The secondary librarians spend far less time with the students than at the elementary level. Middle and high school students are more independent learners and use the library more as an extension of the core curriculum than a class. With the collections on this level being far greater, up to twice then the elementary, there is far greater library maintenance required. It was good to experience the tasks that my clerk often does and I wonder about. Knowing how to repair books, process books and periodicals and such are helpful.
Ninth graders use the library the most in the high schools but the usage in the middle was pretty shared across the board at the middle and elementary levels. However only elementary had scheduled classes whereas the middle and high had flex scheduling. At times the middle and high libraries will have 5 classes using the space at the same time.
Middle and high school teachers are more likely to send their students to google then elementary. In elementary there is a far great push to use reliable sources for research than google. Since students are expected to know the research skills by middle school far less time is spent teaching them and more emphasis is put on doing the actual research.
Book lists are very important in the high schools as there are never enough computers for all the students using the library. With so many classes in at the same time it makes sense for the students to use hard copy of the online book lists. The librarians at the high school level have worked long and hard with the core teachers to create these book lists that work with the curriculum. By keeping them attached to the lesson plans they have collaborated on students are easily able to gather their required reading materials.
The elementary students require far more attention and hands on assistance. Much of the librarians job has to do with teaching how to use: the library, research tools, technology, and book design.
With far greater size of patrons and teachers it is much more difficult getting to know all the teachers in the middle and high school levels.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Post Secondary Experience
The secondary experience has entailed behind the scence activities such as periodical preparation, creating book lists, collecting books and shelving. There is less hands on with the students and less teaching as they are more independent at this level. The students behavior is a big issue in the middle school and takes away from the learning experience. Finding ways to motivate the students to read and not openly defy the teacher takes thought and preparation. Understanding where this age group is in development and social skills must come into play to keep them on task and learning.
Secondary libraries are much larger than elementary and require a great deal of time to become familiar with the collection. Although I am familiar with some of the authors, as they do house adult literature, I found myself having to use the OPAC a lot in order to help students. Getting to know the physical layout of each library was a challenge as well as they were all different reflecting the individual tastes of the librarians who set them up. The age of the buildings also had an effect on the layout, technology and collection. Although Kenosha has a format to how the books are cataloged, individual librarians can personalize their collections to their student body and personal preferences.
Towards the end of this practicum I felt I could be a great asset to a secondary library as I felt I was able to grab and hold the students' attention better than the regular librarian. This maybe due to the novelty of new person, or that I was attempting to relate the information to their age group. I found they love to listen to stories and I tried to give the lessons in a story telling way by relating the subject to an experience of mine.
I so wish I had just opened up a book and started reading it to a group of 7th grade girls who I was trying to help find a book to read for pleasure. They were loud and trying to be disruptive. I thought by sitting with them and talking about books I could stir their interest. They did quiet down and talk with me, but I feel I missed a golden opportunity to turn them on to reading if I just would have opened that book and read from it instead of trying to talk them into it.
Secondary libraries are much larger than elementary and require a great deal of time to become familiar with the collection. Although I am familiar with some of the authors, as they do house adult literature, I found myself having to use the OPAC a lot in order to help students. Getting to know the physical layout of each library was a challenge as well as they were all different reflecting the individual tastes of the librarians who set them up. The age of the buildings also had an effect on the layout, technology and collection. Although Kenosha has a format to how the books are cataloged, individual librarians can personalize their collections to their student body and personal preferences.
Towards the end of this practicum I felt I could be a great asset to a secondary library as I felt I was able to grab and hold the students' attention better than the regular librarian. This maybe due to the novelty of new person, or that I was attempting to relate the information to their age group. I found they love to listen to stories and I tried to give the lessons in a story telling way by relating the subject to an experience of mine.
I so wish I had just opened up a book and started reading it to a group of 7th grade girls who I was trying to help find a book to read for pleasure. They were loud and trying to be disruptive. I thought by sitting with them and talking about books I could stir their interest. They did quiet down and talk with me, but I feel I missed a golden opportunity to turn them on to reading if I just would have opened that book and read from it instead of trying to talk them into it.
Monday, July 12, 2010, Bradford High School
7:30-8:00 Check in and shelve books. Review school policies on student behavior, check library circulation for over due books.
8:00-8:30 Go to classrooms to retrieve overdue books.
8:30-9:00 Enter data into book lists for high schools according to genre.
9:00-9:30 Assist 9th grade students working on Mythology research, word processing and printing.
9:30-10:00 Assist 9th grade students working on login problems, Mythology research, word processing and printing. Assist 10th grade students on login problems, research, word processing and printing.
10:00-10:30 Assist 10th grade students on research, word processing and printing.
10:30-11:00 Check in and out books, shelving.
11:00-11:30 Enter data into book lists for high schools according to genre.
11:30-12:00 Go to classrooms to retrieve overdue books.
12:00-12:30 Process periodicals for shelving.
8:00-8:30 Go to classrooms to retrieve overdue books.
8:30-9:00 Enter data into book lists for high schools according to genre.
9:00-9:30 Assist 9th grade students working on Mythology research, word processing and printing.
9:30-10:00 Assist 9th grade students working on login problems, Mythology research, word processing and printing. Assist 10th grade students on login problems, research, word processing and printing.
10:00-10:30 Assist 10th grade students on research, word processing and printing.
10:30-11:00 Check in and out books, shelving.
11:00-11:30 Enter data into book lists for high schools according to genre.
11:30-12:00 Go to classrooms to retrieve overdue books.
12:00-12:30 Process periodicals for shelving.
Friday, July 9, Bradford High School
7:30-8:00 Prepared website resource list for Greek mythology research.
8:00-8:30 Troubleshooting as to why none of the library computers could get on the Internet. Had to restart routers and computers. Assisted 9th graders logging on and completing research for Greek mythology.
8:30-9:00 Checked in and shelved books.
9:00-9:30 Assisted 10th graders with logging on and finding research resourced for various topics.
9:30-10:00 Checked in and shelved books
10:00-10:30 Prepared new books for shelving.
10:30-11:00 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
11:00-11:30 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
11:30-12:00 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
12:00-12:30 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
8:00-8:30 Troubleshooting as to why none of the library computers could get on the Internet. Had to restart routers and computers. Assisted 9th graders logging on and completing research for Greek mythology.
8:30-9:00 Checked in and shelved books.
9:00-9:30 Assisted 10th graders with logging on and finding research resourced for various topics.
9:30-10:00 Checked in and shelved books
10:00-10:30 Prepared new books for shelving.
10:30-11:00 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
11:00-11:30 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
11:30-12:00 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
12:00-12:30 Worked on entering in book lists for core subject areas into OPAC system in public folder.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 Mahone Middle School
7:30-8:00 Prepared websites for 7th grade constitution research.
8:00-8:30 Found books on the constitution and court cases. Made copies of exhibit evidence.
8:30-9:00 6th grade read from dirty jobs book. Went online to discovery channel and watched videos on dirtiest jobs. Help find books and check out.
9:00-9:30 Gave 7th talk on rights and what the constitution means in the US compared to other countries. Read a mock trial and gave out evidence exhibits to determine the verdict. Discussed.
9:30-10:00 Assisted 7th grade with online research and finding books for constitution.
10:00-10:30 8th graded discussed going green and alternative forms of renewable energy. Gave book talks on the various books in the library. Assisted finding books for research and checked out.
10:30-11:00 6th grade read from dirty jobs book. Went online to discovery channel and watched videos on dirtiest jobs. Help find books and check out.
11:00-11:30 Gave 7th talk on rights and what the constitution means in the US compared to other countries. Read a mock trial and gave out evidence exhibits to determine the verdict. Discussed.
11:30-12:00 8th graded discussed going green and alternative forms of renewable energy. Gave book talks on the various books in the library. Assisted finding books for research and checked out.
12:00-12:30 Checked in books and reshelved books. Cleaned up library shelves.
8:00-8:30 Found books on the constitution and court cases. Made copies of exhibit evidence.
8:30-9:00 6th grade read from dirty jobs book. Went online to discovery channel and watched videos on dirtiest jobs. Help find books and check out.
9:00-9:30 Gave 7th talk on rights and what the constitution means in the US compared to other countries. Read a mock trial and gave out evidence exhibits to determine the verdict. Discussed.
9:30-10:00 Assisted 7th grade with online research and finding books for constitution.
10:00-10:30 8th graded discussed going green and alternative forms of renewable energy. Gave book talks on the various books in the library. Assisted finding books for research and checked out.
10:30-11:00 6th grade read from dirty jobs book. Went online to discovery channel and watched videos on dirtiest jobs. Help find books and check out.
11:00-11:30 Gave 7th talk on rights and what the constitution means in the US compared to other countries. Read a mock trial and gave out evidence exhibits to determine the verdict. Discussed.
11:30-12:00 8th graded discussed going green and alternative forms of renewable energy. Gave book talks on the various books in the library. Assisted finding books for research and checked out.
12:00-12:30 Checked in books and reshelved books. Cleaned up library shelves.
Wednesday, July 7, Bullen Middle School
7:30-8:00 Read book reviews in professional journals and made recommendations for Diane.
8:00-8:30 Continued to read book reviews.
8:30-9:00 Helped 7th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog.
9:00-9:30 Helped 6th grade class find books and check out. Straighten and shelved books
9:30-10:00 Helped 8th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
10:00-10:30 Discussed with Diane her collection and how she decides on purchases especially graphic novels.
10:30-11:00 Helped 7th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
11:00-11:30 Helped 6th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
11:30-12:00 Helped 8th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
12:00-12:30 Organized the shelves and shelved books.
8:00-8:30 Continued to read book reviews.
8:30-9:00 Helped 7th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog.
9:00-9:30 Helped 6th grade class find books and check out. Straighten and shelved books
9:30-10:00 Helped 8th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
10:00-10:30 Discussed with Diane her collection and how she decides on purchases especially graphic novels.
10:30-11:00 Helped 7th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
11:00-11:30 Helped 6th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
11:30-12:00 Helped 8th grade class find books and check out. Taught a few students how to use the online catalog
12:00-12:30 Organized the shelves and shelved books.
Tuesday, July 6 Tremper High School
7:30-8:00 Read over 2nd semester lesson plans from spring of 2010 and filed by teacher. Ruth keeps a file for each teacher and saves all their lessons for future reference.
8:00-8:30 Moved professional manuals to a different part of the library to make room for the expanded fiction section. The district is going with a vendor’s cataloging this year and short stories will no longer be a category to catalog with. Therefore all short stories now are shelved with fiction.
8:30-9:00 Assisted a health class with finding resources for their issue .
9:00-9:30 Continued moving the fiction section.
9:30-10:00 Went over the high school periodical collection and organized the magazines.
10:00-10:30 Read book reviews in professional journals circling recommendations for Ruth.
10:30-11:00 Assisted a class find online resources for controversial issues such as abortion. Ruth showed them Opposing viewpoints
11:00-11:30 Assisted another class find online resources for controversial issues.
11:30-12:00 Prepared periodicals for shelving.
12:00-12:30 Went over state standards for information literacy with Ruth.
8:00-8:30 Moved professional manuals to a different part of the library to make room for the expanded fiction section. The district is going with a vendor’s cataloging this year and short stories will no longer be a category to catalog with. Therefore all short stories now are shelved with fiction.
8:30-9:00 Assisted a health class with finding resources for their issue .
9:00-9:30 Continued moving the fiction section.
9:30-10:00 Went over the high school periodical collection and organized the magazines.
10:00-10:30 Read book reviews in professional journals circling recommendations for Ruth.
10:30-11:00 Assisted a class find online resources for controversial issues such as abortion. Ruth showed them Opposing viewpoints
11:00-11:30 Assisted another class find online resources for controversial issues.
11:30-12:00 Prepared periodicals for shelving.
12:00-12:30 Went over state standards for information literacy with Ruth.
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