Right brain, left brain....Of course we all tend to focus on putting ourselves or one of our "favorite" students in to these categories. The left brain in me wants everything to be organized, logical and just so. For me that works well at school. After all, being a Librarian, I must be right and give out correct information. The trouble is, I was like that long before I became a Librarian. Take one look at my office and you would think the left brain hijacked my right brain. I have a sign that says "A messy office is a sign of character. You should see the character that works here! Creatively I appreciate and can visualize what I want or need but often I can't be the artist. I see a lot of that in my students. Since I cover a wide age range (grades 4 through 8) I see different kids make the connections between right and left brain learning at different times. It's fun to watch as the kids tend to let their guard down aroung me as I'm not their "official teacher". What an opportunity that gives me to help nudge them towards one or the other!!
The current 6th grade library unit that Sherri Conard and I rewrote this past year as a product of last year's Keystone's of the Federation Class is addressing historical literacy for the first time. We are actually doing much of what the article on historical literacy discusses. The results are mixed so far. Final project is due late May. The other 6th grade Communications teachers we have involved in this are excited with the project. Now we have to find a way to involve the Social Studies teachers as well. Our library curriculum is taught through the Communications block of time.
I do think we need to set up lessons that need to address both right and left brain learners however, I think both sides of the brain want interesting information and I think if we throw that in with the lesson we will be in good shape.
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