I'm Reading a Book

Thanks to our ever talented Caelum and his posse of readers.

Get More Out of Google

 

With information available at your fingertips 24/7 you would think most of us would be expert researchers by now but that is not the case.  A recent study discovered that less than 25% of students know how to effectively research. Thanks to the students at HackCollege for putting this infographic together. Check out the full infographic here and start becoming a Goolge master.

Teen Suicide with Rick Mercer

This year 300 teenagers have committed suicide. That is 300 too many. Many of these teens were bullied. Something can be done. Speak up and speak out. Some of these kids were gay and were harassed  for their personal choices. Harassed to the point of suicide.

Plagiarism

Worried you might be nailed for plagiarism? Not sure? You didn't mean to but you might have? Watch this short video created by the folks at Common Craft. They make it pretty easy to understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry at RSS on Prezi

7 Billion and counting

Forcasters at the United Nations say that today the world's population has surpassed 7 billion people. Cause for celebration or concern?
"Our world is one of terrible contradictions," says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "Plenty of food but one billion people go hungry. Lavish lifestyles for a few, but poverty for too many others."
Will we be able to feed, house, educate and provide clean water and a decent life for all children around the world? Check out CBC's Offbeat math: Sizing up a world of 7 billion people to see some interesting facts and figures.

Kootenay Literary Competition 2011

 
Calling all writers to enter the 2011 Kootenay Youth Creative Writing Competition.  If you're in Grades 7 - 12, and live in the Kootenay region of British Columbia  write an original work of 2,500 words or less that has not been accepted, published or submitted elsewhere for consideration.  That work should fall into one of the following literary categories:

• Short Fiction
• Creative Non-Fiction
• Poetry – Sequence of Poems or Linked Poems

What you have to include:

Grades 7-9:  Your written work MUST include the words “tricks” “seventeen cents” and “sweet”.  It doesn’t matter what order they appear in, but all the words must appear somewhere in your written work.
Grades 10-12:  Your written work MUST begin with the phrase “It wasn’t that I meant for it to happen”.
For all contest details go to KLC 2011

RSS Grad Fashion Show

Let's Feed Somalia

Across Somalia, more than 3.7 million people – more than half the entire population – are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. In some areas in the south, nearly half the population is malnourished. These areas have the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Across the three worst-affected countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, more than 11 million people need immediate food assistance.(www.care.org)
The students in Ms. Waage's Biology 12 class have researched a variety of flours/grains that would be most beneficial to send as food aide to Somalia. To see all student projects go to  http://rssbio12project.blogspot.com/. 

Let's Feed Somalia! on Prezi

Digital Youth Film-making Workshop coming to Rossland

Then take your original film and submit it to the Reel Youth Film Festival happening in November as well as the  U19 Film Festival April 14, 2012. See your movie on the big screen at the Royal Theatre in Trail. 

For more information come to the presentation in the Art room at 11:00 am on Monday, October 3rd.

Booklamp does for books what Jango does for music

Similar to Jango that hooks up music lovers with new music, Booklamp will help you find new books that suit your reading tastes. Simply type in the title, author or genre of your favorite read and Booklamp will generate title that are similar in content. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Your TeacherLibrarian

Congratulations to the RSS Grad Class of 2011

      Check out all the photos at http://on.fb.me/lWsHnR.

World Digital Library

The World Digital Library

Mission

The World Digital Library (WDL) makes available on the Internet, free of charge and in multilingual format, significant primary materials from countries and cultures around the world.
The principal objectives of the WDL are to:

• Promote international and intercultural understanding;
• Expand the volume and variety of cultural content on the Internet;
• Provide resources for educators, scholars, and general audiences;
• Build capacity in partner institutions to narrow the digital divide within and between countries.

The WDL makes it possible to discover, study, and enjoy cultural treasures from around the world on one site, in a variety of ways. These cultural treasures include, but are not limited to, manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, and architectural drawings.
Items on the WDL may easily be browsed by place, time, topic, type of item, and contributing institution, or can be located by an open-ended search, in several languages. Special features include interactive geographic clusters, a timeline, advanced image-viewing and interpretive capabilities. Item-level descriptions and interviews with curators about featured items provide additional information.

The WDL was developed by a team at the U.S. Library of Congress, with contributions by partner institutions in many countries; the support of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the financial support of a number of companies and private foundations.

Remember to wiggle your toes.

Thanks again to Kevin Brooks who spoke to the students at RSS about making the most of life, no matter what cards you have been dealt. An active snowboarder, skater, hockey player and general dare devil, Kevin was never one to turn down a party. After a night of drinking, Kevin didn't listen to that inner voice telling him to go home to bed but instead jumped in the driver's seat of his car, with his friend Brendon next him and proceeded to flip the vehicle down an embankment. Kevin survived. Brendon did not. Kevin is now in a wheelchair unable to do the many sports he loves but he isn't letting that stop him. Listen to Kevin and you know he isn't letting anything stop him. He isn't giving up. Check out his website and blog to read more about Kevin and share your own story.

Do you want a skatepark in Rossland?

May 10th, Miner's 7:30. Our LAST consultation meeting on the site. We need the masses out for this one! Also see cool RSA report on interviews with 40 other towns in BC with skateparks.

Tired of skating outside Ferraro's? The Rossland Skatepark Association has worked tirelessly to see a skatepark in Rossland. Tell your friends and family about the May 10th meeting where the location will be discussed. Get involved in your community. For more information check out the RSA website.

The Research Essay brought to you by Easybib

Easybib has created a great free online document that covers everything you will need for a successful research project: finding a topic, research tools, search engines, notetaking, outlining and creating a bibliography.

Red Mountain Academy Rap

RSS launches new website

Much thanks goes out to grade 12 student Madelaine Snelgrove for creating a great looking website for Rossland Secondary School. The site's new look reflects the various interests of the learning community  and will be a great showcase for student work. Don't forget to check out the RSS Gab Tab. Check back often as the site will be updated on a regular basis.

I Love Trash - documentary

I Love Trash is a documentary about dumpster diving. Two friends decide to do an experiment in trash. They rent an unfurnished apartment and arrive with only the clothes they are wearing and a flashlight. They decide not to buy any things for 3 months and instead to find all their needs in the trash. They furnish their apartment lavishly. They eat decadently. They dress sharp, and create beautiful art, all from the trash.

Please excuse the mess.

RSS Library is undergoing some changes so please excuse the mess.

Soon you will be able to find your next read by browsing the shelves by genre. Are you looking for a mystery novel or maybe you are in the mood for something a little more humourous. How about a graphic novel for a change? By rearranging our fiction collection by genre you will be better able to find what you are looking for or try something new. If you need some assistance Mrs. Yonkman, our library assistant, or the teacher-librarian Mrs. Kuhn will be more than happy to help. You will now find all the fiction along the main wall of the library, on either side of the windows. Of course, we are always looking for the next great read so come in with your suggestions and we'll see what we can do.

Money, money, money

Grads pay attention:
The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is awarding a number of $2,000 scholarships for the Youth Community Service award, based on volunteer service not your academic standing. If you are planning to attend a post secondary institution or training program this scholarship can help make the financial commitment a bit easier. Deadline for applications is April 15, 2011. You can go directly to the CBT webpage or see your school counselor for the application form.

No Sleep Tonight 2

Check out Samme Beatson's latest music video production showcased yesterday at the Valentine's Day assembly.

Beyond the first five links in Google

Do you want to discover the real power of a Google search? There's more to Google than meets the eye. Here's a link to an excellent video tutorial revealing the capabilities of a Google search. You'll learn how to access primary documents, use the timeline and wonderwheel functions, get access to thousands of free books and much, much more.

TAGMAG

Tag is an on-line student literary magazine filled with art and writing. Students, friends, and family members can blog, download the magazine to an ereader, print it, listen to it, or have it translated into another language. With links to Facebook, Twitter and more, students can share their work in a social media format that ensures they are globally connected in the 21st century.

Biology 12 students study help is here

Thanks to Maddy Snelgrove for some excellent links to Biology study sites. These are inline with the BC curriculum and include notes on all the units. Check them out here:
SD 67 Biology 12
Mrs. Naso's Biology
Southhill Biology
Good luck on your exams!

A Semester in Review

Here's a recap of what's been going on at the RSS library since September.

Homework Now App

As you may have heard, the My HomeworkNOW & School Alerts Applications for iPhone, iPad and Android devices have been released to the iTunes app store and Android Market. (See the press release that was released this past Tuesday here.) The app has been installed on thousands of parent/student devices in less than a week!

These app allow parents and students the ability to stay connected to your school and classes more easily. With this app parents and students can:

• receive school alerts (such as closings, emergencies, back pack notices, announcements, etc.) with real time notifications
• view the latest school/district wide notifications on-demand
• view classroom information and homework on-demand
• get notifications when teachers update a class page or homework assignment.

More information on the apps and how to get them can be found on the HomeworkNOW support site. The direct links are below:

Click here for the iPhone / iPad version of the app.

Click here for the Android version of the app.

Grade 6 Digital Booktalks

Mrs. McKinnon's grade 6s created some amazing digital booktalks. Take a look and then come down to the library to get the books.

Twitter at a Glance

New to Twitter? Not sure what a Tweet is or why people do it? Check out The Daring Librarian's Twitter tutorials made with Comic Life. Gwyneth Jones has created some fabulous tutorials ranging from QR codes to blogs and wikis.