Jenni Clay - AASL Standards Interview

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AASL Standards in the Library


 

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Mrs. Jenni Clay, Media Specialist at Westminster Elementary School about the ways in which she uses the AASL Standards in her library. We specifically focuses on the Explore Foundation and discussed how these competencies manifested in her program. When prompted to discuss how she fostered learners' personal curiosity, Mrs. Clay talked about an interesting way that her school encourages students to read widely. 

She has a "Love, Learn, Leap" system in place for third through fifth-grade students. 

All third through fifth-graders are asked to choose three books. A book they "Love," one they can "Learn" from, and one that encourages them to "Leap" into something new. Younger students are presented with rotating displays of books that allow them to experience the types of books available in their library. Though she shared many wonderful things about her library, this point stood out to me above the rest. To so eloquently capture the purposes for reading and encourage students to interact with those purposes during each and every visit truly embodies the Explore Foundation. Thinking about how much more powerful a Love, Learn, Leap system is for young readers compared to schools who adhere to Accelerated Reader or other leveled reading systems is amazing! 

Mrs. Clay's library lessons and collaborative lessons further show her dedication to supporting her students' right to explore! Book Tasting lessons centered around genre, author, illustrator, or non-fiction subject differentiated for each grade level give students time to intentionally interact with different types of books offered in the library. Bookflix and Playaways allow access to audiobooks, and reflections created in Flip give students an accessible platform through which to share their learning. 

Is it possible to copy and paste these parts of Mrs. Clay's library into my own? She is doing a wonderful job giving her students a place to explore safely and is undoubtedly meeting the criteria set in the AASL Standards for the foundation Explore. Way to go, Mrs. Clay! 

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