One of the goals of our school district is to "provide curriculum that is pertinent to students' needs." I feel that I have been able to do that along with the collaboration of a 6th grade science teacher. We have discussed the things that I might teach during library time that would help the 6th grade students be more successful with their science fair projects and research. (AASL 4.3) I have taught or am in the process of teaching all six, sixth-grade classes three lessons that tie in with their science fair research. When I teach them, I am showing how these lessons fit in with their research and I am also tying it in with the social studies research they are completing. Also, while I am teaching, I am asking the science teacher if she has anything to add or if this is the same way she is expecting her students to take notes, etc.
The three lessons I have taught were finding project ideas and how to use Science Online from Infohio; broadening and narrowing topic searches, and plagiarism and how to take notes using phrases and keywords. (AASL 1.1)
I am proud that I have developed these lessons, with a little help from the teacher and TRAILS, and have made these lessons relevant to what they are doing in school currently. I have also incorporated practice on laptops and computers. (AASL 2.2 & 2.3)
Our library has been doing a very good job lately of using both our 20 computers and the mobile lab which houses 30 laptops. When classes want the mobile lab for just one class period, we fit them into our library. We actually have three sections in our library that can be used for three different classes at a time. (AASL 1.3 & 1.4) We have been reserving the mobile lab for times of my instruction when I want the students to be in front of me with laptops, but there are also days when no one has signed up to use the lab and we plug it in and use it for student overflow when 20 computers is not enough. Can I also say that I am proud that I was the one to start teaching in the library and including the students with laptops at the same time. When I first did this, my librarian didn't like the idea of dragging the laptops out and them recharging them between classes. (The laptops are used and only hold a 2 hr. or less charge this year). Now, my librarian wants to keep the mobile lab and use it all the time which requires us to unplug and replug the laptops into their cart throughout the day. It is funny how we can be opposed to new ideas at first until we see how it is benefiting everyone. I like teaching with the students right in front of me, following along on the laptops. I also like feeling like I have made a positive change and impact on their learning by teaching this way and having them practice the lesson along with me or after I teach.
