Re: ELEM: Flexible Scheduling

["Suzanne W. Hawley 813-592-1777" <HAWLEYS@MAIL.FIRN.EDU>]

I agree with you completely.  About 85% of our Kindergartners come every
day to check out books.  That gets them and their parents into the routine.
In first, the percentage is lowere --- about 50 % come every day.  I think
it's because the parents got so used to reading a new book every night that
they ask the teachers why the kids aren't bringing books home every day.
Of course, the teachers feel a tremendous pressure to teach that huge first
grade curriculum.  BUT, why not give the kids, who want to exchange books
each day, a chance to do so.  It's easy for us to spot the ones that are
just goofing off.

Have the kids come in in small groups of 5 with a timer set for fifteen
minutes.  (I have timers going off in the media center all day --- for
centers, check-out, etc. We all got used to it and it doesn't bother us a
bit.)  I also give any teacher the opportunity to schedule a full class
check-out eanytime he or she wants.  They have to be there and help guide
the kids.  In fact, I enourage a weekly one for K and 1 --- over and above
a storytime (that I do every other week for those two classes  --- 20 min.
K; 30 min. 1  First only comes the first semester on a scheduled basis.)
The kids can also come daily if they want to and if the teacher permits.

We have 8 first and 8 K's ---- (A total enrollment of about a thousand
K-5).  Try to get one or two of the first-grade teachers to buy into your
idea.  They'll spread the word.

Suzy Hawley
hawleys@mail.firn.edu

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