Overview
This title gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning.
This title, Brain Friendly School Libraries, gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning. It includes chapters that summarize the current brain research and current thinking about its implication for instructional practice in the school library media center as well as discusses the work of Ellen Langer (mindful learning), Geoffrey and Renette Caine, Bob Sylwester and other major proponents of teaching with the brain in mind.
Editorials
VOYA
School librarians looking for new approaches to teaching and learning will find a wealth of information on brain research and its place in the school library in this book. Brain friendly school libraries, according to Sykes, must become the center for all learning experiences and extend beyond the classroom into communities, homes, and students' lives. Brain friendly school libraries actually imitate the brain by connecting learners to their outside environments. After beginning with a literature review, the majority of the book focuses on creating a brain friendly school library. One chapter outlines the "how-tos" of writing a brain friendly school library plan, and the remainder of the book focuses on the roles school librarians play in brain friendly school libraries: staff developer, information literacy agent, and cultural emissary. Sykes outlines separate goals for each role, such as weeding and updating your collection, creating a brain friendly space, bringing literature and the arts into the library, and using a variety of techniques to teach information literacy. This resource contains research that might come in handy for school librarians who need to justify improving their programs to administrators. Those with an interest in brain research will be interested in the work, but many may find the reading dense and the research too theory based. The book contains some good, practical suggestions for improving school libraries, but sorting through the research to find them might become tiresome to those who simply want to make some enhancements to their programs. Still it is a professional work that will be of use to most school libraries. 2006, Libraries Unlimited, 109p.;Index. Biblio., $35 pb. Ages adult professional.—Anita Beaman
School Library Journal
An intelligently written book about the role that the school library can play in exercising students' brains. Rooted in current findings on how the brain processes information, and acknowledging several educative models for learning and Information Power's standards for promoting information-literacy development, Sykes's book offers a vision that every school librarian should consider, if not embrace. The first part reviews what neuroscience tells us about learning. Contributing authors relate those findings to classroom planning, making them understandable to the layperson. Subsequent sections suggest components of the school library program that must be addressed including enriched, intellectual, and emotional environments. Further, readers are offered both theoretical and practical approaches to planning and creating these environments and sample lessons. This book will be a handy desk mate to every school librarian and should be a required text in all school media specialist programs.-Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.From the Publisher
"School librarians looking for new approaches to teaching and learning will find a wealth of information on brain research and its place in the school library in this book….This resource contains research that might come in handy for school librarians who need to justify improving their programs to administrators."
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VOYA
"Sykes, former library specialist turned principal offers an approach to library management and instruction that is based on neuroscience. Highlighted is the concept of the teacher-librarian who can use knowledge of brain research to create a more meaningful learning experience for students and staff. With information for librarians of elementary, middle, and high school, the book gives suggestions for activities that address a variety of learning styles. A list of resources and index are included."
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Reference & Research Book News
"Sykes's recommendations and examples are worth considering….Sykes's ideas should enter a professional development conversation."
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Teacher Librarian
"An intelligently written book about the role that the school library can play in exercising students' brains. Rooted in current findings on how the brain processes information, and acknowledging several educative models for learning and Information Power's standards for promoting information-literacy development, Sykes's book offers a vision that every school librarian should consider, if not embrace. The first part reviews what neuroscience tells us about learning. Contributing authors relate those findings to classroom planning, making them understandable to the layperson. Subsequent sections suggest components of the school library program that must be addressed including enriched, intellectual, and emotional environments. Further, readers are offered both theoretical and practical approaches to planning and creating these environments and sample lessons. This book will be a handy desk mate to every school librarian and should be a required text in all school media specialist programs."
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School Library Journal
"[S]ykes' theory warrants attention….Recommended."
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Christian Library Journal