Hi everyone. My attachments didn't seem to work in my reply so I'm
repeating my reply here with attachments that hopefully work. This was in
response to the thread about Building rapport with students:
Hi Everyone,
Here are two simple things that have worked very well for us:
1. Put out a bunch of puzzles (Rubik's cube, wooden puzzles, cast iron
puzzles) on your desk or counter near you. Our kids flock to them and it's
such an easy way to interact with them.
2. Put out interesting non-circulating little books at your desk or
counter.
I'll attach pics of what we have. Be aware that some of the stuff will
break or go missing. One added advantage of the puzzles is that students
who aren't feeling social will always have a solo activity to do in the
library (besides reading) that's inconspicuous. Also, the puzzles can be
social conduits. People do the puzzles together and the puzzles are also
near the computers where other students play video games so they're near
the action.
I will allow students to take the puzzles to other parts of the library but
like to keep them close by, and that's where most of the puzzle solving
happens.
If you want to go next level with the puzzle nerdiness, I created a Puzzle
Master Certificate for interested students who can solve really difficult
puzzles or a bunch of them. I'll attach the certificate. In five years
I've given out 17 of those so far.
Best,
Jeff
--
Jeff Chang
Middle School Librarian
960 Avis Dr.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Attachment:
puzzles 1.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
puzzles 2.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
puppy styled.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
Puzzle Master Certificate.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
