TARGET: middle school browsing

["Melvin P. Lader" <lader@GWIS2.CIRC.GWU.EDU>]

How do those of you who are in fixed class schedule sixth, seventh, and
eighth grade situations handle whole class browsing time?  Our routine has
been to hold a 40 minute class and then allow 10 minutes for students to
check out books at the end of the periods.  About a quarter of the
students in each class really want to check out books; the rest say that
they are already reading books from home or wherever, and don't need to
check out books from the "stodgy" school library (tr:  they want to read
Anne Rice or Stephen King, and we don't have them).  Naturally, the
students who are not checking out can find shelter in the stacks and
engage in behavior that is inappropriate, and, when questioned, they all
claim to be looking for books.  I've tried several disciplinary and
planning approaches, but haven't found one that isn't a hassle.  Does
anyone have ideas that they would like to share?  A HIT will be posted.

Thanks.
R.C.Lader
e-mail: lader@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu