I am so glad to see a response to this from someone who like me is not
living in a perfect world with a perfect school. I too have a school
population that lost a lot of books and feel no need to pay for them. My
kindergarten too was the worse. I also do not begin checkout until after
Christmas and see nothing wrong with this. The classrooms have more
books than they use to, our school offers book programs for struggling
readers and we are within walking distance from the public library. I
have only received a few complaints about this practice. I also have no
assistant so checkout and selection is all me. There are many
kindergarten students who do not understand the term "borrowing". I feel
very sorry for the student who week after week does not have their book
to return, calls home, etc. do not help. I use the beginning months to
try and instill the love of books and the magical world of books into
them so that they will want to return their books to be able to borrow
as many as possible. Sometimes we all have to do what works for us and
the rest need to understand and not make the general comments about
these items. It is very harsh to put down what many of us do just
because it is necessary in our school that may not be as perfect as yours.
Josephine Dervan wrote:
> Karen and All-
>
> I'll tell about my school and Kindergarten books. We do NOT let them take
> out books till January of the school year. Why?
>
> Several reasons:
> 1. We have many non-English speaking students who don't understand the
> concept of "returning" books right away. Some cannot even tell you their
> names for automated check-out.
> 2. We have a full day program that is a bit daunting to some 5 year olds.
> 3. We previously had a large annual loss of books from Kindergarten kids
> early in the school year. Some parents would not bother paying for the
> book
> and the child would be denied books for the rest of the year. Theses were
> often the kids who needed books most. Now when this occurs in January or
> February, the child only loses book selection privileges for a few
> months.
>
> For that reason we explain to the kids that after they return from
> Christmas
> we'll talk about books care and they'll take out books. Most are thrilled
> about waiting till January. It is almost a rite of passage. Their
> teachers
> usually agree with me wholeheartedly. Classroom teachers often have their
> own books that are sent home and find that the also lose some in the
> early
> months before the child is mature enough to understand that they must be
> returned. The non-English speakers usually have some knowledge of the
> language by January.
>
> Several years ago we had a recent Russian immigrant family who was
> notorious
> for not returning forms to sign or anything else sent home. The classroom
> teacher was frustrated and called in the father to complain. The
> father, who
> spoke good
> English, explained to the teacher that since he was in America he was
> 'Free". The teacher agreed but explained that just like his country of
> origin, you still had forms to fill out in the US.
>
> Our library is a place that kids love to visit. For that reason, we
> usually
> get many first time Kindergarten parents at Open House. Last year one Mom
> told of how her son had told her excitedly that they'd be selecting books
> for the first time on December 26th! When she questioned the date he
> said,
> "No, Mrs. Dervan said we'd take out books after Christmas!"
>
> My students may not like waiting till January to select books but they
> are
> always excited when it happens. For the first few months of the year we
> listen to stories and then do a follow-up craft or coloring activity.
> When
> we start circulation, we stop the follow-up activities ( I am often
> alone in
> the room when they are in library) to concentrate on book selection and
> checking out. Some kids are sad because they miss the crafts.
>
> Jo- who still has a week before school begins
>
> ******************************************************
> Josephine G. Dervan. Library Media Specialist
> Strathmore Elementary School
> Aberdeen, NJ 07747
> rderva at infionline.net
>
> He who has a garden and a library, wants for nothing- Cicero
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen DeFrank" <knarfed@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 4:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Kindergarten in the library
>
>
>> Okay, I've heard enough reasons why we should have kids take books
>> home on the first visit.
>> However, I am sure I am not the only one in a situation that does not
>> permit this to happen.
>> My library is automated. I have to input 200 new patrons and update
>> 400 others before anyone borrows a book. I do not get the class lists
>> until the first day of school.
>> And, due to the population of my school, I send home a permission
>> slip that must be signed and returned before any books go home. I
>> have found it really cuts down on the number of lost/damaged I've had
>> in the past.
>> It would be nice to send everyone home with a book. I am all for that
>> if the situation permits. But lets's be realistic - sometimes it is
>> impossible.
>>
>> Karen DeFrank, LMS
>> Bullock School
>> Glassboro NJ
>> kdefrank@glassboro.k12.nj.us
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
>> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
>> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
>> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
>> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
>> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
>> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
>> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
>> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
>> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
--
Diane Mentzer - NBCT
(Library Media Specialist / Tech Coordinator / Webmaster)
Bester Elementary School
Hagerstown, MD
http://www.wcboe.k12.md.us
mentzdia@wcboe.k12.md.us
dmentzerLMS@comcast.net
To learn to read is basic, To LOVE to read is the plus!
**************************************************************
"Show me a computer expert that gives a damn, and I'll show you a librarian."
Patricia Wilson Berger
##############################################################
National Board Certified Teachers Promote...
Better Teaching, Better Learning, Better Schools.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home