MAME logo
MEDIA MATTERS!
Michigan Association for Media in Education 

November 2009

In this Issue
From the President
Congratulations, Winners!
Learning 4 Life
Our Readers Respond
Happy Volunteers
Making a Difference
Handouts Online!
Thank You!
From the President
Roger and Jo by Kathleen McBroom
  

MAME 36.  Traverse City.
It's hard to believe the conference is over.  After months and months of hard work by Lynn Gordon and her fabulous committee, it's hard to believe the conference has come and gone.  But what a wonderful experience!  We braved the elements (the fall colors were still resplendent, even through the mist, the rain, the fog...).  We braved pestilence (H1N1 practically shut down the west side of the state).  We braved disappointing financial news from the state, we braved cutbacks and uncertainty back home in our districts, and we braved the hits to our personal checkbooks and credit cards. 
And for what?  For an amazing, intimate, and inspiring event.  We listened to keynote speakers who showed us new ways to connect (thank you, Christopher Harris!) and who moved us to tears (the unforgettable Ben Mikaelsen).  We met new colleagues and reunited with old friends.  We listened.  We learned.  We laughed.  We shared.  We solved.
MAME 36.  We made memories.  We made a difference. 
 
Kathleen McBroom

Gordon,Harris,McBroom

President-Elect Lynn Gordon, Keynote Speaker Christopher Harris, and President Kathleen McBroom
 
Congratulations, Winners!
 
MAME paid tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions at the Presidents' Gala and Awards Ceremony Thursday evening, Oct. 22. This year's honorees include:
 
Roberta Sibley, Birmingham Public Schools
Media Specialist of the Year
Roger and Jo
 
 
Diane Falconer, Fitzgerald Public Schools
Mary Ann Paulin Award for Reading Advocacy
Roger and Jo
 
 
Barbara Walker, Wayne County RESA
Margaret Grazier Service Award for Contribution to the Profession
Roger and Jo
 
 
Annette Marie Haley, Wyandotte Public Schools
Roger Ashley Freedom to Read Award
Roger and Jo
 
 
Barbara La Beau, GVSU Library & Information Science Program
President's Citation for Leadership in School Library Media Education
Roger and Jo
 
 
Portage Public Schools
Service Award for Boards of Education
 
Realizing the Vision: Learning 4 Life
 Learning4Life logo
Thursday's general membership session at the MAME conference addressed Learning 4 Life, an initiative from the American Association of School Librarians to disseminate and publicize the new national library media standards.

These Standards for 21st Century Learners, released two years ago, are focused on student learning and dispositions (habits of mind).  Presenters Kristin Fontichiaro and Kathleen McBroom encouraged their colleagues to approach the standards through a "six word memoir" approach:

1.  DOWNLOAD.  Access the standards at ala.org/aasl/learning4life.

2.  PURCHASE.  There are two companion documents: Standards for 21st Century Learner in Action, AASL, 2008 (learner outcomes, sample lessons, and assessments); and Empowering Learners, ALA, 2009 (guidelines for effective media programs).

3.  ABSORB. The Standards for 21st Century Learners are quite a departure from previous documents that focused on specific skills and concrete tasks.  These new standards talk about creating life-long learners who take responsibility for their own learning and who are responsible, reflective users of information.

4. & 5.  CONNECT & CORRELATE.  Align these new standards and disposition with existing district and state curriculum documents and content expectations.

6. SHARE.  These standards need to get to library media colleagues, teachers, administrators, curriculum directors, and the entire school community.   
 
The new standards ask us to rethink why, what, and how we deliver instruction to our students.  The ultimate goal is to help all of us realize the vision of becoming 21st Century learners.
Our Readers Respond
 
Comments on the conference......
 
Social Bookmarking
I put all links from my sessions on http://delicious.com/ and tagged them MAME09.  This would include some of the books and videos that Christopher Harris discussed in his keynote on Thursday am.  Pam Landgraf
Best thing: Nancy Polette
I am really excited to take back Nancy Polette's biography "report" ideas and share them with my L.A. teachers - who are in the middle of studying memoirs, biographies and autobiographies.  I also can't wait to share the idea about centers in the library with my primary school media center.  How fun!!!  Sarah Savage
 
Best thing:Chris Harris-
My big takeaway is from Chris Harris:
We're in a wintertime now, but spring will come.
Lots of small conversations about BIG ideas.
Kristin Fontichiaro
What will you take back from MAME
Working in centers-Lori Hoag

Networking!  EVERY session I attended was just what I needed!  Sue Taylor
Questions to ponder:
How should schools respond to assessment?
How much should we assess product vs. product?
 
 
For next newsletter:
Be thinking about the top 10 things you LOVE about MAME!  I need lots of responses!
   ST

Happy Volunteers!

Conference Committee

Why are these people so happy? They are the MAME 36 conference committee, and after twelve months of planning, they are ready for the beginning of MAME's best conference ever! 

Don't miss the opportunity to join this select group at MAME's next conference October 27-29, 2010 at Dearborn's Hyatt Regency Hotel.
 
When you complete your evaluation survey for MAME 36,
include your contact information to volunteer for the MAME 37 conference committee, or email Rachel Markel, conference chair, today! 
Media Matters! Editors
Sue Taylor   [email protected]
 
Joanne Steckling    [email protected]
 
 
MAME Executive Director
Tim Staal    [email protected] 
 
Database Manager
Liz Lewis    [email protected]

We Make a Difference!

Last week, 231 MAME members attended the annual conference, held this year at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. In these incredibly difficult budgetary times, the theme of "We Make a Difference" is a concept that we all need to internalize and communicate. But actions speak louder than words. In a posting to mamelist, Executive Director Tim Staal issued the following challenge:
 
"So the question now is ...How can each of us Make a Difference in the lives of our students and staff?
 
Think about what steps you can now take: 
   - Connect with a student on a more personal level ?
   - Get one more staff members at your school involved in using the   media center or your services ?
   - Learn more about the new standards ?
   - Connect with other MAME members in your area ?
   - Set a new goal for yourself ?
   - Contact a legislator from your area about school funding in general and library/media funding in particular ?
   - Plan a regional MAME
event ?
   - Start a book club with your students or staff ?
   - Plan to attend the MAME mid-winter or MAME summer academy events?
   - Meet with your administrator or curriculum person to talk about   the 21st century literacy ?
   - Talk to your MEA or AFT building people about the role of the Library Media Specialist?"
 
Tim, thanks for the words of wisdom! Let us all carry back to our schools the resolve to find new ways to Make a Difference every day!
 
 ....your newsletter Editors
Handouts Online!
Roger and Jo
If you missed MAME 36 in Traverse City, you can still benefit from some of the great sessions that were presented. Check the MAME website for handouts to download. 

Thank You!

to all the Conference Volunteers!
We had approx 57 volunteers fill 69 positions. The average time per person volunteering was 2 hours. Those 57 people made a difference for 231 people that attended the conference. This doesn't count the countless hours the conference committees spent preparing before the conference began!  Thanks to those who gave their time to make a difference for all MAME 36 attendees.  

Gwenn Marchesano
 

Upcoming Events
 
Nov. 5 - 8
AASL National Conference
"Rev up Learning @ your Library"
Charlotte, NC
 
 
Jan 15-20, 2010

ALA Midwinter Meeting
Boston, MA
 
March 10-12, 2010
"Collaborate, Communicate, Create
Grand Rapids
 
 
March 20-22, 2010
Michigan Reading Association
Cobo Center & Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
 
 
June 24-29, 2010
Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
 
 
June 27-30, 2010
Colorado Convention Center, Denver
 
 
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