I’m on a quest to refine my teaching to be both student-centered and relevant. This has evolved over time to mean that I talk a lot less now, and put more effort into the design of the learning experience. How… Read More ›
Research
The Power of Podcasts to Enhance Learning
Lately, when I’m in the middle of my high school library research lessons, I’ve been asking the students a question: “How many of you have listened to a podcast?” Usually not one hand goes up. Occasionally, there are a few…. Read More ›
Teamwork: Advocating for School Librarians & School Libraries
There seems to be an ever-increasing movement across the nation to do one or more of the following: Reframe the school librarian position as something less than a teacher. Do away with credentialed school librarians. Do away with school libraries…. Read More ›
Stuck on Standards?
The AASL National School Library Standards were published a little over one year ago. Many school librarians have been implementing the standards in practice since, and many school librarians are just getting started in their implementation process. However, some librarians… Read More ›
Research Ambassadors
In my school, third graders reign supreme. The school consists of three grade levels: first, second, and third. There are approximately 225 students enrolled in each level, so it is a fairly large school. For most people, it is difficult… Read More ›
African American History in Real Life – The Black College Football Hall of Fame
The History of Black History Month Black History Month started as Negro History Week, created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. It celebrates the significant impact African Americans had on development in the United States and the world. Woodson was… Read More ›
Research, information literacy, and independent study
Independent study thrives in my school library, which situates us in the center of our schools’ goals. According to my schools’ strategic plan, we aim to: …foster a school environment and academic program that demands students join in the design… Read More ›
What should our students know?
At the 2018 School Library Journal Summit in Brooklyn, I had the privilege of hearing George Takei talk about his childhood experiences in Japanese-American Internment Camps during World War II. The talk was timed for his forthcoming graphic novel for… Read More ›
Research in the Age of Google
One day last fall, I taught several library lessons to seniors in AP Literature classes. They were preparing to start a seven-month research project on an author of their choice. The assignment involved reading three novels by the author and… Read More ›
Connecting Students to Inquiry
My job as a school library coordinator involves supporting librarians in their schools with professional development, collection maintenance, and programming/pedagogical ideas. Recently, I visited a new school librarian who works in one building with thousands of students. (This campus model… Read More ›