1. Flexible Scheduling Mrs. Smith's class leaves Mr. Brown's class enters Improving Student Learning Through Expanded Use of the Library Media Center Library Media Center

2. Finding Common Ground What is your definition of FIXED SCHEDULING FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

3. Defining Fixed Scheduling Library scheduling that uses auxiliary subjects (art, music, p.e., library) to provide release time for teachers. Classes are scheduled into the library media center by the principal or his/her designee. Classes meet weekly with little or no time for additional library work.

4. Defining Fixed Scheduling Little, if any, correlation between library instruction and classroom instruction Little, if any, instructional collaboration between classroom teachers and media specialist.

5. Does your schedule look something like this?

6. Defining Flexible Scheduling Library schedule created by teachers and library media specialist. Library instruction is directly related to classroom instruction. Classroom learning and library learning are reinforced. Instructional collaboration between teachers and media specialist is increased and made easier.

7. What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling encourages collaborative planning encourages team teaching encourages greater integration of library media program in school curriculum fosters student transfer of learning of information-seeking skills recognizes media specialist as a teaching professional

8. What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling Instructional role of library media specialist shapes academic achievement Instructional role of library media specialist predicts test performance of students Requires support from administration and from classroom teachers

9. What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling Where principals expected collaboration between teachers and media specialist the library media programs were more integrated into the curriculum Where media specialist planned with teams of teachers (either by department or grade level) more curriculum integration occurred.

10. What flexible scheduling provides for you and your students Access to library media specialist and resources at point of information need Partnership in planning and teaching between teacher and library media Information skills (21 st Century skills) taught as part of overall curriculum Transfer of learning

11. A "True" Flexible Schedule

12. Rigid schedule masquerading as flexible Week of September 18-22, 2006

13. What are the advantages of a flexible schedule? Responsive to needs of classes and individual members of the educational community Responsive to teacher function and to individual student use Provides access for all members of educational community

14. Adapts use of media center to changing needs of classroom instruction Provides structure and opportunity for class interaction and large group instruction Allows media center to function as the school resource and information center What are the advantages of a flexible schedule?

15. What are the disadvantages? Necessitates establishment of guidelines for independent student use Necessitates establishment of guidelines for scheduling of classes Can be more demanding on media specialist's time than fixed scheduling

16. Making flexible scheduling work is everyone’s responsibility

17. What is the media specialist's role? To develop a program enabling the classroom teacher to meet curriculum goals To assist students in –identifying and locating materials –selecting proper materials –using, understanding, and applying information

18. What is the media specialist's role? –creating, producing, or presenting information –developing an interest in and appreciation of literature To plan and teach with teachers integrating media center/information seeking skills into curriculum To plan with teachers for follow-up activities

19. What is the media specialist's role? To plan and implement reading and literature appreciation activities To perform administrative and technical functions which support services to educational community To plan and implement with teachers activities supporting classroom curriculum

20. What is the teacher's role? Provide support for media center program with students, parents, faculty, and community Plan thematic units, research projects, enrichment activities, literature appreciation activities with media specialist

21. What is the teacher's role? Ensure that students have a need for the information/services of the library media center Schedule class to use media center at time of need for research, reading, etc., projects Provide input to media specialist on additional resources for media center collection

22. What is the teacher's role? Accompany class to media center when activities include entire class

23. What is the administrator's role? Express commitment to philosophy of "flexible scheduling" Interpret to faculty and staff the library media program's importance and relation to school's instructional program

24. What is the administrator's role? Monitor use and scheduling of media center to ensure equity of access Support library media program with students, teachers, parents, and community Provide time for joint planning by teachers and media specialist

25. What is the administrator’s role? Make scheduling classes in the media center the responsibility of the teacher and media specialist Ensure that teacher remain with the class during class time in the media center Encourage wide use of media center and its resources in support of the curriculum

26. I schedule time with the library media specialist to collaboratively plan instructional units. WeeklyMonthly Once each 9 weeks Never I work with the library media specialist to incorporate information literacy/research skills into my curriculum. WeeklyMonthly Once each 9 weeks Never I work with the library media specialist to incorporate technology skills instruction into my curriculum. WeeklyMonthly Once each 9 weeks Never I work with the library media specialist to incorporate literacy instruction and reading promotion into my classroom curriculum. WeeklyMonthly Once each 9 weeks Never I provide the library media specialist with my long-range plans for the school year. YesNo I keep the library media specialist informed about changes to my long-range plans. YesNo

27. The library media center is an integral part of the school-wide reading program. 1234 The library media center is an integral part of my reading program. 1234 The media center program is an integral part of the school’s instructional program. 1234 The media center program is an integral part of my instructional program. 1234 I participate in staff development sessions, workshops, and/or courses offered through the library media center. 1234 I do not feel comfortable balancing curriculum content standards with information literacy (research) and appropriate technology. 1234 I use the technology available in the media center as part of my instructional program. 1234 I feel comfortable in asking for assistance from the media center staff. 1234 My students feel comfortable asking for assistance from the media center staff. 1234 I keep abreast of new media center resources, activities, and services through frequent visits to the media center, talking with the media specialist, and reading the media center newsletter. 1234 I use the media center on a regular basis. 1234 I value the knowledge and assistance I receive from the media specialist. 1234 I value and use the professional collection available in the media center. 1234

28. Some considerations What services would you like provided to your students on an on- going basis that are not possible now with a fixed schedule? Which areas of your curriculum will best integrate 21 st century skills instruction and literature promotion programs?

29. YOUR library program must Prepare students to independently access, evaluate, and use information Be a critical instructional area to teach information and technology skills as an integral part of the classroom curriculum Be fully integrated into the overall instructional program of the school

30. Suggestions and Recommendations Decide on total flex or partial flex Utilize Outlook calendar features Review curriculum Look for obvious areas of collaboration for planning and instruction Review collection Establish plans for updating collection to fully support curriculum

32. Source Martha Alewine http://scschoollibraries.pbworks.com