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Differentiated Instruction From A Librarian's Perspective
All teachers would agree that students come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of learning styles and working at a variety of different levels. We agree that we should teach to each child's strengths and at the appropriate point on the continuum, but we also know that it is a gargantuan task that is not easy to accomplish. In fact, with all the current expectations being leveled by schools boards, parents, and school administration, just thinking about differentiating instruction is overwhelming.
But wait, it's the teacher/librarian to the rescue. As a support person whose major function is collaborating with teachers, a teacher/librarian can serve to assist teachers in differentiating instruction in the reading program.
Using a system I call "Passports," librarians can create booklists that guide students to books they can read at an independent reading level. Reluctant readers, who, like me in a video store, suffer from over stimulation and can't even remember what they like, have lists to work from, and even those "advanced" readers who think they've read everything already can find books similar to those they have loved.
Using library software, librarians can team up their online catalog and a word processor to create lists resembling greeting cards or more sophisticated brochures. Most online catalogs have a function called "bookbag" which allows the user to create lists of books. These lists can be cut and pasted into a word processor document.
I began by creating lists of subject matter books and moved swiftly into common reading levels, genre and series books. The series books proved so popular, students began coming to me to tell me of series they would like to read. Since series books are often at similar reading levels, it didn't take me long to realize why they loved them so. By my clueing teachers into reading levels, the teacher could assist in initial selection of a series and in goal setting of the number of books read; students were confidently reading at an independent level. Nothing breeds success like success.
Once students have met their goal, we choose to announce their name as new members of the "club" during morning announcements. Over the last few years, several first graders have read as many as 3,000 pages. The schools secretary, having heard repeatedly of the "Captain Underpants" club decided she needed to read them and become a member. The kids thought it was great!
I continue to expand the passports. Though not a requirement, they allow students to make choices in a systematic way knowing they can succeed and that others will share their success. Teachers using the system can rest easily knowing that students are reading (really reading) at their appropriate level in classrooms where reading levels may span several grade levels.
As a teacher/ librarian, I'm helping everyone feel successful , increasing my circulation, improving test scores (15 points last spring) and assisting my colleagues in helping to assure that students' needs are being met.
Laura Grosvenor is the Librarian at Kimball Elementary in Seattle. Ms Grosvenor has taught in Seattle Public Schools since 1976. She has taught first, sixth, and fourth grades as well as creating and managing an all-school enrichment program called B.E.A.T. (Basic Enrichment Activity Time) which focused on critical thinking and multiple intelligences.She began in a 3/4 class at Kimball and then had a stint at John Muir in second and University Heights Alternative School in 2/3/4. When the opportunity afforded itself five years ago, she returned to Kimball as a librarian, where she has been ever since.
She says "Working in the LMC is a dream come true. I get to see all of the students, read books, direct plays and puppetry and am actively involved in curriculum issues."
Currently, she serves on the Building Leadership Team, Site Council, Professional Development Team , and Technology Task Force. She is a part of the PSTC Coaching Initiative and is an Educational Technologist.
©December 2004 New Horizons for Learning
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