Partnerships and Collaboration: Next Steps for an Integrated Information Literacy Curriculum Grades K-2

First Steps: Why Collaborate?

Research tells us: Integration of information literacy standards into class curriculum increases student knowledge and achievement But what is “information literacy”? It is “the ability to find and use information - -- [and] is the keystone of lifelong learning.” (American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1998)

AASL Information Literacy Standards The student who is information literate: 1. accesses information efficiently and effectively. 2. evaluates information critically and competently. 3. uses information accurately and creatively. (American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1998)

Collaborative efforts lead towards better learning, retention and later use of skills vs. individual, isolated instruction by teacher or library media specialist (Doll, C.A., 2005, p. 26)

That’s great! But why bother in kindergarten or first grade? “Quality experiences with information and computer technology in the library media center can overcome the inequities of preschool experiences and backgrounds.” (Jay, M.E., 2004, p. 51) ALSO “The sooner students are introduced to skills related to interacting with information, the sooner they can master them and begin applying them independently.” (Jay, M.E., 2004, p. 53)

But what else? Student early literacy skills become strengthened: Reading comprehension Print awareness Purposeful reading Fact vs. fiction Additionally, writing and communication skills (Harker, C. & Putonti, D., 2004, p. 40)

How do we get started? 1. Identify lessons we will teach 2. What are our expectations? 3. Define roles 4. Delve into lesson #1 Later: Reflect on lesson #1, revisit, and potentially revise (Doll, C.A., 2005, p. 38)

Our DECIDE Plan Define the situation (who, what, where, when) Examine the environment (curriculum and school context) Create a goal statement (lesson/unit accomplishment) Invent an intervention plan (instructional design, activities) Deliver the action plan (teach) Evaluate the intervention action plan (Doll, C.A., 2005, p. 58)

Kindergarten Goals Difference between fiction/nonfiction Tour the school library Author/illustrator roles Title What is information? Reading enrichment Literacy Connections: Curious George Visits the Library If You Give a Pig a Party Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom

First Grade Goals Discuss award winning books (Caldecott, Newberry) Picture dictionaries ABC order Using text and picture clues/ information gathering Online search Literacy Connections: The Grouchy Ladybug Where the Wild Things Are Zack’s Alligator Jack and the Beanstalk

Second Grade Goals Arrangement of books in the library Volume, page #, table of contents, call # Fiction vs. nonfiction review Understanding illustrations Types of writing styles Online catalog search (title & subject) Predictions/research/presentation Literacy Connections: The Hello, Goodbye Window Frog in the Bog The Story of Ferdinand Jimmy’s Boa and the Big Birthday Bash

What are your goals for the year? For this collaboration?

Possible Resources for Student Research Projects…. ABDO Publishing Company, (Buddy Books, Checkerboard Library, SandCastle) Capstone Press, (Bridgestone Books, First Facts, Pebble Books) The Child’s World, (Wonder Books) Heinemann Library, (Heinemann First Library, Heinemann Read and Learn)

References American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (1998). Information literacy standards for student learning: Standards and indicators. Retrieved from ala.org Doll, C.A. (2005). Collaboration and the school library media specialist. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Harker, C., & Putonti, D. (2004). Hook them with research: Luring primary teachers with early literacy skills. Knowledge Quest, 33(2), Jay, M.E. (2004). Write from the start: A technology-rich, collaborative project for kindergarten. Knowledge Quest, 33(2),