It’s time: let’s improve schools' perceptions of teacher librarians
Bev Novak I recently noticed that a work colleague shared a link to Sally Dring’s fabulous article published in 2014, ‘Don’t overlook your school librarian, they’re the unsung heroes of literacy’. When I read this article a couple of years ago, I shared it on Twitter, and was delighted to read Sally’s reply: ‘It needs saying!’ Dring’s article highlighted the many valuable attributes and skills that teacher librarians bring to the school community. These are outlined below. • Having dual qualifications in both teaching and library management allows teacher librarians to see the ‘big picture’ from the perspective of both student and teacher across a range of subjects and year levels.• An expertise of teacher librarians is teaching information literacy. Dring concludes her well-stated thoughts by imploring school communities to make the most of a valuable asset so often overlooked: But many school librarians are seen purely as minders of a spare IT suite or as date label stampers.
5 Reasons to Read for Reluctant Readers
Teachers may offer up a killer classroom library and carve out class time for silent reading, but these two things do not guarantee prolific reading, or even moderate reading from your students. One of my goals when I was teaching high school was this: to have students fall in love with reading while they were in my classroom (or at least like it a little more). So how do you motivate secondary students in a deeper, lifelong reader way? It's not just about helping a student find that right book, as teachers often see as the ultimate mission, but it's about giving reasons for reading -- and really good ones. Because let's face it, there's plenty of stuff we all have to read that we may not be crazy about, but we know it's good for us. 1. I could always identify my readers. 2. We read to know we are not alone. -- anonymous Reading prepares us for what is to come in life. 3. The more you read, the more you know. 4. 5.
5 Reasons You Need Fiction
I’ve heard pastors and longtime Christians argue against reading fiction since it’s “not true.” But great literature can be an avenue of profound blessing and an ally to teach us to anticipate the kingdom of God in all of life. If we’re moved when we come across an ancient oak swaying beside a brook in a sunlit valley, we don’t immediately try to justify its existence. If we’re sensible, we don’t think, You know, this tree would be much better if it had a Bible verse carved into it. It’s like this with stories—they’re best enjoyed at their natural best. Here are five such ways. 1. My friend Heidi Johnston, author of Life in the Big Story, says the best, most faithful stories aren’t an escape from but into reality. Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? 2. In After Virtue, Alasdair MacIntyre observes, “I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ In reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Seeing through another’s eyes cultivates empathy. 3. 4. 5.
The Research Files Episode 19: Reading for pleasure
Listen to and download all the Teacher podcasts for free on iTunes and Soundcloud Hello, thank you for downloading this podcast, brought to you by Teacher magazine - I'm Jo Earp and you're listening to Episode 19 of The Research Files. Today sees the release of the Kids & Family Reading Report Australia, which explores child and parent attitudes and behaviours around reading for pleasure. This study, from Scholastic, is already on its fifth edition actually in the US but this is the first time it's been carried out in Australia. Rosemary Johnston is Professor of Education and Culture at University of Technology Sydney, a former English and history high school teacher who's written several books on literacy for teachers and has a forthcoming book on Australian children's literature. Jo Earp: Rosemary Johnston, welcome to The Research Files. Rosemary Johnston: It involved a nationally representative sample of 1748 parents and children. RJ: ... Image ©Shutterstock/g-stockstudio ... References
NAPLAN, Reading and Teacher Librarians
October 30, 2016 by NovaNews So can there be a link between reading achievement scores as measured by NAPLAN testing and the presence or absence of Teacher Librarians in schools? Sue McKerracher, Chief Executive Officer of ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) seems to think there most definitely is an impact to be had, particularly when she states the obvious in a recent release on the ALIA website: ‘School libraries and teacher librarians are well placed to contribute to improving student skills in reading, digital literacy, critical thinking and research skills. However we see only a small number of teacher librarians on staff compared to other specialist teachers in schools.’ McKerracher goes on to quote research completed by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to back up her claim: ….. in 2013 only 4-5% of primary teachers and 2-3% of secondary teachers were working in a library role. Take the time to read her post. Like this: Like Loading...
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4 Rules of Library Advocacy
AASL has just release a collection of advocacy materials for school librarians. While I am pleased to see these materials made available, like any tool, they aren't much good unless you know how to use them and realize that a brochure alone will not save your bacon. Here are some basic rules of advocacy. I am sure you've heard me fuss about them before. Johnson's 1st Rule of Advocacy: Don't depend on national studies, statistics or publications.My cynical side says that if one looks hard enough, one can find a study to support almost any educational program, strategy or theory, no matter how crack pot. And a lot of administrators have a cynical skeptical side. Johnson's 2nd Rule of Advocacy: Build relationships and inform so others will advocate for you.One parent telling a school board how important he thinks the library program is to his child is more powerful than a dozen AASL brochures. Any other rules you care to add?
Understand what you read
