HIT: ELEM: Flexible scheduling questions (pt. 2 of 3)

[Ellen Wiseman <ewiseman@wt.net>]

HIT continued.....
-------------------------------*
> 1.  How would the library program at your school improve if the 45
minute planning time was dropped?  The library program would improve
because the students would actually be getting more library time.  The
students would be allowed to come in for research as their teacher
permitted on a pass.  They would also come to the library to get more
books when they finish them and not just once a week.  The library
classes would be scheduled by the teacher as the classroom lessons
needed library time.  The lessons would be more meaningful because they
would be tailored for the teacher and her lessons.  They would be more
relevant to the students because they would coorelate to their classroom
studies.  The teacher could schedule the students in the library for
longer than 45 minutes if their needs were great ie 30 minute lesson
followed by a 30 min research period etc.  The teacher and the LMS would
be team teaching in the LMC during those times so the students would
have more help.>
> 2.  What would you do each day?  See above .
>
> 3.  How would academics improve?  See above.

-------------------------------*

You asked....
How would the library program at your school improve if the 45 minute
planning time was dropped?
....Teachers and students would come to the library with a purpose; not
just because the teacher needed a break or that's when the schedule says
they can come.  Open check out through out the day allows students to
filter in and out as needed.  Small groups arrive for research work,
guided as needed by the media specialist.  Whole classes arrive for
collaboratively planned activities that correspond to the classroom
curriculum.  The library and the librarians are useful resources not
babysitters.  The students are real scholars and readers.

You asked...
2.  What would you do each day?
....In addition to the normal administrations of a library and its'
collection; I would be working with individuals, small groups, and
classes to locate, evaluate, and assimilate information for their
scholarly or
recreational pursuits.  I would also be pulling resources as requested
for in class use.  I would be meeting with teachers to collaboratively
plan for
future library visits for those recreational or scholarly pursuits.
It's a
lot more work for the teacher and the librarian to operate on a "student

centered schedule" BUT it is a more logical means of teaching students
scholarly habits.

You asked....
3.  How would academics improve?
....Students learn best when they can apply their learning in a real
world
setting.  What better way to introduce a social studies project than
right
where all the resources for that project are located.  What better means
of learning can there be than asking questions, applying the knowledge,
and asking more questions right as you are researching and working?

I wish I had specific research that detailed the academic benefits of
student centered scheduling versus release time scheduling but I don't.
I just see the incredible focus and drive of the students who are using
the library as a tool for their learning....all ability levels, not just
the bright ones.  I see the dawning realization on the teachers faces of
the power a
collaboratively planned research project has in their classroom.  My two

WILDLY successful classes of 5th graders can't wait to work on another
project in the library.  They absolutely love picking apart the
resources and discovering the information they want for their projects.

I am so convinced that student centered scheduling is what is best for
my
students that I am working myself to the bone cornering teachers,
begging them to plan with me.  I could not work at this pace (20
scheduled classes, 6 flexed classes, and 5-6 collaborative class
sessions per week with other grade levels, searching out teachers, and
administering the library and its collection) for more than a year or
two.  But I can sustain this pace if I think I'm making progress.  AND I
am making progress in convincing our
teachers that student centered scheduling works best for all of us.

Good luck to you.  Please post a HIT.  I'd love to know what more
experienced librarians have accomplished.

Kathy Cadden, K-5 Media Specialist
Nathaniel Alexander Elementary @ Governor's Village
Charlotte, NC  KCLIBRO@aol.com


-------------------------------*
Our teachers come down to the library when their class does....so we
don't
"cover" for them. I try to tie in skills and stories with what's going
on
in the classroom. It helps to have the teacher there because when the
kids
go off to find books, we have 5 minute meetings on what they want me to
do  next time. Just thought I'd throw that in--maybe to influence your
district? It works well here.....Denell dhilgendorf@sisf.minoh.osaka.jp
Osaka Int'l School
Japan
Grade teacher on assignment in the library



-------------------------------*
1.  How would the library program at your school improve if the 45
minute
planning time was dropped?

The students would be able to learn research skills and strategies IN
the
CONTEXT of a cooperatively planned learning opportunity. (as opposed to
out of context skills only lessons)

2.  What would you do each day?

The timetable would be filled with lessons as part of cooperatively
planned (with classroom teachers) lessons as part of larger units of
study with research components. The periods would be available on a
first come, first served basis. Some periods might be for literature
uses - novel studies, book talks, lessons about genres of literature (as
cooperatively planned with classroom teachers), book exchanges (perhaps
for only 20 minute slots each class so you can get two into one period).

3.  How would academics improve?

When children learn skills in context, they will retain them longer and
better. When they do their own research using resource-based learning,
they will remember what they discover and learn where and how they found
it. then, they'll be able to apply that knowledge in other places.

        Just a start!
Cheryl Dinnin, teacher-librarian
Caradoc Central School and Parkview School
Thames Valley District School Board
<trains@execulink.com> [home]
---------------------------------------------------
to be continued.......
__________________________________________________________________________

Ellen Wiseman, Librarian
Scroggins Elementary
Houston, TX
ewiseman@wt.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
    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/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=