Friday, January 19, 2018

Neuroscience and Reading

Happy New Year!  It has been a while since I have posted.  Fall was a busy time here at HMS and the library blog got lost in the shuffle.  But it is a new year and I am excited to post an amazing article about the neuroscience behind reading.  Specifically, the article deals with the changes in the brain when a person reads.  Librarians will often tell anyone who will listen that reading makes a person smarter.  And there are studies out there to prove this assertion.  But this article explains what happens in the brain in an easy to understand format.  So read this short article and hopefully you will be convinced that reading is more important than ever.



Reading Rewires Your Brain


Friday, November 17, 2017

Rules for the Social Media Road




Here is a video by Common Sense Media that helps teens and tweens understand some basic rules for using social media.  Sometimes it can be hard to navigate so it is important to understand the do's and don'ts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         





Friday, October 6, 2017

Instagram's Update Blocks Unwanted Comments

Be Internet Awesome
During Digital Responsibility Week here at HMS, we are making a committment to kindness. According to Google's Be Internet Awesome Curriculum, "the Internet can amplify kindness as well as negativity. Learning to convey kindness and empathy—and how to respond to negativity and harassment—is essential for building healthy relationships and reducing feelings of isolation that can sometimes lead to bullying, depression, academic struggles, and other problems." We want our students to be digitally responsible and to understand the power of online positivity.  "It's Cool to Be Kind" online.
Instagram Blog


 It seems like social media sites are also beginning to make that committment as well.  Last week, Instagram introduced new tools and programs to keep Instagram users safe and to create a more positive atmosphere.  This is certainly a step in the right direction and will help to combat cyberbullying in both teens and adults.  Included in the updates are comment controls, anonymous reporting for live video and kindness walls and stickers.  Hopefully these changes will promote kindness within the Instagram community of 800,000,000 users.  Visit Instagram Together to follow everything happening in the Instagram community.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Digital Responsibility Week is October 2-6



This year Digital Responsibility Week will be October 2nd-6th at Homewood Middle School and all Homewood City Schools. Here at HMS our focus is on helping students be prepared to use the Internet and social media in safe and responsible ways. HMS is using Google’s Be Internet Awesome curriculum which strives to help students make smart decisions so that they can make the most of the Internet. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence.

Check out Be Internet Awesome for yourself.





Wednesday, September 6, 2017

All About Hurricanes

Just as Hurricane Harvey's after effects are still being felt in Texas as well as our own state of Alabama, Florida is bracing for Hurricane Irma.  Since this year's hurricane season is so active, I thought it would be interesting to educate ourselves on hurricanes. Here are some resources to learn all about hurricanes.

National Hurricane Center

How Do Hurricanes Form?

Global Warming and Hurricanes

NASA Hurricane Information

Hurricane Safety and Preparedness

Hurricane Central




Monday, August 14, 2017

Future Ready

As a school librarian, I have many aspects to my job.  Yes, I am here to foster the love of reading as well as recommend a great book but I also have lots of other roles.  Librarians are very focused on being Future Ready so that we can help our students be prepared for a successful future in college and careers.
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