Having co-authored a book on science inquiry, I have learned that there are many, many powerful connections between what we would typically consider “classroom inquiry” in science and the movement to move toward inquiry in libraries according to the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.

Especially for elementary school librarians in a fixed schedule, connecting inquiry to science can be a way to take learning deeper with young students because hands-on science fits naturally with how our students explore and discover. From there, it’s an easier step into text-based inquiry, because the habits are already there.

Marcia Mardis posted an announcement to many of the school library listservs about an NSDL series of seminars about elementary science inquiry. A screenshot of the fall events is below. They’re free! What a great way to bring some professional development leadership to your building when you have little time or budget — for you and for your staff.

You can click the link underneath the screenshot to see all of the 2010-2011 events.

Hope to see you online!

BeyondPenguins/Seminars - NSDLWiki via kwout

There are all sorts of planning strategies among school librarians. The “write it on the back of your business card” plan, the “keep it in your head” plan, the “overflowing file folder of everything I might ever need to get this project done” plan …

AASL has launched a new L4L online planning tool to help members plan and track the implementation of their building or district L4L initiative. It requires a yearly subscription fee.

You can learn more about it here:

AASLblog » AASL’s Planning Guide for Empowering Learners Webinar available On-Demand via kwout

Prezi! Glogster! Museum Box! and more! All part of AASL’s 2010 update to the Best Websites for Teaching and Learning list. Check out the new list here:

ALA | Top 25 | Best Websites for Teaching and Learning via kwout