 |
| White paper on each shelf tells the student name responsible for keeping the shelf in order |
Improvement/Rational - This past couple years I have created a great system at school. The students are learning all about the library and they do not even know it. When they need to answer questions and find books, they know what to do. I have the students in Div 5-7 (grades 1/2-3/4) running my computer during checkout while I help them with their exchange. They cannot wait to be trained on the computer. Then in Div 4 (grade 4/5) the students each get a chance to put away books for a term. Each morning they collect all the books, then I scan them in and they put them away. Plus these students are running the computers for circulation too. This class also each have a shelf that they are responsible for in organizing (see above photo for example). Then Div 1-3 (grades 5/6-67) then also run the computers but since they have all shelved, they can put away books and find them easily. I hardly ever have questions from these students about where things are. I also play a 'library searching game' where the table groups get shelf markers with Dewey codes on them and they have to find this book, show me, and then put it away. Then the next person goes. This game is from grade 2-7. I also do lessons on how to search the library online catalogue then we find the online books on the shelves. This whole process of learning about the library takes a few years but the students have learned all about Dewey without knowing what they have learned. They are very efficient at using the library.
This year I decided to add more to this. Adding things like the 'Dewey Rap' and discussing the life of Dewey to the students. They were really making the connection at this point.
My next step is in the spring, a couple of the middle grades are going to make Dewey posters. This was also suggested to my by my principal, but I got the idea from someone in our class. It is such a basic idea, but I had not considered it for awhile. After they are done I'll put them on the bulletin board and take photos and put them on the blog so they can show their parents.
Concerns - No real concerns here. I just want to make sure the students do a good job, not rush it and try to overdo it with poor quality work.
Improvement - Decorations on the bulletin board and the blog that are art looking, but educational in that they are learning what is in each Dewey category section. It makes more awareness for them about Dewey. They know how to use the library, but now it is time to show them the background story on Dewey.
Communication Plan - Might show them the Dewey Rap again and have them pay more attention to the numbers. We can have another discussion about the numbers and what they mean. Then take them for another tour with paying even more attention to how the books are grouped. Then I'll split them into groups and give out some sections, then they can make their posters. Maybe make a game out of it, a marketing project where they have to make their section be the coolest section.
Challenges - No real challenges here. The students and teachers love art. It will only be challenging making sure they do a good job and not rush to get it done. Often students will do this. Perhaps a prize to the most creative/original idea and making them create some rough drafts that I must say the 'ok' to before they can start their good copy.
