Covering Standards Ideas from a first year Certified Librarian: Phoebe Blalock, Brockman Elementary

 



Ms. Blalock was a first year certified media specialist last year.  With one(ish) year's experience, she gave me lots of good ideas of how to cover the four domains that I chose as a focus:  Include, Collaborate, Curate, and Engage.

Include:

To cover the include domain, Ms. Blalock focuses on making sure she is aware during the ordering process.  She makes a note to double check that she is building up and filling in any areas of her collection that need it.  She also makes sure, that during her read alouds, she covers diverse populations with her book choices.  

Reflection:  I think completing a diversity check of my collection and making sure that I fill in gaps is very important.  Making sure diverse groups are highlighted throughout the year using read alouds, activities and displays should be done.  


Collaborate:

Many examples were given for this domain.  First, putting together a daily new show using the students help them learn collaboration.  Book discussions are another activity that encourages students to collaborate with each other.  Partner and group work assignments is also used.  For collaboration with teachers, working with teachers to help with classroom projects is often done.  Often, she supports the classroom lesson by creating library lessons that cater to classroom projects.  

Reflection:  Having kids learn to work together is an important 21st Century skill.  Last year, I did use students to film a daily news show, but I have not done recorded book talks.  Partner book talks may be great activity to include.  


Curate:

The examples Ms. Blalock gave on ways that she covers the curate domain begins with creating a newsletter using the Sway app.  This is put out every month and highlights things going on in the library.  Next she does lessons with the kids covering research, copyright, finding reliable sources and the different databases.  

Reflection: I have not put together a newsletter yet for my library. Our school emails out a weekly newsletter that I can add a library section to.  It is something to work toward.  I loved the idea about covering the different databases.  I usually go over SCDiscus in general, but I think it would be helpful to show kids what information they can get from each one.  


Engage:

Students are engaged when creating the news show.  Students rotate giving many the opportunity to learn.  Because they are a Montessori school,  they do a lot of not tech activities in the library.  She uses puppets, scarves, singing and movement to get the kids involved.  The effective use of questioning and discussions also get creates active engagement.  

Reflection:  I love that she makes all of her read alouds interactive.  I need to include more interaction and movement with my read alouds.  


Challenge:

The biggest challenge that she said she faces is collaborating with teachers, and their follow through.  She will teach a skill and it is not utilized in the classroom.  She did cite that she didn't blame the teachers though, because they have so many standards to get through.

Reflection:

I think a way to ensure follow through would be to go into the classroom and collaborate their on units.  By becoming part of the classroom lesson that is taught and staying until completion, it is ensured that the skills will be supported and used.  


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