Special Library Hours During Finals - During finals, the library will open at 8:00 am and close at 12:45 pm.
Resource Snack Time: Best Books of the Decade - Looking for some books to read over the upcoming break? With the end of the year (and decade!) quickly approaching, GUHSD Teacher Librarians reflected on memorable books from the 2010s. See what they shared and access other 'best books of the decade' lists.
“Get to Know Us” November 2019” Calendar (bit.ly/nov2019cal) - Here are links to this week’s reveals:
Also, as pictured below, this week’s Resource Snack time is about California’s K-12 Online Content Project, which provides schools with free online database access to complement GUHSD’s other subscription content resources. For moreinformation about using online databases (or other information resources) with your students, please contact Suzanne in the library. She is always happy to customize guidance and curate resources to meet your particular curricular needs.
“Get to Know Us” November 2019” Calendar (bit.ly/nov2019cal) - Thank you to all staff members who participated in a recent survey to share some “for fun” information. There were many excellent responses, and (thanks to the help of our amazing library student aides) we are excited to reveal the shared answers daily on social media: @WestHillsLib on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Here was our first reveal from Friday, November 1st.
Also, as pictured below, this week’s Resource Snack time is about Universal Design for Reading (UDR), which takes the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and applies it to reading. This is a HUGE topic that several GUHSD Teacher Librarians shared about this weekend at SDCUE, but the Resource Snack Time offers just a bite for taste and includes a reminder that Destiny can also be used to search the WHHS library catalog (and not just for looking up student invoice information).
“Get to Know Us” November 2019” Calendar (bit.ly/nov2019cal) - This month’s calendar is dedicated to getting to know our West Hills staff members better. An optional survey was sent out inviting staff members to share some “for fun” information. There were many excellent responses, and we are excited to reveal the shared answers daily on social media: @WestHillsLib on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
MLA Citation Help with MyBib - Do you ever get stressed out trying to create MLA citations? The library recently came across a new, free tool that we recommend called MyBib (an alternate option to EasyBib). Some students have already tried it out and reported that it is helpful and simple to use. For more general help, students may also access MLA Checklist & Hints linked on the library’s homepage.
#FirstChapterFriday - This year, Ms. Worth/Juhl and Ms. Edwards decided to try out #FirstChapterFriday at West Hills. They have been regularly reading aloud a chapter (or other beginning portion) of a book in class so students can build awareness about the wide variety of writing that exists. The hope is that students might connect with and have their interest sparked by different books that are shared. The library has been helping to select and supply books and students are able to check them out on the spot in class, when interested. See titles shared so far. We are excited that so many have been checked out already!
Have you heard of lateral reading? Lateral reading is an approach for evaluating information that better matches the realities of today's information landscape, increasingly replacing traditional checklist approaches. In support of #MediaLitWk, access this week's Resource Snack Time (bit.ly/rst-latrd) to learn more about lateral reading. Also, Suzanne will be co-presenting with Stephanie Macceca about Lateral Reading at next week's SDCUE Fair, including insights we've learned when collaborating with teachers on research - if you're attending, we'd love to see you there!
It's Resource Snack Time! You've maybe tried EasyBib, but have you tried out MyBib? It's worth trying out with students since EasyBib now has a lot of irritating ads. Plus, MyBib has nice built-in tips so that students actually participate in creating citations rather than just accepting incomplete ones that are automatically generated. See more info on this free web tool for creating MLA & APA citations: bit.ly/rst-mybib
GUHSD's Libraries are starting a "Resource Snack Time" series to share bite-sized information and technology resource reminders and updates. Our first "snack" is an announcement that GUHSD teachers and students now have full access to the NYTimes when on campus. Learn more at bit.ly/rst-nyt.
“Online Resources” October 2019” Calendar (bit.ly/oct2019cal) - There are so many online resources out there - it can get overwhelming! Take it a day at a time by following along with this October calendar that features helpful online resources for WHHS students.
“You mean I can check out these books?” - Yes, that’s why we have them! Students are sometimes surprised that they can check out library books anytime on their own. Here’s some basic info on how book checkout works at our school library: bit.ly/whbookout
Student Reading Habits - When 9th grade students recently visited the library for orientation, many completed a quick 5-question survey about their reading habits. Below are a couple of interesting results, particularly in light of data shared by the Pew Research Center that mirrors similar findings with adults.
May-June 2019 - Time is on the move calendar! (bit.ly/may2019cal) - The end of the school year is quickly approaching! Feel free to print out this calendar to keep track of the final days of our 2018-19 school year.
Check Your School Destiny Account (bit.ly/whhs-destiny) - What is Destiny? This link has information about accessing the program, which used to track student Chromebooks, textbooks, library books, and invoices. Students may log in to see their current checkouts and invoices. See what will need to be turned in and cleared before summer.
This Year’s Inkwell is Online Now (bit.ly/inkwell2019) - Inkwell is our school’s annually published literary-art magazine. As in the past, we are proud to feature the creative works of our talented Wolf Pack students. Thank you to all students who participated!
What happens with Chromebooks at the end of the year?
- 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, keep your Chromebooks over the summer! If you are not planning to return to West Hills, make sure that you return your Chromebook and charger to the library by the end of finals. Keep in mind, the library closes at 12:45 pm during finals.
- 12th grade students - Buy your Chromebook for $20 cash with your English teacher: Tuesday, 5/21: Brent and Boehme; Wednesday, 5/22 Liddell, Thursday, 5/23: Romanowski. For more information, see: bit.ly/whhs-sr-cbs
April Calendar: Keep your eye on the calendar! (bit.ly/apr2019cal) - April is a short month for us at school with spring break quickly approaching. It is also filled with different bell schedules. Make sure to note the schedules before and after spring break. This calendar also includes a sprinkling of haiku to enjoy since it is National Poetry Month!
Studying for AP Tests over Spring Break? - As students enter the final stretch of studying for AP exams, here is a link that summarizes online test preparation resources available free for West Hills students: bit.ly/whhstestprep (see also: 1-page guide). These links also have study resources for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.
Free Audiobooks for Teens April 25th Through August 1st - The SYNC free summer audiobook program begins this month. Sponsored by AudioFile Magazine, teens may download 2 free audiobooks each week. Learn more and don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity: http://bit.ly/syncbooks
March Calendar: We’re so lucky to be part of this Pack! (bit.ly/mar2019cal) - This month, students Annabelle and Christina highlighted national celebrations that are taking place in March. They have included ways to participate such as researching your name or enjoying some Girl Scout Cookies. Feel free to print your own copy to follow along!
Lateral Reading for Evaluating Information Sources (bit.ly/waacinfo) - Have you heard of lateral reading? It is the idea that in order to evaluate information, students need to do research about the information they are evaluating rather than just closely scrutinizing the information at hand. Students at West Hills are starting to practice lateral reading using WAAC strategies to investigate information at multiple levels: Website, Author, Article, and Claim. Check out the link above to try out some of the strategies!
Online Databases for Research - Students in many courses have been working hard on research projects this semester. In addition to using general web resources, teachers often have student use online databases, which are free for students to use since they are paid for both by the GUHSD district and the state of California. If students ever have any questions about how to effectively search and use databases, they are welcome to ask Ms. Sannwald for help in the library. These are valuable resources and becoming familiar with them is important preparation for college.
February Calendar: Feel with your heart! (bit.ly/feb2019challenge) - Did you know that The Miracle Worker is a play about the life of Helen Keller? Inspired by our West Hills Wolf Pack Theatre students who are preparing to perform The Miracle Worker, each day of this month's calendar features a quote from Helen Keller. Feel free to print your own copy to follow along and make sure to attend the show this spring!
Inkwell Literary-Art Magazine Currently Inviting Student Submissions - Calling all creative Wolf Pack students! Start off the new year by sharing your art and writing with our West Hills community. Any student may submit original work to be considered for Inkwell, our school's annually published literary-art magazine. The deadline is Friday, March 8th, but students should submit work as soon as possible. Check out the digital version of last year’s Inkwell for inspiration!
What’s Next for Our Seniors? - With the Year of the Dog ending, we retired our popular Wolf Pack Dogs slideshow & unveiled: Class of 2019's Got Plans! Senior library aides Annabelle and Christina inspired the idea and helped bring it to life by creating our first slides. Check out the slideshow as it grows in the library and on our website - join in celebrating our awesome Class of 2019! Seniors are invited to share their plans as they make decisions by copying this linked template that includes instructions:bit.ly/whhs2019plans
January Calendar: Start the new year off on the right paw! (bit.ly/jan2019challenge) - With the help of some student aides, we share this calendar to help you start off the new year. Check out all of the activities going on this month at school. There are many opportunities for all students to participate! Feel free to print your own copy and follow along.
Inkwell Literary-Art Magazine Currently Inviting Student Submissions - Calling all creative Wolf Pack students! Start off the new year by sharing your art and writing with our West Hills community. Any student may submit original work to be considered for Inkwell, our school's annually published literary-art magazine. The deadline is Friday, March 8th, but you can submit work now. Check out the digital version of last year’s Inkwell for inspiration!
Mr. Reyes’s AP World History Bonfires - It is always a joy to see the creative learning going on in classes. For instance, during December finals, Mr. Reyes hosted bonfire chats for AP World History. Based on what they learned during the semester, students prepared notes on and then discussed how various historical figures would react to issues such as technology in our current age. To create the appropriate ambiance, several student aides helped transform the library’s classroom space into a cozy circle of virtual bonfires. Enjoy some excerpts from the fun: part I and part II!
