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Liz Johnston at Dearborn Park International Elementary School wanted to kick off a "Dragon Talk" series for students with something about Festival of Lights. Yesterday I told students this story about my daughter's memorable performance singing "Children of the Light" in an impromptu kickoff to the lunch-time series.
For me, it was a delightful recollection of years of collaboration with Kent Stevenson at Happy Medium/Giddens School including our "Stevensongs" project in 2002.
If you'd like to hear the song as recorded, I've linked audio and song lyrics to the top right corner of the DPIS Glog http://craigseasholes.edu.glogster.com/dpis and encourage you to click in and share the joy of children singing Kent's wonderful seasonal song.
Amidst painful national transitions headlining last week, my own move to a new elementary school may rank as small potatoes, indeed. But it is precisely my work with students in Seattle Public Schools that sustains me through the difficult times ahead for citizens of our democracy.
Moving to a full-time position in a high-poverty, bilingual-immersion elementary school looks to fulfill my desire to serve my own diverse community through exemplary library and information technology programming. Our families choose either learning in either Spanish or Mandarin for one half of the school day in math and science content areas, with English Language Arts remaining at the heart of the elementary school curriculum for the other half.
My job is to serve students and staff and support learning in all aspects of our learning community at Dearborn Park International School. I've already adapted my library glog for the Dearborn Park community
http://craigseasholes.edu.glogster.com/dpis and look forward to adding links specific to teaching and learning in this exciting school.
I kicked off my "hello, this is going to be fun" introductory week with Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" (by heart) and, for the 4-5th graders an introduction to the
SPL Global Reading Challenge. I met with Erica Sternin (left) as GRC partner @ Columbia City branch of SPL.
In this week ahead, I'm feeling there's no better way for me to dive in, read and unpack Faith Ringold's newest picture book "We Came to America" with students of our very diverse and international school.
We all came here from somewhere. Let's make it better, together.
I'm delighted that the always exciting NWTSJ conference had to move to this later date 10/29/16 as I am able to table and talk with many of the 5-600 participating educators here at Portland's Madison High School. If librarianship is the curation of conversation and relationships, then this "library of human resources" is a treasure trove of critical thinking, progressive educators.
Yesterday I curated this Glog of #SocialJustice resources that I've been able to share with visitors.
I also built a response form to try to gather names and ideas, resources and breadcrumbs to further conversations that pass my way. I set up a table, covered it with books, videos and y'know stuff that relate to libraries and teaching and social justice. They've caught the eye of many and generated conversations that make the pre-dawn drive down all worth while.
Thanks also to Elaine Harger who brought along a pumpkin bread to enjoy. Her own book about Social Justice Issues at ALA Council fits into the topic of conversation today, and is a worthy read.
What a perfect storm!
WLMA (now formally known as the Washington Library Association School Library Division) has much to be pleased with all that has blown our way this October.
Braving what meteorologists were warning might be a "storm of the decade" over 300 Future Ready Librarians, ESSA Advocates, Open Educational Resource Curators, MakerSpace Champions, InfoTech Instructional Leaders, Digital Media Mavens, School and Public Library Partners, Reading Advocates and a deluge of 30 local authors and illustrators converged on Highline College on October 14-15th.
Maybe that's why the storm veered off-shore away from the Puget Sound Convergence Zone and failed to disrupt the 2016 WLMA Conference: who knows?
What I do know is that the Washington Library Association's School Library Division delivered a windfall of two days of top-notch professional development to school and youth service librarians in a participatory "hack" I am fortunate to have helped hack, re-organize and assemble.
Lucky were all who attended and experienced the 3 hour preconference sessions of Friday and Saturday's choices for 3-90 minute facilitated workshops on Reading Advocacy, InfoTech Instruction, InfoManagement, MakerSpace and Library Leadership. Sessions were facilitated as participatory forums rather than traditional "sit and git" conference PD. Wise are those who bookmark and continue to mine the co-created presentation/resources found at: http://www.wla.org/2016-wlma-conference-materials.
Indeed, we were all effective users and producers of ideas and information. That's our mission, right?
Steve Hargadon provoked deep consideration of the nature of education and the role of libraries in his morning keynote "Confessions of a Learning Revolutionary" and in his afternoon "Hot Topic: Hack Your Education" conversations.
At lunch the transformative leadership of Amy Nelson, Director of Teaching and Learning in Mukilteo School District and of Dave Davis, Director of Instructional Technology and Hannah Gbenro Admin of Special Assignment for Libraries of the Future in Tacoma Schools was noted with special recognition.
Dr. Mike Eisenberg received the President's Award for his career-long global contribution to libraries and for his instrumental role in articulating the LIT program framework. Ann Warner and Mary Kay Rolwes got much deserved Emeritus awards and I was kindly honored with "Washington State Teacher-Librarian of the Year" award through generous support of Follett.
As the evening wind whipped outside and rain pelted the windows, I recalled Mrs. Whitsit in A Wrinkle in Time who cried triumphantly, "Wild nights are my glory!" And when Scholastic's Ambassador for School Libraries "MrSchu" John Schumacher delivered a closing keynote rich in appreciation for writers that thrill our hearts, we were all reminded of the enduring and emotional heart of librarianship. Librarians have a glorious opportunity and responsibility to support and inspire independent reading, thinking and creating that can help build a better world.
 |
European model simulation of storm slamming the Pacific
Northwest Saturday evening 10/15/16 . (WeatherBell.com) |
Even as our conference ended, yet another "perfect storm" of opportunity appeared on the school library horizon. Now is urgently the time for advocacy at upcoming
OSPI ESSA Implementation Plan Review Forums and in the 2017 Legislative Session in Olympia.
Put that on your library radar, advocates!
You should also add the
Future Ready Librarians initiative to which Mark Ray and Sara Trettin of the US Dept of Education invited me back one week later to Highline College. Mark and Sara share a vision of how #LibrariesTransform and can be pivotal in
Future Ready Schools by recognizing the innovative, role of tech-savvy LIT librarians in providing in-house expertise and instructional support to both students and staff alike. Also at the Summit was Barbara Soots of the
WA OER Project with Melinda Boland of
OER Commons, along with and Jeff Mao of
CommonSenseMedia.
The future belongs to those who share wisely and effectively, and it was Jeff who near the end of the summit shared the best non-hierarchical explanation of SAMR I've yet to see:
With coffee cup in hand, I look back at this recent deluge of ideas and information and see school libraries weathering whatever storms may yet blow our way. With deepest gratitude I thank everyone whom I pressed to contributed countless hours of volunteer efforts, to all who percolated and modified new ideas, and who are helping to strengthen and redefine the work of teacher-librarians in this sometimes stormy Pacific Northwest library landscape....
Last Thursday's author visit with Maddie's Fridge author Lois Brandt is a library story from Sanislo Elementary School well worth sharing.
The story tells of two friends who find ways to help each other out. It also address the topic of childhood hunger, and holds lessons about friendship, perseverance and taking action. No wonder it was Winner of the 2015 International Literacy Association Primary Fiction Award and the 2014 Christopher Award Winner.
The story of Lois' visit is itself an example of how friends can make a difference. It started at the SPL Food Justice, Food Education and Food Literacy event last month. After a great panel discussion with food activists hosted by Phillip Lee, audience and presenters moved to the "living room" 4th floor and to tables with fresh food for conversation with others; including Lois, author Katherine Pryor and I together at one table on food literacy. Delicious conversation led to Lois offering to come to Sanislo Elementary for an author visit, and we seized on the afternoon of our Sept 29th Multicultural Potluck family event.
K, 1, and 2nd and 5th grade classes doubled-up for our special in-library visit with Lois talking about her story leading to the publishing of Maddi's Fridge. Lois does a great job explaining how the idea was one that stuck from her childhood memory of shock at a friend's empty fridge, through the many drafts and revisions, rejections and eventual publishing of the book. Lois ended each 30 minute session with children pledging to "tell their own story" of events like hers that stick and "have to come out."
Many author visits would've called that a wrap, but that was not the case this week . In lieu of payment, Lois had asked that we hold a canned food drive in conjunction with her visit.
As the day of her visit drew near teachers and students were certainly ready to contribute canned goods in addition to their potluck items. But on Tuesday, when an apartment fire near our school suddenly forced two of our families into disaster-survival mode and a larger collection effort was quickly needed to replace clothing, bedding and a host of other essentials lost in the fire.
Our community responded with an outpouring of helpful donations that caught the eye of media and filled to overflowing supplies not only for our families but for others of the 50 or so made homeless by the fire.The outpouring of support shows the richness and resilience at Sanislo Elementary School. Washington State's Most Diverse School indeed lives its tagline of being a "Small School with Big Ideas" (and heart).
When we see a need and respond, as captured in Maddi's Fridge and our school's response to disaster, the experience connects us all in ways that pay dividends to all involved.
Thanks to Lois and to all in our community who came together to share. As the books two girls affirm, "It's what friends do."
If you'd like to help out, the Seattle Housing Authority has set up a specific fund for the families of the Delridge Ave Lam Bow Apartment fire linked http://seattlehousing.net/2016/09/donate-to-the-lam-bow-fire-relief-fund/
Make checks payable to: Lam Bow Fire Relief Fund Lam Bow Fire Relief Fundc/o Campus of Learners FoundationPO Box 19028Seattle WA 98109-1028
Stories make a difference. By all means, go to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy of Maddi's Fridge to read, share and use as a springboard for your own action to help fill a need in your community.
I drove over the Cascades to Yakima yesterday to attend one of the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Regional Forums for the Every Student Succeeds Act. While upcoming forum on July 19th from 6-8 PM at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien is closer to home, I'm glad I went to hear the concerns and perspective of Yakima/Ellensburg Central Washington State educators, parents and administrators.
Deputy Supt. Gil Mendoza lead the presentation of the broad features of ESSA, describing changes the way Washington State will make federal education funding available to districts. This same Washington Regional Forums Presentation (PPT) has already been presented to audiences in 3 other sites and will be repeated tonight in Wenatchee and Wednesday in Spokane, as well as at Highline on July 19 and in Bremerton on August 2nd and in a webinar version on August 1st. Registration required I'm urging LIT librarians to attend one of the sessions, as well as viewing materials and providing online followup comments to the workgroups via http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2689742/ESSA-Feedback .
The workgroups and the tight timeline for implementation in 17-18 school year. The WA State plan will be submitted Nov-Dec 2016, with Dept of Ed will have 120 days to approve plan. Fed will look at March 6th, and notifying the state July 6th to approve before Sept 2017 implementation.
WLMA advocates will appreciate Gayle Pauley's prominent role in overseeing all the various Federal programs that are impacted by ESSA. Gayle is a steadfast supporter of school libraries, and she will do all she can to ensure that librarians' input in the process is heard. Likewise representatives of Senator Patty Murray's Yakima staff were in attendance in active listening and invitation to continue informing the Senator who co-sponsored this sweeping federal legislation.
*The heart of my own comments last night drew on resources available from AASL ESSA Resource page http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/legislation/essa. In particular, ESSA Opportunities for School Librarians 
focuses librarians' attention on:
TITLE I, PART A – IMPROVING BASIC PROGR. OPERATED BY STATE AND LOCAL EDUC. AGENCIES
TITLE II, PART A – SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION
TITLE II, PART B, SUBPART 2 – LITERACY EDUCATION FOR ALL, RESULTS FOR NATION (LEARN)
TITLE II, PART B, SUBPART 2, SECTION 2226 – INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO LITERACY (IAL)
TITLE IV, PART A – STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT GRANTS (BLOCK GRANT)
Bottom line: Do your homework. Speak up. Engage. Now.
OK, OK...I totally get why there were no Yakima librarians at the forum last night.
I'm doubly glad I was able to go to the ESSA forum because of the unfortunate schedule conflict with a concurrent Yakima event.
You see there in Yakima last night, Sherman Alexie was talking about his terrific new picture book Thunder Boy Jr. I'd gotten to hear Sherman in his Seattle appearance two months ago, but the obvious pull for Yakima area librarians surely justifies their choosing to attend a delightful author event asserting the value of books that reflect the students they serve. I love everything about the book, and my review of Thunder Boy Jr is "in the can" for publishing via the Unshelved Book Club. Watch for Alexie and Yuyi Morales to win Caldecott Award honors this coming year. 
Being from Washington, I'm pleased how Sen Patty Murray contributed to the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act and was delighted to see the AASL board pass a resolution thanking
Senators Patty Murray (D WA), Lamar Alexander(R-TN), Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Jack Reed(D-RI) along with Reps. John Kline (R-MN) and Robert Scott (D-VA). That resolution as passed by AASL board:
Resolved that ALA commend Senators Lamar Alexander, Thad Cochran, Patty Murray, and Jack Reed and Representatives John Kline and Robert Scott for their recognition of the contributions of effective school library programs in the academic achievement of the nation's students; and commend these School Library Champions for their efforts to include effective school library programs and school librarians in the language of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
One month ago, on June 3rd I participated in coordinated AASL "listening session" with Dr. Monique Chism, deputy assistant secretary from the U.S. Department of Education (USED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Led by AASL president Leslie Preddy and Director Sylvia Norton, our group of 11 shared a variety of ways that school librarians contribute to student research skills and academic success, digital citizenship, collaborative instruction, teacher training and academic support. Built in a collaborative GoogleDoc, rehearsed and accomplished via AdobeConnect, with designated listeners Sara Hill and Dorcas Hand sharing live via Twitter using @aasl @usedgov and #essalibraries. In the hour we gave examples of how the work of school librarians apply to ESSA's Title IV Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants.
Listening to Dr Chism's introductory remarks and interest in serving Native American communities led me to mention the work I'd seen in Fairbanks AK of librarian create, curate and incorporate dual language literacy materials
Iñupiaq Edge Initiative Resources by Tuzzy Consortium Librarian Erin Hollingsworth. Launched in October 2015 in six North Slope village libraries, the purpose of the project is to place technology at the fingertips of the children of the North Slope that develops and enhances Iñupiaq cultural and language learning, alongside other standards based educational tools. Erin Hollingsworth shared with AkASL and more recently at ALA. FIX THAT LINK.
I also mentioned the literacy materials my friend Mallory Clark developed with her students at Garfield High School's Read Right program. While Mallory's just-retired and the program's discontinued, I'll continue to promote the high-interest student-centric books she's developed as worth curation and sharing...in an OER platform (like
Amazon's recently announced Inspire, perhaps).
My biggest take-away from the session: the power of collaborative voice in addressing opportunities affecting school libraries. It was, as Dr Chism noted, "a new gold standard for listening sessions."
But that was then, and now
ESSA listening forums now roll across Washington State, I'm working with librarians here to see that @WLMALIT librarians attend and contribute. Onward!
My colleague and friend Mark Ray of Vancouver Public Schools likes to keep his eye on "where the puck is going." He gave a Tedx talk recently and it's posted with that TED post-production glory:
Funny, insightful and right on; Mark's one of the reasons I'm thrilled to be active in the world of library and information technology programs in schools.
I'm putting in a lot of time getting the registration launch ready for #WLMA2016 Conference that will happen October 14, 15 at Highline College. Info lives at http://www.wla.org/wlma-conference-2016...but the exciting part is what will happen when we HackWLMA with a more interactive conference. I've been able to ask educational connector Steve Hargadon to come out to kick off our HackWLMA Saturday with a thoughtful look at what really works in education-your education, my education, as well as those we serve. Libraries have a major role to play in "where the puck is going to be" in education and I want to ensure that WLMA LIT is there.
A taste of Hargadon's style will happen next week with the "Libraries as Classroom" mini-conference next week. http://www.library20.com/classroom LITs connect and learn together. Another inspiring friend, Joyce Valenza will be in the mix-as always- pushing us to think fast and deep.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I'm honored to have been elected to serve the larger WLA, Washington Library Association as a vice-president this year as I complete my WLMA leadership year. That will transition to leadership of WLA in 2017 as we fully integrate K12 librarians with the wider academic and public librarians association. The Fall 2017 "SuperConference" in Tacoma will bring the fully merged association under one big tent, indeed.
Now, LITS, make some noise!
Here's a sound track, and something to shout about...'cause real librarians don't shush! As a matter of fact they prefer to be heard. Here's a rap my friend Wade Colville Sandoval wrote based on how I see the world of ideas and information from my library vantage. Here a link to the lyrics, Click it here to hear it!
Mondays are catch-up days for me ... just not @library, but rather, in my LIT-TL PLN .
Last Monday, my friend Wade Colville-Sandoval put this beat in his rap to all this LIT-TL network,
"LITs Get On It. LITs Do It. LITs Push and Make it Happen" is a joyful little soundtrack, with the lyrics linked in the QR at left and audio up for a listen here.
Current .5FTE funding of Seattle's elementary school librarian positions means that the library at my school is unstaffed, though heavily used by numerous groups for a variety of before-and-after school homework help, in-school small group literacy tutoring, and standardized testing. While many other schools around town have building-based and PTA-supplemented budgets that keep the librarian at school every day students are there, for high-poverty schools like mine the funds just aren't there. TLs will offer several proposals to address this inequity at the April 6th public comments at the Seattle School Board meeting. It seems a proper way to celebrate School Library Month, given the need.
At the state level, the WA Prototypical School Funding guidelines have 1.0 FTE librarians in every Washington school...but it's still an underfunded guideline that rolls along with other pressing needs on the McCleary deadline for 2018. WLMA will keep this on our radar and advocacy updates.
Though home most Mondays, I'm still busy in my Professional Learning Network, or PLN.
I'm ready to help host, listen and learn from Lake Washington School District librarians as Richard Snyder and friends present in the TLNewsNight tonight. It's a powerful online tool, this #tlchat crew. Join us! Or view archive:
Back on March 7th I got to expand my PLN when connecting for the TLVirtualCafe presentation
on Social Justice @Library with these three talented folks. The archive of that conversation is here http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/March+7+2016+TL+Virtual+Cafe+Social+Justice
The power of online professional development is a real game changer, inviting all of us to step outside our day-to-day library lives and to contribute and learn from others. Proof for me was resoundingly described by the recent Library Journal "Movers and Shakers" Class of 2016.
I'm thrilled to see the spotlight shining on several folks who make up my own PLN including:
This year Andy Plemmons and Sue Kowalski
join previous winners of the Library Journal award including
KC Boyd and Michelle Luhtala, Sherry Gick and Tiffany Whitehead as well as
Shannon McClintock Miller and Stephanie Ham from 2014.
No question these folks are all talented librarians and I'm thrilled to call them a part of my PLN,
friends and colleagues that keeps me energized and inspired (even when I'm not @library)!
I'm moderating next Monday's #tlchat VirtualCafe on the topic of Social Justice @ Your Library. Go to http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/ for more info:
Panelists and I did a practice session together last night to meet one another and gain re-familiarity with the webinar tool (Blackboard-Elluminate). Our conversation confirmed my hopes that others will enjoy the perspectives of these three bright and deeply engaged educators:
Joquetta Johnson (aka Digital Diva @accordin2jo) will lay down how she see's herself as a "DJ of ideas and information" keeping her high school students engaged through progressive educational content and #HipHopEd.
K.C. Boyd @Boss_Librarian is now library director for 16 schools in East St Louis, bringing those collections up to speed. Moving recently from Chicago where there were something like 100 schools in just the South side, KC is doing an inspiring job posting about library transformation in the ALA ThinkTank.
She knows the power of Street Lit and will share some of the story of DuSable High School student activism that saved their school library from budget cuts.
Jarah Botello @JarahB_TT brings the tireless and innovative efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance project to the conversation from Montgomery Alabama. I'm thrilled to have her outreach from the content-creation end of things and to bring those mighty tools to the attention of teacher-librarians through our webcast.
We'll embed the entire webcast after Monday's live event. Better still, add your own voice to the conversation via Twitter responding to the same two questions I'll ask panelists towards the end of the hour. Use #tlchat and A1: A2: format in your remarks and help share your own inspiration, examples, and resources. Inspire me!
I'm guilty of overusing the library phrase, but a NCCE workshop by Joe Dockery last Friday nudged me into creating this short Adobe Voice video of 5 key topics for the WLMA Advocacy toolbox.
Warts and all I share it here as an example of fearless learning, not polished media savvy.
The 5 key points I also want to share as PDF and JPG should you want them for your own presentation and advocacy efforts. The info and links are accurate and worth sharing.
I'm enjoying working this weekend on a pair of presentations and reflecting on social justice, libraries and leadership.
I have the opportunity to host a panel discussion Social Justice@Your Library that will air March 7th via Blackboard/Elluminate as part of the #TLVirtualCafe series at 8PM Eastern. K.C. Boyd, Joquetta Johnson and Jarah Botello of Tolerance.org will be joining in, talking about what inspires their work with libraries. Equity and access are democratic values at the heart of school and public libraries. Our work is social justice work, and I look forward to hearing from panelists and the online participants as well. Two open questions: Q1: Who inspires you to lean in on social justice issues in your community? and Q2: How can teacher-librarians help lead their communities? Tweet your responses to #tlchat.
"Libraries as Leaders" is the theme for the AkLA 2016 Conference March 10-13, to which I'll add a small, connected conversation with the AkSLA school librarians during their Friday morning general meeting. Using the wordplay "LITs Associate" I hope to share a 30 minute regional hello as AASL Region8 director, to plug the WLMA LIT and TYSL mojo, and to show-by-doing the power of connected librarianship. As both noun and verb* our associations-as organizations and as acts of associating-multiply our effectiveness in providing strong library and information technology programs committed to student success. Educators in Alaska have long experience with distance education and I trust that my brief effort to connect with two associates will help inspire AkASL folks as much as they do me. AASL president Leslie Preddy and Shannon McClintock Miller will come in via Google Hangouts on Air to (virtually) embody the powerful ways that librarians lead by associating.
Leslie's doing a terrific job leading our national association and will be sharing news of the significant opportunities
ESSA holds for school libraries as well as the ongoing substantial revision of the
AASL Standards. Shannon Miller will speak to the "Transform Your School Library" efforts of the @MackinTYSL Advisory Group of which both Shannon and I are members. Sponsored by Mackin, but reaching beyond libraries to include administrators and ed tech leaders we hope to exhort, inspire, encourage and embody transformation of learning through school library (and information technology) programs.
http://www.mackintysl.com/
* Writing this and looking back on my enjoyment of double-meanings I remember "I Seem to Be a Verb" as the title of a
book by Buckminster Fuller that inspired my appreciation of the verb-noun double meaning of words like "association." 41 years ago I gave my 1974 high school commencement address using that title and theme, with attribution. I
still seem to be a verb, I suppose.
This is clipped newsreel footage of the Sea rescue of General Twining...and my grandfather Maj Craig Seasholes. He wrote it up as "Adrift in the South Pacific."
The week started with ALA midwinter Dr Mary Frances Berry speaking of a lifetime of social
justice activism.
In the afternoon Chelsea Clinton gave the conference's concluding address with a talk
are edited here focus on her famous last name, to the joy of books in her own family.
More moving to me was when Chelsea spoke of recognizing her life's many blessings. She shared her grandmother's exhortation to "expand the circle of blessing" to include others. "It's Your World" is the focus of her recent efforts to share stories of the small but meaningful efforts of many. The book is one way to "expand the circle."
That's also a theme for the week ahead when Unpacking Hana's Suitcase rolls into our little library @Sanislo 1/20/16 @10am. I'm grateful for this blessing that I hope to share with others, like you.
Today I switched my Google+ profile images to help SCT promote Wednesday's Google Hangout
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/clkna7fqimbr6dpeu921qhnhvns
The warm SCT image and the very concept of sharing our conversation @Sanislo with George and Lara Brady, Fumiko Ishioka, Emil Sher illuminates these dark days of winter with the hope.
Join the circle of viewers through the webcast and archive. Share the link and "expand the circle."
Add that to
Dr Martin Luther King Jr's notion of a " the beloved community" and you'll know why I'm counting my blessings and looking forward to next week's continuing work @library.
Thanks.
I've no sooner unpacked ski gear after a ski-licious holiday vacation than I've reason to begin packing for ALA MidWinter in Boston Jan 7-11. I'm looking forward to connecting with friends and colleagues from the world of ideas and information. I'll be sure to leave plenty of room in my physical (and mental) suitcase to bring back to my little school with big ideas, to Seattle library colleagues and to share with WLMA colleagues.
But it may be that "Unpacking Hana's Suitcase" is the most thrilling event on my Jan 2016 calendar.
That's because on Jan 20th I am honored to be hosting Holocaust survivor George Brady, his daughter Lara Hana Brady, Tokyo Holocaust Education Center director Fumiko Ishioka and Toronto playwright Emil Sher for a one hour conversation based on the remarkable "Hana's Suitcase" by Karen Levine.
Thanks to the Seattle Public Library's Global Reading Challenge, for choosing this remarkable story as one read by 4-5th graders in this year's 60-school GRC.
Thanks also to the Seattle Children's Theater for hosting a production of the play, and for mobilizing generous support from the "Friends of Hana's Suitcase" including Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, that have made this event possible.
In addition to the thrill of meeting the embodiment of this moving story, I am excited to be able to share our conversation with others via a
Google+Hangout available live and in archive here:
Joining our Sanislo Elementary 4-5th graders with questions for our guests will be GRC students from 3 other Seattle school libraries as well as any who post questions to a Padlet I've set to catch notes, questions and comments from the wider "view only" audience, as time allows. Have a look:
http://padlet.com/seasholes/Suitcase and feel free to add questions or notes of your own.
This event has so many moving parts, I'm relieved that SCT has made it possible for Mari Kim to have been brought onboard to serve as event coordinator. Mari's got great organizational skills that will ensure that everything comes together in this remarkable group effort. I can't wait to attend the
SCT Teacher's Preview Event on Tues 19th at 5:30-6:30 and to welcome guests into our school library on the 20th.
Pretty big day for K12 education and school libraries in particular.
http://www.slj.com/2015/12/industry-news/every-student-succeeds-act-and-federal-support-of-school-libraries-passes-house-and-senate/#_
Throughout the legislation is an emphasis on
quality school library programs. That's great news for teacher-librarians who readily adopt and adapt the WLMA LIT framework to serve student learning.
http://www.wla.org/wlma-lit-framework .
It helps focus attention on the sort of
library quality scale that Liz Coker developed as part of her WSSLIT analysis. I suspect that WLMA would be smart to turn that LQS into a badge or commendation process whereby we certify and applaud Quality LIT Libraries to promote the work of LIT librarians in Washington.
The SLJ article remains a great summary of measurable impact of Quality Library Programs, use it!
http://www.slj.com/2015/05/research/washington-study-further-ties-quality-library-programs-to-student-success/#_The WSSLIT study is only a small part of the Scholastic "School Libraries Work" publication on national library research findings.
http://edublog.scholastic.com/post/its-fact-school-libraries-workAll in all, the news for school libraries is brighter that it has been in some time, at least at the national level.
What about state/district support? How can we use the data and LIT programs to ensure that every student is served with robust school library and technology programs?
I'm clearly a staunch supporter of the work of our state WLMA/WLA
http://www.wla.org/wlma and AASL/ALA organizations
http://www.ala.org/aasl/. Both work for the good of all, both have contributed to the legislative successes of today and in student success in the days ahead. Join us!
Thanks to a LIT-TL bit of AASL committee work and Taylor Foley at HMHCO.COM, I am looking forward to helping out on a webinar introducing David Weisner's brilliant app/book SPOT on at 6PM Central Time, on January 26th.
SPOT wwas a winner of the AASL Best Apps for Teaching and Learning and dazzled me when I first viewed it at ALA in San Francisco this past summer, and again at AASL Conference in Columbus. It is everything readers have come to expect from David Weisner, an always inventive, uniquely visual storyteller who has a shelf-full of outstanding books to his credit. And with Spot, David has applied the same visual creativity and verve in a fully interactive bit of visual storytelling.
My initial conversation with Taylor Foley focused on the David's 20 year journey to this story, the teacher guide and what will be a delightful chance to share with our web audience some of the treats that are in store. I look forward to developing the webinar further in the month ahead of its presentation.
Of course, you don't have to wait until January. Here's a trailer that will make it clear just why this Bookman is so excited about Spot:
David Wiesner’s Spot from HMH Kids on Vimeo.
The past month has been the heaviest librarians' conference cycle of my life, on top of the undeniably most difficult, saddest time my family has endured. Friends have gathered in both instances, and I am grateful for all who have joined me in this journey. Facebook can carry some of the sadness, let me note the flow of Books n'Bytes-worth events.
First the SLJ Leadership Summit 2015 rolled through Seattle in a dynamic weekend of school tour, Keynotes and Panels and the invitation to do a little writing to boot. Thanks to Jim Anderson for adding a delightful bit of sailing at the weekend's end.
Down to Oregon next for the OASL, where I presented a blended panel-me in the room, friends online in GoogleHangout in what I called "LITs Associate."
It was thrilling to have library friends like Teri Grief, Steve Hargadon, Michelle Luhtala, Joyce Valenza and David Loertscher willing to join in the conversation on the topic of....the value of associating widely. Looking back at the lineup who generously gave their time to the conversation I am grateful beyond words.
Then I had to shoot up to Portland for a Sunday memorial service for dear Tyler Heilman, the young man who would likely soon have been my son in law, but for one terrible instant when he fell from 3 Finger Jack.
Back to work and on to #WLMA15 in Yakima, expertly run by Margy VanDyke, Barb Engvall & Co.
Highlights include getting to know Aussie Lyn Hay on the drive over (and back), being inspired by Donnalyn Miller-thanks to Scholastic Inc sponsorship, and a series of advocacy panels and presentations in which our WSSLIT study had a role to play. We're glad to see that it is included in the new Scholastic "School Libraries Work 2015!" about to be released at....
And now on to #AASL15 in Columbus OH. http://national.aasl.org/ I am literally finishing this post and heading to the airport for the AASL Conference in Columbus. Look to hear more, soon.
With the School Library Journal Leadership Summit coming to Seattle next weekend, there's a buzz building here in OZ. We're looking forward to a full three days of connecting, sharing, learning and relaxing with colleagues from all over the school library map.
Yesterday I met with Audrey Querns at Seattle Public Schools to add some background information to our meeting with Stephanie Ham from Nashville who will bring some of the LimitlessLibraries story to the table in a preliminary meeting with Seattle Public Library and Seattle Public Schools folks moving forward towards stronger strategic collaboration between school and public libraries in our fair city.
I'm down as host for Friday's school library tour and have revisited all the sites to begin building an online resource. I've posted a glog that includes an online doc for collaborative note taking. I can't wait until the bus pulls out at 11AM Friday for a three hour swing through some of my favorite Seattle libraries.
Saturday 11am WLMA Social Media Maven Alpha DeLap and I will monitor a GoogleHangout and social media back channel during a Panel "Become Essential: Strategic Information Innovation in Every School – How the Pacific Northwest has taken a pragmatic approach to rebuilding and reimagining teacher librarians to meet strategic student learning needs." Even if you can't make it to the summit next weekend, the video hangout and archive will let you hear from Colet Bartow, Mark Ray, Tara Jones, and Jeanne Littrel-Kwik as moderated by Mike Eisenberg.
There's loads more going on and more library friends in one room than I ever could wish for. There's still time to join in the fun, as registration is still open at http://www.slj.com/leadership-summit/
Yiikes writing about "loads more going on" reminded me that the Seattle Mini-Maker Fair is underway this weekend. Gotta go....Make Something!
Top 10 Labor Day Songs | BillMoyers.com Glad to see that Mr Moyers agrees on #1 and adds ten other great tunes for this Labor Day. Solidarity Forever, indeed!
Last night our SeattleEA sang out in one, thundering chorus of "Aye"s followed by an electrifying silence to unanimously agree to strike against Seattle Public Schools if a collective bargaining agreement is not reached by the scheduled start of school on Wednesday Sept 9, 2015.
How I wish Pete Seeger could have heard that stunning song of solidarity with which members filled Seattle's symphony hall. This morning the newspaper headlines make it clear, we will strike unless the mediated bargaining does not produce an agreement. We want to start school on time, but with a fair contract. "No more "Giving Tree," said teacher-librarian Anne Aliverti, who has represented us on the bargaining team. It's time to stand strong.
In Seattle I'm ready to sing the chorus and write another verse to one of Pete's favorite songs which he sang for working people everywhere, including here in Wisconsin in 2011
I went to bed last night thrilled by being one voice in the chorus provided by my SeattleEA brothers and sisters in our historic vote in Seattle. http://www.seattlewea.org/ and I woke up this morning ready to stand strong for what is right. Together now, let's sing out:
With a little TLC bikes can roll on and on and on. All deserve a long lifetime of service, well beyond their first owners. Here’s the story of a boy’s much loved shiny red bicycle. Once outgrown, Big Red is shared with a service group that sends it in a container-load of bikes where it gains not one but two additional “lives” with users in Burkina Faso. “City bike” becomes “country bike”, helping a girl get quickly to the family farm and sturdily to market with crops that improve her family’s well being. As this second rider outgrows Big Red, it is given to a hospital group that salvages bikes for service as a pedal-powered rural ambulance.
While KidsCan Press’ characteristically cheery Canadian optimism shines through with its almost-too-good-to-be-true goodness, a discussion guide shows how the book can be used to spur students to action with resource links that provide a next-step to taking ideas into action. Ride on!
As in their previous picture book “Sylvia’s Spinach” Anna Raff’s illustrations are a wonderful companion to Katherine Pryor’s simple story and healthy message for young readers and eaters.
Sounds familiar, right? Zucchini are notoriously heavy producers that often overwhelm gardeners with their plenty. As in other books from ReaderstoEaters, there are lessons to be harvested as well as healthy food. Faced with a daunting harvest of zucchini, Zora comes up with the idea of a Garden Swap, with a sign reading “TAKE A VEGGIE LEAVE A VEGGIE...or at least please take some zucchini.!” Despite a disappointingly slow start, in the end folks come from all over the neighborhood trading their own too fruits and veggies: tomatoes, potatoes, berries, and beans. Everyone leaves this Garden Swap with an armload of healthy food and fertile seeds for a more vibrant community through gardening.
Having been sent an advance readers PDF of Zora's Zucchini, with the book due out this summer, I tested this book out with my kindergarten class using a decidedly pre-eBook format.
I printed all 21 single sided images, taped them together into a long-scroll that mounted into a simple box and two spindle "cranks". We read together before heading to our own class garden to plant...zucchini! What a great way to share literacy and gardening, all thanks to ReaderstoEaters!
The kids loved the story and I enjoyed reviving the "Friday at the Movies" tradition that I enjoyed for years at Happy Medium School. These days in Seattle, it's fun to see Sue Trueman add her musical talents and visual ingenuity via the http://www.thecrankiefactory.com/ . I've uploaded my own plans that I shared in workshops over 20 years ago can get you going on your own cardboard Crankie Station, a perfect accessory that promises hours of drawing, writing and reading fun.
Who knows, if Crankies gain popularity maybe publishers will start providing their books in scroll format again!?!
Washington Study Further Ties Quality Library Programs to Student Success
This is a very nicely written article giving context to the WSSLIT study conducted by Dr Liz Coker, as written by SLJ's Carolyn Sun. Hats off, too to the graphic design crew that created this infographic of one of the key findings of our study.
I was pleased that it was released today the same day as we received shipment of printed copies. It is exciting to see our efforts coming into circulation in library land...now to get things noticed in administrative and legislative offices where real support for student learning can be shown through equitably funded, fully-staffed library and information technology programs.
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