Author: Darshell Silva

Darshell Silva is a school librarian in Providence, RI, and a per-course faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. Darshell is passionate about maker education. She began working with the K-12 team at The Source for Learning in 2018.

Multilingual Learners and Your School Library

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School libraries play a pivotal role in enhancing multilingual learning experiences by providing resources and support to ensure that all students, regardless of their language background, have equal opportunities to learn and thrive. There are many effective strategies for leveraging school library resources to support multilingual learners, but a diverse library collection is the first … read more »

Celebrating Children’s Book Awards in the Classroom

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Randolph Caldecott, born on March 22, marks an opportune occasion for celebrating the world of children’s literature! What better way to honor his legacy than by engaging in captivating classroom activities centered around award-winning children’s books? Incorporating these books and their respective award celebrations into your classroom is a powerful way to inspire a lifelong … read more »

Celebrate Your Future Engineers!

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With National Engineers Week taking place from February 18–24 (this year’s theme is “Welcome to the Future!”) and Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day happening on February 22, this is the perfect time to add some engineering lessons or activities to your class schedule! Many organizations offer live and on-demand events and various resources to … read more »

Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy Year-Round: Bringing His Message of Peace and Justice Into the Classroom

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day was January 15th, but Dr King’s message and example have so much wisdom to offer students year-round! MLK Jr. was multifaceted. He was a family man, an organizer, an orator, and a hero to many. He won a Nobel Peace Prize and sparked a nonviolence movement that continues today. His life continues … read more »

Bring Excitement into your Classroom with Low-Cost Makerspace Activities!

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Makerspace activities excite and engage students and offer them a multitude of academic and mental health benefits! Cost should never be a barrier to implementation of makerspace activities in your classroom. Low-cost/no-cost makerspace activities are as engaging and exciting for students as higher priced activities. You can easily obtain low-cost or no-cost makerspace materials! You … read more »

Get Ready, Hour of Code is Coming!

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Computer Science Education Week takes place December 4-10. During this week, the Hour of Code is celebrated globally! The Hour of Code is meant to be a one-hour introduction to computer science designed to demonstrate to everyone that coding is accessible and to engage student participation in computer science. This year’s theme is Creativity with … read more »

The Science of Reading Is For All Students

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What is the Science of Reading? The Science of Reading refers to years of research in many fields, including brain science, that indicate effective strategies for teaching students to read. It is not a singular program, a simple recipe for teaching reading or phonics. And it is for every student, regardless of age or grade! … read more »

What Can Your Public Library Do for You?

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What can your public library do for you as a teacher or school librarian? Schools and public libraries working together is a winning combination! Public libraries offer a wide variety of services as well as learning, programming, and collaboration opportunities for teachers and school librarians. Finding your closest public library is a breeze with the … read more »

Innovate with Low-Tech and No-Tech STEAM!

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Low-Tech, No-Tech STEAM……Isn’t that an oxymoron? Actually, no, it’s not! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to guide inquiry, discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking. It is still STEAM teaching, even if it is low or no tech. Technology is a broad topic; it does not have … read more »

From Wonder to Wisdom: Igniting Inquiry-Based Research in Your Classroom

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According to the American Association of School Librarians, inquiry-based research is “a student-centered approach to learning which naturally utilizes higher order thinking, problem-solving, and information processing via questioning.” Inquiry-based research is student-directed, involves critical thinking and problem-solving, creates new knowledge, and involves open-ended questioning and basic research skills. Bringing inquiry-based research into your classroom will … read more »