Teacher Librarian and the curriculum

A teacher librarian is well placed within the school community to assist with the implementation and development of the school curriculum.

Firstly, the TL was once (and still is) a real life teacher and as such is well placed to assist in the above mentioned. I personally teach four different KLA's so as a TL would be well placed to assist in these areas. This is a major advantage for any school that has a fully qualified TL over hiring a librarian or using mum and dad volunteers.

Secondly, by studying this course I have been reminded and refreshed of teaching and learning strategies such as Bloom's taxonomy and inquiry based learning and how these, when used skillfully, can best assist student learning and development. I am gaining new knowledge, knowledge my fellow teachers are not, such as the benefits of project based learning. As a TL I would see it as my duty to demonstrate the possibilities these strategies have to offer or to lead by example in making the shift into 21st century learning and teaching.

Classroom teachers may see time constraints as an issue either to collaborate or to alternate their teaching style.  I am certainly personally aware of the many hats and pressures a full time teacher is under but I would consider time spent now as an investment in the future and a possibility of saving time later.
Recently I put a small PBL in action with my year 8 history class. They were divided into the categories of Viking, Saxon, Norman. Their initial job was to gather as much information about their home regions and lifestyles as possible in a window of time (this was coupled with an awareness of Shcrocks 5W's as it was an internet task). Students then took turns in sharing this information on the board.
Following this I detailed to them the events of 1065 and early 1066 and asked each group respectively and based on their social and cultural beliefs (V,S & N) what they would do about it? INVASION !!!
the PBL come into play with their planned of attack or defense based on the resources available etc that they researched.
The Norman group stepped forward detailed their plan and responded to questions from the defenders (the Saxon's) this included the weather, payments etc. The Vikings followed and then the Saxons.
Step three was the outcome of the battles based upon all they had researched, analysed and synthesised.
They were virtually spot on with their analysis of events based on what they had learnt. We then watched a short DVD on the battle of Stamford bridge and Hastings.
This set us up well for our look at the medieval world.
Now this was not a 100% PBL nor was it perfect. It was a start. It took little time to create, was student oriented and created a situation where collaboration, communication, research and evaluation skills were required.
I overheard a student saying to his friend "this is fun and i'm actually learning something".