Oxford Music Online and Google Docs

Upper School Strings came in this week to learn more about the composers for the music they play. Instructor Pam Kelly and I collaborated, using our new Oxford Music Online database to get the information they needed. Try it out from our databases page, it’s new, along with Oxford Art Online!

Students worked in groups to find biographical and historical references to the composer, time period, and frame of reference. I need to clean it up to make it easier to read, but here’s a link to the Google Doc. You can open it if you’re on campus.

Quidditch - Oct. 22

Join us for our first match against Enloe @ Fletcher Park at 10:30 AM.  For this match, we will be the Basilisks, so wear BLACK!


Bring water and your broom, and come at 9:45 to warm up.

Contact Mariel for details, her number is 618-5758.

How to get there:
http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/FletcherPark.html

Video Taping for NBPTS

Fun stuff! Around this time of year, I get to sit in on Upper School classes. Depending on who is a candidate for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, I learn Biology, Physics, US History, English, or Art… I set up the camera so I can see faces of students and teacher with an easy pan of the room, and I have a boundary microphone to listen in on discussions.

I’ve learned a lot by taping teachers and being a National Board Candidate myself. I really wish that someone would have told me how to best videotape from the very beginning, so I’ve made a post with the steps here.

Reimagine:ED

Most professional conferences involve sitting, listening, and taking home a new idea or two. What if you went to a conference that was all about brainstorming? Reimagine:ED was just that, a conference about ideas, thousands of ideas, held at The Lovett School in Atlanta, September 23-25. Librarians, technology specialists, administrators and visionaries worked together to imagine the future of education and specifically libraries.

What did I bring home? A “Yes, And…” attitude, because it’s all about listening and adding, and not saying “but, we can’t do that” because we all can be the future we want to see in education. I’m hoping to share more new ideas on this blog over the next few months as I review notes and stay in touch with my new colleagues virtually.

The Economist

A few of you have asked about paper copies, and others for the web subscription to The Economist, so here are the directions to get to get into The Economist issues from our library databases online. Our online access goes all the way back to June 1990, and because of this, we’ve recycled our old magazines and don’t receive the print edition.

Along the right side of the blog, choose Databases for Searching Magazines, Books, Journals, Newspapers.

Choose EBSCO – this is our biggest Database with thousands of full text articles! On campus, it will recognize your IP Address, off Campus you will need to enter our passwords. If you can’t remember the library database passwords, email library@ravenscroft.org.

Choose Academic Journals, Grade 9-12 – most of these links are taking you to the same resources, but with more user-friendly/fun icons for younger kids. Choose MAS Ultra Database, and search by date or by article title.

• If you know the exact date of the article you want, click on PUBLICATIONS in the top of the screen or Advanced Search and just search for Economist under publication. The Economist has a 21 day “rolling” publication release, so you can’t get this week’s issues, but usually, you can still get those on http://www.economist.com/

• If you know the title of the article, you need to enter the title of the magazine and title of the article: for example, Economist and Street of Shame

You can email this article to yourself or print it out. If you want to save the link back to it, don’t use the link in the top of the browser, make sure you save the “Permalink” found on the right side of the screen.

Library iPad Program!

The Ravenscroft Libraries strive to develop students as self-directed learners, complex thinkers, quality producers, collaborative workers, and community contributors. Our iPads will help us achieve this mission, through independent reading, research and group projects using the Apple iPad 2.

For our pilot program in Fall of 2011, iPads may be checked out during normal hours (Monday- Thursday 7:45-4:30 and Friday 7:45-3:45) from the main circulation desk in the Middle/Upper School library. We have set the loan period at 24 hours for faculty and staff, and one class period, common period, lunch, or afterschool session for 6-12th grade students with a requirement that devices be turned in no later than 4:20 PM each day. For student check out, the iPad must stay in the library.

For other policies, see this link, and watch for details about iPads in Winston Library later this year.

JK Rowling has announced her new project: Pottermore. Opening in October, Pottermore will be an interactive, extremely high tech website that takes you through the books as a student in Hogwarts. JK Rowling started this project to feed fan's imaginations and bring new accessibility to the coming generation who, lets face it, don't find much time to read thousand page books. The site will not only include info from the books but also brand new information about the world of Harry Potter that JK Rowling has known for years but never released. With innovative and highly particular ways of finding the correct wand (33,000 different results) and house (series of thorough questions) for each user, Pottermore guarantees a safe and unique environment for people of all ages to experience the books in a way they never thought possible.

For more information as well as a video of her announcement and press conference visit this site.

Hunger Games In NC?

Hey Hunger Games Fans! There has just been word that the District 12 shots for the Hunger Games movie, due to be released in 2012, will be set in Shelby North Carolina! The cast and crew will be there until June 1st and the roads have been completely closed for the days they're shooting. For more information visit hypable and click on Hunger Games. For any of you who aren't familiar with the casting information a summary can be found here. The most important being Jennifer Lawrence (who's usually blond but went brunette for this movie) as Katniss, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. What are your thoughts? Are these the kinds of actors you imagined? Did they make a good choice with the set for District 12?

Bowling for Books!

Our latest project, led by President Mariel Ziperski, is Bowling For Books. On Sunday, October 10th at The Alley, on Hillsborough Street,38 students from LS, MS, and US came out to bowl and donate. On Friday, November 19th, Susan Hester came from Wake Med’s Reach Out and Read Program to tell us more about the program and accept our check for $405 and 7 boxes of gently used books!

Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows at IMAX

We had just a little bit of fun tonight at the opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 at Marbles IMAX downtown!

Summer Reading!

Need an idea for a summer book? See our list of recommended reads! Post your favorite books here too.

Ben's Summer Reading Suggestions!

Benjamin D. Suh said...

Hey, this is a list of books that I think you people would like. Thank you.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: A priceless book about a teacher, who has pancreatic cancer and has only a few months to live, giving a lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” The Last Lecture is a relatively short book that will be remembered and read for years to come. This book is remarkable not just because the speaker has cancer and knows he will die, but because of his extraordinary mindset. Quote: “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” More information can be found at www.thelastlecture.com

Please Forgive Me, God by Sister Mary Rose McGeady: An unbelievable series of letters from Covenant House (America’s largest shelter for homeless and runaway kids) asking for prayers and help for these children. Please Forgive Me, God is another short book revealing the truth about their troubled lives and the main cause behind it: a dysfunctional family. Quote: “Maybe, if you and I care about them and love them enough, we can comfort them and convince them that God cherishes them. That’s what they need most of all. That is the answer to their prayer.” More information can be found at www.CovenantHouse.org

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: The internationally famous diary of Anne Frank chronicling the life of a Jew in hiding during World War II. What struck me most about this book was the way Anne and the rest of the people in the Secret Annex remained hopeful throughout the war. Quote: “Her voice was preserved, out of the millions that were silenced, this voice no louder than a child’s whisper… It has outlasted the shouts of the murderers and has soared above the voices of time.”

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien: Yes, many of you have seen the films, but how many of you have read the books? This is not just the story of an epic journey, but a tale of hobbits. Now, hobbits are the most unlikely creatures to face the Dark Lord; they’re not good fighters (like men), they’re not terribly brilliant (like elves), they can’t use magic (like Gandalf), and they don’t seem that courageous (like dwarves). How can hobbits defeat the Dark Lord? Because of from where they come: the Shire. Quote: “I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again.” The first book in a trilogy.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin by Maurice LeBlanc: This is a comedic book relating the exploits of the arrogant and memorable Arsene Lupin, gentleman-burglar. Quote: “So much the better if no one can ever say with absolute certainty: There is Arsene Lupin! The essential point is that the public may be able to refer to my work and say, without fear of mistake: Arsene Lupin did that!” The first book in a series of many.

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: From the famous author of The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of letters from a devil named Screwtape advising his nephew (Wormwood) on how to seduce humans. This book explores the mindset of devils and their methods in seducing humans. Quote: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff: In which the theories of Daoism (a Chinese Philosophy) are explained by none other than A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh. Quote: “It’s about this dumpy little bear that wanders around asking silly questions, making up songs, and going through all kinds of adventures, without ever accumulating any amount of intellectual knowledge or losing his simpleminded sort of happiness.”

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins: A book relating the Christian end of the world (see Revelations) seen from the eyes of a group of those left behind in the Rapture. A frightening book about the confusion and terror that will exist in that time. Quote: “He had already paid a terrible cost for missing it. Whatever it was, it had been in this book for hundreds of years.” The fourth book in a series of sixteen (including prologue and epilogue).

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: Originally a short story, Flowers for Algernon is the tale of mankind’s quest to fit in. It is told from the point of view of Charlie Gordon, a mental retard who is given the chance to be made smarter. This book is loosely based on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Quote: “He said Miss Kinnian tolld him I was her bestist pupil in the Beekman School for retarted adults and I tryed the hardist becaus I reely wantd to lern I wantid it more even then pepul who are smarter even then me.”

Foundation by Isaac Asimov: This is the book most people will think of when the name Isaac Asimov is brought up in a conversation. This is the story of the fall of the Galactic Empire and Hari Seldon’s attempt to diminish the following 30, 000 years of darkness to a mere millennium. For history students/ teachers who enjoy science fiction (Mr. Kielty), this book holds a certain appeal as it closely parallels the fall of the Roman Empire. Quote: “The appearance of strength is all about you. It would seem to last forever. However, Mr. Advocate, the rotten tree-trunk, until the very moment when the storm-blast breaks it in two, has all the appearance of might it ever had.” The second book in a series of six (including prelude).

The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov: Another Asimov book, which is somewhat related to the Foundation series (see Prelude to Foundation), about the growing tensions between man and machine. Lije Baley, a human who greatly dislikes robots, is ordered to investigate the murder of an important scientist. On top of that, he is assigned to work with R. Daneel Olivaw, R standing for robot. Quote: “A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.” The first book in a series of four.

Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman: This book presents thirty parallel dimensions, each with their own nature of time, as the dreams of a famous patent clerk: Albert Einstein. Quote: “Out of the many possible natures of time, imagined in as many nights, one seems compelling. Not that the others are impossible. The others might exist in other worlds.”

Chaos: Making a New Science by James Gleick: This is a book for those of you who like to impress others with very erudite pieces of knowledge. This is a book chronicling the early history of chaos (non-linear theoretical physics). Chaos is erratic behavior, without a linear pattern. Quote: “Where chaos begins, classical science stops.” Also by James Gleick: Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman.

Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott: A short book about the second-dimension (flat shapes) and what would happen if they encountered beings from other dimensions (a point from the zeroeth, a line from the first, a sphere from the third). Quote: “So the citizens of that Celestial Region may aspire yet higher and higher to the secrets of Four, Five, or even Six dimensions.”

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach: A book about Donald Shimoda, a man who was able to see through the illusions of this world, and his student, Richard. Filled with short maxims, this book offers a new way of looking at life and the world around us. Quote: “This world? And everything in it? Illusions, Richard! Every bit of it illusions!”

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: A comedic science-fiction about Arthur, a carbon-based, bi-pedal life form descended from an ape, and Ford Prefect, a researcher for the Guide. It tells the story of the destruction of the Earth (to make way for a new hyperspatial express route), the search for Magrathea (an impossible planet), and the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything (42). Quote: “Ford... There’s an infinite number of monkeys outside who want to talk to us about this script for Hamlet they’ve worked out.” The first book in a series of five.

Thank you and have a great summer.

Faculty Speech for Ravenscroft School National Honor Society Inductions

Whoa, I’m nervous. This was a big risk, wearing these heels, all of these parents, and the newly inducted National Honor Society members. Even with the nerves, I want to thank the NHS leaders for inviting me to speak today.

I was nervous from the first time I made an announcement on stage here. It was probably December of 2003, and I had been at Ravenscroft just four months. But I wanted to have the library open for exam studying on a Saturday, and someone had to get on the stage and tell everyone.

A new book out that your teachers and parents are reading is called Nurture Shock. This
book finds overwhelming statistics to prove things that teachers and parents have known all
along. Like, you would be better served by starting school at 9:30… that you don’t need to be
praised for every little thing you do… and that not accomplishing your goals on the first try
might be a good thing… I’m here to talk about another fact you already knew, as teens, you like
danger, you like taking risks. The teen brain is just wired to take big risks.

Mr. Kielty and I know this because we tried to keep up with you all on roller coasters at
Carowinds during Key Club Fall Rally a few years ago. Nauseous to the point of dread after 3
coasters, we sat on the park bench the rest of the day. But every year, students keep going to
amusement parks, there is just something about almost dying that makes you feel really good.
The books states, and I quote, “the teen brain at 15 in a nutshell – fearless to jumping off roofs,
but terrified of having its love of Nickelback exposed.” This is because at the same time that risk
is high, you are highly attuned to the opinion of your peers. Surrounded by friends, feeling
pressure, you’ll take stupid chances, just for the thrill. I’m here to channel that willingness to
scream your head off into something more useful. The National Honor Society stands on 4
pillars. Let’s discuss risk as it relates to each of these pillars.

Of course first we have SCHOLARSHIP.
How can that be risky to the point of fun, Mrs.Thrash? Well, what about learning for enjoyment? Why is everyone moaning in the halls this week, hating a class because it is hard? If you don’t like ___________ (fill in the blank with your least favorite subject) then don’t take _______________, or at least not the honors class of __________? Otherwise, enjoy what you’re learning. Research has shown you need to keep trying to learn to succeed, so embrace that risk and go for learning, and the A on the report card that usually comes with that desire to learn. It is also quite risky to leave your friends chatting about prom dates under the lockers to find a quiet place to study, but it must be done sometimes, the library isn’t too far away. (That was my shameless library plug for the day)

This leads us to CHARACTER.
Of course nothing challenges your character more than when you are tempted to do something you know is wrong when someone BEGS you do to it…. Just Say No! We didn’t teach you this back in Health class for you to forget it on the night of your first big high school party. Stay honest and get out of bad situations. This also counts for cheating, folks. Take the risk and be confident that the lower grade is better than doing something that is wrong!

Next we have LEADERSHIP.
I love Risky leaders: Leaders who aren’t afraid to speak loudly for their cause. If you believe in it enough to become the leader, be bold! Don’t get up on the stage in morning meeting and mumble, don’t put a sign-up sheet for an event in the commons and think your club is going to succeed, spread the word. Whether it is an announcement, a Facebook posting, a text, or a Tweet, you’ve got to get the word out and say, hey, throwing Frisbees after school is the coolest thing you can ever do on campus! These risky announcements let you know the leader has a sense of humor and wants YOU to participate!

Last but not least - SERVICE.
How Risky is it to be the only person to show up alone to do service? Last month on that snowy Friday night, I cancelled Warmth for Wake, only to have Riley Ray text me and say that he was chopping wood anyway. Sadly, there are people in Wake County without central heat or a stove, or without gas to run a stove. These people need wood, and if you’re not going to risk a wet road to get to the wood lot, they won’t get their heat. It is the same with any Service event. There is risk because not every event will be easy, you might have to sort potatoes at the Food Bank or drill times tables with a 3rd grader in Extended Day tutoring. In the end, it is worth it when you leave a shift at the food bank, knowing that the food will be delivered to homes today. And it’s worth it for the 3rd grader who is stressed about getting all 50 problems done on that timed -times table test- in Mrs. Phelp’s room. Take the risk, show up alone, get out and serve!

The risk paid off for me to come on stage that first time, I might have had about 8 students
come and study that December before exams. But those 8 were glad they took that risk to come
in the library for a quiet place to study. And as you leave today, think about what POSITIVE risk
taking can do for you today.

Thank you.

Pajama Pals Delivery!

Today we delivered 7 huge boxes to Pajama Pals. From there, the books will go to children all over the triangle in hospitals, shelters, and through agencies that distribute them to children. Thanks to everyone who donated!

Book Collection for Pajama Pals

Pajama Pals of Apex distributes books and new pajamas to agencies and schools for children. We're collecting now through March 26th and hope to deliver our books on Sunday, March 28th.

For more info about where these books go: see http://pajamapals.org

New Moon on Friday, November 20th

We'll leave from the US commons after school to go to Six Forks Cinemas. Stay tuned for showtimes and leaving time!

YALSA Teens' Top Ten 2009

So many familiar books, which ones have you read? -- Teens' Top Ten

Edward Scissorhands

@ lunch on Fridays in October - sign up on 196 before break on Friday for your pizza!

Book Advisory - Help our library choose and classify books

•If you read a book and want to suggest it for us to read as a club, let Mrs. Thrash know and she’ll buy multiple copies to put on the book club shelf in the library.

•Our library has both Young Adult and Adult sections. We decide this by reading the book or reading a review of the book. YA is for all students, only Upper School students can use the Adult section.

•If you read a book that should be an Adult book and it is in the Young Adult Section, please let us know and we’ll move it.

2nd Meeting of the Year!

We'll meet Friday, Oct. 9th at lunch in room 196. Free pizza and drink provided!