Lessons for an Elementary Library Media Specialist
In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on the instructional role of Library Media Specialists with the publication of the American Association of School Librarians standards in 1998, updated in 2007. The library media specialist plays multiple roles, including program administrator, information specialist, and teacher. Her focus is to ensure that students are effective users of information and ideas.
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Super3 and Big6 Processes
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Super3 and Big6 are three- and six-stage process models for using information resources to solve problems and complete assignments. Media Specialists demonstrate the use of these models to teach students how to gather and evaluate information in the library. Super3 was developed for use with kindergarten through second-grade students. It involves "planning," or identifying what they are supposed to do and figuring out how they are going to do it; "doing," or locating, accessing and using materials; and "reviewing," or deciding if they completed the task and are ready to turn it in. The more elaborate Big6 process can be used from grade three and beyond.
How to Use a Wiki
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A wiki is a free website that serves as an editable repository of information for a class project. A wiki can be set up by the Media Specialist for a collaborative study group or class. Individual students gain access with passwords to add or edit information. Students and teachers receive instruction from the library media specialist about protocols and how to use their wiki effectively.
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Media Center Scavenger Hunt
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This lesson for fourth- and fifth-grade students teaches about library resources. Prepare identical sets of numbered scavenger search cards to hand out to small groups of students. Search cards can include finding the call numbers of specific nonfiction and fiction books, the page number of a specific article in an encyclopedia, the title of a web page address, the definition of a word from a dictionary, the grade level of a certain book, and the title and author of a book about an American president. Students bring items to the media specialist to check off until a winner is declared. Remaining groups continue until they have completed their list.
Research Project: Sharks
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Elementary students are interested in sharks, and most school libraries have a selection of non-fiction and fiction books on this subject. There are also encyclopedia, Internet, and magazine articles that include interesting illustrations and photos. Give students a grade-appropriate assignment sheet that includes room to fill in answers to questions about sharks, draw a shark diagram, and list references they consulted for the project. Assist students as needed to complete the assignment sheet.
Teaching Dewey Decimal
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This five- or six-week third-grade lesson helps students use the Dewey Decimal System. At every meeting, break down and explain a small section of the Dewey System; for instance, the 500 to 600 range of categories. Ask students where to locate book titles that fall within these categories. Using a cheat sheet, groups compete to be the first to identify the correct call number for each book title.
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References
- School Library Monthly: SLMAM Skills Correlations---New (2007) to Old (1998)
- Longwood University: Instructional Role of the Library Media Specialist
- Scholastic: School Libraries Work!
- School Library Journal: Make Way for Wikis
- Learn NC: Off To The Races" Familiarize Students With The Media Center
- Kid Zone: Shark Activities
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
