Classroom Management

At the Start of the Day:

Walk through the library, looking for furniture that may have been moved overnight, safety issues, and damage (such as water leaks, etc.).

Establish a Routine (Elementary)

It is important for students to know what to expect if we want them to behave as expected. Establishing and following a predictable routine will help you accomplish a few things:

• Students will feel safer knowing what is expected of them and when.

• You will feel more at ease and less stressed.

• It will be easier to keep students on task when they have practiced a routine over and over.

• New students will learn expectations faster.

• You and your students will get more done, and get more out of their library time.

Sample routines and expectations for different time blocks and grade levels can be found here. Keep in mind these are examples, and can be modified to meet the needs of your students and your campus.

Student Management Tips:

• Greet each student as they enters the media center.

• As they sign in, ask how you can help.

• Walk around the library occasionally to check on students. Ask how you can help.

• When addressing a behavior issue, calmly walk over to the student(s) and ask how you can help. Do not raise your voice or yell across the room.

• If behavior escalates, call for help from a teacher or administrator. Keep yourself and other students safe.

• More tips here.

Class Management Tips:

• Greet each class as they enter the library.

• Learn about how each grade level asks their students to behave. Use the same techniques for getting students’ attention, dismissal, etc.

• During a group lesson or story time, move around the library occasionally to check on students. Ask how you can help.

• When addressing a behavior issue, calmly walk over to the student(s) and ask how you can help. Do not raise your voice or yell across the room.

• If behavior escalates, call for help from a teacher or administrator. Keep yourself and other students safe.

At the End of the Day:

Let Students Help You!

A good way to train students and volunteers to shelve is to have them play “Order in the Library” - this is a shelving practice game that can help students and volunteers become more comfortable with proper shelving. Print out the final certificate for the last level “Master of the Universe” also available en Espanol. They will still need to learn special sections of the media center, but this is a good start! https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/resources/order_in_the_library_game

...and here is another shelving game: http://www.mrs-lodges-library.com/shelver/

Elementary Library Games: http://www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/Page/9095