Entry #17--Riley Grant

March 23, 2017

Customer service seems to be a large part of being a media specialist...and I like that! I enjoy helping other solve problems or find resources.

In todays adventures, I was able to build a "symbaloo" for a sixth grade teacher for use after I leave on the Crusades. It was not difficult to do and is something that will be helpful to her and her students.

I also accompanied Christy as she worked on some technical issues for some teachers. I have learned much about lines and cords...but, feel sure I will need to make myself a troubleshooting booklet for the future! I wish I felt more confident with troubleshooting, but, that will hopefully come with time.

I am enjoying getting to know the student volunteers and will miss seeing them when my time is up. I have found a love of middle school and hope I can find a middle school position. There seems to be more freedom with the age group and with the lack of a fixed schedule.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

Entry #16---Riley Grant

March 21, 2017

Today I worked with an eighth-grade teacher on her research project on famous artists. The students were at the beginning stage of the research and had some background knowledge of note taking. They were making reference cards of their resources for later use. My job was to teach a lesson on evaluating information using the CRAAP Test. I used a Google Slides presentation I had made that had a couple of videos embedded. The students wrote the words to go with the CRAAP acronym and then used and recording sheet to investigate mock websites in small groups to determine why the site was...crap. The students then used the same recording sheet on a website about the artist that s/he was researching to evaluate its contents. 

I learned a couple of lessons myself from this teaching experience. First, coming from a very primary background, I tend to teach in 30 minute increments whether I intend to or not! Fortunately, after speaking with the teacher, this was perfect for these Honors English students. According to the teacher, they are very high achievers and want to move fast.

Second, I really needed an assessment tool. I allowed the students to keep the form I provides so they could use it in the future. While I did walk around to ask and answer questions, I did not provide a meaningful assessment.

Finally, it was interesting to see how different the classes were simply from the students in attendance. The grade level and academic level were the same, but the classes were very different in personality. One was very chatty and social while the other was very studious and attentive.

If I had it to do over again, if time had allowed, I would have spent a day just observing the dynamics of the classes so I could have differentiated the presentation and activities.

I don’t think it was a bad lesson. But, I was able to take away a few nuggets of information for lessons for middle schoolers in the future. 

Entry #15--Riley Grant

There were a lot of students in and out of the library today! Some were there because MAP testing forced them out of their regular places.

One teacher brought her classes in throughout the day to check out books and I loved all of the hustle and bustle of kids everywhere.



I get to teach next time and while I am a bit nervous...I know that teaching is what I do and what I have done for decades. I just think I need to be sure to not talk down to the middle schoolers or treat them like Kindergarteners. 

I am watching the calendar days tick away and need to go back and be sure I have done all of my "have tos" and try to get in a few "want to dos". I'm a little anxious about it all ending and then having a big new beginning (potentially...). 

There are still no positions posted in my district....ugh. Guess I need to be patient! 

Entry #14--Riley Grant

March 14, 2017

Quiet day in the library.  The Library “cadets” or helpers came in in the morning and did all of their tasks---they are very efficient!

The yearbook staff completed their deadlines so Mrs. Batson treated them to lunch from Chick Fil A. They are a sweet group of girls and have worked hard.

I checked in with the teacher that I am working with about scheduling for next Tuesday. Her group is doing research on famous artists and I am teaching about evaluating websites using the CRAAP Test. They get a chance to say craap…I get to teach…win/win!

I again thought about all of the extra jobs that the media specialist has and how to balance it all.

I also thought a lot about how to make the space inviting and useful. There are some ESOL students that get sent to the library when they are not involved in testing or other activities…I know maker’s space is not for everyone, but maybe my future library should offer something for kids that come in for a place to be, but don’t need or want to read for an extended period of time. Some kind of activity that is attractive enough for older kids and independent enough to not require a lot of adult supervision. Puzzles? Legos? A TV with the news? Coloring books or murals?

I’m not exactly sure what the solution is, but, I have been thinking a lot about it and what to do about it…huummm.

Entry #13--Riley Grant

March 9, 2017

Book Talk Day!

So I got in book talks for four classes today. Everything went well---the kids were attentive, mostly—they are middle schoolers and had MAP testing today--- and kids came to the library to check out some of the books from the presentation! I’d say that is pretty good for a first go round!

There were no technology issues (thank goodness) and the few video clips I found and presented were effective. The one book I was most worried about for sixth graders was the most popular---well, I know how to sell books in the future…making them a bit “forbidden”…will keep that in my back pocket!

Several students had read Belly Up and were excited to see it.

And Ransom was a pretty big hit! 

I was a little surprised as the cover of this particular book was rather dated…I think they thought a dead bus driver was a bit thrilling.

Loved presenting to the students and make me confirm my decision to take this path at rather late stage in my game.

Will be curious to see if some of the books are missing from the display when I return on Tuesday!

Entry #12--Riley Grant

March 6, 2017

Happy Birthday, Christy!

On the list for today:

• Weeding 
• Prepping for Book Talk

Weeding: I went through the "easy" section of the library to find any books to weed. We printed a report last week and I went through and looked at copyright dates, when books were last checked out, when they were purchased and how many times they had been checked out. Christy said to aim for ten and I actually discarded about six. It was hard to discard the books! Especially since they were picture books! But, I know they will find new life elsewhere! 
The books that got discarded were duplicates or older and not checked out often and were visually unappealing. A couple of the books found new homes with teachers that may use them within their classrooms (Pink and Say--a duplicate-- went to a Social Studies teacher).

The actual process of weeding in the software was really very easy! Just a few steps...I am finding that many library tasks are very multi-step! Ordering books was quite the process!

I also did a little prep work for a book talk on Thursday. I put the March Mysteries out and selected a couple of books to add to the talk. I am pretty excited about my choices although one may be a little to "scary" for the sixth graders...I need to treat it gingerly.  All of the reviews include sixth graders except one and it says 7th and up. But these kids are almost seventh graders...so I am going to keep in in unless Christy advises otherwise.

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Entry #11--Riley Grant

March 2, 2017

Was able to try and help a teacher at least talk out a presentation idea! She wanted a way for students to communicate with each other as one of the knights of the round table...sort of like one would communicate on Facebook. It would be easy to make a fake Facebook account and go for it, but Facebook is blocked for obvious reasons.

I initially thought she just wanted a cool new presentation tool---I offered S'more.com, PowToon, Pickochart...not exactly what she was looking for...so we went searching for something that would work.

We offered Edmodo...but none of us love Edmodo and didn't think the students would either...The teacher herself found FAKEbook. I looked it over and I wasn't crazy about it for the purposes that she needed. It would be great to set up a single Facebook page that the user interacted with him/herself as a presentation tool, but it was not very "interactive friendly" unless everyone had everyone's username and passwords.

Overall, Edmodo is probably the best choice for the activity even though it is not as flashy as we want it to be...I will be curious to see her on Tuesday to see what she went with!

Entry #10--Riley Grant

February 28th

March is upon us! For my book talk, I will be doing March Mysteries. So today, I did a search and made a Resource List for mysteries. I have a hard time remembering one of the steps and get tangled up in the software...but with more experience I think I can nail it. The software really makes everything so easy...once I figure out the software!!

The list made it really easy to hunt down the books. I collected a chunk to display and chose 3 for my book talk:
The Secret Garden--I chose this book because I think the classics are important for "cultural literacy".
Ransom by Lois Duncan--This book is on my list because, one--I am familiar with the book and two-- it is an older book that I don't think dates itself. No, there are no cell phones...but, as I read it, I was still able to make a modern picture in my head. I'll love to talk about that with middle school readers. Did they find the story dated? Can there still be a good, modern story without modern technology?

The Adventures of Jack Lime--I chose this totally on the cover of the book. It was attractive, and jumped out at me. The reviews were kind as well. It seems like a more relaxed, entertaining book that may appeal to reluctant readers. Being as busy as I am, I throw myself in the reluctant reader category, and I want to read it!

I'm a little nervous about teaching to middle school kids and hope I can pull it off!