forteachers


 * Information and Resources for Teachers **

Flexible Scheduling

 * 1) What is this new "flex schedule" all about?
 * 2) Why is this better than the old system?
 * 3) But my resource time isn’t available and I don’t have any other time during the day for this!
 * 4) When can I send my students to check out books?
 * 5) What should I expect for the first few weeks of school?
 * 6) How can I find out when my librarian is available?

Teacher Resources
> 
 * 1) What does my librarian do?
 * 1) What is this Destiny Quest everyone keeps raving about?
 * 2) What happened to that great list of links for teachers?

Flexible Scheduling
**1. What is this new “flex schedule” all about?**

With flexible scheduling, classes in grades 3-5 will NOT have a regularly scheduled library time. Instead, the teachers and librarian will work together to schedule library visits when appropriate for instruction. The NNPS library program DOES have a standard curriculum to follow, and your librarian’s goal will be to ensure that the requirements of this curriculum are met through collaborative instruction.

The main focus of library instruction will be the **inquiry process research units**, which are written into both the library and grade level curricula. Each grade level has two such units – one based in the science SOLs, and one in social studies. Inquiry units typically take anywhere from 5 to 10 class periods to complete. It may happen that your class goes to the library multiple times a week for several weeks and then not again for a month or so.

After the scheduling requirements of the inquiry units have been met, available library time will be used for other library skills instruction or research projects. If you have an idea for a collaborative project that you would like to try, talk to your librarian!

**2. Why is this better than the old system?**

Research shows that flexible library scheduling leads to increased collaborative teaching, more meaningful inquiry and problem-based learning, and increased library usage by students and teachers.

According to the American Association of School Librarians, “When the library media program is fully integrated into the instructional program of the school, students, teachers, and library media specialists become partners in learning. The library program is an extension of the classroom. Information skills are taught and learned within the context of the classroom curriculum. The wide range of resources, technologies, and services needed to meet students learning and information needs are readily available in a cost-effective manner. The integrated library media program philosophy requires that an open schedule must be maintained.”

**3. But my resource time isn’t available and I don’t have any other time during the day for this!**

The benefit to flexible scheduling is that students can get appropriate instruction at the best possible time for their learning. This “best time” is rarely going to be at 10:25 on a Tuesday. With flex scheduling, more time is spent on relevant instruction and less time on “remember last week…” And remember – by moving to a flexible library schedule, you will gain an estimated 20 - 25 hours of collaborative instructional time over the course of the school year – time in which you will have an instructional partner helping you teach and helping your students achieve.

Since the inquiry units are centered on science and social studies SOLs, it will be quite natural to conduct your science or social studies class IN the library, WITH the librarian, as you both work to help students master content-based SOLS and library research skills.

**4. When can I send my students to check out books?**

ANY TIME! Your librarian would like to see your students checking out new books as often as possible. Your library media assistant will handle all checkouts and will be available throughout the day to check students out individually or in small groups. If you would like to bring your whole class for checkout, please schedule a weekly 15-minute window with your librarian/library assistant. Whole group checkout slots are available from 11:30 - 12:00 and 1:45 - 2:45.

**5. What should I expect for the first few weeks of school?**

For the first month or so, your class will come to the library for general orientation classes. Your students will be reminded of the resources available in the library and how to use them. It is not required that you attend these orientation sessions, but it would be a great time for you to familiarize yourself with what the library has to offer. You’ll be surprised at all of the great new tools we have available!

Expect to see your librarian at your grade-level meetings to schedule the first few weeks of orientation lessons. This will also be your time to ask questions, suggest project ideas, and schedule library time. Be prepared to bring your calendar and schedule out an entire unit, if necessary!

**6. How can I find out when my librarian is available?**

Your librarian will be coming to you in grade level meetings to schedule library units. You can look at the library schedule on Sharepoint [|here].

Teacher Resources
1. **What can your librarian do to help you and your students?**

Check out this document:

2. **What is this Destiny Quest everyone keeps raving about?**

Destiny Quest is a visually engaging library search interface designed to appeal to the 21st century learner. Users can conduct three different searches all from the same place: To access Hidenwood Elementary’s Destiny Quest, click [|here]. Check out these screenshots to help you navigate your Destiny Quest.
 * library books,
 * online resources (database/encyclopedia articles), and
 * websites.

3. **What happened to that great list of links for teachers?**

You can access the Hidenwood Teachers' portaportal [|here]. You can add links to the site by signing in with the username and password posted on Sharepoint.