This project is designed as a multidisciplinary approach to teaching either the Inter-War Period of the 1920s and 30s; or the immediate post-WWII period of the 1940s and 50s. Within this project, the student reads and breaks down a book of their choice from the time period using skills from their ELA and history classes. Synchronously, the student is learning the content of that time period in their history class. Through learning about the time period, while reading the book, the student is able to use their historical lens to understand how the book reflects the cultural norms, morals, values, fears, and struggles of the time, while simultaneously having said culture reflected within the book.
The focus of this session is source evaluation using the SIFT method. This four-part method was developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield to evaluate online content. When applied across disciplines, it can provide students with useful cross-curricular, consistent skill development to determine if information can be trusted as credible and/or reliable. Students can (and should) use this method even when facing non-academic online content. Attendees will gain ideas about incorporating digital media such as TikTok videos, X posts, Instagram Reels, blog posts, and articles from periodicals. Attendees will walk away with examples, templates for SIFT analysis documents, and an understanding of how to level this type of instruction.
Join Alexa, Kelly, and Julia as they book talk their favorite books of the past year. We'll share our most-loved books to help you build your collections and your own TBR list. We will cover everything from middle grade books to young adult books, representing diverse experiences and a wide range of genres.
Come with one real school library challenge and leave with practical solutions. In this interactive session, participants will join small groups to share problems, ask clarifying questions, brainstorm strategies, and build realistic action steps. Whether your challenge involves student engagement, teacher collaboration, scheduling, collection development, AI, advocacy, or library management, you will benefit from the collective wisdom of your peers. Bring one problem. Take one solution, or several.
