Wow! You all are great! I've gotten so many great suggestions for =
scheduling for next year. I've also had several folks email to ask me =
to please post the hits! Many, many thanks to everyone who responded.
Legare (By the way it's pronouced Lagree--and no rel. to Simon!) =20
Legare Hartbarger
Library Media Specialist (to be)
Covington, GA
legare250@earthlink.net
When I was in a flexibly scheduled situation (not my current district), =
I
created a template (I think I used a spreadsheet) for a week in the =
library.
Scheduled classes (pre-1) were all scheduled back-to-back late Thursday
afternoon and all day Friday. The schedule was set up with 15 min
increments (to allow for varying lengths of sessions.) The first and =
last
slots of the day were reserved for open book exchange. Almost always, =
the
teacher met with me before entering anything on the schedule. If you =
want
to have the "library" and the "librarian" scheduled separately, perhaps =
you
could create face-to-face pages OR double the number of columns (or =
rows) to
provide one column for the library and one for you. I would "book" your
booktalks just like any other teacher does by filling in the notebook =
after
you've made plans with your homeroom teachers. Hope this makes sense...
BTW these sheets were duplicated, the dates entered at the top and put =
in a
bright hot pink 3-ring notebook. Good luck!
Barbara
I do not put my lesson schedule in a lesson plan book.
Attached is the form my teachers use to schedule things.
It is in an open book on the desk of the library.
I save it from year to year as a record of what I have done. At the end =
of each month I give a report to my principal of what I have done with =
my time--who has done units with me, who has had me pull books for them, =
processing book times etc.
The columns labeled "ML" mean I am teaching something.
The other column is for check in/out. Often we have 2 or more classes =
using the library at one time. Just this morning, 2 4th grade classes =
were here as I taught a Cinderella unit and a 5th grade arrived, checked =
in/out and left.
Mary Croix Ludwick, Librarian K-5
don't know what your plan book looks like but ours has big squares for =
each period. Since I serve elementary and high school, we write the =
elementary schedule at the top and high school at the bottom. You might =
try that. Write the things you will be doing at the top of the block =
and schedule book checks and the like at the bottom.=20
Vaneesa
Legare,
I have a flexibly scheduled 6-8 media center. What I do is type up my
lesson plans and add them into a binder. As far as the scheduling is
concerned, I created schedule table for each day and record the times, =
the
teacher and activity description, and a materials list. I used to try =
to
email my schedule to everyone each week. Now, I only do so if I a
particularly busy day scheduled or a special event that includes closing =
the
library. It has worked so far, and the other staff in the building =
assume
that they may send a student down to get a book at any point in the day.
Sarah=20
Hi,
I used a loose leaf notebook for my schedule. I had a page for each=20
week. I did not put specific times because different teachers had=20
different times in their schedules to work with me. I put the day at=20
the top Mon.- Fri. across the page. Next I had a narrow band across=20
the week labeled "before school" (could write in planning meetings with=20
teachers or other tasks). Next was a wide band (morning block). Next=20
a narrow band labeled LUNCH (could vary among the different lunch times=20
for different grade levels from day to day). Next a wide band=20
(afternoon block). Next a narrow band labeled "after school" (this=20
could be right after school or evening commitments.) I would write in=20
the specific time block, the location (IMC, classroom, computer lab=20
etc.) and indication of what I would be doing. this was a master=20
schedule that could have an entry for space in the IMC and or my time. =20
I color coded the pages so each marking period was a different color. =20
Teachers could plan way ahead for a special project or last min. if=20
there was space. Hope this makes sense. If not feel free to ask=20
follow-up questions. This approach worked for me for many years in=20
three different schools.
M. Ellen Jay
You mention you want to schedule in students for monthly booktalks but =
what about informational skill lessons? You want your students to =
become independent users of your library and other libraries. This is a =
very important part of your job. With flexible scheduling, you will =
have to figure out a way to reach all students.
Debby=20
We are a high school on a block schedule, but I think you could adapt =
what
we do for your needs.
We have a three-ring binder that stays on our circ desk. Each sheet
represents a week, and each day is broken down by blocks (you could =
break
down by hours, etc.) Teachers sign up in advance what they will be =
using
the media center for, i.e. internet research, critiques on Hamlet, etc.
during the times that they need. It's first come, first serve, except =
the
administration who can bump as they need to for meetings, etc. (We make =
the
the admin talk to the teachers so that we don't look like the "bad =
guys").
Our book is divided into three parts: media center/computers, =
conference
areas, and equpiment circulation (run off on different colors of paper =
to
avoid confusion.) It has worked well for years, and when we compile our
monthly reports we just look back at the needed pages.
If you're unclear about any part of this, just let me know!
Ginger=20
Hi Legare,
I have a library with space for 2 classes and I have 2 computer labs =
that are open to my library. That leaves the possibility for 4 classes
to sign up to use the library. What I do is this- I have 3 lesson plan =
books. One for each lab and one for the library. The library book's
slots (each representing one hour in the day) are divided in 2 (since I =
can accomodate 2 classes per period.) I have the teachers contact ME
(and only me) personally in order to sign up for the labs or the =
library. At this time, I ask what they are doing and how I can help, and =
I
make suggestions. I really believe that it is crucial that they speak to =
me in order to sign up, as often this is my only chance for
collaboration. This seems to work well for me.
Every morning I look through these books to see what is happening and =
what I need to do, as this is also where I make notes pertaining to any
teaching I am doing, i.e., booktalks, showing databases, etc. I also =
post a daily calender near each lab so that teachers and students know
where to go when they come in. So, I'm wondering if 2 different books =
would work for you? One for scheduled check out time, and one for
teaching? As an aside, I also have 2 additional plan books, one in which =
I log my collaborative activities and one in which we (I have an
aide) take reservations for equipment.
I'm not sure if I think it is necessary or beneficial for the teachers =
to have a copy of your schedule. What if they think you are not busy
enough, or what if they are discouraged by how full your schedule is and =
they don't come and talk to you about getting in the library? I guess
for me, the sign up is a very important contact point in which to =
collaborarte with teachers, because it is not always easy to get =
teachers to
work with you and take advantage of your services. I hope I haven't =
confused you. If you have any questions, feel free to email!
Good luck to you, being a library media specialist is so much fun!
Stacey=20
Legare,
I am just completing my first year as a LMS in a 3-5th grade school that =
is
also flexibly scheduled. I think you are stressing too much. What I =
have
successfully done is leave my plan book open on the circulation desk. =
If a
teacher wants to book time, she comes in or calls and we look and see =
what
time is available. Both me and my aide "book time" for teachers. When =
I'm
running around the building networking with teachers (usually before =
school,
during team meetings or lunch), I take my plan book so I can book a time
slot at the time I talk to a teacher. It usually works out quite =
smoothly.
If they can't get the time they want, they will know to see me earlier =
next
time.
Flexible scheduling is just that -- flexible on the part of the LMS and =
the
teachers! I have found that the bet laid plans rarely work. Go with =
the
flow. Both you and the teachers will learn together how to do flexible
scheduling so it works in your school.
You'll do fine. Don't worry.
Julia=20
Legare:
since a) it's your first year as the LMS there, and b) flexible =
scheduling can mean different things to different teachers, and c) =
practical politics is what you need to consider, here's my suggestion:
You want teachers to see you as the Info-guide, and the library as the =
info-source, so schedule the library/librarian as ONE UNIT, unless =
absolutely necessary. =20
You want classes coming TO the library WITH their teacher to utilize all =
YOUR resources as much as possible. For now, don't even suggest that =
you could come to their classroom; make them come to you. (FWIW; =
realize that you may not always have clerical help available -- do you =
really want classes using the library if no library staff is there?)
And if the library schedule gets crowded this way, that's good. Your =
expertise/facility will become even more desireable and valuable if =
people need to plan in advance in order to guarantee time/space on the =
library schedule.
Alice=20
We have been set up this way since our school opened 20+ years ago. In =
the
time I have been here (16 years) I have tried different ways of =
scheduling
on paper. At one time I got a schedule book and would block my lunch =
time,
or special things that I had scheduled, and then teachers could schedule
things for the time they wanted. We have the policy that the teachers =
are to
stay with their classes no matter if they come for check out, storytime =
or a
lesson. In this way I am modeling. I use my plan book for the actual =
lesson
plans. I don't use the boxes. When I use the lesson for a teacher, I put
their name and the date at the bottom. I used to take the schedule book =
with
me when it was time for annual appraisal. Now I use my computer to =
schedule
and to plan. In this way I get to grab the teacher for a quick planning
meeting before it is scheduled. I ask for a week's notice for a lesson, =
but
am happy to take it on Friday for Monday. I will not schedule after =
Friday.
This gives me time to plan and schedule all those other things that I =
need
to do. Make sure you get those scheduled. It helps show what you do when =
not
teaching a class. Leave time for one to one teaching (staff and =
students)
Good luck and enjoy yourself! You will never be bored!
Cathy=20
How about a color-coded system -- different color ink for different =
types of demands on your time -- eg., red for lessons in classrooms, =
blue for lessons in the library, green for time reserved for book =
exchange, etc.? Good luck -- and congratulations on being in a school =
where the value of flex scheduling is recognized!
=
Diane=20
I did a spreadsheet with each day having 4 things they could reserve - =
me, the reference area, the story area, or check out. Then down the =
side, I had each hour in 15 minute increments. They could have a "set" =
check out and if I was not working with another class, I would help. =
But they signed up knowing that that would not always be the case. I =
only had an aide one day a week, so each teacher had to learn to check =
books in and out. (Actually, at the elementary school where I was, I =
taught all the kids to check their own books out, so the teacher just =
had to troubleshoot.) I loved it! It worked well. I felt we were =
growing. Then we got a new principal who did not support it and did =
away with flex. I found a new job the next year. Enjoy it. Know that =
it will get better each year. It is the right thing to do.
=20
Lisa=20
No. My personal calendar is online and only I view it. That way I get =
a chance to talk to the teacher face to face or via e-mail about what =
service he or she wants me to provide. My position encompasses =
technology as well as the library so I might be asked to create a lesson =
for science or history class that incorporates technology or might be =
asked to teach a library related lesson. It saves me a lot of extra =
steps to require the teacher to converse with me about the project =
rather than make a "reservation" for my services on a sheet of paper =
with a (sometimes) cryptic message about what I need to provide. Doing =
it this way seems to prevent my having to track down the teacher to =
discuss the project.
=20
I keep two separate calendars--one for the media center and one for me.
=20
do it on a web page. Updating as changes happen. Next year's plan is =
to
add a bar below scheduled classes and list what else I did during the =
day.
Maybe link to resources specific to that class (lesson plan, webpage =
with
resources, PPT I used, etc).
http://pac.egreen.wednet.edu/library/ click on schedule
Robert In my plan book, I write everything I need to know. It's also =
reviewed by my vice principal. I have another book for teachers to sign =
up for my help or whatever. I cross out days I'll be out, etc. Perhaps =
in that second book, you could divide each period in half (one for =
checkout, another for your help).. Just a starting idea..
Gail=20
Legare,
I use an excel spreadsheet for scheduling. I have to schedule 3 labs, =
the
library lab, and the library. On the left I have the days of the week, =
each
divided with 6 lines, one for each place. The periods of the day are
vertical. Classes that are regually scheduled such as keyboarding, web
design, etc. already are assigned a lab. It seems to work out pretty =
well.
We use Edline for online grades, assignments, and news, and I used to =
put
the schedule on the library page for teachers. Somehow I didn't keep up
with that this semester but will try again next. I can e-mail you a =
sample
if you'd like. I am at a Catholic High School of about 550 students. =
Good
luck and welcome to the profession.
Carol Bandre
Mater Dei High School
Breese, IL
cebandre@charter.net
Use different colored pens for you/teaching and library use/clerk? I =
love
color coding.
Kathy=20
We have a schedule book that teachers use to sign up for the different =
areas
of the library. We have 3: two book areas and one computer area. The
schedule book is actually made by a local printer (we had it custom =
made).
It seems to work well. Teachers can see what is available and can set
regular schedules. That does not occur too often because I am at a high
school - way too many teachers!!! But it should work for you. Play =
around
with Excel or Outlook and see if you can create your own schedule.
Let me know if I can assist you...this is my first year too!!!!
Christina=20
The middle school librarian I know just sets out a big calendar on her =
desk- teachers come and sign up for slots. You could offer two =
calendars- one for your teaching and one for the checkout/research use.
Ellen To me the easiest way to schedule more than one thing in the LMC =
is to
divide the box in the plan book for each period into however many =
classes
you can accommodate. So if you have space for 2 classes, the box for =
Tues.,
per. 4 would have 2 lines labeled area 1, area 2. All the boxes for the
periods would have those lines in them.
In my current school I have an upper library and a lower library. I am
sending you an attachment of my sign-in schedule. There is a fine, =
dotted
line that separates each box, so someone can sign up for either the =
upper or
lower space.
Good luck.
Sharon=20
--------------------------------------------------------------------
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home