An Interview with Dr. Durant

                    Camden Middle School 

Introducing....

                                    Dr. Kathleen Durant

Dr. Durant has been the librarian at Camden Middle School for five years. She is a graduate of the UofSC MLIS program. Dr. Durant strives to create a welcoming environment for all students and staff at Camden Middle School. 

Explore...

The Shared Foundation EXPLORE Key Commitment is to "Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection" (National School Library Standards, 2018). This Shared Foundation was ever-present from the moment I entered the library at CMS. This year, the school chose to participate in One Book One School twice. The second book that was chosen was Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. Students read the book in class and Mrs. Durant hosted a culminating activity in the library. For the Book Hoot, Mrs. Durant scheduled a visit by the Clemson Extention. During this visit, wild animals, animal food, animal droppings, and animal skins were brought in for the kids to explore. Due to scheduling conflicts, Clemson Extention was not able to serve the entire school. Because of this, Dr. Durant hosted the former CMS art teacher, Mr. Tolen. Mr. Tolen taught a wonderful lesson that showcased his drawing ability and allowed the students to explore their future professions. His lesson was a wonderful example of the Create Domain in the Explore Shared Foundation.

"I am a welder."

During my interview, Dr. Durant shared other ways that she has used the Explore Shared Foundation. She has worked with students during the research process. She felt it was important to allow students to explore new ways to use the information found during research. Using the Think Domain, she encourages students to create things like magazines, videos, and art to showcase their research findings. 

Dr. Durant schedules a collaborative research unit with each grade once per year. In the past, she has worked with sixth-grade Social Studies teachers to create a research unit about mummies. She also collaborated with eighth-grade math teachers on a mapping lesson using math standards. For both of these units, she heavily relied on CultureGrams through Discus. 

CultureGrams is a part of Discus which is offered to all teachers and students in the Kershaw County School District. Through CultureGrams, students have access to concise and reliable cultural information that is affecting their lives.  

When I asked about the challenges that Dr. Durant faces while trying to implement the AASL standards, she stated that the biggest challenge was getting the teachers to carve out class time for the students to visit the library. Since Covid, Dr. Durant has not implemented her research projects. This is due to the fact that during the 2020-2021 school year, teachers were struggling to teach in person and virtually. The teachers felt that the library research was too much of a burden. 

Even though Dr. Durant is not collaborating with teachers on research units with the students, she still sees all of the CMS students twice per month.  During this time, she offers mini-lessons on technology, research skills, and book talks.   

Resources

National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018).

            American Library Association, Chicago, IL.

Interview with Laura Horton

                 Camden High School Library

         


Introducing.........

                            Mrs. Laura Horton

Mrs. Laura Horton has been the librarian at Camden High School for 39 years. She is very well known for her outstanding work in the school district and the community.  Mrs. Horton was CHS Teacher of the Year in 2003-2004 and CHS Reading Teacher of the Year for 2018-2019. Mrs. Horton is the leader of communications for the high school as well as the head of the Bulldog Club.

Include

During my visit to Camden High School, I was able to ask Mrs. Horton how she implements the Inquire Shared Foundation. This was my first time in a high school library and I was very interested in ways to make the library appeal to the entire population of a school. The Include Shared Foundation focuses on "inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the learning community" (National School Library Standards, 2018). During our conversation, I kept thinking about the Grow Domain within the Include Shared Foundation. One way Mrs. Horton empowers all learners is with the use of large book displays that highlight diverse cultures, differently-abled students, and women. These displays are filled with books that provide students the opportunity to explore different perspectives and develop awareness and respect for diversity. This month the display highlighted Black History Month. 

The library at CHS has been organized in a way that fits the needs of all readers. Graphic Novels has their own section. This section quickly attracts reluctant readers.

Mrs. Horton also created a section called Rapid Reads. This section is filled with shorter books that take less time to read than most young adult novels. 

Camden High School has an growing spanish speaking community. Mrs. Horton is actively growing a collection of popular books written in spanish.

    

Mrs. Horton would love to add STEAM and STEM activities to the library. Having these activities in the library would appeal to students with a variety of reading levels, abilities, and interests. The biggest obstacle for her is money. These tools and kits are extremely expensive. 

Mrs. Horton does an amazing job filling her library with books and materials that are mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for the students at Camden High School.

Resources

National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018).

            American Library Association, Chicago, IL.

An Interview with Emily Baccomo

                   Lugoff-Elgin Middle School                  

Meet the Librarian......

                         Mrs. Emily Baccomo 

This semester I had the opportunity to spend the day with Emily Baccomo, the librarian, at Lugoff-Elgin Middle school. Mrs. Baccomo is in her third year as a librarian and she is winning big in her profession! She was extremely open and eager to show me all of the tools she uses to be an effective librarian to students and teachers. 

Collaborate

During my time at LE Middle, I was able to conduct an interview with Mrs. Baccomo. I was very curious about how the library was used by teachers. My questions were centered around the Collaborate Shared Foundation of the AASL standards. The Collaborate Shared Foundation states that librarians and teachers should "work effectively with others to broaden perspectives and work toward a common goal" (National School Library Standards, 2018). When a teacher and a librarian collaborate, students can develop a deeper understanding of classroom standards as well as the AASL Domains: Think, Create, Share, and Grow.

Mrs. Baccomo became the librarian at a school that was not accustomed to teachers working closely with the librarian.  Before, the library was mainly used for book checkouts. When Mrs. Baccomo began her job, she knew the importance of collaborating with classroom teachers.  Soon she found herself on a mission to win over the teachers in her school. Mrs. Baccomo created a "menu" outlining her services. Mrs. Baccomo wanted to help teachers take their classroom lessons and make them more impactful. She understood that teaching students how to formulate research questions based on their intrests and effectivly seeking the information to answer the questions is the best way to create lifelong learners.

 

Then, she started attending department and grade level meetings. At first she would listen to the topics that  were discussed and leave the teachers with a copy of her "menu".  Slowly, teachers began asking her to work with them on lessons. As time went on, word got out that the new librarian could be an amazing classroom resource! More and more teachers were eager to collaborate with Mrs. Baccomo. 

Now, Mrs. Baccomo is constantly on the lookout for new resources and materials teachers can use in the classroom.  She has created a wonderful rapport with the faculty and students. Her library was full of students exploring the books on the shelves, students researching information for class projects, and teachers asking questions about the resources in the library that relate to their classroom lessons. 

Mrs. Baccomo was quick to let me know that winning over the teachers and convincing them to use her as a resource has been her biggest challange as a middle school librarian. She still has one grade level that hasn't utilized her as much as others, but she calls it a work in process.  

Resources

National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018).

            American Library Association, Chicago, IL.

An Interview with Betsy Long

INTRODUCING..........

                        Mrs. Betsy Long 

                     

Mrs. Long has been a librarian for 25 years. She is a master of her profession. She was the Teacher of the Year for Doby's Mill Elementary school in 2004-2005, NBPTS certified in 2008, and she won South Carolina Media Specialist of the Year in 2008. I was honored to have the privilege of studying under her during this semester. 

INQUIRE

During my time with Betsy Long, I was able to ask her a few questions about how she incorporates the Inquire Shared Foundation into her library program. She immediately started telling me how she gets the students to "Think" about things they want to know more about and how she teaches them to find information. Mrs. Long starts teaching her students how to research in kindergarten! She finds that scaffolding the research process with students is essential in creating learners who are comfortable seeking information. She collaborates with classroom teachers and selects a book to read with the students that will spark interest in a researchable topic. Due to the limited amount of nonfiction books in the library, Mrs. Long often checks out books from local public libraries to use for her lessons. Technology is also a big part of engaging learners' curiosity. 

The most recent 5k research lesson centered around a book about animals. She pointed out the animals in the book and asked the students to pick one of the animals they wanted to know more about. She pulled resources on the different animals and had the students find facts about the animals and write them on sticky notes to use later. 

Mrs. Long tells me that students often come to the library and strike up a conversation about current events. Like most kids, they will ask her questions about a topic that she has no idea about; such as, who was the first person to climb Mt. Everest, or when did the biggest earthquake happen? Because she has taught them the skills to find answers to questions, she can direct them to the section of books or computers where the students can find their answers. Little do these kids know, Mrs. Long has "enabled them to seek knowledge, and make real-world connections"(National School Library Standards, 2018).

During this interview, a group of fifth-grade students filed into the library with their notebooks to research their Black History Month person. I watched as they went straight to the biography section, grabbed their book, and headed back to a table to work. Her story of the kindergarten research had come full circle during our interview. Mrs. Long is creating lifelong learners with each lesson she teaches. 

Resources

National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018).

            American Library Association, Chicago, IL.

                            When Pigs Fly!

Image 1.

That is what I would have thought if someone told me I would be able to build a website, create a blog, and curate a digital collection that could walk a teacher or librarian through the process of setting up a Makerspace in their classroom or library.  I have never been tech savvy!  The times that I have dealt with electronics, I have given 100% effort for about ten minutes and then I throw in the towel out of frustration. 

This class has taught me a few valuable lessons over the semester.

                1. 

                It's really not that hard. There are so many tutorials, lessons, manuals, and articles that can teach

                us how to do just about anything. We just need to find them!!

2.

Image 3.

                    Nothing is rocket science excpet rocket science it's self.  Just sit down, read directions, find

                    material that can help, and JUST DO IT!

    3. 

        

Image 4. 

                    I LOVE to share the new things that I learn with others! When I ran across a new thing or   

                    idea that I thought my teacher friends could use, I started texting the links to them! 

This class has really given me the confidence to take on tasks that I once thought were impossible. It has also empowered me to jump in and make suggestions to my techer friends about things that might make their job just a bit easier.  I feel empowered to make big things happen in my future library!

                                                        

Resources

Image 1. 720 × 450

Image 2.-907 × 1360

Image 3. -https://www.vectorkhazana.com/branded-logo/brand-logos/just-do-it-logo-vector/2421

Image 4.-1189 × 700

An escape from reality!

    This week I stumbled across an AR (augmented reality) platform that teachers can use to transport their classes to faraway places. The students (and teachers) will have so much creating a tiny alternative reality!

                            Metaverse

                                            

                            Image 1.

Metaverse is a free VR app that allows teachers and students to build interactive learning experiences! The teachers and students can create scavenger hunts,  escape rooms, games, quizzes, storyboards, and presentations. Talk about fun!!  The app is compatible with most devices which is a huge plus since school technology changes rapidly.  Another thing I like about this as opposed to the headsets like we have seen in the past is the fact that the students get to interact with each other while using the app.  Those little headsets always made me nervous! 

Metaverse in Action

Take a look at this link to the app page. It gives a great explanation of the many things this app can do. You can read reviews and see the pros and cons of the app.

Metaverse App Review

Now that you can see just how cool this app is, check out how it can be used in the classroom. 

How to use Metaverse in the classroom

Here is a super cool video on how to get started using the app in your classroom.

How to create a leaderboard!

As you can tell, this is a super cool tool to use in your classroom. It does take some time creating and building the learning experiences, however, once they are made you can keep them forever! This would be a great tool to use as a grade level or department. 

Resources

Dear DISes. (2018, May 8). Getting started with Metaverse tutorial. [Video]. Youtube.          

          https://youtu.be/m6AvPEm00u4

G. Evy. (2017, Sept. 29). Metaverse in the Classroom- How to Create a Leaderboard. [Video]. Youtube.

          https://youtu.be/bv1Gff1VCNo

Herring, Cherie. (2019, April19). Metaverse in Action. [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/aRu1si6rc4w

Image 1. retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/metaverse. Nov. 10, 2021.

The Great Wall of Legos!

 

                      

                        Image 1.

I will admit, I am totally obsessed with the use of Legos in schools and libraries. Let me explain... kids of all ages can enjoy legos.  They are easy to house and keep neat. There is no limit on the things you can build and create. There is no recurring cost and most parents don't mind donating used legos to schools. You can use Legos to teach the elements of a story and other state standards. You can teach team work, collaboration, and social skills. 

                           

                            Image 2.

When I have my own library, my very first Maskerspace will be Legos! I have mounds of legos just waiting. Lego tables, building mats, and storage boxes are essential.  I especially want a Lego wall!! My vision for this wall is rather simple.  I want a space where students of all ages can quickly create something visible in the library. Over time, students can add to another student's work to create something totally different. According to Lauren Britton, "A maker space refers to people coming together to create and share resources, knowledge, and "stuff""(Britton, 2012). By having one wall for the school, the students can develop a sence of community and collaboration.  

"Makers build off the ideas of others and choose the best tools for the job" 

(Makerspace Playbook, 2013)

                           

                            Image 3. 

Let me introduce you to the most amazing blog that I came across recently.  This blog is called Renovated Learning: Building a Culture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. This blog is filled with amazing information on Makerspace! 

http://www.renovatedlearning.com/blog/

In this blog, you can find out:

How to build a Lego wall.

The Tale of the Epic Lego Wall

Epic Builds

Lego Wall Round-up: Celebrating a Year of Awesome

I love that the creator of this blog looks back and evaluates the usefullness of the Lego wall. I feel that a Lego wall can be a great addition to any library or classroom because they allow for endless creativity at any age. 

Resources

Brittion, Lauren. (2012, October 1). The Makings of Maker Spaces, Part 1: Space for Creation Not 

      Consumption. School Library Journal the-makings-of-maker-spaces-part-1-space-for-creation-not-

      just-consumption

Image 1. https://www.npr.org/2021/04/03/983870097/people-are-stealing-legos-heres-why

Image 2. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/education-lego-let-our-kids-be-kids-

      protesters-sats

Image 3. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/7f/f7/a97ff7adf0aec4b5cb226e3417f2dd81.jpg

Makerspace Team (2013). Makerspace Playbook: School Edition. Maker Media

Rendina, Diana. (2015). Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. 

       http://www.renovatedlearning.com/blog/

Rendina, Diana. (2014, September 12). How to Build an Epic Lego Wall. Renovated Learnig: Building a 

       Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/12/the-

       epic-library-lego-wall-how-to-build-one/

Rendina, Diana. (2014, September 11). The Tale of the Epic Lego Wall. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/11/the-tale-of-the-epic-library-lego-wall-part-1/

Rendina, Diana. (2014, September26). Recent Epic Lego Builds. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2014/09/26/recent-epic-lego-builds/

Rendina, Diana. (2015, September 11). Celebrating a Year of Awesome. Renovated Learnig: Building a Cuture of Creativity + Discovery in Education. http://www.renovatedlearning.com/2015/09/11/lego-wall-round-up/