Capstone Connect

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 
Earlier today a few of us Capstoners headed to Midway Stadium for the Saint Paul Saints first exhibition game. If you’re not familiar with the Saints, they’re our local, minor league baseball team with famous ties (actor Bill Murray is part owner of the team).

Today was “Educators Day,” a special event for just teachers and students. Buses, and buses, and more buses shuttled to the stadium dropping off students ranging in age from early elementary to middle school.

We were there to give away hundreds of copies of the adorable picture book Goodnight Baseball by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Christina Forshay. Michael was even there to help hand out the books to students.

Despite the light rain, we had a great time! Goodnight Baseball was a hit (pun intended!). The kids’ excitement for a free baseball book was contagious. And by far the best quote from the day came from a little boy who enthusiastically exclaimed, “I’m going to give this to my little brother for Christmas!”

The game was cut early because of the wet field, but the Saints ended up winning the game 8-3! Check out more photos from our exciting day on our Facebook page.

Texas Loves PebbleGo. We Hope You Do Too!

Last week was the Texas Library Association (TLA) conference in Ft. Worth, TX. If you ever need to disabuse someone that librarians are a bunch of “sssshhh-ers,” just take them to TLA!

TLA is a fun time—it isn’t everywhere that you get to wear a pink pirate hat (and isn’t that a shame) for an author signing or get a cute tote bag for free (an even bigger shame).

By far the hottest news to come out of Texas is about PebbleGo Biographies. In August, PebbleGo Biographies expands to include articles on all U.S. Presidents plus any biographical figure mentioned in the TEKS K-3 curriculum standards. That’s 61 new articles—and no price increase!

Not familiar with PebbleGo? It is the only database designed exclusively for the needs of the K-3 researcher with expertly-leveled text, natural-voice audio, text highlighting, and critical research supports such as a downloadble first report template and the ability to cite your source. PebbleGo has four different databases: PebbleGo Animals, PebbleGo Earth & Space, PebbleGo Biographies, and PebbleGo Social Studies.

Research skills and the ability to correctly use credible sources are an important part of both 21st Century Skills and the Common Core State Standards.

But don’t just take our word for it! Check out how engaged this youngster was at TLA!

If you haven’t tried PebbleGo yet, now is the time. Get a free 14-day trial here. 

-Amy Cox, Capstone Library Marketing Manager

 

Happy Mayday, Mayday?

It's almost impossible to top last week's guest blog!  So instead I will attempt to entertain you with some May Day humor.

Did you know that not only is a day that many celebrate springtime it is also an emergency code used internationally as a distress signal?  The word was derived from the French m'aider, help me! There is no better way to explain Minnesota weather except to say...

Happy Mayday, Mayday?  

For those that don't know I wanted to share our 5 day forecast!

Nope, can't make that up. So in doing some research I wanted to see the latest snowfalls recorded in history in Minnesota and here is what I found.

Believe it or not it was 81 degrees on Sunday and snow today...it's not a dream, or a nightmare it's reality!

And definitely not baseball weather. 

Let's just say that if May 20th arrives and we are still saying anything about snow other than having a "snow cone" at a local fair, there might be serious troubles!

Happy May Day Everyone! 

 

Education Trends from IRA Conference

This year's International Reading Association (IRA) conference had the theme Celebrating Teachers Making a Difference, and throughout the convention hall and in the vibrant city of San Antonio, teachers were celebrated, challenged, and inspired! This year's IRA attracted teachers from around the globe and celebrated their craft in an IRA that unpacked the Common Core, differentiated between PARCC and Smarter Balance, underscored the emergence of growing digital literacies, and inspired with keynotes from speakers Rick Riordan, LeVar Burton, Mo Willems, and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. Not even the Fiesta celebrations were outshone by the enthusiasm of attendees!

What did we notice at IRA?

• Common Core is on everyone's minds, with programs and books on display that have been retooled and created to guide classroom instruction. While many educators fear that content-focused text will replace teaching the art of fiction, the message at IRA and throughout the Common Core is that, in the early grades, there is a balance between fiction and nonfiction and a place for artful teaching inspired by all kinds of texts.

• As the Common Core becomes more ingrained in our teaching patterns, strategies such as Close Reading come to the forefront. The structure for close reading is simple according to author and staff developer Chris Lehman: 1: read with a lens; 2: look for a pattern; 3: build an idea.

• Informational Text is huge, and the informational text must cover key content in science and social studies as well as inspire instruction tied to standards. Informational text is packed with text features that make information stand out for students—and make the texts look more sophisticated yet more informative than ever.

• Assessment is on everyone's minds. Sessions that deconstructed the two major CCSS assessments packed the house. Whether it's Smarter Balance or PARCC, the assessments call for deep thought about how we instruct our students. Still, it's about keeping perspective. As reading guru Dick Allington noted, "If your teachers need a test to tell them how their kids are doing, then you hired the wrong teachers." Another panelist stated, "Assessments are only as good as the actions that arise from them."

• Digital products filled the exhibit hall—on-line programs, apps, teaching tools, organization, book collections. While all the flash animation and colorful programs are fun to play with, the bottom line is that digital products need to focus on the outcome. The bells and whistles of technology are not the sole reason behind the products. They need to promote learning.

Inspirational words followed teachers out the door—
"All it takes is one good teacher and one good book. Be that teacher and find that book." —Rick Riordan

This quote applies to all of us—educators, parents, librarians . . .

See you next year in New Orleans!

Lynnette Brent, Capstone Classroom Senior Product Planning Manager

What on Earth?

Happy Earth Day everyone! I hope you're all taking the time today to appreciate this amazing planet we all share, and perhaps even doing something special to celebrate. As always, Capstone has a myriad of titles on the subject if you'd care to share this day with some young readers in your life.

          

I must say that my favorite Earth Day was when I was in the third grade. My classmate's mother came in with small evergreen saplings for every student in the school. My brother and I were ready to dig up the yard the second we got home. Dad helped us plant our 10-inch baby pines in the back yard about 6 feet apart and waited for them to grow. Alas, tragedy struck later that summer. Dad ran over one of the trees with the lawn mower. The carnage was too much for the young pine to take, and it died. The other tree, however, thrived. Today it stands in my parents' backyard a good 20 feet tall. The only problem is my brother and I have never been able to figure out which one of our trees survived and which one was murdered. We both claim the living tree. I don't know about him, but I'm happy to share. It's pretty amazing to see how tall "our" tree has grown. When I close my eyes I can still see the small sapling I was so excited to plant in the backyard. 

-Mandy Robbins, senior editor
Capstone Nonfiction 

Exciting news!

In January 2011, myON reader launched with 800 enhanced digital books. We have grown, boy have we grown! In January 2013 we have over 3000 enhancedi digital books, 1.75 million students reading on the platform and over 2500 schools using myON reader!

Earlier this month, The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)  organization announced the finalists for the 2013 CODiE Awards. myON reader is a finalist in two of the categories: Best Reading/English/ELL Instructional Solution and Best PreK-12 Personaized Learning Solution. 

The SIIA CODiE Awards are the industry's only peer-reviewed awards program. Educators and administrators conduct the first-round review of all education nominees. The judges are responsible for selecting the CODiE Awards finalists, and SIIA members then vote on the finalist products. The scores from both rounds are tabulated to select the winners. Winners will be announced during a special awards dinner at the nation’s leading education technology conference, the Ed Tech Industry Summit, in San Francisco on May 6.

The complete list of finalist is listed on the SIIA website and each finalist has a link to their program.

In 2011,myON reader was awarded the Product or Service Most Likely to Succeed in the Ed Tech Market and Runner UP in the Most Innovative Ed Tech Product or Service.

 

School Librarians Invited to BE THE CHANGE

Have you heard about School Library Journal’s “Be the Change” series of webcasts for school librarians? We’re excited to be part of the series as one of the sponsors, and are looking forward to the enlightening presentations and discussions from education thought leaders. From the 10 strategies of leadership to taking the lead on Common Core standards, each of the webinars encourages librarians to take a leadership role within their school.

If you’re looking for insights from experts, an opportunity to network with your peers, and be inspired to lead in your school, then you’ll want to sign up for these free webinars.

The first webcast is coming up on March 28, so sign up today!

Top 10 List - Why we love spring in Minnesota

It's the first day of spring and let's just share that Minnesota  isn't looking like spring! We have snow on the ground and today it's 15 degrees with winds of 21 mph. But never fear - we are hardy people - or insane -- you choose. But in honor of the 1st day of Spring here is my top 10 list with a twist of books on myON showing us the way!

 10. We can finally take down the Christmas lights!

 

 

 

 

9. The ice scrapers can be put away for at least 6 months!

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. We have contests to determine what day the ice will come off the lakes!

 

 

 

 

6. We finally get to see grass!

 

 

 

 

5. We get to stop hibernating and see our neighbors again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Baseball/softball /soccer/lacrosse seasons starts!

 

 

 

 

3. Kids go outside & the spring cleaning begins!!

 

 

 

 

2. We start thinking about flowers and gardens!

 

 

 

1. NCAA March Madness Tournament begins (ok that is more personal – GO JAYHAWKS!)

 

We don't quite have a book on myON about Jayhawks - BUT WE SHOULD!

Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Happy National Grammar Day!

Today is National Grammar Day! How often do graphic designers write about grammar? I’m guessing not very often. Although I like to make books look pretty, I also appreciate proper grammar. I will say that there is definitely a time and place for it. There are plenty of days where I use made up words in casual conversation. I like to think this adds pizazz to my life. But when it comes to conversing with illustrators, editors, and other important people over email, proper grammar should be used. After I thought a bit about National Grammar Day I remembered that I was actually quite fond of grammar in high school. We’d get several pages of exercises to do and I’d whiz right through them during class like they were candy.

In doing some research on this wondrous day I discovered it has its very own website! It’s full of fun songs, t-shirts, rules, and much more.

If you’d like to make grammar rules come to life for any special readers you may know, check out some of our books! 

          

-Ashlee Suker, Graphic Designer
Capstone Nonfiction

Heading to the Crescent City

Next week, Maryellen and I will be attending the National Child Care Association's "Jazzing Up Your Leadership Style" Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana! We're excited to head south to meet people as excited about early childhood care and education programs as we are.

Will you be there? Visit our booth and you could win a variety of Capstone Young Readers prizes! Just look for our sleek new banner:

See you in the Big Easy!