The AASL National Conference is the only national conference devoted solely to the needs of school librarians. In 2019, concurrent sessions focused on AASL's National School
Using Collaboration and Leadership to Instruct Librarians on the New AASL Standards
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Credits: None available.
Let’s be honest. The new AASL Standards are robust, in-depth, and can feel daunting! Aligned with the new standards, the goal in working with school librarians and library leaders is to develop a shared understanding and common vocabulary, and to provide multiple entry points for applying the standards to practice. Through activities and shared ideas, participants will gain insights on using collaboration and leadership to roll out standards training for a positive, quality outcome.
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What Do You Do with an Idea (for a Lesson)?
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Credits: None available.
When you look at a standard, you might have a ready idea on how you can help students achieve the competency; or, you might have no idea about how to break the standard down so that it's appropriate for the students at hand. Crafting effectual objectives can push your lessons in the right direction so that learners achieve mastery towards the standards. In this session, learn how objectives can be powerful levers in your instruction and walk away with tools to guide your objective writing.
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Girls STEAM with a Twist: Incorporating Social Activism
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Credits: None available.
Have you ever wanted students to engage in social activism, but wondered how to get started? Partnering with a community non-profit makes activism authentic and tangible for this grade band. By connecting a community need with a cause they care about deeply, librarians implemented a successful girls’ STEAM summer camp to include community-based social activism. Attendees will leave empowered, with clear steps toward making social activism possible for their students all within a STEAM framework!
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Inquire + Explore = Transformational Learning through Making
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Credits: None available.
Inquiry learning and making, popular movements in school libraries today, embody two AASL Shared Foundations: Inquire and Explore. What happens when making is integrated into inquiry learning within the curriculum? In this session, a team of four school librarians and a district supervisor will offer new perspectives about the power of doing just that! Learn, practice, and leave with strategies, scaffolds and structures that champion transformational learning, innovation and coteaching.
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Evidence-Based Advocacy: Using Data to Demonstrate the Impact of Library Programs on Student Learning
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Credits: None available.
Evidence is a compelling platform for advocacy. While innovative school librarians possess sophisticated training, knowledge, expertise, and pedagogical skills, these qualities take on transformational value when substantiated by data. This session’s facilitator will share replicable strategies for generating, collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, and sharing student learning evidence resulting from inquiry instruction. Participants will leave with access to valuable instructional materials.
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Global Connections, Zero Budget
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Credits: None available.
Running low on funds for your library? Not sure if you can afford to take your students on engaging field trips? Don’t worry...your students can make global connections on a zero budget! Global Connections Zero Budget provides participants with inexpensive resources and opportunities for communicating, sharing, interacting, building empathy, and establishing relationships on a global level, all without leaving the library.
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Libraries as Safe Spaces
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Credits: None available.
Librarians from three different high schools, committed to making their school libraries a safe space for all learners, do so by very different methods showing there are many ways to accomplish this task. Come learn how these librarians purposefully make their space safe for all learners using programming, library layout, literature, and maker spaces so you can take home the ideas that work best for you.
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Literacy: Information, Digital, News, Media…Same S#!@, Different Day!
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Credits: None available.
This session will focus on practical ways school librarians can teach multiple literacies to ensure that learners have the skills necessary to be consumers and creators of information. Whether it is news, digital, information, or media literacy, the new AASL Standards and Key Commitments will assure learners are well-prepared to face an ever-changing landscape. This session will focus on practical teaching ideas, lessons and toolkits that can be employed in secondary school libraries.
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Liven Up Literacy
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Credits: None available.
How do you make reading, writing, speaking, and listening fun for teens? Bring it to life! A high school librarian and English teacher will share their literacy lessons involving the school's technology, Makerspace, and BreakoutEDU tools during school, as well as offer ideas for hosting school-wide murder mystery parties, book and writing club activities, and field trips after school. Walk away with LOTS of resources and ideas to engage teens in literacy to bring literacy to life!
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OER and Copyright: Free and Fair Are Not Open
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Credits: None available.
This hands-on, interactive session will equip librarians and educators with the knowledge and resources to ethically and effectively use, create and share Openly-Licensed Educational Resources (OER). Bring your device to explore copyright, free versus open resources, and checkpoints for reviewing OER! Collaborate with colleagues while building collective knowledge, solving real-life scenarios, and exploring resources! Everyone will leave with links to resources and a checklist for designing OER.
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