Ditch Dewey?

Where is the Scary section?

Where are the mystery books?

I need a historical fiction book?

How many times as librarians have we heard this and what is the answer........there is no mystery section the books are shelved by the first three letters of the authors last name.  Little heads drop, eyes wonder about and I get a "really" look.  I offer to help but it just isn't the same.

Now if the kids go to Barnes & Noble they can find that section and that makes them happy. so why are we holding on the Dewey Decimal system?  Because that is how is has always been?  Yes probably. Also most librarians are type A personalities (I would never think that about myself but the older I get i think it might be true.)  Maybe we do all like the books in perfect order like Miss Lotta Scales in The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy.  However is that the best thing for the kids.  Well I'm not sure.  So I'm asking the kids should we Ditch Dewey?

The 3rd and 4th graders are going to do a little research on this by talking to adults, going to the public library and maybe even visiting a bookstore.  Then they get to decide yes or no, come up with a presentation and try to persuade me.

Shhh don't tell them, but I think it is a great idea.  It will be a huge amount of work for me and Mrs. Zuch but if it best for the kids then I say yes.  I don't think it can be done quickly or that it is best for the Easy section but I can totally see all those chapter books sitting pretty by their Genre.

Only time will tell if the kids think this is a good idea or not.  I'm really excited to see what they think.

Stay tuned.

To iPad or not to iPad that is the Question?

For me the answer is simple, YES!

I feel I have a different perspective on this topic because I moved from a school where we only had 30 shared iPads to a school where every child has one.  WOW what a HUGE benefit and advantage these children will have.  I heard  recently from Jennifer Lagarde that "We have to be using technology to communicate, collaborate, create, and think critically!"  I think that is the vision of LISD and what we are doing at Donald.

Does it happen overnight?  No!
Will there be bumps in the road?  Yes!
Will it cost money to get these devices into the kids hands?  Yes!
Will it take some management on the part of teachers and parents?  Yes!
Will the kids try to use the iPads for an expensive toy?  Yes they are kids!
Are filters 100% effective 100% of the time?  No!


I think you get my point when I say the benefits are too great for us to ignore.

I for one feel so blessed to work in a place and for a district that thinks 1:X is the way to do it.