Super Science @ Your Library

American Libraries (AL) Direct carried an item on a program that extends and enhances the science curriculum of its local K-5 schools.  This is the way to collaborate -- ideally school teacher librarians are on the planning team.  Here is the news item:

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh recently developed “Super Science @ your library” using the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library brand. Developed for K–5 students, the program reaches out to children through the library’s branches to expand on the science curricula taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. It features 12 topic areas, which have included topics like inventors, robots, recycling, and wetland habitats....

Blended Learning - Library Role in Providing Online Instruction

eSchool News reports on results of a U.S. Department of Education study on Blended Learning. The study reveals that students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.

Given the finding that students do better with a mix of f2f and online instruction, it follows that teacher librarians could work with their classroom teachers and district curriculum leaders to identify or develop curriculum-supporting tutorials or mini-courses. For example, the California School Library Association (CSLA) web 2.0 tutorial for middle school students, Learning 2.0, is a library-generated online course that addresses information literacy issues as it teaches 21st century learning skills. Another CSLA tutorial, Discovering Assistive Technology, is suitable for middle and high school students as well as adults. Librarians can offer these and other tutorials to their students and classroom teachers, and include on the school library website. There are lots of good tutorials and webcasts, short or lengthy, that support or extend classroom learning. Blended learning is more common at the college and university level. Librarians can help move it into K-12 schools.

Park and Read Program - Michigan

Barbara Van Woerkom's post "Check out the Parks" in NPR's library blog "... as a matter of fact" alerted me to this clever initiative. Michigan public libraries and state parks are working together to promote reading and recreation this summer.

"Through the Park and Read Program, library cardholders will be able to check out a one-day pass to any Michigan state park or recreation area, bypassing the $6 motor vehicle fee. "

"In addition, hammocks will be available in many parks, courtesy of The Hammock Co., for participants to lounge in and enjoy the breezes while devouring the latest summer read."

Love the sign used to show reading while relaxing in a hammock!