Where do we go from here?

[Beth Friese]

Share your thoughts about next steps for the book group here...is it time for a synchronous chat? A group project that we can send out to others? Let us know your ideas.

[Nancy Staal]

Where do we go from here? I suggest inquiry units where the teachers and media specialist collaborate! My 4th grade students chose their own topics, are now researching the topics, and will create posters to use to teach 3rd graders about their topics. I used lessons from the book to teach nonfiction text features, make sure the students were passionate about their topics, formulated questions they were curious about, and how to discuss their topics with their writing partners. We went to our media center to look for books to make sure we had resources. The media specialist in my school spent quality time showing the students how to use the resources on our school website (World Book for Kids, SIRS, etc.) Monday we will teach a lesson on how to use the internet and assess quality websites. My students are filled with wonder and excitement.

[Kristin Fontichiaro]

I'm finding that this book is creating a bridge to help those in my district who maybe don't understand inquiry or what a great library can provide. Some of the sample lessons even show the school librarian in a collaborative role. It's giving us common ground upon which we can build quality discussions.

Though I'm sorry to see us all tapering off, I know it's because we're busy, not because we're not interested.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[Sharon Hermann]

I'm interested in the idea of a synchronous chat. It would be fun to give it a try. We might find that it is easier to participate if we have a definite time to calendar -- without a structure, I often find other things slipping ahead on the "list". I hope we can find a way to continue the discussion, because I have enjoyed reading the book and learning from others. Thanks for doing this, Beth.

[Annie Davis]

I am here! I tend to agree that this has tapered off because we've been busy, but perhaps with Spring Breaks looming on our horizons, we can get this moving again? I agree with the idea of setting dates for.... well, whatever we want because it's easier to meet a deadline than to do this totally free form. Is anyone still out there? :)

[Kristin Fontichiaro]

I'd like to do the same. I like how the book gives us a way to talk with teachers.

[Beth Friese]

Hi, Annie.

Yes, I agree that some structure might be helpful. I wonder when Spring Breaks are...

glad you are still out there! Hopefully we can figure out how to continue the discussion