Many thanks to all who responded to my question about scheduling for K-8 schools.
I am a K-6 school on a fixed schedule. I see all 1-6 classes once a week for 40
minutes. I see K for 30 min. My school has always run this way. I have no paid
assistant only volunteers. My school has 530 students. I used to have a lot of free
"research" and "clerical" time. Now I only have 2 actual hours per week where
nothing is scheduled. It's difficult but I make it work!
I have 3 sections of each grade, k-5. I see K, 1, 2 for 30 min. per week, and 3,
4, 5 for 45 min. per week. These classes are prep times for the teachers. I also
do small group and individual stuff as needed. I also run the computer lab, and
teachers bring their students in once per week. Sometimes the teachers operate
independently, most of the time they need at least some assistance from me. This
seems to work pretty well for everyone. I have never had a library with flexible
scheduling, and in our district, I doubt I ever will. I kind of like knowing I
will see every child at least once a week.
Good luck!
I am in Cranford, NJ and this year many of our elementary schools went on a
semi-flexible schedule. One school did not because the principal didn't want to. I
am in a K-2 school 2 days per week and a K-5 school 3 days per week. In grades K-2
we remained a "prep" with a weekly 30 minute fixed schedule. In grades 3-4-5 I went
to a flexible schedule. However, I scheduled each class for a weekly 15 minute
check in/out period for books. Doing this schedule gave me an extra 5 hours a week.
I did not schedule any "preps" for me-but it worked out. I was available to
collaborate with the 3-4-5 teachers to allow them to use the library for
research/internet-computer use, book talks, powerpoint/smartboard lessons etc etc
according to their curriculum. Sometimes I went into their classroom to help with
literature circles, or read while they had their snack. For a first year it worked
pretty well. I kept a weekly calendar open in my plan book, and would walk around
after school to entice teachers/talk to teachers/ etc to "sell" myself and how I
could help them. Going into this, my principal wanted me to work with each of the
10 classes involved (grade 3-5) at least 3 times per marking period. I found this
was easy to accomplish.
In our school district all "specialists" including PE, library, art and music are
the way classroom teachers get their planning periods. At present I am in a pre-k
thru 6 school where I have a fixed schedule. This year I saw every class 2 times
for half of the year and once for the other half. Next year we will not have the
6th grade and hopefully I will have some periods where I will be working with
classroom teachers in the computer lab on research projects since there will be
more time in my schedule.
My previous school (K-6) was much smaller. I had more flexibility and a lab
connected to the library. I worked out a schedule with my principal where I had
several flex periods a week when classroom teachers could sign up to bring their
students and we could work together in the library and lab on projects. It was
great but has not been possible thus far where I am now.
I almost hesitate to respond as I have just accepted a 1-5 position and
haven't put my fixed/flex schedule into place yet, but I did present my plan
to the principal and it was approved. In my mind, this will work
beautifully, but I'll know for sure once I start. Anyway, here goes. 1st
and 2nd will be on a fixed schedule once a week, 30 minutes a week. The
times will be the first hour or hour and a half of every day. The rest of
the day is on a sign up basis. I plan to meet with each group of teachers
once a month (too difficult for you to do with K-8 on a monthly, but perhaps
a bi-monthly arrangement would work) to determine a media activity related
to the classroom I would offer each class per month. For example:
1st and 2nd--fixed weekly times
3rd--Take a Trip to Italy...Each class will work in groups of 3 to make
something to go on the Italy display board for their classroom
4th--State Symbols. Each student will work on-line to find the state bird,
flag, flower, etc and make a small poster about the state of Alabama's
symbols.
5th--Early American Brochures--Each student will research and early American
explorer and make a brochure about their person.
All month, I would offer that activity to the classes that sign up. If it
is something that the students need heavy guidance for, the teachers would
need to send half the class at one time, and sign up for two time slots.
Most of the activities will take an hour to complete, but they've got the
whole month to fit them in. After classes have had a chance to sign up for
projects, the schedule will open up for the teachers to send them for other
things. They could send them to visit the learning centers I have set
up...They could send them in to use the computers for a classroom
assignment, and I also have a picture book/craft of writing study I'm
offering for each month that they could sign up the whole class or a small
group. Each time they sign up they will put the code letter by their name
that shows what they are wanting me to do with them.
I'm hoping the 3rd-5th grade teachers will have an opportunity to sign up
for at least 3 times a month. 2 whole group things that I have to plan, and
the other will be for centers which won't involve a lot of planning.
(periodicals, listening center, computers, etc)
This may have done nothing but confuse you, but hopefully it did give you
some ideas. Another friend of mine only has her fixed classes come every
other week. With you having so many grades to serve, you may have to do
something like that if you aren't able to fit in your upper grades.
We are a K-8 school. I have a fixed schedule for students K-5. My assistant
actually takes my K-2 students and I take my 3-5 students. I am also the full time
computer teacher so I teach classes K-8 in the computer lab also. My 6-8 students
are on a flex schedule and can come in before school, after school or when we are
open. My assistant is out of the library in the morning working in the class room
so we teach all of our library classes in the morning. I can send you a copy of my
schedule if you want to take a look at it. We are also a prep in the library.
Hope this helps.
I've been retired for a couple of years but I was in a K-8 school for 21
years and I tried several variations since I was not a teacher prep. What
ended up working best for me was to do a weekly fixed schedule for K-3,
approx. every two weeks for 4-5, once a month for 6-8 (parents complained
when I tried not scheduling them at all) and the rest was flex. We had
about 3 homerooms for every grade 1-8 with 4 kdg. sessions. When I was
doing fixed for everybody weekly (nightmare - hated it) I had a couple of
years when I had K & 9 scheduled back to back - that really messes with your
mind. I am a Pre-k-5th grade librarian and am on a flexible schedule, but many
of my appointments are fixed, but as I tell my teachers, the schedule is
not set in stone. I had to resort to a bi-weekly schedule after the
beginning of the year in order to see all of my students and still have
time for admin responsibilities. PK, 3-5 one week, and K-2 the next.
also. check archives...for fixed schedules...flexible schedule....fixed/flexible
...etc
Janet Boyd, LMS
Cedarbrook School
1049 Central Ave.
Plainfield, NJ 07060
908-731-4280 x5085
jlboyd@plainfield.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://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home