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You are here: Home / Remote Learning / Library Lessons for Distance Learning

April 6, 2020 by: Laura

Library Lessons for Distance Learning

Last Updated on April 21, 2020 by Laura

Library Lessons for Distance Learning

Educators are navigating a new normal as we deal with school closures worldwide during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. School librarians, along with all educators, are burning the midnight oil to create lessons for distance learning. As I mentioned in another post, the most important factor to consider at this time is connection with our students. So, how do we teach educational content while making that connection? My library lessons for distance learning for next week include space for student interaction in FlipGrid.

I am NOT affiliated in any way with FlipGrid and am not receiving anything in exchange for this blog post.

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades

5th grade library lesson for distance learning

Before school was closed, I had begun some lessons using Google’s Be Internet Awesome program and their Interland game. Google states their mission for the program as “Helping kids be safe, confident explorers of the online world.” Now that we’re all staying home, we can use these digital citizenship skills more than ever. Kids love navigating through the four lands of Reality River, Kind Kingdom, Tower of Treasure and Mindful Mountain. For this week’s library lessons in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, I asked students to do all of the lessons in Interland. Then I gave them a link to a FlipGrid where they can share their opinion on which concept from the game was the most important and why.

2nd Grade

2nd grade research for library lessons

Back at school, my second graders were just completing an animal research activity designed to get them familiar with navigating one of our databases, and citing their source. I had promised that they would be able to expand their learning by more deeply researching an animal of their choice. So this is what we’re going to do next! I’ve asked them to choose either the Abdo Zoom Animals or World Book Kids to find information about an animal of their choosing. They are to write down 3 facts to share, along with a drawing of the animal in its natural habitat. Again, students will have the opportunity to share this information on our 2nd grade FlipGrid.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Storytime videos for distance learning

You may have read about my virtual storytime videos that I recorded with my fabulous library partner. I’m going to use those videos in a lesson for our youngest learners. I’ve invited students to watch one or more of the Elephant and Piggie stories we recorded and to think about the characters of Gerald and Piggie. I linked up the pages from the Mo Willems Pigeon Presents website that contain a project for creating Gerald and Piggie paper bag puppets. (If you’d like to try this, click on The World of Elephant and Piggie Teacherโ€™s Kit.) I asked students to choose a character to create – they can create a headband, a puppet, or draw the character on a piece of paper. I invited them to retell the story using their character or to make up a new Elephant and Piggie tale to share on our K & 1 FlipGrid.

Why FlipGrid?

Flip Grid for library lessons for distance learning

FlipGrid is part of Microsoft’s suite of educational tools and is free for anyone to use. They make it easy to sign in using your Microsoft or Google account, so most schools will find it easily accessible. Their mission is to “amplify student voice.” It’s easy to use and a relatively quick way to gather student responses. In addition, the students can see one another’s videos and interact with them by typing comments or recording a response video. I’m hoping this will be an effective way to get my students connected to one another and thinking more deeply about the content of my lessons this week.

What about YOU?

What are you teaching in your library during this week of distance learning? Comment below to share your great ideas!

Library Lessons for Remote Learning. Iโ€™m sharing elementary library lesson plans that I use during this time of remote learning from home. If you need help with your distance learning library lessons, take a look at this blog post for some ideas! #thetrappedlibrarian #schoolclosure

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Trapped! Outside the Library is a group of school librarians who share ideas for connecting with their students and supporting their school communities during the school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We share lesson ideas and resources for distance learning, while supporting one another. When you subscribe to my weekly newsletter, you will receive an invitation the next Sunday!

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  • Show Up for Your Students When School is Closed
    Print to PDF for Distance Learning

    Comments

    1. Tammy Todd says

      July 1, 2020 at 3:22 PM

      I’m looking for new ideas to use in my library during school hours and with distance learning.

      • Laura says

        July 14, 2020 at 6:47 PM

        Hi Tammy – I’m glad you found some helpful ideas!

    2. Haley S says

      August 4, 2020 at 8:34 PM

      Where can I find these library lessons?

      • Laura says

        August 4, 2020 at 10:39 PM

        Hi Haley – If you are interested in the actual lesson pages, I share them in the Facebook group mentioned above. If you are on my email list, I send out an invitation every Sunday.

        • Hiba Saleh says

          September 17, 2020 at 4:04 AM

          Hi dear ,
          Please im interested in the library lesson plan pages. im not on your email list.

          Thank you so much for your help .:)

          • Laura says

            September 25, 2020 at 10:19 AM

            Hi there! I’ve shared all of these library lessons in the Trapped! Outside the Library Facebook group. I hope you will join us!

    3. Melissa Taylor says

      August 21, 2020 at 5:24 AM

      I am a member of your Facebook page and would love a copy of those weekly lessons!

      • Laura says

        August 21, 2020 at 6:25 AM

        Hi Melissa – Thanks for stopping by! Go to the “Files” section in the Trapped! Outside the Library Facebook group. I’ve shared all of my lessons there.

    4. Jean says

      August 26, 2020 at 2:00 PM

      Is facebook the only way to get a copy of your lessons? I would love to get your lessons, but we only do email.

      • Laura says

        September 25, 2020 at 10:20 AM

        Hi Jean! I share lots of ideas with my email subscribers as well.

    5. Sharon Kobus says

      September 20, 2020 at 1:18 PM

      I would love any help you can give me!!! KG-5th grade

      • Laura says

        September 25, 2020 at 10:17 AM

        Hi Sharon! I hear you – this year is tough! I try to share helpful ideas here each week. Thanks for stopping by!

    6. Claudia De La Torre says

      September 29, 2020 at 8:53 PM

      I would love your help with Pre-K and KG.I would like to see what you do with this age group.

      • Laura says

        November 3, 2020 at 9:42 PM

        Hi Claudia – I agree the younger grades are more difficult with distance learning. Besides the ideas I’ve shared here, I like to do directed drawings, music, and movement in my virtual sessions. Best wishes to you during this difficult time – hang in there!

    7. maryam says

      October 20, 2020 at 1:06 AM

      please share your weekly lesson plans

      • Laura says

        October 20, 2020 at 5:16 PM

        Hi there Maryam! I explained the lessons the best I could here. I shared the actual pdfs in the files of my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508239666725125

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    ๐Ÿ“š Elementary School Librarian
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    We all know how lively school can get in the sprin We all know how lively school can get in the spring! ๐ŸŒธ Sometimes, a calming reset is exactly what students need. These yoga books for kids offer a gentle way to introduce mindfulness and movement, helping kids refocus and build self-control. ๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ
Check out this new blog post for 14 of the best yoga books to add to your library!
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#YogaBooksForKids #ElementaryLibrary #MindfulnessInSchools #YogaForKids #LibraryLife #SpringReset
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