Comments on: Second Guest Blog on Nonfiction and the New Standards

By: Lynn Rutan

Lynn Rutan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:58:21 +0000

Teachers and librarians LOVE books with practical examples and lesson plans Mark, so I’m sure something like this would be very welcome. Sadly I think school libraries are in such a state of crisis now that it is going to take a large and dramatically different effort soon to alter the trend.

Mary Ann – your idea is really exciting to me because I think it is going to take the combined efforts of many influential groups to make a difference – both for school libraries and for schools. I’m excited about the new standards and the promise these hold for change. Somehow all of us who are passionate about learning and literacy need to find a way to work together better.

By: marc

marc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:12:44 +0000

why don’t the two of you, Mary Ann and Lyn, write a book on the teacher-school librarian partnership in the age of the new standards? Start with a couple of panels — at teaching and library conferences — and then build to a book. We authors have felt the lack of this alliance for decades, and you two could lead the way in rebuilding it.

By: Mary Ann Cappiello

Mary Ann Cappiello — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:02:45 +0000

Lynn, I couldn’t agree with you more. In the past, I’ve included a public library visit as part of my nonfiction course, to encourage teachers to cultivate relationships with their local public librarians as well as their school librarians. I begin all of my graduate courses encouraging teachers, both preservice and inservice, to get to know their school librarian, as s/he is their best ally in developing curriculum and creating a literacy-rich environment for their students. However, too many school administrators and school boards, as you well know, have allowed school libraries to be staffed with well-meaning aides, who don’t have the expertise to keep up with the industry, select texts, and support teachers. We need a Sputnik-era type of investment in school libraries and skilled librarians, not just library gatekeepers, if we are to meet the challenge of the Common Core Standards. I wonder what the possibilities are of a joint effort, via NCTE, IRA, and ALA to envision a model framework for collaboration?

By: Lynn Rutan

Lynn Rutan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:54:12 +0000

I couldn’t agree more about the power of nonfiction and think instruction in nonfiction and its use for teachers is important. I would add an equally critical component though. Pre-service teacher training should include discussion on the role and importance of the school librarian, what skills they bring to the instructional and literacy equations and the power of collaborative planning and delivery of instructional content. It couldn’t be more important to have teachers on board with literary nonfiction but it is my experience that it is the rare teacher, no matter how passionate, who has the time or the resources to keep up with the amazing and dynamic range of youth publishing. One of the key roles of school librarians, along with their instructional roles, is to survey new publications, select and purchase materials that fit school curricula, and bring those books to the attention of the teachers.

When a passionate non-fiction savvy teacher and a passionate dynamic school librarian collaborate, the result is an instructional power that moves mountains and inspires students. Too few teacher-training institutions even acknowledge this power or include it in systematic instruction. Is it any wonder that whenever a budget crises hits, librarians are first on the hit list?

Revamping pre-service teacher training is long overdue to include the study of nonfiction and its use in the classroom. There is tremendous instructional and literacy-enhancing power there. But while we’re at it, let’s include instruction in the power of school librarian/teacher collaboration. Kids deserve it.