For immediate release | September 16, 2013
Registration for fall 2013 ALSC online courses open
CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) opened registration for fall 2013 ALSC online courses. Registration is open for all courses. Classes begin Monday, Oct. 7, 2013.
This fall, ALSC is offering four courses that are eligible for certified education units (CEUs). The American Library Association (ALA) has been certified to provide CEUs by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Participants in online courses consistently respond that they would be very likely to register for another course offered by ALSC. ALSC online courses are designed to fit the needs of working professionals. Courses are taught by experienced librarians and academics. For more information, please visit: www.ala.org/alsced.
Getting to the Core: Librarians and Common Core State Standards (six weeks). The common core state standards (CCSS) bring three key shifts to English language arts/literacy (ELA) curricula: regular practice with complex text and its academic language; reading, writing and speaking grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational; building knowledge through content rich nonfiction. CCSS calls for 50 percent of reading in elementary and middle grades to be nonfiction. Librarians will be essential in the shift to common core as teachers look for the best content-rich, grade level-appropriate literature to support learning across the curriculum. ELA and other content-area teachers will especially need help from librarians finding appropriate resources and a wider selection of materials. This course will help prepare participants to meet those needs of teachers in the elementary and middle grades. Taught by Edward Sullivan, librarian, writer and educator.
Out of this World Youth Programming (six weeks, 1.8 CEUs) If you are like most children’s librarians, you are no doubt faced with the continual challenge of providing programs that are not only fun and appealing, but also highly informative and educational. How do I fit all age levels? What is age-appropriate? How do I make old materials fresh again? Where do I even begin? This course will provide innovative ideas and suggestions on how to plan, promote, execute and evaluate your programs to work for you and your patrons. Taught by Angela Young, head of children's services, Reed Memorial Library, Ravenna, Ohio.
Reading Instruction and Children's Books (six weeks, 2 CEUs) Although children’s librarians think learning to read is about books, teachers use buzz-words such as lexile, phonics and word walls. Parents and students are often seeking grade appropriate reading materials. Several methods are used to determine grade level. In order for children’s librarians to effectively assist patrons, they need to understand how to interpret grade levels assigned to books by publishers and educators. This course will provide children’s librarians with an understanding of different methodologies for reading instruction and ways that the grade level of reading materials are determined. Books, periodicals, websites and other material that children need to read will be evaluated from these perspectives. Librarians will be encouraged to develop strategies for explaining these grading formulae to parents and to communicate more effectively with teachers as a result of their understanding. Taught by Katherine (Kate) Todd, adjunct instructor, Manhattanville College.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs Made Easy (four weeks, 1.2 CEUs) Our children are lagging behind in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Schools have begun to concentrate on providing better education in these areas and now libraries are being asked to provide the same. Learn how to provide educational programs using STEM without going to school to become a scientist. Children’s librarians and associates will learn to present and adapt programs for multiple ages. Taught by Angela Young, head of children's services, Reed Memorial Library, Ravenna, Ohio.
Storytime Tools (four weeks, 2 CEUs) Are you in a storytime rut? Do you repeat the same storytimes each year? Spice up your preschool programming, using ideas from the most recent developmental and brain research. Learn how to use iTunes to create playlists and manipulate songs to use with puppets in your programs. Find literacy crafts to develop children’s fine motor skills to prepare for kindergarten. You’ll add a list of blogs and stories to your toolbox to make your library storytime the place to be! Taught by Lisa Shaia, children's librarian, Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield, Conn.
Detailed descriptions and registration information are available on the ALSC website at www.ala.org/alsced. Fees are $115 for personal ALSC members; $165 for personal ALA members; and $185 for non-members. Questions? Please contact ALSC Marketing/Membership Specialist Dan Rude by email or by phone 1 (800) 545-2433 ext. 2164.
Contact:
Dan Rude
Marketing/Membership Specialist
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
drude@ala.org312-280-2164
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