Collaboration

From the basic level of collaboration to the most advanced, the media specialist greatly improves the success of a literature circle. The opportunities for collaboration in literature circles is unlimited. The media specialist can ensure successful literature circles by using all types of media effectively, encouraging reading for enjoyment, designing instructional activities, or by the promotion of resources, just to name a few. Regardless of how the media specialist participates, the most effective literature circle is implemented when modeled by the teacher and/or media specialist (Blue Book, p. 427-428).

Collaboration within First Grade Unit
The following list are ways in which the media specialist could collaborate with the classroom teacher to successfully complete the "I Went Walking" farm unit:
 * Supply a collection of farm themed books so students can read them during free time or silent reading time.
 * Create a book display in the library with a farm theme.
 * Add virtual farm link to the school's website for easy access OR have computers loaded to site when students arrive.
 * Provide other virtual farm links for the students to explore on their own time.
 * Facilitate with the classroom teacher during the virtual tour and assist students in navigating the site.
 * Monitor students with classroom teacher as they read story with partners or by themselves.
 * Travel with class on the field trip to a local farm.
 * Ask students questions during the field to broaden students' curiosity.
 * Assist classroom teacher in modeling proper writing skills when students begin to write their own story.
 * Become an audience member while students are sharing their written stories.
 * Display students' stories in the library at the conclusion of the unit.

Other collaboration opportunities:

 * Contact a local farmer to see about visiting their farm.
 * Ask local farmers to visit classroom when students take the virtual tour and invite students to ask questions of them during virtual tour.

Collaboration within Seventh Grade Unit
The following is a list of ways in which the media specialist could collaborate with the classroom teacher to successfully complete the "Fever 1793" unit:
 * Create a book display with Philadelphia or yellow fever themed books and items.
 * Create a pathfinder to assist students in researching information.
 * Facilitate small group discussions.
 * Prompt students when making topic selections.
 * Provide tips for conducting keyword searches on websites and in databases.
 * Guide students in evaluating resources. Media specialist can walk students through the evaluation of a print or electronic resource using the provided evaluation forms on the Student Learning Materials page.
 * Display a collection of travel brochures and newsletter articles for students to browse through for ideas.
 * Assist students in creating their bibliography.
 * Add student binders to book display at the conclusion of the unit.

Other collaboration opportunities:

 * Ask prominent community members, parents, or other school staff members to participate with small group discussions.
 * Ask a travel agent to come speak about the types of brochures he/she passes out to customers.
 * Ask a writer for a local newspaper to share tips for creating interesting and captivating articles.
 * Ask a community member who keeps a journal to share tips for writing a journal entry.
 * Contact a general practitioner or doctor to provide information about yellow fever.
 * Contact a school in Philadelphia and see the seventh grade classes could share information about their city OR see if one of their classes would like to complete the unit together. Students could then participate in blogging for class discussions and share journal entries online.