update and random thoughts

It's been a very busy semester thus far! I can't believe we are already ending week four of the Syracuse University semester and week five of my WISE course. Things have been going fairly well. I finished my practicum hours at the end of the January. I was struggling a little at the end with a knee injury, a persistent cold, and schoolwork piling up faster than I could keep up but taking some time off of subbing this week proved useful for catching up and things seem to  be on the up-and-up again.
My practicum ended on a great note. I taught a lot of lessons my last couple of weeks. I discovered that KWL charts may not be the best tool for engaging K-2 but alas it was a learning experience. The upper grade levels enjoyed exploring the TrueFlix database and it was interesting to read what topics they found interesting. The middle grades (grades 3 & 4) responded well to the non-fiction book-talks I presented and the influx of circulation in such materials proved it! My last day I was able to help give exemplary students library and technology awards. It was nice to see how choked up my sponsor librarian was because it really shows how much she values her career and her students.
I was reflecting on a book I was reading for my WISE course with my librarian one day. It's about the digital native and how our lives are consumed with technology. I didn't see why reading a book while listening to music or watching TV while doing homework was such a big deal but apparently that's not normal. Multitasking is a common trait to this generation and I suppose I have mastered it. It's interesting how much one takes for granted.
In school library management this week, we are discussing collection development. I have always enjoyed this aspect of the librarian position. (Who doesn't like buying things?!) I am really excited to get started on writing a joint collection development policy with one of my classmates. Barb Stripling had a really great idea to involve staff in the process of weeding by holding a weeding party where staff can help weed the collection related to their area. I believe this is easier for secondary schools but I am sure it can be applied to elementary libraries too. It must be fun to find the oldest book in the collection, wipe the dust off, and see what misinformation you can find as you remove it from the shelf! I have no problem weeding as you may be able to tell. I only want what's best for my future students.
I also raised an interesting point on one of the classroom discussion boards. I am always trying to figure out the librarian's role on cultivating literacy. I know that librarians promote literacy but I wasn't sure about how much we taught literacy. According to Barb Stripling, we do teach literacy, just not decoding; which makes sense. We should be teaching comprehension to be sure students can understand what they are reading. It kind of goes back to the "every teacher is a reading teacher" approach. I still wonder if the program one of my sponsor librarians is helping run is under this umbrella. She is working with a special education teacher with small groups of students choosing articles and creating comprehension questions and activities for students to respond to in order to increase reading fluency and reading level.
On a similar note, I loved how Barb Stripling spoke out about leveling books. I hate leveling books. I don't want to promote such practices in my library. If a student likes a book but it's a bit "above their reading level", why should we tell them they can't read it? I feel that doing this truly limits students and makes them feel bad about themselves. I hate when a student comes in and says "I need a book at *this* level." Please take out a book because you like it. I also get frustrated when I find a book for a student and an adult tells me it's above their reading level. Let the student try. Sometimes, the student may have a parent or older siblings at home willing to help them. Sometimes, they read above grade level and can handle the material. You won't know until you try and letting a student take the book home isn't going to hurt. End story. End rant.

Book talks

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Have you ever collected anything like dolls or football cards? Griffin Bing discovers a rare baseball card in an old, abandoned house. When he and his best friend, Ben, bring the card to a local collectibles shop, the owner, S. Wendell Palomino, tells Griffin the card is a fake and worth only $120. They sell the card but wonder why a fake baseball card needs to be immediately locked away in the safe. That night, Palomino turns up on the local news boasting of a valuable Babe Ruth baseball card worth at least $20,000 at auction. Griffin-The Man with the Plan-knows he’s been swindled and must do something-anything- to get the card back. Griffin, Ben, and their team of friends have many obstacles to overcome including a menacing guard dog, high tech security, and a secret hiding place, but they’ll do anything to outsmart the Swindler and get the card back.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Capricorn “Cap” Anderson lived a peaceful life on his grandmother’s farming commune away from the outside world; but when Rain falls and must endure a couple months of rehab in a local hospital, Cap is thrown into modern day America which includes attending the local middle school. Cap is taken aback by school fights, wedgies, and the PA system. The students are confused of what to think of him too. No one knows how to take Cap, his hemp clothing, long, unkempt hair, and his daily practice of Tai chi. When the students band together to elect Cap eighth grade president, an honor only bestowed upon the biggest nerd in school, Cap must either sink or swim. Will he be the best eighth grade president ever or the laughing stock of the school? Find out by reading Schooled by Gordon Korman. 

To see a video of my partnered booktalk, you can visit this link:
Book talk presentation