Planning for instruction
School librarians collaborate with the learning community to strategically plan, deliver, and assess instruction, design culturally responsive learning experiences using a variety of instructional strategies and assessments that measure the impact on student learning, and guide learners to reflect on their learning growth and their ethical use of information. School librarians use data and information to reflect on and revise the effectiveness of their instruction.
Throughout my education career, I have had the opportunity to serve on curriculum and standards alignment committees for English/language arts, science, and school library areas, including establishing 4 point scales for priority standards. In addition to these formal strategic plans, I have been lucky enough to collaborate with 40% of the teachers in my building to establish co-teaching lessons and learning activities that enrich the teaching and learning experience.
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Research and ethical use of information are frequently recurring themes in library activities and lessons. In some situations, a highly personalized collection of resources guides student research while the classroom teacher and I provide support. In other situations, physically active stations and activities keep kids engaged in effective practice and strengthen their skills.
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I use a variety of instructional strategies and technologies to ensure that learners have multiple opportunities to inquire, include, collaborate, curate, explore, and engage in their learning. Teachers and students enjoy the opportunity to have a variety of lessons and activities when they come to the library.
Two of my favorite types of activities are book passes and Breakouts. Both provide the opportunity for lots of movement and positive experiences in the school library. They are also entirely customized experiences, which means they never "feel old" because they are never the same and they can be used with any subject area. Breakouts also have the added benefit of reinforcing the importance of teamwork and critical thinking skills. Plus, the celebration of unlocking the box is unmatched.
Two of my favorite types of activities are book passes and Breakouts. Both provide the opportunity for lots of movement and positive experiences in the school library. They are also entirely customized experiences, which means they never "feel old" because they are never the same and they can be used with any subject area. Breakouts also have the added benefit of reinforcing the importance of teamwork and critical thinking skills. Plus, the celebration of unlocking the box is unmatched.
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One area that I am constantly adjusting and revising with my collaborators is with English Language Learners. We have a wide variety of resources available for these students from books in Spanish, French, and Portuguese to bilingual readers, more accessible high interest books, and audiobooks and Playaway access for nearly one hundred titles in our school library. Because the needs of these students vary wildly in addition to learning a new language in a new country, what I find I need to teach and use in instruction is constantly changing. In the photo below, a small group of level 2 English Language Learners are listening to Playaway audiobooks and following along in the same book - both in English. Their goal is to improve pronunciation and fluency. Because they were able to have earbuds in and the devices are very manageable, buy-in from this group was incredibly high.
