Using Centers to Support Differentiation in the School Library Julie-Renee Hale GTE 537 Spring 2013.

Using Centers to Support Differentiation in the School Library

Julie-Renee HaleGTE 537

Spring 2013

My Mission Statement

The mission of the Warren Elementary Library Media Center is to encourage students to choose books that promote a lifelong love of reading, to teach students to be effective users of information, and to encourage and prepare students to be lifelong learners.

Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537

What is the purpose of a school library?

The school library should

• Embrace the needs of all learners

• Actively collaborate with teachers

• Create a rich learning environment for all students

(Raysonho, 2008)


What is Differentiation?

(Differentiation, n.d.)

"The adaptation of classroom learning to suit each student's individual needs, strengths, preferences, and pace by either splitting the class into small groups, giving individual learning activities, or otherwise modifying the material."


What is a center?

"A learning model that places the student (learner) in the center of the learning process. In student-centered learning, students are active participants in their learning; they learn at their own pace and use their own strategies; they are more intrinsically than extrinsically motivated; learning is more individualized than standardized."

(Center of Learning, n.d.)


Why use centers in a school library?

Centers provide opportunities for students to:

• Review

• Create

• Connect

• Collaborate

• Experience

• Choose learning opportunities

• Stay actively engaged

(Rocket000, 2007)


Center Specifications & Disclosures

Each centers is aligned with either Common Core Standards, International Society for Technology in Education Standards or Standards for the 21st Century Learner.

All centers listed in this presentation are modeled on my elementary school library. I see each of my 31 homerooms for 45 minutes per week.


Available Resources

I have a unique library situation in that my principal fully supports technology in our building.

These resources are available to me each day:

• 9 iMac computers

• ActivBoard

• 4 iPads

• 30 4th generation iPods

• 30 iMac laptops available by reservation* If you do not have a library with technology resources, be creative! Save

book fair money, talk with your PTO or host a fundraiser.


Computer Center

Purpose : To allow students to review technology skills as well as to use gaming for educational purposes.

Standards: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and

practice legal and ethical behavior.(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).

Time Needed : 15 - 30 minutes

Grade Levels : Kindergarten - 6th grade

# of students : 9 students


Computer Center

This list of websites are excellent sites to begin with when incorporating a computer center into a school library. A school librarian should continually evaluate and explore new websites that best fit the needs of her students.

• www.starfall.com (K,1)

• www.cookie.com (K, 1)

• www.turtlediary.com (K, 1, 2)

• http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ (2, 3, 4)

• www.abcya.com (K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• http://hyerlinks.weebly.com/ (4, 5, 6)

• http://interactivesites.weebly.com/index.html (4, 5, 6)

• www.mission-us.org (5, 6)

(Hale, 2013)


Smartboard Center

Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while exploring technology skills, and to use gaming for educational purposes.


Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology

and practice legal and ethical behavior.Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage

projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).


Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade



Smartboard Center

A Smartboard Center is an excellent way for students to work in a center and use a computer cooperatively. As the computer screen is magnified on an interactive board, the Smartboard Center allows students to collaborate with other students while being engaged more effectively with the Internet.

Suggested Smartboard Websites:

• PBS Kids Interactive Whiteboard games http://pbskids.org/whiteboard/ (2, 3)

• I-Spy http://www.scholastic.com/ispy/games/ (2, 3, 4)

• Interactive Sites for Education http://interactivesites.weebly.com/ (3, 4, 5)

• Utah Education Network http://www.uen.org/3-6interactives/index.shtml (3, 4, 5, 6)

• Word Game Time http://www.wordgametime.com/ (3, 4, 5, 6)

(Boling, 2011)


Reading Center

Purpose : To allow students to read a variety of materials that interest them. The main purpose of this center is reading for enjoyment.

Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10 Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

(National Governor's Association, 2012) 1st

3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others

4.1.1 Read, view and listen for pleasure and personal growth(American Library Association, 2007).





Reading Center

A Reading Center gives students the opportunity to discover and explore literature through a variety of reading materials. A reading center allows students free choice in their reading and encourages students to read for fun. All books in a reading center should be available for checkout. The books in a reading center should be constantly moving and circulating.

Suggested Reading Materials:

• Picture books

• Chapter books

• Biography

• Non-fiction

• Magazines(Hale, 2013)


iPad / iPod Center

Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while exploring technology skills, and to use gaming for educational purposes.


Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology

and practice legal and ethical behavior.Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage

projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).





iPad / iPod Center

An iPad/iPod Center is an fun way for students to learn through gaming. Students are able to reinforce classroom skills by playing a variety of apps. Because of licensing issues, I suggest only "buying" free apps.

These are a few of my favorite apps:

Math Science Social Studies Strategy Word

ArithmeTick - Math Flash Cards

Animal Kingdom HD

National Parks by National Geographic

Lego Creationary Chicktionary for iPad

Challenging Timestable

Brain Pop States-N-Capitals Mancala Mad Libs

Counting Money Weird but True by National Geographic

US State Quiz Mahjong Poetry Creator

(Hale, 2013)


Lego Center

Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while building and creating with Legos

Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

(National Governor's Association, 2012) 1st

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.(National Governor's Association, 2012) 2nd

Time Needed : 30 minutes




Lego Center

In a Lego Center, the goal is learning through play. Students will be encouraged to create, build and share which inspires language development and problem solving skills.

Lego Challenges:

• Build something monochromatic

• Build something using 20, 30 or 40 bricks

• Build a creature

• Build food

• Build a tool• Build _____________ - students should be encouraged to create

anything they want!

(Hale, 2013)


Games Center

Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively and learn through play.

Standards: 3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others. 3.4.3 Assess own ability to work with others in a group setting by evaluating

varied roles, leadership, and demonstrations of respect for other viewpoints.4.2.1 Display curiosity by pursuing interests through multiple resources. 4.3.3 Seek opportunities for pursuing personal and aesthetic growth.

(American Library Association, 2007)

Time Needed : 30 minutes


# of students : 4-8 students


Games Center

In the Games Center, the goal is learning through play. Students will read directions and participate in favorite classic games as well as new games.

Games to include:

Checkers

Chess

Connect 4

Puzzles (24, 50 & 100 piece)

Sorry

Uno

* The possibilities are truly limitless . . .

** Students should also be encouraged to create their own games

(Splattne, 2007)


How to Manage & Implement

Implementation

Introduce one or two centers each week

As centers are introduced, be sure to let each student participate

Management

There are two choices:

Create a rotation so every student visits a center at least once per month

Let students choose their center with the understanding they need to visit each center at least once per month


How is the Library Supporting Differentiation?

FREE CHOICEStudents are told all day long what they

can & cannot do . . . Allowing students to choose learning

activities provides them with an opportunity to control their learning environment while working cooperatively with their friends and classmates.


Another Perspective

This school librarian has awesome centers to checkout!

(Centered School Libraries, 2011)


What's Next for My Library

As I have worked on this presentation, I have been implementing centers these centers into my own school library. I want to step library centers up a few levels. I am interested in researching extended projects for students to complete in their centers.

What I'm looking into . . .

• Ways to implement a research project in the computer center

• Book reviews and book talks for the reading center

• Grade level or school level wide lego quest competition


A CRAZY Center Idea!

Not sure I'm ready to implement a snake center however I'm sure it would be a BIG hit!

(Library Centers, 2013)


ReferencesAmerican Library Association (2007). Standards for the 21-Century Learner. Retrieved from

http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL

Boling, J. (2011, August 8). [Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved fromhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AUSMC-110816-M-7621B-001.jpg

Center of Learning: Definitions. (n.d.). IN TIME: Home. Retrieved fromhttp://www.intime.uni.edu/model/center_of_learning_files/definition.html

Centered School Libraries (2011, December 3). Library Centers Tour.wmv [Video file]. Retrieved fromhttp://youtu.be/rJZ97NMc0v0

Differentiation | Definition. (n.d.). Education.com | An Education & Child Development Site for ParentsParenting & Educational Resource. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/definition/differentiation/

Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Computer Center.

Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: iPod Center.

Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Lego Center.

Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Reading Center.


ReferencesInternational Society for Technology in Education. (2007). Nets for student resources. Retrieved

fromhttp://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-s-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Library Centers (2013, February 10). Library Center Snake [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/SCFOVyPQQJI

National Governors Association (2012). Common Core State Standards Initiative | English Language Arts Standards |AnchorStandards | College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading. Common Core StateStandards Initiative | Home. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/R

National Governors Association (2012). Common Core State Standards Initiative | Mathematics | Mathematics |Standards for Mathematical Practice. Common Core State Standards Initiative | Home . Retrieved fromhttp://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice

Raysonho (2008, November 12). Steacie Library [(Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/SteacieLibrary.jpg

Rocket000 (2007, October 18). Question Book [Graphic, Public Domain]. Retrieved fromhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AQuestion_book.png

Splattne (2007, July 2). Stern-Halma (Chinese Checkers) board [Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved fromhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHalma-Spielfeld.jpg


Using Centers to Support Differentiation in the School Library Julie-Renee Hale GTE 537 Spring 2013.

Documents

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studentcentered learning

learning model

motivated learning

learning process

studentsjulierenee hale

elementary school library

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