Inspired by my new hero Jennifer LaGarde...
What is my "Why?"
Use the BEST read-alouds I can find to build wonder, excitement, curiosity, interest and the absolute LOVE of reading and books of all kinds. Do book talks and make recommendations to classes AND individuals for series or stories that hook kids and won’t let go. Teach social-emotional learning through literature. Empathy. Growth Mindset. Autonomy. Agency. Build community.
Open eyes to the wonders of the larger world through learning about other countries and cultures. Learn something new and different everyday along the lines of Wonderopolis. From my corner of the library, sometimes I think it is a good thing to teach a mile wide and an inch deep just to expose our kids to more things. Subjects for going a bit deeper though would be things from our natural world like bees, trees, whales and other fascinating animal-vegetable-mineral... Teach students to be critical consumers of news; but also, BE consumers of news. Local, National, International. Climate change. The Green Deal. Equality. History.
Build from: books about ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things (biographies) most especially reflecting the ethnicity of the school community, Fairy Tales, Fables and Legends, Chris Van Allsburg books (inspiring young authors), funny books about monsters, books that can be made to be audience participatory, books that inspire empathy and being a good citizen of the world.
Know your "Why?" Teach with intention. Have clear boundaries and expectations. Be informed. Show up.
Co-teach with classes doing projects using the library as the “place of knowledge”. Showing them online resources and how to find all the great resources that are at their fingertips in the library. Showing them how to find, and that they CAN find everything in the library from ideas for their research/curiosity all the way through every step of doing a research project to the final presentation. This has to include then all library skills, presentation software, online etiquette and safety.
The Truth will set you free! We must give our students the tools to be good consumers of news and information. Our students must have the skills to determine what is Fact VS Fiction! (go Jennifer and Darren!)
Support Teachers! Know the curriculum and support with books and other media, co-teaching or help planning lessons that keep kids interested. Complimentary technology lesson plans that will boost student engagement. Be a resource for all staff.
BOB, Book Fair, Read Across America, Banned Book Week, Monthly celebrations of historically ignored people of different ethnicities or groups that have been seen as "other".
Use music in Library as a way to engage but also to build community, especially with K-2. If I teach them a song like, "What Can Make, A Hippopotamus Smile?" then I can read them books about hippo's and show video clips to support learning about hippos. I also use lyrics on the projector to support reading.
Libraries: A cornerstone of Democracy. Free access for Everyone. "One of the last remaining egalitarian institutions in the world" ~ Jennifer LaGarde
"I believe that literacy is vital to ensure the prosperity of our citizens and the strength of our democracy. I also know reading offers validation for our experiences and fosters empathy and awareness of others who have different experiences than ours." ~ Donalyn Miller