Taste of TMC5 Papers : Instructional Approaches

Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library Learning Commons

Quotations from the Papers

"The documentation and sharing of learning in our makerspace has indeed made learning visible and has kindled conversation about making across the curriculum, resulting in an impact on teaching and learning not only in the library learning commons makerspace, but across the school." MelanieMulcaster

"Through the implementation of the library learning commons model, there will be more opportunities for wisdom to be cultivated, shared, and applied to students’ learning, and in the development of effective teaching and learning approaches." 

Mary-AnnMitchell-Pellett

"The entire school community should be a safe and supportive environment for all learners to develop, understand and value their own identity as well as the identity of others. The school library learning commons can be very instrumental in setting the tone for self-discovery and inclusiveness."

JudithSykes and Carol Koechlin

“As instructional leaders, teacher-librarians should always be thinking about ways to integrate reconciliation and Indigenous cultures within their schools…….. As educators, we have a tremendous role to play in the shaping of the Indigenous narrative in Canada. What we do, say, or don’t do and say, how we teach or the perspectives we champion in our Library Learning Commons have a tremendous impact on our students - Indigenous and non-Indigenous, alike.” Jo-AnneGibson

"Changing our practice as educators often requires changes in the way we think about the world, that is, changes in our often-unexamined assumptions about what is reality. The work of considering new-to-us theoretical frameworks and discourses is difficult and often uncomfortable." 

DianneOberg,PhD

"Windows and mirrors analogy - Make sure your students can see out the windows to learn about others, but they also need to see themselves in your school and Library learning Commons community to feel acknowledged and included." VivianneVogarty

Taste of TMC5 Papers : Learning Environment

Culturally Relevant and Responsive School LibraryLearning Commons

Picture Book Representations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer (LGBTQ) Families and Their Presence in School Libraries in Canada

by Michelle Brown

This paper details a research study focused on inclusion of LGBTQ literature in school library collections, specifically picture book depiction of family; and the challenges, concerns and best practices teacher-librarians face in developing inclusive collections. Research literature, components, methodology, results and references are shared along with an extensive list of LGBTQ titles studied across several provinces. Ms. Brown presents a fascinating look at an important and sensitive topic, with hope that library staff will continue or commence to work with their learning communities “to build collections inclusive to all”.

Equity and Social Justice in The Library Learning Commons

by Jenn Brown, Ontario

Teacher-librarian Jennifer Brown writes and reflects about the potential of the library learning commons design and practice to address equity and social justice in co-planning learning and teaching experiences, as well as shares the developed concept of an “open maker forum” for students. Brown includes reflective questions and resources for teacher-librarians to help build capacity in addressing equity and social justice, and provides two recent library learning commons project examples accompanied by illustrative photos: 1) a staff wide inquiry into embedding First Nation, Métis and Inuit perspectives in practice, and 2) a daily open learning opportunity for student voice in the makerspace movement.

Revisioning the Library as a Learning Commons

by Carlo Fusco

Enjoy this on site video of transformations Carlo Fusco has made to address building a Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library Learning Commons learning community.

Taste of TMC5: Leveraging Technology

Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library LearningCommons

School libraries and eLearning: Answering the call for access and equity by Michelle Campbell and Alanna King

Campbell and King share their work in Upper Grand District School Board to address equity and access to eLearning for all learners but especially at risk adolescents.

• Learning beyond school walls
• School libraries as safe spaces for eLearning
• Embedded school librarianship in online classrooms
• Imperative support for at-risk eLearning students
• Bridging the digital divide by partnering with public libraries

Founding Fathers Fighting to Toppling Tarnished Tributes – The Impact of Social Media, Primary Sources and Equity Education on A “Kids Guide to Canada” Prime Ministers Project by Diana Maliszewski

How can we help every student grow to be informed and active Canadians and global citizens?

What starts out as a family ‘Canada 150’ project soon morphs into a teaching and learning challenge for Diana Maliszewski. Enjoy this personal research journey through the conflicts and biases uncovered in some typical school library secondary sources and keep pace with the discoveries of alternate perspectives due to ‘real life’ incidents and then on to new revelations prompted by social media postings. Maliszewski then relates how she plans to take her own learning into the design of lessons for her classes. Only Maliszewski ends up with many still unsolved questions. Please add comments to this page if you have ideas and suggestions for her next steps.

Digital Human Library: Reimagining Library Collections in the 21st Century by Leigh Cassell

"With 19% of Canada’s population living in rural areas, there is an urgent need for resources and training to support students attending school in rural settings. Connections-based learning addresses many of the inequities rural students face by leveraging our connected world to cultivate meaningful relationships with others, as we partner locally and globally, learn with experts, support organizations, and serve our communities"

You can learn more about Leigh by visiting her website: https://www.digitalhumanlibrary.org

Sample the dHL experience: https://www.digitalhumanlibrary.org/expert-videos/

Taste of TMC 5 Papers: Learning Partnerships

Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library Learning Commons: Learning Partnerships

Power of the Arts and Technology in Collaborating with an Aboriginal Teen by Rhonda Hunter

“What happens when you pair a teacher-librarian with an Aboriginal teen?” In this paper you will discover the process and result of one such delightful collaboration resulting in the creation of a picture book about the prairie’s famous Chinooks, Chinook and Winter, written by teacher-librarian Rhonda Hunter and illustrated by high school student Jayce Lamontagne. Hunter presents the backgrounds of both writer and artist, incorporating technology effectively in the process, and encouraging educators to consider such collaborations in all schools.

 Inquiry Buddies by Greg Harris and Khai Ma

"There are many challenges when teachers and classrooms want to plan and work together. For planning, allocating money to facilitate the learning amongst teachers can always be a challenge. As a Principal, when a teacher or group of teachers initiate an interest that promotes learning and development of relationships among varying groups of students it is hard not to support this...."Allison Thomas, Principal of Ardagh Bluffs P.S. from Inquiry Buddies by Harris & Ma

 Working Together as a Learning Community by Pat Trottier

In her paper Pat Trottier shares many school projects and initiatives where relationship building had a very positive impact on teaching and learning. Teachers and students built stronger connections and parents and other community members were important partners in learning to understand and appreciate each other. Trottier relates how her diverse school community came together, over a two year period, as a culturally responsive learning community with the Library Learning Commons central to all programs.

Infusing Indigenous Perspectives in our Teaching and Learning by Joel Krentz

"A number of staff members had some legitimate concerns; a) they did not want to offend and b) they did not want to appropriate. Outside of the curriculum, they felt that they did not know enough about Indigenous culture and history to be able to effectively share these perspectives. They wanted to know what activities and teaching approaches were culturally sensitive and appropriate and which were not. I acknowledged these concerns and agreed to learn more myself and share what I learned at the next division meetings in June. I had homework to do."