Tuesday Slice: Young analysts

The third graders sat down on the "learning side" of the library while I pulled up a split screen on my computer.  Displayed on our interactive board were the results of our end-of-year library survey and a blank Google doc for note taking.

"You are going to be data analysts today," I tell the class.  "Remember the survey you took while I was at my library conference?  I don't want you to think that your answers just sit there; I have looked at them, thought about what the results mean, and will be sharing it with the principal at the end of the school year when I get my report card from her."  Some giggles erupt.  "Yes, teachers get report cards, too!"

I explain that Google forms put the data into pie charts and bar graphs, making it easier to analyze.  We start by looking at the respondent grade levels--the fourth grade slice is bigger (we have eleven fourth grade classes!), but overall, it's close to an even split among the second through fifth grades.

We continue through questions about enjoying the library experience, finding good fit books, finishing books, and the genres we like. There are questions about library lessons and programs, and open-ended responses for additional information.

When the data analysis concluded, I had the following suggestions from the third graders:

• offer more lessons on using our online catalog
• hands-on lessons on connecting the information from the catalog to the sections of the library and reading the spine label
• talk more about different authors and genres, perhaps with book tastings
• continue our book fairs, author visits, Hour of Code, creative iPad time
• invite older students back to the Book Nook for read-aloud time--they miss that!

After twenty minutes with each third grade class, I had a clear plan to start the next school year.  I hope they felt like their voices were heard.