HIT Flex Schedule

[Joan Chase <JSCHASE@AOL.COM>]

Dear LM_NETters,
I am overwhelmed with the response from across the country to my request for
help with changing to a flexible scheduled media center program,. I am happy
to share some of the material with you.
What works: Shared responsibility; Crucial that Media Specialist is part of
the planning team; the Big Six (information literacy activities);
Administrative backing.
What doesn't work: Flex scheduling by administrative fiat
 Shelly Bell had several practical suggestions: blocks of time by grade level
including problem solving gr.3-5, rotating schedules so that everyone gets a
turn- collaboration with units taught by teachers and LMC teacher,  planned,
taught and assessed by both. She suggests a structure at first, like a
calendar or plan book so that access is fair. Computer lab can be on an as
need basis. She has also authored a book - Greenwood Press, Collaboration for
Literacy.
 Kate Benson -CT, calls her program a flexible access library media program.
She started with the most accepting teachers - did lots of PR - stressed
 program, not schedule. She contends  that a flexible schedule is the best
learning environment for students. K&1 have 30 minutes per week -Grade 2 now
alternates between 1 week fixed and one week flex -grade 3-5 whenever they
need/want/can. Time varies - usually 40 minutes. Many teachers come in for 15
minutes for book selection. Her planning is done on the run.
 Meredith Altshular -VA, says flex scheduling makes a major difference in
student achievement. Planning time is the key to success. She schedules K,1&2
- and has a big block of pm time for open collaboration. Mornings are for
3-5. classes come in for check out and can schedule for research. Teachers
like the opportunity to chose time that works in their schedules. Meredith
recommends a book by her daughter, Linnea Renton - The School is Us: A
Practical Guide to Whole School Change, and another by Toor, Weisberg -
Learning Linking and Critical Thinking for developing skills curriculum. She
also likes to use Inspiration software.
 Priscilla Seeley - Alabama is very encouraging - thinks that flex scheduling
is much better for students. Suggests that it takes from 3-5 years to make
change - suggests a book by Jan Buchanan - Library Media Access -Libraries
Unlimited. She has had a flexible schedule for 4 years.
 Joy Branham from TN - When she used a modified flex schedule -student's
scores in reference on standardized tests went up - when they returned to
fixed schedule, they went down. She feels that a librarian's job is first and
foremost to be a resource to everyone - when on a rigid schedule, you are not
available.
 I will be keep in touch with those who want to know the outcome of these
efforts at my building. The first step is the meeting of the staff members
who signed up to be on the flex scheduling committee which meets soon. I gave
them your replies in advance so that they could see that this is a meaningful
and worthwhile undertaking. Thank you.
 Joan Chase  (JSCHASE@aol.com)
 Oak Terrace School
 240 Prairie Ave.
 Highwood, IL 60040