Schools and libraries can make a difference by teaching kids how to identify and cope with emotions, how to communicate with confidence and empathy, and how to persevere even when things are difficult. The authors of this helpful text define transformative social-emotional learning and its impact on students and schools. They present current brain research to support social-emotional programming in a whole school program with collaborative lesson ideas adaptable to all age levels for the use of counselors, librarians, administrators, classroom teachers, and all special area teachers. All lessons provide lists of extended student and faculty readings. Illustrating and highlighting how social-emotional programming helps foster and transform the culture of a school to one of belonging and acceptance, the authors also provide necessary application lessons for all educators in all areas of a school, including ideas for such common areas as playgrounds, cafeterias, classrooms, and libraries, and even ideas for implementation by school administrators. Research cited predicts desired outcomes, including a culture of belonging, increased student engagement and achievement, and a more compassionate school staff. Ideas and activities provided for professional development for educators benefit students and staff alike.

Fake news and misinformation is everywhere. Learn how to teach elementary students to locate reliable information, evaluate sources, and develop their writing skills in the classroom and in the library. Empower students to find and evaluate information with this practical guide to supporting classroom writing and research instruction. You'll learn ways to teach students to evaluate information for accuracy and to collect information from credible sources such as library journals. Additionally, you'll learn how to incorporate writing into your makerspace, encourage curiosity through the inquiry process, and help students to find their voice. Along the way, you'll discover how to support various writing genres including technical writing and the research project and how to teach prewriting for digital media such as websites, blogs, and social media. Lesson plans, which can be adapted from year to year as a part of the classroom and library curriculum, explain how students can use databases, search engines, books, and expert testimony to gather information. Also included are student samples and hands-on activities that will get students excited about learning.

Using a research-based approach, this book examines the critical connections between writing and reading, and it explains how to encourage early literacy in the classroom and library. How can teachers and librarians support true literacy in young learners? Are very young children guided by meaning in constructing their reality and their relationship to the world? What is the value of championing writing at the kindergarten level? Guided by Meaning in Primary Literacy: Libraries, Reading, Writing, and Learning answers these questions and many more, providing best practices in early literacy through explicit lessons in writing and reading and demonstrating how the library can extend learning in deep and powerful ways. While some books emphasize reading, others emphasize writing, and still others focus on library instruction, this profound resource brings all of the components of literacy together in a meaningful way. Throughout the book, the authors highlight examples of student writing, anecdotes from the real world, and connections between theory and what happens in practical application. Unique in its thoroughness of content for this age group, this text is essential reading for all early childhood teachers and librarians working in schools and in public libraries with young children. The book also serves trainers working with teachers and librarians to increase their effectiveness in working with young children to promote early literacy. Provides critical information that helps educators improve early literacy programs-a current need in libraries of all types Combines research findings about early literacy that document the connection between writing and reading with meaningful theory to offer a strong rationale for library programming Reminds readers of the inherent joy and value of working with young children by telling them stories and engaging them in magical early literacy activities in the classroom and library