Flexible scheduling

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling

Mrs. Toler’s class leaves Mr. Tipmore's class enters

Improving Student Learning Through Expanded Use of the Library Media Center

Library Media CenterLibrary Media Center

Finding Common Ground

What is your definition of

FIXED SCHEDULING

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

Defining Fixed Scheduling

• Library scheduling that uses auxiliary subjects (art, music, p.e., library) to provide release time for teachers.

• Classes are scheduled into the library media center by the principal or assistant principal.

• Classes meet weekly with little or no time for additional library work.

Does your schedule look something like this?

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:00- 8:25

Mrs. Smith Mrs. Brown Ms. Lewis Mrs. White Mrs. Phelan

8:25- 8:50

Mrs. Boon Mrs. Jones Mrs. Messamore Mrs. Compton Ms. Reader

8:50- 9:15

Ms. Hume Mrs. Partner Mrs. Wall Mr. Taggert Mrs. Oberly

9:15- 9:40

Planning Planning Planning Planning Planning

9:40- 10:05

Ms. Cook Mrs. Carlton Mrs. Kerchevall Ms. Tanner Mrs. Farmer

10:05- 10:30

Mrs. Allen Mrs. Hurt Mrs. Payne Ms. Springs Mrs. Lindow

10:30- 10:55

Mrs. Bush Mrs. Hagan Mrs. Reed Mrs. McCormick Mrs. Hall

10:55- 11:20

Mrs. Peck Mrs. Pickens Mrs. Clark Mrs. Thompson Ms. Cornwell

11:20- 11:45

Ms. Major Mrs. Settle Mr. Myers Mrs. Camron Mrs. Toler

11:45- 12:10

Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

12:10- 12:35

Mrs. Spear Ms. Mack Mrs. Crawford Mrs. Warren Mrs. Miller

Defining Flexible Scheduling• Library schedule created by teachers and

library media specialist.

• Library instruction is directly related to classroom instruction.

• Classroom learning and library learning are reinforced.

• Instructional collaboration between teachers and media specialist is increased and made easier.

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling…

• encourages collaborative planning

• encourages team teaching

• encourages greater integration of library media program in school curriculum

• fosters student transfer of learning of information-seeking skills

• recognizes media specialist as a teaching professional

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling

• Instructional role of library media specialist shapes academic achievement

• Instructional role of library media specialist predicts test performance of students

• Requires support from administration and from classroom teachers

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling

• Where principals expected collaboration between teachers and media specialist the library media programs were more integrated into the curriculum

• Where media specialist planned with teams of teachers (either by department or grade level) more curriculum integration occurred.

What flexible scheduling provides for you and

your students…• Access to library media specialist and

resources at point of information need

• Partnership in planning and teaching between teacher and library media

• Information skills (21st Century skills) taught as part of overall curriculum

• Transfer of learning

A "True" Flexible Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Mo

rnin

g

8:00 – 9:30 2nd grade Weather

10:30 – 11:00 Storytime

Kindergarten – Thompson

1:00 – 1:20 5th grade –

Tingle (book check-out)

8:00 – 9:00 Storytime

1st Grade – Toler

9:15 – 10:15 2nd grade - Weather

12:30 – 1:30 1st grade – Life Cycles

8:00 – 8:45 Booktalks 5th grade –

Tipmore

8:50 – 9:35 Booktalks 5th grade – McCormick

12:30 – 1:30 4th grade groups –

Plants

8:30 – 9:00 Storytime 1st grade –

Hume

9:00 – 10:00 2nd grade –

Weather

11:00 – 11:30 Storytime 1st grade – Messamore

8:00 – 8:45 Team Mtg 3rd grade –

LMC

9:00 – 9:45 Team Mtg. 5th grade –

LMC

10:00 – 10:45 Team Mtg. 4th grade –

LMC

Aft

ern

oo

n 1:30 – 2:30

3rd grade groups - Pioneers

1:30 – 2:30 3rd grade groups - Pioneers

1:00 – 2:00 3rd grade groups - Pioneers

1:00 – 1:45 Team Mtg. 2nd grade –

LMC

2:00 – 2:30 Storytime 4th grade –

Lowe

What are the advantages of a flexible schedule?

• Responsive to needs of classes and individual members of the educational community

• Responsive to teacher function and to individual student use

• Provides access for all members of educational community

• Adapts use of media center to changing needs of classroom instruction

• Provides structure and opportunity for class interaction and large group instruction

• Allows media center to function as the school resource and information center

What are the advantages of a flexible schedule?

Making flexible Making flexible scheduling work scheduling work

is everyone’s is everyone’s responsibilityresponsibility

What is the media specialist's role?

• To develop a program enabling the classroom teacher to meet curriculum goals

• To plan and teach with teachers integrating media center/information seeking skills into curriculum

• To plan with teachers for follow-up activities


• To assist students in:– identifying and locating materials– selecting proper materials– using, understanding, and applying

information– creating, producing, or presenting

information– developing an interest in and appreciation of

literature


• To plan and implement reading and literature appreciation activities

• To perform administrative and technical functions which support services to educational community

• To plan and implement with teachers activities supporting classroom curriculum

What is the teacher's role?

• Provide support for media center program with students, parents, faculty, and community

• Plan thematic units, research projects, enrichment activities, literature appreciation activities with media specialist


• Ensure that students have a need for the information/services of the library media center

• Schedule class to use media center at time of need for research, reading, etc., projects

• Provide input to media specialist on additional resources for media center collection


• Accompany class to media center when activities include entire class

What is the principal's role?• Express commitment to

philosophy of "flexible scheduling"

• Interpret to faculty and staff the library media program's importance and relation to school's instructional program

What is the principal's role?

• Monitor use and scheduling of media center to ensure equity of access

• Support library media program with students, teachers, parents, and community

• Provide time in school schedule for joint planning by teachers and media specialist

What is the principal's role?

• Make scheduling classes in the media center the responsibility of the teacher and media specialist

• Ensure that teacher remain with the class during class time in the media center

• Encourage wide use of media center and its resources in support of the curriculum

Some considerations…

• What services would you like provided to your students on an on-going basis that are not possible now with a fixed schedule?

• Which areas of your curriculum will best integrate information literacy skills (21st Century skills) instruction and literature promotion programs?

YOUR library program must…

• Prepare students to independently access, evaluate, and use information

• Be a critical instructional area to teach information skills as an integral part of the classroom curriculum

• Be fully integrated into the overall instructional program of the school

Questions?Concerns?

Clarification?

Suggestions and Recommendations

• Begin planning now for 2012-2013

– Include your district library coordinator in planning

– Principal or AP should be part of planning team

– Talk with other schools who have successfully implemented flexible scheduling

Incorporate the library program into major units of study Nurture students' abilities to learn independently by Teaching information skills at the point of need Expand units to include library resources Gratify immediate need to know in an accessible library Rely on one another's special knowledge and skills by Arranging frequent planning and sharing sessions

Tie the library program to educational goals by

Encouraging and promoting higher-level thinking in:

Your Library

Martha AlewineState Contact for School Libraries

100 Merrywood Rd.Greenwood, SC [email protected]

864-229-4230http://scschoollibraries.pbworks.com

Edited to present to HES by:Amber Thompson

Education

Flexible scheduling