Learners EXPLORE

The AASL Shared Foundation of Explore focuses on student centered exploration of personal interest and personal growth. Amanda Johnson from Meadow View Elementary School (Pre-K - 5th) shared with me her take on the Explore Foundation.

When asked for examples of implementing these competencies in her library program, Amanda said that every single time there is an opportunity for personal choice -- she allows her students to take it. She wants her students to find things they are interested in and their projects to be based on those things. For example, for the 2nd graders' research projects on nocturnal animals, the students were allowed to research the animal of their choice.

Amanda's library has access to a lot of technology; their school is 1-1 with iPads and there are various robots, building toys, Makey Makey tools and other Makerspace resources so students are constantly given opportunities for self-directed pursuits.

Implementing this Shared Foundation through collaboration with teachers is a bit harder for Amanda since she is on a fixed schedules. The students have designated library times and that is typically when the teacher has their planning period -- this makes it hard to collaborate in the classroom with teachers. Amanda does have access to lesson plans that are posted for the next week so she is able to view what the teachers have planned and then plan her library lessons accordingly to complement the content curriculum.

A major take-away from my conversation with Amanda - the standards are based on best practices so they generally are things you are already doing. Using planbook.com for her lesson plans makes it easy to put the standards with the lesson plans as you create them (it's literally drag and drop).  The standards aren't something she is required to include in her lesson plans right now but it is in the back of her mind as she plans.