Blog Interaction about School Library Media Health - Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, 2005

Underwood, A. (Oct. 3, 2005). The Good Heart. Newsweek.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9467735

The above article from Newsweek reports on the mounting evidence suggesting that psychological outlook is just as important to health as are diet and exercise.

Now, how might those factors be interpreted in shaping a healthy school library media program? Yes, I know many school media specialists could lose some weight (especially myself) . . . but that is not what I mean.

Think about the health of a school library media center in terms of diet, exercise, and outlook - - the diet of the library (inputs, what is taken in), exercise (activities, what gets done), and outlook (attitudes, climate, and atmosphere). Reflecting on our discussions and the course content of this semester, provide examples that represent a healthy program approach? Share your ideas and how they fit within the healthy school library framework.

Blog Interaction with Dana Hochstedler & Rob Cox – Thurs. Nov. 17 to Sat. Nov. 19, 2005

Dana Hochstedler and Rob Cox are both elementary media specialists in the same school system. This is Rob’s first year.

Learn more about both Dana and Rob at http://eduscapes.com/sms/hochstedler.html

You might start the discussions with Dana on her insights into maximizing a library center budget, her assignment covering two elementary buildings, and also facilities planning (One of her schools opened this year). You might ask Rob for his candid views on the first year on-the-job; his position is also divided between two schools.

Blog Interaction with Robyn Young – Mon. Nov. 14 to Wed. Nov. 16, 2005

Robyn Young is director of school media at Avon High School.

Learn more about Robyn at http://eduscapes.com/sms/young.html

Robyn Young would be an excellent person to e-talk about library media center newsletters, annual reports, and program assessment. Feel free to expand discussion to any related topics for school library media.

Blog Interaction with Chris Somers – Thurs. Nov. 10 to Sat. Nov. 12, 2005

Chris Somers, a former language arts teacher, is the media specialist at Indian Creek Middle School in Trafalgar, Indiana.

You can learn more about Chris by reading her background information at http://eduscapes.com/sms/somers.html

Her professional interests and expertise includes the integration of technology into the curriculum, assistive technology, and grantwriting and funding opportunities. Use this opportunity to e-discuss with Chris these or other related topics.

Blog Interaction with Linda Mills – Thurs. Oct. 27 to Sat. Oct. 29, 2005

Linda Mills is the library media specialist at Rosenmund Elementary School, Greensburg, IN.

Learn more about Linda Mills at http://eduscapes.com/sms/mills.html

You might begin your e-conversation with a focus on library media program planning, assessment and accountability, or collaboration with teachers. However any topic related to school library media would be fine.

Blog Interaction with Carl Harvey II – Mon. Oct. 24 to Wed. Oct. 26, 2005

Carl Harvey II is the library media specialist at North Elementary School, Noblesville, IN.

Learn more about Carl Harvey at http://eduscapes.com/sms/harvey.html

To begin the conversation, you might blog-talk with Carl about professional leadership and development, collaboration and curriculum development, or technology integration. I am sure that Carl is willing to discuss any idea and issue related to jobs in school library media.

Blog Interaction with Vickie Thomas – Thurs. Oct. 20 to Sat. Oct. 22, 2005

Vickie Thomas is the library media specialist at Anderson High School. Her high school recently underwent extensive renovations that included the library media center.

Learn more about Vickie Thomas at http://eduscapes.com/sms/thomas.html

You might begin discussions with Vickie on information skills, collaborative programs with public library, and facilities planning. But feel free to expand the interaction to any ideas and issues related to her work and career.

Blog Interaction with Bonnie Grimble – Mon. Oct. 17 to Wed. Oct. 19, 2005

Bonnie Grimble works in a large urban high school as the media center department chair working with three other media specialists.

Learn more about Bonnie Grimble at http://eduscapes.com/sms/grimble.html

You might focus discussions with Bonnie on program planning, administration and budgeting, facilities design, or the value of professional involvement. Or you can open up to include any issues and ideas related to her knowledge and experience.

Blog Interaction with Catherine Trinkle – Thurs. Oct. 13 to Sat. Oct. 15, 2005

Catherine Trinkle is the media specialist at Hickory Elementary in Avon, IN.

Learn more about Catherine Trinkle at http://eduscapes.com/sms/trinkle.html

You might start your e-conversation by asking Catherine about fixed versus flexible scheduling (she has worked in both environments), technology integration, or the basis of her opinion of AASL’s Information Literacy Standards. But feel free to bring up any issues that relate to the work of an elementary teacher librarian.

Blog Interaction with Deborah Levitov – Thurs. Oct. 13 to Sat. Oct. 15, 2005

Deborah Levitov has worked at elementary and secondary school libraries and public libraries. She spent several years as the Coordinator for Library Media Services at Lincoln Public Schools (NB). This past summer, she switched to being the Managing Editor of School Library Activities Monthly and Crinkles magazines.

Learn more about Deborah Levitov at http://eduscapes.com/sms/levitov.html

You may want to discuss writing practical articles for the profession or her ideas and experiences with staff development planning and activities. But with her wide background of experiences and expertise, I’m sure Deb would be willing to talk about anything related to school library media programs.

Blog Interaction with Jane Kokotkiewicz - Mon. Oct. 10 to Wed. Oct. 12, 2005

Jane Kokotkiewicz is a school library media specialist in a highly acclaimed private school. She is department chair for the library media services with three library media centers; one serving the Hilbert Early Education Center and Lower School, another serving the Middle School, and a third serving the Upper School.

Learn more about Jane Kokotkiewicz at http://eduscapes.com/sms/kokotkiewicz.html

Discussions with Jane might begin with comparing and contrasting work in private and public schools and involvement in curriculum and program planning. Feel free to move on to other aspects and interests.

Blog Interaction with Elizabeth Winningham – Thurs. Sept. 29 to Sat. Oct. 1, 2005

Elizabeth Winningham began her school library career opening the media center at Avon Intermediate School (Now designated as East). More recently, she was centrally involved in the planning, development, and opening of the media center for a new school, Avon Intermediate School West (Her new work location).

Learn more about Elizabeth Winningham at http://eduscapes.com/sms/winningham.html

You might start this virtual exchange asking Elizabeth of her unique insights into reading and approaches for helping reluctant readers, collaborative planning, information literacy, or her recent experiences in planning and opening a new school media center. But don't limit disccussion to these; Elizabeth has a wealth of information, ideas, and experience to share.

Blog Interaction with John McDonald - Mon. Sept. 26 to Wed. Sept 28, 2005

John McDonald, Connersville Middle School, is an active school library media specialist with seemingly endless energy and ideas. A few years ago as a beginning teacher librarian, he proactively initiated changes that truly impact students, his school and community. John has been successful in collaborating with administration, teachers and students.

Learn more about John McDonald at http://eduscapes.com/sms/mcdonald.html

You may want to start with discussion about his part in the adoption of an information inquiry model, or how he teams with students in the media center, or his insights on professional involvement. But feel free to bring up ideas and issues related to any part of his work.

Blog Interaction with Nancy McGriff - Thurs. Sept. 22 to Sat. Sept. 24, 2005

Nancy McGriff is a school library media specialist with lots of experience and a proven "track record." Her programs at two different school locations were given the Esther V. Burring award for the Exemplary Indiana Media Program (1992 and 1999). And she has reached outside her work location to lead in professional organizations, publish articles, and collaborate with and mentor colleagues.

To learn more, be sure to visit http://eduscapes.com/sms/mcgriff.html

It is appropriate to begin this semester's virtual visits with Nancy. You could start by focusing the discussion on program planning, grant writing, or the teacher librarian's role in reading, but feel free to jump in and ask a question in any area related to her work.

Bridging Theory and Practice

Welcome to our School Library Media Specialist blog for L553 at Indiana University at Indianapolis. Over the next few months we'll be exploring a wide range of topics that will help preservice teacher librarians bridge the gap between theory and practice. Each posting will focus on different key issues and topics. A guest professional will be commenting on the topic and answering questions.

Even if you're not registered for this class, feel free to comment if you have ideas you feel might be relevant to the discussion.