The Better the School Library, The Higher the Reading Scores

I just love Stephen Krashen.

Dr. Krashen is the Professor Emeritus of University of Southern California, and world renowned language acquisition expert.  Krashen is a champion for school libraries.  Earlier this year, he spoke passionately about the need for school librarians and school libraries at the Los Angeles Unified School District's school board meeting.    He argued that investing in libraries offers a path to literacy for economically disadvantaged children.  Below is the full speech he gave along with some key points for further reading.   This speech is based on his studies on school libraries that he has conducted along with Dr. Keith Curry Lance.

Geoffrey Canada

 1.  "Poverty Counts, lack of health care, lack of access to books, home, neighborhood, schools, the hungry, ill all have nothing to read on their own."


2.  "The more people read for pleasure, the higher their literacy scores." 

Free voluntary reading access to books makes a difference."
'Reading for pleasure did it for him'
Geoffrey Canada, President of the Harlem Children's Zone
http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/newsmakers/geoffrey-canada-president-ceo-harlem-children-s-zone-inc.-improving-outcomes-for-children-and-youth-through-a-place-based-strategy

Liz Murray

'It was books that made the difference'
Liz Murray, Harvard Graduate and motivational speaker.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129753532

 

Dr. Keith Curry Lance

3.  "The better the school library, the high the reading scores"
Dr. Keith Curry Lance, Founding Director of the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library

founding Director of the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library - See more at: http://keithcurrylance.com/about_keith/#sthash.2mhLzseG.dpuf

founding Director of the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library - See more at: http://keithcurrylance.com/about_keith/#sthash.2mhLzseG.dpuf

founding Director of the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library - See more at: http://keithcurrylance.com/about_keith/#sthash.2mhLzseG.d

"Impact of access to books all over the world,  scoring on the Pearls Examination - international test,
Access to a library of a collection of 500 books or more,
balances the effect of poverty.  Poor children don't read well because they do not have access to books.  When kids have access, they read more."


His strongest statements:

1. "Poverty counts, students that live in poverty has minimal access to books"
2. "The more school librarians per child, the higher the reading scores."
3. "The Better the School Library, The Higher the Reading Scores"
4. "More studies need to be conducted to see if funding technology in K-12 education will work."
5. "The use of technology for online testing for Common Core standards, means that this is the biggest expense in the history of education."
6. "Access to books and libraries really does help"

Stephen Krashen needs to come to Illinois....school librarians in this state need him now more than ever before.

Pinterest & College Readiness

     Phillips has a new Pinterest board.  The College Readiness board was created last week as an additional resource for Phillips students.  Articles, videos, memes will be posted weekly for student review.  Also, the members of the Phillips counseling team will also contribute pins to this board.  These boards will serve as a tool for collaboration and I'm really excited about this opportunity. 

    One of the main highlights of the board will be to provide  suggestions on to how to finance college.  Looking back, members of the Class of 2014 were really on the ball.  Throughout the school year, the students submitted several scholarship applications/letters to organizations and businesses across the country.  As a class, they were awarded 2.3 million dollars in scholarship dollars.  The teachers and staff are so proud of these students.  Several of my students who were admitted into multiple schools, just did not have the financial means for school.  The money earned through these scholarships assisted them in making college a reality.   As a staff, our goal is the raise the bar and support the Class of 2015 in raising more money than their predecessors did. 

I debuted the College Readiness board to a group of seniors yesterday and they generally enjoyed the articles.   Check back with us from time to time to see how we are progressing.

http://www.pinterest.com/auslwpahs/college-readiness/http://www.pinterest.com/auslwpahs/college-readiness/

One of My Favorite Quotes

'Reading is the gateway skill that makes all learning possible' - President Barack Obama #tlchat #libchat #Ilovelibraries 

Classroom Libraries

In an effort to help once again...I've created another board on the school's Pinterest page.

Wendell Phillips Academy Classroom Libraries Pinterest Board

http://www.pinterest.com/boydkc/classroom-libraries/

The Classroom Libraries Pinterest board provides teachers with a virtual guide for setting up a marvelous library in their classroom.  Teachers can see creative physical spaces, gain decorating ideas, download helpful signage/labels and read more about how the classroom library feeds into the central library within the school.

Now I know those of you who are teacher-librarians really take a hands off attitude about assisting with the classroom libraries.  Like you, my library budget has been cut in several schools so that the classroom libraries can receive the financial support....ouch right?   Years ago, Chicago Public Schools librarians were instructed to provide a teacher overview of how to set up classroom libraries.  After the presentation, the classroom teachers received a set of books across the genres for their libraries.  Librarians did not receive books but did receive a heartfelt thank you.  That really stung.  Okay, I'm being a little snarky here but that really angered many of us.   In addition, I refuse to re-org my library by genre, lexile or whatever new reinvention of the wheel that they come up with.  When libraries are re-orged, it hurts the students because there's no transfer of knowledge when they visit libraries that are organized by Dewey.  Let me stop my rant now.

Teacher-Librarians Are Leaders!

Returning to the 'positive', there are some benefit I see in supporting my fellow teachers in providing advisement on setting up classroom libraries .  Also, if you have any additional benefits, please share them with me!:

1.  Classroom teachers are often 'lost' when it comes to setting up their libraries.  They request my support because I am the trusted and reliable reading/book/literacy expert in the building. 

Book display in the  Library Media Center

 

2.  I read the books (really I do!!) and can connect them directly to the curriculum.  Teachers use me as their 'go to' person in the building.

3.  I share with classroom teachers which books kids will actually read (not just enjoy) and those they will put down.  When shopping at those half-off and discounted stores, teachers will be a little more selective in their purchasing decisions.

4.  Books in the classroom libraries can provide just a taste for reading, but the school library will satisfy a hunger for reading.

5.  Because the classroom library is an 'unbalanced collection' and does not represent all interests, beliefs and cultures students will use the school library as a greater and expanded resource of information.

6.  Students will see that the classroom library and school library do compliment each other and both encourage the love of reading. 

One of my fav book displays I pulled off of Pinterest

All roads lead to the school library right?  The main key to making this work is school libraries must receive financial support to purchase books from the school budget.  They shouldn't have to rely on grants, donations or other means to maintain a healthy collection that serves the entire student population.  No program should be deemed more important than the other.   Face it, no classroom collection can duplicate the depth of a great school library collection....not one. 


Source:
The Ultimate Classroom Library:  Your School Media Center
by Buffy Hamilton
http://www.aasl.ala.org/aaslblog/?p=438  

Meme - The Four Roles of the Teacher-Librarian
http://tl-ng.wikispaces.com/The+Four+Roles+of+the+Teacher+Librarian 

Marketing Your Library!

I'm wearing a Krazy Kreations
original T-Shirt

Marketing Your Library! from KC Boyd

My friend, Sabrena
aka Super Library Girl

Yesterday was the Chicago Public Schools annual Back to School Professional Day for Teacher-Librarians.  It was great seeing all of my librarian colleagues but also sad because many have lost their positions due to funding.  My prayer is positions will open up and these librarians will be able to return back to their librarians.  Please say a prayer for them.  Below is one of two presentations I gave.  Enjoy!

Marketing Your Library!

We know that you know all the wonderful things going on inside your library, but does everyone else?  View the steps in promoting your program to your students, administration, staff, and community. Highlights of this session will include free resource you can (and should) use, clever ideas for promoting your program, and how you can use this to document your professional growth and portfolio. 

https://sites.google.com/site/spreadthewordthelibrary/sessions  

Culture, Dignity and Identity

It's here!

Chicago Public Schools has finally launched the Interdisciplinary African and African-American studies program.  This new program was developed to heighten students’ understanding and awareness of African and African-American history and culture, while also fulfilling CPS’ commitment to ensuring that students are 100 percent college ready and 100 percent college bound.   

The curriculum is also grounded in the Common Core State Standards as well as other national, state, and local standards.  It is aligned directly to the CPS Content Area Frameworks.  The Illinois House Bill 2859 and ISBE mandate that every public elementary school and high school include the instruction of a unit of African-American studies.

CPS teachers can access additional materials
through the Knowledge Center.

The four hour training session for CPS teachers was held at the historic Du Sable Museum.  The museum was founded in 1961 by teacher and art historian Dr. Margaret Burroughs and other leading Chicago citizens.  This museum is one of the few independent institutions of its kind in the United States.  Developed to preserve and interpret the experiences and achievements of people of African descent, it is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans.   

  

The training session began with greetings from Pemon Rami, Du Sable Museum's Director of Education and Public Programs educating the audience about the importance of students receiving universal lessons about learning about oneself.   There was also a discussion about Dr. Burroughs famous poem, "What Will Your Legacy Be?" and challenged all teachers and administrators to celebrate the importance of culture, dignity and identity through the curriculum.

Chicago Public Schools Knowledge Center

The 157 page curriculum guide includes lessons plans and websites for study.  Additional material can be accessed by CPS teachers through the Knowledge Center where there are tons of downloadable materials.  

Discussion about the Montgomery Bus Boycott

The keynote address was excellent!  The presenter provided a 'sample' lesson of how to tie in multiple events in African-American history to produce a successful lesson that the students would enjoy.   Using the Montgomery Bus Boycott as an example, the presenter discussed how so many 'quiet' activists played a major role during this important event in American history.  It was really interesting to connect the names with the faces of the tireless activists and hear about their stories of courage.  

The first break out session was delivered by King High School's, Angela Davis.  Her presentation about 'Africanisms in America' provided attendees with an in depth view of culture and how it influences us as individuals and people.   She modeled a short lesson that used music, the black church, art and architecture as examples.  One thing I would like to note is the book list she provided for attendees is excellent and I hope it will be shared so that all CPS students can access it and enjoy.  

The next breakout session was supported STEM education and was just plain fascinating.   CPS teacher, Kwadwo Oppong Wadie discussed how students can use tools and technologies developed in Africa to investigate the Earth and Solar System.   It was fascinating to learn how stellar bodies, their characteristics and attributes are integrated into African cosmologies. 

While listening to the lectures today, I downloaded 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' by Jeanne Theoharis. The book highlights Parks' great personal, financial and psychological sacrifices she made in her personal life. In addition, it was interesting to learn that her grandfather and Malcolm X father were both Garveyites and active members of the movement.   

Overall, this is one of the best professional development session I've attended this year.  If you are a CPS teacher, you can access the copyrighted curriculum designed by CPS teachers at the Knowledge Center.  Within a couple of months, the Latin American Curriculum will be released.    Stay tuned!

                                      

Blogging: NASA All-Stars Program

Check out some of my blog posts from the NASA All-Stars Summer Program.    

K.C. Boyd's Blog Posts

Citations Citations Citations!!!

 Every day at the NASA All-Stars Summer program is an adventure!

There is an old saying, 'You learn something new every day." Well, that statement is so true.  Today my colleague Ms Wetzel had a interesting conversation with  NASA All-Stars program director, Dr. Don York, about citations.   During this conversation she learned something very interesting:   Astronomers use their own citation style.  Yes, there is a citation style used specifically by Astronomers!   Interesting right?  After a little research, she found the American Astronomical Society's website and found a guide sheet to assist the students with their citations.

The video below is a short iMovie I created that kind of represents the type of day we had.  It's just for fun!



 By the way, since I'm on the topic of citations, here's a cool article about citing Tweets posted on Twitter I found a couple of months ago:  

'How to Cite Tweets in an Academic Paper'
MLA and APA prepare for the future of the academic citation.
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2014/02/how-cite-tweets-academic-paper?utm_content=bufferc1913&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Source Citation
AAS Journal Reference Instructions | American Astronomical Society                                                                                          

http://aas.org/authors/aas-journal-reference-instructions

A Phenomenal Woman

Earlier today, my students and I learned about the transition of Dr. Maya Angelou.   We discussed her life, work and contribution to the African-American community and the world.  People of my generation remember her work in the Civil Rights and Women's Right's movements.  My student's generation was introduced to her through Tyler Perry movies or social media, then later fell in love with her poetry.

Her advocacy on the issues of today provided us all with clarity and kept us on track.  For example, just earlier this month she tweeted about the tragedy of the Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by an extremist Muslim group in west Africa.

Being the creative group of teens that they are, my students worked in two groups and created two short tributes for this remarkable, phenomenal woman.   #RIP Dr. Maya Angelou!