Quick Programming Ideas #2

 Women in Science: Henrietta Lacks 

Library/Information Skills Lesson Plan

Cross-curricular subject areas: English Language Arts, Science   Date: February

Grade level: 9th Biology

Topic: Who is Henrietta Lacks and how is she tied to HeLa cells?

Lesson Objective: The learners will be introduced to Henrietta Lacks by a pre-read, which will tie to biology cells study.

21st-Century Skill Objectives: V. EXPLORE-Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection. 2. Reflecting and questioning assumptions and possible misconceptions. 3. Engaging in inquiry-based processes for

personal growth.

Materials needed: Image of Henrietta Lacks, the novel The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, paper for students to write on, writing pencils 

Instructional Procedures: Begin by drawing attention to the image, ideally displayed electronically, and ask students to answer the following:

• Using prior knowledge from your science class, what inference can you make about the image? 
• Who is Henrietta Lacks?

Ask if anyone would like to share their answer or if anyone has heard about Henrietta Lacks.

Then, read the prologue to the book by Rebecca Skloot called The Woman in the Photograph. Use this as a read-aloud session. 

As you finish reading, ask them to write down one connection, question, or surprising fact that they heard as you read. Additionally, ask them to make an inference about HeLa cells, ethics, and what they are learning in biology. 

Closing: Ask them to discuss what they wrote with a shoulder partner. Then they need to add an idea that was shared with them on their own paper.  Exit Ticket is given to librarian as they leave: (3-2-1: 3 things they learned based on the reading, 2 things they are curious about, 1 connection they can make to their science class

Assessment: informal observation of cooperative learning and exit ticket responses

Quick Programming Ideas 1

  Introduction to Black History Month Booktalk

Library/Information Skills Lesson Plan

Cross-curricular subject areas: History, English Language Arts    Date: first week of February

Grade level: 9th English Language Arts Classes 

Topic: Introduction to Black History Month

Lesson Objective: The learners will be introduced to diverse texts, in various formats, which celebrate Black History Month.

21st-Century Skill Objectives: I. INQUIRE: Build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically,

identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems. Learners display curiosity and

initiative by: Formulating questions about a personal interest or a curricular topic. 

Materials needed: Display various titles to celebrate Black History Month. Ensure you have a variety of genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels by African American authors, topics, and history. 

Instructional Procedures: Begin by conducting a read-aloud from a picture book, which features an African American subject. Some suggestions include the following: 

• Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
• The Year I Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome 

After the initial read-aloud, invite students to use their prior knowledge to offer other names, topics, or other African-American figures they have learned about in class, readings, or they have knowledge of. They may point and talk about subjects from your display. 

Closing: Challenge the students to browse the shelves, computers, and periodicals to find other figures they can inform the class about. It may be beneficial to provide them with a graphic organizer which includes the following. Ask them to find:

• Name of the person, why are they important, historical context or titles of books/authors and synopsis

Have students write the information down on paper, which they will turn around and offer titles found, and subjects discovered at the end of class or the next class session. 

Assessment: Informal assessment as observation while students browse shelves and interact with each other. Walk around and offer guidance to authors they may share popular titles and non-fiction selections which they may share with the class. 

Stuck in a Rut

Stuck in a Reading Rut?

Reading is fun! I love to read and I can recall reading, or at least flipping through books, from an early age. My mother was a reader and I was fortunate enough to have parents who fully supported my interest and fascination with books and the library. I remember the feeling of comfort that I felt as we would walk into the Mcallen Public Library for our biweekly visit. At the time I may not have known what the feeling was called, but as I reflect on it I know what it was and is: complete bliss. 

As I have grown older, and become a wife, mother, and educator, I found that life has made it difficult at times to have time for me to open a book and enjoy another world. For a few years, I was stuck in a reading rut and didn't think that I would be able to come back from it. I shied away from new books because I felt I had no time, I had lesson plans to create, papers to grade, and the work around the house seemed to never seize. Most importantly, I was a new mom and understood that my boys needed me. What I have grown to learn is that you must make time. When something gives you joy, there is always time. 

Being a library science student has shown me that reading can be done in various formats. They are all enjoyable and provide choice as well as ease of access. For one, I have become fond of audiobooks, which I had never been given a chance to. I look forward to driving my car to work or running errands because I can conveniently listen to my audiobook while driving. How is that for access! Along with audiobooks, E-books have become so powerful for me. Even if it is five minutes that I can spare some time to enjoy a good book, I now have access. 

So, if you are stuck in a reading rut, don't be hard on yourself. It is not about how fast a book can be read or how many books are covered within a year... this is about enjoying yourself. Give yourself the time... it is worth and you are worth that time.