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)
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 1 and 4
I went back to Blue Ridge Elementary on the first and the fourth to work on setting up and working the book fair. Additionally, I introduced my information literacy unit on Book Reviews. I am fortunate to have the Blue Ridge Teacher of the Year work with me on this unit. Today, when I went in to talk to the 3rd grade class, they were so excited to talk about books and what makes a good book review. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of understanding this group demonstrated. They were far more attentive than some high school classes that I've seen and very ready to share their thoughts and opinions.
The media center host a preview for teachers at the end of the day where hoagies, chips, drinks, and dessert was provided. Teachers came in and broused what the book fair had to offer, filled out requests form for parents to use if they want to donate a book to a teacher's classroom, and gave the teachers an opportunity to shop the book fair early.
It was a busy day. Teachers signed up to bring their classes in to the book fair and we also had classes who were scheduled to come in for their regular rotation. This was my first full day in the media center and I was exhausted by 5:00. This week's focus is the book fair and my information literacy lesson. I look forward to continuing to work with the 3rd graders. I just hope that I can work in the time to get back a couple of times and be a part of their final writing of the book reviews. I did tell them today that I could not pay them to be my professional book reviewers, but the intrinsic reward of being recognized for their work as we spotlight their book jackets in the media center will be a payment that extends beyond the monetary kind that we spend far too quickly. They are excited about being publishers and having a high school art student illustrate their books.
The book fair set-up went smoothly due to some really valuable parent volunteers who were experienced and knew just how to unload boxes and move furniture in preparation for the week.
12 hours
The media center host a preview for teachers at the end of the day where hoagies, chips, drinks, and dessert was provided. Teachers came in and broused what the book fair had to offer, filled out requests form for parents to use if they want to donate a book to a teacher's classroom, and gave the teachers an opportunity to shop the book fair early.
It was a busy day. Teachers signed up to bring their classes in to the book fair and we also had classes who were scheduled to come in for their regular rotation. This was my first full day in the media center and I was exhausted by 5:00. This week's focus is the book fair and my information literacy lesson. I look forward to continuing to work with the 3rd graders. I just hope that I can work in the time to get back a couple of times and be a part of their final writing of the book reviews. I did tell them today that I could not pay them to be my professional book reviewers, but the intrinsic reward of being recognized for their work as we spotlight their book jackets in the media center will be a payment that extends beyond the monetary kind that we spend far too quickly. They are excited about being publishers and having a high school art student illustrate their books.
The book fair set-up went smoothly due to some really valuable parent volunteers who were experienced and knew just how to unload boxes and move furniture in preparation for the week.
12 hours
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 29th
I worked for two hours at Blue Ridge Elementary. Today I got to experience working on "fixed assets," an additional duty for the media specialist at this school. Part of this process involved going into three different storage locations and making note of surplus items, both equipment and furniture. Once items have been marked as surplus, the media specialist is required to send her excess inventory out to all fixed asset clerks so that schools can claim excess items that they might need. After five days of posting, the surplus is scheduled for pick up by the warehouse. Anything damaged is discarded by these same employees.
I also shelved books and we talked about plan for the book fair that begins on Monday. We also discussed the schedule for next week. Now that the students are rotating into the media center, the schedule and format for the book fair has to be altered. I plan to take one of my personal days on Monday to see how the first day of the book fair works and to go back each day from 2-4 to help since this week will be unusually hectic.
Our last item of business was the discussion of a "mythology" pathfinder and a list of possible additional in this area. The media center specialist feels that she needs additional resources in this area. I volunteered to do some research and to check the 5th grade standards to see what mythology standards are included.
I also shelved books and we talked about plan for the book fair that begins on Monday. We also discussed the schedule for next week. Now that the students are rotating into the media center, the schedule and format for the book fair has to be altered. I plan to take one of my personal days on Monday to see how the first day of the book fair works and to go back each day from 2-4 to help since this week will be unusually hectic.
Our last item of business was the discussion of a "mythology" pathfinder and a list of possible additional in this area. The media center specialist feels that she needs additional resources in this area. I volunteered to do some research and to check the 5th grade standards to see what mythology standards are included.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 27
I worked 3.5 hours today. 2.5 hours were in the elementary media center and 1 hour was in the high school media center. When I went to the elementary media center, the media specialist asked me to do some reviewing of awarding winning books that she was thinking that she would add to her collection. I used the book index with reviews in Galileo to read reviews on the books that she had chosen. There were 5 or 6 books on her list that appeared to contain some content that might not be appropriate for elementary. Most of these books were geared for pre-teens and teens and had some violent, teen romance, and discussion of extra marital affairs contained in them. As such, we talked about whether these should be accessible to K-5th graders. I was able to find all of her titles on Galileo, so that was very helpful.
While I worked on this the media specialist and clerk were working on adding students to an existing database. This new database has been added as a new duty to the media specialist and the ladies were having some difficulty getting the names from one database into their XL file. I only mention this to make the point that the duties of the media specialist are increasing and more and more technological knowledge is necessary to fulfill all responsibilities.
I also had the change to cut our the word LIBRARY (30 times) so that as classes are rewarded for good library behavior, they can receive their next letter. When a class has all letters and can spell Library, they get to pick something out of the treasure chest.
Once I had finished both of these tasks, I helped shelve the remaining books that were returned today. The ladies like to start the day with all of the books back on the shelf and ready for the next reader.
After I returned to my home school, I shelved the books the were waiting. Senior project is underway so there were a few more nonfiction books than are usually on the cart. However, there's always 3 times the fiction than nonfiction. I was surprised to see that Suzanne Collins has an additional book in her "Hunger Games" series. My list of books to read is adding up. I have been checking out 3 elementary books each time I go to that library, so I can read more of those, but I haven't found the time to read the longer titles from the high school.
While I worked on this the media specialist and clerk were working on adding students to an existing database. This new database has been added as a new duty to the media specialist and the ladies were having some difficulty getting the names from one database into their XL file. I only mention this to make the point that the duties of the media specialist are increasing and more and more technological knowledge is necessary to fulfill all responsibilities.
I also had the change to cut our the word LIBRARY (30 times) so that as classes are rewarded for good library behavior, they can receive their next letter. When a class has all letters and can spell Library, they get to pick something out of the treasure chest.
Once I had finished both of these tasks, I helped shelve the remaining books that were returned today. The ladies like to start the day with all of the books back on the shelf and ready for the next reader.
After I returned to my home school, I shelved the books the were waiting. Senior project is underway so there were a few more nonfiction books than are usually on the cart. However, there's always 3 times the fiction than nonfiction. I was surprised to see that Suzanne Collins has an additional book in her "Hunger Games" series. My list of books to read is adding up. I have been checking out 3 elementary books each time I go to that library, so I can read more of those, but I haven't found the time to read the longer titles from the high school.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 23
I made my final visit this week to complete my reading enrichment unit with the fourth grade classes. Like my other reading groups, several students from the group wanted to check out The Lightning Thief, but the two copies were already gone.
The ladies are getting geared up for this book fair the week of the fourth. We will begin setting up toward the end of the week. In the past, the school has profitted about $8,000 from the book fair. The can only hope that this will be true this year.
I look forward to Friday's premiere of the books.
1 hour
The ladies are getting geared up for this book fair the week of the fourth. We will begin setting up toward the end of the week. In the past, the school has profitted about $8,000 from the book fair. The can only hope that this will be true this year.
I look forward to Friday's premiere of the books.
1 hour
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
September 22nd
I added 3 additional hours to my elementary and middle school time. I went back to the elementary middle school for an hour and shared by reading enrichment (Percy Jackson) with another fourth grade class and I checked out books to the class.
At the end of the day I went back to the middle school media center to complete my staff development on wikis, blogs, and other tools to enhance wikis and blogs.
My staff development members were Language Arts teachers, a Science teacher, and the media specialist. The 8th grade team already does a blog for the students to share ideas and conversations; however, the teachers and the media specialist were interested in wikis (I provided wikispaces, pbworks, and wix as possible) web page sites for them to use.
I think the most exciting feature of my presentation was the voki.com site. All the teachers could see a place to embed the vokis, whether it was to create a character from a story, or to just create a voki to explain science terms or vocabulary.
At the end of the day I went back to the middle school media center to complete my staff development on wikis, blogs, and other tools to enhance wikis and blogs.
My staff development members were Language Arts teachers, a Science teacher, and the media specialist. The 8th grade team already does a blog for the students to share ideas and conversations; however, the teachers and the media specialist were interested in wikis (I provided wikispaces, pbworks, and wix as possible) web page sites for them to use.
I think the most exciting feature of my presentation was the voki.com site. All the teachers could see a place to embed the vokis, whether it was to create a character from a story, or to just create a voki to explain science terms or vocabulary.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 21
Today I spent 5 hours in the elementary media center. I had the opportunity today to do my reaching enrichment unit with 2 classes; the first was a fifth grade class, and the other was a fourth grade class. Fortunately, both of these groups had a lot of avid readers. There were excited about talking about books and they rejuvated my reading teacher spirit.
I began the day getting a chance to see the WBRE school news show prep for the morning news. This is the first week that Mrs. Mailey has had to work with the news crew this year. She has an application process in place by which students compete for the news staff. The four staff members did a professional job of sharing the news with the school. She works with this group for 3 weeks and then trains another group and continues this practice until the end of the school year.
I also spent some time trying to locate just the right book for a 3rd grade teacher who wanted a work of fiction to read along with her science lessons on the scientific method. I was able to find two possible choices that directly related to the 3rd grade standards.
I think one of my favorites aspects of the media center is helping young people pick out just the right book for them. Most of them are excited about reading; they just need the right direction and it's rewarding to think that I can pass on a love of reading that might never end.
I am headed back tomorrow and Thursday to complete sharing my reading enrichment with two other fourth grade classes.
I began the day getting a chance to see the WBRE school news show prep for the morning news. This is the first week that Mrs. Mailey has had to work with the news crew this year. She has an application process in place by which students compete for the news staff. The four staff members did a professional job of sharing the news with the school. She works with this group for 3 weeks and then trains another group and continues this practice until the end of the school year.
I also spent some time trying to locate just the right book for a 3rd grade teacher who wanted a work of fiction to read along with her science lessons on the scientific method. I was able to find two possible choices that directly related to the 3rd grade standards.
I think one of my favorites aspects of the media center is helping young people pick out just the right book for them. Most of them are excited about reading; they just need the right direction and it's rewarding to think that I can pass on a love of reading that might never end.
I am headed back tomorrow and Thursday to complete sharing my reading enrichment with two other fourth grade classes.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Spreading My Wings
Today was my first opportunity to do some cataloging from scratch. My media specialist dug out the SEARS and the Dewey reference books to help me with this task. I felt like I was back in the cataloging class completing the activities at the end of each chapter. I think that it took me an hour to catalog 7 books and 3 of them were just updates versions of an existing book. so I only had to make minor changes.
I also spent some time setting up and coordinatng both my reading enrichment and staff development. Working in different areas, I wanted to be sure that everything was in working order and I had bookmarked the sites that I would be using.
I also had an opportunity to read another book to a 2nd grade class who was rotating into the media center. This group has just finished a unit on kindness so we read a book about Abraham Lincoln to reinforce their discussion in class. It's quite impressive that 2nd graders know that Lincoln in the 16th president and was the president during the civil war.
I recorded 4 hours since my last posting.
I have also recorded my 10 hours of collaboration on my units as well as additional units at the high school.
I also spent some time setting up and coordinatng both my reading enrichment and staff development. Working in different areas, I wanted to be sure that everything was in working order and I had bookmarked the sites that I would be using.
I also had an opportunity to read another book to a 2nd grade class who was rotating into the media center. This group has just finished a unit on kindness so we read a book about Abraham Lincoln to reinforce their discussion in class. It's quite impressive that 2nd graders know that Lincoln in the 16th president and was the president during the civil war.
I recorded 4 hours since my last posting.
I have also recorded my 10 hours of collaboration on my units as well as additional units at the high school.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
September 15 - Putting the Pieces Together
I logged another 2 hours in the elementary media center. When I arrived the media specialist was reading a book to a class who was rotating through the media center today. She had chosen a book about Abe Lincoln to compliment their unit on kindness.
We talked about my reading enrichment unit and conferred with a fourth grade teacher whose class I will read to next week. The teacher is concerned about her third graders' book choices. Instead of checking out chapter books, they are selecting smaller, easier books. Hopefully, they will be engaged by The Lightning Thief, my reading enrichment choice.
We also went through my literacy unit plan and visited with the 3rd grade Language Arts teacher who is collaborating with me on this writing assignment--book reviews.
I have my staff development scheduled for next , so I am busily trying to get all the pieces together.
We talked about my reading enrichment unit and conferred with a fourth grade teacher whose class I will read to next week. The teacher is concerned about her third graders' book choices. Instead of checking out chapter books, they are selecting smaller, easier books. Hopefully, they will be engaged by The Lightning Thief, my reading enrichment choice.
We also went through my literacy unit plan and visited with the 3rd grade Language Arts teacher who is collaborating with me on this writing assignment--book reviews.
I have my staff development scheduled for next , so I am busily trying to get all the pieces together.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, September 14 (2 hours)
Today I worked in the high school media center re-shelving. I have going to the elementary school regularly, so I got behind with that task.
There were two ninth grade English classes in the media center after school watching a film as an enrichment, bonus activity prior to a test over Lord of the Flies. Needless to say, shelving in the dark proved to be a challenging task.
I plan to work again on Thursday doing some covering of paper backs. It is these tedious, time consuming tasks that I have asked be left for me. I am also scheduled to do some processing of books.
There were two ninth grade English classes in the media center after school watching a film as an enrichment, bonus activity prior to a test over Lord of the Flies. Needless to say, shelving in the dark proved to be a challenging task.
I plan to work again on Thursday doing some covering of paper backs. It is these tedious, time consuming tasks that I have asked be left for me. I am also scheduled to do some processing of books.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week of 6-10 September
I completed five hours this week at Blue Ridge Elementary. Most of my time was spent reading to kindergarten and first grade students who rotated into the library. I had come across The Library Dragon and purchased the puppet to accompany my reading. Some of the kids were already familiar with the story but said it was a favorite. They were fascinated with my ability to transform Miss Lotta Scales. I also read The Keeping Quilt and A Bad Case of Stripes; one of my high schoolers recommended this book. I thoroughly enjoyed these opportunities to read to such an enthusiastic audience. It was fun to see how their little minds work and the questions and comments they make.
This is the first year that the library is included in the rotation. Each class comes into the library for 45 minutes and it is the responsibility of the media specialist to have something planned for that group. It can be a specific connection to their classroom instruction or it can be reading for pleasure. We read a book together, they get to check out, and then we read together again. They do seem to love books and want to share.
I also met with a 3rd grade teacher to begin talking about my informtion literacy unit. We decided that writing would be my focus. At the end of the 3rd grade, teachers have to submit samples of student writing in 4 modes (persuasive, narrative, informational, and responding to literature). The class is going to wrap up their narrative writing in a couple of weeks, so they are ready for a unit on responding to literature. We have decided to do book reviews and even try to connect with high school artists to illustrate book covers to accompany their reviews for the back of a book jacket.
I continue to shelve books to familiarize myself with their collection and actually received some instruction on cataloging this week. I have located my 20 sources to accompany my reference review and am working to create an visually appealing page that the media specialist can link to her website. I have found that the book companies Titlewave and Bound to Stay Bound have standards based links that are helpful in choosing books that focus on the standards and have reviews to accompany them.
Until next week...
This is the first year that the library is included in the rotation. Each class comes into the library for 45 minutes and it is the responsibility of the media specialist to have something planned for that group. It can be a specific connection to their classroom instruction or it can be reading for pleasure. We read a book together, they get to check out, and then we read together again. They do seem to love books and want to share.
I also met with a 3rd grade teacher to begin talking about my informtion literacy unit. We decided that writing would be my focus. At the end of the 3rd grade, teachers have to submit samples of student writing in 4 modes (persuasive, narrative, informational, and responding to literature). The class is going to wrap up their narrative writing in a couple of weeks, so they are ready for a unit on responding to literature. We have decided to do book reviews and even try to connect with high school artists to illustrate book covers to accompany their reviews for the back of a book jacket.
I continue to shelve books to familiarize myself with their collection and actually received some instruction on cataloging this week. I have located my 20 sources to accompany my reference review and am working to create an visually appealing page that the media specialist can link to her website. I have found that the book companies Titlewave and Bound to Stay Bound have standards based links that are helpful in choosing books that focus on the standards and have reviews to accompany them.
Until next week...
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Lost in Title Wave
Today I went back to the elementary media center to continue evaluating the reference section. Once I had physically touched each book, I began to search for possible replacements and supplementary reference books. I couldn't believe how fast an hour looking at titlewave could be. I do like the standards connections and reviews that are included on this site. Even after recording 2 1/2 hours in the media center, I found myself logged into titlewave at home and continuing my search. Now that I have located some possibilties, I am ready to see if I can find additional reviews before making my suggestions to the media specialist.
Before I left the media center, I did make sure that any books left on the cart to be reshelved were ready for the morning classes.
Before I left the media center, I did make sure that any books left on the cart to be reshelved were ready for the morning classes.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30
I returned again, with enthusiasm to BRE. This was one of few days when there wasn't a class rotating in, so the ladies had a chance to get some much needed work accomplished. While there, I discussed my pleasure reading unit with the media specialist, my information literacy unit working with third grades teachers, and my ideas about a display highlighting GA writer Carmen Agra Deedy. We discussed my reading to some first grade students next week and the necessary connection to their standards. I also began physically going through the reference section looking for ways to bring this section up-to-date with much needed Atlases and Almanacs. This section is also about 20+ years old and the media specialist hopes to purchase some much needed items. I enjoy working on assignments that I know serve a purpose for myself but for this media center as well. The enthusiasm of the youngsters who come into the media center to check out books is uplifting!
Bound to Stay Bound Time
I spent a couple of hours today working on choosing books that directly correlate to grade level social studies standards. After looking at the age of the nonfiction section, it was determined that the average was 26 years, a little old for books that students are using to write about presidents and states. My task from the media center specialist was to go into Bound to Stay Bound, who has the GA standards aligned to specific books and pick out books that would buttress this section and help with the age of this section. I was able to locate 41 books and tentatively spend $741.00--not bad for this number. It was certainly different when I started looking at reference material, which are significantly more expensive, but that's for another day.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 25
I logged two hours in the elementary school media center today. During this time we discussed my information literacy plan, but the 5th grade teachers are not going to do their research until Janauary. Mrs. Media suggested that I consider a writing unit for the 3rd grade. She will check with the 3rd grade teachers for me.
Mrs. Media showed me how to do an analysis of her collection. We noted that the age of the collection is 21 years. She has weeded last year, but wants to add some more current books that will also support the curriculum. Mrs. Media showed me how to look at Follett and Bound to Stay Bound for ordering. Bound to Stay Bound even has a way to look at book titles that specifically address specific curriculum. I am going to work at adding books to the collection that address Social Studies standards for the first grade. Before I left, I help shelve the books that had been returned today. They average about 100 books daily.
Mrs. Media showed me how to do an analysis of her collection. We noted that the age of the collection is 21 years. She has weeded last year, but wants to add some more current books that will also support the curriculum. Mrs. Media showed me how to look at Follett and Bound to Stay Bound for ordering. Bound to Stay Bound even has a way to look at book titles that specifically address specific curriculum. I am going to work at adding books to the collection that address Social Studies standards for the first grade. Before I left, I help shelve the books that had been returned today. They average about 100 books daily.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 23
I spent 3.5 hours in the elementary media center. When I arrived the media specialist was just finishing up a read aloud with a first grade class and they were moving into their check out mode. Once everyone had a book it was time to read together again. This is a new rotation that the media center is a part of this school year. Now each grade level rotates through the media center, guidance, and computer lab.
After finishing up with this group, we looked at the Renaissance program, the video room, movie room, and other media related places and tasks.
I was overwhelmed to hear about all of the media specialists "new" tasks. In additional to being a "teacher" "information specialist" a "researcher" and a "program administrator," she has picked up text books, is responsible for fixes assets and maintains the school web site.
We discussed plans for my literacy unit, my staff development unit, and my reading for pleasure unit. We discussed the best of group of teaches to collaborate with and how to tie in the media map with the class standards. I left with a schedule and a plan.
After finishing up with this group, we looked at the Renaissance program, the video room, movie room, and other media related places and tasks.
I was overwhelmed to hear about all of the media specialists "new" tasks. In additional to being a "teacher" "information specialist" a "researcher" and a "program administrator," she has picked up text books, is responsible for fixes assets and maintains the school web site.
We discussed plans for my literacy unit, my staff development unit, and my reading for pleasure unit. We discussed the best of group of teaches to collaborate with and how to tie in the media map with the class standards. I left with a schedule and a plan.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
New Year - Fresh Perspective
During the first two weeks of school, I logged 9 hours in the high school media center and 2 hours at the elementary level. I will begin my real hours on the 23rd of August in the elementary media center. I am excited about the life that I had seen in the elementary middle school last winter.
I spent a couple of my hours re-shelving books; it amazing that students could check out books during open house, but destiny was up and running and waiting for students.
I spent 3 hours working in destiny; this is the first year that the media specialists in our county as responsible for keeping up with textbook check out. Each book for every student had to be put into destiny so that a record was kept determining where all texts books were.
I spent 2 hours on freshman orientation. The media specialists schedule all 9th grade classes in the second weeks of school and familiarize them with what the media center has to offer and conducts a scavenger hunt so that students can get used to looking for specific resources.
I also worked with the media clerk on looking up and placing orders for teacher resources. Additionally, she showed me the financial aspects of the media center. Unfortunately, money is the one area that the county will fire its employees. It was interesting to hear about the additional responsibilities that the media staff takes on to assist both students and teachers. The media staff sponsors the junior class and with the obligation, they are responsibility for the junior/senior, which includes taking up money for prom tickets.
The media center also sponsors a relay for life team and that also requires them to keep up with monies that different members collect throughout the year. These additional duties provide a connection between the media staff and our students.
The 2 hours that I spent at the elementary school was meeting the media center specialist and watching many classes come in to check out textbooks for their classes. Rather than keying in books numbers, the elementary school was scanning in the student books. I talked to the media specialist about her responsibilities so that I could get a feel for how I use my hours to help her achieve necessary tasks. I look forward to getting a better feel for the elementary level.
I also logged an hour by attending the beginning of the year county-wide media specialist meeting. It was interesting to be privy to media dialogue. There was a log of conversation about books and book money. Several principals had paid out of their own accounts book loses, but some of the books had been paid for and the principals wanted to be reimbursed. I did not realize that this was common practice. There was also an interesting discussion about the role that the new superintendent of instruction wanted media specialists to play in instruction. He showed the end-of-year tests results and the AYP expectations. From this he challenged each media specialist to ensure that the 100% expectation could be met in 2014.
I spent a couple of my hours re-shelving books; it amazing that students could check out books during open house, but destiny was up and running and waiting for students.
I spent 3 hours working in destiny; this is the first year that the media specialists in our county as responsible for keeping up with textbook check out. Each book for every student had to be put into destiny so that a record was kept determining where all texts books were.
I spent 2 hours on freshman orientation. The media specialists schedule all 9th grade classes in the second weeks of school and familiarize them with what the media center has to offer and conducts a scavenger hunt so that students can get used to looking for specific resources.
I also worked with the media clerk on looking up and placing orders for teacher resources. Additionally, she showed me the financial aspects of the media center. Unfortunately, money is the one area that the county will fire its employees. It was interesting to hear about the additional responsibilities that the media staff takes on to assist both students and teachers. The media staff sponsors the junior class and with the obligation, they are responsibility for the junior/senior, which includes taking up money for prom tickets.
The media center also sponsors a relay for life team and that also requires them to keep up with monies that different members collect throughout the year. These additional duties provide a connection between the media staff and our students.
The 2 hours that I spent at the elementary school was meeting the media center specialist and watching many classes come in to check out textbooks for their classes. Rather than keying in books numbers, the elementary school was scanning in the student books. I talked to the media specialist about her responsibilities so that I could get a feel for how I use my hours to help her achieve necessary tasks. I look forward to getting a better feel for the elementary level.
I also logged an hour by attending the beginning of the year county-wide media specialist meeting. It was interesting to be privy to media dialogue. There was a log of conversation about books and book money. Several principals had paid out of their own accounts book loses, but some of the books had been paid for and the principals wanted to be reimbursed. I did not realize that this was common practice. There was also an interesting discussion about the role that the new superintendent of instruction wanted media specialists to play in instruction. He showed the end-of-year tests results and the AYP expectations. From this he challenged each media specialist to ensure that the 100% expectation could be met in 2014.
Finally Working in My Home School MS
I spent approximately 4 hours working in the high school media center. Unfortunately, I was only able to assist in shelving books that were being returned at the end of the year before the inventory took place. This media center has such an efficient media clerk, I had to compete with her (intended to be humorous) to get the time to work with the books. Unlike the middle school, they already had their books in series identified. I did, however, get a fresh look at how popular the graphic novels are in the high school media center. I also got to see that some of the books had not been checked out in such a long time that dust had found a permanent home in their pages.
Working with Middle School Books
I returned to the middle school media center to assist the media specialist is shelving books and putting series numbers of the books so that students can clearly see which book to read first, second, third, etc. I was surprised at the number of books that middle school students do read in a series. I spend approximately 5 hours working with this books finishing up all labels. The media had created color codes for the books by the same author who had multiple series to eliminate any confunsion. I enjoyed this tedious task, however, because I got to touch the books, see what middle school students are reading, and familiarize myself with the collection of this media center.
My book fair experience
I logged 4 hours going in early to the middle school media center to see firsthand how book fairs work at this level. The school is decorated with book fair flyers and students anxiously wait for the media center to open. The center of the media center is full of books and other related items that students can purchase. This school has raised $5.000 in the past having these books fairs and there's a place for teachers to fill out a wish list and parents to come in and fulfill those wishes. The book fair is so successful that the first bell forces the students to leave behind items that they didn't have to time to acquire. Even though I teach high school I find items of interest for my students. Some of James Patterson's "Max" books are included as well as Artemis Fowl and Harry Potter. It was nice to see some of the advanced level readers being able to find books that meet their needs as well as the lower level readers.
More Hours - 2
Media Visit (12 Feb) Elementary
I logged four hours on this date visiting the above mentioned media center. I chose this media center because it is in a different county and I could make use of furlough time.
This was my first experience in an elementary media center and I was quite impressed as well as surprised by its environment. Upon entering the media center you are welcome into a jungle-like setting where the lights are warm and inviting. I have taken a couple of pictures of accompany this narrative to share the environment.
Most of our day was spent checking out books for student participation in Accelerated Reader. Ms. Murray revealed that she checked out on average 400 books a week. It seems that most of the students participate in AR and that teachers are strong advocates of this reading program. As students came in and return their previous book, Ms. Murrah greeted each by name. She shared with me that she works hard to commit each student’s name. The students seemed genuinely excited about starting another book. They knew the AR level and quickly went to the specific shelves to select their books.
In addition to checking out books, we also helped teachers who wanted to show videos during the lunch period. Teachers have the opportunity to take their students back to the classrooms for lunch and watch a video. Since this was the Friday before Valentine’s Day many of the classes were having celebrations, so a Valentine movie was perfect. The media center has the capability of showing three movies as any time; the teachers just have to ask for a specific video.
Several teachers came in during the free time while students were at specials to talk about book issues with Ms. Murrah. Since she has been the media specialist, textbooks, including reading program selections, are included as part of her job. At first she found this difficult to handle; however, she found that if she went to the grade level meetings and knew what they were doing, she could offer more assistance. Considering the different reading groups included at each grade level, this seemed like quite a task.
Ms. Murrah’s additional tasks include school technology. She is the webmaster for the school website and is expected to assist teachers with their individual pages. When teachers can’t bring their students into the media center, Ms. Murrah takes the media center to them. She often finds this necessary in order to make sure that all students has fairly equal access to the media center.
What surprised me most about my conversation with Ms. Murrah was her budget. While I am accustomed to a school with a 20,000 yearly budget, Ms.Murrah revealed that she only has $2,400 to purchase new print resources. I noticed that the books in the AR section of the media center, 1/3 of their collection, were quite worn. Many of the books had writing in the books and the bindings were torn. Ms. Murrah is able to purchase additional resources for the media center with a book fair. On average she raises approximately $1,500.
I thoroughly enjoyed my elementary media center experience. So much so, that I am considering moving into that area. This was a level of enthusiasm that was contagious and I wanted to be a part of.
I logged four hours on this date visiting the above mentioned media center. I chose this media center because it is in a different county and I could make use of furlough time.
This was my first experience in an elementary media center and I was quite impressed as well as surprised by its environment. Upon entering the media center you are welcome into a jungle-like setting where the lights are warm and inviting. I have taken a couple of pictures of accompany this narrative to share the environment.
Most of our day was spent checking out books for student participation in Accelerated Reader. Ms. Murray revealed that she checked out on average 400 books a week. It seems that most of the students participate in AR and that teachers are strong advocates of this reading program. As students came in and return their previous book, Ms. Murrah greeted each by name. She shared with me that she works hard to commit each student’s name. The students seemed genuinely excited about starting another book. They knew the AR level and quickly went to the specific shelves to select their books.
In addition to checking out books, we also helped teachers who wanted to show videos during the lunch period. Teachers have the opportunity to take their students back to the classrooms for lunch and watch a video. Since this was the Friday before Valentine’s Day many of the classes were having celebrations, so a Valentine movie was perfect. The media center has the capability of showing three movies as any time; the teachers just have to ask for a specific video.
Several teachers came in during the free time while students were at specials to talk about book issues with Ms. Murrah. Since she has been the media specialist, textbooks, including reading program selections, are included as part of her job. At first she found this difficult to handle; however, she found that if she went to the grade level meetings and knew what they were doing, she could offer more assistance. Considering the different reading groups included at each grade level, this seemed like quite a task.
Ms. Murrah’s additional tasks include school technology. She is the webmaster for the school website and is expected to assist teachers with their individual pages. When teachers can’t bring their students into the media center, Ms. Murrah takes the media center to them. She often finds this necessary in order to make sure that all students has fairly equal access to the media center.
What surprised me most about my conversation with Ms. Murrah was her budget. While I am accustomed to a school with a 20,000 yearly budget, Ms.Murrah revealed that she only has $2,400 to purchase new print resources. I noticed that the books in the AR section of the media center, 1/3 of their collection, were quite worn. Many of the books had writing in the books and the bindings were torn. Ms. Murrah is able to purchase additional resources for the media center with a book fair. On average she raises approximately $1,500.
I thoroughly enjoyed my elementary media center experience. So much so, that I am considering moving into that area. This was a level of enthusiasm that was contagious and I wanted to be a part of.
First Days
2/3/10 (4 hours) (middle school media center)
I chose to spend the morning with Mrs. K to get a feel for a middle school media center. I currently teach at the high school level, so I am familiar with the high school media structure, and I have arranged with spend a day with an elementary media specialist, so this was my first glance at the middle school media center.
Mrs. Kaigler has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and her favorite is the middle school. She shared with me some of the different expectations of the three levels. For example, as part of her job at the middle school is keeping the I-grade password system up-to-date; each year as new sixth graders some to the middle school, she has to enter them, issue passwords, and distribute these passwords. She is also responsible for tracking the fixed assets for the school—a large task for a new middle school who has the most up-to-date technology (Smart Boards, LCDs, and Promethium Boards in each classroom). This is Mrs. K’s second year at this media center; the school opened last year and she has the task of establishing a new media center. She used her experience at the high school (went through their media center) to determine what she needed to place on her list to order for her own media center. Mrs. K and her clerk, Mrs. Clark also host a monthly book club and they have two books fairs each year. Rather than just having a book fair, the create a theme and decorate the media center space in preparation for the book fair These books fairs take place in the fall and spring and last a week. Mrs. K informed me that they are very successful. They are fortunate to have parent volunteers who are willing to come in and monitor the book fair materials during the week while she continues her job of assisting teachers and students.
While I visited I was able to experience some of the expectations of the media specialist. For example, every two weeks, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders come into the media center to check out books. The Parent-Teacher Organization sponsors a reading initiative where they provided treats to the kids of read and to the class who has read the most. The grade level who reads the most books is awarded movie passes; second place gets a ice cream party, and first place is award a Chic Filet breakfast—there are no losers. As each student turns in documentation of reading, he/she also gets a “sweet” treat. A couple of young ladies had read 6 books in the past three weeks. It certainly appeared that reading was taking place at this school.
In addition to classes coming in to check out books, there were several groups of students (groups of 3) coming into the media center to work on group projects. The teachers had signed up to utilize the media center, so the ladies knew who to expect and when. It was surprising to see these small groups come in unsupervised and work on their task. In addition to the 12 computers in the media center, there are 2 computers labs; one lab is for 6th grade, while the other is for 8th grade. There is currently space for a third lab, but the funds to complete the lab are not available.
One behavior that I noticed while watching the students as they worked, was the use of ThinkQuest; a document storage site. Some of the kids has been taught how to use this site earlier and were still making use of it. Mrs. K did tell me, however, that many of the students forgot their log-in and password, so they were having major issues with being able to use this. She felt that since these students were going to be using USBs at the high school level, that it was fair for the middle school to expect them to have such a device. The media center does sell these devices in their school store. The school store was something that Mrs. Kaigler realized that she needed to establish. One practice of the schools that helps with the success of the school store is open house. When Stalling Island has open house, the students pick up books and school needs. Parents quickly head to the media center to purchase these items, so both parties benefit from this resource.
I also paid attention to the kinds of books that the middle school group chose to check out. They were definitely reading for pleasure. I had to wonder if the high school’s circulation drops because of all the “required” reading we do. I can honestly say that the enthusiasm for reading is much more apparent in the middle school. None of the students who came in seemed to resist the idea of selecting a book.
One interesting conversation we had concerned “appropriate” books. Mrs. K told me that she was very methodical in purchasing the books that were available in the media center. She had already had a parent question the “Twilight” series because she didn’t want her daughter to read those books. She also had a group of books that had pulled from the shelves because she was concerned with the content. These were information books on STDs, Assisted Suicide, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Gay Marriage, and other fiction works that contained some questionable, age-appropriate material. These books had not been challenged; however, Mrs. K was concerned about the wrong student taking home one of these books and the parent’s reaction. As a matter of fact, she told me that she doesn’t let the kids check out books on drugs unless they happen to be doing a report on that subject. Have we gotten to such a point where we have to censor to avoid challenges to valuable literature?
I chose to spend the morning with Mrs. K to get a feel for a middle school media center. I currently teach at the high school level, so I am familiar with the high school media structure, and I have arranged with spend a day with an elementary media specialist, so this was my first glance at the middle school media center.
Mrs. Kaigler has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and her favorite is the middle school. She shared with me some of the different expectations of the three levels. For example, as part of her job at the middle school is keeping the I-grade password system up-to-date; each year as new sixth graders some to the middle school, she has to enter them, issue passwords, and distribute these passwords. She is also responsible for tracking the fixed assets for the school—a large task for a new middle school who has the most up-to-date technology (Smart Boards, LCDs, and Promethium Boards in each classroom). This is Mrs. K’s second year at this media center; the school opened last year and she has the task of establishing a new media center. She used her experience at the high school (went through their media center) to determine what she needed to place on her list to order for her own media center. Mrs. K and her clerk, Mrs. Clark also host a monthly book club and they have two books fairs each year. Rather than just having a book fair, the create a theme and decorate the media center space in preparation for the book fair These books fairs take place in the fall and spring and last a week. Mrs. K informed me that they are very successful. They are fortunate to have parent volunteers who are willing to come in and monitor the book fair materials during the week while she continues her job of assisting teachers and students.
While I visited I was able to experience some of the expectations of the media specialist. For example, every two weeks, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders come into the media center to check out books. The Parent-Teacher Organization sponsors a reading initiative where they provided treats to the kids of read and to the class who has read the most. The grade level who reads the most books is awarded movie passes; second place gets a ice cream party, and first place is award a Chic Filet breakfast—there are no losers. As each student turns in documentation of reading, he/she also gets a “sweet” treat. A couple of young ladies had read 6 books in the past three weeks. It certainly appeared that reading was taking place at this school.
In addition to classes coming in to check out books, there were several groups of students (groups of 3) coming into the media center to work on group projects. The teachers had signed up to utilize the media center, so the ladies knew who to expect and when. It was surprising to see these small groups come in unsupervised and work on their task. In addition to the 12 computers in the media center, there are 2 computers labs; one lab is for 6th grade, while the other is for 8th grade. There is currently space for a third lab, but the funds to complete the lab are not available.
One behavior that I noticed while watching the students as they worked, was the use of ThinkQuest; a document storage site. Some of the kids has been taught how to use this site earlier and were still making use of it. Mrs. K did tell me, however, that many of the students forgot their log-in and password, so they were having major issues with being able to use this. She felt that since these students were going to be using USBs at the high school level, that it was fair for the middle school to expect them to have such a device. The media center does sell these devices in their school store. The school store was something that Mrs. Kaigler realized that she needed to establish. One practice of the schools that helps with the success of the school store is open house. When Stalling Island has open house, the students pick up books and school needs. Parents quickly head to the media center to purchase these items, so both parties benefit from this resource.
I also paid attention to the kinds of books that the middle school group chose to check out. They were definitely reading for pleasure. I had to wonder if the high school’s circulation drops because of all the “required” reading we do. I can honestly say that the enthusiasm for reading is much more apparent in the middle school. None of the students who came in seemed to resist the idea of selecting a book.
One interesting conversation we had concerned “appropriate” books. Mrs. K told me that she was very methodical in purchasing the books that were available in the media center. She had already had a parent question the “Twilight” series because she didn’t want her daughter to read those books. She also had a group of books that had pulled from the shelves because she was concerned with the content. These were information books on STDs, Assisted Suicide, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Gay Marriage, and other fiction works that contained some questionable, age-appropriate material. These books had not been challenged; however, Mrs. K was concerned about the wrong student taking home one of these books and the parent’s reaction. As a matter of fact, she told me that she doesn’t let the kids check out books on drugs unless they happen to be doing a report on that subject. Have we gotten to such a point where we have to censor to avoid challenges to valuable literature?
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