I spent an hour today coaching a teacher through the use of online resources and multimedia software she hopes to use for an upcoming project. We talked about copyright friendly internet use and the blending of online/print resources for her upcoming poetry project.
APRIL 2010 -- 26 ELEMENTARY HOURS / 3 SECONDARY HOURS
RUNNING TOTAL -- 45 SECONDARY + 26 ELEMENTARY = 71 TOTAL HOURS
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 21 '10 -- 30 minutes
I assisted with student check out while Diane was pulling a cart of books for a teacher. It was nice to allow her the ability to continue with her work without being interuppted and I was happy to have the working knowledge of Alex to help out.
I also updated the library's web page by adding the new acquisitions information for DVD.
I also updated the library's web page by adding the new acquisitions information for DVD.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
April 19 '10 -- 30 min
I assisted with student check out while Diane was working with MAPS testing. It was a spontaneous practicum experience and I was happy to have the working knowledge of Alex to help out.
April 16 '10 -- 1 hour
In my school, I did a pull of literary anthologies for a teacher request. A wide variety was needed: nonfiction essays, poetry, short fiction. I was able to come up with a large group for the class request.
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9 '10 -- 8 hrs
On my third day at Elm Lawn, I began by shelving yesterday's after school returns. Then, Joan gave me a new assignment. A student teacher in the second grade had requested a collection of poetry about animals. I started with a keyword catalog search and then basically parked myself on the floor in front of the 811s. After I found a sizable group, I checked the books out to her cooperating teacher and delivered them to her classroom during the second graders recess time. I talked with the student teacher about how I selected what I did and was happy to discover I exceeded her expectations.
I had a fun visit to the cafeteria where the first graders were having their Beatrix Potter tea party in conjunction with the unit Joan had been support with her first grade library lesson. It was quite adorable and I found it lovely that Joan was included in the final outcome of the unit she coordinated two weekly library lessons to support. Today's classes included a fourth grade, two third grades, one kindergarten, and one second grade. I helped with check out for all of these classes.
Joan and I talked about her district's allocation of Common School funds, her collaboration with teachers and how she fosters relationships with the teaching staff, and her weeding process. We then actually weeded a small section of fiction for early readers.
Another teacher needed a gathering of books that focused on sounds which I took care of. Since I don't have the expertise and knowledge of Elm Lawn's collection that Joan does, I first did an internet search for possible titles/authors that fit this need and then cross referenced it against the patron catalog. I was able to pull a decent group that hopefully will suit this teacher's needs.
APRIL 2010 -- 26 ELEMENTARY HOURS
RUNNING TOTAL -- 42 SECONDARY + 26 ELEMENTARY = 68 TOTAL HOURS
I had a fun visit to the cafeteria where the first graders were having their Beatrix Potter tea party in conjunction with the unit Joan had been support with her first grade library lesson. It was quite adorable and I found it lovely that Joan was included in the final outcome of the unit she coordinated two weekly library lessons to support. Today's classes included a fourth grade, two third grades, one kindergarten, and one second grade. I helped with check out for all of these classes.
Joan and I talked about her district's allocation of Common School funds, her collaboration with teachers and how she fosters relationships with the teaching staff, and her weeding process. We then actually weeded a small section of fiction for early readers.
Another teacher needed a gathering of books that focused on sounds which I took care of. Since I don't have the expertise and knowledge of Elm Lawn's collection that Joan does, I first did an internet search for possible titles/authors that fit this need and then cross referenced it against the patron catalog. I was able to pull a decent group that hopefully will suit this teacher's needs.
APRIL 2010 -- 26 ELEMENTARY HOURS
RUNNING TOTAL -- 42 SECONDARY + 26 ELEMENTARY = 68 TOTAL HOURS
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 8 '10 -- 8 hrs
During my second day at Elm Lawn Elementary, I felt like a part of the "library team." Classes today included two fifth grades, a third grade, a second grade, and a first grade. I had the opportunity to accompany Joan into another fifth grade class as she delivered a book talk on science fiction novels.
Joan showed me her binder of policies and procedures. (Note from yesterday: she also showed me her lesson plan binder for all grades which was very helpful to see the sequence of skills she presents.) I also worked on relabeling the spines of a few books in a manner that was more patron friendly for her youngest students. I did a small amount of editing of records in Destiny to suit Joan's local procedures.
I helped with a lot of circulation (both with classes and for students/teachers who dropped in on their own) and shelved whenever I could. I am trying to be as useful as I can in the three days I'm here, given how thankful I am to be able to spend three full days in one place!
Joan showed me her binder of policies and procedures. (Note from yesterday: she also showed me her lesson plan binder for all grades which was very helpful to see the sequence of skills she presents.) I also worked on relabeling the spines of a few books in a manner that was more patron friendly for her youngest students. I did a small amount of editing of records in Destiny to suit Joan's local procedures.
I helped with a lot of circulation (both with classes and for students/teachers who dropped in on their own) and shelved whenever I could. I am trying to be as useful as I can in the three days I'm here, given how thankful I am to be able to spend three full days in one place!
April 7 '10 -- 10 hrs
Today I had the wonderful opportunity to spend an entire day with Mrs. Joan Anderson, the library media specialist at Elm Lawn Elementary School in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. Her son, Ben, is a coworker of mine at Hale, and he suggested I contact his mother when I was considering possibilities for my elementary practicum hours.
I arrived before the school day began and Joan gave me a tour of her library and the school itself. The LMC is located in the center of the building in an open concept format. While it is not "walled off" from other areas of the school, it does manage to be its own space. The school serves 475 students in grades K - 5. Joan sees every class once a week as well as special requests for classroom projects.
Today, I observed and assisted with fourth grade, fifth grade, kindergarten, second grade, and first grade library classes. Joan worked on OPAC searching skills with the 4/5 grades, read aloud to the kindergartners, supported a classroom Beatrix Potter unit for the 1st grade, and practiced subject searches with 2nd grade. Each class' library time is 30-40 minutes with the final 10 minutes of each visit reserved for individual book selection and check out.
I helped monitor and assisted as needed with all classes as well as working with Destiny during check out time. Between class visits, Joan showed me MCP's district interlibrary loan practice and we process books for shipping to other school's libraries. I checked in and shelved a pile of books. Joan showed me her system for new book processing and I prepped new paperbacks for circulation. I also helped repair some damaged books.
I was absolutely enthralled with the pace and the energy of the day. I have never spent an entire day in an elementary school before (save for my student years :) and this was an incredibly eye-opening experience. I was very impressed with Joan's ability to shift from one level to another seamlessly. She works with an aide who shares time between the library, recess duty, and kindergarten support.
After school, Joan invited me to the district LMS meeting. We drove to Middleton High School and joined ten other librarian's who discussed many issues: technical issues with Destiny, the 3-yr technology plan, and the severe budget crisis the district is facing as it relates to library services. I was very grateful for the opportunity to eavesdrop on the district interworkings.
My day was exhausting, but so incredibly informative. Since my goal is to work in an elementary library, I learned more from this one long day than I can even describe.
I arrived before the school day began and Joan gave me a tour of her library and the school itself. The LMC is located in the center of the building in an open concept format. While it is not "walled off" from other areas of the school, it does manage to be its own space. The school serves 475 students in grades K - 5. Joan sees every class once a week as well as special requests for classroom projects.
Today, I observed and assisted with fourth grade, fifth grade, kindergarten, second grade, and first grade library classes. Joan worked on OPAC searching skills with the 4/5 grades, read aloud to the kindergartners, supported a classroom Beatrix Potter unit for the 1st grade, and practiced subject searches with 2nd grade. Each class' library time is 30-40 minutes with the final 10 minutes of each visit reserved for individual book selection and check out.
I helped monitor and assisted as needed with all classes as well as working with Destiny during check out time. Between class visits, Joan showed me MCP's district interlibrary loan practice and we process books for shipping to other school's libraries. I checked in and shelved a pile of books. Joan showed me her system for new book processing and I prepped new paperbacks for circulation. I also helped repair some damaged books.
I was absolutely enthralled with the pace and the energy of the day. I have never spent an entire day in an elementary school before (save for my student years :) and this was an incredibly eye-opening experience. I was very impressed with Joan's ability to shift from one level to another seamlessly. She works with an aide who shares time between the library, recess duty, and kindergarten support.
After school, Joan invited me to the district LMS meeting. We drove to Middleton High School and joined ten other librarian's who discussed many issues: technical issues with Destiny, the 3-yr technology plan, and the severe budget crisis the district is facing as it relates to library services. I was very grateful for the opportunity to eavesdrop on the district interworkings.
My day was exhausting, but so incredibly informative. Since my goal is to work in an elementary library, I learned more from this one long day than I can even describe.
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