This title gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning. This title, Brain Friendly School Libraries, gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning. It includes chapters that summarize the current brain research and current thinking about its implication for instructional practice in the school library media center as well as discusses the work of Ellen Langer (mindful learning), Geoffrey and Renette Caine, Bob Sylwester and other major proponents of teaching with the brain in mind.

Introduce your teachers, librarians, and administrators to the roles and responsibilities of educators in advocating a whole school library learning commons using this step-by-step guide for creating shared learning space in your school. It is no surprise that technology has shifted the way we educate—bearing on how, what, and where we learn. This guide lays the framework for helping turn your school library into a whole school library learning commons (WSLLC)—a space where traditional academics merge with the latest technologies to engage learners in a way never before realized. Author Judith Anne Sykes contends that since the WSLLC philosophy allows staff and students to co-create knowledge in a shared space, it is more effective than the traditional approach. Sykes addresses the differences between a school library and a WSLLC, provides reasons to champion its creation in your institution, and discusses how to use mentoring as a means to sustain its survival. The book explores the roles and responsibilities of educators in developing WSLLC goals and presents strategies for using typical assessment tools—including standardized tests, report cards, and anecdotal assessments—to help support its philosophy.

How should teacher librarians or instructional leaders engage in action research to improve their school library and benefit students' learning? This book provides the answers. Teacher librarians need to get directly involved with the research process in the learning commons in order to create actions and strategies that will enhance student learning-and benefit their own professional development as well as demonstrate accountability through their action research efforts. This book provides practical tips and work spaces for educators at the local, state, and national levels, clearly modeling and explaining the process and the tools for conducting action research in a school library setting that will identify the program's strengths and weaknesses. The author coalesces current expert opinions on the topic of action research in the school library environment and highlighting what other teacher librarians in the field have identified as the pros and cons of using the process. Readers are directed to focus on mitigating the "cons" through the use of specific working pages and templates and by initially exploring "five favorite" links, thereby encouraging those who are new to action research to try what might otherwise seem a daunting process. School principals K-12 who read this book will be better equipped to support their teacher librarians and teachers in this important professional process. Supplies invaluable insights from experts and practitioners on the subject of action research Provides a clear model of the process in action Directs readers to additional resources that facilitate effective action research and timely topics for school library research, such as time management and technology in learning

Give students exciting learning opportunities across the curriculum while teaching them important information skills This book documents a continuous library center program with a series of mini-lessons that cover topics from bears, books, and dinosaurs to natural resources, rockets, and Victorian holiday traditions. Projects use different types of media (e.g., books, tapes, CD-ROMs, the Internet), giving students a variety of experiences with fiction and nonfiction and allowing them to interact with resources-to find books; use the library catalog, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and CD-ROMs; alphabetize; perform author research, build a bibliography, create a book cover and poster; role play; conduct a video interview; and so on. For each center, the author provides reproducible instruction cards, a list of materials, and suggestions for implementation. Various assessment tools are recommended-observation checklists, coaching and discussion, presentations, celebrations, and formal checklists to be