LIBE 477 - Developing a Culture of Readers...From a Distance
As I forge the path of a new teacher-librarian role, developing a reading culture has been the first and easy way to connect. This is what students, teachers, and admin imagine my role to be. We do not have a school-wide reading program, my work has been to develop a culture of reading working with grades and divisions where they are at, with the resources that they have. Pre-COVID, my schedule was fixed, and I saw all 26 classes every week for a full block. Topics and activities of our weekly classes together ranged, but in regards to developing a culture of reading, I did picture book read alouds, book talks, worked with students individually to find books. I ensured the space was open and accessible to students outside of instructional time every day and talked with kids about what they were reading. I hosted a Family Literacy Night, author visits, book fairs, and school-wide reading events. Looking back at last year makes me grieve for the community feel of the LC. Now, my space is closed. I am working with classes through zoom and deliver books to classroom doors.
(image source: Rundle College Learning Commons blog)
To develop a culture now, I have had to change almost everything from last year. I started a learning commons blog where I post monthly virtual classrooms with read alouds, book talks, first chapter read alouds, and recommendations. I zoom with younger classes for read alouds. Most of the books are supporting social-emotional learning, as teachers have shared that students have had many worries and tears as the school year has started up. For Primary students, I also have weekly class ‘Harte Cart’ deliveries. Students send a wish list of what they would like and I do my best to find something that fits. With the older grades, they can request books anytime, and I aim to do same-day delivery. I am an administrator on our school’s digital library, so getting students set up and reading in that space has been a big priority for me. I have started doing ‘10 in 10.’ I record 10 book talks in 10 min. Then, when it fits, the teacher shows the video, and those 10 books are in the classroom for students to check out. I also am a speaker at assemblies, sharing what’s new and highlight a featured read (or two) to the whole school. I also have quite extensive displays, as my space is central, and glass. These displays have helped students see the books so that they can request them. I am trying lots of different ideas to connect and be part of classrooms, even from afar.
10 in 10 book talk stacks (image source: Shannon Harte)
What’s not working?
Being separated from the students is not really working for me. Although I understand the purpose, I wonder if I could work with a grade a day in person? Also, have the space closed to kids and teachers is not working. It has really closed off the ‘pop in’ collaboration. Previously, this casual collaboration has lead to some incredible projects. I feel very isolated.
Being separated from the students is not really working for me. Although I understand the purpose, I wonder if I could work with a grade a day in person? Also, have the space closed to kids and teachers is not working. It has really closed off the ‘pop in’ collaboration. Previously, this casual collaboration has lead to some incredible projects. I feel very isolated.
(image source: Shannon Harte)
Where would I like to grow?
We currently use Raz-Kids reading program in K-3, which I am am not a huge fan of. I have been exploring other options, and am looking at Simbi. Does anyone have any experience with Simbi? Adrienne Gear is involved, and it has texts from around the world.
We currently use Raz-Kids reading program in K-3, which I am am not a huge fan of. I have been exploring other options, and am looking at Simbi. Does anyone have any experience with Simbi? Adrienne Gear is involved, and it has texts from around the world.
Other than this, I have a grade 5 book club in the works, which I am excited about. I also am looking at a teacher book club. I am also interested in a school wide book club for interested readers? Maybe using Global Read Aloud? My book displays could also be improved, especially after reading Library Girl’s blog post on this topic.
Finally, I am in the works of developing a LC website, which could be the hub of many of the lessons and work I am doing now!
I am really open to suggestions, as developing a culture of readers takes time, but also creativity! I am looking forward to reading ideas from this week's post!
Works Cited
Harte, S. (2020, October 12). Rundle College Learning Commons. https://rundlecollegelearningcommons.blogspot.com/.
Jugaad Ventures Inc. (2020, September 12). Simbi helps learners fall in love with reading. Simbi. https://simbi.io/
LaGarde, J. (2020, May 20). BFTP: Creating GREAT Library Websites for TODAY's Learners! Librarygirl. https://www.librarygirl.net/post/bftp-creating-great-library-websites-for-today-s-learners
Ripp, P. (2020, March 30). Global Read Aloud Choices 2020 #GRA20. The Global Read Aloud. https://theglobalreadaloud.com/2020/03/30/global-read-aloud-choices-2020-gra20/
Hi Shannon, I would be interested in finding out how you plan to do grade 5 book club. I am also separated from the students and they are not allowed in the library. I had planned on using Microsoft Teams and doing a weekly conference call, me from my office and the student who want to participate from their classroom. There are challenges with this of course because the students will need supervision if the club happens during lunch hour. Any ideas? Is it too much to ask the classroom teacher to allow certain students to log-on with their head-sets on during class time for 20 minutes? Perhaps I should open a Chat in Teams, post questions and ask the students to respond from home to keep the conversation going. I'm open to ideas.
ReplyDeleteI found the following idea online from Google Classroom. Has anyone tried this and if so how did it go?
https://www.readitwriteitlearnit.com/post/2017/10/29/how-to-engage-your-student-readers-with-a-google-classroom-book-club
HI! Thanks for the link, I appreciate the resource, it looks great! I am meeting with the group on Monday for grade 5 book club. There are just 3 students at this point, - it has been set up by the teacher, so part of their LA class time, so we are able to meet in person. It is a group of voracious readers, and I am so excited to meet with them. The student support work I do is with students who typically are less than enthusiastic about reading. I have a few ideas. I was thinking of trying a graphic novel / novel comparison. Having us read the same book in different forms, then swapping? Not sure at this point yet though... I'll keep you posted!
DeleteA great post filled with strong strategies for fostering a reading culture! From your post, it is evident that you love the work you do. Students must love your 10 in 10 book talks! It must take you quite a bit of time to plan, prep and organize! I appreciate the ways in which you are keeping literacy alive and the learning commons accessible during these complex times. I relate to your comments about what’s not working. There are hurdles to overcome for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Something happened with the 10 in 10 popularity this week, and in the last 2 days, I have had requests now from 11 classes for next week. This is exciting, but challenging time/prep/energy wise, I think I might make a rotating schedule to help me manage my time!
DeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI have been really inspired by the possibilities that you shared at last weeks Tuesday night gathering. After I left, I sat down to see if I could figure out the linking an object thing, and using slides, I finally got it. That was a proud moment. Now I am looking forward to creating something similar to what you and Rundle school have created for the homepage on our School Library Website. This is a large tech undertaking for me, and I still am not sure that the whole thing will be compatible with the school district WordPress site, but I am ready to give it a go. I think that it would be a great jumping off point for middle years students; a space that is interactive yet informative. Certainly far from dry like our current school website, which is designed for parents to find information.
I wondered about using flipgrid to host a book club. I am not fully familiar with the site myself, but it my be a way to have a digital space where kids can share ideas about the books you read together.
I am also not familiar with Simbi, but we do have RAZ kids though I don't know if teachers are really using it anymore. Another site that I have seen is https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/
which has a large selection of books which can be read in multiple languages. https://www.storylineonline.net/ also has books being read by actors and they read from a broad range of material.
Thanks for sharing your ideas. Alison
Hi Alison, I have had many proud moments as I learn new things too! Especially as someone who would have self described as 'not very tech savvy' at the beginning of 2020, there is something so gratifying about learning a new skill!
DeleteI will check out the unite for literacy site, thank you for sharing!
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteYour ideas for keeping your reading culture alive and thriving, during this strange time, are wonderful. I love the idea of building a virtual library learning commons like the one pictured, is there a site that you used to make it?
Also, your idea of the "10 in 10" book talk videos is so fun. I really like this idea, and inspired me to wonder if I can tailor this model to be videos about themed books and books with the same topic across the different mediums. Thinking about how I can build excitement about resources that we have in our collection which can support our teachers in their teaching.
You have inspired me! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.
-Caitlyn
Hi Caaity,
DeleteThanks for responding! For my virtual classroom, I use google slides. I have used the resource linked below as a start for building the 'rooms' and go from there! I like the idea of 10 in 10 for a genre or theme... that way it could be used more widely. It takes quite a bit of time to prep/record/film. That might be a good solution for saving time, great suggestion! Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cRhLv0JVq9V3Q-gSk2l7SQmVeT2ANLna1NpBAu6SIuA/edit?ts=5ede722a#slide=id.g8719b26d5a_3_0
Hi Shannon, wow. Your ideas to connect students with books during these strange times are amazing. I'm writing them all down! I love the wishlists and the 10 in 10 with the book being in the classrooms for students to choose right away. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHI, thanks for responding! I am liking the creative challenge of trying to connect while I am stuck on zoom. Mostly though, I would like students back in the LC. I wonder what pieces of the virtual world I want to keep? I think the 10 in 10 might work anytime!
ReplyDelete