Learning through Books, Media and Technology

ARTICLES THIS ISSUE:

1995 Administrative Leadership Award for Library Media Services

1994 President's Award Winners Ruby Ling-Louie and Dale Buboltz

Restructuring Science – Pyner High School

Colaboration to the nth degree – Alvarado Middle School

The keyword is science – Newmark Memorial High School

Giving research a practical twist – Rancho Cotate High School

A Good Ideas Encore! – De Portola Middle School

A fair opportunity for students – Challenger Junior High School

From petri dishes to publishing – Rialto High School

Resource-based learning in science – Reedley High School

The web of learning – Sierra Vista Elementary School

Buying a piece of hte rain forest – George C. Marshall Elementary School

Too Good To Miss! Eisenhower High School, Florin High School

Good Ideas! Home Page

Good Ideas! is published by CSLA

1499 Old Bayshore Hwy.

Burlingame

California

94010

(415) 692-2350

The keyword is science

Newark Memorial High School

A pamphlet describing search topics for science classes and suggesting the processes to be followed in doing research guided collaborative efforts between science teachers and the library media teacher at Newark last year. Such topics as "Integrated Earth and Physical Science," "Science and Society," "Chemistry," and "Ecosystems" were supported with customized databases, CD-ROM products, periodical subscriptions, and volumes. To round out this well-planned science program, a handout for students summarized the process and described the formats to be used in research and reporting,

"Mr. Bones" in conference with Nina Stull and Tom Henderson, Science Department chairman at Newark

Based on predesigned topics, library instruction is tailored to the "point of need" for each student. Specific skills, such as keyword identification, index usage, and the use of automated resources, are blended into the process naturally, becoming more sophisticated for advanced classes. Alternative methods for student reporting are encouraged.

Nina Stull reports that program assessment is mostly visual. (Are students using all available data-bases? Are magazines being retrieved? Is the vertical file being used?) Library staff members also note that there is a distinct carryover into other subject areas.

A large percentage of Newark Memorial students indicate their intention to attend a college or university following graduation. Many students are encountering English as a second language and need a variety of ways of doing research. The collaborative work of teachers with the library staff is providing all these students with resources, assistance, and motivation.

• Newark Memorial High School (Grades 9-12; enrollment 1,788)
  39375 Cedar Boulevard, Newark 94560
  Patty Christa, Principal
  Nina F. Stull, Library Media Teacher
  Newark Unified School District