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

Good Ideas! Home Page

Good Ideas! is published by CSLA

1499 Old Bayshore Hwy.

Burlingame

California

94010

(415) 692-2350

Accentuating the positive

Compton Junior High School

The Compton library media center is not large, but it described by the principal as the cultural, academic, and social hub of the school. Many students at Compton are struggling to become bilingual, and the varied technological tools available at the center motivate them to explore resources without the need to resort to a traditional card catalog printed in English. Students enter Compton with varying skills for retrieving and using information, but they are taught to access information as needs occur and soon they become independent users.

Linda Montgomery seems to be saying, "It works like this. Next time you can do it."

The social sciences present unique opportunities to capture student involvement and interest. A Bill of Rights poster project, which includes research and writing, also allows students to use their creative abilities. The Western Expansion segment invites students to design and make their own "handkerchief dolls" based on research they have done. When studying famous Americans, oral presentation is the mode used for reporting information. Exploration of the Revolutionary War has been redesigned as a cooperative learning activity within the library media center.

Information technology plays an important role at Compton. In addition to the automated catalog, there are three CD-ROM stations, videodisc players, cable television programming, and computers with word processing and instructional programs ready for student use. Historical fiction and a strong reference collection also support the history/social science curriculum, and other curriculum areas as well.

• Compton Junior High School (Grades 7-8, enrollment 970)
  3211 Pico Avenue, Bakersfield 93306; (805) 872-6728
  Dan Seames, Principal
  Linda Montgomery, Library Media Teacher
  Bakersfield City School District