I think Carole has really hit on something. I just wrote to Juliann
suggesting that teachers might be fearful of giving up control and not
always being the expert.
Here is some of what I wrote to Juliann, slightly edited for clarity:
when you teach students, make it clear that their teacher is very
concerned that they excel in the state or national learning standards
for their subject and for information literacy as well. Let them know
that the teacher has requested you to assist students with this
important learning. As you teach the students, make it all seem like the
teacher had the idea in the first place. Many students will rise to the
teacher's expectations - so capitaize on that. ALWAYS make the teacher
look like he or she is so cutting edge that they expect great use of
advanced research skills and that you are there to show them how to meet
that teacher's high expectations. The teacher ends up looking terrific
and is more willing to work with you. I have found that some teachers
are afraid of having the librarian help. They think it makes them look
less competent. I never realized that until recently. I had a teacher
that NEVER wanted to work with me. She would even specifically say -
"there is no need for you to teach the students. They already know
library skills". I was so discouraged. As it happened, I became
concerned that students should know about academic journals. I had a
student intern and she wanted to develop a lesson around that skill. I
suggested that she appeal to the teacher as a favor so that the intern
could get the credit. The teacher didn't have the heart to say no to
the student. The student and I went to the classroom. She presented
the info to the students as if she was presenting a brand new skill that
had just recenty become important and necessary for success in college.
She was complimentary to the teacher for being cutting edge in her
requirements. It was a great presentation But the best thing was that
the "newness" emphasis made the teacher feel comfortable to ask
questions herself along with the students. Ever since, the teacher has
come to me regularly with questions about how to proceed with an
assignment. She has also learned that sometimes I do a formal
presentation to the kids - and sometimes i just remind them briefly
about the resources. So she is not afraid that i will take up huge
amounts of precious class time.
Another thing you can do once in a while is to go around individually
and give suggestions to kids about resources individually. This can be
a pain - as you end up teaching 25 times what you could have taught once
if they were only open to listening as a group. For whatever reason -
they seem more open to individual teaching. I wrote a blog post on this
phenom:
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/wanderings/archive/2007/05/02/133124.aspx
If you find that you are running upon the same problem - sometimes you
can just stop the class for 5 minutes to show them a way for all lf them
to deal with the problem.
Another idea is to attend department meetings if you are not already
doing so. you can find out what the teachers are struggling with and
perhaps suggest a way that you can help.
Jacquie
"The Librarian, whose job is to heal ignorance, to keep life safe for
poetry and to put knowledge smack dab in the middle of the American
way."
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 9-20-03
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jacquie Henry, MLS
Ruben A. Cirillo High School (GHS)
Gananda Central School District
3195 Wiedrick Road
P.O. Box 609
Macedon, NY 14502
315-986-3521 x 3144
jhenry@gananda.org
Library Page: http://www.gananda.org/library/mshslibrary/indexgcl.htm
Blog: http://nlcommunities.com/communities/wanderings/default.aspx
>>> Carole Ashbridge <cashbridge@VERIZON.NET> 05/25/07 9:41 AM >>>
I have been doing some reflecting on this issue, also. I would like
to put the idea on the table that some teachers feel that by
collaborating and allowing us to co-teach units, thepart of his or her classes.
Many teachers like to be in total control
and appear to the students that they are the experts. I think that
at times when they allow us to be a part of the teaching that it, in
their eyes, it shows the kids that they don't have all the answers.
Whether the teachers feel that it lessons the esteem in which they
are held by the kids or it is an ego thing, I don't know. Even coming
for help on sources, etc, seems to be hard for some since it shows
that they don't know something. Obviously, this isn't true in all
cases, but in my 30 years of doing this job, there have been a fair
share who are afraid to ask for help, give up total classroom
control, or appear less than the ultimate guru to his or her classes.
Just my 2¢ worth.
Carole
On May 25, 2007, at 8:17 AM, Juliann Moskowitz wrote:
> It's the time of year when I have to write a self-reflection
> document for my supervisor. One of the questions that we are
> supposed to address is on collaboration.
>
> It has been my experience that few teachers come in to talk to us
> (me and my co-librarian) about what project their class will be
> working on. They just sign up for library time. Even when we talk
> to the teachers after they come in with the class and show them
> databases or websites or books that can help their classes with
> research, very few of them will come in NEXT time to ask for our help.
>
> Why is that? Obviously the students can research more effectively
> with our help. I even had a teacher come in last week and his kids
> were researching biographical information so I told him we have a
> subscription biographical database that his students can use and he
> didn't even share that information with his students! I was
> dumbfounded.
>
> Why do *you* think teachers don't collaborate? I will post a hit if
> anyone is interested.**************************** Juliann T.
> Moskowitz Library Media Specialist Norwalk High School Norwalk, CT
> 06851 juliann14@hotmail.com Reading is a means of thinking with
> another person’s mind; it forces you to stretch your own.--Charles
> Scribner, Jr. A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons
> from the past, he is one who is prematurely disappointed in the
> future—Sydney J Harris, journalist (1917-1986)
> _________________________________________________________________
> Change is good. See what’s different about Windows Live Hotmail.
> http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/learnmore/default.html?locale=en-
> us&ocid=RMT_TAGLM_HMWL_reten_changegood_0507
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
The opinions expressed in this e-mail are personal and do not
necessarily reflect those of my employer.
Carole L. Ashbridge, School Library Media Specialist
Sackets Harbor Central School Phone: 315-646-3575
P.O. Box 290 Fax 315-646-1038
Sackets Harbor, NY 13685-0290
cashbridge@sackets-harbor-high.moric.og
http://www.nc3r.org/shcslmc"
It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our
abilities." Professor Dumbledore to Harry Potter J.K. Rowling
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home