Learning through Books, Media and Technology

ARTICLES THIS ISSUE:

1993 Administrative Leadership Awards

Accentuating the positive

1993 President's Award Winner

The energy of synergy

This is my country --- an my school

We are the world: our success is yours

Social sciences and technology --- a natural combination

No question of relevance

Inspiring students to speak out

Big ideas prepare students for the future

Open doors, open minds

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Open doors, open minds

Los Cerros Middle School

Katie Williams (left) and teaching partners Marilyn Laver and Bruce Simonds compare notes on student progress.

Thirteen doors from 13 classrooms open into the library media center at Los Cerros Middle School. What could be a problem in management, how ever, has become an opportunity for staff and students, and a welcome chance for Katie Williams (library media teacher) to collaborate closely with other teachers.

Katie describes the history/social science curriculum at Los Cerros as "evolving." Reliance on traditional textbooks is waning, and classes have become increasingly research-based. Every class that comes to the library receives instruction and guidance on the critical thinking and search strategies necessary to search for information on a topic.

Working in partnership with two other teachers, Marilyn Laver and Bruce Simonds, Katie planned the addition of an impressive variety of technological resources through an A.B. 1470 grant. There is an adjacent computer lab with computers, laser, disc players. VCRs, camcorder, and a variety of software. Within the library media center itself are computers for word processing,' and CD-ROM stations. The three teachers identify themes, introduce students to project-based learning, and put them to work in collaborative groups. The program has been carefully designed to encourage success and assure participation by all students, with the goal of developing habits of independent learning. Students evaluate their own progress and that of their peers.

• Los Cerros Middle School (Grades 6-8, enrollment 1,020)
  968 Blemer Road, Danville 94526; (510) 838-2900
  Duff Danlovich, Principal
  Katie Williams, Library Media Teacher
  San Ramon Valley Unified School District