REFLECTING ON THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR | the good, the bad, and the ugly

#schoollibrarian #teacherlife
Hi, all, and welcome to another teaching video! This time I take a moment to reflect on how the 2023-24 school year, and share my thoughts with you here. To help organize my thoughts, I used a few freebies from TpT (linked below). I hope you enjoy!
Thank you so much for watching! ♥
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Always Happy by Olif - from ‪@VlogNoCopyrightMusic‬
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[@TanyaFowler]

I've been a librarian for many years, and expecting the unexpected with school events, assemblies, etc. that can disturb your library classes is always an issue. I agree that principal that does well communicating makes a big difference.

[@postitsandpens]

I think it was just a jolt to my system because my previous principal was SO good at communication, LOL. I had forgotten that he wasn't really the norm.

[@teachloveinspire561]

Totally agree with you student behaviors and why they are what they are...

[@postitsandpens]

On the one hand it's comforting to know others are also struggling with the same issues, but on the other, none of us should have to deal with what we're being made to deal with. Something needs to change.

[@dmbalsam]

One thing I did each fall at the beginning of the year. I would have an open house for the teachers. I would display all the new books and materials, plus anything I think needed to be highlighted. There would be plenty of sticky notes around so that teachers could indicate what materials they were interested in. Then we (I had an assistant) would photocopy the cover and give a copy to requesting teachers. When the teachers wanted the item they just left us the photocopy so we could locate the item, check it out and deliver it, along with the photocopy. I also suggested they photocopy the cover or title page of any item that they like using with a unit every year. This helped eliminate the I want the little pink book I use with letter writing every year. Teachers could just leave us the stack of photocopies, we would locate the books, check them out, and deliver, sometimes they came to pick up.

[@dmbalsam]

I rarely sent students out of the library, they may have been placed in a different area away from the main group.

[@dmbalsam]

I have heard multiple teachers complain about the ugly student behavior.

[@aprilh5186]

Hi! Thank you for your helpful library videos. When you mention not allowing library books to be taken home, I am guessing that means they can still take them out of the library but have to keep them at school in their desk?

[@postitsandpens]

Hello! Yes, that's exactly what I mean! Most teachers in the building send home books with their students each day, so they are getting to bring things home to read. The school library book would just need to stay at school in their desks or book boxes. :)

[@djthereplay]

Well Merin, Back when I was a young autistic school student, I talked out as well. Talking is habitual in a public setting for all so quit trying to take it away from the students. Instead, give them free talking time. When you allow them to talk freely they start running out of things to talk about and in the end you are opening them up to being talked to. Also, If the students are interested in the lessons or the story that you are giving them it takes away a lot of the disruptions but if the students are not interested, bury it because that is your highest risk of disruptions and off task behaviors. Again, I did off task things and talked out before and that's why I am telling you this. My Parents appreciate the other students who put up with me and allowed me to be a little of me at school but I could never invite all of them to my house for a hang out or a birthday party. Kids are so tied down everyday in school but it's the only place where they get to see their friends but when the kids are more do what they do at home they are separated from all of their friends and being reduced to the little clique at home. Everyone goes through some sort of dilemma in school regardless if you are teaching or the students. With that said, kudos to you for not being a whiny teacher and attempting more to take on more things yourself and being willing to ask for help when the help is needed the most. Also, Tip: Is there a way that you can have 2 calm down spots instead of just one calm down spot? One for your "classes" and the other or other teachers' classes. Sometimes, every student needs a "safe spot" to go to sometimes if you know what I mean. Also, Reward System (Punch Cards) = Good call. Give them something to look forward to. And OOOOOOOOH YES, DO limit your library books to keeping them in school only. Your risk of getting them back at least at the end of the school year is higher without it turning more consequential towards the students. For now, take some time to allow Ms. Bears some hibernation time and just be cool, calm, collected and sweet Merin Bears this summer. - Dwight