Re: [LM_NET] 6-8 crowd control?

[Amy Watkins <amywatkinsreads@YAHOO.COM>]

I have a similar plan except for a couple of things:
1.  Students have to stay engaged in some kind of activity.
2.  Since we use Destiny and can customise our library website, I place "Free Time" 
 websites which students can use.  They are not allowed to surf the web and use the 
computer like an arcade.  However, there are many websites listed which are 
entertaining but educational, too.  It has proven to get out of hand in the past to 
allow an open door policy on the computer.  
4 We have a large boardgame collection and there are oodles of students playing 
chess each morning, the most popular game of choice.
We are not a high brow type of school.  We are a Title 1 school, integrated 
military/community middle school with about 850 in school population.  I would 
estimate that each morning from 7:30 - 8:20 am before 1st hour, we have 75-100 
students engaged and also coming in briefly to check books in/out and buy supplies 
from the Student Store which is at the Circulation Desk.  There are two of us in 
the library: one at the desk and the other constantly circulating around the 
library to remind students of their purpose but to also visit with them about 
books, etc.  And I don't hesitate to ask them to leave if they don't respect the 
morning rules.  - Amy

Connie Williams <chwms@MAC.COM> wrote: This is the hardest thing about library 
service in schools!  I'm the  
only adult in my school library in the a.m. and I will sometimes have  
well over 75+ students! They are, indeed there to socialize and to  
stay out of the cold. I have, however, decided that the way I work it  
is to allow mornings to be socialization time,[they get to play games  
on the computers,hang out in small groups etc.]  and break, lunch and  
after school to be school work, quiet study and homework time. It  
works for me.  Mostly. On cold days it's still full at lunch, but I  
try to keep the numbers down, don't let kids stand in groups and all  
the regular things that we do to keep some sense of order.  By having  
the morning 'open', it seems to take away from the 'mean lady'  
approach.  I  always say: "lunch is for quiet work, before school is  
for socializing. Many kids want to get their homework done before  
school is out, so we're quiet"  Again, mostly.  It's never really  
quiet in a middle school library. And I always hope for sun.

What I'd like to know, along with this question is how do the folks  
who provide food [ala SLJ's article about library cafes] keep the  
numbers down and the place quiet?  Maybe it's better at a high  
school.  Thanks for asking this question, Sandra. I too, would like  
to hear how others do it. Anyone successful?

Connie

Connie Williams
Teacher Librarian
National Board Certified
Kenilworth Jr High
Petaluma, CA

chwms@mac.com



On Feb 3, 2008, at 7:08 AM, sandra carswell wrote:

This year I've had the library open before school (25 min.) starts  
for anyone who wants to come. The number of students who take  
advantage of this has grown. (up to about 30-40). Most of them  
however, are only in there to socialize or play Study Island games. I  
am the only adult in the library at this time. I have some student  
volunteers to help run the circ desk so I can monitor the computer  
use and the students congregating among the shelves but I really have  
to help them as well.

My question is, how do I keep the students quiet and in their seats  
so the ones actually there to work/study can get anything done,  
without limiting access or becoming the shushing librarian? Suggestions?
Sandra Carswell, Librarian S.C. Lee Junior High School 1205 Courtney  
Lane Copperas Cove, TX  76522 254-542-7877 sandracarswell@hotmail.com  
sandraca@ccisd.com
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Amy
       
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