This will be short b/c it’s been a long day but I just had to share these experiences with you. Today I was asked to help a few students find some books in the library b/c they have trouble finding books that interest them. They also have a lower reading level and need help finding something they can read. Keep in mind these are 5th graders. So I went to the library a few minutes after they had gone, unsure of why they needed my help when there were 4 (yes, 4) librarians in there. Well, I found out shortly after I went in. I talked to the students to find out what they liked reading about to see if I could get any ideas. I had a few ideas but couldn’t find the books. So, like any good reader, I decided to ask the librarian. Boy was this a mistake! I told her that I was trying to help some of the students find books that they were interested in and was in the process of asking if she could recommend any mystery series when I was rudely interrupted. She looked down at me and snapped, “Who are you? I don’t even know you!” She was still talking when I, shocked and surprised, answered ” I’m sorry. I’m student teaching in Ms. Anderson’s room and I’m trying to help my students find books they can and want to read.” She then told me that she didn’t have time to help students find books. Seriously?!?! The librarian (1 of 4) doesn’t have time to help students find books! Wow. None of the other 3 volunteered to help either. I should have replied or said anything, but I was truly speechless. There were no words to be found. I still can’t believe how rude she was. What’s the most irritating and frustrating is that these poor kids are left on their own to find books. It’s not like someone has taught them how to find books they can and want to read. I did what I could and helped them find books that seemed excited about but it would have been a lot easier with the help of a librarian who knew the stock. Although, between the 4 of them they probably don’t have a clue what books are in there. (There aren’t a lot of books by the way.) One lady pointed one of the boys to a shelf with Dr. Seuss books because his reading level is lower. She assumed he was dumb and could only read simple Dr. Suess books. I wanted to slap her. His level is 3rd or 4th grade but she made him feel like dirt. I did what I could to help him but she did some pretty serious damage. I wanted to slap all of them and tell them to get the heck out of a public school library if they are going to act that way. Help the kids! That’s why we’re there!!!
On a funny note, when I was grading some hw about Martin Luther King Jr, I read some funny stuff. When asked how MLK would feel if he saw the world as it is today, one student said, “He would feel happy b/c there is still racism in the world.” I think we missed something major here! haha. When asked if MLK’s murder was ironic (killed violently while fighting for peace), one student wrote, ” I think if God wanted MLK to get shot, then he would get shot.”
Thanks for the therapeutic writing session
And thanks to Kevin for being wonderful, doing the dishes, and coming up with the creative alternative title
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