Latest Posts

Latest Posts

Ghost of Christmas (Research) Past

Ghost of Christmas (Research) Past

Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
Christmas 1776 found the Continental army at its lowest point.  After losing New York, the American Revolutionary army had fled across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.  They were underfed and ill-equipped, and had proven vastly inferior to British troops in almost every way.  Washington himself wrote “I think the game is pretty near up.”  That evening, General George Washington led his famous crossing, taking men across the Delaware river to attack the Hessian fortification in Trenton, New Jersey.  This involved a nine mile march through freezing cold (some soldiers didn’t even have boots).  The battle was a complete success, eliminating the garrison, capturing valuable supplies and cannons, and proving that American soldiers could actually defeat regular army troops.  The battle … Continued
Service Learning at Northeastern

Service Learning at Northeastern

Heidi Huff, outreach, Programs 0 Comments
Northeastern Elementary School is one of the many community partners working with the Center for Service-Learning.  IU East students placed at Northeastern Elementary get on-the-job experience working with children in an education environment while at the same time providing valued mentor relationships for youth.   CSL currently has students assisting in classrooms and tutoring during the Homework Heroes after-school program.  In the Spring, IU East science and education students will have the opportunity to help with Northeastern’s science fair. Volunteer opportunities are open to all IU East students! Elementary education major Kati Felix is one of the students who tutored in the Homework Heroes program this semester.  She worked with three students for an hour each week.  Kati reflected, “This experience … Continued
Driedels at Chava’s House

Driedels at Chava’s House

Frances Yates 0 Comments
The driedel game, a popular Hanukah activity for children, grew into an adult passion for my mother (Eva Weinstein; Hebrew name Chava חוה, which means “life”), as she collected another and another and another and…until there was a glass-enclosed cabinet full of dreidels, each with a unique story about how and why it was acquired. They ranged from the silly (of the wind-up and walk plastic variety) to the delicious (chocolate ones, only 1 of which has survived the years – well-wrapped in plastic wrap of course!) to true works of art (http://tinyurl.com/GaryRdreidels).  When there is a family member with a “collection” it becomes relatively easy to purchase gifts, as the preferences are well-established. Therefore, the dreidel collection grew exponentially … Continued
Small Things

Small Things

, , Ann Tobin 0 Comments
Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things. ~ Bruce Barton  What’s smaller than a dwarf, tends to be a “cautious homebody”(unless there is some Tookish blood), wears bright colors but seldom wears shoes over furry feet, likes to laugh and eat (six meals a day), and loves to give and receive gifts?  A Hobbit, of course, and the perfect improbable protagonist for J.R.R. Tolkien’s heroic quest. Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit, battles trolls, goblins, evil wolves, giant spiders, and a Gollum to help Thorin and his band of dwarves recapture the treasure of his ancestors, long ago stolen by the ferocious dragon, Old Smaug. Bilbo had help … Continued
LGBTQ Youth Literature

LGBTQ Youth Literature

, books, Jesse Whitton 0 Comments
Choosing a topic for my end of semester L390 Children’s Literature paper was a process of exploration. I chose to compare and contrast picture books with a common theme. I wanted a theme that dealt with current events so I focused on the 2012 elections.  With 3 additional States and the District of Columbia legalizing Gay Marriage (for a total of 9 states, http://gaymarriage.procon.org), I decided to examine children’s books that feature children with gay parents. So I turned to the IU East Library children’s book collection.  I located four books that were stories about gay parents: Daddy’s Roommate, Heather has Two Mommies, Gloria goes to Gay Pride, and And Tango Makes Three. A librarian also directed me to an … Continued