Well this wraps up the number of posts that I have to have for this blog...
1. Will a blog be helpful to continue to use?
I feel like this is a great way to record my feelings and to reflect on my lessons. I know that I have already pointed out things that I would like to change. However, with the time restraints that I already have with this job, I feel like it would eventually get neglected. After talking with the other librarians in my district, I found that some of them have a blog while others just read library blogs to stay up to date on current books and materials.
2. Would my students benefit from a blog?
I do feel like my junior high bunch would love to create a blog. They love technology, and it is about the only way that I can get them to engage in learning while they are in the library. I still hear the complaint, "This is my activity period, why do I have to work?" This will definitely be a hard mind-set to break since they are already over worked and over tested. I want them to have fun and learn at the same time. I think a blog would be a great way for them to express themselves!
3. How can I improve?
I am a newbie at this whole librarian experience. I am learning as I go, and with the help of other librarians in my district, I feel like I have already grown. However, I know I have a long ways to go! I have really enjoyed my time in the library so far.
I hope I have done all of my requirements thus far!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Observation: Compare and Contrast
Yesterday was my first announced observation! Overall, I felt that it went well. I was observed during my morning first grade class. I started the lesson by reviewing what we talked about last week and focusing in on the element of character. I then told them that we would be comparing and contrasting two characters in the book Miss Nelson is Missing. To introduce the skill of compare and contrast, I created a power point. To illustrate comparing and contrasting, we used oranges and bananas. After comparing/contrasting the fruit, we watched a short You tube video about the skill. Then, I read them the book Miss Nelson is Missing. I questioned them throughout the story and encouraged higher order thinking. At the end, we completed a Venn diagram together to compare/contrast Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. Then, I sent them to their tables to complete an activity as a group. They compared a football and a basketball using cards that I had previously made with descriptive words for each. I also included blank cards to encourage independent thinking. To close, I reviewed the skill, and each table had to answer an exit question before they could line up to go back to class.
1. What could I have done differently?
I would have liked to include an exit ticket for individuals so I know who really got it and who still needs help, but I was really pressed for time.
2. How do other librarians teach this skill?
Some of the librarians in my district use an "H" instead of a Venn diagram. They also made suggestions of comparing books to short you tube videos.
3. Would I reuse this lesson?
Definitely! The kids really seemed to get into the activity, and they LOVED the book. Surprisingly, they had never heard it before!
1. What could I have done differently?
I would have liked to include an exit ticket for individuals so I know who really got it and who still needs help, but I was really pressed for time.
2. How do other librarians teach this skill?
Some of the librarians in my district use an "H" instead of a Venn diagram. They also made suggestions of comparing books to short you tube videos.
3. Would I reuse this lesson?
Definitely! The kids really seemed to get into the activity, and they LOVED the book. Surprisingly, they had never heard it before!
Friday, October 30, 2015
Halloween week! (Plus a full moon!)
1. Is anyone else exhausted after this week?
I emailed the other librarians in my school district, and I found out that they are just as tired as I am. I don't know if it is because it is halloween week or there was a full moon, but it has been one wild and crazy week. Our principal wasn't here for 2 days this week because he was at a leadership conference. There were 2 fights, 6 ISS students (that I know of), and an elementary student tried to run away. Education is not for the faint of heart!
2. Does anyone else have the added responsibilities of RTI as well as housing students in ISS?
I found out that one of our librarians actually has to work cafeteria duty. She has to bust tables and keep the kids quiet during this time. She works in the biggest school in our district. I guess I just find myself wondering, if being a librarian has always been this way? A lot of times, I find myself too busy doing my "added" responsibilities and neglecting my librarian duties. For example, I have a whole cart of new books that need to be cataloged, labeled, and shelved, but I find myself ignoring them because I need to accomplish other things first. (And that's not to mention yearbook, which is also my responsibility).
3. What could I add to my activities for Halloween next year?
One of the other librarians in my district had a great idea for Halloween. She encouraged her students to create literary pumpkins. She collaborated with her teachers, and this became an extra credit project. She displayed the pumpkins in the library for everyone to see, and she chose winners who were given a free book and a movie ticket! I thought this was a wonderful idea to get students involved in a fun way. I definitely want to remember this for next year!
I chose to reflect on my week for this post! All I can say is wild and crazy, and I hope next week is a little slower. I have my first observation on Monday. I've got my plans and materials ready to go. Now I'm awaiting my preconference this afternoon.
Happy Halloween!
I emailed the other librarians in my school district, and I found out that they are just as tired as I am. I don't know if it is because it is halloween week or there was a full moon, but it has been one wild and crazy week. Our principal wasn't here for 2 days this week because he was at a leadership conference. There were 2 fights, 6 ISS students (that I know of), and an elementary student tried to run away. Education is not for the faint of heart!
2. Does anyone else have the added responsibilities of RTI as well as housing students in ISS?
I found out that one of our librarians actually has to work cafeteria duty. She has to bust tables and keep the kids quiet during this time. She works in the biggest school in our district. I guess I just find myself wondering, if being a librarian has always been this way? A lot of times, I find myself too busy doing my "added" responsibilities and neglecting my librarian duties. For example, I have a whole cart of new books that need to be cataloged, labeled, and shelved, but I find myself ignoring them because I need to accomplish other things first. (And that's not to mention yearbook, which is also my responsibility).
3. What could I add to my activities for Halloween next year?
One of the other librarians in my district had a great idea for Halloween. She encouraged her students to create literary pumpkins. She collaborated with her teachers, and this became an extra credit project. She displayed the pumpkins in the library for everyone to see, and she chose winners who were given a free book and a movie ticket! I thought this was a wonderful idea to get students involved in a fun way. I definitely want to remember this for next year!
I chose to reflect on my week for this post! All I can say is wild and crazy, and I hope next week is a little slower. I have my first observation on Monday. I've got my plans and materials ready to go. Now I'm awaiting my preconference this afternoon.
Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Retelling and Summarizing
1. Is this a skill that I need to spend time on?
After talking with other librarians in my district, I found out that this skill was one that students sometimes find the most difficult. They are not sure what the most important parts of the story are to retell. So, we spent time going over the retelling rope to review what we needed to include. After introducing and doing a few practice questions, I could tell that students did need extra work with this skill.
2. Is technology the best way to reach middle school students?
All of the other librarians in my district use technology on a daily basis with their middle school students. Some are teaching them how to do prezis. Others are teaching them how to use word. While another is creating book talks. I plan to incorporate more technology into my middle school lessons.
3. Do I need to incorporate more technology with younger students?
Most of the librarians in my district agree that this was a tough question. Many students are not confident enough or experienced enough to use technology on their own. However, as a group, students seem to benefit from the use of more hands-on tools like technology. I hope to incorporate more technology with my younger students as well.
This week I introduced the concept of retelling and summarizing to my students K-8. For the elementary students, we used a retelling rope (which reviews all of the basic story elements that we have already discussed: character, setting, plot, beginning, middle, end, problem, and solution). After reviewing the retelling rope, I read aloud the book The Big Ugly Monster and the Stone Rabbit by Chris Wormell. After reading the story, we made a foldable about the B.M.E. (Beginning, Middle, and End). Then we sang the Parts of a Story song that I found on YouTube. I thought that 4th graders would think that the song was dumb, but they seemed to love it more than the younger students.
In my junior high classes, we have been researching Edgar Allan Poe per request of their Reading teachers. We started by watching a brainpop cartoon about his life. I have read the Tell-Tale Heart and the Raven to them to get them intrigued and to give them some examples of how he wrote. Then, I sent them on a webquest to find information about specific questions that I wanted them to answer about him. This week, we are completing our research. I couldn't think of a better way to retell or summarize the information that they found about him other then by writing an obituary. I gave them an example to follow and a rubric to follow for grading purposes. Next week... we start making prezis!
Overall, I'm very pleased with how the skill for this week has gone. I'm really starting to enjoy the library more and more and finding new ideas to get students interested in reading. I still find that junior high (especially 7th and 8th grade) is my biggest challenge!
After talking with other librarians in my district, I found out that this skill was one that students sometimes find the most difficult. They are not sure what the most important parts of the story are to retell. So, we spent time going over the retelling rope to review what we needed to include. After introducing and doing a few practice questions, I could tell that students did need extra work with this skill.
2. Is technology the best way to reach middle school students?
All of the other librarians in my district use technology on a daily basis with their middle school students. Some are teaching them how to do prezis. Others are teaching them how to use word. While another is creating book talks. I plan to incorporate more technology into my middle school lessons.
3. Do I need to incorporate more technology with younger students?
Most of the librarians in my district agree that this was a tough question. Many students are not confident enough or experienced enough to use technology on their own. However, as a group, students seem to benefit from the use of more hands-on tools like technology. I hope to incorporate more technology with my younger students as well.
This week I introduced the concept of retelling and summarizing to my students K-8. For the elementary students, we used a retelling rope (which reviews all of the basic story elements that we have already discussed: character, setting, plot, beginning, middle, end, problem, and solution). After reviewing the retelling rope, I read aloud the book The Big Ugly Monster and the Stone Rabbit by Chris Wormell. After reading the story, we made a foldable about the B.M.E. (Beginning, Middle, and End). Then we sang the Parts of a Story song that I found on YouTube. I thought that 4th graders would think that the song was dumb, but they seemed to love it more than the younger students.
In my junior high classes, we have been researching Edgar Allan Poe per request of their Reading teachers. We started by watching a brainpop cartoon about his life. I have read the Tell-Tale Heart and the Raven to them to get them intrigued and to give them some examples of how he wrote. Then, I sent them on a webquest to find information about specific questions that I wanted them to answer about him. This week, we are completing our research. I couldn't think of a better way to retell or summarize the information that they found about him other then by writing an obituary. I gave them an example to follow and a rubric to follow for grading purposes. Next week... we start making prezis!
Overall, I'm very pleased with how the skill for this week has gone. I'm really starting to enjoy the library more and more and finding new ideas to get students interested in reading. I still find that junior high (especially 7th and 8th grade) is my biggest challenge!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Book Fair Week
1. What can be done differently to make the Book Fair run more smoothly?
* Overall, I feel like the Book Fair was a success. However, I do feel like there could be some changes made in order for it to run more smoothly. I researched to find some ideas that other librarians used, and this is what I found:
1. Include parent volunteers.
2. Shorten shopping time to cut back on playing.
3. Brief the students before they are allowed to shop on your expectations.
4. Small groups are allowed to shop at a time.
5. Have a smooth checkout routine and stamp and bag items purchased as they are checked out.
6. Make it a fun environment.
Source: https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/61-book-fairs-tips-for-success
2. Would it be beneficial to have more than one Book Fair?
* I have made a ton of money this week for the library which means lots of new books for my students. So, I can absolutely see where it would be beneficial to have more than one Book Fair. The only problem with that is finding the time in between testing schedules during the spring. If I could find a time, then I definitely would have a second fair so that I can buy more new books for my students.
3. Should the librarian be solely responsible for organizing and running Book Fair?
* Since I am the librarian, I have mixed feelings about this. I feel like parents and the PTO should be involved. I did not get much teaching done this week since I was solely the one responsible for running the book fair.
This has probably been the busiest week of my life as a teacher! Not only have I been running the Book Fair single-handedly, but I have also been in charge of sending out business yearbook ads, collecting yearbook money, preparing for fall festival, collaborating with teachers, and working on the school improvement plan. Whew! The biggest positive from the day is that I sold more than $1700 during the Book Fair, so that means lots of new books for my students. The negatives from the day were that some classes could not handle the change in structure in the library. So, I had to deal with some behavior issues. Overall, I am very happy with how the day went, and I am very excited about how well my first Book Fair went. Could I make changes? Most definitely! However, I survived the first one, and next years will be even better!
* Overall, I feel like the Book Fair was a success. However, I do feel like there could be some changes made in order for it to run more smoothly. I researched to find some ideas that other librarians used, and this is what I found:
1. Include parent volunteers.
2. Shorten shopping time to cut back on playing.
3. Brief the students before they are allowed to shop on your expectations.
4. Small groups are allowed to shop at a time.
5. Have a smooth checkout routine and stamp and bag items purchased as they are checked out.
6. Make it a fun environment.
Source: https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/61-book-fairs-tips-for-success
2. Would it be beneficial to have more than one Book Fair?
* I have made a ton of money this week for the library which means lots of new books for my students. So, I can absolutely see where it would be beneficial to have more than one Book Fair. The only problem with that is finding the time in between testing schedules during the spring. If I could find a time, then I definitely would have a second fair so that I can buy more new books for my students.
3. Should the librarian be solely responsible for organizing and running Book Fair?
* Since I am the librarian, I have mixed feelings about this. I feel like parents and the PTO should be involved. I did not get much teaching done this week since I was solely the one responsible for running the book fair.
This has probably been the busiest week of my life as a teacher! Not only have I been running the Book Fair single-handedly, but I have also been in charge of sending out business yearbook ads, collecting yearbook money, preparing for fall festival, collaborating with teachers, and working on the school improvement plan. Whew! The biggest positive from the day is that I sold more than $1700 during the Book Fair, so that means lots of new books for my students. The negatives from the day were that some classes could not handle the change in structure in the library. So, I had to deal with some behavior issues. Overall, I am very happy with how the day went, and I am very excited about how well my first Book Fair went. Could I make changes? Most definitely! However, I survived the first one, and next years will be even better!
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