Week+3+-+April+24

In order to effectively build our collections we need to have knowledge of the school’s curriculum. A curriculum map is typically a visual representation and timeline of a school's curriculum. It answers the question of “what topics are taught at which grade level?”
 * Curriculum Mapping**

Curriculum mapping is different for different schools. In a perfect world, a librarian would be able to access curriculum maps which represent each teacher's annual learning plan. With the curriculum maps in hand, the librarian would know that the second grade is researching ancestors in March and the third grade is working on the rain forest in October. This information would help the librarian plan what books (and how many of those books) to purchase for the library. The librarian could also develop curriculum-relevant displays.

Curriculum maps can help the librarian in budget negotiations, as well. Being able to show your principal the subjects that are covered by your teachers and the number and age of books that support each subject can be critical when you need to ask for additional dollars.

In the Kerby book, please read pages 7 and 8. Also take a look at Appendix A (page 39-44).
 * Readings**

Kerby, R. Chart Your School Curriculum. __School Library Media Activities Monthly__. (January 2002): 26-28. This article is posted below as a .pdf file.

Please take a few minutes to review curriculum mapping at: @http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/a-curriculum-mapping-primer

Also, an informational guide on pulling curriculum mapping together is available at: @http://www.coe.fau.edu/faculty/cafolla/detaback/course%20documents/day2/22_DETA__Curr._Mapp928CA.pdf

If you are a school librarian, do you have a curriculum map for the library? If you are a teacher, do you use a curriculum map for your classroom? Do you find curriculum maps helpful, and what, if any, was your experience in creating a curriculum map?
 * Discussion Posting**

How do you think curriculum mapping can help a library in planning its collection development techniques?

For full credit on this assignment, please log in at least twice during the week. You’ll have your initial post and then others contributing to the ongoing conversation.

Curriculum Map Build Out (10 points) Due: Sunday May 2, 2010 at 5pm Email to: linda.diekman@nl.edu with a copy to lmdiekman@sbcglobal.net
 * Assignment**

“Collections are fluid… Demands on collections are also fluid, for student and teacher needs change in addition to curricular change. A quality collection fills the curricular demands made upon it even if these demands are like moving targets.” //David V. Loertscher in __Collection Mapping in the LMC__//

A curriculum map is valuable in identifying the current status and ongoing focus for a collection that supports student learning. This is an opportunity to explore building out a curriculum map. You’ll need to find a map to work with. Either one you have on paper or one you find online will work for this assignment. A visit to a school or public library will help you identify materials that compliment the curriculum map.

Present your work in table, chart or paragraph format. Select the format that helps you convey the information in the most effective manner. For your assignment, please include:
 * 1) what curriculum map you are using (I do not need to see it if you only have the paper copy. If its available online, please indicate the URL.)
 * 2) what subject and grade level you choose
 * 3) the curriculum topic and the Dewey Decimal numbers that apply to this area (e.g. Rain Forest--577)
 * 4) list four books or other materials that you would link to each of the three curriculum categories for a total of twelve items. Please present the books using correct APA citation format*
 * 5) consider including an original summary of each book/item
 * 6) consider including a variety of genres and/or mediums


 * If you need information on the APA style, consult these sources:
 * NLU’s Center for Academic Development @http://www.nl.edu/centers/cad/
 * NLU library @http://www/nl.edu/library/
 * Purdue University Online Writing Lab @http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
 * American Psychological Association/APA Style @http://www.apastyle.org/
 * Arthur C. Banks Library at Capital Community College, Hartford, CT @http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/apa/