Why Should I Collaborate with the Media Specialist?By Heather Green, Jenn Lungociu, Brittany Richards, and Karen Spangler

January 2013

Objective

We will be able to identify and describe how the library media program can support teachers with research in any content area.

Focus Question

•How can the library media program support the entire elementary school teaching staff?

Agenda• Today we will:

– A. Present compelling information on why you should collaborate.

– B. Show a video explaining ultimate collaboration.

– C. Explain different levels of collaboration

– D. Share a collaborative lesson plan and curricular connections.

– E. Break into groups by grade levels and brainstorm ideas for one collaborative lesson plan.

– F. Present your ideas to the whole group.

– G. Evaluate the presentation and information presented.

Keep in mind that …

• The Common Core is on the horizon.

• Collaboration will help to lighten the load.

Collaboration and Student Achievement

“The more often students receive library/information literacy instruction in which library media staff are involved, the higher the test scores.”(Lance, Hamilton-Pennell, and Rodney 2).

Information Empowered: The school Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement In Alaska Schools. (Executive Summary)

Collaboration and Rising Test Scores

“A central finding of this study is the importance of a collaborative approach to information literacy. Test scores rise in both elementary and middle schools as library media specialists and teachers work together.” (Lance, Rodney, and Hamilton-Pennell.n.pag.).

How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study

(Executive Summary)

Collaboration and Better Test Scores

“With only a few exceptions, schools with better test scores – have library staff who spend more time engaged in activities that contribute to collaborative teaching and learning.” (Rodney, Lance, and Hamilton-Pennell 91).

The Impact of Michigan School Librarians

on Academic Achievement

A Discussion

Susan Lester, a teacher, and Buffy Hamilton, a media specialist talk about collaboration.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDYQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Ds_2vRbtq7oY&ei=KaL2UOuZF6LZ0wGzpIGgCA&usg=AFQjCNGXfuycLWqZT8gW7SsTaJj1ZjbbMw&bvm=bv.41018144,d.dmQ

What are your thoughts?

• Let’s discuss the four levels of collaboration.

1. Connection

2. Cooperation

3. Coordination

4. Collaboration

An Actual Collaborative Lesson• Goal: Students will conduct a research project on explorers of North

America and turn it in to a multimedia presentation to share with others.

• Student Objectives:– Know about the research process

– Know how to access databases

– Use World Book Student to find information

– Can evaluate sources

– Can cite my sources

– Can paraphrase

– Can create and present a multimedia project to demonstrate my knowledge of a topic

• Differentiation:– Students will choose their topic and the format of their topic.

Curricular Connections:• School Library Media

– SLMSC.2.A & B: Locate and Evaluate Resources

– SLMSC.3.A: Find Data/Information within a Variety of Sources

– SLMSC.3.C.1: Record data/information in a variety of formats.

– SLMSC.3.C.2: Use an appropriate and accepted citation style to create a source list.

– SLMSC.4.A.3: Apply ethical practices to the evaluation and analysis of the recorded data/information.

• Common Core: Reading Informational Text– RI.5.9 Integrate information from

several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

• Common Core: Writing– W.5.7 Conduct short research

projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

An Actual Collaborative Lesson• Media Specialist’s Role:

– To introduce the research project and topic.

– To teach students about choosing reliable resources.

– To teach students how to access databases.

– To teach students how to cite sources

– To instruct students on the note-taking process.

• Teacher’s Role:– To set the requirements of the

informational writing project

– To aid students identify topic, purpose, format, organization of their writing.

– To generate a very rough outline.

– To provide instruction, assistance, and support during the creation of the information writing piece.

– To aid in scoring of student projects.

5 Minute Break!• When you return, please be sure to sit with your grade level

team!

Search and Discovery• How can I help you?

– Think of one possible collaborative lesson.

– Assign roles to the classroom teacher and media specialist.

• How do you think collaborating with the media specialist will save time in the classroom and increase student learning? Explain.

Thank You For Your Time!

• Does anyone have any questions?

How Did I Do?

• Please complete the evaluation form.

BibliographyBuzzeo, Toni. The Collaboration Handbook. Columbus, OH:

Linworth Publishing, 2008. Print.

Fontichiaro, Kristin, ed. 21st-Century Learning In School Libraries. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2009. Print.

Hamilton, Buffy. “Susan Lester and Buffy Hamilton Discuss Failure, Risk-Taking, and Collaboration by theunquietlibrarian.” YouTube. 25 Feb. 2010. Web. 13 Jan 2013.