7th - 12th Grade
Library Media Assistants
At Wapello I maintained roughly a dozen Library Media Assistants (LMA) who did a variety of essential jobs in the Library Media Center. Without the daily support of the LMAs the Library Media Center would not run as smoothly. LMAs are responsible for shelving library materials, straightening books on the shelves, circulating books to students and teachers, processing library materials under my supervision, and assisting with the creation of library displays. Many LMAs utilize the skills learned to gain work study positions upon entering college. The special relationships I built with these students allowed me to build a rapport with others throughout the building and provided part of the student body a way to establish ownership and passion for their school library. It has always been my intention to be as inclusive as possible when selecting students, so I recruited volunteers from all grade and ability levels. These students were held to a high standard, as their academics always take precedent over their library duties. Urbandale High School LMC collaboratives with the School Based Vociational Trainging lab and the Level 3 special needs room to provide students with special needs and opportunity to practice job skills within a no-classroom environment. The skills the students practice greatly depend on their ability but there is always work the library staff of UHS could use help with throughout the school year. Students have done everything from data entry, basic library tasks like dusting or wiping tables, delivery services, and processing and managing print library materials. |
Iowa High School Battle of the Books IHSBOB is a book quiz competition for high school students in the state of Iowa. Upon taking the School Library Media Specialist position at Wapello JR/SR High School I had the honor of working with an already established team of dedicated students. As a group we collectively read the required 28 titles and create innumerable quiz questions, which we use during weekly practices. Since 2013 I have had the honor to take at least one battle team to the state wide competition every year. Urbandale High School typically has enough participating students for three competing teams. |
9th -12th Grade Research Lessons
Collaboration with the teachers in the Wapello JR/SR high buildings was crucial to student success. Information Literacy lessons are provided through collaboration with teachers of all subject areas. Lessons include plagiarism, resource evaluation, note taking, research process, Turnitin.com, AEA resources, OPAC (library catalog) instruction, technology tools, as well as many others. The focus of the information literacy lessons is to best prepare students for the environment they will experience after graduation; the workforce or college. Many of the students who are taking online college courses also need individualized instruction that pertains to the specific course they are taking. |
|