Joan Stern
COORDINATOR, Library Media
617-349-6782

The Cambridge Public Schools' Library Media Learning Expectations are aligned with and based upon the standards of the American Association of School Librarians, the Massachusetts School Library Media Association, and the Massachusetts State Standards for Language Arts.

Library Media Curriculum Overview
Grades K-2

Library media specialists offer instruction and resources in print, audiovisual, and online formats to provide a foundation for using libraries and information resources in lifelong learning.  The library program, with close collaboration and involvement of classroom teachers ,  supports beginning reading, listening, communication, and technology skills through regularly-scheduled story-times .  Additional class, group, and individual visits are flexibly- scheduled.  Activities include read - aloud sessions and literacy events related to school-based literacy goals, beginning investigations, and guidance for book selection based on personal interests. To support home/school connections for literacy, families are welcome to borrow library materials for sharing with their children.

Students learn how to locate and borrow materials, as well as how to select books and other resources based on their own interests and well-suited for assignments and reading growth.   Many authors and illustrators-classic and new-- are introduced to pass on the rich body of multicultural children's literature. By second grade, students apply one or more models for doing beginning  research projects planned collaboratively by the library media specialist and other teachers, specialists, and staff.

Grades 3-5

The Library program in grades 3 to 5 emphasizes expanding students' opportunities for independent reading of quality literature and nonfiction (especially award-winning authors and illustrators ). Students have access to the library for small group and individual use, through flexible scheduling. To engage students and support frameworks and classroom instructional goals for reading, writing, and thinking in content areas , library projects are co-planned and taught by teachers, librarians, and technology specialists. Using a formal research process, students improve information literacy, study, and presentation skills in shorter or longer units. Citing others' work and other ethical uses of information are introduced and reinforced. Instruction and resources in more advanced reference materials in print, audiovisual, and online formats provide a foundation for using libraries and information resources in lifelong learning.  Students at different schools may participate in reading incentive programs and literature groups, Media Arts, Reading Buddies(young students read with older students or volunteers from local businesses) , and Keypal email projects that include library guidance and resources.

Grades 6-8

The library program 6-8 integrates information skills with Learning Expectations in Educational Technology and subject curriculum areas in both short and long-term projects planned and implemented with teacher involvement. A major project at the middle school level occurs annually, through collaborative design teams involving  library media specialists and other teachers guide students in research, writing  and  presentation before an  audience using a variety of multimedia formats.   Students research their topics in the library from multiple perspectives, both in cooperative groups and individually. These projects may also  contribute to student portfolios.

Library resources support literature assignments connected to history, social studies, and dramatic and fine arts, as well as biography projects on achievers or to inspire personal autobiographical writing. Award winning picture books for older readers are integrated into author studies, the arts, and research projects. Bilingual programs include library resources in students' native languages.

Young adult literature is emphasized in library open access times, author visits, book-talks, displays, and independent reading assignments in various genres. Libraries provide audiotapes of some books used in the curriculum through a membership in Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. Art prints and music CDs coordinate with Core Knowledge Curriculum studies in Core Knowledge schools.

The goal of the middle grade library program for information skills is to prepare students to meet expectations for research assignments by the time they reach the 9th grade at CRLS. These 6-8 Learning Expectations are based on the skills most asked of students in units involving library use in science and humanities courses.

Library Media Learning Expectations
Grades 9-12

Information literacy and literature appreciation are the basis of the school library program.  Information literacy skills apply to all content areas. The CRLS Library will work with all subject teachers and students to introduce, develop, and build on information literacy skills throughout grades 9-12.