*Flexible Scheduling*
What is flexible scheduling?
Flexible scheduling means that instead of students visiting the library one day per week, the library is now available every day. Students can go to the library whenever necessary instead of just one day per week at an appointed time. Students are able to visit individually, in small groups or as an entire class to read, browse and conduct research at any time during the school day. This is different from the more traditional, schedule where previously students were able to visit the library only one day per week during their “specials” time. Students were not accompanied by their teacher, and the information skills they received were taught out of context. With flexible scheduling, they can go any day and learn library information skills as part the core curriculum.
The need for flexible access
Students have always needed good reading skills, but students in today’s information-driven society also need the ability to locate, evaluate, and utilize information in a variety of formats. The best way to teach these research skills is through integrating them into the core curriculum in the form of resource-based units. A flexibly scheduled library program encourages teacher/librarian collaboration to develop resource based instruction.
Advantages of a flexible schedule
• Greater access to library resources—during entire instructional day.
• Increased circulation as students may exchange books daily instead of weekly.
• Information/research skills integrated into the curriculum and learned more effectively.
• Classes can spend several consecutive days in the library to work on projects.
2012 Book Fair
This year’s book fair, hosted by Scholastic Books was a wonderful time for our St. Paul families to celebrate reading. Students visited the book fair with their homerooms during the school day and again after school with their parents. Thank you to everyone who came to our Book Fair and to all who helped make it a great experience. Through your generosity, classroom libraries have lovely new editions thanks to the Classroom Wish List program and the school library earned $1,900 to buy new books!
