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Introduction
Introduction
As the sole 4th grade humanities teacher and upper elementary lead teacher, I spend a lot of time studying, analyzing, and promoting literacy. Research routinely indicates that upper elementary reading level is a huge predictor of success in all core subjects, and yet, nearly 90% of my students are considered "below grade level" according to SBAC data gathered in the 2021-2022 school year. This demonstrates a concerning accessibility gap rather than an achievement gap. During distance learning, students only had access to online reading through various digital portals paid for by the district, books dropped off by teachers individually for novel studies, and the books their families were able to provide at home. To supplement the grave need for interesting, rigorous, and accessible reading materials during distance learning, I created an online classroom library for all my students linked on my Clever page. An image of what our digital classroom library looked like can be found below.
Returning to brick and mortar school last school year, Triumph and Aspire Bay Area more widely named literacy as a core focus area for all teachers and staff. While our school does not have a proper library led by a trained librarian, each classroom has developmentally appropriate libraries which allow for a small check-in and check-out process for students to borrow books. My inherited classroom library was disorganized, outdated, and problematic in its content. After tremendous sorting and sourcing books from a number of free resources, most notably in collaboration with FulbrightConnect, I have been able to build a growing selection of books from which my students can choose for their independent reading each day. However, I quickly realized that there are not enough fundraising opportunities, grant applications, or free book giveaways to make up for the resource gap in school and at home. My students needed and deserved greater access to stories that inspired them, information that empowered them, and calm, quiet spaces in which they could focus their attention on learning. Furthermore, we do not have the instructional minutes to provide students enough time to fully delve into reading in a more continuous, long-term practice. I would need to forge alternative pathways to increase access.
A copy of my international and ethnically diverse book wishlist purchased with a generous donation from The Fulbright Taiwan Program.
In response to these challenges, it became apparent that finding greater community resources through which students could access books in an easy, free, and flexible manner would be essential. After some initial research and engaging in conversation with my administration, I learned about the fantastic opportunities provided by the Oakland Public Library.
To understand the scope of this access gap more deeply, I sent out a family survey via ParentSquare at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. A copy of this survey and results can be found below. Although our school is within a 2 mile radius of two different branches of the Oakland Public Library, students and their families were not utilizing this resource. In total, 52 families responded to the school-wide survey. Only 18% of families shared that they already had registered for a library card while 67% shared that the library was less than 10 minutes walking from their home. Further, 88% of survey participants shared that they would be interested in learning more about the resources available at the library and 97% shared that they would like their scholar to have access to a free library card. While the library was seemingly accessible in distance, families did not have the knowledge or information necessary to utilize this resource to provide increased opportunity for literacy, family engagement, and technological support to their scholars outside of school.
I learned that our school had previously connected with the Oakland Public Library Eastmont branch, but that this relationship had been lost amid the pandemic. With several branches just walking distance from our school, the OPL system is available and free for all California residents independent of address, citizenship status, and socioeconomic level. I began communicating via email and in person with the Eastmont and 81st Street branches specifically as they are closest to our school site and therefore, most of my students' homes. As a result of this community partnership, I was able to provide information to families about the many opportunities made available by the library and develop a program to ensure every student at our school is registered for a free library card.
Background Research
Background Research
In my initial research, I came across the ample opportunities for literacy growth and community engagement made available through the Oakland Public Library. As displayed below, the library offers access to books with a "no fine policy" for late or lost books, free access to wifi and other technology lending, read alouds, toy lending, and field trips, among so much more. Further, I learned how easy and accessible it would be for families to register their scholars and themselves for free library cards. The no fine policy makes it financially stress-free for kids to be kids and turn in books late, slightly damaged, or lost. Building a stronger relationship between Triumph and the Oakland Public Library felt like a natural and necessary point of accessibility for our scholars to achieve their goals academically and personally.
Partnerships & Planning
Partnerships & Planning
As I developed a relationship with the team at the 81st Street branch, I knew I wanted them to be a part of our upcoming Family Literacy Night, a part of our school's effort to promote literacy at home as well as at school. When given the option, most families shared that they would rather have library information be sent out via ParentSquare or in our bi-monthly parent newsletter rather than having an informational Zoom session. Additionally, 74% of families shared that they were planning to attend our Family Literacy Night on September 22, 2022. To meet this need, Family Literacy Night seemed like a natural place to begin this partnership and opportunity for increased access. I reached out to my school administrators, Karen Ringewald (principal) and Erin Beeson (assistant principal) with this idea and was quickly in communication with OPL regarding the event. While a representative was unfortunately unable to attend this event, I was able to pick up materials in person to bring to our school and create a simple system for students and families to sign up for library cards that evening. Further, I began including a "Library Corner" in our monthly parent newsletter in response to family preference. We were also able to connect about a field trip opportunity for our school, which is currently in action.
Responses to the question: "If you responded "yes" to the previous question, what format would you prefer to receive this information? Please select all that apply." The previous question asked, "Would you be interested in learning more information about the opportunities available through the Oakland Public Library for students and families?"
Email correspondence with representatives at the OPL and school staff to plan for this partnership at Family LIteracy Night.
Student and Family Experiences
Student and Family Experiences
Welcome sign for our Oakland Public Library registration station.
On Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM, all Triumph students and families were invited to our school's Family Literacy Night event planned by our lead team, of which I am a part. Students were able to rotate through six different stations promoting literacy in various, joyful capacities and were given a "passport" to fill out for the event. Some examples of stations included a book exchange, a read aloud, and book character drawing. Each teacher got to choose a theme or activity for their station and mine was library card registration and resources supplied by the 81st street OPL branch.
At my Oakland Public Library station, students and families of all age levels learned about the variety of digital and in-person resources that are offered by the Oakland Public Library, were given a family facing toolkit for supporting emerging readers, and most importantly, registered for a library card. Students were able to make their own "library" of books they plan to check out with their new card and families were able to support their students in making these decisions in a collaborative practice.
Ms. Natalie: What are you most excited to do now that you have a library card?
4th Grade Student: I have been wanting to learn more about space so I think I want to check out a book about space.
4th Grade Student's Father: Why don't you reserve your books online right now?
4th Grade Student: I can do that? It will just be waiting for me there? That is so cool! Can we go this weekend?
4th Grade Student's Father: I don't see why not! It looks like there is a read aloud this weekend too. What do you think?
4th Grade Student: Hmmm, can I use that for my October reading goal? If so, yes!
Ms. Natalie: You can definitely use that to meet your reading goal this month!
Scholars and families working together to register for their free Oakland Library card for the first time! The website is very accessible as it offers registration in many different languages.
Impact & Ongoing Work
Impact & Ongoing Work
Following Family Literacy Night, our staff has worked hard to maintain the excitement for reading at school and ongoing family partnership around reading. To support with the former, our staff has worked hard to update each classroom library and our school resource room so that students are able to check out books every other week from a wider selection of books. Classrooms now visit the library on a cadence of every other week and engage in a short mini lesson regarding topics of library etiquette, how to choose a "just right book," and research, among others.
In third through fifth grade classrooms, I have further taken the lead on developing an independent reading program that tracks pages read per month with a classroom visual chart. In an effort to better engage families and to spur reading growth (more about this can be found in "Dramatic Academic Growth"), it is critical that the learning does not stop at school. As a result of this program, students now complete a reading contract with their families at the start of each month to determine a reading goal and plan for how they will achieve their goal. When students complete a book, they complete a reading reflection form for fiction or non-fiction books and earn stickers to place on the chart. Students who reach their goal are celebrated with an invitation to a party at the end of the month and are given an award to take home. The third and fifth grade teams have adopted this plan as well. Together, we now have a binder of "book reviews" available in the classroom library and in the school's library so that students can choose books most highly recommended by their peers. A copy of this reading contract can be found below:
Above is a copy of our school's adopted family reading contract.
Further, our partnership with the Oakland Public Library remains strong and in constant development. At this time, our school is working on developing a field trip opportunity for each class to go visit the library in person, learn more about the resources available, and ensure every Triumph student and family has a free library card. This opens doors for students and families to spend quality time in the pursuit of knowledge, information, and learning opportunities, as there are ample family-oriented events available at the library. Additionally, students now have the access to navigate library systems and a variety of books that our school alone can simply not provide at this time. With access to the OPL system, students can explore a wide variety of books, technological devices, and experiences more independently than they could from my small classroom library. It has been exciting seeing students bring in engaging books and texts from the OPL to read during Independent Reading time and share memories of hearing read alouds, making crafts, and completing homework at the library facilities with the adults in their life outside of school.
Family and Student Testimonials
Family and Student Testimonials
Below are two testimonials from families that attended Family Literacy Night and subsequently, received free library cards for the Oakland Public Library. I reconnected with these families a few months later, in November, to learn about their experiences with the library thus far. Both families shared excitement about their increased access to the library. Neither expressed they had utilized the resource prior to Family Literacy Night and have since been going with great frequency. This increased access to developmentally appropriate texts, technology, and community events has created opportunities for scholars and families to share in the learning process outside of the school day. To listen, please click "open in a new tab" below.
Library Access 1.m4aInterview 1 with a parent of a student who attended Family Literacy Night and received a library card. This interview took place two months later, in November.
Library Access 2.m4aInterview 2 with a parent of a student who attended Family Literacy Night and received a library card. This interview took place two months later, in November.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Following the incredible success of our ongoing work with the Oakland Public Library, I have seen so much more engagement around reading in school and beyond. It has been inspiring seeing the ways our staff has come together to truly prioritize reading. The impact of this partnership and increased access has led our families to feel more engaged in their scholar's reading journey and provided countless opportunities for our students to discover joy, curiosity, and information through reading. Furthermore, our school has taken the necessary steps to ensure that there is accountability, incentive, and celebration of reading. As families and students have indicated, the increased access to culturally responsive literacy opportunities on-campus and in our community have improved access to reading materials, family collaboration, and experiences outside of the classroom through field trips and museum passes.
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