This is a good idea (message below), and when I had more than one class
doing the same research topics, I carried it a step further.
I had a sheet of paper folded vertically for each book pulled from the shelf
and placed on the book cart. The first person to use the selected book was
instructed to write the title, author, call letters at the top of that
sheet. Then he/she would write his/her name and class period. That paper
stayed in the book throughout the research project.
Each student who used the book added his/her name and period. After each
class, it was very easy for me or the teacher to scan the book carts to make
sure all of the papers were sticking out the top of the books. Near the end
of the project the slower students or those who had been absent were allowed
to check the books out overnight if they came in after school and brought
them back the next morning before classes started.
That process did two things. It helped ME to know which books were most used
and it helped STUDENTS to know that others were using the same book and to
be considerate of their need.
I love being retired, but I *DO* miss those research projects! (I'm just
glad I don't have to grade the papers! I *did* assist the teachers by
checking the finished bibliographies, but the teachers graded the papers.)
Betty Dawn
--
Betty Dawn Hamilton (Using retired years to keep up with current events!)
LMS (Middle & High School)
Former Chair of Texas Association of School Librarians
Former Contributing Editor of "Profession" section, Texas Library Journal
Brownfield, TX
bhamilt@hughes.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Rayl" <cjrayl@YAHOO.COM>
I had this problem a lot during my first year and still do with one grade
level. Now when I find out a whole grade level is doing research on a
subject, I go to the team leader (I try to meet with the whole team first.)
And with his or her permission I will check out most of the books on that
subject to that person, place the books and materials on a cart, and then
the grade level shares the books. I also create a grade level folder on the
share drive and place word documents in the folder that lists web pages and
databases that would work with their research. Should books end up missing,
I do NOT hold it against the team leader but will, instead, go from class to
class looking for the missing books. Inevitably the books turn up. So far
this has worked really well.
However, when a grade level does not work well together then I have to base
it on a first come, first serve basis but I tell the teacher(s) that I will
share info with their other team mates that they have these books and I
encourage them to work together. Some teachers are more proactive and get
their act together while others don't or can't.
I do leave a certain number of books on the topic on the shelves, especially
duplicate copies or those very similar to those that I checked out to the
team. But I limit students to only one book on the subject that they can
check out off the shelves. However, I do not limit parents to the number
that they can check out for their child.
I hope that helps somewhat! I am curious as to your responses in case
someone has a better idea of process. This can be quite a problem.
Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary School
Grand Prairie ISD, TX
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