Westwood: March 31st

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 88

In the morning I once again led the "Chocolate Fever" 2nd grade book group. We had a great discussion and also compared and contrasted this book to one called "Rosie" about a girl who gets teased for having freckles. The group did a fantastic job understanding the message and comparing it to "Chocolate Fever".
We had a 2nd grade library group come in and they vote this week for their favorite Star of the North book. I suggested to Sara my first week that we order "I Voted" stickers and place up those testing cardboard "cubes" for voting stations. She thought that was a neat idea, so she did order the stickers and we set-up the voting stations. The 2nd graders loved this, and actually thought the stickers were cool!
We had 2 groups of K come in and I helped check out their books.
At the end of the day another 2nd grade group came in to vote. Their love of reading and excitement about voting was so great!

Westwood: Wednesday, March 30th

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 80

 Today I started out by teaching a new group of first graders how to access the school Symbaloo to find the animal research sites available to them. They needed to choose an animal and write out on a provided graphic organizer, facts about their animal. This information will then be put into a Google Slide presentation.
Next, I led the 2nd grade "Chocolate Fever" book group. We are really bonding now, and they respond well to my questions and when I ask them to get back on track they do. So it is nice to work with this group.
Then I helped the 2nd grade group finish up their animal Google Slide presentations. They look great, but it sure does take patience to work with each student and get everything corrected.
After lunch, I helped lead the 4th grade "Petey" book group. This group is also talkative and have great discussions!  I'm getting more comfortable with the book groups, so that feels great!
I read to one group of 1st graders, which is always fun! It is just hard to remember which teacher uses certain methods when checking out books, or if they can sit in the 'fun' rocking chairs etc. It's a lot for me to remember at this point.
In the afternoon the older grades just came in to check out books. A lot of them only want Sara to help them find books, so I'm doing my best to engage with them and help them when I can...when they let me!

 

 

Westwood: March 29th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 72

Today we finally used the Snipping tool with 5th grade. It was interesting because some students were like "Yeah, no I'm fine with using the program." and then later they asked me "So, how do you use that Snipping tool thing?" Needless to say it really made the project easier for most students. That made the teachers happy too because they were at their wits end trying to get this all done.  It felt good that my idea worked well for everyone!
I also read to a few groups.  Sara said that next week I can pick the books to read if I'd like. I think I'll choose poetry books for Poetry month!
I helped lead the 3rd grade group reading Golden Threaded Dress.  Last time the received a bookmark type of activity that they could write down as they read things they liked, were confused about etc. This facilitated the group discussion quite well.
We also have a Kindergarten book group, and they are working on animal reports. It is interesting to work with such young students on Google Drive. They haven't learned how to type or that they can just click the cursor where they want - they just delete everything up to where they want to change something! I'm not sure how I feel about having them on Google Drive in Kindergarten and First grade. They don't have email, but it just takes so long because they can't type at all. So I'm not sure it is enhancing their learning process.

Westwood March 28th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Monday, March 28, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 64

   This morning we had the 1st grade small group. They worked on their animal research projects. This group learned quickly how to use google drive. It is quite impressive what these students are able to accomplish!
   The 2nd grade "Chocolate Fever" book group met. We continued on with the story and one group is close to finishing it. Sara gives some of the groups reading prompts and I wish she did that with this group too because sometimes I'm not sure they fully understand what they are reading.
   The 5th grade "Petey" book club met in the afternoon. They love to discuss things so this group goes quickly.
   This week Sara chose the book "How Martha Saved her Parents from the Green Beans" by David LaRochelle. Sara read it to the groups today. It is a very funny book, it really holds the students attention. I told Sara that I would like to read it to some of the groups this week too.
   This was another day of finishing up all of the Pixie life cycle projects. They have all finished one project and have had plenty of time to play on Pixie! Sara and I agree that this was not the best way to go about this project but she felt she had to comply with the teacher's wishes. When I'm in this situation I will have to think about how to go about it because I'm not sure I'd have the patience to have students do something that I know is not the best use of anyone's time and when it doesn't really teach them something. I don't like projects where the teacher is completing the work. It needs to be done by the student to the best of his/her ability. And to begin with, the project must suit their knowledge and ability to accomplish the goal!

Westwood March 24th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Thursday, March 24, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 56

   This morning we gave another 5th grade survey but in the computer lab this time. It went well and students finished it in about 40 minutes.
   We had the third meeting of the week with the 2nd grade book group reading "Chocolate Fever". They are moving through it quite quickly.
   We went into a 2nd grade group to work on Chromebooks again. This time we showed them how to use Capstone to listen to an audio book. I also had them read a short story called "Rosie's Story" about a girl who is teased for having freckles. They then compared and contrasted these two stories using Venn Diagrams.
   Sara wanted to read to the K groups, so she read to them It's Spring. I think she misses reading to them!
  At the end of the day we helped out again with the Pixie life cycle project. It is just a bit frustrating because it is taking so long, and I don't think the students can really say they did it because we had to help them so much with it!
   I read the Will Allen book to a 2nd grade group. It gets a bit long to read at the end of the day, but the video helped keep them engaged. I'm getting down the way library time is handled here at Westwood.
 

Westwood March 23rd

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 48

   There is a state survey that we are required to give to our 5th graders. Today we gave the survey to two groups in the morning using the Chromebooks. Some of the questions were difficult for the students and I'm not sure what the data will really show from these students.
   I helped lead the 2nd grade book group reading Chocolate Fever. Again, they read in pairs while Sara and I circulated around helping them with their reading and comprehension skills.
   Then I assisted Sara in helping the 2nd graders with their animal presentations. This group is just starting, so they are beginning the research phase of this project.
  After lunch we had the group reading Petey. I'm impressed with how well the students are handling this topic. They are very sympathetic to Petey's life, which is great to see!
   Then I read It's Spring to the younger library grades. It went well, the kids love being read to during library time.
   At the end of the day we helped with the Pixie life cycle project. Today they started the life cycles, and it is difficult because the teacher wants them to write out very specific information with complete sentences. This basically means that we are walking around student by student helping them to type and write their life cycle. This is not how I would approach this assignment. Sara has tried to give her ideas to the teacher about how it might work better but the teacher wants to stick to her plan.
   I ended by reading the Farmer Allen story to a group of 2nd graders.

Westwood March 22nd

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Time: 7:30-3:30

Hours: 40

   We started a new book group for 3rd grade today, it consists of 5 girls. They chose to read the book "Golden Threaded Dress." It is about a girl from Thailand whose family moved to the USA. It is quite interesting and the girls seems to enjoy it.
  I worked again with the first grade group on their Pixie life cycle project. The teacher wanted them to have one more day to play with Pixie, so I reminded them where the tools are and what they can do with them. This would not be my way of teaching this lesson, but it is what the teacher wants, so that is what we're doing with the class.
   First grade asked for time with the Chromebooks, so Sara decided to show them how to login to the Westwood account for Capstone. There the students were able to create their own book about penguins. It was fun because all the students wanted to share their book with me when they finished.
   I read the book When it's Spring! to two library groups today. It's a cute book, and I also am more in the swing of things as far how the teachers want to have their library time.  
   I also helped check in and shelve books during the day. 
   After school there was a meeting to give out MCA information to teachers. Most of them have given them before, but some are new to the school and appreciated the meeting.

   

Westwood March 21st

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Monday, March 21, 2016

Hours: 32

   Today I worked on researching some books for Sara. Her book orders are due, so she wanted me to find books that are considered the best of 2015, engineering books for STEM concepts, and popular elementary level graphic novels. I used the Goodreads, B&N and Kirkus Review websites to find books for these areas. It was a good project for me to work on because I also became more familiar with the reading interests and trends for the elementary grades. I shared these lists with Sara via google docs and she ordered most of what I found. I then worked with Sara as she entered in book orders to see how that process works for Follett and Capstone.
   Another big project that has popped up, not originally on this week's schedule, is assisting 5th grade with creating these memory books that will then be sent in and published. Through this company, each child can have a book published for free, and then if they want to order another copy, it costs $15.00. The issue is that this program is a nightmare to use! The text box editing options are awful and become quite frustrating for these students. Since the students had created everything in google docs, and are copying and pasting into this program, I suggested to Sara that they use the Windows Snipping Tool to take a picture of their work in google, and then just insert the picture into the book creator program. I showed her how it would work. She loved the idea and checked to make sure that the Snipping Tool was on all of the computers. It was installed, so she and I went and talked with the 5th grade teachers about this option. They thought it was worth trying because this project has become so time consuming and frustrating that they are willing to try using the Snipping Tool. We'll see how it goes tomorrow!
   I also worked with the 2nd grade book group. Again they are starting a new book, and they chose to read Chocolate Fever, which I think they will really get a kick out of reading. They are a pleasant group to work with and I enjoyed listening to them read and helping them with their pronunciation as they read.
   This week we are finishing the Star of the North books. I was able to read to the library groups at the end of the day. This week we are reading Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table to grades K-2. Sara also found a Youtube clip of the real Will Allen, and that really engaged the students. 

  

Westwood, March 18th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: Friday, March 18, 2016

Hours: 24

     Today I helped Sara with the 1st grade group work on their animal reports. This group has already researched about their animal using links posted on the school's website. They wrote them down on a graphic organizer that Sara had given to them. Sara showed them the basics of how to use google drive. She showed them how to create a new presentation, choose a theme, add a slide, write in the text box, insert a picture, size the picture, type a capital letter, and title their report. Then Sara and I had to log all of the students into their  google accounts because they do not know their passwords yet. They really only had time today to add their title, name and maybe the first slide. We will continue working on it with them next week.
    I also assisted with the 5th grade reading group. They are starting a new book, so Sara and I chose books for them to vote on to help them choose their next book. The group chose the book Petey, which I haven't read before. It sounds really interesting and I think we'll have some good discussions with this book. The group decided to read together today, so we read popcorn style around the table and Sara asked them some questions along the way.
   Sara explained her summer bus program to me today. When she was at Talahi she wanted kids to be able to read in the summer, so she got it approved to use a district school bus and driver to load up books and drive around areas of need to check out books to students. She wrote a grant for the next year and they received enough money to get their own bus and outfit like a tiny library inside! It is run by volunteers, and I offered to help out this summer and experience this bus book mobile first hand. I'm excited to see how it all works!
 

Westwood March 17th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: March 17, 2016

Hours: 16

   Today I shadowed Sara and got into the rhythm of how she checks out books and helps students find the books they need. It really reinforces the importance of knowing your collection and students so that you can help them find and interesting book that will also suit their reading level.  A few times I was going to check out a book to a student but the teacher said that the book is not for him/her, that it is too difficult and made the student choose another book. I can understand that to a point, but at the same time maybe they want to try something different or harder. I guess I would give them a few days to try it and check in with them and see how it's going. I'm not too fond of the teachers telling them what they can and cannot read.
   Sara and I also assisted a first grade classroom use a program called Pixie. It is a paid program where students can insert pictures and text boxes. This teacher wants them to create a life cycle using the provided life cycle templates in Pixie. Today Sara showed them how to open Pixie and use the tools it has. Then the students had time to just play around and get used to using the program. Since they are only first graders,and have not yet learned about life cycles, I'm curious to see how well they will be able to complete the life cycle assignment.
   I also listened and sat with the students as Sara read a book to them during library time. he is very animated and it is fun to listen to her read. The students also really enjoy this reading time!

Westwood March 16th

School: Westwood Elementary

Mentor: Sara Martini

Date: March 16, 2016

Hours: 8

  
     Today I met Sara's Media Para, Dawn. She has been working with Sara since she was at Talahi Elementary. Sara has been a LMS for 17 years in the St. Cloud school district. I am excited to see how she runs her media center and to pick up all of the tips from her that I can during my practicum.
    For the most part I just shadowed Sara today. I watched how she read to her groups in the media center, and how each teacher does things a little bit differently in the way they want the kids to sit, when they get their shelving stick, how many books each kid can check out that day, who can sit in the black rocking reading chairs, where they sit after they check out their book etc. There seems to be a lot of variability in what each group is expected to do in the media center during their library time.
    I also helped check out books, but this took some getting used to as well, because the students may only check out as many books as the grade they're in that year. So a third grader can only have 3 books out. In Kindergarten and I believe First grade they can always check out one book because Sara believes they need access to books and need a chance to have them at home to read. At least Westwood uses the Follett library system called Destiny, which I know how to manage quite well.
   Sara is very motivated and works fast, so I'm adjusting to being in an elementary setting and (figuratively and literally) getting up to speed with how she works. I find it difficult sometimes to work at another person's pace. She has her schedule and pace very established, so I'm doing my best to keep up and get my head around everything as quickly as I can.
    Below is an image of this week's scheduled library classes and book groups. This comes from Sara's Google Calendar that she shared with me to make planning each day's activities easier for us both.
    

March 14 - 18 Media Center Schedule

Thursday, March 3rd

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS)

Mentor: Maria Burnham

Date: Thursday, March 3rd

Time Worked: 7:30-3:30pm

Total: 203.75 hours

    Today was my last day with Maria, and it went by fast!
    To begin the morning I attended a head of department meeting.  Various topics were discussed and I just absorbed the viewpoints given by the teachers and administrators. It is always interesting to see everyone's perspective on hot topics such as athletes and grades, opening Youtube to students etc. It was a heated debate this morning, but in the end everyone was content with the next steps to be taken.
     I completed the March Madness Book bracket, and it turned out great. I created the polls in Google Form, and Maria took my suggestion and she is going to enter in each students name for every time they vote (once/week) and the winner will receive a copy of the winning book! We drew the bracket on one of the large windows along the hallway using window markers, and then taped the book covers next to each bracket. I then made a QR code for the voting that week and placed it on a poster below the bracket. I asked Maria to tell me how this activity turns out and what the wining book is form this activity! It looks bright and inviting, so I hope it goes ok.
     I came up with a procedure for checking/marking series on the shelves. Maria and I sat by the books and went through a few shelves to test this procedure. We made a few tweaks, but other than that it went really well, and Maria is ready to show her media clerks the process.
    In the end, it feels great to have made a positive impact on this media center. I worked well with Maria and the media clerks, Pat and Tish, and also left a lasting mark with the genre stickers! I might even come back in the summer and help Maria flip the fiction and nonfiction books and set up how to promote the genres.
     Media centers are in a huge time of change, and it feels great to be a part of it!

Wednesday, March 2nd

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS)

Mentor: Maria Burnham

Date: Wednesday, March 2nd

Time Worked: 7:30-3:30pm

Total: 195.75 hours

     Today I created posters to show the top books per genre. It's so nice to have a color poster printer in the media center! It took me a while to search the genres and find the top ones in Alexandria. I was able to print them a hang them up by the card catalog computers. It is also a nice way to show how the collection has been changed to reflect the genrefication. I also explored Alexandria more and learned a few more things that it can do.
     The next step is to get the records updated in Alexandria. We need to use the bar code to coincide with the genre. Maria will consult with the middle school on this procedure because they did it last year.
    
    

Tuesday, March 1st

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS)

Mentor: Maria Burnham

Date: Tuesday, March 1st

Time Worked: 7:30-3:30pm

Total: 187.75 hours

     This morning I watched Maria teach a lesson on editing music in Garageband and placing a sound clip into a Keynote presentation. I took lots of notes and made sure to note the tips and messages she wanted the students to understand because I knew that I needed to teach this lesson during 5th hour. I found a bit of time to type up my notes and a brief lesson plan before I had to teach this lesson. It went very well and the teacher, Ms. Foy, complimented me on the lesson and asked if I would be able to help her students next week. I told her I would love to but that my student teaching ends this week. She was disappointed that I wasn't available, and that made it clear that she really did appreciate my delivery of the lesson, which felt great!
     Maria and I decided to create a March Madness Book bracket for the students to participate in during this month of March. I searched the catalog and put the list of book together and found their covers to use for the display. I also located an image to follow for putting books into the correct bracket. I have never created this before so it is a fun experience.
     Maria and I also discussed how to update the collection's series. I recommened that she buy series stickers to place on the spines because in my experience as a media clerk, it really helps when shelving the books and also for students to locate books that are in a series. There are many students today who only like to read series. Maria did buy these stickers and so now we are trying to determines how to also make sure the records are updated in Alexandria.

Monday, February 29th

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS)

Mentor: Maria Burnham

Date: Monday, Feb. 29th

Time Worked: 7:30-3:30pm

Total: 179.75 hours 

     Before school started, I went to a meeting with Maria about setting up Pearson Science tests. This content is familiar to em as I was an MCA Proctor for the past two years. I was actually able to aid them a bit in this meeting.
     Next we had a book club meeting. Only one student showed up and so we discussed what book to read and how we could get more people to participate. I really probed this student to see how she finds her book recommendations, and when she would like to meet. I asked if during a lunch hour would work and they could give passes to students so they can go to the front to get their lunch and get to the meeting at a decent time. I also suggested taking a poll in Schoology to get book suggestions. They had only read books from two genres, so I suggested doing a mystery or something not so feminine/female protagonist. These suggestions are being taken into consideration.
The student also mentioned several Youtube people she follows who give book talks. Youtube is banned at this school so she was unable to show us the channels she follows. I hope to get this information from Maria at a later date.
     Today I taught three classes to Mrs. Buchanan's English 10 classes on how to use the Biography Reference Center database that Maria subscribes to each year. I asked the teacher for feedback after each lesson and I was able to incorporate her suggestions and comments about what she would like me to focus on more or leave out of the lesson. I had only received information from Maria about what to teach, so in hind sight, I would have liked to meet with Mrs. Buchanan about this lesson so that I knew exactly what she wanted to cover. I will take this knowledge with me into my elementary practicum time. Overall the lessons went quite well, and the students were able to answer my questions and understood the objective of the lesson. I felt satisfied with this lesson and how it was delivered.