Agnese

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**Cowell Elementary**
Agnese Coffman, Teacher Librarian

= = In these pages you will find a personal quest to maximize instruction during our 45minutes of library time. This has been my journal where ideas have been put together for students' learning, and with reflections to guide me in making necessary changes for the better. It is just a beginning and I hope to do much better next year.

When our professional learning group started to meet, we agreed that in a fixed schedule checking out books, although a valuable and well loved activity, demands much of our time. We, the PLC team agreed that we want to create lessons withing the short time that will provide valuable instruction. Lynne and Lynne brought up the idea of "power bursts lessons." We want to make the library a viable place where learning is ongoing.
 * Why we came together**

The idea of creating Learning Stations came to me from my colleagues. The teachers at Cowell Elementary have dedicated much of this year creating Learning Stations for their students to do during their reading block. In a few classrooms, I have observed students in small groups working together to accomplish a task while the teacher assisted a guided reading group. I was intrigued with the possibility of students working independently from the teacher yet on task and learning.
 * Learning Stations**

This lead me to believe that I too could create Learning Stations for the library where students could focus on a learning activity while I checked out books. It later came to me to use the check-out and book organization process as one of the stations. While students worked in assigned groups, I could rotate, observe, assess groups, or work with a small group to insure understanding.

The first ten minutes of each class will be dedicated to explain or clarify each Station and insure understand of what they are to do. After completing one station, students become experts of that activity and help other students during consecutive sessions. At the last ten minutes, we will come together on the carpet, and each group will report on their findings.

 First week with learning stations October Stations November Stations December January/February February March April
 * Below are links to examples of learning stations used this year and my reflections.**

[|Teacher Librarian Collaboration] [|ILT Projects] [|ILT Reading and Resources]
 * Some very useful sites from ERS and IT department**

Good Reviews from [|Spaghetti Book Club] [|SOS for Teacher Librarians], a great site for downloading great ideas and plans.
 * Some useful web resources and downloads**