Violet H. Harada

In this book, theory is blended with practical application to provide a concise, up-to-date explanation of how school librarians can work with students and teachers to assess for learning in 21st century schools. Coauthors Harada and Yoshina authored the first text that focused on learning assessment in a school library context. In this revised and expanded version of Assessing for Learning: Librarians and Teachers as Partners, they continue to shed light on the issue of school librarians helping students to assess for learning. The book begins with a brief discussion of national reform efforts and the importance of assessment for effective learning within this context. The balance of the book provides numerous strategies and tools for involving students as well as library media specialists in assessment activities, emphasizing the importance of students assessing for their own learning. It also provides specific examples of how assessment can be incorporated into various library-related learning activities. All chapters in this second edition have been updated with additional information, and three new chapters on assessing for critical thinking, dispositions, and tech-related learning have been added.

Zmuda and Harada explore the increasing number of job descriptions in schools for learning specialists with the accompanying difficulty in effectively leveraging these roles to positively affect student learning. School librarians have been one of these learning specialists for decades. The ranks have expanded in recent years to include many other content area specialists. Grant Wiggins' foreword emphasizes the relevance of learning specialists is grounded in their ability to deliver results on mission-critical measures. This title incorporates quotations, exemplars, and findings from experts in both mainstream and librarian-focused education literature in an inclusive approach making the text accessible and credible for any leader charged with improving the system's ability for improved student achievement.There are an increasing number of job descriptions in schools for learning specialists - certified teachers with specialized areas of expertise whose job it is to improve student performance. While these positions are attractive ideas in theory, there are real challenges in effectively leveraging such roles to positively affect student learning. School librarians have been one of these learning specialists for decades. The ranks have expanded in recent years to include reading specialists, literacy coaches, writing coaches, technology specialists, mathematics specialists, science specialists, and teachers of English Language Learners. References included throughout the book incorporate quotations, exemplars, and findings from experts in both mainstream and librarian-focused education literature. This inclusive approach makes the text accessible and credible for any leader charged with improving the system's ability for improved student achievement. Grant Wiggins' foreword emphasizes the premise that the relevance of learning specialists is grounded in their ability to deliver results on mission-critical measures.

This is the book that high school media specialists have been asking for! Finally, a project-based approach to student learning in high school featuring the school library media specialist in a starring leadership role in the school improvement process!This is the book that high school media specialists have been asking for! Finally, a project-based approach to student learning in high school featuring the school library media specialist in a starring leadership role in the school improvement process!• Includes how-to directions for project-based learning for high school students• Find scientifically-based research incorporated into actual practice• See both theory and practice in active collaboration to bring authentic examples of the school media specialist’s leadership role in school improvement• Use the best rubrics and plans you can ever imagine today with your students and teachersExperienced and award-winning librarians collaborate to bring you the book you need to employ best practices with high school students. It is all here in this book—the why, the what, and the how. Allow these wise authors to affirm what the school librarian knows: that collaborating with teachers to guide high school students in inquiry-based learning is an effective practice. Watch learning soar as students are deeply engaged in their meaningful school work.

This third entry in the Principles and Practice series focuses on the role of the library media specialist as a change agent in the school. The purpose of this book is twofold: to provide insight into the role of the school librarian as change agent and to demonstrate strategies for being an effective change agent using a subset of current reform initiatives. The authors are educators, library media specialists, and researchers who share a common belief in the ability of classroom teachers, administrators, library media specialists, parents, and community members to work together to create schools that make a difference in the lives of students, and help produce citizens who have a capacity to cope with change in the future. Grades K-12.

Begin a school-wide movement toward collaborative instruction and ultimate student success! Challenge yourself and teachers to build learning environments that focus on realistic issues and themes. Build a strong case for the role of the library media specialist in implementing curriculum changes.