Monday, April 5, 2010
Trying to feel flexible during fixed testing weeks
Today we start MAP testing and the library is used both for our space and our personnel. I always have mixed feelings about these dates---3 times a year at 2 weeks each time--because the library is basically closed. I know that testing is a part of our educational lives and that the data collected is useful for teaching and learning. I'm trying to think about these weeks with a "glass is half full" attitude. Our library is fortunate to have 28 computers for students to use during the rest of the non-testing year. I am blessed with an library assistant who comes in early and works late. So by 7:00 AM we have both the lab and the library set up for testing and we open for checkout before school. Today we did not open because of technical difficulties---yes it all worked before Spring Break when I tested it, but it didn't work at 6:30 AM this morning! Tomorrow we will be open for checkout before school. When we are finished testing during the day, I send an email school-wide letting teachers know we are now open. Some days we don't have that option, but it's my way of trying to be flexible in a fixed world.
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Years ago when I was in the library at an elementary school in Rock Hill, I printed out reports for each class (who had what books, etc.) set up a book wagon, and took my library wagon to those selected classes. It wasnt a perfect world but it did give the kids an opportunity to exchange books. Of course I was fixed back then, so I just went to their rooms and allowed the teachers to have their breaks. I did not have to do this, afterall, the "library" was closed for whatever reason (I dont even remember why now) but I do remember feeling bad for those teachers who were not getting that planning period fr whatever reason. Perhaps you could work with the PE teacher and have a combined PE class (with you being there to help since the library is closed) and bring a cart full of books for kids to choose form too. It would be done easy enough now since we use the handheld Panther. Of course this is all contingent on you not being the "test administrator" for the library testing site. Just some thoughts...
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