This week was extremely busy! Most exciting, and a bit terrifying was teaching my first lesson today. Mrs. Jennings and I collaborated to plan a lesson to help first graders learn how to choose a book that is just right for them. This means it isn't too hard, too easy, but is just right. On Monday Mrs. Jennings modeled how she normally presents the lesson, and today I took a turn reading to the class and explaining the five finger test. We read a book called "We're going on a book hunt"
Then I talked with students about the five finger test. This is to be used when looking for a just right book. Students open a book they think they might be interested in to any page and start reading, if they get to a word they don't understand, they put up a finger. If they have put up five fingers by the time they've reached the end of the page, the book is too difficult and they should try another. Most students should look for books where two or three fingers are raised by the time they finish a page. This means the book is challenging but not too difficult. Next students watched a video that talked more about the five finger test and finding a just right book.
Finally students were giving an extension exercise to help them remember what we talked about.
After students colored their extension sheets they were allowed to check out using the five finger test. Once they chose their books and had checked out, they received a bookmark to help them remember.
It is seems impossible that week six of school is already here! What a busy week this will be! Working as a public children's librarian I've always wondered how school librarians teach catalog searching. This week is all about learning to search the OPAC, a refresher for 4th and 5th graders but a brand new lesson to 3rd graders.
Professional Development
Also this week I attended a very interesting professional development class with Mrs. Jennings. I learned a great deal about the poverty facing those 18 and under. The PD was called What Is Poverty? given to educate participants on their role as educators in teaching students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. We learned what poverty truly means, local and national statistics related to poverty, and also the risk factors associated with poverty. For example, 46% of youth 18 and under are living in poverty nation wide. In Jefferson county, 67% of Louisville students are living in poverty and we have 10,000 displaced/homeless students. I knew that Kentuckians were struggling, especially in Appalachian towns or coal mining towns because of lower demands for coal, but I had no idea that so many students in Louisville suffered from lack of basic needs. More startling is the fact that these students have a much higher risk of suicide and shorter life expectancy because of their economic situation.
KLA/KASL 2015 Joint Conference
On top of all the other exciting things this week- I also lucky enough to be selected to present at this year;s Kentucky Library Association joint conference held in Louisville each year.
http://www.kww.net/kla/myscheduleall.php
I, along with my three other managers presented on building our new regional library, it's opening to the public, and the adventures we've had while adjusting to a new work environment. Our presentation was titles "Standing out when you can barely stand up after becoming the most popular library in town." I have never presented at a library conference before so it was a great experience. Louisville Free Public Library is a large organization- with 18 locations and many levels of administration. My fellow managers and I were consulted during the design process, but overall we had little control over decisions that were made towards the new building. Moving into a space that designed by others was difficult- there's no way around that. The work flow was entirely new and often clunky, much of the building still needed finishing touches, and even now a year later they are still fixing things. Staff were miserable because of the increased work- we went from an average day of 300 patrons to now over a 1000. Our book drop went quickly to completely unmanageable and was often overflowing when we arrived each morning. Patron's complained of the new technology they were asked to use, staff complained about everything, and managers were working double shifts late into the night just to try and get the book drop under control.
It was a rough time. I also spoke about my ordering experience with Baker and Taylor the book publishing company. Moving from a smaller building to a large we had to have more items to fill it! We went from 70,000 items to around 140,000 and of that I was in charge of ordering all new teen and children's items totaling around 23,000 items and about 300,000 dollars. The catch was I only had 4 months to order everything! This on top of all of my normal duties being one of two branch managers and one of two children's and teen staff in the building. It was quickly realized that a team was needed and after working with other system managers I was able to divide up the work and get everything done, it was a challenging learning experience! We grew in staff- going to four managers and a youth staff of five instead of two and that took organization, patience, flexibility, and communication! Sharing our experiences with attendees at the conference was a wonderful experience. I can only hope that others found it interesting and can learn something from our professional growth and transition!
CEBS Dispositions:
Values diversity - Willingly works with others from
different ability, race, gender, or ethnic groups. Welcomes feedback and
interaction with others. Listens carefully to others and respects the views of
those perceived as different from self.
Values collaboration. Actively seeks out and incorporates
ideas of others. Takes leadership in working with others to improve the overall
environment. Regularly share information and ideas.
EPSB Code of Ethics
Values professionalism: Commitment to self reflection and
growth. Recognizes personal limitations and strengths and uses them to best
professional advantage. Actively seeks suggestions and constructive criticism.
Regularly practices critical thinking. Regularly engages in learning through
self-reflection.
Values professionalism: Professional development and
involvement. References and makes use of professional organizations or
publications. Willingly participates in professional activities or events that
promote professional development.
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