Updates on the Media Center Symbaloo

You're likely familiar with the Media Center Symbaloo for both Meadows and the high school. Recently, though, it's been updated to include the tile for this blog, as well as a new Symbaloo devoted to coding websites geared for middle and high school students.  Both tiles appear in the top middle of the Symbaloo.


Want to check out the coding Symbaloo separately? You can caption below the Symbaloo screenshot to access the tiles:

https://edu.symbaloo.com/mix/dcgcoding

As updates are added to the Media Center Symbaloo, be sure to check back to find out what's new!

New eBooks & Audiobooks

Recently we've added eBooks and audiobooks to our collection. You can find the always popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, as well as the entire Harry Potter series now in the catalog.

Brand new to the collection is also the audiobook and eBook for Kimberly Bradley's The War I Finally Won, the follow-up to The War that Saved My Life.

Not sure how to check out an eBook or audiobook, or you're looking for additional titles? Be sure to stop by the desk--we'd love to help!  

Revisiting Our AEA Databases and Online Resources

Our Heartland AEA offers many databases and online databases for student resources and online projects.  You can access all of the AEA's resources by CLICKING HERE.  If you have forgotten how to log in please talk with your librarian. Below are just a few of the examples that students have used, along with 2 newer resources now available to us. 

MackinVia offers fiction and nonfiction eBooks, and audio books you can access right from our school catalog. Also you can go to MackinVia.com to see their collection of thousands of online books. You can read and listen to all of these books with your smart devices. 

CLICK HERE to access the site

CLCK HERE to access the site

In the past students have used SIRS and PRO/CON to find research for debate and speech assignments. PRO/CON is now known as the Points of View database. You can access both of these databases by clicking on the AEA resources link at the top of this post. 

CLICK HERE to access the site

New to FLIX family of resources is FREEDOMFLIX. Like BookFLIX, and TrueFLIX, this resource includes books, videos, related websites, and more! They offer books on a variety social studies topics. 

These are just a few of the many databases and online resources that are available to students. Need help using them? Stop by the library we would love to help you. 

Makerspaces & STEM

The media center is changing with the addition of makerspace and STEM activities. By being surrounded by books, students can become motivated to read and experience opportunities in a variety of venues. Students can create, invent, explore, and discover their hidden talents and aspirations through a variety of tools, technology, and materials. The possibilities are are endless, and can become powerful motivators for bored learners. New talents and interests can be supported through further enrichment, independent study, or connections to other content areas.

Teaching & learning chess from peers 

Zoom activity

Brain teaser puzzle  

Challenging jigsaw puzzles

Some of the STEM activities in the library include designing and creating the largest freestanding tower from playing cards.

There are so many different centers for reading in a relaxing in a  cozy atmosphere with comfortable furniture for studying and soft background music to foster a great learning environment.

Students in the Meadows library are also enjoying some makerspaces activities. Recently added to the space are decks of cards and puzzles. Students also continue to use the space with group work and collaboration.

Be sure to stop by the Meadows library to see some of the featured books recently added to the collection. Stop by to see what's available!

Expelled by James Patterson

One of James Patterson's young adult fiction books is the recently released Expelled. 

This realistic setting in a high school involves 3 boys and 1 girl who are expelled for different reasons including money handling and inappropriate pictures on social media. They are trying to figure out who set them up - 3 are innocent and 1 is not. 

If you are a fan of James Patterson or this sounds like a book that you would like to read stop at the library - we would love to check it out to you. 

New Book: Disappeared by Francisco Stork

One of the new books in the Meadows library is the contemporary fiction thriller Disappeared by Francisco Stork.

In this award-winning novel set in Juarez, Mexico, main character and reporter Sara writes about the many girls from her city who disappear and never return. Her work has taken on new meaning after her best friend is taken. As Sara works for months to learn more, her own brother gets caught in the drug trade as he tries to help his family make ends meet. With threats coming in to both Sara and her brother, is fleeing to the United States their only chance at safety?