Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
Pat wrote: <<...I teach in a K-5 elementary school in rural western North Carolina....My question to the list is, how do I make the case for flexible scheduling in my school when the other teachers are not willing to give up that 45 minute planning period they get once a week while their kids are in the library? ....>> Pat, I don't think NC teachers are EVER going to give up their 45 minute planning time. They are mentally hanging by their fingernails because of overcrowded classrooms, desperately needy students with little or no support outside of the classroom teacher, EOG's, teacher accountability hoopla, low pay, low-level of respect from the community, etc. They absolutely NEED the 45 minutes we provide them each day. (It still irks me that classroom teachers don't get a lunch break at my school. We have the budget for lunchroom aides but can't find anyone who wants the job. Does that surprise anyone? HA! HA!) With all that said, we know, as SLMS, that our students learn more efficiently and effectively when their activities in the media center are connected to their classroom. So how do we get those teachers to work with us? 1) Start small. Pick the seemingly most willing teacher or grade level to approach about collaborating on a unit. Be patient. Keep trying. I'm in my 5th year and still can't get a couple of teachers I really want to collaborate with, to work with me. 2) Go to your grade level meetings and ask what you can do to help them deliver the curriculum. Perhaps offer to supplement their next science or social studies unit through your media classes as classroom teachers seem to have the least amount of time for those two subjects. They will probably jump at the chance to work with you! 3) Don't ask them to fill out any paperwork. YOU write it down. YOU keep the records. 4) If you can juggle your schedule at all to open up any flexible time slots, offer extra time slots to the teachers as a possibility, if once a week won't suffice. 5) Pull resources for them to deliver to their classroom. Deliver yourself to the classroom if necessary. 6) Never say no, if you can help it. Find a way to redirect their request so you can accommodate them. 7) Run quick newsletters highlighting new resources and great collaborations with teachers you connected with hoping to spark interest in other teachers. 8) Most of importantly...keep detail records of your collaborations in your plan book and toot your horn to your principal. Write an end of year report promoting your program and all you do. You absolutely have to have administrative support to go flex. It will not happen without the administration. This is my 5th year and I just finished my MLIS last April, so I'm no veteran. We've had some special staffing situations that has allowed us to be creative; a 6th special class teaches our media classes bimonthly which opened up flexible time slots for us. Our 5th grade classes have two Spanish classes per week therefore don't come to us for a weekly class; just weekly check out and flexibly planned research units. We will NEVER have a total flex schedule. But, this year, our 4th grade teachers are asking us to come to their grade level meetings. Their asking us to teach science and social studies units with them. It's exciting! Good Luck. Kathy Cadden, K-5 Media Specialist Nathaniel Alexander Elementary Charlotte, NC kclibro@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 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors: http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=