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Hello, Here is the compilation of responses I received to my request for information about training student volunteers and activities for a media club. Thanks to everyone who responded. I am already using some of the suggestions and realize that I just need to schedule more time for one-on-one training with the students. Deb ----------------------- When starting a new group of library helpers, I use Popsicle sticks with the same ranges that are marked on the shelves. I explain to the students that they are to go to the cart of books, find books that fit that range and put them on the matching shelf. After awhile, I drop the Popsicle sticks and they do it on their own. They do a pretty decent job. I have found some books in the wrong spot, but not many. D.D. ---------------------- I use markers to increase the accuracy of shelving by student helpers. I cut long, narrow strips of construction paper-maybe 1 ½ by 18" or whatever works out evenly. As a student shelves, he/she places a strip to the right of the book. Because it's long, the strip sticks out and you can easily see it when you later check the correct placement of the book. Each student can use a different color or you can use one color if you check the shelving right away. By using the markers, you can easily identify who is having problems and what shelving rules the student doesn't understand. N.L., California -------------------- What I remember being done when I applied as a page eons ago was taking a short test that showed that I could put things in alphabetical order and numerical order. When I actually got the job, I was then instructed to shelve the books turn down so that the librarian could check to see if they were right. If not, I had to do it again with an explanation from the librarian. Instead of turning the books down one could add a strip of paper to the book so that book would stand out. Good luck with whatever you come up with. C.P, Washington, D.C. --------------------- I have had some experience with working with student helpers. I first had each student helper sort the books on the cart so I would know if they had any idea of numerical order, author order, easy or fiction order. This could take any amount of time - days, weeks, months. At least they didn't put them on the shelf. After they had perfectly completed one or two bookcarts perfectly [on different days] in accurate order, they would then shelve the books with a "book place marker" [ this was a piece of paper to mark the spot [long strips cut from tag board]. I would then check their work, remove the bookmark if correct and correct them if they shelved them in the incorrect place. We ended up with some terrific workers and the ones who had NO clue as to numbers, well.... I had them sort by E, FIC or number on the cart and the kids who could sort, had an easier job because the other pre-sorted for them and all they had to do was put them in numerical order, or author order.So everyone had a job and no one was made to feel bad. Hope this helps. If not, write for more details. Please let me know if this works for you. Thanks! C.M., Lockport, NY -------------- When I am training helpers, I put a long colored strip of paper in the books that they would shelve. We would do a few together - the books with the papers sticking out from the shelves - and then the person would do some on their own after which I would check it with them. It is a bit time intensive but worthwhile if you want your books in the correct places. For my media "club", I teach the students how to operate the different kinds of equipment (overhead, VCR, TV, computer, video camera, etc.) and how to do simple upkeep (cleaning overheads, replacing bulbs, simple – and safe - cleaning of keyboards and monitors, etc). This then becomes a bit of a service project as students can then go around (usually in pairs) and help teachers replacing bulbs, cleaning equipment, etc. I have the students do some in the library stressing safety before sending them out. They can then also help the teachers (or themselves) in setting up media for presentations. One teacher in another school had students apply for a "job" in the school computer lab. Teachers would send forms with "work orders" for the "hired" students to do on the computers - make a sign, worksheet, flash cards (for math, spelling, etc), chart. Again, this was service oriented. The students then got "paid" for their efforts - I forgot the details on that - a homework pass, something from the school store???? Good luck, M.C., Kearny, NJ ---------------------- Put your media club to work creating a PowerPoint training presentation for your 5th graders who will be shelving. If you have a digital camera, the club members can take pictures of various shelving situations (locating the correct collection, tidying the shelves, etc.) and import them into the presentation. I used a PP presentation for my library tour this year and found the kids watched attentively and I wasn't as exhausted at the end of the day. Hope this might work for you. J.W., Independence, MO --------------------- Deb, I've found it helpful for all ages, even with adult volunteers, to have them arrange books on a cart--one side fiction, the other nonfiction. Provide plenty of variety in DD#s and mix in some Reference or other call numbers/letters. You'll quickly spot any errors and can seize the teachable moment, plus no harm done to shelves. Good luck! J.A., St. Paul, MN -------------------- I have 4th and 5th graders in our library working on a daily basis. We couldn't function without them BUT, about 2 years ago, I had 5 troubled youth come to the library to "work". We decided as a group to collect license plates from all over the country! It was a HUGE success. We are on a military post, so that got us some plates easily, but the Grandparents and aunts and uncles who helped us were unbelievable. The kids had to write thank yous to all the people who donated plates, even if they were duplicates. In the end, they had to write to governors and senators in an attempt to get all 50. We did!!! Vermont is the hardest by far!! The governor even turned down our request! We found one under a washer in New Hampshire. It was a very successful project, and what a great way to build the esteem of children who had none. The plates are displayed on the library wall J.C., Ft. Carson, CO ===== ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deb Christensen librarian_deb@yahoo.com Media specialist Southwest Elementary School Hickory, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.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. 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