Assignment 3 | The Library is a space of learning. Both in the physical space and the tools it provides as is the Teacher-Librarian who is available for learners within that space. In this assignment you will focus on libraries as spaces of learning and the teacher-librarian as educational leader. This assignment is meant to be integrative. A combination of planning unit, co-teaching resource, a combination of learning technologies and curriculum outcomes. You will select 3-4 digital learning tools and design a resource for staff by level (think something that you could use to co-teach with). Consideration should be given to the following:
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The physical and virtual spaces of the school library learning commons, including a skilled teacher-librarian, are integral curricular components to achieve higher success rates amongst students. Teacher-librarians have the necessary skills to scaffold the multiple literacies and research skills to students. For a teacher-librarian to establish a leadership role, it is essential for him/her to take the lead with classroom projects. The teacher-librarian must stay current in learning about resources and how to integrate them into the library program. The teacher-librarian will assume a leadership role in sharing this knowledge with the staff. Equally important is to discuss with the school's administrator the importance and year goals of the school library. As a result, the library's resource collection will support and extend the curriculum, school goals and learning outcomes.
Background Info
The following unit is a collaborative project on the local First Nations group, the Secwepemc people. The class projects will be submitted as part of the District's Heritage Fair. This unit will be co-taught with the teacher-librarian as the lead instructor, the classroom teacher, the school's First Nations education support worker (FNEW), and the district's First Nations coordinator. The students participating are in Grade 4. This is a working project that will commence in early 2016.
Unit Planning
The collaborative team will participate in an initial discussion to plan the "big picture" of this project. The teacher-librarian will provide a planning sheet which outlines the big ideas, curricular competencies (project will be integrated with Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Art Education), and resources (both print and online). Once the project has begun, the team will meet bi-weekly to confer whether project goals are being met, what worked well and possible areas for improvement.
The unit of study is aligned with the research process and information literacy because it teaches the necessary skills to think critically (acquire, evaluate, and use resources). The collaboration team will use School District 73's K-8 Information Literacy Continuum as a guide to provide exemplary learning skills. The Information Continuum will be strongly executed as it outlines the learning outcomes by grade. The teacher-librarian will have initially discussed the Information Literacy Continuum during a September staff meeting to spark interest in collaborative projects. Since the age group is not well equipped with previous knowledge regarding the Heritage Fair, this will be a guided inquiry project.
**Note: The following is currently an active project. The teacher-librarian and teacher will provide adequate information to their staff regarding search strategies (e.g. how to use destiny and web tools). It is hopeful that this will transcend with other staff members to use the school library more frequently. With the new curriculum approaching, the usage of web tools will be beneficial for students since part of the curriculum will deal with creativity and communication.
Possible resources to use:
Lesson One - Tutorial on Destiny Catalogue
The teacher-librarian will provide strategies on how to successfully use the Destiny Catalogue.
Highlights:
The teacher-librarian will highlight the importance of evaluating websites. The CRAAP Evaluation sheet will be distributed. Fake websites will be selected to highlight how websites provide false information that may seem realistic (e.g. Tree Octopus, Buy Dehydrated Water).
Lesson Three - Web Tools (Gathering Information)
Curating/Bookmarking
Symbaloo - is a user-friendly bookmarking interface that students can use to organize and curate their online resources. The teacher-librarian will provide a working sample. Once all research components are complete, students will create a modified bibliography that suites the needs of the age group. Students must realize the importance of citing resources (both print and online).
Group Discussion
Padlet - is an online platform where students and co-teachers can have daily discussions regarding the inquiry project, successes and areas that need improvement. The co-teachers can provide reflective questions where students can respond. Also, this can be used as a "assessment for learning" tool to highlight the students' thinking process.
Note Taking
Popplet - since the students will each have a Chromebook or iPad, using Popplet to record notes has its benefits. There are a variety of non-writers or those that have fine-motor difficulties (e.g. grasping a pencil). Thus, Popplet is a central online storage platform where students can continually work on gathering information whether at home or in the school. Popplet can also be used for mind-mapping possible ideas, project designing, etc.
Lesson Four - Web Tools (Putting it all Together)
1) Google Apps for Education - since our school district has its own Google Domain and Google has been implemented for the past three years, students and most teachers are already well versed in how to use Google Docs and Google Slides. Google Apps allow for real-time collaboration (similar to Padlet). Research skills are heightened using this platform. Research notes are stored on the cloud and students are able to access anytime and anywhere. It will be beneficial for the co-teachers to use Google Classroom to keep track on students' projects.
2) Prezi - Giving student choice is paramount for success. The co-teachers will have to decide whether to use Google Apps or Prezi. A recommendation would be for accelerated students to try and create a Prezi. Prezi is an online presentation tools where students can create eye-catching presentations. Students are able choose from a variety of templates or create their own. This is a great tool to use since it hits the curricular strands of creativity and communication. Here, students are in the drivers seat to communicate their findings.
3) iPad Apps (Book Creator). With a diverse class, it was recommended for students on an IEP to work together to create ONE project. Book Creator allows students to research a particular topic (e.g. housing, culture, tools, etc.). Students can collaborate to piece the selected topics together. Once the research components are complete, the book can be published into an ebook. This will ensure that students on an IEP will have a sense of accomplishment, thus, allowing them to continue to be critical, literate thinkers.
Lesson Five - Web Tools (Reflection)
Weebly - Since this inquiry project highlights "assessment for learning", it will be essential for students to provide active information regarding their thought process during this activity. As such, the co-teachers will provide weekly questions to the class blog. All students will submit a reflection based on such questions. Students can also comment on each other to improve their thinking.
Suggested Web Tools/Websites/iPad Apps
Web Tools
Google Apps for Education (GAFE): http://www.google.com
Padlet: http://padlet.com
Popplet: http://popplet.com
Prezi: http://prezi.com
Symbaloo: http://symbaloo.com
Weebly: http://weebly.com
Web Sites - Symballoo (collating in process). Click here to visit the start of my resource collecting.
iPad Apps
Book Creator
Background Info
The following unit is a collaborative project on the local First Nations group, the Secwepemc people. The class projects will be submitted as part of the District's Heritage Fair. This unit will be co-taught with the teacher-librarian as the lead instructor, the classroom teacher, the school's First Nations education support worker (FNEW), and the district's First Nations coordinator. The students participating are in Grade 4. This is a working project that will commence in early 2016.
Unit Planning
The collaborative team will participate in an initial discussion to plan the "big picture" of this project. The teacher-librarian will provide a planning sheet which outlines the big ideas, curricular competencies (project will be integrated with Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Art Education), and resources (both print and online). Once the project has begun, the team will meet bi-weekly to confer whether project goals are being met, what worked well and possible areas for improvement.
The unit of study is aligned with the research process and information literacy because it teaches the necessary skills to think critically (acquire, evaluate, and use resources). The collaboration team will use School District 73's K-8 Information Literacy Continuum as a guide to provide exemplary learning skills. The Information Continuum will be strongly executed as it outlines the learning outcomes by grade. The teacher-librarian will have initially discussed the Information Literacy Continuum during a September staff meeting to spark interest in collaborative projects. Since the age group is not well equipped with previous knowledge regarding the Heritage Fair, this will be a guided inquiry project.
**Note: The following is currently an active project. The teacher-librarian and teacher will provide adequate information to their staff regarding search strategies (e.g. how to use destiny and web tools). It is hopeful that this will transcend with other staff members to use the school library more frequently. With the new curriculum approaching, the usage of web tools will be beneficial for students since part of the curriculum will deal with creativity and communication.
Possible resources to use:
- First Nations resources: picture books, visit to the Secwepemc Cutlural Museum and the Kamloops Museum, invite Elders to the class, art projects (dipnets, jewelry, print-making), We are the Shuswap - text (author: Vicki Bridge Mulligan), online sites, videos/kits from district library, etc.
- Web Tools: Symbaloo (bookmarking/curation), Popplet/Padlet (note-taking), Google Apps for Education or Prezi (showcase written work), Weebly (reflections)
- iPad Apps: Book Creator
- Acquiring, Selecting and Evaluating resources (CRAAP worksheet - Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose)
Lesson One - Tutorial on Destiny Catalogue
The teacher-librarian will provide strategies on how to successfully use the Destiny Catalogue.
Highlights:
- Basic search strategies (e.g. entering to use key words to maximize the search)
- EBSCOhost and District's subscription package (WorldBook Online, Searchasaurus)
- a variety of First Nations resources will be pre-selected and showcased on display for the class
The teacher-librarian will highlight the importance of evaluating websites. The CRAAP Evaluation sheet will be distributed. Fake websites will be selected to highlight how websites provide false information that may seem realistic (e.g. Tree Octopus, Buy Dehydrated Water).
Lesson Three - Web Tools (Gathering Information)
Curating/Bookmarking
Symbaloo - is a user-friendly bookmarking interface that students can use to organize and curate their online resources. The teacher-librarian will provide a working sample. Once all research components are complete, students will create a modified bibliography that suites the needs of the age group. Students must realize the importance of citing resources (both print and online).
Group Discussion
Padlet - is an online platform where students and co-teachers can have daily discussions regarding the inquiry project, successes and areas that need improvement. The co-teachers can provide reflective questions where students can respond. Also, this can be used as a "assessment for learning" tool to highlight the students' thinking process.
Note Taking
Popplet - since the students will each have a Chromebook or iPad, using Popplet to record notes has its benefits. There are a variety of non-writers or those that have fine-motor difficulties (e.g. grasping a pencil). Thus, Popplet is a central online storage platform where students can continually work on gathering information whether at home or in the school. Popplet can also be used for mind-mapping possible ideas, project designing, etc.
Lesson Four - Web Tools (Putting it all Together)
- Google Apps for Education (Google Docs and/or Google Slides)
- Prezi
- Book Creator
1) Google Apps for Education - since our school district has its own Google Domain and Google has been implemented for the past three years, students and most teachers are already well versed in how to use Google Docs and Google Slides. Google Apps allow for real-time collaboration (similar to Padlet). Research skills are heightened using this platform. Research notes are stored on the cloud and students are able to access anytime and anywhere. It will be beneficial for the co-teachers to use Google Classroom to keep track on students' projects.
2) Prezi - Giving student choice is paramount for success. The co-teachers will have to decide whether to use Google Apps or Prezi. A recommendation would be for accelerated students to try and create a Prezi. Prezi is an online presentation tools where students can create eye-catching presentations. Students are able choose from a variety of templates or create their own. This is a great tool to use since it hits the curricular strands of creativity and communication. Here, students are in the drivers seat to communicate their findings.
3) iPad Apps (Book Creator). With a diverse class, it was recommended for students on an IEP to work together to create ONE project. Book Creator allows students to research a particular topic (e.g. housing, culture, tools, etc.). Students can collaborate to piece the selected topics together. Once the research components are complete, the book can be published into an ebook. This will ensure that students on an IEP will have a sense of accomplishment, thus, allowing them to continue to be critical, literate thinkers.
Lesson Five - Web Tools (Reflection)
Weebly - Since this inquiry project highlights "assessment for learning", it will be essential for students to provide active information regarding their thought process during this activity. As such, the co-teachers will provide weekly questions to the class blog. All students will submit a reflection based on such questions. Students can also comment on each other to improve their thinking.
Suggested Web Tools/Websites/iPad Apps
Web Tools
Google Apps for Education (GAFE): http://www.google.com
Padlet: http://padlet.com
Popplet: http://popplet.com
Prezi: http://prezi.com
Symbaloo: http://symbaloo.com
Weebly: http://weebly.com
Web Sites - Symballoo (collating in process). Click here to visit the start of my resource collecting.
iPad Apps
Book Creator
The goal of this project is for students to become involved with a variety of multiple literacies (print, media, information, etc.). Once the project is complete, students will have the opportunity to have 1) collected, 2) selected, 3) reflected, and 4) designed a project based from selective criteria.
British Columbia's Transforming the Curriculum - Grade 4
Social Studies - Learning Standards - First Peoples and European Contact
Social Studies - Learning Standards - First Peoples and European Contact
Big Ideas | Interactions between First Peoples and Europeans lead to conflict and cooperation which continues to shape Canada's identity |
Curricular Competencies |
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Language Arts
Big Ideas | Exploring text and story helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. Combining different texts and ideas allows us to create new understandings. |
Curricular Competencies |
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Science
Concepts and Content |
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Arts Education
Big Ideas | Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry and purposeful choice. |
Curricular Competencies |
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Sample Videos to View during Staff Meetings
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