[CALIBK12] Library Basketball

[Paula Dacker]

After my recent post about Reading Rewards, a few people asked me to
elaborate on my Library Basketball which I use in freshman library
orientation.  I have been using this for over 20 years, and it never
seems to get old.  My orientations consist of a Powerpoint in which I go
over the basics (intro to staff, ID card, how to check out books, how to
sign up for computers, etc.)  Then I pass out a Library map, and
students fill in the blanks as I walk around and point things out--most
a locational thing.  For the last 10 minutes or so we play Library
Basketball.  I divide the class into two teams and ask for a volunteer
captain from each team.  I have a deck of index cards which are
basically quiz questions from the Powerpoint and Library Map.  The
Captain draws a card, reads the question to the class, discusses it with
his/her team.  The captain tells me the team's answer.  If it is correct
I choose a student from the team to shoot a NERF ball into a 30 gallon
trash can (or the "NBA regulation trash can"--they always love this
joke).  I have a piece of red tape on the floor to mark where to stand,
and the end of one of the book stacks is the backboard.  All this may
sound involved, but it actually goes pretty fast.  I do tell the kids
that this is the rowdiest they will ever get to be in the library, and
to savor the moment!  I have used this format in middle school, and then
in high school, and yes the freshmen are immature enough to love it.  My
orientation takes the entire 55 minuted period, and by the time I have
finished 28-30 of them, I am exhausted.  Consider yourself warned!

Paula Dacker, Teacher Librarian
Charter Oak High School
Covina, CA  91724

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