[CASL-L] Curriculum Writing

[Tichy, Joan]

I agree, GET INVOLVED!

Curriculum Writing:  I always get involved in departmental curriculum writing at the high school level.  As a department chairperson, I also am involved at the district level.  Our K-12 media specialists work together to develop a comprehensive program.  We are short staffed, so the curriculum is written as the ultimate goal.  Often, we do have to scale down what we do teach, but the ultimate goal and theory is documented.

NEASC:  I also found at the high school level, it is important to get involved in the NEASC process.  I chaired the School Resources for Learning Committee at Shelton High School.  School Resources for Learning involves the oversight of Special Education, Library Media, Nursing and Social Services.  After NEASC, I charged our follow-up committee, Interdisciplinary Learning.  Everyone likes to collaborate with the media specialists and develop interdisciplinary projects as this is an "easy fit".

JAM and STEM Committees:  I am also very involved in our district initiatives JAM (Journalism Art and Media) and STEM.

Leadership Team:  I also sit on the Leadership Team at Shelton High School. We are very involved in program development and coordination of building activities.

Push Resources:  I also make sure my resources (books and online materials) are aligned with the high school curriculum.  I often pull carts of books and teachers bring them to their rooms.  I have a teacher that has a new topic every month.  Sample topics include:  Bill of Rights, Constitution, Presidents, Roman Empire, Medieval Times.  She will make stations in her classroom and students have to locate specific questions within the classroom materials.  We are all hearing about collaboration and utilizing non-fiction materials.  This works for us.  Our science department does the same thing.

Classroom Collaboration:   I also work with the Language Arts Department/English teachers.  They bring classrooms of students to the library and students find books by Lexile, topic and interest.  I have displays of books by Lexile, so that they can also browse find books.  Then the students must read the books and submit a review to Turn It In and then Destiny.  The  grade the reviews and then they are posted on the Destiny Catalog.

Collaborative Assured Experiences:  I try to "kick-off" as many research projects as I can.  I generally start the research projects in the library and share available online resources,  research strategies and production tips and then the teachers take over.  I drop in and coach as necessary.

From: casl-l-bounces at mylist.net [mailto:casl-l-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Vaghini, T
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:30 AM
To: Matthew Cadorette
Cc: casl-l at mylist.net
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Curriculum Writing

Matt,

I've worked on curriculum teams in the past. I just listen for a good while then let the info digest and I find I come up with the best ideas for improving curriculum when I do that. Often, my input is not directly related to the library (I don't worry about pushing my agendas). I just try to help where I can and the library program is naturally integrated simply because I'm involved and aware of what they are doing or trying to do. Just go in ready to listen is my advice.

Thomas Vaghini
Stafford High School

On Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 3:48 PM, Matthew Cadorette <MCadorette at waterfordschools.org<mailto:MCadorette at waterfordschools.org>> wrote:
I have been invited to work with our history department on their curriculum revision.

If you have worked on a curriculum team, what role did you play as a school librarian?

Were you with the team throughout the process or did you come in at a certain point?

I have some ideas of my own, but I would like to know what others have done.

Thanks for your help.

Matthew Cadorette
Librarian
Waterford High School
Waterford, CT 06385
(860) 437-6956


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--
Thomas Vaghini

Library Media Specialist
Stafford High School
145 Orcuttville Road
Stafford Springs, CT 06076
860.684.4233 x3032

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