Keeping+Current+Gems

[] Discovered this while researching Joyce Valenza. A LMS starting her second year at a middle school dispenses some wise words and helpful advice for us nervous newbies.

Barbara Mehlman 10/3/10 "The End of an Era ... Falling Off a Cliff." by Allison Zmuda __School Library Monthly__ September - October 2010 [] This article, adapted from a speech to the ALA, is really what it's all about. We are at a critical juncture in our profession and Zmuda urges us not only to see this challenge as an opportunity but demonstrates how we must do that.

Barbara Mehlman for October 7 Taylor, Kate "Amherst President is Expected to be Named Chief of the New York Public LIbrary" //The New York Times// 10/6/10. Although this story doesn't technically appear in a professional journal -- I'll argue for it's inclusion. The selection of Mr. Marx, who has championed public education throughout his career, is great news for us and school libraries. Mr. Marx "said he saw the potential for a "great partnership' between the library and the public school system...." In the present turbulent times, his appointment is definately a significant development! []

Barbara Mehlman for October 14th "Deep Learning Through Concept Based Inquiry" by Jean Donham School Library Monthly September-October 2010 Donham explains how moving from topic to concept based inquiry deepens student's learning experience. The shift from topic to concept has greater value for learning beyond school. Donham also explains how to sell this shift to authentic learning to teachers nervous about deviating from their traditional research projects. []

Barbara Mehlman for 10/21/10 // New Study on Reading in the Digital Age // __Teacher Librarian__ post Retrieved October 20 This story discusses the results of the Spring 2010 survey by Scholastic of over 1,000 children ages 6-17 and their parents with interesting results bound to generate ideas about promoting reading to our students in today's digital age. Barbara Mehlman 10/28/10 Adams, Helen. "Welcoming America's Newest Immigrants: Providing Resources and Services for America's Newest Immigrants." School Library Monthly Sept-Oct 2010 [] Here's an article with great ideas for helping students for whom English is a second language. It also shows how this population lends itself to collaboration. I found this article really interesting as I'm observing in a school with a significant Hispanic population this semester.

Barbara Mehlman for Nov 4, 2010 This is a cybercitizen program with lesson plans tied to standards and 21st century skills. []

Barbara Mehlman for November 11, 2010 __"Storytimes for Autistic Children" ALSC blog 2008.__ I've been observing in a public school library where the teacher librarian has three autistic classes. With this growing population an increasing presence in our schools, I wanted to add a resource for teaching these children and making their library time worthwhile. __[]__

Barbara Mehlman for 11/18/10 U.S. Department of Education Releases Technology Plan //International Reading ASsociation// [] Last week the Us. Dept of Education released their plan for transforming American education through Technology. The plan is attached to this brief article

Barbara Mehlman for 11/25/10

I wanted to share these two blogs a middle school librarian introduced to me which I have added to my Delicious account. [] and [] Both by librarians a great source of what tween books to order.

Barbara Mehlman for 12/2/ 10 From School Library Media blog an editable self assessment tool with some thought provoking questions.. []