Standard: Designing Learning Environments to Support Participatory Learning
Theme: Designing for the Individual
Growth Phase: Evolving
Growth Indicator: Students have opportunities to develop self-confidence and explore their identity
An Ontario teacher/teacher-librarian explores themes of self image and identity using the book Meet Willie O’Ree (MacLeod). “Learning experiences” for grades 4-6 include making, tinkering and modifying, reflective practices and additional resources.
Khokhar, R. (2023). Student Well-Being: Self-Image and Identity. Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ylyb0s2qvzaor1/StudentWellBeing_lp_SelfImage.pdf?dl=0
The Coordinator for Libraries and Information Services in SD38 Richmond, British Columbia, explores themes of social equity and health using the book From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way (Thistle). “Learning experiences” for grades 11-12 include making, tinkering and modifying, reflective practices and additional resources.
Rubio, R. (2023). Student Well-Being: Social Equity and Health. Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/sm1tcj1ri0d0mgm/StudentWellBeing_lp_SocialEquity.pdf?dl=0
Ontario teacher-librarian and author Casa-Todd shares some unique ideas for involving students in three areas – book purchasing as well as seeing themselves in the virtual and physical spaces of the LLC. For example, students jot a brief sticky note review of a book they have read and are asked what song would represent the book – they are then posted with the song on the virtual LLC.
Casa-Todd, J. (2023, January 22). 3 Big Ideas to amplify student voice in your Library Learning Commons [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://jcasatodd.com/3-big-ideas-to-amplify-student-voice-in-your-library-learning-commons/
This Quebec secondary school teacher advocates for Canadian books in the classroom as Editorial Coordinator of Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom, a program of the Association of Canadian Publishers. He reflects that students today have access to a diversity of stories that he never had growing up. Today, books for all ages explore multiple identities and ways of being across various genres. But just because these books exist doesn’t mean that students are finding them. School librarians play an important role in making these books discoverable. He includes a list of new titles from Canadian independent publishers for K-12.
Miller, S. (2024). Exploring Intersectionality: 12 Canadian Indie Books for Every Student. Canadian School Libraries Journal, 8 (3). https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/exploring-intersectionality-12-canadian-indie-books-for-every-student/