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/

"Don't Be Mean Behind the Screen"

                                           

                                Image 1.

This week hit me HARD!!!  The videos, articles, and pictures in this weeks module were often hard to digest.  Just as Faucher, Cassidy, and Jackson pointed out in their article "From the Sand Box to the Inbox," the face of bullying has changed drastically. As a kid of the 80's and 90's, bullying was name calling and 'yo mama' jokes.  Now our children are bombarded with innocent social media posts that make them feel less than as well as down right vicious cyber attacks from peers and even random unknown people.  We are fueling the fire on mental illness and pushing our precious youth right over the edge and it breaks my heart.  

                                         

                                         Image 2.

If you have been a classroom teacher before, you understand the connection you make with your students. They become 'your kids.'  I was always looking out for my classroom students as if they were my own. Now with my sights set on being a librarian, I'll have 500+ students.  I have no doubt that I wil make that connection with most of them!  I know I will become a mama bear and things like cyberbullying will anger me even more because it will be multiplied by 500!  

The one thing that stood out the most to me this week is the ease at which people can cyberbully.  There are numerous platforms that make bullying a sport.  They hide your identiy to embolden people to be mean. We see it all of the time with adults on Facebook.  By putting a screen in between the bully and the victim, the bully looses the human connection that initates the remorse response.  These young victims sit alone while dealing with their hurt and pain.

Just as librarians need to teach information literacy, we also need to be educating our students about technology edicate and cyberbullying. We cannot assume that these lessons will be taught at home. Anti cyberbullying lessons need to be taught at school.  Our local school dedicates a week to the anti bullying compaign.  In addition to lessons, librarains, teachers, parents, and administrators, need to constantly reinforce anti cyberbullying lessons and create a daily dialog about how we should be treating others in person and online.

              

                              

                             Image 3.

Part of the solution to end cyberbullying is to teach children, and adults, to build each other up.  If we are constantly pointing out the good in each other we will leave little time to focus on tearing each other down.  I loved the video Digital4Good Smile Cards! Cards like this could be given out when students check out library books.  The students would be encouraged to keep passing these little cards around to people.  You never know when a card will land in the hands of someone who really needs it.  Librarians could also use the Snapchat, instagram, and twitter accounts are raise awareness to cyberbullying and give shoutouts to amazing students at school.  Creating a school climate of kindness, respect, and inclusiveness will set the tone for students to notice when their cyber activity has become hurtful.  This amosphere will also be helpful when the victims of cyber bullying reach out of help.  Librarians, teachers, and other school staff must be in tune with their student body and their mental health.  

Refrences

Faucher, C., Cassidy, W., & Jackson, M. (2015). From the sandbox to the inbox: Comparing the acts,  

     impacts, and solutions of bullying in K-12, higher education, and the workplace. Journal of Education

    And Training Studies, 3(6), 11-125.

Image 1. https://schoolessentials.com.au/Product/8261942/DON%27T%20BE%20MEAN%20POP%20

    CHART%20%20%20%20%20%20%20/#.YWhySS2cZQI Retrieved: October 2021.

Image 2. https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it Retrieved: October 2021.

Image 3.https://web.archive.org/web/20181129151348/http://www.edudemic.com/teachers-guide-digital

    -citizenship/

Never in a MILLION Years....

 Never in a million years would I have thought that Snapchat would become an acceptable platform for an educator to communicate with students! 

Librarysmoak6

My goal as a school librarian is to create a library atmosphere that is safe, welcoming, and full of hidden treasures waiting for kids to explore.  To do this, I must meet them where they are.  And, they are on Snapchat!  They live on Snapchat!  After reading the article by Jensen, Integrating Social Media into Online Education, as well as observing my own four children, Snapchat is among the top social media tools used by students.  I chose this platform with the intentions of it being an "add-on" to the school's Facebook and Instagram page.  Let's face it, kids with Snapchat are getting younger and younger.  My Snapchat account will give these students, and their parents, a worthwhile account to follow.  

Things I plan to post:

                                            Image 1.

Fun books, magazines, videos, and links for kids to check out.  These types of posts can be linked to areas of instruction in classrooms as well as the library.  Sharing information that will get kids excited to explore curriculum topics creates a "win-win" situation.  Kids win because they gain a more in-depth knowledge of school standards, and teachers win because students gain a more in-depth knowledge of school standards!!  

                                            Image 2.

Games, trivia, and contests.  These posts will be used to hook students to the account.  If the students are constantly looking at our page for the next game or contest, they might just happen to stumble upon a new book that will grab their attention. 

                                            Image 3.

Silly stories about library staff to build connections.  It is really important to connect with the students and families in the community.  By letting people see behind the scenes of the library, they will want to come into the library to see what is going on.  

                                            Image 4.

Announcements/ reminders about upcoming events such a the Book Fair and overdue books.  Communication is key in creating a space where kids want to come. A school can have the biggest and best library in the world, but if we fail to let people know, it will one lonely place.  Sending out quick announcements will keep students in the know about what is going on in the library.

                                            Image 5.

Connections to classroom and library lessons in the real world. Letting kids see why we learn things is so important. Taking a selfie to show students an electric car charging in a parking lot can be a really cool way to make a connection between the lesson on electricity and real life.

I believe with these types of posts, students will be excited about library events, topics, and even instruction.  By obtaining a positive social media presence, I can be my own best advocate for the school library.  If kids are excited, parents are excited.  This will lead to an amazing network of learning opportunities, support systems, and the mastery of independent inquiry. "Social media is the perfect companion tool for a great many things we already do in the library"(Robertson, 2017).

Resources

Image 1. https://www.naperville203.org/highlands

Image 2. https://legolibrarian.com/2017/03/13/tween-programming-are-you-smarter-than-a-librarian-                     trivia-night/

Image 3. https://electricliterature.com/librarians-are-secretly-the-funnest-people-alive/

 

Image 4. http://clipart-library.com/clipart/105005.htm

Image 5. https://www.learningliftoff.com/5-outdoor-learning-activities-to-celebrate-spring/

Jensen, Lucas. (2019).  Integrating Social Media into Online Education. Library Technology Reports. 

Robertson, Nikki. (2017). Connected Librarians: Tap into Social Media to Enhance Professional                             Development and Student Learning. International Society for Technology in Education.