Hit#1: First Days of School (Libraries)

[Bakers <whatever@IPA.NET>]

Everyone wanted to see what you all had to say about this Target.  Write me
some more if you want me to post an additional hit.

=================================
        My posted rules:

Be Prepared.
Be Responsible.
Respect others.
Respect your environment.
Obey all school rules.

        I was trying to be short, simple and positive.  In the first
scheduled class time, I spend all or almost all the time talking about
rules.  Our K-5 grades are scheduled, but this is a K-8 school.  Last year I
had some students  model correct and incorrect behavior.  The kids enjoyed
the "acting" and everyone got a clear view of exactly what I expected and
what was unacceptable.  It's important to me to establish routines early.
        I think it's important to talk with new teachers  and to be around
if teachers are working after school.  There are so many things we know how
to do.  Sometimes, I volunteer to do the first day's bus duty if it's a new
teacher or someone that has a difficult day.  If we aren't operating a
regular schedule, I might stick my head in a room or two and ask if that
teacher needs a bathroom break and offer to stay with the class.  I think
teachers appreciate someone being considerate and often will return the
favor. It's probably easier to do this in a small school.

 Virginia Sullivan, Media Specialist
Broadway Elementary School
Providence, KY 42450
vsullivan@providence.k12.ky.us

========================
Cecilia,
  I actually have three rules related posters up in my library.  The first one
is headed "Media Rules" -- most of these rules are probably the same ones your
teachers use.  My rules are:
    1.  Enter quietly, take your seat, and wait for permission to get up.  ( I
          combined this one because I didn't want too many rules.)
    2.  Raise your hand to answer a question or speak.
    3.  Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.  (I stress that students
          should not bring any toys into the library.  I take away anything
that
          a child plays with including money and books (if a child hits someone
          with a book, that child is not going to take a book home for that
          day).)
    4.  Whispering is allowed during book selection time only.  (I stress that
          "book time" as the kids call it, is their time.  If a class takes
          longer than any other class to complete the lesson (usually
because of
          tattletales, too many people are noisy or interrupt the story), they
          will lose part of their book time.)
    5.  Always use good manners.
    6.  Keep the library neat.

  My consequences poster reads as follows:
    1.  Warning slip (this is a blank flash card which has the word "warning"
          and an unhappy face on one side and the back has my name and media.
          I made these up because I had trouble remembering who I had warned and
          how far along they were in the consequences list.)
    2.  Time out -- student is allowed to return (The student can return when
          they are ready to follow the library rules.  I stress that even if
          they are in time out and they may not be able to see the story, they
          can still listen.)
    3.  Time out -- student is NOT allowed to return
    4.  Lose 5 minutes of book selection time  (I usually give classes 10
          minutes to chose a book)
    5.  Come in at recess to write a letter home to your parents (A separate
          chart lists what they need to include in this letter.  I will give
          that list to you next.)
    6.  Go to the principal's office.

  My "What to include in a letter to your parent" poster reads:
    1.  Today's date and day of the week
    2.  Why you are in the library at recess
    3.  Day and date that you misbehaved
    4.  Rules that you did not obey
    5.  Why you acted this way
    6.  Apology to your parents
    7.  How you plan to improve your behavior
I also have a sample letter hanging up near this poster to assist students who
may have writer's block or not know how to write a letter.  It reads as follows
(I'm filling in my blank spaces with words that will be in all capital letters):
                                          Tuesday, August 3, 1999
  Dear MOM AND DAD,
    Because I did not obey the rules of the library on MONDAY, AUGUST 2,
1999, I
  am writing this letter to you instead of going outside for recess.
    I was TALKING TOO LOUDLY DURING BOOK SELECTION TIME.  I acted this way
  because I WANTED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LIBRARY.
    I want to tell you that I AM SORRY for my actions.  I will do my best to
  improve my behavior BY TALKING QUIETLY AT BOOK SELECTION TIME OR WALKING TO
  THE PERSON I WANT TO TALK TO SO THAT I CAN WHISPER.
                                         Sincerely,
                                         Vicki Asper

  If you need me to give you more details, please let me know.

Vicki Asper
Media Coordinator
Rockfish Hoke Elementary School
Raeford, NC  28376
veraken-vicki@redrose.net
===========================

Cecilia,
    Although this is my first year as a High School Library Media Specialist
and I haven't had a chance to create and develop a working set of rules, I
was thinking about using the 3 "rules" that Doug Johnson mentions in his
book, _The Indispensable Librarian_.  They are:
    1.  Be doing somthing productive.
    2.  Be doing it in a way that allows others to be productive.
    3.  Be respectful of others' persons and property.
He mentions that he uses these for K-12. I think they are perfect for High
School students.  I believe in being positive and creating a positive
atmosphere for students.  We'll see how it goes!  :-)

Angie Wieneke, Library Media Specialist
Columbus East High School
Columbus, IN
akw@kiva.net

======================================================
Reply-To: eletterl@abelink.com
Subject: Re: Target2: First Day of School--If Harry Wong was an LMS

Guess I should have -- this is something done in each of our libraries at the
very begining.  The rules range from a very simple 4-rule poster at the
elementary level to a talk at the middle school (with rules posted) and high
school.

Of course, rules are posted.  I tell the kids during my talk that they are
posted and that I expect them to be familiar with them.  Failure to listen is
not an excuse and I remind them that if they don't know if they can or cannot do
something like leave the library without asking, they certainly should ask;
that's just common sense.  So ignorance isn't an excuse either.
================================================
Hi, Cecilia,

I am a new LMS at a school  where I taught for several years.  I am
sending along my rules, which have been posted for several years, and
other LMS's have copied:

Book Care

1. Books like clean hands.

2. Books like to stay dry.

3. Books like to be safe.

4. Books like bookmarks.

5. Books like to be treated like friends.

Remember, this is a K - 5 school, but the kids seem to like these
rules, and they are simple enough for even the K's top understand.

Good luck!
Cayla Armatti, Media Specialist
Evergreen Elementary
Ocala, FL
farmatti@praxis.net

=========================================
I believe instilling upon the students the concept that it is _our_
library is one of the most important tasks. If students accept this then
their care of the library and its contents will follow more easily.

Of course fire drill/emergency procedures have to occur early on and
library rules (ours are simple: Respect People/Respect Property) are
critical. (I even saved some damaged books for younger kids to see what
happens when a book hits a puddle or gets chewed on by a dog.)

Please post a hit or forward valuable information. Thanks!
--
Candy Ballantyne, Librarian
Governor's Ranch Elementary
Littleton, CO
cballant@jeffco.k12.co.usContent-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii;
name="vcard.vcf"

===========================================

Cecilia,
We have a copy of "First Day of School" in our teacher resource section.
I have used many of his technique in the classroom with great success.
Several years ago Harry Wong presented at a teachers inservice and was
wonderful. He has a set of tapes out also that are good I think they are
called I Choose to Care.

Val Able, Elem. Principal
Lourdes Catholic Schools
Nebraska City

====================================

From: "vanputf" <vanputf@dns.emcst.com>
Subject: Re:      Target2: First Day of School--If Harry Wong was an LMS

I'm on a 100% flex schedule, so it's a quiet day. The kindy and 1st grade
teachers give the kids a tour of the school; otherwise teachers are busy
setting their classes in. During the next week (we open on a Thursday) we
have orientation and check-out for all classes. We just explain the rules
for about 5 minutes, then have each student check out one book.  Faith Van
Putte

=====================================

Cecilia -


This is elementary:

I  hate making up rules for the children. We make up rules - walk in the
library, use inside voices, etc.  Never any more than 5 since all of my
population is 2nd grade and under!

I always make sure to read a sure-fire hit the first day of library class.
I hand out plastic book bags for the children to use if the weather gets
nasty.  I also give out book marks.

I check the class list to make sure I have the right students in the right
class.  I explain the procedures for checking out books, how many books they
can take out at one time, etc.

I do not spend lots of time on book care and I do not address it the first
day of class.  What a boring way to begin classes!  There is little enough
time to get to all the good books on the shelves as it is!

That's what I do.


Vicki Sweet
Media Specialist
Mountain Way School
205 Mountain Way
Morris Plains, NJ  07950
vicki.sweet@mps.morris.k12.nj.us
============================================
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things." Phil. 4:8 NRSV

  Cecilia Baker, Library Media Specialist
  Cord-Charlotte High School Library
  225 School Road        whatever@ipa.net (Home)
  Charlotte, AR  72501   bakerc@cchs.ncsc.k12.ar.us (School)
  870-799-3051           School Website:  http://Charlottesweb.k12.ar.us
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *

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