Parent Input about The Library

[kmeyrick]

I don't know if it makes a difference to you, but I am curious. I finally have enough credits to go back into the library this fall. : My schedule will be a fixed one- meaning I have a set schedule for each class and I teach them really what I will. Which is fun, I admit. Many schools prefer a flexible schedule so teachers and media specialists can collaborate on units. Which would you prefer- sort of a break from the classroom, more enrichment activities on a fixed schedule? Or perhaps flexible scheduling that goes more in-depth for units?

[annettemarie]

I don't know that I would really have a preference, but you just sound so excited about your new job that I had to say congratulations! It makes such a difference to kids to have people like you who are excited about teaching them.

[kmeyrick]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I don't know that I would really have a preference, but you just sound so excited about your new job that I had to say congratulations! It makes such a difference to kids to have people like you who are excited about teaching them.

Aw, thanks! I have to say, teaching library, imo, is a lot more fun than classroom teaching. Many teachers would rather die than be thrown in the library, but I love it.

[annethcz]

Our school already does a ton of enrichment activites and projects based on what they are learning in the regular classroom. Usually library time (which is taught by the most amazing volunteer ever!) is seperate from what is happening in the classroom, which is just fine with me. If my kids weren't going to a project-oriented school, I think I'd be more likely to want the library time to be enrichment of what was going on in the classroom.

[homefrontgirl]

Will this be elementary or secondary? As a middle school teacher I love a fixed schedule for book check-out where I bring the student in and help them find books and then flex time available for research/indepth/collaborative units. When I was an elementary media specialist, teachers just wanted to use the library to drop students off so they could get a break. IME the system I'm in now is better. The library is a hopping place and kids are they for a variety of reasons. They see it as more than just where the books are stored. HTH. You sound so excited! Enjoy your year!

[zinemama]

I know that as a kid I loved library as a break from the classroom and a place to explore and discover new books.

[crl]

I remember some of each from when I was a kid. I liked it best as free time to explore what I was interested in. Of course, I was the geeky kind of kid who begged to go to the library and the bookstore and now DS, age 6, does the same. I don't have an opinion as a parent--DS starts kindergarten later this month so maybe I'll develop one soon.

Have a great year in the library!

Catherine

[EFmom]

Could it be a combination of both?

It would also depend on the age of the kids and how many research-intensive projects they have.

In my experience, sadly, our school libraries are woefully inadequate when it comes to providing material for research projects. Part of that is probably poor communication between the classroom teachers and the librarians, but a huge part of it is budgetary, I'm sure. And I live in a place where education is very well funded. We always end up having to take our kids to the public library and/or getting a lot of material through ILL. It would be great if some of the research projects could be taken care of through the school library, but as it stands, they never have adequate material to begin to address the research projects.

So, if you have the materials, I think that sort of support would be great when the students have that kind of project. Otherwise, enrichment is good.

I'm also a librarian (academic) and anything you can do to get kids fired up about reading and learning is good in my book.

[obiandelismom]

I don't have a lot to add, except to say that I'm going into the elem library this fall too! We can be newbies together - my schedule is similar to yours, with set times each week for each class. I'm so looking forward to it!

[beanma]

Tell me about this? I don't even really understand the question. My kids go to a private project-based school and they have classroom libraries, but not a real schoolwide library. The bookmobile does come and they get to check out books that way and I am the library mom and I check out scads of books (my limit is 120) on whatever unit they're studying.

I know not of what you speak, though. Explain for a noob?