LM_NET: Library Media Networking
My principal asked me what I thought. I said that I would like a little time
to think this through, and so that I could contact my colleagues to get some
information on how other schools handle this issue. I have heard from other
schools in Vermont, but would like to hear more. Many of the schools I have
heard from say that teachers have keys that open the library any time they
want to use it. Very few problems have been noted. A clipboard is left on
the circ desk in most situations so that teachers can record barcodes and/or
titles...or sign-out cards are left on a pile, or materials are left in a pile
with a note so that the librarian can sign things out on Monday morning.
I understand the frustration of teachers...our library is open till 4:30 two
days a week, but sometimes that doesn't meet the needs of everyone. I am
thrilled to have teachers wanting to use our collection when they plan
lessons...
I welcome any feedback you could provide...and am very thankful to have this
means to contact all of you! Thank you!
Chris Morgan, Librarian
Bristol Elementary School, Bristol,VT
cam524@aol.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email 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
3) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 14:59:57 -0000
From: W & S Koontz <koontzs@horizon.hit.net>
Subject: Re: Allowing students to read outside
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_01BE1884.4486FEC0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
My school (K-12), 98% of the teachers, and I are happy users of the
Accelerated Reader program. (for over 5 years now)
We do have students read books and take tests on those books within their
reading level.... notice I said reading level, not grade level, two *very*
different things! We determine the level at which they are pushing the
top, reading to understand yet challenge themselves, by using the STAR
program now, but before we purchased it we used the achievement test
scores.
When a student passes 5 or so tests (individual teachers may require more,
some require 5 100%'s not just passing) the student is raised 1/2 level, so
they are gaining levels all the time. We also set goals. 125 pts. as an
annual goal is about average for our 5th graders. Once they reach the
annual goal, they can read anything at any level, and we also allow them to
write their own tests. (we don't always use them, and I or another teacher
double check and rewrite if necessary)
As librarian, I only let them take one AR book at a time, unless it's the
weekend, a holiday break or whatever. I allow them to have three books at
a time total, which most of them take advantage of. We've added three
hundred tests + and more than twice that number have been written by
students.
Some of the reasons this program works so well?
We have a 30 minute reading period all the way through 1st through 12th
grade. Even teachers are to read (some are reading more than they have in
their entire life, I've been told!). Some teachers even take the tests
regularly, or just to see what the kids testing is like, several have
helped by writing tests on their favorite books. Administration is
especially supportive, giving me at least $6,000 extra annually to my
already generous budget (considering our poverty-area school).
I don't really want to sound like an ad for AR, because I feel that the
emphasis we put on reading and the cooperation and consistency within our
entire school district is the most important reason for our
success.........
The downside?
My books are falling apart from use!! (you can tell the most popular ones,
they are held together with rubberbands.) Shelving is never done! ....and
our reading levels and interests are so high in the high school, I have
trouble keeping purchases up.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Walt & Sharon Koontz
USD 286 Counselor & Librarian
Sedan, KS
Home: koontzs@horizon,hit.net
School: koontzw@usd286.hit.net
koontzs@usd286.hit.net
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
------=_NextPart_000_01BE1884.4486FEC0
Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<html><head></head><BODY bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF"><p><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#000000" face=3D"Arial">My school (K-12), 98% of the teachers, =
and I are happy users of the Accelerated Reader program. (for over 5 =
years now)<br><br>We do have students read books and take tests on those =
books within their reading level.... notice I said <b>reading level</b>, =
not <b>grade level</b>, two *very* different things! We determine =
the level at which they are pushing the top, reading to understand yet =
challenge themselves, by using the STAR program now, but before we =
purchased it we used the achievement test scores.<br><br>When a student =
passes 5 or so tests (individual teachers may require more, some require =
5 100%'s not just passing) the student is raised 1/2 level, so they are =
gaining levels all the time. We also set goals. 125 =
pts. as an annual goal is about average for our 5th graders. Once =
they reach the annual goal, they can read anything at any level, and we =
also allow them to write their own tests. (we don't always use them, and =
I or another teacher double check and rewrite if necessary)<br><br>As =
librarian, I only let them take one AR book at a time, unless it's the =
weekend, a holiday break or whatever. I allow them to have three =
books at a time total, which most of them take advantage of. We've =
added three hundred tests + and more than twice that number have =
been written by students. <br><br>Some of the reasons this program works =
so well?<br><br>We have a 30 minute reading period all the way through =
1st through 12th grade. Even teachers are to read (some are =
reading more than they have in their entire life, I've been told!). =
Some teachers even take the tests regularly, or just to see what =
the kids testing is like, several have helped by writing tests on their =
favorite books. Administration is especially supportive, giving me at =
least $6,000 extra annually to my already generous budget =
(considering our poverty-area school). <br><br>I don't really want to =
sound like an ad for AR, because I feel that the emphasis we put on =
reading and the cooperation and consistency within our entire school =
district is the most important reason for our success......... =
<br><br>The downside?<br><br>My books are falling apart from use!! =
(you can tell the most popular ones, they are held together with =
rubberbands.) Shelving is never done! ....and our reading levels and =
interests are so high in the high school, I have trouble keeping =
purchases up. <br><br><br><br>%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<br>Walt =
& Sharon Koontz<br>USD 286 Counselor & Librarian<br>Sedan, =
KS<br>Home: <font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>koontzs@horizon</u><font =
color=3D"#000000">,hit.net<br>School: <font =
color=3D"#0000FF"><u>koontzw@usd286.hit.net</u><font =
color=3D"#000000"><br> =
<=
font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>koontzs@usd286.hit.net</u><font =
color=3D"#000000"><br>%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%</p>
</font></font></font></font></font></font></font></body></html>
------=_NextPart_000_01BE1884.4486FEC0--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email 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
3) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Archive Home