This week I prepared an Infohio World Book lesson for the 6th grade classes. I was tying it in with their upcoming social studies research they would begin next week. (AASL 2.1)It was not intensive because the students would need time to check out books also during their 30 minute class time. On the first day of the lesson our school had decided to dismiss early because of an oncoming snow storm. That meant I would miss one of the classes. The next day was a snow day and I missed two more classes. The following day, there was a movie for the 6th grade in the afternoon and I missed two more classes. My librarian was counting on me to work this out on the first inclement day but it didn't happen. I feel badly that they didn't get their lesson and I can't present it to them next week because the public librarians are scheduled to visit and give book talks. (AASL 3.1) Many times a librarian has to go with the flow and that is what I did. This was finals week for the high school and we had teachers call at the last minute to come and use the computers. It was just one of those weeks that wasn't quite normal.
I may have another opportunity with World Book and I know we are planning to collaborate with the sixth grade science teachers in February for science fair research. (AASL 2.2)I did also approach a 6th grade social studies teacher and ask her if I could come talk about World Book if and when they go to the computer lab for their research next week. She said she had to get back to me.
I also got to attend a teacher's inservice day and hear a presentation on Ohio's revised standards. I felt it was important to keep up with this topic. I want to know what the teachers are required to cover and I want to support it and collaborate with them as a future librarian. (AASL 3.2)
As they say, "stuff" happens. It can be frustrating - not just for the librarian but for teachers. All we can do is the best we can and to remember that, in the big scheme of things, this is "small stuff". Wow you got two "life" lessons (or two cliches!) in one comment.
ReplyDeleteIt is OK to do quick lessons. Multiple quick lessons at the point of need are better than long lessons not related to class work.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am glad to hear that multiple quick lessons are okay. Today, was our second 2-hour delay of the week. The public librarians ended up canceling the whole week with the sixth grade and I said, "well, I'll pull out the canceled World Book lesson from last week". I wasn't overly thrilled with this lesson because I didn't think the students would engage without practicing along with me while searching the database. However, I started off with them by relating it to what they are supposed to be studying in Social Studies and it went pretty well. The teacher from the second class I had surprised me greatly by making the students take notes that she was going to collect. I had thought about handouts that they could fill int he blanks, but didn't do it. This helped them engage more than not taking notes and I was so pleasantly surprised because sometimes you just wonder if the teachers are supporting what you are trying to do. I also wonder if they realize we are trying to support what they are doing in class. It seemed like she was supporting me and I had never seen her do that with my librarian before. It felt very rewarding. I am trying to remember that connecting new knowledge to what they already know and also making it relevant is what is important.
ReplyDeleteDid you evaluate their notes? It might give you a idea of whether they were absorbing what you were teaching. Good data to have to - remember evidence-based practice.
ReplyDelete