Getting the High School Perspective: Laura Haverkamp, Dreher High School

 

I taught in the high school setting for two years in Oklahoma.  I feel with each school lever, the focus in the library changes.  For high school, research skills takes a front seat.  Here is how standards are covered in this high school.

Include:

Inclusion all starts with a diverse collection.  This librarian makes a special effort to know the kids' names.  This makes them feel like they matter.  She then searches out different groups and gets their opinions on the library and programming that is offered.  She stated that this was how she discovered that her football nonfiction books were very out of date.  

Reflection:  I love the idea of questioning students on their opinions and getting their feedback.  They are the primary users of the library and it is important to give them what they need.  

Collaborate:

Collaboration mostly happens with the English and Health teachers.  Some work with the history and science teachers also occurs.  (note, she joked that Health collaborates a lot, because their curriculum is not well designed so she embellishes it).  She also works a lot with AP senior classes because of research skills.  Almost all of her library lessons deal with research and research skills.  With her English class, she does teach students how to browse, because she said that kids do not know how to do it.  

Reflection:  I found it very interesting that she noted the lack of being able to browse.  I think it is true though because my students continuously go to the same books over and over.  I need to try to do activities that gets them acquainted with different types of books/authors/genres.  

Curate:

Ms. Haverkamp stated that in order to find books to add to her collection, she reads book reviews, searches Follet, and uses her personal reading.  Each year she focuses on 2 sections of her library at a time to week and update, this makes it manageable.  She also creates videos that are posted on the website and teaches how to access resources posted on the website. She noted that at her library level, there was little interest in ebooks, but she still puts some of her budget into adding to it.  Also, she teacher new resource available.  This past year, she taught students how to access Teen Book Cloud and the free offerings of the New York City public library.   

Reflection:  I like the idea of focusing on a couple of sections at a time to update the collection.  By using the collection analysis I will focus on updating the areas that are the most out of date.  I have also added ebooks to our collection after MackinVia allowed free access during the pandemic.  I think by continuously promoting this resource, it will gain in popularity.  

Engage:

Ms. Haverkamp creates engagement through social media and through displays that she creates.  She also has many active programming throughout the year.  She does activites for banned book week, Halloween, and Teen Read Week.  She uses magnetic words and trays to have poetry contests.  She does a blind date with a book activity and a basketball final 4 activity.  She uses scavenger hunts to teach library skills and uses a break out lesson for her orientation at the beginning of the year.  

Reflection:  I loved her ideas for her programming. Using the scavenger hunt, and the breakout library orientation will be added to my lesson plans.  Bringing in literacy skills with the magnetic words and trays is a great idea also that can be used in many different lessons.  

Challenge:

Like noted in the middle school setting, Ms. Haverkamp's biggest challenge is testing pressure.  No class wants to come to the library in the spring because of testing pressure.  They want to wait for those couple of weeks after testing (during the fluff days) to come and do activities.  

Reflection:  Testing, testing, testing...especially in high school there is little way around it.  Maybe transform the library into more of a study lounge, group working area that you find in many college libraries. That way teachers will want to come in and use the space, or student want to come in for a get away from the pressures of testing.