Part One:

Princeton Elementary is a science magnet school, serving nearly 500 students. Of those students, sixty percent are white, twenty-one percent are black, and thirteen percent are Hispanic. Five percent of students identify as mixed or other race. Eighty-nine percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and twenty-three percent are classified as ‘Limited English Proficient’. It is an ‘A’ school, and has been for several years.

Princeton Elementary’s Media Center is approximately 5,000 square feet. Aside from a large circulation desk, there are 16 enormous moveable shelves, 16 4-person tables, and 30 computer workstations. In an area off the main room, there is a media production studio used in broadcasting the morning’s events via closed circuit television. The media center is open from 8AM until 3PM, closing for an hour at lunchtime (12:30 PM -1:30 PM). Students are to return books until 9:30 AM. Any books returned after the deadline will not be checked in until the next morning.

Students are allowed to check out books for one week, and may renew for an additional week. Students in kindergarten and first grade are allowed one book at a time; second, third, fourth and fifth graders may check out two books at a time.

The media center also houses the county’s largest selection of Braille books, consequently, it is also a magnet school for vision-impaired elementary students in Orange County, Florida.

The school employs the Accelerated Reader program. Students are encouraged to meet their goals, as there are several reward structures in place. Students meeting their goals are invited to special functions and are awarded prizes for their participation.

The media center is on a flexible schedule. Students may visit the media center at any time for reading, research, and book checkout. Classroom teachers may also schedule visits to the media center, both for research and for lessons taught by the library media specialist. All classes visit the library at the beginning of the school year for orientation, and kindergarteners visit the library on a weekly basis for the majority of the school year.

All students are assigned a library folder at the beginning of the year. This folder has the student’s individual bar code affixed to the front. The folder contains information about the individual student’s reading level, and any communication between the media center and the students/parents is facilitated using this folder.

Part Two:

When a class visits the library for a lesson:

• Students enter the building quietly and in single-file, carrying their libraryfolders, stopping in front of the circulation desk.
• When all students are through the door, the library media specialist directsthe children to one of three places: on the floor in front of a rocking chair, tothe tables for group work, or to the computer workstations.
• The students are to move to the requested area with a minimum of noise.
• Students are to sit in the area, placing their library folders beside orunderneath them, depending on location.
• When all students are seated in the appropriate place, the media specialistwill then begin her lesson
• During the lesson, students are not to speak aloud unless asked to do so.
• If there are materials to be handed out, one or two students will be appointedto assist.
• Once the lesson is over, students are given a minimum of ten minutes tobrowse the shelves and choose a book to check out.
• During this browsing period, students may communicate with one another.They are to do so with quiet voices, using quiet feet. Anyone breaking these rules or causing a disruption will be immediately seated, and will lose their browsing time. These students may return to the media center on their own time to choose a book for checkout if they wish.
• Once a student has selected a book, he/she is to bring it up to the circulation desk. If there is a line, he/she is to go to the end and wait for their turn.
• When the student is at the front of the line, he/she is to place their folder down (bar code up) next to the book(s) they want to check out. The media specialist will scan the folder and check out the book.
• If the student has an overdue book, or already has reached their checkout limit, the media specialist will inform the student. If this is not the first time the student has been told of an overdue book, a note goes into their folder reminding the parent to return the book as soon as possible. If a note has already been sent, and the book has not been returned, a memo detailing the replacement cost of the book is placed in the folder.
• After checkout, the student is to walk quietly over to sit in the designated area by the door to wait for their classmates. They may communicate with their classmates, following the quiet voices rule, or they may begin to read the book they have checked out.
• Once all students have been checked out, or the allotted class time is over, the students stand and arrange themselves in a single file line.
• When ready, the classroom teacher leads them out of the building.

Part Three:

Procedures:

Entering the Library (with a class):

• Wait in front of the closed media center door until your teacher says you cango in
• If you are first in line, open the door quietly, and hold the door open for thestudent behind you.
• Each student should hold the door for the student behind them, unless youare the last in line. In that case, close the door quietly.
• Walk with quiet feet, staying in single-file order. If you are the first in line,stop right in front of the circulation desk.
• Wait until the media specialist tells you where to go.
• Mouths closed.
• Hands by your side.
• Eyes forward.
• If the class does not follow this procedure, they will do it again as a groupuntil everyone cooperates.Entering the Library (alone or with a few friends):

• Open the door quietly, and close it quietly behind you.
• Proceed to the area of the library you are visiting, using quiet feet.
• You may speak to the others in your group using quiet voices.
• If your trip involves speaking to the media specialist, do so in a respectfultone. Approach her-do not yell across the room.
• If this procedure is not followed, the student will not be allowed to return tothe library without their entire class for one week.Exiting the Library:

• If you are with a class, wait for all members of your class to line up beforequietly opening the door.
• Hold the door for the person behind you.
• If you are the last in line, close the door quietly.
• If you are alone or with a few friends, use quiet voices, and open/close thedoor quietly.Book Check-In:

• All books must be returned for check in by 9:30 AM.
• You may come in to the library before school starts to return a book,however, you may not browse the shelves before school starts.
• Your classroom teacher may ask you to instead bring your books for returnto the classroom. She may then assign a helper or two to return the books all at once.

• It is your responsibility to make sure your books get to the library for check- in.
• Books returned after 9:30 AM will not be checked in until the following morning. This may prevent you from checking another book out that day.
• The books on the black cart behind the circulation desk have not been checked in for the day. You may not take books from that cart for any reason.
• Once a book is checked in, it will be shelved and ready for you to check out the next day.Book Checkout:

• In order to check a book out, you must have your library folder. If you do nothave it, you will be unable to check books out. If you misplace your libraryfolder, see your classroom teacher.
• Kindergartners and first graders may have one book out at a time. Secondthrough fifth grade students may have two books out.
• Magazines are available for reading in the library. Fourth and fifth gradersmay check out a magazine in addition to the two allowed books.
• All books and magazines may be checked out for one week, and may berenewed for another week. To renew a book or magazine, you mustphysically bring it to the media center.
• All books and magazines must be returned after two weeks, in order to giveothers a chance to read them.
• If you wish to keep a book longer than two weeks, you may return the book,wait a week, and check it out again.Overdue books:

• If a book is overdue, the student will receive written notification within aweek of the due date.
• Any overdue book may not be renewed.
• Once the student has received written notification of the overdue book, theyhave a week to return it with no penalty.
• If, after receiving notice and waiting a week, the student has not returned thebook, the student will be given a note detailing the cost of a replacementbook. This cost is the cover price of the book.
• If the student then returns the book, there will be no penalty.
• If the book is indeed lost, payment will be due immediately.
• Any student with an overdue book or magazine will not be able to check anybooks or magazines out of the library until their account has been settled.
• If the student relocates and is no longer enrolled at Princeton, this will carryover to any school in Orange County. The student will not be able to check out any materials until the book is returned or payment has been made.

Book Care:

• Treat all books as you would your own.
• All books are inspected upon return.. If a book is returned damaged, themedia specialist will repair it, if possible. If it cannot be repaired, the studentis responsible for replacing the book at cover price.
• Do not ‘dog-ear’ the pages of a book. Always use a bookmark. If you needone, the media specialist has them at the circulation desk.
• Keep books away from water, pets, and younger brothers or sisters.
• Do not eat while reading books. Any books with food stains that cannot beremoved will be treated as ruined, and the student will be responsible forreplacing the book at cover price.
• Do not write or color in books-they will be treated as ruined, and the studentwill have to replace the book at cover price.Using a shelf marker:

• The box of shelf markers is on the corner of the circulation desk.
• When it is time to look for a book, silently go to the box and take a shelfmarker.
• If you are found looking for a book without a shelf marker, you will be askedto get one from the box.
• The shelf markers are not toys. Please do not use them that way.Books on the shelves:

• It is important that the books stay in order. Otherwise, you may not be ableto find what you’re looking for because someone put it in the wrong place!
• Because the books are all in order, if you pull a book from the shelf, makesure to use your shelf marker so you can put it back exactly where it camefrom.
• If you forget to use your shelf marker or forget where you took a book from,bring the book to the media specialist. She will put it back for you.
• If you find a book that you know is in the wrong place, please bring it to themedia specialist. She will put it in the right place.
• If you find a book in the computer that you want to check out, and you cannotfind it on the shelf, please ask the media specialist. The book may be checkedout to another student.
• If you think a book might be too hard for you, use the five-finger rule. If youfind five words on the first page that you do not understand, the book is toohard for you. Choose another book.
• If you think you can’t find a book you want to read, go to another shelf andlook there.
• If you still can’t find a book you want to read, ask a friend.Computer Stations:

• You may not use a computer until you have been taught how by the media

specialist.

• The computers are always on. If the computer you choose is off, please let the media specialist know. She will turn it on for you.
• No food, drink, gum or candy at the computer workstations.
• You may use any program already on the computer. DO NOT download orinstall ANYTHING. If you do, you will not be allowed to use a computer at all for the rest of the school year, and you will be referred to the principal’s office.
• DO NOT use the computer for anything that is not school-related. If you are caught, you will not be allowed to use the computers without a teacher for the remainder of the school year, and you will be referred to the principal’s office.
• If you need help, ask. The media specialist is there to help you.
• If you need to print something, you may do so ONLY after asking the mediaspecialist. You may not print anything unless the media specialist approves it. If you print something without approval, you will lose your print privileges for the rest of the school year.Attention Signals:

• If you need something, raise your hand.
• Different hand signals mean different things.
• If you need the media specialist’s attention, raise your whole hand, all fingersout.
• If you need to go to the restroom, show your pointer finger only. I will pointback at you to let you know you may go to the bathroom.
• If you yell out, you will be the last to receive attention.
• The media specialist will ring a bell when she wants your attention. Whenyou hear the bell, you are to stop what you are doing and go to a place where you can see her.Bathroom Procedures:

• If a student has to use the bathroom, he/she will raise one finger.
• When the media specialist sees your finger, she will point at you. That meansit is OK for you to go to the bathroom.
• After using the bathroom, you must walk over to the circulation desk and usethe hand sanitizer there.
• Since the bathroom in the media center only holds one student, only onestudent at a time may go to the bathroom.During an announcement:

• When you hear the announcement chime, stop what you are doing and waitfor the announcement.
• If the announcement is not a drill or an emergency, you may go back to whatyou were doing after the announcement.
• If the announcement is a drill or an emergency, follow the emergencyprocedure.

Emergency procedure:

• In the event of a drill or an actual emergency, all students are to silently go tothe pullout room by the front door.
• When you get in the room, go as far as you can toward the back of the room.
• Get down on your knees, sit down on your legs, and bend down so that yourface is near the floor.
• Wait silently until the media specialist tells you what to do next.
• If during a drill any student does not follow the procedure, they will be sentto the principal’s office immediately after the drill ends.Seating Procedures:

• If you are directed to the carpet, sit on the circle rug. You may sit whereveryou wish, but the media specialist may move you if there is a problem.
• If you are to sit at the tables or at the computer workstations, go to the nextavailable seat. Do not save seats. The media specialist may move you if there is a problem.During Instruction:

• Eyes forward.
• Mouths closed.
• Do not talk to your classmates unless asked to do so.
• If you want to answer a question, or you have a question for the mediaspecialist, raise your hand, all fingers out.
• Wait until the media specialist calls on you. Do not yell out.
• If you yell out during a lesson, the media specialist will not call on you.
• When one of your classmates is talking, mouths closed. Let your classmatefinish what he/she is saying.When it’s time to check out a book from the desk:

• Bring the book(s) to the circulation desk.
• If you get to the desk and someone is checking out, stand behind him/her,making a single-file line.
• It is OK to speak to your classmates while in line, but you must use quietvoices.
• When you get up to the desk, place your reading folder, with the bar code up,next to the book(s) you are checking out.
• The media specialist will scan your folder. If you have any overdue books, oryou have reached your checkout limit, you will not be able to check out. The media specialist may ask you to step aside and wait for the other students to check out before talking to you.
• If after scanning your folder you are able to check out books, the media specialist will then scan the bar code on the book. You are able to take the book(s) and your folder and go to the designated area to wait for your classmates/friends (if you are with others).

Part Four:
Please see attached PowerPoint file 5025Olson_ProceduresPwrPt.pptx. Part Five:

The first (and arguably most important) step in developing a capable learner is the creation of a positive learning environment. It is crucial that students feel “respected, supported, appreciated and valued” (McFarland-McDaniels, 2012, para. 1). I thought it important to present these procedures in a positive way, stressing that the media center is their space, a place where they should feel comfortable. I tried to emphasize that we were in this together; that I was approachable and always available to them. I want the students to look forward to visiting the library.

Before the school year began, I would post signage reinforcing the most important procedures, such as emergency procedures, book check in and check out, and attention signals. During the first library visit of the year, I would present the PowerPoint to the class, and field any questions the students had. My presentation would vary a bit between grade levels-I think it’s very important to meet students at their level. The first few times the students performed an action (exiting the library, book checkout, browsing the shelves), I would recognize appropriate behavior and, if necessary, correct improper behavior on the spot.

The students in this school range in age from five to eleven. I have geared my PowerPoint presentation toward the older children-I feel that the kindergarten and first graders would benefit from a shortened presentation highlighting key procedures, not a comprehensive review. According to Piaget’s theory, the younger children are at the end of the preoperational stage (more specifically, the intuitive thought stage). They are generally unable to contemplate situations from another’s point of view, so my procedures may have to be worded differently to be effective (McLeod, 2009). These students are just becoming accustomed to the rules and procedures of the school-no need to overwhelm them.

The majority of students should fall into the concrete operational stage. Of course, age alone does not determine a child’s position within the stages, but I feel it’s safe to assume most of the students fall into this range. They are now able to think logically, and recognize that their thoughts and perceptions may be different than those of their peers. They understand the idea of consequences, but the consequences need to be made clear to them. That is why I included in the procedures specific consequences for students who broke important rules.

I also added steps to the procedures asking the students be respectful of one another. A common thread running through the semester has been the creation and maintenance of a ‘safe haven’ for students. Fostering camaraderie within the classroom is crucial to maintaining a successful learning environment.

Making students aware of my expectations for them sets the tone for the entire school year. A well-run room is a successful one (Wong & Wong, 1998).

Associated PowerPoint presentation-please click to view:

References

McLeod, S. (2009). Jean Piaget. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/ Piaget.html

McFarland-McDaniels, M. (March 6, 2012). Children respond to a positive learning environment. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/ classroom-management/13907-creating-a-positive-learning-environment/

Wong, H.T., & Wong, R.T. (1998). The first days of school. Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.