Be a Collaborative Partner

• result in great class projects and enthusiastic learners
• shared thinking, shared planning, shared creation
• library program is more effective
• library time becomes more meaningful to students and teachers

1. Start small -- This will not happen over night. Start with just one teacher or one grade level.
2. Respect the teacher's time -- Talk with them when they bring their class to the library about collaborating with you, or send them an email with a plan already in mind. Everyone is busy.
3. Don't be afraid to say something -- If you don't say something, many teachers won't know that collaborating and co-teaching is an option. Speak up.
4. Say Thank you -- In the teacher's lounge, say thank you to the teacher that collaborated with you. You'll be surprised, another collaborative partnership will be born.

• Ask to teach a mini-lesson on a technology device or app/website that is new to students or teachers.
• Offer to teach students how to use the online encyclopedia or other online resources.
• Share your expertise!
• Create a collaborative board on Pinterest.
• Create a Destiny Collections.

• Classes/students come to the library as the need arises.
• Allows for library to be an extension of the classroom.
• Meaningful library time for students.
• Team work!

Why I use a flex schedule.

• Instead of saying "I want to do this", say "my professional organization recognizes this as a best practice."

Be passionate!

Document the data.

Always start with what's best for kids and how it will help the school.

Be a REBEL!

• Dot Day with the art teacher.
• Ada's Violin with music teacher.
• Check the curriculum for upcoming research/inquiry projects.
• Offer to help with Maker Lab.
• Create Google Classrooms for each grade level.
• Teach how to cite resources and create a bibliography.
• What else?

Joni Harris

School Librarian

Hillside Academy for Excellence

Email: jharris@garlandisd.net
Website: hillsidelibrarian.blogspot.com
Phone: 972.926.2550
Twitter: @jharrisreads