1. Using Centers to Support Differentiation in the School Library
Julie-Renee Hale
GTE 537
Spring 2013

2. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
My Mission Statement
The mission of the Warren Elementary Library Media Center is to encourage students to choose books that promote a lifelong love of reading, to teach students to be effective users of information, and to encourage and prepare students to be lifelong learners.

3. What is the purpose of a school library?
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
What is the purpose of a school library?
The school library should
Embrace the needs of all learners
Actively collaborate with teachers
Create a rich learning environment for all students
(Raysonho, 2008)

4. What is Differentiation?
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
What is Differentiation?
"The adaptation of classroom learning to suit each student's individual needs, strengths, preferences, and pace by either splitting the class into small groups, giving individual learning activities, or otherwise modifying the material."
(Differentiation, n.d.)

5. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
What is a center?
"A learning model that places the student (learner) in the center of the learning process. In student-centered learning, students are active participants in their learning; they learn at their own pace and use their own strategies; they are more intrinsically than extrinsically motivated; learning is more individualized than standardized."
(Center of Learning, n.d.)

6. Why use centers in a school library?
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Why use centers in a school library?
Centers provide opportunities for students to:
Review
Create
Connect
Collaborate
Experience
Choose learning opportunities
Stay actively engaged
(Rocket000, 2007)

7. Center Specifications & Disclosures
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Center Specifications & Disclosures
All centers listed in this presentation are modeled on my elementary school library. I see each of my 31 homerooms for 45 minutes per week.
Each centers is aligned with either Common Core Standards, International Society for Technology in Education Standards or Standards for the 21st Century Learner.

8. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Available Resources
I have a unique library situation in that my principal fully supports technology in our building.
These resources are available to me each day:
9 iMac computers
ActivBoard
4 iPads
30 4th generation iPods
30 iMac laptops available by reservation
* If you do not have a library with technology resources, be creative! Save book fair money, talk with your PTO or host a fundraiser.

9. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Computer Center
Purpose : To allow students to review technology skills as well as to use gaming for educational purposes.
Standards: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).
Time Needed : minutes
Grade Levels : Kindergarten - 6th grade
# of students : 9 students

10. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Computer Center
This list of websites are excellent sites to begin with when incorporating a computer center into a school library. A school librarian should continually evaluate and explore new websites that best fit the needs of her students.
(K,1)
(K, 1)
(K, 1, 2)
(2, 3, 4)
(K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
(4, 5, 6)
(4, 5, 6)
(5, 6)
(Hale, 2013)

11. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Smartboard Center
Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while exploring technology skills, and to use gaming for educational purposes.
Standards: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).
Time Needed : minutes
Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade
# of students : 5 students

12. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Smartboard Center
(Boling, 2011)
A Smartboard Center is an excellent way for students to work in a center and use a computer cooperatively. As the computer screen is magnified on an interactive board, the Smartboard Center allows students to collaborate with other students while being engaged more effectively with the Internet.
Suggested Smartboard Websites:
PBS Kids Interactive Whiteboard games (2, 3)
I-Spy (2, 3, 4)
Interactive Sites for Education (3, 4, 5)
Utah Education Network 6interactives/index.shtml (3, 4, 5, 6)
Word Game Time (3, 4, 5, 6)

13. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Reading Center
Purpose : To allow students to read a variety of materials that interest them. The main purpose of this center is reading for enjoyment.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10 Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
(National Governor's Association, 2012) 1st
3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others
4.1.1 Read, view and listen for pleasure and personal growth
(American Library Association, 2007).
Time Needed : minutes
Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade
# of students : 5 students

14. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Reading Center
A Reading Center gives students the opportunity to discover and explore literature through a variety of reading materials. A reading center allows students free choice in their reading and encourages students to read for fun. All books in a reading center should be available for checkout. The books in a reading center should be constantly moving and circulating.
Suggested Reading Materials:
Picture books
Chapter books
Biography
Non-fiction
Magazines
(Hale, 2013)

15. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
iPad / iPod Center
Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while exploring technology skills, and to use gaming for educational purposes.
Standards: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
(International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).
Time Needed : minutes
Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade
# of students : 4 students

16. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
iPad / iPod Center
(Hale, 2013)
An iPad/iPod Center is an fun way for students to learn through gaming. Students are able to reinforce classroom skills by playing a variety of apps. Because of licensing issues, I suggest only "buying" free apps.
These are a few of my favorite apps:
Math
Science
Social Studies
Strategy
Word
ArithmeTick - Math Flash Cards
Animal Kingdom HD
National Parks by National Geographic
Lego Creationary
Chicktionary for iPad
Challenging Timestable
Brain Pop
States-N-Capitals
Mancala
Mad Libs
Counting Money
Weird but True by National Geographic
US State Quiz
Mahjong
Poetry Creator

17. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Lego Center
Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively while building and creating with Legos
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
(National Governor's Association, 2012) 1st
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
(National Governor's Association, 2012) 2nd
Time Needed : 30 minutes
Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade
# of students : 8 students

18. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Lego Center
In a Lego Center, the goal is learning through play. Students will be encouraged to create, build and share which inspires language development and problem solving skills.
Lego Challenges:
Build something monochromatic
Build something using 20, 30 or 40 bricks
Build a creature
Build food
Build a tool
Build _____________ - students should be encouraged to create anything they want!
(Hale, 2013)

19. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Games Center
Purpose : To allow students to work cooperatively and learn through play.
Standards:
3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others.
3.4.3 Assess own ability to work with others in a group setting by evaluating varied roles, leadership, and demonstrations of respect for other viewpoints.
4.2.1 Display curiosity by pursuing interests through multiple resources.
4.3.3 Seek opportunities for pursuing personal and aesthetic growth.
(American Library Association, 2007)
Time Needed : 30 minutes
Grade Levels : 2nd - 6th grade
# of students : 4-8 students

20. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Games Center
In the Games Center, the goal is learning through play. Students will read directions and participate in favorite classic games as well as new games.
Games to include:
Checkers
Chess
Connect 4
Puzzles (24, 50 & 100 piece)
Sorry
Uno
* The possibilities are truly limitless . . .
** Students should also be encouraged to create their own games
(Splattne, 2007)

21. How to Manage & Implement
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
How to Manage & Implement
Implementation
Introduce one or two centers each week
As centers are introduced, be sure to let each student participate
Management
There are two choices:
Create a rotation so every student visits a center at least once per month
Let students choose their center with the understanding they need to visit each center at least once per month

22. How is the Library Supporting Differentiation?
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
How is the Library Supporting Differentiation?
FREE CHOICE
Students are told all day long what they can & cannot do . . .
Allowing students to choose learning activities provides them with an opportunity to control their learning environment while working cooperatively with their friends and classmates.

23. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
Another Perspective
(Centered School Libraries, 2011)
This school librarian has awesome centers to checkout!

24. What's Next for My Library
Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
What's Next for My Library
As I have worked on this presentation, I have been implementing centers these centers into my own school library. I want to step library centers up a few levels. I am interested in researching extended projects for students to complete in their centers.
What I'm looking into . . .
Ways to implement a research project in the computer center
Book reviews and book talks for the reading center
Grade level or school level wide lego quest competition

25. Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
A CRAZY Center Idea!
(Library Centers, 2013)
Not sure I'm ready to implement a snake center however I'm sure it would be a BIG hit!

26. References Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
American Library Association (2007). Standards for the 21-Century Learner. Retrieved from
Boling, J. (2011, August 8). [Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved from
Center of Learning: Definitions. (n.d.). IN TIME: Home. Retrieved from
Centered School Libraries (2011, December 3). Library Centers Tour.wmv [Video file]. Retrieved from
Differentiation | Definition. (n.d.). Education.com | An Education & Child Development Site for Parents
Parenting & Educational Resource. Retrieved from
Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Computer Center.
Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: iPod Center.
Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Lego Center.
Hale, R. (2013). Original photograph: Reading Center.

27. References Julie-Renee Hale, GTE 537
International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). Nets for student resources. Retrieved fromhttp://
Library Centers (2013, February 10). Library Center Snake [Video file]. Retrieved from
National Governors Association (2012). Common Core State Standards Initiative | English Language Arts Standards |AnchorStandards | College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading. Common Core StateStandards Initiative | Home. Retrieved from
National Governors Association (2012). Common Core State Standards Initiative | Mathematics | Mathematics |
Standards for Mathematical Practice. Common Core State Standards Initiative | Home . Retrieved from
Raysonho (2008, November 12). Steacie Library [(Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved from
Rocket000 (2007, October 18). Question Book [Graphic, Public Domain]. Retrieved from
Splattne (2007, July 2). Stern-Halma (Chinese Checkers) board [Photograph, Public Domain]. Retrieved from