being a media specialist in a literacy lab world susan keller skeller@bergman.oursc.k12.ar.us tracy...

Being a Media Specialist Being a Media Specialist in a in a

Literacy Lab WorldLiteracy Lab World

Being a Media Specialist Being a Media Specialist in a in a

Literacy Lab WorldLiteracy Lab World

Susan KellerSusan Kellerskeller@bergman.oursc.k12.ar.usskeller@bergman.oursc.k12.ar.us

Tracy McAllisterTracy McAllistermcallist@conway.afsc.k12.ar.usmcallist@conway.afsc.k12.ar.us

How Literacy Lab Started

• National Assessment of Educational Progress– K-4 Reading

• Good job teaching children to read

– 5-8 Reading• Amount of independent reading fell

dramatically• “Nothing Good To Read”

Adolescent Readers Need…

– Access to large amounts of rich text

• School Libraries• Classroom Libraries

– Students with access to classroom libraries read 50% more than students without access

Adolescent Readers Need…

• Large blocks of un-interrupted reading timeStudents who read 30 minutes per day score significantly higher on standardized testing

Adolescent Readers Need…

• Empowered– Adolescents want to be in

control of their choices– Free choice of self- selected

text• Educated Choice

– Authors– Titles– Genre– Series

• Critical Readers– Is this a good book?– What makes this book good

or bad?

Smart Step Literacy Lab

Classroom Project• In 2001, the Arkansas Department of

Education created an intensive program of teacher staff development to address mid-level literacy in the state of Arkansas.

• 3 Year Program– Year 1 - Reading– Year 2 – Writing– Year 3 – Lab School

Smart Step Literacy Lab

Classroom Project• Widely researched program based

on Best Teaching Practices• Harding University• Ken Stamatis

– Professor at Harding University• Since 2001, almost 1500 teachers

have participated in the training

Greenbrier Middle School

• GMS became part of the “Alpha” group

• Support• Dialogue• Changes• Team spirit• Student benefit• Best practices

“I was country, when country wasn’t cool”…

• Media Specialists blazed the path– Dr. Jodi Charter

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

• YOU are a valuable and knowledgeable member of the Literacy Team

• Ask when the Literacy Teachers are meeting • Listen to their needs• Support their curriculum through the library

– Showcase author’s books– Feature specified genre– Booktalks, Booktalks, Booktalks!!

Share Your ExpertiseBook inventoryCirculation systemOrganizationBook repairWeedingMaintaining a manageable classroom collection

– Quality over quantity…bigger isn’t better!

Purchasing catalogs– Listening centers– Books on tape– High Interest/Low Level– Paperbacks

Let the Library be Reading Central

• Create an inviting reading atmosphere– Throw rugs and small pillows– Colorful fun tri-folds on tables

• Authors• Genre• Titles

– MobilesPlease look through your packet for

sample lesson ideas.

Funding Classroom Libraries

• It is not now, nor has it ever been, the intent of the Smart Step Literacy Lab Classroom Project to replace or do away with the school library. According to literacy lab philosophy, the library media center is the hub of the school.

• Classroom libraries are intended to compliment, not compete with media centers.

• School Districts should never funnel library funding into the classroom libraries.

Funding Classroom Libraries

Mentoring new literacy lab teachers in finding funding for classroom libraries is a great way to create collaboration:

• Scholastic Book Clubs– Bonus Points

• Look for the big bonus point months• 22X’s

– Adopt-A- Book– Read-A-Thon

• Corporate sponsors• Be creative

Library Gold by

Jason Whitaker

A name destined for the record books.He’s the fastest twelve year old in the stateAnd some say he’s headed for Olympic gold,But last week he stood in my libraryAnd told me he hated to read.“Books are for girls,” he said, half-serious,And headed for the track.

So this morning, in the hallway,I witnessed a small miracleWhen Jason,His head buried in a book,Walked directly into a wall.

I couldn’t restrain a laugh,And hearing me he proffered the book by way of

explanation,“It’s the one you gave me last

week,” he stammered.

“I see that,” I answered,And unable to resist I added,“That one must be for boys.”

If someday Jason wins the goldI’ll cheer him proud and tall,But I’ll cherish the memory of a boy with a bookWho walked into a wall.