C.O.D. Library ESL/ABE/GED Faculty Newsletter December 2009
Resource of the Month
Making a List, Checking it Twice
http://www.teachersdomain.org
The other part of collection development is weeding-- the closet cleaning part of the job. We all like getting new things, but sometimes it's not as much fun to get rid of the old stuff. It was great when we got it, maybe it will be great again. Sure it hasn't left the shelf in a year, but it might come in handy some other time. These excuses might sound familiar to someone who can't bear to part with the bags of out-of-date clothes or unused still-inthe-box appliances that take up space in attics, closets and basements.
From the Teachers' Domain website: "Teachers’ Domain is an online library of more than 1,000 free media resources from the best in public television. These classroom resources, featuring media from NOVA, Frontline, Design Squad, American Experience, and other public broadcasting and content partners are easy to use and correlate to state and national standards." The content on Teachers' Domain is geared for K-12 education, but the media resources and handouts can be used to reinforce learning for students of any age. Subjects include Arts, English, Math, Science, and Social Science. All media (audio, video, web pages) have accompanying information, depending on the subject-- background essays, detailed lesson plans,
One of my favorite things to do as a librarian is collection development. On one level, it's shopping-- flipping through catalogs, browsing websites, scanning displays, and making wish lists and placing orders. When my ordered items arrive, it's a bit like Christmas-- new stuff! What fun!
Some things that should get thrown out stay because there simply isn't a replacement. The Library holds on to any number of cassettes, VHS tapes and even slide carousels (!) because 21st century versions aren't available. If a student really needs the content, he or she will have this dated version to turn to (and a librarian to help explain how it works!). As the semester winds down into Winter Break, I'm spending some time purchasing and weeding. I have a stack of catalogs I haven't had time to review and a budget that has barely been touched. Perhaps it's the lingering effects of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but I'm in full holiday spending mode. This month would be a great time for you to send me your own Wish Lists-- are there books you wish we had? resources your students look for? tools that could help you do your job? I'm also looking for your favorite ESL/ABE/GED publishers? Who, do you trust? Who has the best offerings at conferences? To whom do you turn year after year for quality materials? Send along your favorites by email or in the comments of the online newsletter. I've listed some of my favorites in the side bar to the left-- visit their sites, do some window shopping and send your wish lists my way! Happy Holidays and enjoy your winter breaks!
discussion/follow-up questions, and more. Registration is free, quick and easy.
Publishers Grass Roots Press www.grassrootsbooks.net Heinle ELT
--Jenn.
Test Taking Resources Learning Express Library: This electronic resource is one of the best known and most used test-preparation tools the Library offers. LEL not only offers practice for students taking named exams such as the GED, TOEFL or occupational exams, but can assist students with placement test through the many skills improvement sections.
elt.heinle.com New Readers Press www.newreaderspress.com Oxford University Press www.oup.com/us
Your Librarian Jenn Kelley Reference Librarian Office: SRC 3043A Phone: (630) 942-2383 E-mail: kelleyj@cod.edu Library Website: www.cod.edu/library Find me on Facebook
GED Prep: Search the Library catalog for "General Educational Development Tests Study Guides" and find over 60 books, DVDs and interactive tools for GED and pre-GED exam prep. Many books and videos are also available in Spanish versions. These materials are available in the Library's College and Career Information Center. Math Placement Test: Videos Algebra I: 6 videos; QA155 .A54 Algebra II: 6 videos; QA155 .A542 Books and Textbooks A+ notes for beginning algebra: QA152.3 .Y36 Algebra for the utterly confused: QA152.2 .S715 Algebra success in 20 minutes a day: QA159 .J59 Algebra the easy way: QA152.3 .D68 2003 College algebra demystified: QA154.2 .H84 Just in time algebra: QA40 .S385 (also available as an eBook) Painless algebra: QA152.3 .L66 (also available in Spanish) The pocket idiot's guide to algebra 1: QA152.3 .S93 Schaum's outline of college algebra: QA157 .S725 2006 Teach yourself visually algebra: QA155 .H47 Writing Placement Test: Applied English grammar: PE1112 .B97 Basic grammar and usage: PE1112 .C48 Brass tacks grammar: PE1128 .G23 English: An essential grammar: PE1112 .N45 English simplified: PE1112 .E43 The Grammar guide: PE1112 .A29 A student's introduction to English grammar: PE1112 .H79 Reading Placement Test: Complete idiot's guide to critical reading: LB1050 .W34 Reading improvement: LB2395.3 .R39 GED language arts, reading: LB3060.33 .G45 G4422 (CCIC) Improve your reading: LB150 .F797 2005 Ten steps to building college reading skills: LB2395.3 .L35
Baron's pass key to the GED: High school equivalency examination (Language Arts section): LB3060.33 .G45 R625