[LM_NET] TARGET SEC: Library Schedule

["Dean, Jody" <DeanJ@PLSD.K12.PA.US>]

I am in my third year at a 7-12 high school.  I currently teach a
Library 7 class to most seventh graders on a 12 week rotation schedule.
My concern is this: while I like the fact that Library is seen as a
legitimate *class* (students do receive grades), I'm concerned that
learning all of this information out of context, so to speak, isn't the
best way to go about teaching information literacy skills.  I try to
collaborate with teachers and create examples and assignments that
relate to what they are learning in their subject classes, but because
of the scheduling, it seems forced or irrelevant too much of the time.
I wonder if it wouldn't be better to eliminate the 7th grade class, and
work with the subject teachers to schedule several days or even a week
at a time to work with them on skills specific to what they are doing at
that time.  I would still cover much of the same material, but hopefully
it would *stick* more if it was presented and used at the time they
needed it, as well as more often.  As it stands now, I feel I cover so
much early in the students' high school careers, but I may not see them
much again until they are older and doing more research work, so they
end up losing (at least partially) what they've learned.

I don't want to seem that I'm talking myself out of a job; I was just
wondering if any of you have any advice or similar experiences.  I have
broached the subject with the principal, who was receptive, although he
said that because of the rotation schedule he can't take out Library 7
right now (he doesn't have another rotation class to fill the slot).  

I'd welcome any input anyone could give me!
Thanks,
Jody

Jody L. Dean, M.L.I.S.
Purchase Line High School Library
16559 Route 286 Hwy E
Commodore PA 15729-0374

Telephone: (724) 254-4312 Ext. 4143
Fax:           (724) 254-9570
Email:       deanj@plsd.k12.pa.us


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