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Total 6 items

1. Average cost of books -- School Library Journal published the 2006 Average Cost of Books in March 2006. Access the entire article through EBSCO Host.

SLJ's Average Book Prices 2006
 

2. AASL to offer online courses this fall Coming soon! The new AASL e-Academy will offer two online courses beginning in October. Don't miss this opportunity to grow professionally! The courses offered are entitled: "Copyright Issues in the Classroom and School Library" and "Creating and Maintaining Engaging School Library Websites."

Registration will begin on October 1st. Check the AASL Web site often as more information becomes available about this exciting new professional development opportunity.

Get more info at http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aasleducation/educationand.htm

3. AASL announces new reading grant AASL is pleased to announce the newest addition to its grants and awards program -- the AASL Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, the $2,500 grant will support the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for students that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.

The grant is designed to fund literacy projects for grades K-9 that promote the importance of reading and facilitate literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice, and policy. The selection committee will look for initiatives based on original ideas and methodology, which showcase innovative ways to motivate and involve students in reading. Projects need to demonstrate potential to positively impact student learning and growth of reading skills. Program proposals submitted must include a timeline, a budget and a statement of purpose, and should have potential for replication.

Get the details at http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2006/august2006/AASLreadinggrant.htm

4. The Big Read -- application deadline is September 12 The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. It is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. This program will engage libraries, literary organizations, colleges and universities, and arts organizations with other community and school partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.

Approximately 100 organizations of varying sizes in all 50 states will be selected through two selection cycles to participate in The Big Read in 2007. Approximately 50 organizations will be selected for programming occurring between January and June 2007. The deadline for these applications is September 12, 2006.

To apply for The Big Read, you must submit an application online through The Big Read electronic eGRANT system, as well as submit a hard copy package of proposal materials. Read more at http://www.neabigread.org

5. New literacy initiatives from the IRA

The International Reading Association's (IRA) mission is to ensure that everyone can attain the highest level of literacy. Together with National Geographic's recently launched "My Wonderful World," IRA is holding a campaign to promote geographic literacy. The goal of the campaign is to improve the geographic literacy of young people ages 8-17 by motivating parents and educators to expand geographic offerings in school, at home, and in their communities.

Find details at http://www.reading.org/publications/reading_today/samples/RTY-0608-natgeo.html

Access "My Wonderful World" at http://www.mywonderfulworld.org

Another IRA literacy initiative is "Hispanic American Read-In Chain," in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September). This 7th annual event aims to create a chain of readers between September 15 and 18, 2006. The chain involves reading works authored by Hispanic American writers at community sites or in school buildings.

Download more information at http://www.reading.org/downloads/association/HispAmer06_info.pdf

Get more information about all IRA initiatives at http://www.reading.org/association/about/announcements.html

6. Grants for middle school explorers The Christopher Columbus Awards program challenges middle school students to explore opportunities for positive change in their communities. Teams of up to four students and a coach identify a community issue and use the scientific process to solve it. Maximum Award: $25,000 for the community; finalist teams get an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World.

Eligibility: middle school students    Deadline: February 12, 2007    Get the details at http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com