Friday, June 11, 2010
Fremont High School
10am to 1pm
3 hours (cumulative hours at Fremont HS 51.5)
CCTC Standards: 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Dr. Farmer came today and while I was glad, boy was I nervous. She was very supoportive and positive when we debriefed. She also has a way of making you think about your practices by asking good questions. I am really thinking about combining genre and the digital library...perhaps it was sort of a forced marriage of concepts. The lesson went well, although I feel that I lost the kids toward the end when they were working on the computers independently. Nothing terrible, just not what I had pictured. Dr. Farmer was right that the assignment/project being extra credit lowered the stakes a lot.Also, Ms. Cortes had an emergency and could not stay so the kids felt a little more free to drift.
I cannot wait to be a TL. I want to TEACH in the library! After all my fieldwork hours I realize the impact an active and innovative TL can have on literacy and learning is endless.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
June 10, 2010
Fremont High School (again!)
9:00 am to 1:00pm
4 hours (cumulative hours at Fremont HS 48.5)
CCTC Standards: 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20
Dr. Farmer did not come and observe me today but Ms. Hoover did. I did a lesson with Ms. Cortes' ninth grade class. They are studying Romeo and Juliet and I thought I would do a lesson combining genre and the LAUSD Digital Library. The students are working on projects related to Romeo and Juliet and Ms. Cortes said they were having trouble coming up with topics and just generally getting started. The lesson went really well. The class was very small, and very participatory, considering they did not know me. Hopefully Dr. Farmer will come tomorrow.
Ms. Cortes was really easy to work with. She let me take the lead and was in more of a support role, but she did collaborate with me on the planning of the lesson.
I prepped by getting all my materials together, making copies, setting up and testing the LCD projector. The class came in during 3rd period for an hour. I debriefed with Ms. Hoover and cleaned up.
I will try to attach my lesson plan!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Last Day of Fieldwork at ELC
June 9, 2010
Elizabeth Learning Center
6:50 am to 12:50 pm (cumulative hours: 48.5)
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22
Ken had something to take care of this morning so I opened the library, supervised before school, checked out laptops and checked in/out books until almost 11:00. Ms. Garcia came in shortly after 8 am so I was not alone! I handled everything that came up, renewals, fines, delinquent status, etc.
After he arrived I took my Summer Reading Lists over to the Parent Center and shared them with the Community Reps. Ms. Sarmiento was thrilled to get them. There is a parent meeting next week and she said she would have them translated by then. I talked with a few parents who were eating lunch in the center and was amazed at the level of involvement of parents at ELC. There is a health clinic, ESL and parenting classes, and lots of opportunities to volunteer at the school. They, like everyone else at the school, were very welcoming.
Ken and I debriefed about my time at ELC for a long time. We revistited my self-diagnosed competancies. At the risk of sounding conceited, he said I am a "natural" in the library. I so hope that the economy improves next year so TLs, including me, can do our thing.
I ended my day reading to Ms. Platas' 1st graders again in their classroom. It was a blast.
Elizabeth Learning Center
6:50 am to 12:50 pm (cumulative hours: 48.5)
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22
Ken had something to take care of this morning so I opened the library, supervised before school, checked out laptops and checked in/out books until almost 11:00. Ms. Garcia came in shortly after 8 am so I was not alone! I handled everything that came up, renewals, fines, delinquent status, etc.
After he arrived I took my Summer Reading Lists over to the Parent Center and shared them with the Community Reps. Ms. Sarmiento was thrilled to get them. There is a parent meeting next week and she said she would have them translated by then. I talked with a few parents who were eating lunch in the center and was amazed at the level of involvement of parents at ELC. There is a health clinic, ESL and parenting classes, and lots of opportunities to volunteer at the school. They, like everyone else at the school, were very welcoming.
Ken and I debriefed about my time at ELC for a long time. We revistited my self-diagnosed competancies. At the risk of sounding conceited, he said I am a "natural" in the library. I so hope that the economy improves next year so TLs, including me, can do our thing.
I ended my day reading to Ms. Platas' 1st graders again in their classroom. It was a blast.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The End Is In Sight
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Elizabeth Learning Center
10:15 am to 1:15 (cumulative hours 42.5)
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
I went in a little later than usual today. I spent several hours last night working on the Summer Reading lists. This morning I went to Kinko's to get good color copies. I think they turned out well. I used CDC book list, award and other reputable lists to select the books. I tried to keep the lists on the lighter side, with both fiction and nonfiction. The literacy tips for parents also turned out really well. I adapted some stuff from Reading is Fundamental.
I read, for the last time, to Ms. Sheikh's special education class. We ended at a good transitional point. Several of the students aid they would check the book out to finish it. This was one of the most satisfying activities of my fieldwork.
I worked on the digital presentation for the 4th grade Open Court Unit "Communication" but got a bit stuck. I am still a high school teacher and I forget the interests and abilities of 4th graders are very different. I catch myself making it too sophisticated or complicated or just not appealing to younger students.
I talked extensively with Ms. Garcia, the library aide. She was a wealth of information. She walked me through the steps of inventory, explained the relationship between the shelf list and inventory and showed me the ins and outs of the process. She also explained what student workers can contribute to the process. What a detailed job.
Tomorrow I will open the library and fill in for Mr. Completo for several hours! It is going to be my last day.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fourth Graders and Fieldwork
Monday, June 7, 2010
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:30 am to 2:30 pm (cumulative hours 39.5 )
CCTC Standards 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
I worked a lot on the three summer reading lists (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) today. I will present them to the community representatives Tuesday or Wednesday along with literacy tips for parents. I did not just want to copy some other list, and spent quite a bit time on this. I want it to look attractive for the parents and that takes time on the computer.
While looking for books for my genre lesson I found a couple more books in the elementary section that would be more appropriate in secondary. Ken said this is part of collection development/refinement.
I selected books for the second part of my genre lesson with Ms. Carillo's 4th grade class. The lesson went really well and I got positive feedback from Ken. He asked for all my handouts to use in his lessons!
I continued my read-aloud in Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class for about 40 minutes.
I did a book talk for a third grade class. I used three versions of the Cinderella story, comparing and contrasting them with the traditional version everyone knows. It was a hit. All the kids wanted to check out Cinderella tales from around the world.
I helped students find more versions of the Cinderella folktale to check out, and checked books out for a little while.
I found out I am going to fill in for Mr. Completo for a few hours on Wednesday!
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:30 am to 2:30 pm (cumulative hours 39.5 )
CCTC Standards 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
I worked a lot on the three summer reading lists (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) today. I will present them to the community representatives Tuesday or Wednesday along with literacy tips for parents. I did not just want to copy some other list, and spent quite a bit time on this. I want it to look attractive for the parents and that takes time on the computer.
While looking for books for my genre lesson I found a couple more books in the elementary section that would be more appropriate in secondary. Ken said this is part of collection development/refinement.
I selected books for the second part of my genre lesson with Ms. Carillo's 4th grade class. The lesson went really well and I got positive feedback from Ken. He asked for all my handouts to use in his lessons!
I continued my read-aloud in Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class for about 40 minutes.
I did a book talk for a third grade class. I used three versions of the Cinderella story, comparing and contrasting them with the traditional version everyone knows. It was a hit. All the kids wanted to check out Cinderella tales from around the world.
I helped students find more versions of the Cinderella folktale to check out, and checked books out for a little while.
I found out I am going to fill in for Mr. Completo for a few hours on Wednesday!
Friday, June 4, 2010
TGIF! Friday Fieldwork at ELC
Friday, June 4, 2010
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:15 am to 3:15 pm (cumulative hours 32.5 )
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
I discussed my day with Ken and showed him my lesson plan and the changes I was planning to make in my book talk/read-aloud. He liked the genre chart I made for the lesson.
Ms. Platas popped in and asked me to read to her 1st graders again next Wednesday!!!! I must have been okay the first time!!!
I read to Ms. Altman's 5th grade class, again books related to the Civil War. What a fabulous group of students. It went soooooooo much better this time. I chose a picture book on Abraham Lincoln which they loved, and a beautifully illustrated version of The Gettysburg Address as well as the two books I used for Mr. Martinez' class. I got "stars" from the kids (compliments)...Felt like a rock star. I gave them all bookmarks that promoted reading. I was invited to come see their plays on the Civil War next week.
Part 1 of my lesson on genres with Ms. Carrillo went great!!! The only problem was that it took twice as long as I had anticipated. Luckily she did not have anything else scheduled and it went off mostly without a hitch. The kids got pencils as a reward. Ms. Carillo was very complimentary and I am looking forward to Part 2 on Monday.
Mr. Completo asked me if I would staff the library in the afternoon because he had to leave early! I was so excited! Of course Ms. Garcia would be there, but there would be a half hour when I was on my own! He showed me what he wanted me to do (digital library lesson using projector and internet) and warned me that the last class might be a little "energetic".
Worked on projects for a bit.
Read to Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class for another 40 minutes. They are enjoying The Outsiders! One student said, "It is getting really interesting." Even the teacher listened attentively today!
Mr. Completo showed my another aspect of the digital library that he wanted me to present to the students when he was not there. I also conferred with the substitute who was bringing in the students.
I chatted for bout 15 minutes with Ms. Garcia, the library aide. She gave me an overview of the training aides get from Library Services. I want to ask her more questions.
After Mr. Completo left, I taught the digital library lesson to two groups of middle school students. (5th and 6th periods) They were researching mathematicians to write a paper. I should them how to access the digital library from school and home and explained how to use World Book and Brittanica online encyclopedias, Sengage's biography database, and ABC-CLIO. They were actually using them!!!!! I also helped them use nonfiction books and print encyclopedias. Two service workers and Ms. Garcia helped me pass out and collect laptops. I convinced many students to expand beyond Wikipedia and Google. I worked with individual students and groups until the end of the day. A substitute teacher was with them but he did not do anything. It turned out that Ms. Garcia, the library aide stayed until the end of the day which I greatly appreciated. ( I think she was being supportive and wanted to help me.)
Yesterday and today I hit every standard!!!!
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:15 am to 3:15 pm (cumulative hours 32.5 )
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
I discussed my day with Ken and showed him my lesson plan and the changes I was planning to make in my book talk/read-aloud. He liked the genre chart I made for the lesson.
Ms. Platas popped in and asked me to read to her 1st graders again next Wednesday!!!! I must have been okay the first time!!!
I read to Ms. Altman's 5th grade class, again books related to the Civil War. What a fabulous group of students. It went soooooooo much better this time. I chose a picture book on Abraham Lincoln which they loved, and a beautifully illustrated version of The Gettysburg Address as well as the two books I used for Mr. Martinez' class. I got "stars" from the kids (compliments)...Felt like a rock star. I gave them all bookmarks that promoted reading. I was invited to come see their plays on the Civil War next week.
Part 1 of my lesson on genres with Ms. Carrillo went great!!! The only problem was that it took twice as long as I had anticipated. Luckily she did not have anything else scheduled and it went off mostly without a hitch. The kids got pencils as a reward. Ms. Carillo was very complimentary and I am looking forward to Part 2 on Monday.
Mr. Completo asked me if I would staff the library in the afternoon because he had to leave early! I was so excited! Of course Ms. Garcia would be there, but there would be a half hour when I was on my own! He showed me what he wanted me to do (digital library lesson using projector and internet) and warned me that the last class might be a little "energetic".
Worked on projects for a bit.
Read to Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class for another 40 minutes. They are enjoying The Outsiders! One student said, "It is getting really interesting." Even the teacher listened attentively today!
Mr. Completo showed my another aspect of the digital library that he wanted me to present to the students when he was not there. I also conferred with the substitute who was bringing in the students.
I chatted for bout 15 minutes with Ms. Garcia, the library aide. She gave me an overview of the training aides get from Library Services. I want to ask her more questions.
After Mr. Completo left, I taught the digital library lesson to two groups of middle school students. (5th and 6th periods) They were researching mathematicians to write a paper. I should them how to access the digital library from school and home and explained how to use World Book and Brittanica online encyclopedias, Sengage's biography database, and ABC-CLIO. They were actually using them!!!!! I also helped them use nonfiction books and print encyclopedias. Two service workers and Ms. Garcia helped me pass out and collect laptops. I convinced many students to expand beyond Wikipedia and Google. I worked with individual students and groups until the end of the day. A substitute teacher was with them but he did not do anything. It turned out that Ms. Garcia, the library aide stayed until the end of the day which I greatly appreciated. ( I think she was being supportive and wanted to help me.)
Yesterday and today I hit every standard!!!!
Day Three @ Elizabeth Learning Center
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:30 am to 2:00 pm (cumulative hours 24.25)
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
First thing in the morning, Mr. Completo was working with a substitute who was bringing classes to the library. It hadn't occurred to me that, as a TL, you would have to prep the substitute on protocols and expectations as well as resources.
By 8am lots of secondary students were working on the computers and printers; it really seems that the culture of the library is understood and respected by the students (at every level).
I conferred with Mr. Completo about my schedule for the day, confirmed book talks and read- alouds and got to work.
I did some quick check-ins, and checkouts.
I spent about an hour talking with Tim Pert, the rep from Permabound. WOW! He could sell swampland in Florida. A very nice and knowledgeable man. He walked me through the Permabound website, showing me all the ins and outs of compiling an order. He explained that the MARC records for the ELC collection are imported into Permabound's system. So they know what is in the library, the age of everything in the collection, what percentage of the collection a certain genre or area is of the total collection. Each title has a dot next to it. White=the library does not have it. Blue =the library does have it. A dot that is half blue and half white means there is a partial match. Perhaps the title and author match but not the ISBN. He said this happens when a publisher sells a title to another publisher. Or, there might be a big book version of a book. Time suggested sticking with LAUSD catalogued titles. He said some TLs compile whole lists of non-catalogued titles and check back periodically to see if they have been added by library service. I had no idea that publishers like Permabound worked so closely with library services.
I learned numerous ways to search for titles for my picture book order that were far more efficient than the ones I had been using. There are many ways to narrow and refine the search to get exactly what you want. The site also has almost every book list known to man, all the award winners back as far as the awards go, the CDE list of recommended literature for K-12 schools and books organized by age, grade, genre, standards, lexile, AR, interestlevel, Open Court themes and general themes/topics (both broad abd narrow), as well as many other ways. There are "book sets" that can be purchased on topics/themes, for certain grades or programs, or from various lists. The amount of information that is at your fingertips is astounding. I am told Follet is much the same. Both are LAUSD approved vendors. Elementary TLs must order from approved vendors. Secondary TLs have more leeway. (Ken Completo told me the advantages of using LAUSD vendors--because they have a contract, they are bound to fix any mistakes they make.)
Tim and I also talked about lists vs. quotes, what they are and when they are used. Once a list is turned into a quote it can't be changed and prices are good for 60 days. We also discussed "over selecting" and why it is a good idea to order 20%-25% more product than you want in case some titles are not available. Books go in and out of print all the time and, additionally, schools don't like geeting more shipments than is absolutely necessary. He explained priority levels, and how they are used to fill orders. He explained what a "do not exceed" amount is.
I got off the phone with Tim and checked books in and out at the circulation desk.
I spent about 30 minutes reading books on animal homes to Ms. Ruelas' first-grade class. They were delightful and I think it went well. She and the students asked me to come back next week!!!
I read to Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class again, continuing The Outsiders. They were attentive and when I left after 40 minutes one student said, "You read good, Miss." Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Spent another 40 minutes on the phone with Tim Pert. This time he showed me every aspect of collection development and all the information that is available on the website. This is crucial for weeding, development, getting money/funding and PR.
I selected books for the lesson I am planning on genres for tomorrow and Monday.
I spent time conferring and planning with Ms. Carillo, the elementary teacher with whom I am planning and implementing a lesson (genres).
Checked more books, shelved a few books, worked on projects and went home! But...I am not done yet. I spent a few hours at home preparing and refining my lesson for tomorrow. I also wanted to tweak my book talk/read aloud for Ms. Altman's 5th grade class. I was no thrilled with the way it went with Mr. Martinez' class.
Elizabeth Learning Center
7:30 am to 2:00 pm (cumulative hours 24.25)
CCTC Standards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
First thing in the morning, Mr. Completo was working with a substitute who was bringing classes to the library. It hadn't occurred to me that, as a TL, you would have to prep the substitute on protocols and expectations as well as resources.
By 8am lots of secondary students were working on the computers and printers; it really seems that the culture of the library is understood and respected by the students (at every level).
I conferred with Mr. Completo about my schedule for the day, confirmed book talks and read- alouds and got to work.
I did some quick check-ins, and checkouts.
I spent about an hour talking with Tim Pert, the rep from Permabound. WOW! He could sell swampland in Florida. A very nice and knowledgeable man. He walked me through the Permabound website, showing me all the ins and outs of compiling an order. He explained that the MARC records for the ELC collection are imported into Permabound's system. So they know what is in the library, the age of everything in the collection, what percentage of the collection a certain genre or area is of the total collection. Each title has a dot next to it. White=the library does not have it. Blue =the library does have it. A dot that is half blue and half white means there is a partial match. Perhaps the title and author match but not the ISBN. He said this happens when a publisher sells a title to another publisher. Or, there might be a big book version of a book. Time suggested sticking with LAUSD catalogued titles. He said some TLs compile whole lists of non-catalogued titles and check back periodically to see if they have been added by library service. I had no idea that publishers like Permabound worked so closely with library services.
I learned numerous ways to search for titles for my picture book order that were far more efficient than the ones I had been using. There are many ways to narrow and refine the search to get exactly what you want. The site also has almost every book list known to man, all the award winners back as far as the awards go, the CDE list of recommended literature for K-12 schools and books organized by age, grade, genre, standards, lexile, AR, interestlevel, Open Court themes and general themes/topics (both broad abd narrow), as well as many other ways. There are "book sets" that can be purchased on topics/themes, for certain grades or programs, or from various lists. The amount of information that is at your fingertips is astounding. I am told Follet is much the same. Both are LAUSD approved vendors. Elementary TLs must order from approved vendors. Secondary TLs have more leeway. (Ken Completo told me the advantages of using LAUSD vendors--because they have a contract, they are bound to fix any mistakes they make.)
Tim and I also talked about lists vs. quotes, what they are and when they are used. Once a list is turned into a quote it can't be changed and prices are good for 60 days. We also discussed "over selecting" and why it is a good idea to order 20%-25% more product than you want in case some titles are not available. Books go in and out of print all the time and, additionally, schools don't like geeting more shipments than is absolutely necessary. He explained priority levels, and how they are used to fill orders. He explained what a "do not exceed" amount is.
I got off the phone with Tim and checked books in and out at the circulation desk.
I spent about 30 minutes reading books on animal homes to Ms. Ruelas' first-grade class. They were delightful and I think it went well. She and the students asked me to come back next week!!!
I read to Ms. Sheikh's special ed. class again, continuing The Outsiders. They were attentive and when I left after 40 minutes one student said, "You read good, Miss." Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Spent another 40 minutes on the phone with Tim Pert. This time he showed me every aspect of collection development and all the information that is available on the website. This is crucial for weeding, development, getting money/funding and PR.
I selected books for the lesson I am planning on genres for tomorrow and Monday.
I spent time conferring and planning with Ms. Carillo, the elementary teacher with whom I am planning and implementing a lesson (genres).
Checked more books, shelved a few books, worked on projects and went home! But...I am not done yet. I spent a few hours at home preparing and refining my lesson for tomorrow. I also wanted to tweak my book talk/read aloud for Ms. Altman's 5th grade class. I was no thrilled with the way it went with Mr. Martinez' class.
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