The Incredibly True Blog of a Part-Time Librarian

As a secondary English teacher and future teacher-librarian, my heart sinks when I hear any of the following: “I’ve never actually read a book to the end" or “I don’t need to read the book; I’ll just watch the movie” or my personal favourite, “I’ll just look it up on Sparknotes." Girl Moved to Tear by 'Of Mice and  Men' Cliffnotes - The Onion I've noticed that the number of students in my classes who like to read has dwindled.  Students who read for pleasure feel like a rarity, and the only reading many students seem to engage in is mandated by their teachers.  How did this happen? Why have our students stopped reading recreationally?  Is it possible that the fault lies in how we teach reading? In Kelly Gallgher’s book  Readicide: How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It , he suggests the teaching methods used in high school English classes have “killed” a love of reading for many students.  In an interview with the blog...

In the classroom and the library, it is clear that teachers need begin to address  all the digital literacies outlined by the British Columbia Ministry of Education’s Digital Literacy Framework . However, as an educator who is not the “digital native” our students are, it was intimidating to think about incorporating these into my teaching practice all at once.  I chose to focus on  Research and Information Literacy , as well as  Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.   With these two digital literacies, students “apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information” and “use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.” The importance of thinking critically about online information has been made more essential given increased prevalence of “fake news” and misinformation and its impact on our cultural and...

While digital literacy is essential in preparing our students for tomorrow’s world, the term digital literacy encompasses a great many things.  The BC Ministry of Education’s  Digital Literacy Framework , in line with those presented by the National Council of English Teachers (NCTE) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), outlines the following digital literacies: Research and Information Literacy : Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making : Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources Creativity and Innovation : Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology Digital Citizenship : Students understand human, cultural, and societal i...

  In  Why School , Will Richardson argues that digital technologies are transforming the way we learn and that schools must immediately begin to embrace these technologies to prepare students for the future or risk becoming obsolete.  It would seem our province’s Ministry of Education has wisely heeded researchers such as Will Richardson.  The BC Ministry of Education sees impact of digital technologies on the future of education very clearly and identifies the necessity of “21 st century literacies” for students to be successful in tomorrow’s world.  According to the BC Ministry of Education, the 21 st century skills that today’s students require for future success include: 1.     Research and Information Literacy : Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information 2.     Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making : Students use critical thinking skills to plan and con...

Charity is an experienced English teacher and soon-to-be Teacher-Librarian who is passionate about learning and literacy, and hopes to inspire students to be creative and collaborative critical thinkers.  Here you will find my reflections and class assignments that are a part of my journey to becoming a Teacher-Librarian.