I went back to Blue Ridge and helped with a class who had come in to get a lesson on using guide words in the dictionary.
After this class left, we worked on looking at Renaissance adding some of the programs for teachers. While looking at the program, I noted some interesting data that I could use for my grant that would allow us to acquire some additional reading materials. From here, we went into the circulation for the year. Both of these revealed statistics that reinforce that BRE is an environment that encourages a love of reading.
After school I attending a Media meeting at the school level where the committee was considering creating a step-by-step policy whereby teachers would know exactly how they choose videos for classroom use.
This policy is being created due to a parent questioning the use of viedo is her student's classroom. The students had watched Witches after Roald Dahl's novel. The video is rated PG and the teacher has not sent out letters asking for parent permission.
This committee will meet with the parent next week to discuss the current policy and their plans to update their current policy.
I also touched based with my 3rd grade book review teacher. The arts students plan to have their illustrations complete by the 12th of November and will bring a close to my work with that class.
2.5 hours
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1
I went back to BRE and spend half of my time going over the DOE Rubric for media centers. The media specialist and I agreed that they are proficient in most areas. However, they are some areas that are questionable due to a lot of teachers' unwillingness to fully accept the media specialist as an instructional partner. As we discussed the rubric, we came up with a lot of possibilities for an action plan for improving the media center.
As things are wrapping up, we continue to talk about how I can assist her in introducing new technologies. This is important because many of the teachers are "old-school"; they look at the media center as a place to check out rather than a place where they can find resources to help them with their own instruction on meia and information literacy.
We did talk about creating some screencasts that would help the media specialist reach more students. One area that we also discussed was how the media specialist should keep track of media literacy with regard to classes that come to her for instruction. We thought it might be a good idea to create individual skill assessment folders to help her keep track of each student.
Completing this rubric satisifies by requirement, both in the area of hours as well as assignments to be completed as part of my portfolio. Now I have to get the final pieces put together and placed in the portfolio.
I will return to the media center on Thursday with my group of arts to illustrate the third graders book reviews and jackets.
2.5 hours
As things are wrapping up, we continue to talk about how I can assist her in introducing new technologies. This is important because many of the teachers are "old-school"; they look at the media center as a place to check out rather than a place where they can find resources to help them with their own instruction on meia and information literacy.
We did talk about creating some screencasts that would help the media specialist reach more students. One area that we also discussed was how the media specialist should keep track of media literacy with regard to classes that come to her for instruction. We thought it might be a good idea to create individual skill assessment folders to help her keep track of each student.
Completing this rubric satisifies by requirement, both in the area of hours as well as assignments to be completed as part of my portfolio. Now I have to get the final pieces put together and placed in the portfolio.
I will return to the media center on Thursday with my group of arts to illustrate the third graders book reviews and jackets.
2.5 hours
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Week of 25 October
This week I logged five hours in the Blue Ridge media center.
On Monday, I completed an inventory of the biography section: 870 books! It was interesting handling each of these books. What ran through my mind was becoming familiar with what resources were in the media center. Whenever I think about getting in a media center myself, I'm overwhelmed with trying to read all the books in the collection. Getting the chance to complete this inventory really gave me some time to think about this set of books.
Unfortunately, when we tried to upload the inventory to the computer a glitch occurred. However, when I went back today, the media specialist explained to me what happened and she showed me how the upload it supposed to work. I also talked to the media specialist about the school profile. I still need it to finish my grant proposal. We also discussed the media evaluation rubric and found that most of their media center is in the "proficient" level on most of the criteria.
I also had the chance to read a couple of Halloween books to a class of first graders. I had to take them outside because a group of teachers was using the media center to listen to a live presentation on Rocket Math. I got to experience firsthand the necessity of being flexible and accommodating.
On Monday, I completed an inventory of the biography section: 870 books! It was interesting handling each of these books. What ran through my mind was becoming familiar with what resources were in the media center. Whenever I think about getting in a media center myself, I'm overwhelmed with trying to read all the books in the collection. Getting the chance to complete this inventory really gave me some time to think about this set of books.
Unfortunately, when we tried to upload the inventory to the computer a glitch occurred. However, when I went back today, the media specialist explained to me what happened and she showed me how the upload it supposed to work. I also talked to the media specialist about the school profile. I still need it to finish my grant proposal. We also discussed the media evaluation rubric and found that most of their media center is in the "proficient" level on most of the criteria.
I also had the chance to read a couple of Halloween books to a class of first graders. I had to take them outside because a group of teachers was using the media center to listen to a live presentation on Rocket Math. I got to experience firsthand the necessity of being flexible and accommodating.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 20
I have met my 100 hours as of this posting!
Today I began my hours by helping a class who was using the World Book Encyclopedias to complete a social studies guide. This was a group of 3rd graders who were scheduled to rotate into the media center. Each group has been given a specific habitat to research. I was quite surprised by the level of understanding these students were being exposed to. They were looking up the elevation, rain fall, and features of a specific habitat. They also had to answer short answer questions about how habitats are altered because of specific changes. This was a perfect example of an activity that I would want to see prior to a class coming into the media center for my assistance. That way I'd be smarter than a 3rd grader.
After the class departed, I spent my remaining hour working in the catalog. The media clerk has been going through the resources and pulling any discrepancies. A couple of the problems that she left for me to solve were videos that had two copies that were labeled differently. My task was to determine where they should go and then correct the records.
I also had additional books to assign bar codes to and prep them for addition into the catalog.
Lastly, I processed several new books into the catalog and assigned barcodes. I did get a change to put out the Dewey Decimal text to remind what of call numbers.
Before departing, I spoke to the teacher I am working with and told her that the class's box book jackets were ready for them and made arrangements to coordinate the high school-elementary school art connection for next week.
Finally, the media specialist and I conferred about which section I would inventory and set that up for Monday. We still have the fixed assets video to make before my time ends.
I logged 2.5 hours today.
Today I began my hours by helping a class who was using the World Book Encyclopedias to complete a social studies guide. This was a group of 3rd graders who were scheduled to rotate into the media center. Each group has been given a specific habitat to research. I was quite surprised by the level of understanding these students were being exposed to. They were looking up the elevation, rain fall, and features of a specific habitat. They also had to answer short answer questions about how habitats are altered because of specific changes. This was a perfect example of an activity that I would want to see prior to a class coming into the media center for my assistance. That way I'd be smarter than a 3rd grader.
After the class departed, I spent my remaining hour working in the catalog. The media clerk has been going through the resources and pulling any discrepancies. A couple of the problems that she left for me to solve were videos that had two copies that were labeled differently. My task was to determine where they should go and then correct the records.
I also had additional books to assign bar codes to and prep them for addition into the catalog.
Lastly, I processed several new books into the catalog and assigned barcodes. I did get a change to put out the Dewey Decimal text to remind what of call numbers.
Before departing, I spoke to the teacher I am working with and told her that the class's box book jackets were ready for them and made arrangements to coordinate the high school-elementary school art connection for next week.
Finally, the media specialist and I conferred about which section I would inventory and set that up for Monday. We still have the fixed assets video to make before my time ends.
I logged 2.5 hours today.
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18th
Today I made my regular Monday visit to Blue Ridge Elementary. The specialist had to go home sick, but I was able to work on my book display and board. I created a bulletin board spotlighting Carmen Deedy, a GA author. I also place four of her most popular books alongisde the bulletin board.
I also had a chance to catalog a couple more books and even created labels for them as well.
I made contact with the teacher I am working with on the literacy lesson. Her students have finished their first drafts of their books reviews and are excited about getting to work with a high school student who will create their illustrations. A couple of the students from the class came in to check out books and asked me when I'd be back. I told them I was waiting for them to finalize their books reviews and then I'd be back.
I spent an additional hour cutting the cereal boxes and covering the boxes the will be used as book jackets.
3 hours
I also had a chance to catalog a couple more books and even created labels for them as well.
I made contact with the teacher I am working with on the literacy lesson. Her students have finished their first drafts of their books reviews and are excited about getting to work with a high school student who will create their illustrations. A couple of the students from the class came in to check out books and asked me when I'd be back. I told them I was waiting for them to finalize their books reviews and then I'd be back.
I spent an additional hour cutting the cereal boxes and covering the boxes the will be used as book jackets.
3 hours
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13
Today I went back to Blue Ridge Elementary to work in the media center. I decided to provide the media specialist and the principal with my monthly media report.
Additionally, I had an opportunity to add some additional resources into destiny. I had a change to the add barcodes and change some books that had been placed into system in two different locations.
I met with the teacher whose class I am working with on the literacy units. The students are proceeding well with their books reviews. I got to read some of their drafts and am impressed with how well they write their book reviews. All of the kids had brought in cereal boxes and I took them with me to create their book jackets. Next week the class should be finished with the reviews and we will work to get their book jackets illustrated.
I will finish my hours next week, but I plan to continue, especially next semester so I can see how to do the end-of-year inventory.
Additionally, I had an opportunity to add some additional resources into destiny. I had a change to the add barcodes and change some books that had been placed into system in two different locations.
I met with the teacher whose class I am working with on the literacy units. The students are proceeding well with their books reviews. I got to read some of their drafts and am impressed with how well they write their book reviews. All of the kids had brought in cereal boxes and I took them with me to create their book jackets. Next week the class should be finished with the reviews and we will work to get their book jackets illustrated.
I will finish my hours next week, but I plan to continue, especially next semester so I can see how to do the end-of-year inventory.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
October 8-12: Book Fair and Introduction to Literacy Lesson
This was book fair week. I took off Monday so that I could see a full day of book fair and work with a class on my literacy unit, writing book reviews.
My day began at 7:30 and ended at 4:30. I have to say that I was really exhausted by the time the day was over. I spent most of the day helping to assist with the book fair. As new volunteers (parents) came in to help, I was able to show them how to work the register and where the different sections were located. During the course of the day, teachers would bring their classes in to preview the book fair. It was fun to see how excited the kids were about about having a book fair and reading. Some of the kids brought in money with their completed book fair form. However, others didn't have money but could make a list of what they wanted so they could in during the next day to purchase their books.
I also had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Bryan and her third grade class who began their "Responding to Literature" writing unit. I spent about an hour introducting book reviews. I was absolutely impressed with the attention span and thoughtfulness of this group of third graders. They knew books and could articulate what appealed to them. I am quite confident that they will do a solid job on their book reviews. I was able to alter my plan slightly after talking to Mrs. Bryan about how she introduced the unit to her am third grade class. I am finding out how methodical you have to be when you teach elementary school. My unit would be more like 3 week rather than the 8 days that I had planned. I am seeing that to be an effective elementary media specialist I will have to spend a lot more time in classrooms and as part of the planning process to really be an effective instructional partner. (9 hours)
I went back on Tuesday (the students were testing today) to deliver a graphic I had filled out to help the students see how their book reviews should sound and I provided an example of a book review that had helpful notes in the margins for the students to use as a resource. I also gave the students the rubric (more of a checklist) that we had created together on Monday so that they could check off to make sure they had covered all the areas we had decided were important for a good book review. (1 hour)
On Thursday I went back to help with the book fair, but there were more than enough parent volunteer so I didn't need to help with that. I did, however, have a change to reshelve book because the ladies had been so busy with book fair. I also got to take out more inventory from the collection. These were reading resources that teachers decided were obsolete. These resources will go into their surplus, will be announced, and anything not claimed will go to the county warehouse. (2 hours)
Friday was "take down the book fair day." At 2:30 students knew that the book fair was over. Last minutes purchases were taken care of and by 3:00 the book fair had been packed up. It's a lot easier to take down that it is to put up. After everything was back in place, I finished up my time by reshelving books. It's amazing to see the number of books that come back into this media center on a daily basis. The ladies like to start their day with the cart empty and they were working on receipts and money accountability, so it was nice that I was there to keep the shelving philosophy in tact. (1.5 hours)
My day began at 7:30 and ended at 4:30. I have to say that I was really exhausted by the time the day was over. I spent most of the day helping to assist with the book fair. As new volunteers (parents) came in to help, I was able to show them how to work the register and where the different sections were located. During the course of the day, teachers would bring their classes in to preview the book fair. It was fun to see how excited the kids were about about having a book fair and reading. Some of the kids brought in money with their completed book fair form. However, others didn't have money but could make a list of what they wanted so they could in during the next day to purchase their books.
I also had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Bryan and her third grade class who began their "Responding to Literature" writing unit. I spent about an hour introducting book reviews. I was absolutely impressed with the attention span and thoughtfulness of this group of third graders. They knew books and could articulate what appealed to them. I am quite confident that they will do a solid job on their book reviews. I was able to alter my plan slightly after talking to Mrs. Bryan about how she introduced the unit to her am third grade class. I am finding out how methodical you have to be when you teach elementary school. My unit would be more like 3 week rather than the 8 days that I had planned. I am seeing that to be an effective elementary media specialist I will have to spend a lot more time in classrooms and as part of the planning process to really be an effective instructional partner. (9 hours)
I went back on Tuesday (the students were testing today) to deliver a graphic I had filled out to help the students see how their book reviews should sound and I provided an example of a book review that had helpful notes in the margins for the students to use as a resource. I also gave the students the rubric (more of a checklist) that we had created together on Monday so that they could check off to make sure they had covered all the areas we had decided were important for a good book review. (1 hour)
On Thursday I went back to help with the book fair, but there were more than enough parent volunteer so I didn't need to help with that. I did, however, have a change to reshelve book because the ladies had been so busy with book fair. I also got to take out more inventory from the collection. These were reading resources that teachers decided were obsolete. These resources will go into their surplus, will be announced, and anything not claimed will go to the county warehouse. (2 hours)
Friday was "take down the book fair day." At 2:30 students knew that the book fair was over. Last minutes purchases were taken care of and by 3:00 the book fair had been packed up. It's a lot easier to take down that it is to put up. After everything was back in place, I finished up my time by reshelving books. It's amazing to see the number of books that come back into this media center on a daily basis. The ladies like to start their day with the cart empty and they were working on receipts and money accountability, so it was nice that I was there to keep the shelving philosophy in tact. (1.5 hours)
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