LM_NET: Library Media Networking
This is the last part of four.
Thanks again!
Sherida Steffen, Librarian
Rose Warren Elementary School
Las Vegas, Nevada
email: Sherida_C._Steffen@aspen.interact.K12.nv.us
*********************************************
Usually I tell the teacher that I will encourage the children to take
one book of the type requested by the teacher, and the other 2 (we have
a 3 book limit per week) can be of any type the child wishes. Often the
teacher has some particular thought in mind--perhaps wanting to
encourage children into slightly longer or more challenging reading, or
something for a book report (which can be of a variety of forms besides
the usual written one). When I know what the underlying intention is, I
can often do some booktalking, promoting etc. that accomplishes the
goals much more efficiently, effectively and pleasantly than a direct
order.
***********************************************
I have a couple, well, several who do this. I feel about it the same as I
do
about teachers specifying length of books...you know, "Not less than 200
pages." When you and I both know that there are great shorter novels.
Anyway, I try to negotiate. This week we'll only do chapter books, science
etc., but next week we'll let the kids choose.
***********************************************
Yes, you bet, I had similar experiences last year, also my first in a
school library. Since I was in a K-3 library with mostly Hispanic
students, teachers were very hung up on issues relating to reading--
i.e. how to learn to read. One 2nd grade teacher would swoop in inspecting
children's choices and demand that they return anything that SHE did not
think
was easy enough for them to read. She would not allow them to choose
Spanish language materials.
The only antidote to this type of misguided thinking I know of is Krashen's
discussions (See his "Power of Reading"} of the proven (by research)
benefits of FREE VOLUNTARY READING for improving scores on standardized
tests of reading, not to mention literacy and motivation to read. So find
a way to get his writing and ideas out to your staff anyway you can.
Exposing Public Library Board Members and politicians in LA to Krashen's
ideas was responsible for major increases in library funding.
************************************************
I haven't experienced these restrictions as a teacher, but I have as a
parent. My son (who began reading at age 2) and all others in his class
were restricted to picture books by their first grade teacher. The school
librarian was, of course, upset, but unable to override the teacher's
restriction. Our solution, suggested by the librarian, was to have my son
tell me what he wanted and then have me go in and check it out. This was,
at best, an awkward method and he ended up using only the public library.
Still, I appreciated having the librarian involve me.
*************************************************
the lower K-1 classes to 1 book a week. The upper grades get to take out
two books and usually three. This means that if a teacher is having the
kids take out a library book for a classroom project, eg all reading
mysteries for example, they still have the option of taking out one or two
books of their choice. I do have some teachers who want their 4/5 graders
to take out a chapter book each week but that still leaves them with one or
two optional books. Part of my job as I see it is to support the
curriculum and this is one way to do it.
***********************************************
I have had the same experience with teachers in my K-6 school. Some are
really bossy and controlling about what their kids read. I can see
encouraging them to read something that is not too hard, so they will
enjoy it and not be frustrated, such as the recent discussion on the "five
finger test", but I think this practice of dictating the type of book a
student has to read is a sure way to make kids hate reading.
We have some teachers in the upper grades who do "read around the library"
where they keep a chart and sometime during the year, each student has to
report on a book from each section of nonfiction, plus a picture book,
historical fiction, humor and mystery. This is a pretty good way to
acquaint the students with sections they might otherwise never visit and
does at least give them a range of choices.
I don't really know how to deal with over-riding the teacher's directions
-- it's kind of like over-riding your spouse's word on child discipline --
if mom says "no," ask dad -- kind of thing. Maybe a way to head it off
would be at the beginning of the year, ask for a few minutes during a
faculty meeting to hand out your media guidelines, schedules, instructions
for laminating, film ordering procedures and other media requests. As
part of this time, you could explain the ALA committment to freedom of
choosing reading materials and how this relates to your philosophy of
supporting both freedom of choice and curriculum in the school media
center. I think if I could allow the students to check out more than 1
book at a time, this might allow the student to get a required book for
class reports and also 1 or 2 for enjoyment. This might be an acceptable
compromise for this type of teacher. In the past, I haven't had the staff
to keep up with this much shelving, but I think I will work on getting
enough volunteers to implement this practice.
I will be interested to see what the group has to say about this. It has
bothered me, too, but I didn't know how to handle it without [that's all I
received]
**********************************************
It's the same old story, second verse same as the first. Pure ignorance of
what they are doing to the kids. I ask the teachers to let the children
check out at least one book of their choosing. Since students are allowed
to check out whatever the teacher wants (demands) plus something else, they
usually agree. Many of my teachers now ask for reading recommendations.
**********************************************
My teachers sometimes make this request. Their reasons are valid.
Students resent "having" to read a certain type of book. If given a
chance, they will spend too much time choosing other books and neglect to
get the assigned material or they will rush and then hate what they get
because they grabbed the first book handy.
I honor the teacher's request. If possible, I pull as many books
that fit the requirements that I can find within my time limits and put
these on display. Many times teachers are rushing to get everyone finished
before it's time to leave.
Teachers generally fall into two categories. The first will allow
students to choose personal books if they have found the required material
and it's discreetly done. The 2nd type holds firm. (She has found that
students read "fun" stuff and neglect to read her required book.) DON'T
sneak another book out to a student. The teacher will retaliate by not
scheduling her class (which punishes everyone.)
For the 2nd teacher, I have another way of getting books to
students. Put the book on hold. Students can return from another class,
during lunch, etc. to collect the book.
**********************************************
I think it stinks and you should explain it, as you did below. Suggest
that it is more detrimental than helpful to the kids' learning and loving
to read. That when they get to pick out their own books, it be up to them,
and if the teachers want something specific for a specific assignment, then
it can be handled at a separate time, not as part of their "free library
visit."
I think too often we turn kids off to reading with things like this....
**********************************************
I too have seen teachers place such "requirements" on the
students' choices. For the most part I have found this is an attempt to
keep
students from reading, and borrowing, books that will not take them long to
read, especially in schools with an SSR or DEAR period. Sometimes there is
another purpose, such as analyzing the parts of the sentences, that
requires
the use of certain books. I usually require that classes needing "special"
collections (ie, Historical Fiction, Tomie DePaola) clear this with me
beforehand so that I can have materials ready, or sometimes let the teacher
know if the materials are not available (Biographies of African Americans
in
February can be dicey). If a teacher wants the class to borrow a limited
type
of book, I ask them to check the student's choice before it is checked out
as
well. If the book does not meet the requirements it then can be changed,
this
also keeps the teacher involved with the class. You might try making
suggestions, just try to remember that you are new, and the staff must get
acquainted with you and how you want things to work- this sometimes can be
the most difficult part of the transition so have your diplomacy hat and
matching tact gloves on. Enjoy!
***********************************************
I've had this problem at our middle school; seems like every year or two
it pops back up. We're on flex schedule, so my assistant & I would find
it hard to enforce such restrictions. We do try to watch choices for our
younger students & ask them if they need an Electronic Bookshelf book.
When teachers suggest restricting choice this way, I say, "I really hate
to completely restrict a child's choice of reading, especially when so
many good nonfiction books are in picturebook format. Would it work to
have them check out one EBS book for your reading class? Then they can
select whatever they want for their second book." Most teachers respond
well to this approach; when one doesn't, I just tell them that I won't
restrict a child's choice that much.
************************************************
What a horrible idea to restrict kids reading, and using such arbitrary
requirements!!! I'd start by making a list with reasons why it's a bad
idea, and reasons why open choice is so much better for the children. Then
discuss it with your principal, and get his or her support, then present it
to the teachers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
* NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Archive Home