This is the 7th post in the Learner Led Libraries series.
A couple of years ago second graders were scheduled to visit the Library Media Center twice a week. I found this to be a great opportunity to test out a lot around with personalized learning and Learner Led Libraries. This was a great opportunity for me to see what exactly I needed to teach students for them to be successful.
If you are using Personalized Learning as part of your Learner Led Libraries, then teaching students how to pace their learning is critical.
A big part of my Learner Led Libraries is gamification and game based learning. Embedded behind the QR Codes, within Symbaloo Learning Paths and Classcraft are videos, articles, and websites that I have created and curated for my students to learn Library Media Skills and content.
The first thing to teach them is how to check for understanding.
Most videos and articles we use in the Library Media Center typically take under 5 minutes to consume. This is perfect for teaching understanding. The kiddos watch the video on their own (with headphones) and talk to a partner about what they heard and understood. Repeat as needed.
I don’t remember what video I had used the very first time I taught this. This year, I will be creating a ‘Top Ten’ video about me to teach my students some fun stuff about myself.
It is also important to teach them what to do when they don’t understand. One of my favorite anchor charts and Table Top Posters to do this is #struggleisreal poster! I don’t recall who came up with this, but he or she is brilliant!
It is really helpful when teaching children how to self pace their learning, and engage in metacognition. I just don’t include what not to do because I want them to focus on what to do instead and don’t want anyone testing out other behaviors.
When teaching them about self – paced learning, I also introduce the concept of time management. Telling time is a struggle for most elementary students, so instead we utilize LakeShore’s Giant Sand Timers. These are great visual ways to help children manage their time and another way I get students involved in managing the space.
We talk about how long it should probably take us to complete a task and what we can do as learners to ensure that. Every task I create for my Library Learners never takes more than 20 minutes. I have worked really hard to ensure this.
Teaching children to self pace learning at the beginning of the school year paves the way for future successes throughout the year. Having said that, you can absolutely put time limits on things. Take into consideration how long it will take most students to complete something and add a little cushion. If I know something will take most of the kiddos 10 minutes, then 15 minutes is the max time I will allow.
You may be interested in these Learner Led Libraries Posters to support students as they acquire independence. These posters are great for teaching an array of skills that support self-paced learning!
