Vicki Courtenay Presentation - SLANSW Presentation

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend an online presentation by the School Library Assocation of NSW (SLANSW) Teacher Librarian of the year - Vicki Courtenay. Vicki is a Teaching and Learning Librarian at Trinity Grammar at Summer Hill (Sydney). 

I enjoyed listening to some of the work that she has engaged in but also provided insights into the work of the team at the Arthur Holt Library at their main campus in Summer Hill.

I was impressed with the idea of a booking sheet that teachers can use to book for Teacher Librarians to undertake research skills workshops with their classes. I was left wondering why I never had the idea in my head in previous years. I could have even created a flyer that could have provided an overview of ideas for possible research skills lessons. I believe that it could even be used for wide reading lessons etc if the English teacher wanted to focus on a specific aspect of wide reading.

It left me with better ideas as well on how to collaborate with teachers in the preparation of assessment tasks and also educating students in skills associated with academic integrity. Reflecting on it, I think I may have missed opportunities for collaboration even though I did collaborate actively with colleagues focusing on their students specific needs.

Finally I was interested by her insights into wide reading and promoting a positive reading culture. There are many ways that one can promote a positive reading culture, but did enjoy hearing insights into how Trinity Grammar has promoted reading and literature e.g. the book that changed my life. I actually liked the idea that they applied because it makes one reflect on the impact that reading a particular book has changed their lives and how it has changed for the better. Books can inspire us to make the decisions that ultimately shape our lives, whether it may be to change our behaviour, our lifestyles, our perspectivcs, develop our interests or even shape the career path that we choose to take. It may have even had an emotional impact in our lives or help us to discover something.

I could relate to one aspect of the wide reading program that they implement there - sharing reviews of books that have been read as part of wide reading sessions. I have encouraged this. I believe that students are more likely to read a certain title if a friend recommends it than that of a teacher. I think it also helps others to be aware of the books that are popular or are available. I know personally that hearing reviews by other people has even helped me decide what to read next, especially if I am uncertain about it.

Children paying the price of library shutdowns (SMH Article by Ursula Dubosarsky)

A few weeks ago, Children's author and Australian Children's Lauerate Ursula Dubosarsky wrote a feature in The Sydney Morning Herald focusing on the impact of library shutdowns on Children.

Since this article was written, all students have resumed schooling on-site, even if it is just for one day per week. Some have opted to bring all students back with normal classes each day.

Fortunately (unless directed to), school libraries can still open, but there may be restrictions in place e.g. numbers may be capped during break times). Students can still borrow books.

There may be schools where classes (unless timetabled) may not be permitted to access the library and contain students to normal classrooms to minimise movement around the school.

Primary Schools at this stage from the information that I have cannot have normal timetabled library lessons which deprives students of that opportunity to borrow new books to read but also engage with the library. From the times that I have engaged with primary school students, they love their library lessons (especially kindergarten kids) and the thrill of choosing a book to read and then enjoying the thrill of reading the book. We should at least aim to give them time to borrow and return a book. In high schools, some teachers will send the students in small groups to borrow. I remember in Year 6, my primary school library decided to barcode the entire collection and we were only allowed into the library for borrowing (Yours truely assisted as he was a library monitor at the time).

I have been supervising Stage 3 students at a local primary school in the Sutherland Shire on a part time basis and have been impressed by the teachers requiring their students as part of their online learning to spend 20 minutes reading each day. The kids that are at school start off their day with it. Great Work!!! Even had some great conversations with the students about their reading choices.

While some schools have access to eBooks for students, others don't and that places students at a disadvantage given that eBooks are better alternative than reading nothing at all and I hope that this pandemic leads to every school offering its students an eBook collection. While the preference for reading is print form, there are some situations where eBooks do provide an advantage over print. At least a child is reading.

Every person - Teachers, parents, family and friends all have a role to encourage of our children even with the limitations with access to libraries (public and at school), that they should read each day. Explore the alternatives like eBooks. Read a newspaper or magazine if a book is not available. In NSW, book stores are still open. Invest your money in a good book. Reading will underpin success in life.

Restrictions may be easing, but its not too late to embrace reading.

For our public libraries - Please explore ways to allow people to still borrow. Follow the lead of the Northern Beaches Library and provide a "click and collect" service.

Tip: While Discount Department Stores (BigW, Kmart & Target) provide books at great prices, I find that QBD offer a great selection of books at discounted prices and often for books that may not be sold at those stores.

Internal Reading Challenges

I am trying to create an internal reading challenge at school. Over the past few weeks, I have managed through the OZTL_Net forum and within the Association of Independent Schools to find out how schools have coordinated their own reading challenges.

Thank you to those who have lent me a hand in sharing their ideas

Some schools will also offer the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge if in NSW alongside or equivalent if in other states.

Each school that I have come across so far has adopted different approaches whether it may be:

• Students must read from a set list.
• Students can read any book and earn points according to the format or genre of the book read.
• One school has a book bingo system which students must read books that reflect a statement or description of the book e.g. "A book that was published in 2019".

At Dapto High School several years ago, my jobshare partner and I created a challenge that was similar to book bingo, but it was a collaborative effort with students in their English classes deciding which student was going to meet each challenge e.g. read a book with a red cover. We also had the students complete short book reviews, which were published in their newsletter. There was a pizza lunch at the end for the first class to complete the challenge. 

It was only open at the time to Year 7 and 8 English classes. 

In addition, Barbara Braxton provided me with a link with ideas that any Teacher Librarian can use and can be adapted to any age.

https://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/dr-bookloves-reading-challenges/ 

I am hoping to reflect on this further in time.