Part of my vision for the library involves connections. How can I connect our learners to the world around them?
This week, our 4th graders came to the library for a very different kind of tour. My friend @NancyJoLambert connected with the librarians at the Alamo and organized a Google Hangout. Joining us were two other friends, @ShawnaFord1 and @tinaberumen. In total, eight schools gathered virtually to "tour" the Alamo! Alamo Librarians (yes, there are librarians at the Alamo) Leslie and Jamie worked in tandem: Leslie presented a slideshow, and turned to Jamie who walked into the vault. It was very well-done and engaging, and it brought history to life for our learners.
Leslie took us into the vault below:
We learned that this vault is, of course, climate-controlled.
Jamie showed us these garments worn by Susanna Dickinson. When we saw this, everyone in our library gasped. It was a great moment!
Jamie also showed us this very tiny real photograph of Angelina Dickinson (who was a child at the Alamo) as a grown woman.
Another valuable part of the experience: the original documents. Leslie explained primary and secondary sources to our learners, and then showed us an original copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a hand-drawn map by Stephen F. Austin.
To begin the discussion, each school contributed questions to a Today's Meet link. The librarians were very thorough and kind with their answers, and we learned very much. Afterwards, as I discussed the event with teachers, I realized how fortunate we are now to be able to create this kind of experience for learners--and how amazing it would have been to have been a part of it when we were students.
Of course, immediately after the visit, I thought of a book:
Published by: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: 1990
Pages: 32
This experience would not have been possible had it not been for the connections I've been able to make on Twitter. Here's to my TLBFFs: Nancy Jo, Shawna, and Tina. We are also thankful, of course, to our fellow librarians Leslie and Jamie at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo. I did not think it was possible for me to be prouder to be a librarian, but they indeed helped me to do just that. .
No comments:
Post a Comment