May Already?

The end of the year is such a paradox.  Trying to wind down as the year comes to a screeching halt while attempting to keep the students engaged until the end is definitely a balancing act.

So we have a few new decorations to show off, and I did create one more reading challenge to attempt keeping the students interested.

Our book displays...

Here's a close up of the "Read Box." (Swiped from Pinterest - of course)

The reading challenge I designed was a bit more tricky.  We are picking up all the library books on May 16th, but school isn't out until May 23rd.  So I decided to push the Open eBook app.  As a Title I school, Summit students are eligible for this collection of eBooks... and it's free.  There are thousands of contemporary titles for all ages.  This service was available a couple of years ago, but I am just starting to push it now.

This library of ebooks would not even be possible without the great sponsors who donated to the cause.  Thank you to First Book, Digital Public Libraries of America, Baker & Taylor, the NY Public Library, and many more.  To read more about Open eBook and to see if your school is eligible, here is that link: http://openebooks.net/

So I wanted to create a challenge where the students would need to download the Open eBook App, read one of the books, and then respond to that book on Flipgrid.  I've heard so much about Flipgrid this year, I decided to hop on the bandwagon.  So I have a SHS Library Flipgrid with not much on it yet.  I just created it a couple of weeks ago.  This is my first challenge to incorporate the tool.

Here is the challenge... 

And here is the Library's Flipgrid, https://flipgrid.com/5crv9i

Like I said, there isn't much on it yet, but I hope to remedy that with this challenge.

Some of the students are resisting this challenge because they prefer print books.  I was hoping they might decide that an eBook is better than no book when they have no access to the school library and limited access to the public library this summer.  In addition, using eBooks also allows me to extend the deadline to the last full week of school.  I don't have to collect the eBooks!

Every day is an adventure!