I’ve Got a Flexible Schedule!Now What Do I Do?

Margaret EdgertonHeath Springs Elementarymedgerto@lcsd.k12.sc.us

Celeste GrahamHeath Springs Elementary

cgraham@lcsd.k12.sc.us

Debbie KeenanBrooklyn Springs Elementary

dkeenan@lcsd.k12.sc.us

How Flexible Scheduling Came to Us

• Administrators discover Exemplary Libraries promoted by SDE

• Principals attend session by Martha Alewine at SCASA

• School Leadership Team meetings at SDE.

Promoting New Schedule to Faculty

• Explanation at end of year before implementation.

• Give teachers a chance to think about how they can utilize the library.

• Orientation at the beginning of the year of implementation.

If You Promote It, They Will Come

2 ways we promoted the library

– Regular Planning with Teachers

– Lesson development based on themes.

Planning with Teachers

• Once a month

• On the school calendar

• Plan in the library with access to resources, books, catalog, long range plans, etc.

• Standards available

• Principal attends

• Take minutes

• Food!!

A Thematic Approach

• Offer a variety of lessons for grade levels based on a theme.

• Use what you know best.

• Some examples:

Geography Black History Month Authors

Elections Poetry Presidents

Economics Polar Express 100th Day

Citizenship Olympic Games Holidays

What We’ve Learned

• Don’t let them have the same time every time!

• Some activities may last longer than others.

• Some may take more than one day.

• The teacher must stay with the class.

• We are not substitutes.

• Start with things you love to do.

• Use others to steer to library (coach, instructional specialists, etc.)

More of What We Learned

• If you can, include the computer lab.

• You can still read to children!

What We’ve Noticed

• It’s more meaningful when the teacher initiates lesson topics.

• This is not automatic for all teachers or grades.

• Look for those willing to try—they may lead others.

• Circulation is up!

• We can talk to kids about books!

The Best Parts

• Students and teachers discover the library is a classroom where they can learn.

• We feel more professional when we collaborate with teachers.

• Teachers are learning that the library and the media specialist are tools they can use to enhance their curriculum and teaching.