As a classroom teacher I was always thinking of ways to differentiate, and it was consistently a topic during English department meetings. I also knew that I would need to do it as a librarian as well, but once I started looking at the articles and research I realized one of the beautiful things about libraries. They naturally focus on differentiation. Sure, when teaching lessons, the librarian should be sure to differentiate just like any other teacher, but the library itself is a differentiation haven!
What I mean is that there are different areas in libraries that will appeal to different kinds of interests, learning styles, and skill levels. There are quiet areas for study. Sometimes there are areas where it is okay to talk and be a little louder. Additionally, there are materials and resources that appeal to all interest areas. There are different genres of books, and many school libraries have different areas for different levels. There are computers if that is of higher interest or compliments a student's learning style. The space itself is made to cater to all different kinds of interests, learning styles, and skill levels.
I always knew libraries did this, but when thinking about differentiation specifically, I was very pleased to see how much school libraries can help all students. Additionally, it is the place teachers can come for additional resources if there are students at different levels, or if they need materials to enhance the curriculum in ways that will focus on different learning styles. Overall, differentiation in the library comes quite naturally, and as a result, all students can feel comfortable there knowing that they have an area or resource that will suit them perfectly.
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You're right! I never thought of it that way. I'm glad you shared your insight.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you had the same sort of epiphany that I had, Amber! We, in libraries, are differentiating everything we do, rather automatically. We don't push the same literature on every child; we take into account each's reading level and interests. We don't teach literacy or information tech skills on one level--we allow for every skill level and build in modifications or extensions. We would like to hope that all classroom teachers are doing this with every lesson they teach as well. But we are lucky, in libraries, to have so many resources at our fingertips to be able to diff everything, for every student, every time.
ReplyDeleteHello Amber. After reading your post about differentiation; I began to think about the various professional development workshops that I have participated in within the past few years on the topic. Prior to this course; although, I understood the definition of “differentiated learning”; there would seem to be a missing element because no one would specifically address the school library. It would also seem to revolve around the classroom. I appreciate your description of how the library lends itself to differentiation.
ReplyDeleteAs a school librarian for the past three years, I can concur with the vast diversity of interest, skills, and intelligences that can be spoken to through the books, periodicals, as well as digital and online resources that are available in school libraries. However, there is still a need for a skilled library media specialist to understand how to assess the needs of the learning community as a whole as well as the individual interest its patrons. This is what I have learned as a result of your group’s presentation on differentiation. Thank you for sharing!