Last Lesson

This is my last day with my clinical supervising librarian and I am teaching one last time.  I decided to share my experience from teaching one of the sweet Kindergarten classes.  The lesson went great and the students were actively participating.  That is one thing that I love about the younger children; is their eagerness to learn.  

After the lesson, they only have a few minutes to check-out and finish their part of the lesson, which was completing their "Mrs. Libearian Bear" worksheet that went along with the lesson.  So in order to accomplish this, students were set up like centers, so some would be checking out, some are finishing their work and some are reading in their library books.  I found that having only a few at a time checking out seemed to keep the flow so much easier and kept control of the students.  I will definitely use this in the future, it's a great classroom management tool.

Different library settings...

As part of this practicum, we have to see many different library settings and this was of great interest to me.  What would I see that would be different or similar?  Would they have similar goals from my previous library experience?  I was anxious to see.

One of my other library experiences was in a different library but in the same county.  I have always thought all libraries function and operate similarly, but not in this case.  This library was set up completely different and a new librarian had just started.  I learned real quick how much is asked of the librarian even if there is no experience.

This library is a Pre K - 4 library and is divided up so many different groups of students are in and out all day from several different grades.  One difference I noticed was the structure of the day.  Her day seemed less crazy than my supervising librarian.  One thing that I saw that I liked was that each classroom had a wheeled cart that was brought every morning with the students library books from their class.  This seemed like a good plan sense they come to the library at least 3 times a week.  This gave the librarian time to shelve the returned books so that when other classes came, she could focus her time on the lesson.

Charley's First Night

This was one of my first teaching experiences at Baker Elementary.  I was given time to teach a 3rd grade class who have been reading books that are apart of the Volunteer State Book Award list.  The librarian had previously been reading different books with the students.  Each student had a journal that the librarian kept where each student rated the book and told whether they would or would not recommend it and why.  She also posted starter sentences for whichever way they chose to defend their answer.

After I read the story, we talk about what it was about and how they felt.  I also showed some short video clips that went along with having a pet for the first time.  Then I placed 4 starter sentences on the overhead so they could complete their journal for this book.  I felt that this book really reached all students and most of the students could relate to this book.  Later, the librarian showed me other starter sentences she uses for the different grades; where she makes them easier or harder depending on the grade level.  This will be something I definitly plan to use.

Pros and Cons

After being at other schools and seeing how all these different libraries were set up and ran by the librarian, I had to ask  myself which one I thought ran the smoothest, because one day I hope to have my own and it takes practice and advice from others to get it working the best way.  Also, I had to ask myself if I was up for the challenge of the many tasks that librarians are responsible for.

From all of my experiences with the different libraries, I have to say that my clinical experience library had the best of what I was looking for.  It had flow, organization, and most importantly, she shared her passion of knowledge with everyone.  She showed me her day-to-day routines, and book orders that were massive.  She is responsible not only for the books in the library, but all books in the school; textbooks, teachers copies, and reference material.  She is also responsible for keeping up-to-date records of who has what checked out and when things are due back.  She also keeps up with what equipment each staff member has and library numbers for students.  

Many other tasks were hers, and she knew them by heart.  One of them that I found the hardest to keep up with was the logs and records she has to keep for books she has bought and the records she has to keep for students who move.  She definitely wears many hats, but it really showed me how to manage it gracefully and in an organized manner.  I think that if I were in her shoes I would need check-lists to keep me organized.  

The First Day!!!

This being my first day, I was a little nervous about what to expect and what I would experience in the library.  More importantly, would I be able to see and learn all that I needed to.   Would I be able to stand up to the task?  Would I be able to do what this wonderful librarian was showing me one day?  So it began...

I started off with learning the process of putting away new books that had been ordered over the summer.  The librarian takes into special account books that she knows her students will be interested in.  She takes pride in having the newest and most note-worthy books available.  

What I was able to learn was how she organized her day.  Everyday is different.  They have a A-G schedule that rotates.  This was very confusing to me considering my first placement was on an A-B day schedule.  I was able to see her in action as she helped set up the morning announcements with the principal, sit in on a meeting regarding the current RTI framework and the students involved, and see her teach each grade level throughout the day.  I was thoroughly impressed with how well organized she was and she had materials easily organized - ready for the students to use.