Websites:
After examining lists of useful tools from the ALA website, two sites stuck out to me, especially. First is Teachingbooks.net, a site dedicated to helping students and educators find books that meet their needs. I love that it generates suggestions based on books that the user has read. I tested out this feature, and was able to find related books on many different topics. There are also great interviews and videos with authors and illustrators. This is a fantastic resource, and is certainly something that I will continue to access.
In addition, I found a lot of value in Facinghistory.org, a site that advocates learning about hatred and bigotry in order to overcome it. I used this site as a resource for one of my other classes in developing a lesson about Reconstruction and the KKK. This site does a great job of providing resources for students and educators about dark parts of our history, encouraging discussion and understanding rather than ignoring the past. As times are changing and people are becoming more vocal about discussing the past, Facing History is a great resource to have.
Blogs:
Free Technology for Teachers has proven to be an incredibly useful and frequently updated blog by Richard Byrne. He has blog posts, links, and tutorial videos. As I look at how to reach my students this fall virtually, the ideas that he has posted look very helpful. There are quite a few ads on the blog, but the information that Byrne provides is great. I look forward to continuing to follow this page for updates.
The Mighty Little Librarian blog has also put together some great resources specifically for librarians in looking at how to reach students and teachers in the virtual fall school year. Tiffany Whitehead has compiled so many resources from libraries and librarians across the country regarding their plans for the fall. She has also posted previous presentations to aid school librarians. While I will not be serving as a librarian this fall, I’m interested in how these leaders will continue to reach students and teachers and what new ideas will develop.