Inquiry Blog Post 5 - Reflection

 Big Ideas 

I began my studies toward the Teacher-Librarian Diploma in 2019, before ever working as a T-L (except as a TTOC in love with Library!). In that first course, I read the Canadian Library Association’s Leading Learning document and took to heart the concept of a Commons: a “participatory learning community” where “everyone is a learner, everyone is a teacher working collaboratively” (5). I understood the LLC as a space where everyone has agency. I took joy in reminding kids that it is their library, and all of the books and tools belong to all of them! (Of course, I still do.) 

It took until now, LIBE 477, four years and six courses later, for me to expand my understanding of our Commons even further. Now I am thinking of a kind of open-ended or borderless LLC, where our learning is continuous with the wisdom and stories of our community and families. I am guided by Shane Safir and Jamily Dugan’s intiative in Street Data, to work toward “deep, equitable, culturally sustaining learning” (29). To be “culturally sustaining” we acknowledge the powerful traditions and values beyond our doors. 

We are part of the human library Jason Reynolds shares in this video: “safe spaces” for one another, holding each other’s stories (3:15). 

As the T-L in such a space, it is key to be “connected” as this infographic shows. I appreciate how this is laid out, with its various layers. The inquiry, the resources, the reading, and the achievement is taking place both in and beyond the LLC box.  

 
Learning Activities 

I am working with Stop Motion for the first time. I anticipated my learning would focus on becoming proficient with the app, and with facilitating kids and teachers to do the same. However, my journey with this unit has evolved differently. I was able to get a new Mount Cheam Story Mat resource for our school, and book collaboration with our Indigenous Learning Helping Teacher and Library Helping Teacher to use the mat in connection with eight Sto:lo stories.  

Looking into the eight stories, I came across some powerful learning in the “Other Resources” here. Our unit will now begin with learning the principles of Storywork as outlined in the "Opening the Basket" workshop notes: holistic learning, where we “sustain relationships” as we “care and share” (4). Gwen Point's storytelling gives an engaging example:

Th'owxeya Storytelling Video. These are ways of learning we can bring to our sharing across cultures, and to our exploration of new tech tools as well.  

 

Works Cited 

Archibald, JoAnn et al. "Opening the Basket: Sharing, Revitalizing, and Reconnecting the Stó:lo Sitel Curriculum." https://stolositel.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/3/5/30354089/opening_the_basket_-_march_4_[1].docx. Accessed 4 Nov. 2022.

British Columbia Teacher Librarians’ Association. “Instructional Role of the Teacher-Librarian in the Library Learning Commons”. From School Library to Library Learning Commons. 2017. https://bctladotca.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/from-school-library-to-library-learning-commons.pdf. Accessed 31 Oct. 2022.  

Canadian Library Association. Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. 2014. https://apsds.org/wp-content/uploads/Standards-of-Practice-for-SchoolLibrary-Learning-Commons-in-Canada-2014.pdf. Accessed 31 Oct. 2022.  

Reynolds, Jason. “ALA Annual 2019 – Jason Reynolds on Libraries Within Us.” YouTube, uploaded by American Library Association, 22 June 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzpgNAZ8MQE.  

Safir, Shane and Jamila Dugan. Street Data: A Next-Generation Model to Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation. Corwin, 2021.