The MAE Award for a Young Adult Reading or Literature Program

APPLICATION FORM Please fill out the forms in this application and send them to yalsa@ala.org no later than Dec. 1. NAME OF LIBRARY, SCHOOL, OR INSTITUTION: APPLICANT'S NAME: APPLICANT'S TITLE: Kay Holton School Librarian Anytown Career Center Library

ADDRESS: 123 Main Street CITY: Anytown STATE: (123) 456-7890 Ohio ZIP: PHONE (HOME): 12345 (123) 098-7654

PHONE (WORK): E-MAIL ADDRESS:

kholton@anytowncareercenter.edu 4/1/12 5/30/13

BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES OF PROGRAM DESCRIBED:

Anytown Career Center is a public school which provides career-technical training to high school juniors and seniors from the ten associate school districts in the county. The school was the first LEED-certified public school in the state. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the internationally-recognized LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system in 2000 to certify buildings for environmentally-friendly design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices. The students in the Construction Trades programs (Electrical Trades, Building Trades, and Architectural & Engineering Design) are in the process of building a Net-Zero house which will be the first in the state of Ohio to be totally constructed by students. Students in other school career-technical programs (Automotive Technology, Electronic and Computer Technology, and Welding) also will be involved with aspects of the house, making this major project a school-wide venture. Purpose: Because of the socio-economic status of the county, 36.74% of students currently participate in the federal free/reduced lunch program. As many students lack personal funds for necessities, their access to books and other library materials is limited to those which they can obtain from the school and public libraries, as they cannot afford to make personal purchases of such items. This need makes their access to strong programming in the school library vitally important.

To aid in the development of life-long literacy skills and to foster the love of reading in these career-technical students (most who will directly enter the workforce instead of furthering their education beyond high school), the Anytown Career Center school librarian met with her Teen Advisory Council to investigate the possibility of developing a program which would help meet these student needs. Concept: Teen Advisory Council members decided to implement a monthly reading club. Due to the environmental focus of the school, most students were very interested in learning more about the environment and ways in which they could personally have a positive impact on the future of the Earth. This interest became the deciding factor in the choice that the monthly book club embrace an environmental focus and the Teen GREEN (Get Reading Everything Environmental Now!) Team was created. Club members met monthly to discuss a book with an environmental message, to watch the accompanying movie, and/or to share the environmental message with others in the school community, including the 80 children in the schools pre-school program. 25 Anytown Career Center students chose to become Teen GREEN Team members in the clubs inaugural year. Analysis of Effects on the Young Adult Participants: The environmental book club meets the following Developmental Assets and Library Connections (Gorman & Suellentrop, 2009): External Assets Support o Other Adult Relationships o Caring School Climate o Through interaction at book club meetings, the teens have developed a strong positive relationship with the school librarian; through this connection students have learned that the school staff cares about their needs and future. Empowerment o Community Values Youth o Youth as Resources o Service to Others o Safety o Because the students were actively involved in helping to plan this educational/recreational environmental book club in a safe location, they felt valued as they developed these assets. As they spread the environmental message to others in the school community, they demonstrated service to others.

Boundaries and Expectations o School Boundaries o Adult Role Models o Positive Peer Influence o High Expectations o Throughout the Teen GREEN Teams activities, students have been able to meet the high expectations of the school librarian, while adhering to school expectations and they also have been positively-influenced by their peers.

Constructive Use of Time o Creative Activities o Youth Programs o This monthly club meeting has given students a place to participate in a creative activity, which is especially important for students who are not involved in other school activities.

Internal Assets Commitment to Learning o School Engagement o Bonding to School o Reading for Pleasure o Through participation in the environmental book club, students have developed a deep commitment to the school and have become actively involved in their own learning, as they read the environmental books for pleasure. Because most of the students will have no further formal education beyond graduation from this career-technical school, through this club they have developed life-long reading habits. Positive Values o Caring o Equality and Social Justice o Integrity o Honesty o Responsibility o As the members participated in Teen GREEN Team activities and shared the environmental message with the school community, they developed life-long positive values.

Social Competencies o Planning and Decision Making o Interpersonal Competence o Members were very involved in planning and executing club activities, developing these important social skills which will serve them throughout their lives.

Positive Identity o Sense of Purpose o Positive View of Personal Future o Because of the book clubs environmental focus, members truly developed a sense of purpose and believed that because of their knowledge of environmental issues, they will be able to make a positive contribution to the Earths future.

Analysis of Effects on the Community: The community benefited from the environmental book club because besides developing life-long reading habits, the members learned more about the environment and ways they could help. They spread their environmental message to members of the school community including their fellow 600+ students, 100+ staff members, and 80 children in the schools pre-school program. As the young children were read to by club members, the children also began developing life-long reading habits, along with learning about the importance of caring for the Earth, positively impacting the communitys future. Award Monies: All award monies will be used to promote the mission of the Teen GREEN Team which is to foster the love of reading in career-technical students as they develop life-long reading habits. Since most of these students will complete their formal education with high school graduation, it is crucial that they develop this love for reading to aid in their future ability to be life-long readers.

NAME:

Kay Holton

DATE: 11/30/12

SIGNATURE: Kay Holton

CURRENT YALSA MEMBER?

Yes

No

Membership No.: 1234567890

Gorman, M., & Suellentrop, T. (2009). Connecting young adults and libraries, a how-todo-it manual. (4 ed.). New York: Neal Schuman Publishers, Inc.

Timeline: April 2012 o school librarian met with Teen Advisory Council to brainstorm programming ideas which would assist with the development of life-long reading habits o Teen Advisory Council members decided to implement a book club with an environmental focus May 2012 o school librarian met with school administration to seek approval for implementation of book club with environmental focus o environmental book club approved by school administration o school librarian informed Teen Advisory Council members of approval of environmental book club o Teen Advisory Council created environmental book club name, Teen GREEN (Get Reading Everything Environmental Now!) Team September 2012 o first Teen GREEN Team meeting publicized o inaugural meeting of the Teen GREEN Team held organizational meeting to decide on monthly programming (books/topics) , brainstormed club promotional ideas, members volunteered for club tasks o promotional materials for club designed- website, bookmark, hallway sign, QR code, etc. October 2012 o promotional materials for club distributed, posted, etc. o Teen GREEN Team meeting- as an introductory activity to gain an understanding of the human impact on the environment, to develop empathy for the animals affected, and to promote dialogue among the club members, members watched Discovery Education United Streaming video The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall o school librarian gave booktalk on several books by or about Jane Goodall to give students suggestions of books to read for Novembers meeting o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

November 2012 o Teen GREEN Team meeting- club members discussed their personallyselected books by or about primatologist/environmentalist Jane Goodall o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

December 2012 o club members will read Ricki and Henri and MeJane (books about Jane Goodall and chimpanzees) to the schools 80 pre-school children (four classes of 20 students) o Teen GREEN Team meeting- club members will watch the Disneynature film Chimpanzees* and will invite the pre-school children to attend showing as guests o members will discuss the film and the relationship to Jane Goodalls work with chimpanzees o school librarian and Teen GREEN Team members will create a display of the schools books (and will provide lists of titles) which have an environmental focus and members will peruse these materials/lists to aid with the selection of their self-chosen book for January o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

January 2013 o Teen GREEN Team meeting- members will present their chosen book on an environmental theme and discussion will be held o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

February 2013 o Teen GREEN Team meeting- members will discuss the book A Civil Action and will watch the film* of the same title- more discussion will be held following the movie o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

March 2013 o Teen GREEN Team meeting- members will read The Lorax and will watch the 2012 version of the film to gain an understanding which will aid them in the development of Earth Day activities to conduct with the schools preschool children in April- members will discuss the book and film and its

environmental implications and effects o club members will develop activities to promote Earth Day in April with the pre-school children- tentative activities to do with the children: read The Lorax and discuss the importance of trees and protecting the Earth, give them a tree seedling to plant at home, create an accompanying craft project o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities April 2013 o members will read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss to the 80 pre-school children (four classes of 20 students) and present a 15 minute environmental lesson with accompanying environmental craft o in honor of Earth Day, members will give each child a tree seedling to plant at their home o members will attend viewing of the 2013 Disneynature Earth Day movie at the movie theater o members will self-select a book with an environmental message to read for the May meeting o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities May 2013 o Teen GREEN Team meeting- members will discuss their chosen book o members will reflect on the Teen GREEN Teams monthly activities of the clubs inaugural year and make suggestions for next years meetings, activities, books, and films o to gain an appreciation for books, reading, and Ohios authors, members will attend the Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus, Ohio o on-going promotion of Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities

*The school has a public performance annual site license.

Assignment of Responsibilities:

seek administrative approval for implementation of book club and all activities throughout the year

school librarian

complete all paperwork related to club activities: requisitions, building usage forms, maintenance requests for facility set-up/tear-down, technology requests for video projection in school auditorium for December meeting with pre-school children, field trip and bus requests

school librarian

plan activities with pre-school teachers and Early Childhood Education students

creative/artistic Teen GREEN Team members creative/artistic and active Teen GREEN Team members school librarian quiet/shy Teen GREEN Team members active Teen GREEN Team members

implement activities with pre-school children

purchase refreshments for club meetings

prepare refreshments for club meetings

set-up and cleanup for club meetings

purchase all club materials: books, videos, tree seedlings, etc. or secure resources through inter-library loan (ILL)

school librarian

secure permission slips for April movie field trip

detail-oriented Teen GREEN Team members creative/artistic and quiet/shy Teen GREEN Team members

create Teen GREEN Team display in library and change display every two weeks

operate video projection equipment

school librarian and technology staff and technologically-savvy Teen GREEN Team members

create club promotional materials: Teen GREEN Team logo, hallway signs, bookmarks, school PA announcements, news releases, student emails, text blast reminder to be sent day of meeting to members

creative/artistic Teen GREEN Team members

create website and QR code for Teen GREEN Team

technologically-savvy and creative/artistic Teen GREEN Team members

publicize Teen GREEN Team meetings and activities: give school announcements, meet with school publicity coordinator for news releases, display/distribute promotional materials such as bookmarks and hallway signs, distribute text blast reminder, meet with school administrative assistant who sends student emails of school activities

outgoing/talkative Teen GREEN Teen members

create booklist of library materials which have an environmental focus

school librarian and detail-oriented Teen GREEN Team members

document club meetings and activities

detail-oriented and technologicallysavvy Teen GREEN Team members

write thank you notes to partners (administrators, maintenance staff, technology staff, pre-school teachers and students, etc.)

quiet/shy and detail-oriented Teen GREEN Team members

Budget: MAE Award- $500, School Librarian donation of MAE Award $500 = $1,000 total Item Individual Cost Number of Items Total Item Cost

regular meeting refreshmentspopcorn, salt, butter (prepared in

school popcorn machine)

7 months $10.00
(December meeting with pre-school children, April meeting at theater)

$70.00

7 months regular meeting refreshments- pop $10.00

(December meeting with pre-school children, April meeting at theater)

$70.00

December meeting refreshmentspopcorn, salt, butter (prepared in

school popcorn machine)

$50.00

Chimpanzee video Teen GREEN Team members and guest pre-school children Chimpanzee video Teen GREEN Team members and guest pre-school children

$50.00

December meeting refreshments- pop

$50.00

$50.00

meeting paper products- cups, napkins, popcorn bags

$50.00

year supply

$50.00

books: 1 copyThe Lorax, Rickie and Henri, MeJane

$17.00, $17.00, $16.00

1 each

$50.00

A Civil Action book: member personal copy

$10.00

25

$250.00

videosChimpanzees, A Civil Action, The Lorax

$30.00, $15.00, $30.00

1 each

$75.00

105 (1 for each pretree seedlings $2.00

school child and 1 for each club member)

$210.00

promotional supplies- paper, cardstock, etc.

$50.00

year supply

$50.00

craft supplies for collaboration with pre-school children

$75.00

year supply

$75.00

field trip to the movie theater

the school will cover the costs of bussing and students will pay their own admission and snacks

field trip to Ohioana Book Festival

the school will cover the costs of bussing and students will pay for any purchases

TOTAL

$1,000.00

Annotated Bibliography:** 1. Adamson, J. (2010). Born free. New York, NY: Macmillan. Although this classic was first written over fifty years ago, the story of Elsa, an orphaned lioness cub who was raised by author and conservationist Joy Adamson, is timeless and will appeal to those readers who are interested in the environment. Because Elsa was born free, when she matured Adamson made the selfless decision to reintroduce the lioness to the wild. The 50th anniversary gift edition contains the added bonus of beautiful photographs which will add realism to the story for any reader. This true heart-gripping 432 page story was developed into a movie and is followed by sequels Living Free and Forever Free. 2. Allen, T. (Performer) (2012). Chimpanzees [DVD]. The story of Oscar, a three-year-old chimp who was orphaned and adopted by another chimpanzee is told in this 78 minute Disneynature documentary film. Released for Earth Day 2012 in cooperation with the Jane Goodall Foundation, the film took over four years to produce. Besides creating an understanding of our closest relative, this film will also help the viewer develop empathy for the plight wild animals face. 3. Carson, R. (2002). Silent spring. Boston: Mariner Books. Because this well-known book is often credited for creating awareness of the damage humans were inflicting on the environment, this classic is a must-read for anyone interested in the environment. First published in 1962, this book was revolutionary in the development of laws that affect our natural resources and spurred the environmental movement. The 400 page book has a readability level of 10.0, making it best-suited for advanced readers. 4. Fehl, P. (2010). Green careers: Energy. New York, NY: Ferguson Publishing. For todays high school students, no study of environmental issues would be complete without exploration into possible environmental career paths in the energy industry. This 181 page resource offers information on fourteen careers in this quickly-growing career field. The information on each career includes: Quick Facts, Overview, History, The Job, Requirements, Exploring, Employers, Starting Out, Advancement, Earnings, Work Environment, Outlook, and For More Information. 5. Fothergill, A. (2006). Planet earth: As you've never seen it before. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. Created as a companion to the Discovery Channel/BBC series, this 312 page book is full of over 400 stunning color photographs which were taken with stateof-the-art cameras and aerial surveillance to capture animals (some rarely seen before) in their natural habitats. As the photographs capture the readers

attention, the accompanying text will surely educate all readers about our magnificent planet and the creatures which inhabit it. This masterpiece is included on this display list because it will entice the reluctant fiction reader to realize that there are many types of books available. 6. Goodall, J. (2010). Through a window: My thirty years with the chimpanzees of gombe. New York, NY: Mariner Books Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Primatologist Jane Goodall tells the incredible story of her thirty years of chimpanzee research, living in the wilds of Gombe in Africa in this 400 page book. In this novel-like non-fiction book, readers learn the stories of chimpanzees Figan, Mike, and others and they will discover how closelyconnected chimpanzees and humans are as they read this well-written book. 7. Goodall, J., & Bekoff, M. (2002). The ten trusts: What we must do to care for the animals we love. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco In this 200 page non-fiction book, the world-renowned behavioral scientist authors share ten things that we, as humans, must do as custodians of the planet to ensure a safe and peaceful world. Each trust or lesson is paired with inspirational stories which share how we can coexist with animals harmoniously. The book will change how the reader views the planet and inhabitants and will teach respect for all life. Also included is an extensive list of sources, which will aid in further exploration on this topic. 8. Gore, A. (2011). Our choice. Emmaus, PA: Rodale. In this interactive book which is available for the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone, the reader will learn about the causes of global warming, as well as solutions which are being studied. With more than 250 full-screen images, an interactive map, more than one hour of documentary footage, 30 original interactive infographics and animations, and original commentary by Al Gore, this format is perfect for todays digital teen. This item will be exhibited in the Teen GREEN Team display by a photograph of an iPad with the screen displaying the book cover. 9. Harr, J. (1996). A civil action. New York, NY: Vintage. In this 502 page environmental/legal thriller, two of the nations largest corporations are on trial for causing the deaths of children by recklessly polluting the water system. This true story explores not only the injustice of the legal system, but also demonstrates how one persons perseverance can make a difference. 10. McGavin, G. (2006). Endangered: Wildlife on the brink of extinction. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books Ltd. The cover art of this beautiful book should catch the attention of all high school students because it features a photograph of an ape and large red block letters

ENDANGERED and hopefully will entice teens to become members of the Teen GREEN Team. This 192 page book not only presents information on the worlds endangered species, but it also contains information on The Nature of Extinction and The Sixth Event (the Earths sixth great extinction is the result of abuse of the environment by humans). The 400 color photographs and information on creatures and plant species which we may lose will certainly inspire readers to become stewards of the Earth. 11. McKay, K., & Bonnin, J. (2007). True green, 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet. District of Columbia: National Geographic. In 128 pages, this National Geographic book gives the reader simple methods of ways which they can easily make a personal contribution to help save the environment. The ideas in the book are based on a grassroots environmental movement, Clean Up the World, which has inspired millions of people around the world to take personal action in an effort to make a positive effect on the environment. Presented with each idea on its own page, most with clear and coordinated photographs, this book would be an easy-read for most readers. 12. Renaud, C. (Director), & Balda, K. (Director) (2012). The lorax [DVD]. This 2012 computer-animated film is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss classic story, The Lorax, in which a grumpy character struggles to protect his world and the trees in it. Teen GREEN Team members will watch this video to become acquainted with the story, as well as gain an understanding of challenges the environment faces. Through this experience, members will be able to create a 15 minute environmental lesson and accompanying crafts for their Earth Day activities with the schools pre-school children. 13. Savedge, J. (2009). The green teen, the eco-friendly teen's guide to saving the planet. Gabriola Island, BC Canada: New Society Pub. This 192 page book is a perfect choice for teens who want to learn ways to help the environment, as it is full of easy tips along with ideas for more aggressive environmental projects. It also includes interviews with green teens which will help the reader relate to the book and its contents. The information in this book will help teens become stewards of the Earth, helping them meet the developmental assets of Empowerment and Positive Identity. 14. Weaver, S. (Performer) (2009). Planet earth: prepare to see it as never before [DVD]. This Discovery Channel/BBC production encompassed five years to capture the Earths magnificence in over 200 locations and 2,000 days of filming. The five DVD set includes Pole to Pole, Mountains, Deep Ocean, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Shallow Seas, Great Plains, Jungles, Fresh Water, Seasonal Forests, Caves, and a Bonus Disc Planet Earth: The Future which explores the environmental impact our actions are having on the Earth. This 10 hour DVD

Collectors Edition Set is included in the Teen GREEN Team display as an eye catcher as it surely will entice the non-reader to explore the club and its offerings. 15. Zaillian, S. (Director) (1999). A civil action [DVD]. This 115 minute film adaptation of the book of the same title features actors John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Kathleen Quinlan, Tony Shalhoub, and William H. Macy in this presentation of a real story about the devastating effects of water pollution in Woburn, Massachusetts and the story of one lawyers fight against corporate America. By watching this legal/environmental thriller, students will develop empathy for average Americans who are sometimes subjected to corporate greed and environmental pollution.

**Although many of these books were written for adults, they have Young Adult interest and a readability level suitable for most high school juniors and seniors (verified at www.mackin.com). These books are good choices for this environmental book club, as they meet the interests of the members of the Teen GREEN Team. While environmental books generally are non-fiction, students may choose to read a fiction book which has an environmental message.

Rationale: Student choice is vital to the development of life-long reading habits. Club members decided to schedule own choice for two meetings, because they felt that with more book variety, they would be able to have better discussion about environmental issues. Also, by allowing members to select their own books to read, teens would develop skills in choosing books in which they were personally interested and would not be turned off to reading by being obliged to read a title in which they had no interest. Although this is a reading club, movies have been incorporated to pique and maintain student interest, since most members have not typically been readers. Since the goal is to develop life-long reading habits, it is important that the members continue to attend meetings to develop these life-long habits and watching the occasional related film will help entice the members to remain active in the club. Members felt that by serving as reading role models for the pre-school children at an early age, the children would develop an appreciation for reading from the teens, while also learning about the importance of caring for the environment. And, incorporating fun and educational activities along with the reading of the books, demonstrates to the children that reading is pleasurable. Giving each pre-school child a tree seedling to plant not only helps the child gain an appreciation and caring nature towards the environment, but it also will create a lasting memory connection with a book. The positive interaction the teens have with the excited pre-schoolers will help foster a

positive relationship with reading to children, a vitally important parenting skill which will aid in the development and maintenance of life-long reading habits for both themselves and their future children. Since the goal of the grant is to develop life-long reading habits, it is important that members develop a deep connection with books. Because of their socio-economic status, many teens do not personally own a book. Investing part of the award money to purchase each member a personal copy of A Civil Action is essential to not only develop the necessary connection with books, but also gives the teens a chance to begin development of their own personal library, which also will assist with life-long reading habits.