Reflecting

Now that I've completed my Collection Development Project with a focus on middle- school math I think there are a few things I would have done differently.

1. Focus on Special Needs. The school that I modeled this collection for has an overwhelming 25% of students classified as Special Education. Now whether these kids are really deficient or just so far behind they seem deficient is something that must be left to the experts, but it is safe to say that their needs aren't being met. It's hard enough finding resources for kids who read on level. Finding resources for kids who think like 16 year-olds but read like 8 year-olds has got to be nearly impossible.

2. Narrow the Standards. I would have focused on either one particular grade of the mathematics standards or similar topics across all middle-school grades. I was kind of all over the place and that made it easier to find items, but made the project a little disjointed.

3. Seek out "Free" Resources. There are so many free or inexpensive resources out there, especially those that are online. I should have spent a little more time with these, just for my own edification.

4. Shake an Angry Fist. In retrospect I should have really given Booklist and School Library Journal a piece of my mind. Why are all these resources so expensive? Knowing what I know now I would never have required that every item collected be reviewed. Finding reviews is extremely time consuming and who is to say that their opinion is any better than my own. I think I'll stick to reviewing my own items.

I wonder if I could use this blog for that?