I recently made the switch from high school librarian to elementary school librarian and while it has been a lot of fun working with younger students there has also been a dramatic switch in my schedule. I went from an entirely flexed schedule to one that is fixed and it has been interesting to experience this shift.
Over the last 3 years at Longwood University we have read articles about the benefits of a flexible schedule in all schools and now that I have seen both sides (although briefly) I can say that a flexible schedule overall implemented correctly with collaboration across the school would be best for the students. The article below by Bright Hub Education explained the open aspect of a flexible library seems to be better than a closed off (your class set library time each week) and the idea that flexible scheduling gives your school many more opportunities for learning. I understand the need for fixed scheduling to cover planning time but overall this seems shortsighted to the potential impact a library that is truly the learning hub of the school can have. However there is a downside if not implemented correctly with buy in from all the staff and the lack of seeing students on a regular basis but this could be solved administratively and through librarian outreach. I have noticed that since my shift to ES that although I get time with the students each week it is limited and the opportunity to reach more students would be available with a flexible schedule.
The Bright Hub Education article is an interesting read but I am also interested to hear what others thoughts are on the subject and about the experiences that our group has had in their own schools or libraries and the impact these experience had on the students they worked with.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-elementary-school/47569-flexible-scheduling-benefits-for-the-library-media-center/
Hi, Shane, Are you familiar with any Elementary Schools with a hybrid schedule? I remember hearing about this type of approach early on in our course work, but it seems to me our county is either fixed or flex with little in between. Are all the classes in your school fixed? Or do you have some latitude to get classes or teams in to the library when they need you? Coming from a flexible schedule, with an enormous staff and student body, I can't imagine how I would shift my instruction and approach for an entirely fixed schedule. But you can't be alone, so I'm also interested to hear voices for the benefits fixed schedules.
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