do an author study and READ them all!