Journey to a Flexible Schedule: Part 1 (Kelly Hincks) Also see Parts 2 & 3
A year ago I shared a post called Momentum in a Fixed World. In this post, I shared the goal to move to a flexible schedule. Just as planned we transitioned to this type of schedule with the first- and second-grade students this year. The library works with 261 students that are enrolled in preschool to second grade. We decided to start with our oldest students when making this change. This is a new approach for everyone involved and will be the main focus of my library journey this year.
Position Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels
The following position statement is currently under review to align with the National School Library Standards. Librarians use spine labels to organize and identify library resources by call number to help patrons locate general subject areas or specific fiction, non-fiction, reference, audiovisual, or other items. Viewpoint-neutral directional labeling in libraries increases students’ access to information and supports their First Amendment right to read. Best practice in school libraries includes books and other resources being shelved using a standard classification system that also enables students to find resources in other libraries, such as a public library, from which they may borrow materials. One of the realities some school librarians face in their jobs is pressure by administrators and classroom teachers to label and arrange library collections according to reading levels.
Lesson Planning, Lesson Plan Formats and Lesson Plan Ideas
Dr. Bob Kizlik Lesson planning...who needs it, or needs to know how to do it? Just a hunch, but since you are, well, here, maybe, just maybe, you do! Having the skill to plan lessons really does help you to "own" the subjects you are teaching or will be teaching.
the prep-time hat (Barbara Braxton)
Collaborative planning and teaching is the ideal in the teacher librarian’s world – that wonderful state when you can plan the aspects of an investigation that will be your responsibility and then team teach them in the library with the classroom teacher assisting (and learning.) This approach is so successful because all the investigations into how the brain functions and how people learn suggest that learning in context is most likely to be retained and this is considerably heightened when there is curiosity about, a need and desire for learning, a connection to it and the expectation of success. Adapted from “The Whole Story: natural learning and the acquisition of literacy in the classroom” Cambourne, B. (1988) When the brain is confronted with new information, the data goes through a series of ‘filters’ to determine where it fits in with what it already known. So if this is your situation, how can you make the most of it so the students can maximise what is on offer? Walking the walk
Position Statement on the School Librarian's Role in Reading
Rationale: Reading is a foundational skill for 21st-century learners. Guiding learners to become engaged and effective users of ideas and information and to appreciate literature requires that they develop as strategic readers who can comprehend, analyze, and evaluate text in both print and digital formats. Learners must also have opportunities to read for enjoyment as well as for information. School librarians are in a critical and unique position to partner with other educators to elevate the reading development of our nation’s youth. Reading skills involve thinking skills.
The blended librarian: A blueprint for redefining the teaching and learning role of academic librarians
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Scheduling – priorities and dissonance – Informative Flights
New year, new chances, old problems. The perennial one of scheduling library time. I kind of started commenting on people’s posts and questions on FaceBook and then decided it merited a blog post on its own.
Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Program
The following position statement is currently under review to align with the National School Library Standards. In an information age, literacy demands not only the ability to read and write, but also the ability to process information and communicate effectively. Research suggests that reading proficiency increases with the amount of time spent reading voluntarily. Unfortunately, independent reading is often a casualty in our fast paced, media-oriented society. Today's students know how to read but have little or no interest in doing so.
The Hats We Wear
From the outset, your basic instruction and reference librarian position seems simple and straightforward. Instruction librarians are those who teach about information literacy and research skills. Furthermore, you might be thinking, there are already tons of books on information literacy and teaching in libraries.
Nikki Robertson's schedule
Volunteers needed. Please use THIS LINK to sign up as a Winkley Elementary School Library VOLUNTEER. 1. Click on the day(s) that you would like to volunteer. 2.
Include – NSLS Shared Foundations Challenge
I’ve given myself the challenge of spending a few weeks with each of the Shared Foundations in the new National School Library Standards. Unsure about the new standards? My intro post has some explanation. The standard I’ll be focusing on for the next few weeks will be include. Once I dove into the “include” section of the standards, I realized that I had a misconception of what “include” was. I’d say that most media specialists strive to be inclusive.
Everyday Advocacy
Advocacy means not only wearing our many hats, but also doing a symbolic fashion spread with them! To be a strong advocate of school library programs and services, one must be willing to toot one’s own horn loudly and wear one’s collective hats boldly on behalf of the students, staff and community in which we serve. We should be sporting, in fact, not just hats, but also, superhero masks and capes to proudly proclaim our place at the educational leadership table. When we combine our voices, we naturally empower ourselves to make a stronger difference. So many opportunities exist for us to advocate on a daily basis through both small acts and larger ones. Advocacy is not supplemental to what we do.
