Teaching & Testing Information Literacy Skills »

For K-12 librarians, this manual explains how to enhance students' test scores by teaching them information literacy skills. Based on the premise that students who understand how information is classified can better use it, Smith provides background, explores new instructional models, and presents curriculum based on ideas from science teachers and standards in Information Literacy: Building Partnerships for Learning. She explains collaboration with educators, successful instruction and testing, and lesson planning. The last chapter is an account of experiences by two media specialists from middle schools. There is no index. Smith is a former librarian, teacher, and library media consultant. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

School Library Journal

Smith does a fine job of comparing and contrasting various schools of thought and of providing matrixes, examples, and plans. She reviews the rise and acceptance of information literacy, traces a continuum from older ideas of isolated library skills to this more inclusive life skill, and presents a frame for curriculum development with five pages of excellent instructional objectives by category and grade level. One chapter addresses curriculum implementation; others offer a terrific overview of effective teaching and testing techniques. Helpful unit- and lesson-planning designs are included. In the last chapter, two school librarians talk about their experiences with in-depth units using this design. Most chapters end with useful checklists for implementation as well as extensive endnotes and references. This powerful book will illuminate the inexperienced and reinvigorate veteran school librarians.-Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.