I am fortunate enough to work at a campus where the principal and teachers recognize and appreciate the benefits of a full-service library, so I get to spend all my time serving the library needs of students and staff - albeit at a third of the pay of a Librarian.
When I became the campus librarian in 2012, the campus had not enjoyed full-time library staffing since the school's opening in 2006. Upon accepting the position, I insisted on scheduling classes to come to the Learning Center on a regular basis, to present supplementary lessons as well as recommend and check out books to students.
I was disappointed to find many empty bookshelves when I arrived, so I've taken advantage of the semi-annual public library book sale, where I can choose and purchase relatively new fiction and non-fiction selections for $15.00 per medium size filled box. By the time I find a book for myself and a few for my grandkids or for gifts, my $15 has been well-spent and the rest of the 30-50 volumes are virtually free! I bring the box to school, catalog and label them for circulation, and offer them to my 5th and 6th graders as "New to you!" PTA Book Fairs and a modest budget provided by the district for new trade books have filled up the shelves nicely, with plenty of room for thematic displays.
Since I serve in a two year campus, I use two different themes, modifying them for teacher's schedules. For the first and third years, I showed short video clips from the Travel Channel TV show "Mysteries at the Museum" which solved the "mystery" of a historical object in a few minutes. I also displayed unusual objects from my home and from other teachers, on the top of low bookcases, like in a museum. Large index cards accompaned each artifact, for a student to take and write a short story about it, in return for a small prize. I invite them to become "biblioarcheologists" (a word I made up) and inform me about how the authors of books they are reading use objects to help tell their stories - "Everything tells a story!"
During these years, I also present my "How We See In 3D" series. I start with a Science lesson, teaching students how we use our two eyes and one brain (a formula!) to see in three dimensions. I show them how my 3D camera uses two lenses to take a photo like our eyes do. They are able to see the photos using the accompanying viewer, to see the two images, taken at slightly different angles, separately, so that the brain automatically overlaps them and dimension is observed.
Photos, especially those viewed in 3D, are ideal artifacts!
My favorite 3D presentation involves teaching the students about the science and history of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake by letting them view stereocards created hours or days after the catastrophe, through a Victorian stereoscope manufactured in 1901. I enjoy telling them the story of how my grandfather survived the quake when he was their age.
On alternate years, I teach "Our Nation's Foundations" - a supplementary lesson plan that teaches the Constitutional principles of our Republic. My Americana collection decorates the Library, along with displayed books in our circulation about the American Revolution. In the past, I have shown clips from Liberty's Kids, originally broadcast on PBS. Time restraints have eliminated this element recently, but I still teach the lesson as I build a giant graphic on the Library wall.
Our Nation's Foundations wall graphic
Of course, during Presidential election years, I teach students about the process and criteria for candidates. I make sure that the students can never discern my own political biases. I let the Constitution speak for itself, while inviting students to freely express their opinions, rewarding them when they tell me what informed their conclusions. I remind them to exercise their 1st Amendment rights while realizing that others may not share their opinions. I love their expressions of awe and gratitude when I present them with their own pocket Constitution.
Students enjoy using iPad minis to access links to historical and rap videos posted on interactive bulletin boards posted with QR codes.
Recently, I asked the students to participate in National School Libraries Week by finishing this prompt: "I love my school library because..." Here is one from Hope:
"I love my school library because it is an elevator to adventure - the first place I go to look for something new. I thas almost all the books I want to discover. I also learn more about the history of the U.S., which makes me smarter. Plus, reading makes me smarter, too. There are all different kinds of books like mystery, adventure, History, humor, and horror. That lets me try anything new. Other than the library, the librarian is even better. If I have a question, she'll answer. She understands and knows if she has that book or not. She is a great teacher who helps me learn and thinks of creative things for us to do. Bottom line: I love my library."
From Jasmine: "I love my school library becaues there is someone there who cares about our future. And she loves all of us. She helps us with our questions and problems. She's really a teacher to me."
From Peter: "I love my school library because the librarian is a nice, funny, and educational person. She has all my favorite topics for books. She could help you find any book you look for. She has a very good library. She gives us information about government history. I've seen many school libraries, but this is the best out of them all. She has the best books."
From Karli: "I love my school library because it is so pretty and has lots of nice books in there. Our librarian makes it lots nicer. She LOVES her job and it really shows. We are grateful to have a librarian who love us so much."
From Katelyn: "Remember how at the start of 5th grae I didn't take much interest in reading? Now I'm writing my own book and fussing over grammar! Whenever I'm at the library, I feel the calming silence. I think of it as a thinking place where I feel welcome and can get help. Thank you for your help, and I hope others like the library as much as I do."
No comments:
Post a Comment