ASM LLC

REFLECTION & TAKEAWAYS It is that time in the course to do a little self-reflection.  At this point in time my views have been broadened thanks to my UBC colleagues.  From reading each blog I have added to my own understanding of a larger definition and pupose for the library learning commons in my school, my province, and the world. Larger World Views Kaitlin Schellenberg shares with us this video from a Uganda library.  "Most people in rural areas have nowhere to go to access the internet.  Our target was to empower librarians with internet skills to make their lives a little bit easier.  People come to them and ask for the information. In the library you cannot not have information." (Connect Uganda, 2014).  It is clear the internet is a powerful means of communicating information and libraries are the hub of larger communities than even a school community.  Having traveled to Africa, Kaitlin was a true reliable source for t...

World Libraries A Liaison Between Uganda and Canada in Kelowna: It can be hard to talk about world libraries and their needs without having visited or at the very least having a liaison between our countries.  In Kelowna we are very fortunate to have a liaison with  a teacher in our district, Erika VanOyen.  Erika taught all three of my children in elementary school and has since transitioned to the middle school where she caught up with two of my children again.  Erika has a passion for teaching science, but a calling to bring literacy and libraries to Uganda.  Erika takes advantage of the option in our district of working four years at reduced pay to have your fifth year off.  Every fifth year and summer she spends in Uganda.  In 2012 a biography of sorts was written up about Erika which gives you some insight into her passion for bringing literacy to the children of Uganda. (Photo retrieved from:  https://www.kelownanow.com/in_fo...

On Going Professional Development Book Club : My most favourite group that we have started this year is a professional book club.  I love it because we are being introduced to professional reading and we all know that meeting to talk about our reading (whether in person or virtually) is much more meaningful and enjoyable than reading it on our own.  "Practically anyone and, increasingly, anything can dispense information.  Real learning is advanced through the creation of powerful opportunities for mental engagement accompanied by the discerning eye and targeted feedback of someone more expert than oneself." (Ritchhart, 2015).  Not only do I love the fact that we can gather together, but I love that this is an autonomous pro-d opportunity.  It is not the entire staff, but is is two administrators, a teacher-librarian, the LAT/ELL teacher, three primary teachers, two intermediate teachers and two CEAs.  The power of choice, it is a beautiful thing! ...

Networking and the LLC Yifan Wu. Retrieved from: https://ideas.ted.com/an-introverts-advice-for-networking/ As elementary school teacher librarians we often have the unique opportunity to see our colleagues with their classes.  We have a chance to watch each classroom teacher interact with their students and learn by observing their relationships.  Once we ourselves have developed relationships with the teachers, collaborative opportunities tend to present themselves.  I try to keep in mind that  “as a school librarian, the goal should be to look at what students are learning and what teachers are teaching in the classroom and see where your knowledge and skills can fit into that plan.” (Dees, Mayer, Morin & Willis, 2010).  For this reason networking has become key to my professional development. Coffee, Curriculum, & Conversation:   From January until March break teachers are invited to the LLC for coffee and treats while we all shar...

Fostering Reading Cultures at ASMatheson At ASMatheson there are many ways in which the library learning commons and the teacher librarian help to foster a reading culture.  Here are a few. Global Read Aloud :  Pernille Ripp introduced the GRA ten years ago.  It is a lovely opportunity to be included into a community of readers.  "Global collaboration is necessary to show students that they are part of something bigger than them.  That the world needs to be protected and that we need to care for all people." (Ripp, 2019).  This year I am participating in the GRA with our grade 4 class and our grade 1/2.  We are delving into the picture books and the young reader pick. BCs DEAR Day :  The BCTLA put forward the initiative to drop everything and read as a school community.  The past few years we have uploaded a book to google slides and a student has read it aloud over the announcement system for all classes to follow alon...