Website: Middle School Chemistry

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEMISTRY from the American Chemical Society contains lessons and multimedia for educators and their students.

The Lesson Plans section is divided into six chapters. Each chapter contains a series of lessons that include a video and multimedia, lesson plan, activity sheets, readings, standards alignment, and teaching resources.

The Multimedia section takes students step-by-step through the lesson with embedded interactives, illustrations, and videos.

Librarians will find that the lessons and multimedia resources align well with the science curriculum. Of particular note are the Spanish language versions and hands-on activities and animations.

To visit the website, go to http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/.

Book Review: The Friendship Experiment

THE FRIENDSHIP EXPERIMENT by Erin Teagan takes a clever approach to the issues of middle school friendships.

Madeline is a young scientist who takes a “step-by-step” approach to everything including finding a new best friend. When her peers read her notebook, she realizes that maybe a scientific approach can’t solve her friendship dilemma. Intermediate level readers will empathize with Madeline’s personal and school experiences.

Librarians will find this humorous work of realistic fiction to be popular among young scientists and youth who enjoy stories about friendship.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group on November 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Disaster Detector

DISASTER DETECTOR from the Smithsonian is a learning game focusing on natural disasters.

Available in both web-based and app formats, players become citizens of Smithsonville. Using online tools, users learn to analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future disasters. They also learn to mitigate the effects of catastrophic events.

The interactive game includes tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. Scientific tools include Doppler radar, anemometers, barometers, and seismometers.

Librarians will find this interactive learning experience to be popular with middle school Earth Science students and teachers. Use this tool to promote data literacy skills across the curriculum.

To play the game or download the apps, go to https://ssec.si.edu/disaster-detector.

Book Review: Bookopolis

BOOKOPOLIS is a website designed to ignite a passion for reading in children ages 7-12.

Intended to build a community of readers, this social network provides a safe environment for elementary and middle school youth to connect with other book lovers. Youth can find books to read as well as share their book reviews.

Students can explore new books, create a bookshelf, share with friends, and earn points. The website also offers book suggestions and features new releases.

In addition to being a resource for children, the website also provides resources for teachers and librarians including lesson ideas, book recommendations, and standards connections. Educators can sign up for a teacher account to set up classes.

To explore the website, go to https://www.bookopolis.com.

Book Review: Gracefully Grace

GRACEFULLY GRACE by Ami Polonsky is filled with well-developed, believable characters who represent the spectrum of authentic reactions to Grayson’s gender identity issues. While Grayson faces bullying, rejection, and ridicule from some, “she” is also surrounded by caring friends and an understanding teacher. Polonsky does an outstanding job helping readers see these different points of view from Grayson’s perspective.

From the first page, readers become immersed in sixth-grader Grayson’s secret life. The first person, conversational style helps readers see the world through “her” eyes. Grayson’s bravery in trying out for the girl’s lead in the school play is a powerful statement that leads “her” on a path to self-discovery.

The frustrations and insecurities of middle school children are realistically portrayed through short chapters that keep the story moving and build empathy for Grayson’s situation.

I’m happy to see the subject of gender identity being addressed in a developmentally appropriate way for middle school youth. In addition, there are many parents and teachers who would benefit from this realistic story about a timely topic.

The e-pages of this book flew by. This unique work is a book I’ll be thinking about long into the future.

Learn more about author Ami Polonsky at http://www.amipolonsky.com/ 

NetGalley ARC used for review

Blog Interaction with Chris Somers - Mon. Oct. 5 to Wed. Oct. 7, 2009

Chris Somers is the media specialist at Indian Creek Middle School in Trafalgar, Indiana. Chris has been successful in securing grants for her school and collaborating with teachers. She is another Indiana teacher librarian who is integrally involved in classrooms and student learning and who is always looking for new and interesting opportunities.

Learn more about Chris and her professional interests and expertise at:
Chris Somers http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/somers.html.

You can also visit her school's and media center websites:
Indian Creek Middle School http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/icms/
Media Center website http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/icms/library/index.htm