Suggests activities for use by school library media specialists who wish to foster the development of thinking skills by elementary students. Areas covered include analysis and evaluation in choosing books, differentiation between fact and fiction, understanding story structure, contests, categories, analogies, self-generated questions,…

This discussion of the political implications of implementing programs that develop students' critical thinking skills uses the proposals developed by Mancall, Aaron, and Walker as a model. Highlights include marketing the model, extending it to include library instruction in literature, implementing it in teaching reference and research skills,…

Although a review of the literature on the instructional role of the media specialists reveals a pattern of progression from 1950 to 1984, analysis of the research in this area indicates a time lag between actual practice and the instructional role espoused by the standards and the literature. (EM)

Discusses recommendations from the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science for defining, developing, and promoting library media programs that teach information finding and using skills. Areas covered include helping students develop thinking skills, theoretical implications of current research on how children process information,…

Discusses the role of school library media specialists as instructional consultants and the gap between theory and practice in the roles of curriculum support and instructional design. A study of school media specialists in DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Schools is described that investigated the theory-practice gap. (23 references) (LRW)

Offers a definition of and a rationale for multicultural education based on changing demographics and suggests ways for school library media specialists to bring a multicultural perspective to collection development, evaluation of multicultural materials, library services, curriculum integration, and curriculum activities. (Contains 21…

This first part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines relationships between the methods of scheduling students into the library media center and the curriculum consultation activity and information skills instruction performed by library media specialists. (five…

This third and final part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines relationships among scheduling methods, consultation activity, information skills instruction, and the planning process, culminating in a model for collaboration between media specialists and classroom…

Describes a study that attempted to determine the effects of fixed versus flexible scheduling on the curriculum involvement of elementary school library media specialists and on the curricular integration of library skills. Teachers' planning styles are discussed, and recommendations for further studies are suggested. (10 references) (LRW)

This second part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines three conditions beyond the control of the specialist that affect consultation activity and information skills instruction: teacher planning time, full- or part-time status of the library media position, and state…