Re: [LM_NET] HELP - fixed to flex schedule - now what?!?

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

I completely agree with Christine's last paragraph descriptions.  I love the 
opportunities of flex scheduling, but I worked very hard over several years to let 
go of the guilt of those who don't make time for the library.  I begin every year 
with the same enthusiasm, ideas to go with curricular changes, lessons to meet the 
newly set academic goals for the year, etc; and, yet by October I can already tell 
who won't be seeing the library much.
As Christine mentioned though, once I see those patterns I can use my "flex" time 
to students' advantage.  One year I noticed the brand new 6th grade team didn't get 
to the library unless I begged.  Well, those teachers weren't invested AND those 
students were missing some good/necessary learning.  I created Library Class.  It 
was a 30 min period at the end of the day that 6th grade used as Study Hall and/or 
Recess.  I talked with the teachers and explained that Library Class would be like 
a Junior High elective.  Everyone really likes the idea and Library Class is now in 
its 3rd year.  No, I don't see all of the students but I see 80-85% and we get to 
explore online resources, cover the issues of Internet searching and these students 
become Library Assistants.  When the year is over those who attended Library Class 
really understand the library and carry important skills with them as they leave 
elementary school.  This year 2 of my students
 were accepted into Library Camp which is offered by a local Junior College.  I 
might even be building librarians for the future, but it all came to pass because I 
have a flex schedule.

 
Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
School Library Media Specialist
Apple Creek Elementary
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: Christine Rayl <cjrayl@YAHOO.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 10:10:44 AM
Subject: Re: HELP - fixed to flex schedule - now what?!?

I love our flex schedule but this post is correct, teachers often get 'busy' and 
don't squeeze in time to bring students to the library. Last year was my first year 
as a librarian and by Christmas I realized that I have to be extremely proactive 
and go to the teachers with suggestions, ideas, offers, etc. I also began to really 
stay on top of curriculum changes or additions so that I could prepare lessons or 
activities that embrace the changes. The teachers liked that a lot. 

The best thing about flex schedule, in my opinion, is that it let me create 
opportunities for all students such as advanced readers weekly meetings, grade 
level activities as well as one book, one grade level opportunities, all of which I 
could not have done with a set schedule. However, there were those few teachers who 
did not bring their classes to the library but did allow their students to come 
individually if they wished to but of course, those who did not wish to, rarely if 
ever came to the library.

Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary
Grand Prairie ISD
Grand Prairie TX

cjrayl@yahoo.com


--- On Mon, 7/14/08, Williams-Mitchell,Monica <wmitchellm@SETONCINCINNATI.ORG> 
wrote:

> From: Williams-Mitchell,Monica <wmitchellm@SETONCINCINNATI.ORG>
> Subject: Re: [LM_NET] HELP - fixed to flex schedule - now what?!?
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Date: Monday, July 14, 2008, 9:41 AM
> I'll just add my 2 cents here, for what it's
> worth...be 
> very sure that collaboration is either mandated by your 
> administration, or able to be done with all your grade 
> levels.  I was delighted to find that the junior high 
> level at my daughter's school (K-8) had a flex schedule
> -- 
> until the entire year passed and NO visits to the library 
> for any purpose happened -- despite my continued asking. 
>  If it is not on the teachers' radar and priority list
> 
> from summer/beginning of the year, it may be that they 
> never get to the library -- a serious disservice to the 
> students.  Sorry to sound a downer note, but I hate to see 
> those things happen to kids.  Best of luck with your new 
> situation!
> Monica Williams-Mitchell, MLS
> Seton High School
> Cincinnati, OH
> wmitchellm@setoncincinnati.org
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:26:00 -0500
>  Naomi Bates <nbates@NISDTX.ORG> wrote:
> > In my opinion, I don't think it matters if
> you're 
> >elementary, middle or
> > high school.  A flex schedule's most important
> component 
> >is an
> > open-source calendar.  This will allow teachers to see
> 
> >what days are
> > open and sign up for them.  I have one on the library 
> >webpage that
> > teachers can look at, then email me for reservations. 
> > It's a first
> > come-first served basis for equitable access for all 
> >classrooms.  Of
> > course, that's not a hard and fast rule, but for
> the 
> >most part, that's
> > how I work my flex.  As for classes just checking out 
> >books, they can
> > come in anytime to do that.  BTW, I'm at the high
> school 
> >level... but I
> > would think this would work at the elementary one as 
> >well, if you have a
> > library aide to help with the open status of checking 
> >out and in books. 
> > If you don't, you may want to consider the
> checking out 
> >time as one to
> > request as well.  
> > Since you're coming off of a fixed, you might want
> to 
> >advise teachers to
> > look at the big picture and not reserve the library a 
> >certain day each
> > week, but "mix it up" a little - esp. when
> classes from 
> >K-6 start
> > working on individual curricular projects that require
> 
> >library books,
> > computers, collaboration with the library for lessons,
> 
> >etc...
> > There are many online calendars that do the same
> thing. 
> > Once it's set
> > up, teachers will begin to start collaborating with
> each 
> >other and you
> > in order to make library programs/research possible 
> >because it will fill
> > up quickly!
> > Hope this helps : )
> > 
> > Naomi Bates
> > Northwest High School Library
> >>>> Patricia Gray <forlfklovr@NC.RR.COM>
> 07/11/08 12:07 PM 
> >>>>>>>
> > Greetings! 
> > I worked as a fixed schedule media specialist for the 
> >past 6 years.  I
> > am 
> > starting at an elementary school in the fall that has
> a 
> >flex schedule. 
> > I am 
> > excited about the change but I would love a solid idea
> 
> >of what a flex
> > schedule 
> > will "look like". 
> > 
> > I have already read the LM_NET archived information. 
> > Lot of good
> > information 
> > but mostly how to encourage your school to switch to 
> >flex. 
> > 
> > Please describe what you do in your flex schedule
> media 
> >center.  What
> > kind of 
> > lessons do you do?  How do you get teachers to work
> with 
> >you?  Any tips,
> > advice, 
> > information would be so helpful!  
> > 
> > Thank you! 
> > Patricia Gray 
> > Media Specialist 
> > Raleigh, NC 
> >ForLfKlovr@nc.rr.com
> > 
> >
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> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Monica Williams-Mitchell, MLS
> Teacher Librarian
> Seton High School
> Cincinnati, OH
> (513) 471-2600
> wmitchellm@setoncincinnati.org
> 
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