AASL’s guide to learning centers for school libraries

CHICAGO — Published by AASL and ALA Editions, Maura Madigan’s book “Learning Centers for School Libraries” presents innovative, engaging, and fun ideas to target the AASL National School Library Standards and content-area standards. It contains almost everything needed to set up learning centers in a school library. The ideas are flexible and can fit different grade levels and lesson lengths. Suggestions for collaboration with classroom educators are also included. Part of the AASL Standards–Based Learning Series, this book offers:

• Step-by-step directions for both the educator and learner and all necessary handouts, including directions and worksheets. The reader can use the book to quickly and easily set up centers. Some centers require only photocopies and basic materials to get started.
• Guidance to create cross-curricular centers that target the AASL Standards and other content-area standards. A table is provided to enable educators to create centers that address specific standards or content areas. Centers for distance learning are also identified.
• Suggested modifications for both struggling and advanced learners, plus ideas for collaborating with other educators. These features broaden the potential audience beyond elementary school learners. 

Madigan is a school librarian in Fairfax County, Virginia. She has worked in education for more than 25 years in the US, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE, including two years on a school reform project for the Abu Dhabi Education Council. She often presents on learning centers and problem-based learning at conferences. Her work has appeared in School Library Journal, The Travel 100, Oasis Living Magazine, and Effective School Librarianship: Successful Professional Practices from Librarians around the World.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association, empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

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