"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library." ~ Jorge Luis Borges

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Slice of Life: Choices

Today, I'm slicing about choices and decisions.

Each day we are faced with choices for which we make the best decisions. Some decisions are easy to make- which book to read, which books to display, which route to run, walk or drive. Some decisions are harder to make- which event to attend, which person to spend time with, what to write about. 

This week has been one that has offered choices for which I questioned my decisions. How am I to decide which is really the best choice?  It could be that a decision leads to a conversation that I needed to have, or a thing I was supposed to see, or an experience for which I was meant to be present. Who knows what awaits each decision?

It has gotten me thinking about the choices I make each day. Some are imperceptible and some are significant, but most reside between these two - What should I pack for lunch? When will I go to the office to get my mail? When should I refill my water? Who should turn on or off the lights to make the screen easier to read? Which way will I walk to work? Which book will I read first? What can I put off until tomorrow? 

You get the gist.
  
I am okay making decisions when confronted with choices, up to a certain point, a limit which I discovered when we were going through a renovation. By the end of the process I would have paid anyone to make just one or two of the choices that I had to make, "I don't care which light fixture goes in the bathroom or what color plate should go on the light switch, just show me where to turn it on."  I can so clearly remember the sense of feeling overwhelmed.

These thoughts were swirling about in my head as I watched a few students try to make book choices today. A thirty minute library class does not often leave much time for browsing and borrowing, and as much as I talk about and try to encourage good browsing skills, there really isn't the time to explore that many books before choosing one or two. I found myself pushing along a student that was doing exactly what I have asked in browsing. There are students who have a hard time choosing a book because they are not sure what they want to read and some students who really struggle with the weight of this decision. I am feeling a certain kismet with the students I observed having a harder time deciding which books to borrow today, and I am going to think about ways that I can help students with their choices and decisions. I have tried to make the collection more accessible with genre baskets, stickers, book displays, and new signage, but new ideas are needed. 

After exploring a few choices, I'll have some decisions to make....

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Every Tuesday, Ruth and Stacey, host think it is Slice of Life at their blog, Two Writing TeachersIf you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, go here.

13 comments:

  1. I love how the post turned into thoughts on students deciding about books. That surprised me! I agree. It's hard for some students and I, too, struggle with how to reach those students.

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    1. I was surprised too! I love letting my brain see those connections and not pushing them aside.

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  2. Okay, you really have to get out of my head, Jennifer!! ;>)
    You so often seem to be writing about just what I am thinking. This morning's thoughts were to choose two books for each child in a certain class, have them browse/peruse and then write a few sentences about why they would pick one over the other. (And then, of course, hope they would actually borrow the book.) Narrowing the choices! Can't do this for all classes (don't have time to make that many thoughtful choices), but going to experiment with one to start. I'll keep you posted.

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    1. Ha! I am eager to see where your journey takes you, Nancy. Please do share!

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    2. Hi Jennifer,
      My journey has taken me to a blog post of my own.
      I hope you think that imitation is the highest form of flattery, for while I didn't plagiarize, I certainly built upon your foundation!

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    3. Hi Jennifer,.
      My journey has taken me to a blog post of my own (coming soon)
      I hope you think that imitation is the highest form of flattery, for while I didn't plagiarize, I certainly built upon your foundation!

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    4. Of course! We all create and grow together!

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  3. I love how you connected the many choices you have to make (bathroom fixtures) with kids making book choices. Perhaps the training with books will make their adult lives easier!

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  4. am curious what would unfold if your next SOL started with where you ended this time--with a book choice, and what that meant for you.

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  5. How great that you're able to commiserate with your indecisive reader. We all have trouble choosing books, don't we? I hate making decisions about books and anything!

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    1. Yes! Agreed. Now what to do with this newfound idea?

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