Presentation on creating programming in school Library Media Centers

1. Finding Your Niche
Creating Compelling
Programming
FAME 2014 Breakout Sessions
Presenters: Meaghan Monaghan and Beverly Coe

2. Why is programming that is not
necessarily library or literacy based
your job?
● build community
● develop multimedia and collaborative
literacy and appreciation
● foster lifelong learners

3. How to find and adapt your niche
to your level
● You have to start somewhere, so start by
looking inward.
● Reflect on what you would like to spend
more of your time on personally.
● Look for the root.

4. How to get started
● Make a To-Do List (see handout)
● Tools for planning (see handout)

5. Book based Programming
Things to consider
● age group
● content
● your interests
● “What’s hot”

6. Elementary Perspective / Book
Club
This is what I did
● Multi-age weekly book and
movie club
● Combine grades - tailor to
book
● Pair popular book and its
children’s movie
● Activity based meetings

7. How I did it/ What I learned
● Choose a book you enjoy!
● Base the meetings on an activity not wholly on a book discussion.
● Encourage parent/grandparent involvement but set boundaries
Lessons learned
● Watch the movie before committing to the book
● Don’t forget procedure, it is still important!
● Have parent information

8. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● After school themed parties for
popular book-to-movie
adaptations: Hunger Games,
Divergent
● Trivia, themed challenges, food,
decorations, book displays, prizes

9. How I did it/ What I learned
● search the web for how-tos
● adapt and re-theme party games
● lessons learned:
○ create activities that occupy
everyone at the same time
○ make a schedule and stick
to it
○ don’t spend a lot of time
elaborately theming food

10. Technology
Things to consider
● choose a well reviewed program
● consider the background and technology
available to your students
● set a goal and scaffold
● keep in mind district guidelines, firewalls,
accessibility

11. Elementary Perspective / Coding
Club
This is what I want to do:
● 3-5 morning coding club
● scratch.mit.edu
● One project a semester
● Tutor style
● Student Paced

12. How I did it/ What I learned
● Use the websites resources
● Start flexible - add and subtract restrictions, support,
pace as needed
● Coordinate heavily with administration
Lessons learned:
● Stay in contact with parents/ keep
communication log
● Be aware of technology limitations
● Explore thoroughly beforehand!

13. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● programming on the go
● book spine poetry
● digital citizenship display
● promoting interaction with authors
and youtubers
● coming soon: social media
workshops

14. How I did it/ What I learned
● Physical displays to promote digital
interactions
● We live in a participatory culture
● Stay plugged in and you’ll be able to plug
your students in

15. Special/ Student Interest
Things to Consider
● Don’t duplicate
● Fill a hole - serve underserved
populations
● Listen to your students! Student interest
groups should be student guided.

16. Elementary Perspective Solar Car Competition
This is what I did
● Entered team in the Junior Solar
Sprint
● Coordinated the efforts of 5
fourth and fifth graders
● Won best design for the
county

17. How I did it/ What I learned
● Watched list servs and county emails
● Matched project with in class curriculum
● Found interested students
● Coordinated materials, requirements, and
event details
● Parent communication is key.
Lessons Learned
● Stepping outside your comfort zone can be very rewarding
● Small group field trips are feasible but come with extra red tape
● Scour your sources for materials before buying anything.

18. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● Tabletop gaming, tea
time
● Coming soon:
NaNoWriMo

19. How I did it/ What I learned
● born out of discussion with students
● creating fellowship around shared interests
● got the word out by flyers and word of mouth
● keep it manageable - time/size constraints - vital for
weekly programs where you’re most likely by yourself

20. Things to Keep in Mind
● You are not an island! Team up with
others.
● Don’t be discouraged by failure. Be
reflective.
● Literacy isn’t your only scope.
● Plan ahead!