AppShed

Library App with AppShed

According to the AppShed website, "AppShed allows people to become creators of technology, not just consumers. AppShed is a FREE online app-creation tool where users design, create and publish mobile apps. Everyone gains a huge sense of achievement, having been able to produce something tangible they can share with others. The app-building environment is intuitive and adaptable to your needs. Apps can be tested in real-time either on a mobile device or in a browser."

The main reason why I love this service is that teachers can create a folder (or shed) with all the apps that they use in their classrooms in one convenient package - and they do not need to know how to code. In fact, no technical knowledge is required to use AppShed.

I recently created an AppShed with some library-related material, including shortcuts to our library website, this blog, Noodletools (for creating citations), and the school's Twitter feed. I am still deciding which apps to include in this package. I am taking your suggestions and it will soon be available for the masses to download. Stay tuned!

Open Mic Night

Come join us for A Picnic Under the Stars at this year's Open Mic Night, which has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 26th at 7:00 pm in the West Cafeteria. Come read a poem or sing a song. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from a Fragments member or at the door.

Block Posters

With Block Posters you can create massive wall posters from your own images for FREE! It is really simple. First, you upload the image you want to use. Next, you can customize your poster up to 5 pages wide for free (6-10 pages wide require an upgrade to Premium membership). You can change the orientation form portrait to landscape (or vice versa), select paper format (A4 or letter), and give each paper a boarder or keep it boarderless. Note: There is a small watermark for the free version. A premium block poster will cost you $5. Then, you download your poster and you are ready to print!

Mepham's Special Education Department

Mepham's MakerSpace

What is a makerspace? MakerSpaces (also known as tech shops, hackerspaces or fab labs) are DIY creation places for students to gather, to build, to invent and to learn. They often have software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies and tools. Makers build physical “stuff” such as robots, digital music, movies, games, jewelry, buttons, clothes, and so much more.

Test run: We started with one base kit of 10 bit modules from littleBits, a few Legos(R), some craft and household supplies.

littleBits Basic Kit 

Look for the official grand opening of Mepham's Makerspace in September 2015.

“Libraries are for Making...”

Our school library gives students a space to extend learning beyond the classroom where they can explore, create and share content. When our students spend time in the library, they are gaining the digital literacy skills they need to be successful.

Come in to see all of the great digital resources and services that are available here at Mepham to help students succeed in school and prepare for college and 21st century careers during Teen Tech Week: March 8-14, 2015.

Stay tuned for some exciting news that aligns perfectly with this year's Teen Tech Week theme! “Libraries are for Making...” 

Tellagami

Tella what? Tellagami is a mobile app that lets you create and share a quick animated Gami video. I downloaded this FREE app via the Apple App Store and made this short video in minutes. It was easy. First, you create a scene.  I customized my character (brown hair and brown eyes) and choose my background. I took this photo of our school library right on my iPad. Next, I added dialogue. I choose to record my own voice, but they do have an option to type a message for your character to say. Lastly, I saved my "gami" and then shared it on our @MephamHS Twitter feed (you can share on Facebook, or send via email or text as well). Give it a try!

Literary Circle

Join us as we discuss City of Ashes from The Mortal Instruments series by New York Times Bestselling author, Cassandra Clare on Wednesday, March 18th in room 236 at 2:15 pm. You can sign up for this ELITE event by clicking here.

Literary Circle Book Selection 

Lunch & Learn: Google Classroom

TEACHERS: Join your technology integration mentors: Ms. Schuliaz, Ms. Stack, and Ms. Tschan, in the school library (Room 300) on Thursday, March 12th (rescheduled from Thursday, March 5th) during periods 1-9. We will cover the recently (August 2014!) released Google Classroom. Bring your breakfast, lunch and snacks. These 40-minute lunch and learns are held throughout the day to accommodate all teacher schedules. We hope to see you there!

Grab Your Hat & Read with the Cat

The Cat in the Hat

You're never too old to celebrate National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Day!  So on Monday, March 2, 2015 (Dr. Seuss' birthday!) grab a book, any book will do, and read, read, read!

Students at Mepham High School will join millions of their peers across the country to celebrate the sixteenth annual NEA's Read Across America Day. NEA's Read Across America Day celebrates the joys of reading. They expect more than 45 million readers, both young and old, to pick up a book and read.

To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, Mepham High School is asking you to join NEA and many of America's leading literacy, youth, and civic groups in bringing a nation of readers together under one hat-the red and white stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat-for a flurry (or furry) of reading excitement!

My all-time favorite Dr. Seuss book is Green Eggs and Ham! We have a saying in our family, "You don't have to like it, but you have to try it!"