Back to School??

Posted on August 21st, 2008 in Education, Elementary Schools, Higher Education, Secondary Schools, Teacher Librarian by Laura Robinson

Yes, it’s here… back to school time.  As a parent of two young students along with being an elementary special education teacher, there is a lot of back to school excitement in our house.

From the teacher’s viewpoint, I am thinking about:  classroom preparation, lesson plan organization, student caseloads and individual learning plans,  and scheduling.   I am also anxious to be reunited with colleagues, my “teacher friends”, and most importantly, the students!

As a parent, I am extremely excited for my son to start Kindergarten.  With this, we deal with school open houses and playdates, parent meetings, supply lists and back to school shopping, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, and awaiting the magical letter that discloses Logan’s classroom teacher.

Yes, the summer flew by… it was great and we had a ton of fun.  And yes, I am ready to start school- as a teacher and a parent.  I like the routine and the structure.  I like the consistent schedule and predictability.

What is “back to school” time like for you?

What do you do to get ready for the upcoming year?

How do you feel- as a parent or an educator- about starting the 2008-2009 school year?

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For Teacher-Librarians: roles and teaching reading

Posted on April 18th, 2008 in Education, Elementary Schools, School Library and Information Program, Secondary Schools, Teacher Librarian by Mike Eisenberg

In the February 2008 issue of Library Media Connection, Tina Hudak wrote an excellent feature article titled, “Are Librarians Reading Teachers, Too?” (page 10-14.) I think Tina iis right on target in saying that there is a clear role for teacher librarians in relation to reading. She goes on to say that whether that reading role specifically includes teaching reading is a question that the profession has yet to fully address.

Tina refers to my own work urging school librarians to strategically plan for the 3 roles of the teacher-librarian and library and information program:

  • information literacy instruction
  • reading advocacy
  • information management.

Equally important, the decisions about priorities in the school library and information program – how much time and effort is expended on each of the 3 roles – should be a school decision, not a teacher-librarian decision. School priorities change from year to year. So must the school library and information program change in relation to school priorities

As this school year finishes, it is essential that the library staff sit down with administrators and classroom teachers to set priorities for next year. Few (if any) have the resources to do all 3 roles at the very highest levels. So, if we are going to emphasize one function and cut back a bit on another, that decision should be made in the context of school needs by the school community.

That’s how teacher-librarians and school library & information programs make sure that they are vital to learning and teaching.

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