Read Into This

Thanks to Paula Hrycenko and Sarah Little for joining host, Beth Lyons, to discuss school libraries within the HWDSB during the 2021-2022 school year. The group discussed what their schedule as the TL looks like and what they are responsible for in their role. Sarah and Paul share how they are working to connect with other TLs within the HWDSB board and support each other's learning, including collaborating for the Forest of Reading. Beth posed the question, “where are you finding school library joy?” to both guests to celebrate the joy that is #ONSchoolLibraries. Beth would like to extend a huge thank you to Paula and Sarah for their patience and understanding with the time it took to edit and publish this episode as this was recorded back in May 2022.GuestsPaula HrycenkoRole-Teacher Librarian/Remote FDK/Prep CoverageTwitter @PaulaHrycenko Email phrycenk@hwdsb.on.caSarah LittleRole-Teacher Librarian/primary prep coverageTwitter: @salittle98 Email salittle@hwdsb.on.caTexts mentioned in this episode:The Bridgerton series by Julia QuinnLord of the Flies by William GoldingThe Vanishing Half by Britt BennettGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana GabaldonThe Outlandish Companion by Diana GabaldonHow to Stop Time by Matt HaigAmerican Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Co-host Beth Lyons welcomes PDSB Teacher-Librarian Jonelle St. Aubyn to the podcast. The two talk about their connection as TLs within a family of schools and the joy and support that comes from meeting together as a teacher-librarian collective. Beth and Jonelle talk about the opportunity they had to present at the superintendent meeting for their family of schools about their journeys within the LLC and how a library learning commons can support the school community. The library and the work done within the library can act as a driving force within a school to help improve pedagogical practices in relation to inclusion, equity and culturally relevant and responsive teaching. Both teacher-librarians discuss the intentional and goal-driven journey that has guided the transition of their LLC space and the co-planning and co-teaching with their fellow educators that has evolved due to the ongoing pandemic and drive to serve the community and its needs. As Jonelle and Beth looked back at their journey within the LLC and worked to create their presentation for the superintendent meeting, they both highlighted four guiding principles they felt spoke to the vision of their space. While the four guiding principles chosen for each LLC may be different, the two discuss their interwoven nature and ongoing learning as they continue to curate a space that evolves with the needs of the school community.Guest- Jonelle St AubynRole - Teacher librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary School in the Peel District School Board. 7 years as a teacher librarian and 21 years as an educator in Peel.Twitter - @Ms_St_AubynTexts Mentioned in This Episode:Cultivating Genius by Gholdy MuhammadDiversity Audit of a Middle School Library by Toni Duvalhttps://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/diversity-audit-of-a-middle-school-library/Tom Schimmer Podcast- Passions or Strengths | Chey Cheney | Concise Answershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-inYGg5C7Y

Co-host Beth Lyons welcomes three teacher-librarians from the TDSB to talk about the closures/reductions/limitations that were in place in the LLC last year and how the LLC re-opened for students this year. The panel discussed what they are noticing or wondering as students return to the LLC and how that has impacted their goals or plans for this year. (This was recorded in November of 2021 and some of the protocols and policies may have changed in the interim.)Guests- Diana MaliszewskiRole: K-8 TDSB teacher-librarianTwitter: @MzMollyTLLisa LewisRole: K-6 TDSB teacher-librarian (.5) + Core French (.5)Twitter: @MmeLisa_LewisValia ReinsaluRole: K-8 TDSB teacher-librarian (.5) JK-8 + Intermediate Resource (inclusion teacher) 7&8Twitter: @valiareinsaluTexts mentioned in this episode:Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta HammondIs Everyone Really Equal? by Ozlem SensoyCultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad Like a Duck by Deborah KerbellOpen by Andre AgassiTaste: My Life Through Food by Stanley TucciWhite Tears, Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color by Ruby Hamad

Co-hosts Lisa Noble and Beth Lyons sit down with author Lawrence Hill to discuss his new book, Beatrice and Croc Harry. Lawrence Hill is a writer whose novels and works of non-fiction have been widely read in Canada, translated into many languages and published around the world. He is a professor of creative writing at the University of Guelph and has served as a teacher or mentor to developing writers for thirty years.His new children's novel is Beatrice and Croc Harry. It is 375 pages, and was written for both children aged 9 – 14 as well as for older teens and adults. It will be published on January 11, 2022 by HarperCollins Canada.https://www.lawrencehill.com/

The group discussed the closures/reductions/limitations that were in place for their LLCs last year. Coming from three different Ontario school boards there was a lot to discuss as to how each board approached staffing during the 2020-2021 school year. All three TLs share how their libraries have re-opened for student and educator use this year. How are we ensuring that students have access to culturally relevant and diverse texts as well as a variety of text formats (ebooks, audiobooks, etc)? Given the transition that's happening for Ontario Ministry of Education mandated tests (OSSLT & EQAO) there also needs to be a shift in how students are able to access texts within their classroom and school library. As school library professionals what steps can we take to help push this transition forward and advocate for the needs of our students? The panel also discusses goals for this year in the LLC while balancing their own energy and mental health needs.Alanna KingRole: Educator, fully remote senior English with the Upper Grand District School BoardTwitter: @banana29Jonelle St AubynRole:Full time teacher librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary SchoolTwitter: @Ms_St_AubynAdrienne KennedyRole: Full time teacher librarian (focus on Library and Wellness) Toronto District School Board, TDSBTexts/Resources mentioned in this episode:Libro FMhttps://libro.fm/Poetry In Voicehttps://www.poetryinvoice.com/Centauri Artshttps://www.centauriarts.com/HotDocshttps://www.hotdocs.ca/Festival of Literary Diversityhttps://thefoldcanada.org/festival-events/fold-kids-bookfest/The Making Boxhttps://www.themakingbox.ca/Digital Human Libraryhttps://www.digitalhumanlibrary.com/Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline BoulleyThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Thank you to all who contributed!Jenn Angle- ON, Teacher-Librarian, Bellmoore School (Binbrook), Hamilton-Wentworth District School BoardNatasha Cardoso- Elementary Teacher/librarian William G. Davis TDSBKate Johnson-McGregor, ON, Secondary Teacher-Librarian, Brantford Collegiate, GEDSB - OLA SuperConference PlannerJennifer Byrne, ON , Elementary Teacher-Librarian, Wilshire Elementary School, YRDSBLila Armstrong- BCRebecca Rubio- BCTim Boudreau, ON, Middle School Teacher librarian at Lougheed Middle School, Brampton, ONCathy MacKechnie, ON, Secondary Teacher Librarian at Nepean High School, Ottawa, ONBarbara Whiston- QC/Montreal Jen Giffen, Secondary School TL, YRDSB,

Read Into Summer ReadsThe co-hosts gather to look back over their favourite summer reads of 2021. Texts mentioned in this episode:Not Your Princess by Lisa CharleyboyFirekeeper's Daughter by Angeline BoulleyJuliet Takes a Breath by Gabby RiveraBlood Like Magic by Liselle SamburyElatsoe by Darcie Little BadgerBlack Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood (Editor Kwame Mbalia)If I Tell The Truth by Jasmin KaurIndivisible by Daniel AlemanHench by Natalie Zina WalschotsThe House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Beth Lyons hosts Melanie White and Cathy MacKechnie, both educators in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board to discuss the idea of learning loss vs. learning gains over the past few years as educators and students have faced the COVID 19 pandemic. The discussion centres on the collaboration between educators who work together, create a plan and are prepared to design in the moment to support student learning. Melanie White- @WhiteRoomRadioPodcast- Just Conversations https://voiced.ca/project/just-conversations/Blog- https://reflectingonrecreation.wordpress.com/2021/08/17/the-abscess-sol2021/Cathay MacKechnie- @NHS_libraryTexts mentioned in this episode:180 days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents By Kelly Gallagher, Penny KittleNot Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom by Matthew R. KayThis Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany JewelUnwind by Neal ShustermanAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire SáenzThe Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila HarrisCulturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta HammondHigh School by Tegan and Sara Quin

S2E13 Interview with author Michelle GriersonAlanna hosts this episode with debut novelist Michelle Grierson. Teacher turned author Michelle explores the inspiration for Becoming Leidah, and how her trip to Scandinavia solidified her ancestral culture into the world she designed in this book. You can follow Michelle at:https://www.michellegrierson.com/on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michellegrierson11on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/mishkagryson/_saved/and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michellegrierson11/For my review of Becoming Leidah check out my blog here:https://threadbarebeauty.com/2021/04/02/becoming-leidah-by-michelle-grierson/

Stephen Hurley joins host, Beth Lyons, to unpack the series of podcasts that looked at audiobooks, podcasts and read alouds in classrooms and school libraries during the 2020-2021 school year. They look back at the school year that included both online and bricks-and-mortar classes, the humanity of the education system and what it means to be human in the 21st century. The podcasts discussed in this episode include:S2E7 Read Into Audiobooks/Podcasts- Adrian Del Monte (Part 1)S2E8 Read Into Audiobooks/ Podcasts- Lynn Thomas (Part 2)S2E9 Read Into Audibooks/Podcasts- Tim Boudreau (Part 3)S2E10 Read Into Read Alouds- Julie Vandendool & Aviva DunsigerTexts mentioned in this episode:Rebels Against the Future by Kirpatrick SaleThe Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois LowryThe Storytelling Animal: How Stories Makes Us Human by Jonathan GottschallThe Librarian's Stories by Lucy Falcone, illustrated by Anna WilsonTough Like Mum by Lana Button, illustrated by Carmen MakCreating Inclusive Writing Environments in the K-12 Classroom: Reluctance, Resistance, and Strategies that Make a Difference by Angela StockmanCultivating Genius: A Four-Layered Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy MuhammadTalking to Strangers by Malcolm GladwellSound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and ProductionBrené with Tim Ferriss and Dax Shepard on Podcasting, Daily Practices, and the Long and Winding Path to Healing- podcast, Brene Brown, Unlocking Us

Co-hosts Lisa Noble and Beth Lyons chat about Indigenous texts that span the K-12 education continuum and ways that educators have integrated these texts into their daily practice. This episode was inspired by A Day to Listen- 12 Hours of Indigenous-led Radio Programming on June 30th. https://downiewenjack.ca/a-day-to-listen/Texts Mentioned In This EpisodeReclaimed by Jared Martineau (Lisa incorrectly called it Unreserved which is a different CBC show with Falen Johnson) A Sitting In St. James by Rita Williams-GarciaI Lost My Talk by Rita Joe, Illustrated by Pauline YoungThe Ecstasy of Rita Joe by George RygaI'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas, Illustrated by Pauline YoungFirst Nations Child and Family Caring Society- Spirit BearFacing History and OurselvesTruth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaAuthor Monique Gray SmithWhen We Were Alone by David A RobertsonPowwow by Karen Pheasant-NeganigwaneBirdsong by Julie Flett (and all books by Julie Flett)My Day with Yayah by Nicola Campbell, Illustrated by Julie FlettBoard books series by Neepin AugerAmerican Indians in Children's Literature site by Debbie ReeseNibi Is Water by Joanne RobertsonWe Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela GoadeMedicine Wheel Education publications- The Circle of Caring and Sharing, The Eagle Feather, Gifts from Raven, Trudy's Healing Stone, The Hoop Dancer's TeachingsBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererWe Are All Treaty People by Maurice Switzer, illustrated by Charley HerbertBarren Grounds by David A RobertsonTales from Big Spirit series by David A RobertsonA Girl Called Echo by Katherena VermetteSurviving the City by Tasha SpillettSiha Tooskin Knows Series by Charlene Bearhead and Wilson Bearhead | illustrated by Chloe Bluebird MustoochThis Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Jen Storm, Richard Van Camp, Katherena Vermette, Chelsea Vowel | illustrated by Tara Audibert, Kyle Charles, GMB Chomichuk, Natasha Donovan, Scott B. Henderson, Ryan Howe, Andrew Lodwick, Jen Storm | colour by Scott A. Ford, Donovan YaciukThe Marrow Thieves by Cherie DimalineThe Break by Katherena VermetteIf I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni Shingoose, art by NshannacappoSon of a Trickster by Eden RobinsonFive Little Indians by Michelle GoodSeven Fallen Feathers by Tanya TalagaThere There by Tommy Orange#NotYourPrincess- Voices of Native American Women by Edited by Lisa Charleyboy & Mary Beth LeatherdaleGlass Beads by Dawn DumontThe Next Chapter with Shelagh RogersOne Dish, One Mic- podcastTelling Our Twisted Histories- podcastStorykeepers: Let's Talk Indigenous Books- podcastSplit Tooth by Tanya TagaqMoon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig RiceIn This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation by Danielle Metcalfe-ChenailIndigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel21 Things You Didn't Know About the Indian Act by Bob JosephIndigenous Peoples AtlasAnti-racist Educator Reads hosted by Colinda Clyne

Join Read Into This host Beth Lyons as she explores how virtual read alouds have been used with fellow teacher-librarian Julie Vandendool and kindergarten educator Aviva Dunsiger throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Our discussion stems from a Twitter thread between the three of us looking at why read alouds seemed to have been more successful when in a virtual space than in the bricks-and-mortar space while following safety protocols. How do we balance supporting the literacy needs and sharing of stories with students and educators using virtual tools with the power we know that comes from small group discussions and the connections made when talking about the books together? Both Julie and Beth reflect on how the act of sharing stories in a large school-wide setting using virtual tools allowed for a small act of community gathering in a year when we were all so far apart. How can we engage in a story and the learning connected to themes and inquiry sparks when working with grades ranging from kindergarten to Grade 8. We know that stories act as “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” (Rudine Sims Bishop) but how have they also acted as “keys” (Julie Vandendool) to a shared common space? Julie Vandendool- Alloa Public School LLC@AlloaLlc Aviva Dunsiger@avivaloca Poem shared by Julie-Her Books and Stories by Erin Hansenhttps://inspiration.allwomenstalk.com/her-books-and-stories-by-erin-hanson/Sparks that helped structure our discussion:“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories” ~Jonathan Gottschall, The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us HumanThe Science of Story- https://news.berkeley.edu/berkeley_blog/the-science-of-the-story/Jonathan Gottschall Tedx- https://youtu.be/Vhd0XdedLpYTexts mentioned in this episode:The Truth About Wind by Hazel Hutchins & Gail HerbertI Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney SmithWhat Riley Wore by Elana K. ArnoldA Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O'LearyMalaika series by Nadia L. HohnI Lost My Talk by Rita JoeTake It Back by Kia AbdullahWhite Fragility by Robin DiAngeloCultivating Genius by Gholdy MuhammadCalm, Alert, and Learning by Stuart ShankerInquiry Mindset by Trevor Mackenzie and Rebecca Bathurst-HuntMake Writing: 5 Teaching Strategies That Turn Writer's Workshop Into a Maker Space by Angela StockmanCreating Inclusive Writing Environments in the K-12 Classroom: Reluctance, Resistance, and Strategies that Make a Difference by Angela Stockman

Beth Lyons speaks to teacher-librarian Tim Boudreau about creating podcasts with students as part of his philosophy and integration of maker education in the school library learning commons. How might integrating podcasts and the creation of content help students to see themselves as creators of digital content and not only consumers? Tim outlines the planning process he undergoes with students as they begin to develop and plan for creating their own podcast. How can we use podcasts- both the creation and consumption of- to improve our students' listening and speaking skills? Tim and Beth discuss whether virtual learning has raised educator's awareness of the need to better connect literacy activities to the important skills of listening and speaking in a way that wasn't acknowledged before. Student Created Podcast- Lougheed Readshttps://www.spreaker.com/user/voicedradio/lougheed-reads-dont-stand-so-close-to-meTim Boudreau@Timboo_drowTexts mentioned in this episode:PodcastsPod Save America - PoliticsThe NY Times The Daily - NewsRevisionist History - History and storytellingTai Asks Why- CBC The Interview DudesThe Happiness Lab - Mental HealthShut Up and Sit Down - GamingMars Patel- Gen Z MediaBooksFrom the Ashes by Jesse ThistleInvincible by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, John RauchHouse of M by Brian Michael BendisThe Walking Dead by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore

Beth Lyons speaks to educator Lynn Thomas about using audiobooks and podcasts in her secondary classroom. Shout out to our #EduKnitNight from bringing us together and helping educators from across the K-12 continuum learn from each other's experiences. The conversation starts with exploring how readers may experience and interact with audiobooks differently than physical books. How can using both modalities of reading in our learning environments help support all learners develop a love of stories and discover the genres that they are passionate about? How might we restructure our assignments and activities in the Language Arts and English classroom to create engaged and literate citizens? Lynn shares how she uses both text formats in her classroom with her students and offers the choice of physical book or audiobook or both to her students to help them access the text and narrative in a format that works for them. Lynn Thomas@THOMLYNN101Texts mentioned in this episode:The Hate You Give by Angie ThomasI'll Give You The Sun by Jandy NelsonIndian Horse by Richard WagameseThe Marrow Thieves by Cherie DimalineThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John BoyneHamilton Spectator- https://www.thespec.com/nie.htmlAERO- audiobooksSerial Podcast- https://serialpodcast.org/Finding Cleo- https://www.cbc.ca/radio/findingcleoBrené Brown- Unlocking Us, Dare to Lead- https://brenebrown.com/podcasts/Gen Z MediaDaring Greatly by Brene BrownThe Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara and Susan Elizabeth McClellandAn Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamilloKen Follett- https://ken-follett.com/books/

Co-host Beth Lyons and Adrian Del Monte from The Wholehearted Teaching podcast sit down to discuss how educators are embracing audiobooks and podcasts as texts in their classroom, especially since the start of the pandemic. As parents of young children Beth and Adrian reflect on the current remote learning situation and how it has impacted their understanding of the education system as educators in the areas of assessment and demonstration of learning. How might we embrace audiobooks in our classrooms and school libraries to allow students greater access to stories? What constitutes “real” reading in classrooms and is this an outdated, colonial approach to teaching students about stories and narratives? As educators we need to reflect on what the goal of teaching language arts is and how we are serving our students as individuals in our literacy programs. Adrian Del Monte The Wholehearted Teaching Podcast- @podcastforhearthttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1KkC9ZDZgThOAAoRUCxlc20H0JcBs9QjN/view@adrian_delmonteTexts Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Dogman series by Dav PilkeyBorn a Crime by Trevor Noah (audiobook narrated by Trevor Noah)The Truth About Stories by Thomas KingThis Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany JewellThe Hill We Climb by Amanda GormanDear Humanity by Wali ShahA Promised Land by Barack Obama (audiobook narrated by Barack Obama)Becoming by Michelle Obama (audiobook narrated by Michelle Obama)The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls (audiobook narrated by Jeanette Walls)When They Call You a Terrorist; A Blacl Lives Matters Memoir by by Patrisse Cullors (Author), asha bandele (Author), Angela Davis (Foreword) (audiobook narrated by Patrisse Khan-Cullors)The Stone Thrower A Daughter's Lessons, a Father's Life by Jael Ealey Richardson (audiobook narrated by Jael Ealey Richardson)Gutter Child by Jael Ealey RichardsonDear White People…Why Is Your Mental Health So White? By Asante HaughtonThe Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter BrownThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldCharming As a Verb by Ben PhillipePunching the Air by by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef SalaamThe Crossover and The Undefeated by Kwame AlexanderThe Track Series by Jason ReynoldsThe Disappearance of Mars Patel by Gen Z MediaUnlocking us (Podcast) and The Power of Vulnerability by Brene BrownWhite Fragility by Robin D'AngeloUncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel AchoStamped Racism, Antiracism, and Youby Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi (audiobook narrated by Jason Reynolds)How to be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (audiobook narrated by Ibram X. Kendi)We Want To Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina L. Love (audiobook narrated by Bettina L. Love)The Handmaid's Tale and the Testaments by Margaret AtwoodThe Hate U Give by Anglie ThomasDear Martin by Nic StoneShout out to Jonelle St Aubyn @Ms_St_Aubyn for inviting our feeder schools to your speaker series for Sikh Heritage Month.

Book club organizer Lisa Corbett interviews teacher-turned-author Anne Shilolo about her cozy mystery Rescue Me. The book is about 3 teens who visit a G8 protest and the adventures that they experience as they become separated from each other in the chaos. As Anne says in her book description: What could go wrong? We recommend this book for grades 7 to 12.Anne reveals how publishing a book per month in the cozy mystery genre independently has been very satisfying, in contrast to the traditional way of approaching publishers with a manuscript. Anne recommends the self-publishing process for its benefits for creative control and publishing momentum. We also uncover two more of Anne's series: animal humour in a murder mystery series Poodle Versus, and also Murder in Season which focuses on an injured detective Claire Beckett. Anne also talks about all the mysteries in her reading history that have influenced her own creations.Anne's books are available in multiple formats through her website: https://www.anneshillolo.com/This episode was recorded in May 2020.

In the second part of a special crossover episode with The Staffroom Podcast hosts, Chey Cheney and Pav Wander, Beth Lyons discusses the power of stories in education and learning. You can check out Part 1 of this series at the following link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Erg1iodNeKborleFljBvi?go=1&utm_source=embed_v3&t=0&nd=1The conversation continues by looking at how we can embed current events, identity, making connections and stories into our learning with students. The importance of consistently valuing, appreciating, honouring, and connecting to the lived experience of students and the school community in order to learn from and validate the stories of the students we have the privilege to work with each day. How are we working with students to build their capacity to not only understand the visual stories they are bombarded with each day but to tell their story through pictures and images? How can we differentiate the modes in which we ask students to tell their stories- whether that's the story of how they communicate their understanding of math or a narrative? The discussion shifts to looking at multimodal ways to capture student's understanding beyond pencil and paper and whether the consistency of working for a length of time in one grade or the experience of changing grades/allocations has helped us on our own learning journey as educators. The discussion ends off with sharing our love for audiobooks and brings the conversation full circle with Part 1 where we discussed oral storytelling. Chey Cheney- @mrccheneyPav Wander- @pavwanderhttps://www.cheyandpav.com/The Staffroom Podcast- @StaffPodcastThe Drive with Chey and Pav- @TheDriveVoicEdBooks mentioned in this episode:Make Writing: 5 Teaching Strategies that Turn Writer's Workshop into a Maker Space by Angela StockmanCreating Inclusive Writing Environments by Angela StockmanBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererGutter Child by Jael RichardsonLeonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man by William ShatnerThe Fabulous Zed Watson by Basil Sylvester and Kevin SylvesterLike a Love Story by Abdi NazemianThe Barnabus Project by The Tan BrothersA Promised Land by Barack Obama

In this live chat session, Read Into This podcast co-host Alanna King revisits a lighter retrospective on some of the hot-button topics of the 2020 year in reading and school libraries. Please enjoy listening to this live recording, and have a look at our Jamboard artifact where participants contributed their ideas about our main topics. in our live Jamboard and call in about your school library experiences! BYOB to this podcast party.Jamboard link: https://jamboard.google.com/d/14-ZxFI1RU8yFyYlJHT1M3lKEK_cQgzKRr2wMltcvTjM/edit?usp=sharing

Co-host Beth Lyons welcomes Jael Richardson, author and executive director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) to discuss the importance of choosing to bring Canadian content- authors, illustrators, publishers- into Canadian classrooms. Looking at the social responsibility and moral imperative of the Canadian education system to book Canadian authors and activists to speak to students. They discuss how the publishing industry in Canada needs to shift to promote Canadian writers, in particular BIPOC authors, that represent the lived experience of our country. How might we as readers and specifically teacher-librarians work to bring intentionality to the authors we showcase within our schools and with our students? Jael shares her thoughts on how teacher-librarians and educators can work from the geographical space in which their students reside to help share a clear path that has been followed by authors and other artists in order to help students make connections. What mandates and policies exist within an educational organization that promotes and holds people accountable to bringing in Canadian authors and content? How might we advocate to make these policies a reality? Lastly, the role of parents and grown-ups in advocating for the reading materials that are consumed by readers, regardless of the medium or genre, is discussed. Shout out to Toni Duval for being fabulous.Jael Richardson@JaelRichardsonThe Festival of Literary Diversity- https://thefoldcanada.org/Q Recommendations- http://www.jaelrichardson.com/writing/q-recommendationsI Read Canadian Day- https://ireadcanadian.com/day/Books Mentioned In This Episode:The Stone Thrower: A Daughter's Lesson, A Father's Life- Jael RichardsonThe Stone Thrower (Children's Book) - Jael RichardsonGutter Child- Jael RichardsonYou Are Eating An Orange, You Are Naked by Sheung-KingLike Home by Louisa Onome (YA)Bruised by Tanya Boteju

Beth Lyons and Toni Duval look back at their journey together as teacher-librarians towards reading more diversely. They recount their time at the Ontario Library Super Conference, seeing Jael Richardson as a spotlight speaker and attending the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) as a means to live and read more diversely. Toni talks about her time as a FOLD volunteer and using the resources and learning offered by the FOLD as an inroads to bringing diverse literature into the classroom. The pair consider their learning in a professional development sense and the importance of bringing an awareness to who is presenting the sessions, the messages they are sharing and moving beyond your silo. Both Toni and Beth have started to engage in a diversity audit of the book collections in the school library and discuss the statistics and learning that have come from starting this work. Toni shares about how she connected with Rebeca Rubio and their upcoming session at OLA Super Conference 2021 looking at their diversity audits and the discussions that stem from the data and the work. Mentioned in this episode:OLA Super Conference- https://www.olasuperconference.ca/Treasure Mountain Canada- https://tmc.canadianschoollibraries.ca/Rebeca Rubio @rebecarubi0Thanks to Jael Richardson and the FOLD for always pushing our learning.@JaelRichardson@TheFOLD_https://thefoldcanada.org/Books mentioned in this episode:Black Water: Family, Legacy and Blood Memory by David A. RobertsonThe Barren Grounds by David A. RobertsonThis Book is AntiRacist by Tiffany JewellTrending: How and Why Stuff Gets Popular by Kira Vermond, illustrated Clayton HanmerThe Jigsaw Puzzle King by Gina McMurchy-Barber

Teaching Tough Topics: Interview with Fatty Legs authors Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-FentonTeacher-librarian Lisa Lewis joins Alanna to speak with author Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Olemaun) about the impact of their book on tackling the tough topic of Canada's history of residential schools and the legacy of this cultural trauma. This unique memoir of the Inuvialuit experience is a must-read for middle grade audiences.Lisa uses Fatty Legs with her intergenerational book club and speaks about the power of unpacking trauma with middle grade students. Christy mentions how Fatty Legs is also resonating with new Canadians and adapting to new cultures. Christy also refers to the cross-cultural connections of global history including war's effect on human migration, the Japanese treatment of Korean people. Lisa emphasizes how the impact of migration on family culture really resonates with her students and their families.Shoutouts to Jenny Kay Dupuis' I Am Not a Number, mentor Maggie DeVries, illustrator Liz Amini-Holmes, Annick Press, and editor Antonia Banyard. For more resources to go with Fatty Legs:https://www.cjordanfenton.com/teacher-resourceshttps://www.annickpress.com/Books/F/Fatty-Legs-10th-anniversary-editionFor more information about this book and the authors:The Canadian Encyclopedia: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fatty-legs

Beth Lyons speaks to Maria Martella and Margie Wolfe about the creation of the Save School Libraries Coalition, the role school libraries and Canadian books plays in the education of students, the legacy of devaluing and defunding of school libraries over decades and the most recent alarming closures of school libraries in response to the pandemic. The panel discusses the need to advocate for school libraries, work to educate families and caregivers of how school libraries support their children's education. Maria Martella- owner of Tinlidshttps://www.tinlids.ca/Margie Wolfe- publisher and owner of Second Story Presshttps://secondstorypress.ca/The Save School Libraries Coalition:African Heritage Educators' Network (AHEN)Annick PressAssociation of Canadian Publishers (ACP)The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC)Canadian School Libraries (CSL)Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators & Performers (CANSCAIP)A Different BooklistInternational Board on Books for Young People — Canadian Section (IBBY Canada)Ontario Book Publishers' Organization (OBPO)Larry Swartz – Literacy Instructor Ontario Institute for the Study of Education (OISE)Ontario Library Association (OLA)Ontario School Library Association (OSLA)Second Story PressTinlids Inc.The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC)Primary Contact:Anita Brooks KirklandChair, Canadian School Librarieswww.canadianschoollibraries.caanitabk@bythebrooks.ca519-503-9388299 Canterbury DriveWaterloo, ON N2K 3C1Books mentioned in this episode:The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim

The Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading is “Canada's largest recreational reading program! This initiative of the Ontario Library Association (OLA) offers ten reading programs to encourage a love of reading in people of all ages. The Forest helps celebrate Canadian books, publishers, authors and illustrators. More than 270,000 readers participate annually from their school and/or public library. All Canadians are invited to participate via their local public library, school library, or individually.”This timely episode explores the nominations for 2021 in all of the trees so if you want to see the full lists, check these out: https://accessola.com/forest/award-nominated-lists/The Forest of Reading comes under a scrutiny as we apply our #ownvoices lens to each of the lists. Are the lists representative of the diversity of our students? As members of the education community and also representatives of the selection committees, we bring a lot of experience to this conversation.Shoutouts to Lisa Lewis and Deb Dundas.For more information on the challenges of diversity of Canadian publishing, check out this Treasure Mountain Canada paper by Deb Dundas called “Who do we see in kids' books? Star survey provides insight into diversity of Canadian publishers and the characters they develop”

Beth speaks with Wali Shah who is a spoken word poet, author, Tedx speaker and advocate for education. Wali speaks about the community that school provides and the changes that students are experiencing due to COVID and our current pandemic situation. Wali recounts his experience in high school when his teacher introduced him to a book of poetry and saw the potential in his abilities. He attributes his success and passion for writing to his interaction with this teacher and the book of poetry he was given to read. They discuss the importance of sharing culturally responsive texts with students that allow the students to see themselves in the characters and authors they are exploring. Wali shares about the book he is working on with author Eric Walters and the appreciation he has for the opportunity to learn with and from Eric as they collaborate on this new book. The book will allow students who connect with the immigrant experience and growing up as a Muslim to see themselves in a book written by an author who looks like them and understands their lived experience. Books Mentioned in this Episode-The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac ShakurDamn Good Advice for People with Talent by George Loishttps://www.lifeaswali.com/@LifeAsWali Shout out to Eric Walters @EricRWalters

Beth speaks with Angela Stockman who is an educator, an author and a champion for the power of storytelling in its many forms. She has spent her career being curious about what makes writers struggle and how she could help push young writers to see their capabilities. The conversation starts by discussing Angela's new book- Creating Inclusive Writing Environments in the K-12 Classroom: Reluctance, Resistance, and Strategies that Make a Difference and how Angela is connected and collaborates with so many school library professionals and other educators in Ontario. Angela explains her thoughts about the role reading has in the writing lives of students and the intertwining of play and storytelling. Angela says that ”[s]tory is not the property of English language arts and English teachers. Story is a power force inside every single industry.” We discuss the cultural reckoning that is happening across the world right now and the importance of bringing in students' lived experiences to the classroom and valuing many forms of storytelling.Books Mentioned in this EpisodeKeep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin KleonDesign Is Storytelling by Ellen LuptonBird by Bird by Anne Lamotthttp://www.angelastockman.com/@AngelaStockmanLook for The Building Better Writers group on Facebook

Join co-host Beth Lyons as she explores how school library professionals are “leveraging their LLC” using the Canadian School Library graphic as a starting point for discussion. The panel discusses book circulation as we work to keep staff and students safe as we adopt curbside pickup or a delivery model. An important piece of the puzzle is how might school library professionals provide curriculum support due to repeated re-organizations of staff into different assignments, a lack of tech devices as they are being given out to online students and not available to those learning in the face-to-face model. The panel shares how they are creating and curating lists of available resources and making “how-to videos” to support the needs of their community, especially as the virtual library learning commons becomes a more central piece of how the library functions. The current role of various communication tools and how we are getting the needed information to families is considered as many boards look at which tool- Google Classroom/Site, Brightspace, and/or Messenger, can be used as Virtual Learning Environments and the importance of building capacity with these tools in order to best serve the needs of our learners. Finally the panel looks at collection building- what are school library professionals looking to purchase and use to build a rich and diverse collection especially in light of the Ministry report highlighting the anti-Black racism in PDSB and the ongoing societal shift as we open our eyes to the need for these materials. On a personal note, I want to thank the four educators who joined me to discuss their current roles and goals as we returned to school for the 2020-2021 school year. The emotion and stress attached to all educational roles this year as educators work to pivot to our new reality while still working to support students as best they can is palpable and I am grateful for their trust in sharing their stories. ~BethThanks to our guests:Jonelle St Aubyn @Ms_St_AubynDawn Telfer @DawnTelferJess Longthorne @LongthorneJessDiana Murrell @Murrell_TLCSL Graphic- https://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CSL_LeverageYourLLC.pdfJonelle St Aubyn mentions “EML” which stands for Empowering Modern Learners from the PDSB. Books MentionedI Will See You Again by Lisa BoivinThe Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve GrahamPunching the Air by Ibi ZoboiThe Third Path by Dr. David Tranter, Lori Carson, and Tom BolandThe Last Houseguest by Megan MirandaI'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing BrownWe Have Always Been Here by Samra HabibMystery authors- Ruth Ware and Mary KubikaPodcasts Mentioned:88 Cups of Tea

Reflecting on the most “unprecedented” start of school ever. The co-hosts discuss what their roles are at the time of recording, the first weeks of learning and being back at school. A look at how we have been adapting to our roles- whether online or face-to-face or a mix of both. Beth talks about staying in her role as a teacher-librarian and the work of supporting educators and curating resources to have at the ready for the learning community without overwhelming them at the same time. The loss of school libraries across the province at this time as boards struggle to fill class needs with educators reflects the legacy of devaluing school library professionals and the loss this represents for educators and learners is recognized and discussed. While reflecting on the new normal of school the Lisa and Alanna share their experiences in face-to-face and online/remote learning and the changes they are seeing in both educators and students- from the ever present worries and need to pivot at a moment's notice, the continued importance of a PLN (professional learning network) to support your pedagogical learning, the dichotomy of the increased independence of students and inability to focus for a long duration of time. The episode finishes off talking about what the co-hosts have read and loved recently, what they hope to read soon and the on-going debate of separating art from the artist. Books mentioned in this episode:Lovely War by Julie BerryThe Library at Mount Char by Scott HawkinsThe Pull of the Stars by Emma DonoghueI'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing BrownThe Library of Legends by Jamie ChangCreating Inclusive Writing Environments by Angela StockmanI Let You Go by Clare MackintoshSummerwood/Winterwood by E.L. ChenWorlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for Your School by Laura FlemingPodcasts mentioned in this episode:Unlocking Us with Brene Brown (June 10th episode with Austin Channing Brown)

Alanna hosts Australian learning commons leader and educator Jennifer Cain @jennifercain26 as we talk about how she programs an entire week of experiential and participatory knowledge-building using competitive, collaborative and community activities, somewhat akin to the Triwizard cup of Hogwarts, but with much more variety (although less underwater breathing is required). Jennifer shows how the significance of the librarian's role has been pivotal in the success of her school as they have moved to remote learning during the pandemic. Jennifer provides a wealth of perspective as we compare Australia's model and proactive response to transitioning to remote learning and the importance of a literacy and learning leader during this time. Jennifer Cain can be reached at: cain_j@materchristi.edu.au Shoutouts to Australian Library and Information Association https://www.alia.org.au/ Link to the original article in Canadian School Libraries Journal: https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/creating-knowledge-building-skills-designing-and-implementing-a-knowledge-week/

Alanna hosts our school library panel on the topic of instigating collaboration through instruction and building that cycle. Our coast-to-coast #CollaboNation panel of experts Lila Armstrong, Sonja Clark, and Leigh Borden strategize about their menu of collaboration and making sure that the school knows their true range of skills and abilities. How can we continue to push our schools to investigate inquiry projects where the ending (i.e. diorama) isn't predetermined? Favourites from our panel include book sets, anticipation guides, combining STEM with literacy, continuity pieces that cross all curricula and shifting school culture to embrace dissonance.Shoutouts to Jenn Brown, Christie Johnson, National Film Board, Mitch Resnick's Lifelong Kindergarten, Lisa Unger, Reggio, Robert John Meehan, and Walter Isaacson's The Innovators.

Alanna hosts Australian learning commons leader and educator Jennifer Cain @jennifercain26 as we talk about how she programs an entire week of experiential and participatory knowledge-building using competitive, collaborative and community activities, somewhat akin to the Triwizard cup of Hogwarts, but with much more variety (although less underwater breathing is required). Jennifer shows how the significance of the librarian's role has been pivotal in the success of her school as they have moved to remote learning during the pandemic. Jennifer provides a wealth of perspective as we compare Australia's model and proactive response to transitioning to remote learning and the importance of a literacy and learning leader during this time. Jennifer Cain can be reached at: cain_j@materchristi.edu.au Shoutouts to Australian Library and Information Association https://www.alia.org.au/ Link to the original article in Canadian School Libraries Journal: https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/creating-knowledge-building-skills-designing-and-implementing-a-knowledge-week/

Alanna, Lisa and Beth unpack the 3rd and 4th quarters of the book revealing all! Spoiler alert! jump right into the second quarter of Emily St. John Mandel's novel Station Eleven. We talk about the hallmarks of culture in the book versus the ones we might have chosen for ourselves in 2020. We even dissect why Emily St. John Mandel's characters seems intent on preserving ‘the canon' of literature and music. Does the novel's timeline help or hurt all the big reveals that happen? Were we successful at unravelling the mystery as the clues were laid out? We also spend a lot of time on Tyler the Prophet and the meaning of the name of the book.

Beth hosts Diana Maliszewski, Mona Cheema, Renee Shah Singh and Ketly Appleton to discuss the recent Twitter campaign launched by the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) where school library professionals from across Ontario (and Canada!) are sharing their documentation process of student learning, the joy of the school library and the joy of reading. The panel discussed the energy and the vibe of an LLC and the shared passion for creating a school library that is the hub of the school and the recurring theme of community that emerged through the discussion. Diana reminded us that tweets are a media form and that as we use this medium to advocate for our spaces and our learners we need to be mindful of the attention economy. A great inquiry question- How might we create tweets with engaging hooks to push our advocacy for school libraries forward? Listen for shoutouts to other school library professionals that inspired us and if you haven't yet shared a tweet using #ONSchoolLibraries or #ShareYourLLC, remember- your ordinary is someone else's extraordinaryPanel@MzMollyTL - Diana Maliszewski@MsCheema_TDSB - Mona Cheema@IngleboroughLlc - Renee Shah Singh@Kappleton_GG - Ketly AppletonShoutouts to the School Library Professionals Who Inspired Us@MrsVandendool Alloa Public School LLC@NHS_Library1 NHS_Library@originalmissg Ruth Gretsinger@DNevilleTeach Danny Neville@JennMacBrown Jenn Brown@WilshireLibrary Wilshire Library@MrsGoodybdps Laura Goodfellow@LibraryScott Connie Scott@msbordenTL Leigh Borden@Lila_TL_EWP Lila Armstrong@MsTravassos Cassandra TravassosLand Art- Andy Goldsworthy

Beth explores what makes a good non-fiction text for primary to intermediate readers with fellow PDSB teacher librarian Toni Duval. Toni outlines her experiences on the selection committees for the OLA Forest of Reading program and the criteria used to choose a book for the list of nominees. The conversation takes on the non-linear fashion of non-fiction texts, memoirs as a narrative sub-genre, the amount of visual literacy built into a non-fiction text and the necessity of a good layout to help young readers make sense of the text. Beth and Toni discuss how students benefit from having positive models of reading in their lives, the shift from only valuing fiction and novels during their parent's education to opening the door to readers to choose what they like to read and why that is an important aspect of the role of a teacher librarian. Their brief disagreement over a book chosen for the Yellow Cedar nominee list is discussed and they move on as friends! Signage, book displays and ideas for promoting non-fiction in their library learning commons is a common thought for both teacher librarians and they share how they have shifted their practice to learn more about #OwnVoices within the non-fiction publishing world. Toni Duval @toni_a_duvalBooks mentioned: Meatless?: A Fresh Look At What You Eatby Sarah Elton, Julie McLaughlin (Illustrations)Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through Historyby Alison Matthews David, Serah-Marie McMahon

Read Into This co-host Beth Lyons, Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) Vice-President, and Jenn Brown (OSLA Past President) chat with Tim Boudreau and Connie Scott about the most recent #ONLibChat that was held on July 28th. The chat still centred around the question “How might our school libraries look in the fall if/when we return to school?” but shifted to focus on ideas around advocating for the role of school libraries within a learning community and how school library professionals might use their collective voice to share the necessity of a school library with education stakeholders. The panel discussed the upswell in advocacy that resulted during the chat as participants asked if OSLA was prepared to reply to the education announcement once it was shared and Beth discussed the process of writing the letter - School Library Staff: Essential to Supporting Students Adapt and Succeed in the Unprecedented 2020-21 School Year . The panel also discussed the roles of teacher-librarians, the lack of equitable funding for school libraries across the province, the possible role of the school library as schools re-open with COVID 19 protocols in place and as always, as we can serve the students in our communities.The next chat has been scheduled for August 25th at 7:00pm- https://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=EIW200825AJenn Brown @JennMacBrownTim Boudreau @TimBoo_DrowConnie Scott @LibraryScott

Alanna hosts author and educator Jennifer Casa-Todd and we talk about her journey from being a fearful and reluctant parent of teens in regards to the use of social media, to blogging and using social media with her students, and now student voices on a global scale. Jennifer gives some solid advice about setting up norms in social media for student participation and handling multiple perspectives for learning.Shoutouts to Alec Couros, George Couros, Dean Shareski, danah boyd, Henry Jenkins, Leigh Cassell, Stacey Wallwin, Tina Zita, Donna Fry, Mark Carbone, Brock Baker, Allison Fuisz, Nicole Kauffman, Michael Drezek and Dave Burgess.Jennifer's paper for Treasure Mountain Canada 2020: https://tmcanada.blogspot.com/p/tmc6-casa-todd.htmlGet involved with #GlobalEdSsChat: https://globaledsschat.com/Want to know more? Here's Jenn's book Social LEADia: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadershiphttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35444016-social-leadia

Alanna hosts author and reading advocate Eric “Momentum” Walters and chair of Canadian School Libraries Anita Brooks Kirkland as we dissect some of their year of passionate intention to increase reading engagement in K-12 students. Eric suggests that all he needed to do was a little spark to the fire that teachers and school library staff already do. He wants more passion for student choice and voice in reading choices. Anita talks about how her research and data collection convinced key stakeholders to let the books go out during the summer. We round out this conversation by talking about the needs for virtual engagement in the library learning commons, building partnerships with public libraries and how to pivot in this pandemic. The article that sparks this discussion: https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/the-eric-walters-school-library-summer-lending-project/Bibliovideo YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRQbrmtvSYMRm1emqkhP8QAnita's Webinar series on Building your Own Virtual Library: https://www.bythebrooks.ca/build-your-own-vllc/Shoutouts to Orca Books, The Canadian Children's Book Centre, Michael Marchenko, Debbie and Ruth Ohi, Eugenie Fernandez, TD Summer Reading Program

Beth explores how podcasting has helped educators Pav Wander and Chey Cheney find their voice and work to share it with others. Chey and Pav are the co-hosts of The Staffroom Podcast and The Drive and have found that by sharing their voice and ideas with others using these mediums they are becoming more comfortable with having courageous conversations and pushing their learning forward. During the episode Beth, Pav and Chey discuss the intertwined literacies of listening, speaking, sketchnoting and reading, curating articles and texts that connect and push pedagogy forward and the experience of curating a playlist in relation to theme each week for their live radio show hosted on VoicEd Radio. Chey and Pav reflect on their use of podcasting with students in the classroom as an organic experience that grew out of a Genius Hour project and the changes that might take place if podcasting were more intentionally embedded through the inquiry process. Books mentioned during this episode:Pav: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerChey: Practical Wisdom: The Right Way To Do The Right Thing by Barry Schwartz

Alanna, Lisa and Beth jump right into the second quarter of Emily St. John Mandel's novel Station Eleven. In this episode we unpack some of the themes that are emerging and we are particularly drawn to Mandel's use of memory and time with multiple narrators and also a non-linear timeline. We start to explore the abandoned places that are explored in the novel, and the technology objects that are left behind. We talk about Ai Weiwei's work as a protest against Chinese nationalist policies and how he plays with value of objects, the same way Mandel is. We talk a lot about how children and families fit into the pandemic and the conditions that we're experiencing, that are emphasized in the novel. We talk about the power of cultural artifacts to transform us back to moments of impact where we were called to action or to think in a different way. Here's the theme wheel we talk about: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/station-eleven/chart-board-visualizationJump into the conversation with us on TVO's TeachOntario: https://www.teachontario.ca/community/explore/TO-OSLA-book-club/projects/station-elevenShoutouts to this previous episode with Rolland Chidiac and Chris Cluff:EP 08 How do stories hold us? What stories do you hold on to?https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/ep-08-how-do-stories-hold-us-what-stories-do-you-hold-on-to/

Read Into This co-host Beth Lyons, Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) Vice-President chats with Jenn Brown (OSLA Past-President) about the recent #ONLibChat they facilitated that took place on June 25th and looked at the question- “How might our school libraries look in the fall if/when we return to school?” The chat was an open discussion between school library professionals across Ontario (and BC!) and a few key themes and concerts emerged:Will school libraries open if/when we return to school?How might we support community wellness by advocating for the LLC as a safe space for learners?How can we continue to use the school library space as a centre of support for student health and wellness?How might we advocate the need to have centralized databases, resources, and school library positions at all Ontario boards to support modern learners?How might we foster collaboration with educators and other library sectors as a result of what we have learned during this time?What role can school library professionals play in supporting educators and students in exploring ideas of digital citizenship, privacy, and copyright?Further chats have been scheduled for July 28th at 7pm and August 25th at 7pm.http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Events/Online_Events/ONLibChat/OLA/Events/Online_events/ONLibChat.aspx?hkey=2ff011df-23bc-4fa8-b93d-27c2256b9c8eResources mentioned in the discussion:Toronto Sick Kids Hospital Recommendations for School Reopening: https://www.sickkids.ca/PDFs/About-SickKids/81407-COVID19-Recommendations-for-School-Reopening-SickKids.pdf

Alanna, Lisa and Beth dive into the first quarter of the Emily St. John Mandel's novel Station Eleven navigating the wicked discomfort, and juicy details about survival and finding civilization, or at least meaning, in a pandemic. We talk about our own intentions and survival strategies during the pandemic compared to the characters' choices in the book. We also wonder about the meaning of using Shakespeare's King Lear as the opening scene and recurring theme in the book…..what does it all mean? We discuss at length how there are a surprising lack of grocery stores in this novel as the infrastructure disintegrates.Jump into the conversation with us on TVO's TeachOntario: https://www.teachontario.ca/community/explore/TO-OSLA-book-club/projects/station-eleven

Lisa, Beth and Alanna talk about learning and unlearning about racism personally and taking this learning into the professional realm. In this episode we start to unpack how to translate our reading into action. We talk about the real struggle of providing resources that are not from a deficit lens. There are so many resources again in this episode but we've shouted out to our favourites. Shoutouts to Colinda Clyne, Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga, the film Deeply Rooted by Cazhhmere, The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, Robin D'Angelo, Pam Palmater and Matthew MorrisRead Into This highly recommends this podcast series Anti-Racist Educator Reads https://voiced.ca/project/anti-racist-educator-reads/

Alanna interviews Richard Beaudry, who currently chairs the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) Intellectual Freedom Committee, representing Canadian School Libraries. Richard got the opportunity in November 2019 to see what was on the cutting edge at the American Association of School Libraries (AASL) conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Richard is known in Canada for his activities to promote human rights and freedom of information, and is currently interested in diversifying school library collections and the gaps between secondary and post-secondary education. Richard's takeaways from his experience and lifelong love of school libraries will spark your own ideas for your school programs. Shoutouts to SOJI 123 Education https://www.sogieducation.org/ and Andrea LangelaarSee some of his photos in the Canadian School Libraries Journal article at:https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/aasl-conference-2019/

Laughs abound as Lisa Corbett is joined by her daughter Claire and they host author Amy Ludwig VanDerwater http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/ Lisa asks Amy about Betsy the Writing Camper and all of the magical things that inspire this writer. Claire reads a poem called “Dead Branch” and asks all the hardest questions to Amy. Amy reads from her brand new book called Write! Write! Write!

Alanna is joined by Shari Green, author of Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess, and middle grade educator Lisa Lewis to discuss how this book works to help talk about disability, ageism, and blended families. Lisa has a chance to bring in the students' own questions for Shari especially about Macy's confrontations with her soon-to-be stepfather, Alan. We talk about how this rich book opens up conversations with students to help them find truth and make a difference despite the odds.If you want to hear more about Lisa Lewis and her intergenerational book club, check out episodes:22a Paper - Ignite a Lifelong Love of Learning: Create an intergenerational book club in your library learning commons https://www.spreaker.com/user/voicedradio/ep-22a-ignite-a-lifelong-love-of-learnin22b Interview - Read Into Building Empathy by inviting Parents/Guardians to an Intergenerational Book Clubhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/voicedradio/ep-e22b-interview-read-into-building-emp

In this Long Story Short episode, guest host Lila Armstrong talks to Teacher Librarian Mary Morrow and Teacher Chelsea Badger about their Forest School programs. Lila's guests share how they weave stories, poems, oral storytelling, Indigenous language and culture, science and inquiry into their forays into nature. Supported by a local group of likeminded educators, both Mary and Chelsea agree that participating in the wonder of childhood encourages them to continue to expand their outdoor learning practice.Lila can be reached on Twitter at @Lila_TL_EWP. You can reach out to Mary via email, Mary.Morrow@sd72.bc.ca and Chelsea at Chelsea.Badger@sd72.bc.ca

Alanna speaks with teacher-librarian and researcher Amber Hartwell about the TPACK model and how the pandemic has reshaped the significance of having balance between technology, pedagogy and content. Amber emphasizes how this model from 2006 continues to assist her as entry points for collaborative conversations at all education levels, especially for school library staff who want to improve the culture of participatory learning and collaboration in their learning spaces. Read the full article here: https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/tpack-as-a-framework-to-facilitate-co-planning-teaching-and-assessing/Shoutouts to Carol Koechlin and Ruben Puedentura's SAMR model.

Alanna hosts our school library panel on the topic of developing a school library collection collaboratively. Our coast-to-coast #CollaboNation panel of experts Lila Armstrong, Sonja Clark, and Leigh Borden covers really nerdy topics including: the ratios of library resources to students, how to improve the collection with data, vigorous weeding, strategic cataloguing, budget advocacy and the precarious nature of gatekeeping. We talk about working to diversify the collection for culture, compassion, reading ability and mental health.Shoutouts to Follett Destiny, Junior Library Guild, Adrienne Gear, Stephen Krashen and Paul Fleischman.

Alanna speaks with author and blogger Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano [A Guide to Documenting Learning: http://langwitches.org/blog/2018/01/30/now-available-a-guide-to-documenting-learning/] We uncover how the fluid nature of media needs to be taught in the language arts/English classroom. Through the observations/conversations with students, Silvia calls for a new pedagogical mindset to embrace the reach and potential of technology for expression and communication. Her international background as a student and as a parent allowed Silvia to see the arbitrary nature of education and to recognize the untapped potential for learners. We agree that the pandemic is putting a spotlight on the gaps in society's transliteracy. A master class in heutagogy.Shoutouts to Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs

Alanna talks with Heather Buchansky, the Student Engagement Librarian at the University of Toronto Libraries, regarding the gap that exists in information literacy for students in their first year of post-secondary education. She was a part of a collaborative effort between OCULA (Ontario College and University Library Association) and the OSLA (Ontario School Library Association) to develop an information literacy toolkit. Shoutouts to The Assignment Calculator developed by the University of Toronto.Explore the draft toolkit here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MYaF-AEDOKjYmdQdAU20iwUDqPyVfPTnMsRnSql46kQ/edit?usp=sharingLeave your feedback on the draft toolkit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWscXW5Hh0Wii1FawNeWFpuJnho0QWelqnKYGuXEVAUXdv5A/viewform

Heather Buchansky reads her paper from Treasure Mountain Canada called: Connections between campuses: Creating a collaborative OCULA/OSLA information literacy toolkit.https://tmcanada.blogspot.com/p/tmc6-buchansky.html

Alanna talks with Beth Lyons about creating a maker culture in her school and making it fit her context. After a number of successful maker activities, Beth launched into making a Genius Cart which allows for easier management of materials, supervision and changing up the inquiry focus. Beth also talks about the importance of documenting the learning as data for new directions and her hopes for the future of making in her library learning commons.Shoutouts to The Majestic Glue Gun.