Curriculum

NJCCSS

The NJCCSS are the state-mandated standards for New Jersey’s students since June 23, 2010. BELS supports the mission of the NJCCSS and strongly recommends that all New Jersey school librarians keep these standards in mind when designing units of study and their library’s collections.

 

NJCCSS Website
The New Jersey Department of Education’s extensive website devoted to the NJCCSS.

 

New Jersey Educator Resource Exchange
A collection of common core-based lesson plans, videos, classroom activities, assessment items, and professional development resources.

 

Implementing the Common Core State Standards
The Common Core is a nation-wide initiative. Visit this livebinder to learn more about this program.

 

Catalyst for the Efficient Implementation of Core Curriculum Content Standards K-12 Guide
Create and maintain a school library program which supports the NJ CCSS

 

Next Generation Science Standards
These newly released standards for teaching science are viewable by grade level or topic grouping.

P21

The BELS Consortium promotes teaching 21st Century Skills in the classroom and school library. Founded in 2002, P21 endeavors to create successful and effective citizens, workers, and leaders. In addition to the traditional three R’s, P21 advocates Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity.

 

P21 Website
P21 is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. P21 is a broad coalition made up of education nonprofits, foundations, and businesses working together to make 21st century education a reality for all students.

 

AASL Standards
Standards for the 21st-Century Learner offer vision for teaching and learning to both guide and beckon our profession as education leaders. They will both shape the library program and serve as a tool for school librarians to use to shape the learning of students in the school.

 

NJ 21st Century States Project
Along with 15 other states, New Jersey has joined the 21st Century States project.

SGOs

With the signing of the TEACHNJ Act, the evaluation of teachers in New Jersey must include multiple measures of student growth. In New Jersey’s proposed evaluation system, AchieveNJ, all teachers set learning goals for their students and are evaluated, in part, on how well their students attain these goals. SGOs will be developed collaboratively between you and your supervisor, with the building principal providing the final approval.

 

BELS Members SGO Depository
BELS Librarians may email the consortium coordinator to submit an SGO.

 

Student Growth Objectives
Provided by the New Jersey Department of Education.

 

NJASL Guidance on SGO’s for school libraries
A supplement to the SGO manual.

Lesson Plans

The school librarian is sometimes referred to as a teacher-librarian because there is more to our job than simply maintaining a collection. Creating lesson plans by one’s self or while collaborating with a classroom teacher is a wonderful way to begin designing a unit of study.

 

BELS Lesson Plan Template
For creating lesson plans for your library media center.

 

BELS Lesson Plan Depository 
View lesson plans and other information literacy materials used by school librarians in BELS.

 

Bloom’s Taxonomy Chart
Use this chart to assist with developing lesson plans.