New SLMS in desperate need of Lessons

[Yavodka Owens]

I have been a SLMS for a year and a half. Fortunately and unfortunately I was allowed to do my internship at my school with supervision from a SLMS at another school. I think this is why I am having so much trouble now. In my previous life I was a 7/8 teacher at a school that had a computer lab but now I'm a SLMS at a Elementary School (PreK4 - 5) with a Computer Lab that is used during Computer time. HERE IS MY PROBLEM: I have no idea what to do with my students!!! Yes I try to teach Information Skills but when I run out of those I'm at a loss. I honestly don't know what to do. The teacher's drop the kids off and I'm alone with the students. I only have 30 minutes and that never seems to be enough time to read a story, do an activity, check in and check out books. I tried just having the kids come in and check in and check out books but they got too rowdy so I have to something but I don't know what. Does anyone know where I can find mini lessons to do? Any suggestions?

[Laura Gable]

So are you saying that you don't have access to computers?  If not that is no big deal there is still plenty that you can do.  Maybe you can set up stations?  You can also find tons of lessons online.  You can break a lesson into mini lessons and make it work over several weeks.  I just friended you so if you need more help we can communicate that way.  Let me know specifics and it may be easier for me to help you.

[Jocelyn Sams]

I am working on this very thing on my website right now.  My lessons are designed for 35 minute class periods.  I normally do stations in my classes.  Visit Elementary Librarian and look for my updates on Facebook and Twitter!  So far I've finished August and September.  I'll be posting more about my plans in the next couple of weeks!  Good luck.

[Yavodka Owens]

Laura, we only have 2 computers in the Library and they barely work. I have been looking online but I come up empty. I keep hearing "Set up stations." My only question is, what will they do at these stations and how do we rotate so they can have enough time to check in and check out books?

[Jocelyn Sams]

Yavodka, This is a tricky one.  I didn't realize you had to cram book checkout into class time.  What I do with my stations is have students visit one station per week.  In other words, they rotate to a different station the next time I see them (the next week) instead of the same day.  So we'll work on the same 3 centers for an entire month. 

It's the only way I can work more closely with the students and give them individual attention.  Do you have an assistant that can handle book check in and out?

[Yavodka Owens]

No I do not have an assistant. I usually try to make it easy by reading a picture book and doing a craft. However because some of my classes are so large its difficult. Plus, when you add that I pay for most/sometimes all of the supplies myself it gets hard. Especially, since I commute 54 miles each way to my job. I must admit that all of the advice I have been getting is helping. I'm just thinking of ways to incorporate the stations. I have 2 computers that work SLOWLY but I'm sure that I can do the stations thing.

[Jocelyn Sams]

You can do it!  I know how frustrating this is for you.  Is there any way you could get a parent volunteer to help with checkout?  One way I buy myself a little time during checkout is to make barcode cards for the students so I don't have to be tethered to the computer.  They can scan their own card and their own books.  It's not perfect, but it does help a lot.

Can you apply for technology grants to get some more computers?  I have 9 computers, so I usually make the computer one of my stations.

[Yavodka Owens]

Jocelyn, yes I make barcodes for every student and that does speed things up. Unfortunately, I can't let the kids check out there books. I tried it before and it was a DISASTER! The kids would forget to scan their cards and would end up checking out a TON of books on one person. I would have to call everyone back up and re-check out the books. I am going to try and get some parent volunteers this year. I work at an inner city school and unfortunately a lot of our parents either work or don't want to be involved. I would like to apply for some technology grants but I don't know where to start. Plus, I'm afraid that they will be very complicated. I'll take any suggestions that you have.

[Cindy Pearson]

Hi Jocelyn,  I like your idea of rotating stations once per visit.  This will be my first year as a librarian - new school - new staff - new kids!  I have each class for around 50 minutes, plenty of time to complete a lesson and check out books.  I'd love to hear some of your station ideas.

[Jocelyn Sams]

Cindy, I usually do 3 stations. One of them is always a computer station, where we do a variety of activities related to the library. In another station, I try to review a skill we've already learned.  In the 3rd station, I usually work with students on a new or unfamiliar skill. 

The idea is for the students in the first two stations to be able to work independently (or with help from their peers) so that you can work with the third station.

I've done all kinds of stuff in my stations like standard pencil and paper work,  sorting cards of sight words in ABC order, board games (for a behavior reward), dictionary practice, partner reading books, drawing a picture and describing a favorite part of a book, cutting out books and pasting them in the proper order on a shelf, etc.  

Hope that gives you some ideas. :)

[Cindy Pearson]

It's great information, thank you!

[Anne Smith]

I know that this sounds dumb... but have students work on recalling beginning, middle, end of each story... You can do this verbally or have them illustrate it on paper. It fills a need for sequenceing storylines in English/LA standards and believe it or not... it is a hard skill for my K-2 students. Most of them get it by the middle of 2nd grade, but K and 1st... really have to work at it.  If they are illustrating the storyline then you can call them up a few at a time to check out. 

[Laura Gable]

Absolutely, I forgot the obvious!!!  That is challenging for my students as well!  Another good one is to go through: setting; characters; problem; solution; summary; main idea; lesson/moral.  You can also make a story cube.  Have the kids roll a 5x5 (approx.) cardboard box & you can label ea. side with setting, main character, etc.  They can sit in a large circle on the floor and roll it to come up with the answers. They love doing this!