Some quick updates...

        With April nearly half-way over, I still feel like it is the beginning of the school year. I still feel like I am trying to get my feet on the ground and get ahead. It's only my second year in this position - and I am still getting a grip on teaching 7 grade levels (K-6), but when you combine that with the Common Core standards and an increased district-wide focus on Inquiry, it's a lot of change and pressure. I feel very fortunate to have wonderful colleagues who are grappling with all the same issues - and with the support of our department director - we've been meeting to begin re-aligning our library curriculum. It's definitely slow-going, but I think when we're done, we'll have something really good. I'm just hoping that when we come to an agreement on APPR, we can use what we've created. That's the idea - but in big districts like mine, it doesn't always work out the way you've planned. :)
      Through it all, we've been very busy in the library. Sixth graders have been researching current events, and are about to publish a wiki page sharing their knowledge. One of my fifth grade classes has completed their second major research project of the year on Mexican history. They used their information to create a mural. I'm not very involved in the synthesis and presentation steps in the research process with this class, which is something I'd like to place more of an emphasis on. My other fifth grade class will be beginning their Central and South American research project soon. The teacher has given me the green light to suggest some changes to make the research Inquiry-based, but I haven't quite figured out how yet. I need to actually spend some time with it.
      I also have a third grade class researching Australia. This project is very cool because it came out of a district workshop day wherein we were given the entire day to work with one or two classroom teachers to plan a project. The third grade project is very cool because students are putting their notes into a web rather than a regular "note format." Students will be writing interviews to show what they've learned, and we'll be recording them. Students are very engaged, and are able to focus for a significant period of time - I am so impressed! :)
      Another project that grew out of that workshop day is a first grade project on communities and community helpers. I was so excited to work with primary-level teachers and expand the library program. It's interesting because the role of the library is very different at these younger levels. It's definitely not about providing lots of stuff; it's more important to provide focused resources at the appropriate reading levels.
     There are a few other projects on tap: an upcoming author visit (May 3 - Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen!!), a new gaming library, and new digital video cameras (both thanks to grants). Wish me luck as I continue to juggle...