This textbook is interestingly presented. It teaches life science information in real-life ways using examples that are current and relevant. I've beeThis textbook is interestingly presented. It teaches life science information in real-life ways using examples that are current and relevant. I've been teaching this subject for a long time and I was happily surprised at the lab activities I hadn't heard of before. There were interesting reading passages and assessment opportunities that I enjoyed. The subject covered is presented unusually compared to most textbooks and is more narrowly focused, so it makes a good addition to your traditional textbook or a replacement. I wished that the pictures were in full color, but they were in black and white with various shades of green....more
This is a simple book that describes ways to group students for different activities. The groupings can be used to do content activities or for teambuThis is a simple book that describes ways to group students for different activities. The groupings can be used to do content activities or for teambuilding. There are only 11 different structures, but they can be used with different content. There are lots of examples for how to use the structures, but they are mostly good for elementary level. For middle grade, I can use the structures, but not most of the examples. ...more
I liked the format of the book. It is set up in small manageable chunks and the copies for students and teachers are located right there in the same aI liked the format of the book. It is set up in small manageable chunks and the copies for students and teachers are located right there in the same area instead of in a reference section at the end or in a separate online area. Culturally Relevant Teaching is a way to respect the differences of all members of the classroom and allow teachers to use those differences to plan lessons. I will definitely be using this book in my classroom and including some of the activities in my lessons. ...more
For a textbook—especially in a dry topic like cataloging—this one was good and easy to read. I felt like everything was described in a very clear way For a textbook—especially in a dry topic like cataloging—this one was good and easy to read. I felt like everything was described in a very clear way and very understandably. Each chapter was pretty short and didn’t cover too much and included extensive figures to show the content in action. This book delves deeply into the theory behind classification and cataloging and is not a practical manual. ...more
For current or future librarians, the book is well organized and full of helpful information. I read the entire book and marked some chapters for futuFor current or future librarians, the book is well organized and full of helpful information. I read the entire book and marked some chapters for future reference. The set up is easy to use with lots of other resources listed for each chapter. ...more
For a textbook, this was extremely readable and interesting. I found the format nice with the reading lists at the end of each chapter. It vastly incrFor a textbook, this was extremely readable and interesting. I found the format nice with the reading lists at the end of each chapter. It vastly increased my to-read list! I learned a bunch about illustrations and the types of books available. This was one of the only textbooks that I read for my own personal interest after the class was already over. I will be using this book as reference in my classroom since there is a nice bit of information on using trade books in classrooms and different activities that can be used to replace the traditional book report. ...more
If you want to know the complexities of creating a catalog for any type of collection, this book will give you a lot of theoretical background on the If you want to know the complexities of creating a catalog for any type of collection, this book will give you a lot of theoretical background on the subject. It was easy to read and had really good illustrations. I do feel like the author spent a lot of time explaining how complex and ambiguous some topics are. I read quite a bit on several topics in here and am still confused. To be fair, many of these concepts ARE ambiguous and even information science can’t agree on definitions. ...more
For a textbook, it wasn't terribly boring. I read the entire thing--even the few chapters that weren't assigned, because there was interesting informaFor a textbook, it wasn't terribly boring. I read the entire thing--even the few chapters that weren't assigned, because there was interesting information. The health, legal, and government information chapters were especially interesting since that is the kind of information I can use even if I'm not a reference librarian. The main point of a reference librarian's existence is summarized on p. 23:
Reference librarians know how to search and how to evaluate information. We understand how to judge which sources are credible, and we know search techniques that find resources that simple searching cannot. We know how to determine an author's biases. We know how to identify the underlying political aspects of a document. And we never tell anyone else what we helped you with.
This book focuses on the skills and structures of a reference librarian--not general librarianship, but it covered the theory, the rationale, the structures, the types of sources and how to evaluate and select them, how to market the services and design them, and the future of reference libraries of all types. This is a great book to keep as reference for the reference librarian or student since it is full of chapters about collection development guidelines, tables, and other useful features. Much of it, I won't use anytime soon, but I can see the information that I starred and marked with tags being useful in the future as I get into different work situations. I also enjoyed the box of text on p. 269 that speaks to the job stress that reference librarians encounter:
Some experts suggest that jobs with a high emotional labor content, jobs where the performer's persona goes on the line time and time again at the customer interface, should be treated as combat. And like combat soldiers, people in high-stress service jobs need to be rotated off the front line frequently-- and sometimes permanently. As one expert puts it, "In Vietnam we knew come hell or high water, that after so many months, we were out of there. You need to do that for service people. They have to know there is a light at the end of that tunnel-- and it isn't from an oncoming train.
This excerpt is so true. I think that is why so many teachers count down to the end of the school year or the next break--not because we don't like teaching (I can't really imagine doing something else), but because the emotional requirement is so intense that we need that time to reboot and gather our strength. I think this rings true for a lot of service professions as well, since working with the public--especially in areas that have upset public a lot-- can be stressful.
Another box on p. 331 resonated with me as a teacher.
Don't blow it. ... If you mess up or only put forth halfhearted effort for a simple homework request there's no way that teen is coming back to ask you about how to write an essay that will get them into the college of their dreams, or how to find resources on their life's great passion for surfing, or how to get out of an abusive relationship. Every interaction we have with teens is an opportunity to make a difference in their lives, either by being the one person that smiled at them today or being the one to give them the perfect resource for their paper. All of it matters. Every day.
This is true for all businesses, but the stakes are higher with young people and we can change their lives forever for good or bad.
And of course, on the lighter side, the joke on p. 423 about Boolean searching made me giggle. "If you send a reference librarian to the store with a Boolean list of "sugar" and "flour" and "eggs," you will get a cookie." he he he
This was a required textbook for several of my graduate level courses and I used it here and there. I actually read through the book and in the first This was a required textbook for several of my graduate level courses and I used it here and there. I actually read through the book and in the first half of the book, I found lots of interesting tidbits and general grammar and punctuation use that will be relevant to everyone. The book was probably not necessary for the courses since the website for APA and many other websites have all the information I needed. The book would be an essential need for anyone who is trying to write for academic journals as there is a ton of help for formatting and writing for journals.
This is a how-to manual for using the I-Search process with younger students. It has a series of lessons with all lesson parts included and broad outlThis is a how-to manual for using the I-Search process with younger students. It has a series of lessons with all lesson parts included and broad outlines of a script to follow. The lessons are geared at beginning researchers which can be up through middle school depending on how much is taught to elementary students. I think it was interesting and the extras on the website are great. I plan on using this book with my students this year....more
This is an interesting take on Macrorie's I-Search process. This process is a way to do research projects with students and decrease the amount of copThis is an interesting take on Macrorie's I-Search process. This process is a way to do research projects with students and decrease the amount of copy/paste and pointless time spent on it. Research projects have long been a sore spot for me and I've hated the fact that many of my students don't seem to get as much from it as I hoped. The rampant copying and poorly made bibliographies and boring presentation make this kind of project useless for all of us. The I-Search is unconventional and presents research in a student friendly way. There is more reflecting and journaling and more student choice in the topic and product. I'm excited about this and have already planned a research unit for next semester. The first person story that the students tell about their process and journey of discovery is not one that is copy/paste friendly and it is much more engaging. The choice given to students means that they will actually care about the results and remember what they learn. I read this for a class in library science, but it will be just as helpful to me as a content teacher....more
This was one of the more helpful and interesting textbooks I've used during this program. There are 14 chapters and each covers a different aspect of This was one of the more helpful and interesting textbooks I've used during this program. There are 14 chapters and each covers a different aspect of managing a library. Topics include: the history and importance of the library in today's culture; how to become a librarian and the job search; managing the program, services, access to information, staff and volunteers, and the facility; getting to know the curriculum and collaborating with teachers; creating a budget; assessing the program to improve it; and advocacy for your library and all libraries worldwide. My main issue with the book was that some topics were covered repetitively in multiple chapters. Since textbooks are usually read out-of-order or sporadically, this probably doesn't matter so much. This would be a good book to keep instead of selling back to a bookstore due to its reference-like design and the appendix with helpful forms....more
If you are a science teacher looking for an easy read with lots of practical tips on teaching urban students, this is not your book. This book reads lIf you are a science teacher looking for an easy read with lots of practical tips on teaching urban students, this is not your book. This book reads like a thesis with very dense wording and a multitude of 100 dollar words. The author openly admits in the beginning that it is not a script-giving book that will give all science teachers a step-by-step guide to improving urban science teaching. This is more of an in-depth explanation of the history of hip-hop, the culture of hip-hop, and how this culture affects student participation in education. There were some really good points made and I feel I learned quite a bit about a culture that I didn't really even know existed and how it can cause misconceptions about these students in the classroom. I enjoyed the memoir-style snippets from the author's past that helped illuminate hip-hop culture. The 'ice grill' story was particularly intriguing and really made me re-think so many encounters with my hip-hop students.
Overall, the advice given to teachers of urban students is the same as is given to teachers for teaching all students nowadays. Build relationships with the students and learn about their lives, allow student voice and choice, and be honest and 'real' with them. So, the book's real value for me was in the cultural information provided and the argument for hip-hop as a separate culture....more
This is a book I read for my master's program. It is a series of essays on how librarians can be leaders in their schools. Some were interesting, otheThis is a book I read for my master's program. It is a series of essays on how librarians can be leaders in their schools. Some were interesting, others weren't as interesting. A good introduction into the different facets of librarianship in this day and age.
Introduction: Librarians role is changing and we must make our missions clear.
1: Librarians lead the school from the middle since we aren't administration. We must be competent, manage the trust of our colleagues by making sure they know where we stand and manage the image of the library. A very long chapter with a lot of terms and lists in it.
2: Creating a culture of inquiry. Learning isn't a spectator sport and libraries have to provide opportunities to collaborate, learn socially, and model the behaviors and attitudes they wish others to have.
3: Library advocacy. We must educate others and advocate for the profession. Friends of the library organizations are good, also professional organizations. Not enough people know the power and possibilities of the library. Ask patrons what they want to make sure you are matching the programs to the needs. "I go to the library to..." posters for students to fill out was a great idea.
4: Intellectual Freedom. Selection of materials is an important part of making materials available to patrons despite your biases or fear of trouble. No self-censorship allowed! Be prepared for challenges and have a policy in place to handle complaints. Other barriers might include limits on numbers checked out or age restrictions. Librarians MUST keep student choices confidential and gain trust or students won't feel free to research topics they want to. Students are citizens-in-training who need to be taught about intellectual freedom and their legal rights. Celebrate banned books week to gain support and attention for the cause.
5: Literacy leadership. Model and promote a love of reading. Do booktalks. Make sure your collection has something for every segment of the population so every reader has his or her book. You must become a literacy expert and keep up with the latest research in order to share with the other teachers on campus. Have programs that encourage more reading and writing among students. Expand your definition of literacy due to 21st century skills.
6: Librarian as curriculum leader. Map the curriculum to make sure the library has resources and supports the standards. Collaborate with content teachers to make lessons that are full of 21st century learning and inquiry.
7: Technology leadership. Must be proficient at teaching tech to the faculty. Keep up with the newest standards and be knowledgeable about new technologies and their usefulness in the classroom. Be an expert in keeping education in the educational technology!
8: Staff development. Often used as technology teachers for staff. Be prepared and really work on your presentation skills.
9: Professional associations. Get a mentor, be active in the field. Go to conferences, be involved in the legislative process.
10: Changing vision of libraries. Gaining information is a changing field. We cannot stop it, so we have to change our libraries to fit the new landscape. Learning commons is a new way to think....more
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