Hello,
I must apologize for one thing from last week. I mentioned getting 20% off from Amazon and one of you questioned how I do that. After thinking a short time, I realized that I have Amazon Prime which give me free shipping, not a discount. The local bookstore did give me 20% off, so that must be where I got the idea in my head. I am sorry for any confusion.
This week I want to give you some information I recently received from one of the professors at WWU. She teaches Children’s Literature and found a website from their textbook on Native American literature. It is a blog by Debbie Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian and children’s literature specialist. Here’s the link for you. http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
I read a number of her blog posts and realized that my picture of Native Americans was very likely not a correct picture and has been colored by what I have seen about Indians in the literature I have read over the years. I have a hard time getting rid of my Thanksgiving books that stereotype Native Americans in feathers, headdresses, skimpy skin clothing, and war paint. On the other hand, I don’t want to be insensitive to the feelings of Native Americans who are insulted by being stereotyped or being called savages.
I went through my library and pulled off a few of the books that Ms. Reese found objectionable and during the next week or so, will continue to check the books I currently use for this holiday. I also ordered a number of the appropriate books on Reese’s lists.
I’m interested in your thoughts on this topic.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation.
Audrey
Monday, November 18, 2019
Friday, November 15, 2019
Wish Lists
Hello,
It is nearing the holidays and people are thinking about giving to others. This may be a great time to set up a Wish List for your classroom, classroom library, or school library. I have an Amazon Wish List with books and DVDs I want for the library. If you have a list that parents and church members can access, you are likely to receive things that you really need.
On my Amazon Wish List, I add books that students or teachers request that are not immediate needs, and once or twice a year I place an order. I know exactly what to order since the item is on my list and I have not forgotten anything. I have also printed out my list and taken it to our local bookstore where they offered me the same 20% discount that I could get from Amazon. They placed my order and called me a week or two later when all my books were in.
I was presenting library information to the Children’s Literature class from Walla Walla University yesterday and the professor had a great idea. She thought that setting out a small tree with bare branches and paper ornaments or shapes hanging from it with items you want would be a great year-round ‘wish list’. It could be any kind of tree or a pretend Dr. Seuss-like tree, or whatever works for you. Parents and visitors can see it and take off the paper with the name of the item they will purchase for you. I was at a school that used this idea at conference time. We taped large yellow stars with items on each to our classroom doors. The teacher next to my classroom laughed and put ‘teacher desk’ on one of her stars. One of her parents saw that and gave her a desk. His office was remodeling and she got a great desk. You just never know. I wished I had dreamed larger after finding that out.
Have a great weekend.
Audrey
It is nearing the holidays and people are thinking about giving to others. This may be a great time to set up a Wish List for your classroom, classroom library, or school library. I have an Amazon Wish List with books and DVDs I want for the library. If you have a list that parents and church members can access, you are likely to receive things that you really need.
On my Amazon Wish List, I add books that students or teachers request that are not immediate needs, and once or twice a year I place an order. I know exactly what to order since the item is on my list and I have not forgotten anything. I have also printed out my list and taken it to our local bookstore where they offered me the same 20% discount that I could get from Amazon. They placed my order and called me a week or two later when all my books were in.
I was presenting library information to the Children’s Literature class from Walla Walla University yesterday and the professor had a great idea. She thought that setting out a small tree with bare branches and paper ornaments or shapes hanging from it with items you want would be a great year-round ‘wish list’. It could be any kind of tree or a pretend Dr. Seuss-like tree, or whatever works for you. Parents and visitors can see it and take off the paper with the name of the item they will purchase for you. I was at a school that used this idea at conference time. We taped large yellow stars with items on each to our classroom doors. The teacher next to my classroom laughed and put ‘teacher desk’ on one of her stars. One of her parents saw that and gave her a desk. His office was remodeling and she got a great desk. You just never know. I wished I had dreamed larger after finding that out.
Have a great weekend.
Audrey
Monday, November 4, 2019
Donated Books and More
Hello,
I know that you probably have a similar problem that I have. The problem is when people want to donate their old books to the library. For some reason, it is difficult to throw away books. In our community, we have older people who are downsizing and they want to donate their books to the school. When I get a call or a visit from someone who wants to donate their books, I carefully answer with the following words. (Feel free to practice these two sentences.)
“I’ll be happy to take a look at them and see if there are any that we can use for our library. If we find that we can’t use all of them, would it be OK if we gave them to a classroom or somewhere else, or would you rather have them back?”
Usually they say that it is fine. After they leave, the books are mine and I can do what I want with them. I do look through them and sometimes I find something that we really can use. Sometimes I find a book that I can pass to a classroom that could use it. Many of the donated books go on our ‘give away’ shelf for students or parents to take. Any leftover books find their way to be recycled.
Another way to get books by donation is to create an Amazon Wish List for the school library. I have one and although I haven’t gotten many donations, I have gotten a few. The main thing I do with my wish list is to add books that have been requested and when I place an order, I have a substantial order.
I also have used one of the local bookstores. I’ll print out my Amazon wish list and give it to the bookstore. They order my books for me and give me a discount similar to Amazon’s. This way I am supporting the local economy and getting the same deal as I would through Amazon.
I hope these ideas are helpful to you.
Have a great week,
Audrey
I know that you probably have a similar problem that I have. The problem is when people want to donate their old books to the library. For some reason, it is difficult to throw away books. In our community, we have older people who are downsizing and they want to donate their books to the school. When I get a call or a visit from someone who wants to donate their books, I carefully answer with the following words. (Feel free to practice these two sentences.)
“I’ll be happy to take a look at them and see if there are any that we can use for our library. If we find that we can’t use all of them, would it be OK if we gave them to a classroom or somewhere else, or would you rather have them back?”
Usually they say that it is fine. After they leave, the books are mine and I can do what I want with them. I do look through them and sometimes I find something that we really can use. Sometimes I find a book that I can pass to a classroom that could use it. Many of the donated books go on our ‘give away’ shelf for students or parents to take. Any leftover books find their way to be recycled.
Another way to get books by donation is to create an Amazon Wish List for the school library. I have one and although I haven’t gotten many donations, I have gotten a few. The main thing I do with my wish list is to add books that have been requested and when I place an order, I have a substantial order.
I also have used one of the local bookstores. I’ll print out my Amazon wish list and give it to the bookstore. They order my books for me and give me a discount similar to Amazon’s. This way I am supporting the local economy and getting the same deal as I would through Amazon.
I hope these ideas are helpful to you.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)