Make your library the center of your school
Take advantage of fun seasonal themes when you plan your October library lessons. I use the first two lessons with my kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classes especially. But you can definitely stretch any of these elementary library lessons to fit your older classes too. Just ask the older kids to become experts in order to model or teach the younger children! The last
When I think of Spring, I think of Earth Day. April brings us outside to enjoy all that our earth has to offer. Earth Day falls at the perfect time to motivate our students to take care of our beloved planet. It’s a great time for a fun school wide event, some engaging lessons, or a special library storytime. These fun Earth Day activities will
December is not the time for a full-blown research project. But if you want to teach or review research skills with your students, a mini-unit for holiday research is just what you need. Students will still get practice on important research skills. But if a lesson is missed, it isn’t a problem (unlike when you’re doing those long, multi-week research projects). Stay Flexible in December
Seasonal book displays are a great way to brighten up your school library. Eye-catching book arrangements will draw the interest of your students and might just hook your readers on a new book. I’ve got some school library book display ideas for you! Create Monthly Displays The easiest way to get started with book displays in your school library is to start with a monthly
Have you been busy making lesson plans for online learning? Are you searching for a colorful bulletin board background to make your video sessions more like school? I’ve got a printing trick for you that will save you some time and help you use a resource you probably already have! Let’s create a quick bulletin board background for online teaching! Choose Your Bulletin Board You
I’ve been trying to keep my elementary library lessons fun and engaging for my students while giving them choices during distance learning. You’ve read about Yoga Storytime and Star Wars Week already. We saved the best for last with our Harry Potter Week for distance learning. This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. If you click on a link and make a purchase,
A couple of weeks before Halloween, our school library was transformed into Hogwarts as our whole school celebrated Harry Potter Week! Over the past couple of years, I’ve teamed up with the music and physical education teachers in my building to integrate our subject areas around a theme for a week or so. Our Harry Potter Week has been our most exciting so far! This
Chinese New Year is a fun time for our students to learn about the traditions of a culture that may be unfamiliar to them. It can be a bright spot in the middle of winter, a reason to celebrate in your classroom or school library. I’d like to share my favorite read alouds for Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year. I recommend pairing an
February is “I Love to Read Month!” It’s the perfect time for you to celebrate reading in your school! Start with an “I Love to Read” bulletin board and a book recommendation center and you will help your students and staff spread the love of reading throughout the school. Interactive Bulletin Board Display a “WE LOVE TO READ” bulletin board in a prominent place in
This year is the 10 year anniversary of International Dot Day and the 15th anniversary of the publication of The Dot. People all around the world celebrate creative expression, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book, The Dot. Every year, Dot Day falls on or near September 15. I’d like to share how I helped my K-2 students explore their own creativity this year for
