It’s never too late to try something new. At this time of year, we often start to see behaviors in the library. It’s as if the fresh air signals something in the adolescent brain: Spring has arrived! Let the silly season begin!
All over social media, school librarians are expressing frustration with behaviors. We all have different situations. If you are on a flexible schedule and a class comes and goes with a classroom teacher for book exchange, it’s not as bad. Some of us have the happy ability to send the offender back to wherever they came from. For those of us in the specials rotation teaching scheduled classes, we need an effective strategy. Here’s mine.
To combat the crazy: I keep my kiddos to a routine. There are groups that you can loosen up with: I offer them centers to do and they can handle more autonomy and choice. Then there are groups that aren’t ready for that level of independence. It’s never too late in the year to implement structure and a routine.
My structure: As I mentioned, I am part of a special subjects rotation. I see my classes 3 times in a 6 day cycle for 55 minutes. My students receive a report card grade for Research Skills class. I have a standards-based curriculum that I wrote, and lessons that I created to meet each standard. To learn more about my curriculum and my low cost membership, click here.
Each student has a portfolio with their name on it. I got a bunch of two-pocket folders that were donated and labeled them with their names and classes. I try to have their folders on their tables when they arrive. They come in and go straight to work on a do-now while I take attendance. Then I teach my mini lesson. During independent work time, I call one table at a time (a maximum of four students) to return books. They check them in and reshelve them, which they are perfectly capable of, and it is evidence of skill mastery in their understanding of library organization. Then they can get new books. They have between 5-10 minutes for each group.
Real talk: there are students who don’t want a book. No matter what you do - they don’t want a book. They do want to fool around behind a bookshelf when they think you can’t see them. At this age, they know the library layout and the location of everything, especially their favorites. 5-10 minutes is enough time to browse. Extended browsing equals extended opportunities for problems. If they act up, they sit down and don’t get back up.
After we finish check out, we go over the work and check answers. If there is any time left, they can read their book or do work for another class.
Let’s be honest. I’d love to be doing inquiry based passion projects with deeply engaged scholars, and sometimes I get to do exactly that. However, I always have to teach the students in front of me in a way that will have the best outcome for all of us.
I started my membership with this approach in mind. It’s a problem I faced as a librarian in the specials rotation, and it’s worked wonders for me. If you’d like to join at the founding member price, click here. Your price will never go up as long as you’re a member in good standing.
Summer is coming! We’ve got this!!