Friday, February 29, 2008

Researchers Link Higher Test Scores with Certified Librarians in Schools


New York state schools with certified librarians have higher scores on average on the fourth-grade ELA test than those who don't, according to findings of researchers Ruth Small and others at Syracuse University. This preliminary report reaffirms what 19 other state studies have shown, that school libraries staffed by cerfified librarians and equipped with current books and technology can have a positive impact on student academic achievement, says Michael Borges, executive director of the New York Library Association.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Mr. Worthington- Music, Art and Literature of the Postclassical World

The music, art and literature of a group of people often portray important values of a culture. They act as teaching guides for the people of a community. For this project, students are to research a specific aspect of the postclassical era.

Areas of focus: (500CE-1450 CE)
- Rise and Spread of Islam - African Kingdoms( Ghana, Mali and Songhay) (966.2)
- Byzantine Empire (949.5) - Mesoamerican Civilizations (Inca, Mayan and Aztec)
- Middle Ages in Europe (909.07) - Tang and Song Dynasties in China (509.51)
- Impact of Islam on India - Rise of the mongols (921 Kha, 921 Gen, etc.)
- Japenese Feudalism (952)

Monday, February 4, 2008

Mrs. Van Zandt- Islamic Civilization Achievements

Document Based Question Assignment: What were the most important Islamic achievements? Why were the Muslims able to make such great contributions and how did these contributions impact their world?
Areas of Achievement are: Chemistry and Medicine, Art and Architecture, Philosophy and History, Astronomy and Geography, Literature, Mathematics.

*Print Resource Materials for these topics are on display in the Gelinas Information Center.
Some titles available are: - Science in Medieval Islam (Call #509 Tur)
- The Atlas of Islam (REF 911 Mor)
- The Muslim Almanac (REF 297 Mus)
-The Islamic World: Past and Present (REF 509 Esp)