http://shonda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/reading-at-work/ A view from a school librarian's bookshelf. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:38:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://shonda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/reading-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Olive Woodward Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:10:39 +0000 http://shonda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/reading-at-work/#comment-18 There is nothing wrong with reading at work if you have the time and the need. I wouldn't do it every day, and I wouldn't do it more than one period. Professional library journals always look more legit than a book. Still, it would be unwise to ignore the fact that the school library program will always have PR/image issues. It comes with the territory. It's a trade-off! As far as being expected to do anything on my own time, all teachers are expected to plan curriculum and to grade papers on their own time, when necessary. I'm a teacher like everyone else, and I don't mind showing my administrator my gigantic box of book cards as a demonstration of the preparation that I do at home. I don't resent reading YA lit on my own time and surely have diluted the boredom of many a gym workout with a YA book; and yet I do not feel the need to defend the use of my time if I spend some time at work reading the latest book for our book clubs (mock Newbery, teacher's YA lit club, etc.). There is nothing wrong with reading at work if you have the time and the need. I wouldn’t do it every day, and I wouldn’t do it more than one period. Professional library journals always look more legit than a book. Still, it would be unwise to ignore the fact that the school library program will always have PR/image issues. It comes with the territory. It’s a trade-off!
As far as being expected to do anything on my own time, all teachers are expected to plan curriculum and to grade papers on their own time, when necessary. I’m a teacher like everyone else, and I don’t mind showing my administrator my gigantic box of book cards as a demonstration of the preparation that I do at home. I don’t resent reading YA lit on my own time and surely have diluted the boredom of many a gym workout with a YA book; and yet I do not feel the need to defend the use of my time if I spend some time at work reading the latest book for our book clubs (mock Newbery, teacher’s YA lit club, etc.).

]]> http://shonda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/reading-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Jude Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:43:13 +0000 http://shonda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/reading-at-work/#comment-14 Last week, I tried to explain to a colleague about my typical workday. I told her that I've only managed to take one lunch break in the last two weeks. I don't have an aide. The one thing I'd requested was a 1/2 hour lunch break, which, of course, I'm legally entitled to. I'm getting comp time for all those missed lunches. She said, "Surely you have down time?" I said, "Not really. I think I've taken a couple of 15 minute breaks since I started." I explained that I attempt to take a lunch break, writing down the time that I start the attempt. If I manage to take 15 minutes, I write that down, but if I'm interrupted before the 15 minutes are up, I figure I didn't have a lunch. It took me 2-1/2 hours to update my science fair website, and it's just boring links. Without an aide, and with almost 350 students, I'm truly swamped. I couldn't believe that some LM-Netters actually have time to read on the job. Last week, I tried to explain to a colleague about my typical workday. I told her that I’ve only managed to take one lunch break in the last two weeks. I don’t have an aide. The one thing I’d requested was a 1/2 hour lunch break, which, of course, I’m legally entitled to. I’m getting comp time for all those missed lunches. She said, “Surely you have down time?” I said, “Not really. I think I’ve taken a couple of 15 minute breaks since I started.” I explained that I attempt to take a lunch break, writing down the time that I start the attempt. If I manage to take 15 minutes, I write that down, but if I’m interrupted before the 15 minutes are up, I figure I didn’t have a lunch. It took me 2-1/2 hours to update my science fair website, and it’s just boring links. Without an aide, and with almost 350 students, I’m truly swamped. I couldn’t believe that some LM-Netters actually have time to read on the job.

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