Librarian in the Learning Community
Course
Classroom Teachers [3:14]
- Learn why it is important to get to know your classroom teachers, one of the largest number of stakeholders in your school.
- Learn to reinforce content standards by integrating the curriculum into your lessons.
- Learn to connect the library space with the current topics being taught in the classroom.
First, get to know your colleagues as teachers. How long have they taught? What is their curriculum? What do they love—and not love—to teach? Through conversations like this, you will be better equipped to offer them personalized support. Consider letting them know when new books and resources arrive that align to what they teach. Use opportunities around the building to ask casually what unit they're in or getting ready to introduce. Follow up on that information by mentioning related resources available in the library. If your school is piloting new technology or innovative teaching methods, offer to model a lesson for teachers to observe. Finally, when you teach a lesson with a teacher or support a department with resources, spotlight the collaboration using your school's social media or the school's newsletter.
One of the easiest ways to connect the library with classroom teachers is through curriculum integration. Teachers have a lot to be responsible for, including covering curriculum, delivering lessons, grading student work, and more. Librarians can help alleviate teachers' stress by reinforcing content that students are learning in the classroom. For example, if a teacher mentions that a new unit on the Civil War is about to start, consider checking out the resources in your library about the Civil War and suggesting a few ways to integrate them. If you are in an elementary school, use a topic that you know students are learning in class as the topic for a research lesson during library time. Finally, when purchasing books and databases, consider all of the curriculum in your school. You want to be sure the library has materials to enhance learning in every content area and grade level. If you want to learn about more ideas for how your library can support curriculum, take a look at this lesson's activities.
Finally, let your library reflect what is being taught across the building. When a teacher shares what they are teaching or what's coming up next, take a moment to create a display related to that topic. If the teachers don't want to borrow those books, their students may want to check them out when they come to the library next! Another way to support classroom teachers in the library space is by exhibiting student projects around the library. They add amazing color to your library and both students and teachers alike will be excited to see themselves represented in the space. Finally, invite classroom teachers to schedule the library space for a lesson, special activity, or guest speaker.
These are just a few ways that you as the librarian can support classroom teachers. Connect with teachers by showcasing new resources that align to their content and spotlighting successful collaborative lessons. Use your knowledge of their curriculum to be sure your shelves reflect what is being taught in their classrooms. When classroom teachers see that the library space supports them, their teaching, and their students, they will not only be better teachers, but also may become library advocates for you and your program.
One of the most powerful ways librarians can support classroom teachers is by providing resources related to curriculum they teach. Learn more strategies for marketing your collection by watching the lesson from SLC's "Marketing the Library" course and completing the Reflect & Practice activity.
"Marketing the Library. Marketing the Collection." School Library Connection video. October 2018. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Home/Display/2174918?topicCenterId=1945911&learningModuleId=2174884.
A great way to connect with more teachers in your school is providing them the resources they need. Start by locating the Common Core Standards or other curriculum standards online for your state. (If you are unsure where to look, ask a teacher or administrator in your building.) Select a content area other than English/Reading as your area of focus. Using the Supporting the Curriculum with your Collection worksheet on page 2 of the handout (found in Resources above), highlight vocabulary words or important topics that students learn in that content area.
Using your library's catalog, search for those keywords to locate potential title matches. These resources align with the curriculum in your school! Make a plan for how you will introduce these resources to staff and students. Consider creating a display in the library, attending a team meeting, dropping by a teacher's classroom, or using them for an activity in the library with students.
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Librarian in the Learning Community: Supporting the Curriculum with Your Collection." School Library Connection, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2254660?learningModuleId=2254582&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2254662
A great way to market your library is by inviting colleagues into your library space to see what you have to offer. Use the resources below to begin planning a library event for all staff to attend.
"3 Easy Ways to Get Teachers into Your School Library." Librarian Lisa (blog). August 12, 2013, https://www.librarianlisa.com/3easyways/.
Plan a relaxed, fun event in the library to welcome teachers and administrators into your space. This can be done on a staff workday, before the school year starts, or any day you would like! Consider showcasing your space, new resources, and anything else you think your staff would be interested in. You may want to arrange it in stations/centers that focus on different aspects of the library, such as databases, the library website, the location of the professional collection, etc. Offer light refreshments and door prizes! Then, spotlight the event on social media or through your school's newsletter. Complete the Developing Relationships with Teachers worksheet on page 3 of the handout found in the Resources.
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Librarian in the Learning Community: Developing Relationships with Teachers." School Library Connection, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2254660?learningModuleId=2254582&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2254719
Additional Resources
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Librarian in the Learning Community. Classroom Teachers [3:14]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2254660?learningModuleId=2254582&topicCenterId=2247902.
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2254660?learningModuleId=2254582&topicCenterId=2247902
Entry ID: 2254660