[Tasl] FW: AASL Hotlinks - August 2007

Sun Aug 5 10:10:52 EDT 2007

Check out these great links from AASL!

Margaret Hausauer, 2007 TASL President

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Agarwal [mailto:kagarwal at ala.org]
Sent: Fri 8/3/2007 4:10 PM
To: Margaret Hausauer
Subject: AASL Hotlinks - August 2007

To:   Margaret P. Hausauer

************************************************************ 
AASL HOTLINKS
The Official Monthly E-mail Newsletter of the
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Vol. 6, No. 5
August 2007
************************************************************ 

     August is here, and "back-to-school" preparations have
     begun. All of us at AASL would like to wish you a happy
     and productive school year!

     Of course August also means that the AASL 13th National
     Conference in Reno is less than 3 months away.
     Conference registrations keep coming in and the 
     preconferences and tours are filling up, so make sure
     to register today at http://www.ala.org/aasl/reno 

     AASL is filling up its committee slots for the new
     governance year, so if you want to get involved, visit
     http://www.ala.org/aasl/committees and consider adding
     your expertise and passion to further the work of the
     association.

     As you get ready for the new school year, check out the
     funding ideas in the "Grants" section and ...

     ... Read on!

************************************************************ 

IN THIS ISSUE: 

COUNTDOWN TO RENO:

1.  AASL National Conference school tours offer fresh ideas
    and innovative solutions
2.  Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind" chosen as AASL's
    conference-wide read
3.  Make your hotel reservations online

AASL NEWS:

4.  AASL reopens SLMR Editor search

ALA NEWS & NOTES: 

5.  Last chance to "Step Up to the Plate @ Your library"
6.  ALA sends three resolutions to Congress in support of
    GPO, NLS, NDIIPP
7.  YALSA offers resources, read-alikes to keep teens
    reading after final Harry Potter book
8.  Ben Roethlisberger named as Library Card Sign-up Month
    spokesperson
9.  ALA Graphics announces virtual "READ" T-shirts for
    Yahoo! avatars
10. Proposals sought for Carnegie-Whitney Awards

EDUCATION NEWS:

11. "Making Every Moment Count"
12. Media literacy toolkit from SETDA
13. "Ten Commandments" of education
14. Early childhood education standards
15. Tools for successful school-community partnerships

FUNDING AND GRANTS:

16. Interactive Technology Programs grants from Best Buy
17. Lowe's grant program for school improvements
18. Student achievement grants from the NEA Foundation

... AND: 

19. The AASL Hotlist 

/===================== ADVERTISEMENT ======================\ 

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"Opposing Viewpoints" Resource Center offers activities,
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learning beyond rote memorization.

Learn more at
http://www.gale.com/CriticalThinking 

\==========================================================/ 

COUNTDOWN TO RENO:

1.  AASL National Conference school tours offer fresh ideas
    and innovative solutions

AASL will offer four school tours in Reno, with separate
focus on rural, elementary, independent, and public schools.
Planned as full- or half-day excursions on Wednesday,
October 24, and Thursday, October 25, 2007, the school
tours will showcase examples of excellence in wide range
of school library media programs. 

Read the new release at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/aaslconf07.htm

Get school tour details at
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/conferencesandevents/national/attendees/aaslconfprogram/renotours/schools.cfm

Learn more about AASL's events in Reno at
http://www.ala.org/ala/reno

-----------------------------------------------------------

2.  Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind" chosen as AASL's
    conference-wide read

Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind" will be featured as the topic
of discussion at the One Book One Conference session
during the AASL 13th National Conference this October.

One Book One Conference will be held on Friday, October 26,
2007 from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., and all conference attendees
are invited to take part in the discussion.

Read the full announcement at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/aaslr08.htm

------------------------------------------------------------

3.  Make your hotel reservations online

When considering hotel accommodations for the 2007 AASL 
National Conference in Reno, look no further than the Silver
Legacy (HQ hotel) or Circus Circus Hotel. You can make a
reservation online from the AASL Reno Web site!

These official hotels of the AASL 13th National Conference
offer continuous shuttle service to and from the convention
center, shuttle service to AASL special events, and a huge
selection of restaurants and tourist attractions in close
proximity. In a city that typically requires people to drive
everywhere, this easy accessibility will be invaluable to a
happy and productive conference experience!  

Make sure to mention the AASL National Conference when you
make your reservation to get the lowest rates!    

Find out more at
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/conferencesandevents/national/attendees/housing/housing.cfm

************************************************************ 

AASL NEWS:

4.  AASL reopens SLMR Editor search

School Library Media Research (SLMR) is a highly respected,
top-ranked research journal in the school library media
field (Nisonger and Davis 2005). Its purpose is to promote
and publish high-quality original research on the management,
implementation, and evaluation of school library media
programs. The journal emphasizes research on instructional
theory, teaching methods, and critical issues relevant to
school library media.

This official journal of AASL is online, freely available,
and published annually.

The application deadline for the editor position is August
10.

Get the details at
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/editor.cfm

See SLMR online at
http://www.ala.org/aasl/slmr

************************************************************

ALA NEWS & NOTES:

5.  Last chance to "Step Up to the Plate @ Your library"

All entries for the Step Up to the Plate @ your library
program are due September 1, giving children and young
adults 9-18 years of age their final opportunity for a
chance to win a grand prize trip to the Baseball Hall
of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., by checking out
a baseball book and writing about how their favorite
character inspired them.

Get the details at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/suplc07.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

6.  ALA sends three resolutions to Congress in support of
    GPO, NLS, NDIIPP

On July 11, 2007, ALA reaffirmed its support of three vital
government services to the United States Congress. In
letters sent to all members of the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives, ALA included resolutions in support of

 - the Government Printing Office (GPO), a vital source for
   government information;

 - the National Library Service (NLS), which provides
   Talking Books and services to veterans and other people
   with disabilities;

 - the National Digital Information Infrastructure and
   Preservation Program (NDIIPP), the goal of which is to
   develop a national strategy to collect, archive, catalog
   and preserve the rapidly increasing amount of digital
   content for current and future generations.

Read more at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/govservres.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

7.  YALSA offers resources, read-alikes to keep teens
    reading after final Harry Potter book

As Harry Potter's saga ends with the release of "Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows" on July 21, the Young Adult
Library Services Association (YALSA) can help parents,
librarians, and educators keep the attention of teens
hooked on Harry with read-alikes and resources for planning
teen-focused programs.

Get program ideas at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/yalsahp07.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

8.  Ben Roethlisberger named as Library Card Sign-up Month
    spokesperson

Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the 2006 Super Bowl
champion Pittsburgh Steelers, will be the spokesperson for
this year's Library Card Sign-up Month, which begins
September 1. Roethlisberger is featured on an ALA Graphics
READ poster, which is being sent to national media by ALA
as a public service announcement.

Library Card Sign-up Month has been observed since 1987. 

Read full announcement at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/2007cardsignup.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

9.  ALA Graphics announces virtual "READ" T-shirts for
    Yahoo! avatars

ALA Graphics is pleased to announce a partnership with
Yahoo! to offer virtual "READ" T-shirts. Yahoo! subscribers
can now dress their avatar - an icon subscribers can create
to represent themselves - in a "READ" T-shirt.

Get the details at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/vrtava07.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

10. Proposals sought for Carnegie-Whitney Awards

The ALA Publishing Committee is seeking proposals for
Carnegie-Whitney grants. Grants of up to $5,000 are given
for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists,
indexes, or other guides to library resources that promote
reading or the use of library resources at any type of
library.

Grant proposals must be received by November 5, 2007.

Grants are awarded to individuals, official units of the
American Library Association (including committees), and
other groups affiliated with ALA. 

Read full announcement at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/july2007/cwgrants07.htm

/===================== ADVERTISEMENT ======================\ 

AASL members receive a 30% discount for all direct orders 
of the bilingual children's book series "The Matt the Rat 
Series" / "La Serie de Ratón Mateo."* Personally selected
and praised by celebrated newscaster and writer Jorge Ramos 
for his popular Despierta Leyendo book club, "The Matt the 
Rat" series has received numerous reviews and acclaim on 
national television and in print from "The San Diego Union-
Tribune," "El Paso Times," and others. 

To preview samples, visit
http://www.harvestsunpress.com/matttherat.html

*Or you may order from a distributor (Ingram, Follett, etc.)

\==========================================================/

EDUCATION NEWS:

11. "Making Every Moment Count"

A collaboration among many educational associations, 
including AASL, resulted in a July 2007 publication of a
paper: "Making Every Moment Count: Maximizing Quality
Instructional Time," by the International Reading
Association (IRA).

Get the paper at
http://www.reading.org/downloads/resources/MEMC_070620.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------

12. Media literacy toolkit from SETDA

Each year, the State Educational Technology Directors
Association (SETDA) utilizes a collaborative process
between its membership and the corporate community to
determine areas of interest. As a result of this process,
SETDA developed the "The Changing Media Landscape:
Promoting a Systemic Approach to ICT & Media Fluency"
toolkit to help SETDA members and other stakeholders
promote systemic teaching approaches relating to literacy.

Get the toolkit at
http://www.setda.org/web/guest/toolkit2007/medialiteracy

-----------------------------------------------------------

13. "Ten Commandments" of education

A new article from the "Phi Delta Kappan" argues the pros
and cons of traditional versus progressive educational
approaches.

Get the details at
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k0301ack.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

14. Early childhood education standards

A new Early Childhood Research & Practice article, "It's
More Than Content: Expanding the Conception of Early
Learning Standards," by Christopher P. Brown, investigates
repackaging of the K-12 standards within early childhood
education through a case study of the formulation and
implementation of Wisconsin's Model Early Learning
Standards.

Read the full article at
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v9n1/brown.html

-----------------------------------------------------------

15. Tools for successful school-community partnerships

The National Center for Family and Community Connections
with Schools aims to link people with research-based
information and resources that they can use to effectively
connect schools, families, and communities.

The Center produces "Strategy Briefs" that focus on a topic
and provide tools and ideas for implementation. "Strategy
Briefs" are lessons from the field: the policies,
strategies, and programs that people are using to make
meaningful connections that make a real difference for
students.

Examples of topics covered:

 - "Reaching Out to Diverse Populations: What Can Schools
   Do to Foster Family-School Connections?"

 - "How Can Schools Involve Family and Community Members in
   Supporting a Child's Readiness for School?"

Get the Briefs from
http://www.sedl.org/connections/research-briefs.html

************************************************************

GRANTS AND AWARDS:

16. Interactive technology program grants from Best Buy

The Best Buy Teach program rewards schools for successful
interactive programs they have launched using available
technology. Winning Teach programs focus on kids using
technology to learn standards-based curriculum, rather than
on teaching students to use technology or educators using
technology that children aren't able to use hands on.

The application deadline is September 30, 2007.

Learn more at
http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/teach.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------

17. Lowe's grant program for school improvements

Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program, funded by the
Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, awards up to
$5,000 for school improvement projects. Grant applications
for projects that encourage parent involvement and build
stronger community spirit are encouraged.

The application deadline is October 12, 2007.

Get more information at
http://toolboxforeducation.com

-----------------------------------------------------------

18. Student achievement grants from the NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic
achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public
higher education institutions in any subject area(s).
The proposed work should engage students in critical
thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge
of standards-based subject matter. The work should also
improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed
learning, and critical reflection.

Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority
student success with advanced placement, honors, or other
challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. 

Get the details at
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm

/===================== ADVERTISEMENT ======================\ 

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NEO* is the low-cost, go-anywhere writing and keyboarding 
tool that integrates seamlessly with your existing computers. 
And now, the all-new NEO 2* runs Accelerated Reader* 
quizzes and includes classroom response functionality to
expand its use to virtually any subject. Discover why more 
than 1.4 million AlphaSmart products are helping media 
specialists build excitement for keyboarding and writing. 

To learn more visit
http://www.alphasmart.com/neo/AASL

\==========================================================/ 

...AND: 

19. The AASL Hotlist 

About AASL
  Get to know AASL leadership and governance structures and
  learn about volunteer opportunities through committee
  work - the "About AASL" section of our website has a lot
  of useful information about the association.
  http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aboutaasl/aboutaasl.cfm

Best Evidence Encyclopedia
  This site from Johns Hopkins University presents reports
  of high-quality evaluations of educational programs, such
  as "Reading for English Language Learners," or "Technology
  in Reading and Math."
  http://www.bestevidence.org/index.htm

Kids Count 2007 Data Book
  The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released the 18th annual
  KIDS COUNT Data Book, a national and state-by-state effort
  to track the status of children in the U.S.
  http://www.kidscount.org/sld/databook.jsp 

Questbridge scholarship programs
  QuestBridge is a non-profit program that links qualified
  low-income students with educational and scholarship
  opportunities at many colleges and universities.
  http://www.questbridge.org

************************************************************ 

American Association of School Librarians
http://www.ala.org/aasl 
aasl at ala.org 
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611 
800 545 2433, ext. 4382
312 280 4382
fax 312 664 7459 

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a
division of the American Library Association (ALA). The
mission of AASL is to advocate excellence, facilitate
change, and develop leaders in the school library media
field. 

************************************************************ 

Copyright (c) 2007 American Library Association 

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