RATIONALE
In the Vancouver Public School District, policies on selection of materials can be found in: IIAC: Library Materials/ Selection and Adoption
As well, BC ERAC has provided a thorough document called:
Evaluating, Selecting and Acquiring Learning Resources: A Guide
This document is invaluable with information on how to evaluate materials but also links to review sources and lists of provincially approved resources. An added bonus is segments on:
• Regarding Aboriginal Education
• Regarding Gender Equity and Multiculturalism
• Program Francophone and French Immersion
• English-as-a-Second-Language Students
• Students with Special Needs
There are five checklists to consider when selecting new materials:
SECTION 1. CURRICULUM FIT
SECTION 2. CONTENT
SECTION 3. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
SECTION 4. TECHNICAL DESIGN
SECTION 5. SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
I would also ensure that the library plan dovetails nicely with these district/provincial policies. And, I would look at reviews from reputable publications like Canadian Review of Materials, School Library Journal, or Booklist for critiques and further information on the resource.
The library’s life cycle section on animals and insects is found in various areas of the 590-599 section. Some older series have been updated with newer versions, however they are thin paperback books that seem to go unseen and therefore not circulated. Part of my purchase went to purchasing hardcover books that can be seen and used.
Many of these purchases came from Follett. This company had the best price for hardcover books – approximately half the cost to other suppliers. An added bonus, their own binding is given a lifetime guarantee.
Finally, I added some hardcover books about First Nations peoples and Inuit. The Land is Our Story is a six book series that takes the reader on a journey with children as they explain how and why certain animals are so important to their culture and traditions.
REFLECTION
Thinking back to the previous assignments – especially the weeding experience at the beginning of the course, I wish I had a library or at the least a home school to use for background knowledge. Even though the assignments required practical applications (which definitely aided in my learning), I was frustrated that I am working in the hypothetical. For example, I really do not know what are the school’s library collection plan and the library’s activities in helping reach the school goals. Plus, I do not have access to the teacher/student requests and needs. So, I feel that I selected materials only knowing the quantitative criteria stated in ERAC and VSB guidelines as well as data from the running report.
REFLECTION
Thinking back to the previous assignments – especially the weeding experience at the beginning of the course, I wish I had a library or at the least a home school to use for background knowledge. Even though the assignments required practical applications (which definitely aided in my learning), I was frustrated that I am working in the hypothetical. For example, I really do not know what are the school’s library collection plan and the library’s activities in helping reach the school goals. Plus, I do not have access to the teacher/student requests and needs. So, I feel that I selected materials only knowing the quantitative criteria stated in ERAC and VSB guidelines as well as data from the running report.
BUDGET (click on budget to enlarge)
BOOK CITATIONS & LINKS (click on title)
-2011 Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Information Book Award, Wnner of the 2011 NorthWords Prize
-Canadian Information Book Award Finalist 2009, Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2009, Silver Birch Express nominee, 2010, First Nations Communities Read selection, 2009
Come and Learn With Me: Éwo, séh Kedįdįh
-Highly Recommended ****/4 CM, 2010 OLA Best Bets Junior Non Fiction, Cdn Best Bets list-Junior Non-fiction, 2011, Resource Links Best Books 2010-Non-Fiction K - Grade 6, First Nations Communities Read selection, 2009, 2011 Van. Children's Lit., Roundtable - Info. Book Award
Living Stories: Godi Weghàà Ets' eèda
-Recommended-CM, 2011 Storytelling World Award Honor Book-Sp. Storytelling Res. category, First Nation Communities Read Nominee 2010
-2011 Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Information Book Award, James Pokiak is proud to be Inuvialuit, which means "real people."
"The life cycle is" series
The life cycle of a cat - ebook
-No review found but Shaughnessy Elementary has a copy (VSB)
Baby polar bears - ebook and hardcover book
TECHNOLOGY
SMART Board http://www.bcerac.ca/news/archive/2009/SMART.aspx
(Citations - please see click on links)
