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Crushing it in the Classroom:Instruction Skills for Public Library Staff

April Witteveen

Community Librarian

Deschutes Public Library

File under:Things I didn’t learn in library school…

Tina Davis, Deschutes Public Library

It’s Not Your Average

Booktalk…

BOOKTALKS ARE FUN! A BREAK FROM CLASS..

INSTRUCTION IS…INSTRUCTIONAndy Tullis, Bend Bulletin

Plan It Out

�Current project/application

�Technology check

�Prepare sample searches

�Be aware of school resources

�Use notes or a script if it helps

Buy-in and Teamwork

You

+

Teachers

+

School librarians/media staff

=

SUCCESS

Know Your School Culture

�Behavioral expectations

�Use of electronics

�Quieting/attention-getting

techniques

Photo courtesy of Sonja Somerville, Salem Public Library

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The Developmental Context

Check out YALSA’s Teen Growth

and Development webinar!

https://news.fiu.edu/2016/09/researchers-embark-on-national-landmark-study-of-adolescent-brain-development/103974

Piaget’s Four Stages

https://bit.ly/2Px3iN4

Middle GradeStudents

�Lots of questions and interaction- to

the point of distraction

�The fidgets

�Limited experience

and vocabulary

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_goddard/14173160150

Upper Middle School

and Early High School

�Outer affect ≠ inner awareness

�Boundary pushing

�Need to be sold on what’s in it for

them

S. Somerville

Upper High School

�The Stare of Doom

�A positive tone and approach

�Additional resources for advanced

research

http://parentingteenagersacademy.com/boredom/

Elementary School

�General rule of thumb: one minute

of focused attention per year of

their age

�Let them feel like they are a part of

the presentation

� Is movement

an option?

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Addressing Behavior

�Be confident

�Address issues early on

�Find your style

�Get the teacher involvedSpeaking Tips

� Project your voice

� Notice if you’ve lost attention

� Move on from tech fails

� Be aware of verbal space fillers

� Use humor

� Ask for a PA or mic

� Know your limits

� Bring water

Discuss!Successful instruction stories?

Did you bomb hard and learn a lesson?

Note: all images licensed for reuse unless otherwise cited.