Common Core Standards

As librarians, it is important for us to acknowledge shifts in education standards and how they might affect the way students find and engage with information at the library.  The Common Core State Standards Initiative has become a large part of the education realm, meaning that as librarians, we should have a solid understanding of the standards.
A wonderful resource for understanding Common Core is corestandards.org.  The site allows you to explore the standards from a basic walk-through of the highlights to an in-depth reading.  A great tool for building non-fiction and fiction collections that will complement the work being done in schools!

Putting the "Calm" in Common Core

In public libraries we often are involved in new educational initiatives just because our primary clientele - kids - are deep in some type of formal education for thirteen to fourteen of the eighteeen years we serve them.

While we don't need to know how to teach children, we do need to be aware of eductional trends, issues and sea changes to navigate our work with the kids when they leave the achool building and come to our public libraries, parents in tow or in the lead.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is one such new initiative that librarians across the nation are educating themselves on - and believe you me, the teachers and staff are learning at the same time!  It's easy to feel some trepidation.

The ALA Association for Library Service to Children, in an effort to lend a supportive informational hand to public librarians, has gathered a number of resources to help you navigate what CCSS means to YOU. The links help make CCSS understandable, easily managed and a less fearsome phenom for all of us in public libraries. Reading through the articles will help calm your fears and put CCSS in perspective for you.

You got this!  You really do!

Common Core Enigma

My true confession. 

I don't understand Common Core Standards. I attended Tessa's webinars. I've listened. I've read. I still don't really get it. 
But I'll tell you this. I'm trying. 
I was reading a great article in the new issue of VOYA. (I heart VOYA). 

 "The Un-Common Piece of Common Core: The Librarian Teri S Lesesne (rhymes with insane) I can't link to this article but if you visit VOYA's website you can read the February issue digitally. 

It started to kind of click for me. 
kind of. seepage
Then I was scrolling through my google reader and found this blog. I'm not a fan of blog posts about blog posts but a small connection was made in my mind and I thought I would share it with your minds (that will most confidently grasp this quicker than I)
Fiction Meets Reality a really clever infographic that pairs fiction with nonfiction. And a few words from Common Core started to seep in. Making connections between stories that ask questions and presenting books that answer questions. 

I hope I'm not the only one struggling?

Take off Your Blinders

Collaboration Begins With Awareness—Libraries Support Public Schools

*New Website*
For Wisconsin public libraries, it is essential to understand two recent initiatives influencing local public school districts.   Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are statewide developments that affect public libraries, specifically early literacy programs and youth services collection development.  For information and resources concerning PALS and CCSS, see the new Public Library Development webpage Public School Initiatives Affecting Wisconsin Public Libraries.  For other relevant resources, see the Youth and Special Services webpage. 

*More Webinars*

Common Core in School and Public Libraries (Part 2 of 3)

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, January 23^rd, 2013
Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant
Extending from Common Core in School and Public Libraries Part 1 (view archive), Barb Novak will offer further insights on the Speaking, Listening, and Language components of Common Core .  In addition, Novak will explore Standard Level 5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations and how it relates to library programs and services.

Common Core in School and Public Libraries (Part 3 of 3)

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, January 30^th, 2013
Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant
In this final webinar in the Common Core in School and Public Libraries series, Barb Novak will review the definition and application of text complexity.   Novak will present a three-part model for text complexity and offer analysis of literature and informational text samples.

School and Public Library Collaboration
3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, February 13^th, 2013
Hosts: Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant

Relationship check-in: how well do you know your school/public librarian?  Whether you’re collaboration superstars or relative strangers learn how to make and maintain connections with your public institution counterpart. 

No need to register—just click the link on the scheduled meeting day and time.   Sign in with your first name/library name.  Webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing.

• Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
   1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode:  697156.
• Test your system beforehand 
• Blackboard Collaborate overview video
• Blackboard Collaborate support

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Youth and Special Services Consultant
Wisconsin DPI, Public Library Development
125 South Webster Street, PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
P: (608) 267-5077
F: (608) 267-9207
tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov

Find http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn

Like http://www.facebook.com/WisDPIpubLibDev
Follow https://twitter.com/#!/WisDPIpubLibDev

Walking in a Winter Webinar

With your brand new 2013 before you, take note of the plethora of professional development opportunities coming your way in January, February, and March.

Summer Library Programming with BadgerLink
3:00-4:00pm Tuesday, January 8^th, 2013
Hosts: Kara Ripley, DPI BadgerLink Training Librarian; Carin Bringelson, TeachingBooks.net; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Consultant
Go “underground” with BadgerLink and TeachingBooks and get ideas for the 2013 Summer Library Program including science experiments, activities, and other novel resources.

School and Public Library Collaboration
3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, February 13^th, 2013
Hosts: Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Consultant
Relationship check-in: how well do you know your school/public librarian?  Whether you’re collaboration superstars or relative strangers learn how to make and maintain connections with your public institution counterpart. 

Fresh Practices for Youth Services Librarians

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Hosts: Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Library Consultant; Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator; Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library (Janesville) Head of Youth Services; Marge Loch-Waters, LaCrosse Public Library Head of Youth Services

Your youth services might be a well-oiled machine of systematic displays and story times, but how often do you really look at WHY you do what you do? Sometime you need to reinvent the wheel and break the mold. Hear from three youth services experts in the state on ways think of yourself as an educator (versus entertainer), literacy enthusiast (versus craft expert), and life changer (versus summer library soldier).

No need to register—just click the link on the scheduled meeting day and time.   Webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing. 

• Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
   1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode:  697156.
• Test your system beforehand 
• Blackboard Collaborate overview video
• Blackboard Collaborate support

In addition, save the date for two more Common Core webinars and bookmark a handy new resource on your browser

Common Core in School and Public Libraries (Part 2 of 3)

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, January 23^rd, 2013
Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Consultant

Extending from Common Core in School and Public Libraries Part 1 (view archive), Barb Novak will offer further insights on the Speaking, Listening, and Language components of Common Core. In addition, Novak will explore Standard Level 5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations and how it relates to library programs and services.

Common Core in School and Public Libraries (Part 3 of 3)

3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, January 30^th, 2013 Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Consultant

In this final webinar in the Common Core in School and Public Libraries series (view archive), Barb Novak will review the definition and application of text complexity. Novak will present a three-part model for text complexity and offer analysis of literature and informational text samples.

NEW Common Core and PALS website:

For Wisconsin public libraries, it is essential to understand two recent initiatives influencing local public school districts. Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are statewide developments that affect public libraries, specifically early literacy programs and youth services collection development. For information and resources concerning PALS and CCSS, see the new Public Library Development webpage Public School Initiatives Affecting Wisconsin Public Libraries. For other relevant resources, see the Youth and Special Services webpage.

Questions? Send me an email or give me a call!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Youth and Special Services Consultant

Wisconsin DPI, Public Library Development

125 South Webster Street, PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841

P: (608) 267-5077

F: (608) 267-9207

Tessa.Schmidt@dpi.wi.gov

Common Core: Batteries Not Included?

Our gues post today is from Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

On December 11^th, DPI will offer a free webinar on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for public and school librarians.  This session will offer insight on what the Common Core instructional shift is all about and how it affects libraries.  However, the webinar is not a panacea for how to make Common Core “happen” at your library.  That, my friends, is up to you.  Don’t wait for a student, educator, or parent to come knocking.  Be proactive and invest some energy into making Common Core part of your programs, services, and collection now.  Here is some information and inspiration to get you started:

ALSC Blog: Common Core in the Public Library

The Wisconsin Academic Standards
CCSS: A New Foundation for Student Success (video)

To get the most up to date news about CCSS implementation in your neck of the woods, set up a meeting with administrators in your local school district.

 Common Core in School and Public Libraries
3:00-4:00pm Tuesday, December 11^th
Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Consultant
Find out how and why the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) apply to your work as a Wisconsin school or public librarian.  (Pre-webinar homework: Review your basic understanding of CCSS with this resource.)

 No need to register—just click the link on the scheduled meeting day and time.   Webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing. 

• Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
   1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode:  697156.
• Test your system beforehand 
• Blackboard Collaborate overview video
• Blackboard Collaborate support

DPI Webinars Make You Smarter!

Mark your calendars for 3 new webinars for school and public librarians:

1. Common Core in School and Public Libraries
3:00-4:00pm Tuesday, December 11^th
Hosts: Barb Novak, DPI Reading Specialist; Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant;
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant
Find out how and why the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) apply to your work as a Wisconsin school or public librarian.  (Pre-webinar homework: Review your basic understanding of CCSS with this resource.)

2. Summer Library Programming with BadgerLink
3:00-4:00pm Tuesday, January 8^th, 2013
Hosts: Kara Ripley, DPI BadgerLink Training Librarian; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant
Go “underground” with BadgerLink and get ideas for the 2013 Summer Library Program including science experiments, activities, and other novel resources.

3. School and Public Library Collaboration
3:00-4:00pm Wednesday, February 13^th, 2013
Hosts: Nancy Anderson, DPI School Library Consultant; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, DPI Public Library Consultant
Relationship check-in: how well do you know your school/public librarian?  Whether you’re collaboration superstars or relative strangers learn how to make and maintain connections with your public institution counterpart. 

No need to register—just click the link on the scheduled meeting day and time.   Webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing. 

• Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
   1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode:  697156
• Test your system beforehand 
• Blackboard Collaborate overview video
• Blackboard Collaborate support

Image: ':: Learn how to . . .++::'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/66548401@N00/3368336791 Found on flickrcc.net