How to Build Collaboration With Teachers:
100 Ways to Start It, Use It, and Keep It
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Meet for lunch to discuss a unit Communicate by e-mail Attend grade level meetings Given a PD on Big6 Post the information literacy standards chart in each classroom Encourage spontaneous research Participate in curriculum planning Inservice teachers on information access Share websites Brainstorm unit ideas Write a monthly newsletter Provide hands-on activities Plan a “treasure hunt” (encyclopedia, atlas, almanac, library, online card catalog, subscription databases) Have a research pathfinder Do a thesaurus activity Assist in a guided lesson using an atlas Offer a daily/weekly quiz on school common Chart monthly topics covered by each grade level Provide bibliography for unit Write Accelerated Reader tests Post list of new titles acquired Provide technical assistance to students/teachers in production of materials Assist with television transmission Serve on committees Host staff meetings Become state certified (if you aren’t) Match information literacy standards to curriculum standards Develop the professional section of the library Ask for input from teachers on collection development Open library before and/or after school Be a leader in the school Support technology that links library and classrooms Insist the library be included in all curricular decisions Team teach a unit/lesson Have a flexible schedule Post visible signage in library Have appropriate workstation areas in library Share “best practices” Explain the 3 basic types of collaborative projects (interpersonal exchange, information collection and analysis, problem solving) Read Information Power Join an on-going online collaborative project Define learning goals and expectations when collaborating Feature library activities in staff meetings Be confident Practice good communication skills Be willing to take risks Hone effective social skills Share an end-products list which are the results of collaborative units Conduct a staff survey Invite in experts in their fields for presentations 51. Offer once a month treats for teachers along with a display of new books 52. Set up displays of theme-related books 53. Use a bulletin board to promote a variety of themes with book jackets 54. Put out a “Welcome” mat 55. Be visible 56. Take pictures of independent library activities and display them 57. Build your influence with administrators 58. Write an article for the school newspaper 59. Attend leadership meetings 60. Present information at a school board meeting 61. Give periodic book talks at faculty meetings 62. Form a monthly book club for staff 63. Arrange for a class to participate in an online author chat 64. Have a webquest 65. Perform reader’s theatre at an assembly 66. Assist in creating rubrics to evaluate student work 67. Design a collaborative planning worksheet 68. Share great magazine articles 69. Post book reviews on your school common 70. Learn how to make power point presentations 71. Showcase results of collaborative units on school broadcasts 72. Use conflict constructively 73. Engage teachers in professional talk 74. Encourage queries 75. Spotlight successful collaborations in newsletters 76. Help a teacher develop an instructional activity 77. Provide expertise in selecting, evaluating, and using materials 78. Serve as a teacher-consultant in the transition to a resource-based classroom 79. Work with small groups 80. Support student-centered teaching and learning 81. Have adequate library staffing 82. Respect your colleagues 83. Know how to manage your time 84. Build and foster administrative support 85. Give copies of “Integration: The Bottom Line is Student Achievement” to staff 86. Suggest ways to introduce various technologies into the curriculum 87. Recommend reading material at appropriate reading levels 88. Spotlight library materials on morning news broadcasts 89. Form partnerships with teachers on a rotating 2 week basis 90. Raise the level of expectations 91. Collect copies of teacher assignments 92. Display posters of the Big6 process 93. Grow things in the library (plants, animals, insects, reptiles, veggies) 94. Have a variety of software on hand 95. Listen for opportunities to speak up in the hallways, lounge, workroom, or at lunch to offer assistance 96. Share materials from conferences 97. Make the library user-friendly for staff 98. Creatively advertise your services 99. Provide a welcome packet for new teachers or for back-to-school 100. Provide guidance for students 101. Be relentless! Keep on trying!
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How to Build Collaboration