Contrary to the trend to do away with arts education as an unnecessary expense in schools trying to boost student test scores, this book promotes and explains the value of integrated arts instruction in furthering the accomplishment of curricular objectives and fostering student achievement. Accomplished library media specialist and arts instructor Kristin Fontichiaro discusses how drama, shadow puppetry, and podcasting can be used as tools to meet curriculum objectives in the K-8 media center. By concentrating on the process of creating a piece of drama or puppetry or a podcast, as...

Web 2.0, the read/write web creates new opportunities for students to share their learning with a larger, real world community via the Internet. One Web 2.0 tool that is gaining in popularity among educators is podcasting, the process of creating audio files using computer software and distributing them electronically, giving students authentic audiences and the motivation to do outstanding work. Contrary to popular understanding, podcasting software does not require an iPod. In fact, projects made with podcasting software also can be converted to CDs, sent via email, stored and heard on...

The basis for each scientific concept presented in "Story Starters and Science Notebooking" is embedded in a story appropriate for elementary-aged children. The activity that follows each narrative encourages learners to observe, compare, gather data, organize or classify, and draw conclusions about the problem posed from the story. Because current scientific knowledge and understanding guide scientific investigations, background information in each chapter provides teachers with a synopsis of the scientific concept involved in the activity for that story.

The story starters present a...

Ever since the initial release of the AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, "School Library Monthly" magazine has consistently focused on providing librarians with the information and strategies they need to help students achieve those standards. Now from the pages of that magazine comes a collection that no school library or librarian should be without.

"21st-Century Learning in School Libraries: Putting the AASL Standards To Work" brings together the ideas and methods of leading school librarians and educators across the nation, all focused on meeting the new standards. The...

School administrators are recognizing that school librarians are ideal to lead professional development because they service the entire school network, from the students and faculty to families and the community. As a national downturn in educational funding is diminishing districts' ability to optimally staff libraries, investing energy in professional development is a sound strategy to bring information literacy skills to every student--especially in buildings with part-time librarians, or districts with only a single librarian of record.

"Growing Schools: Librarians as Professional...