The Trapped Librarian

Make your library the center of your school

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ABOUT

My name is Laura Trapp and I have been an elementary school librarian since 2005.Β  I was a first grade teacher for 9 years and taught grades 3, 4, & 5 before that, for a grand total of over 35 years of elementary teaching experience.Β  I feel so fortunate to live in the beautiful state of Montana, where I love spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and skiing.

I absolutely love this career, but we all know it can sometimes get overwhelming.Β  Between your own teaching duties, supporting your teachers in their instruction and your students in their learning, as well as managing your diverse library collections & activities – you have your hands full!Β  My goal is to give you high quality materials to save you time and help you make your library the vibrant center of your school that it should be!

Be the light!

I share elementary library ideas, tips and resources as well as a free monthly Library Helpers newsletter with my email subscribers! Sign up below:

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thetrappedlibrarian

πŸ“š Elementary School Librarian
🌟 NBCT 2011
πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸ« Teacher Author
Blog: trappedlibrarian.org

πŸ’œ If you're just heading back to school, this one' πŸ’œ If you're just heading back to school, this one's for you.

There will always be lessons to plan, books to process, displays to finish, and a hundred other things calling for your attention.

But here's the reminder Julie and I are sharing in our Back-to-School Library Helpers Newsletter:

🩡Focus on people first.

Get to know your students. Connect with your staff. Find your library people. And give yourself permission to grow slowly.

You don't have to have everything figured out on the first day. πŸ’œ

⭐️ Our FREE Back-to-School issue is full of ideas, resources, book recommendations, freebies, and encouragement to help you get started.

We hope it feels a little like having two librarian friends cheering you on!

⬇️ Download your free copy on the blog. >>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/elementary-library-newsletter/
Kindergarten is coming at 9:00. Fourth grade at 9: Kindergarten is coming at 9:00. Fourth grade at 9:30. Then second grade…and somehow you need a meaningful lesson ready for EVERYONE. πŸ˜…πŸ“š

Sound familiar?

One of the best things I learned as an elementary librarian was that I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel for every single grade level.

In this blog post, I’m sharing some of the strategies that helped me plan more efficiently, including grouping lessons into grade bands, building skills from year to year, planning ahead in batches, and keeping students actively involved.

➑️ If you’re working on your library lesson plans, I hope these 6 practical tips give you an idea or two that you can put to use right away! πŸ’œ

>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2024/02/08/library-lesson-plans/

#SchoolLibrarian #ElementaryLibrarian #LibraryLessonPlans #LibraryLessons #SchoolLibrary #ElementaryLibrary
πŸ“š Getting your library organized for back to schoo πŸ“š Getting your library organized for back to school?

Over the years, I found a few simple systems that made a BIG difference in keeping my library lessons and supplies organized, especially when classes were coming in one right after another!

In this blog post, I’m sharing 4 of my favorite back-to-school organization tips, including:

πŸ’œ Color-coding by grade level
πŸ’œ Organizing supplies for small groups
πŸ’œ Keeping lesson plans organized from year to year
πŸ’œ An easy way to communicate Library Day information with families

Nothing complicated. Just practical ideas that helped me save time and stay organized throughout the school year!

➑️ Take a look and see if one of these ideas might work in your library!

https://trappedlibrarian.org/2021/08/27/get-organized-for-back-to-school-in-the-library/
⭐️ π—Ÿπ—œπ—•π—₯𝗔π—₯𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬 π—•π—’π—’π—žπ— π—”π—₯π—žπ—¦! ⭐️ πŸ’œ Help students and ⭐️ π—Ÿπ—œπ—•π—₯𝗔π—₯𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬 π—•π—’π—’π—žπ— π—”π—₯π—žπ—¦! ⭐️

πŸ’œ Help students and families remember which day is π—Ÿπ—œπ—•π—₯𝗔π—₯𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬 with these fun bookmarks!πŸ’œ

⭐️ Print your library contact information on the back to encourage library access from home.

➑️ Grab them now! >>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Library-Day-Bookmarks-3291390?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Library%20Day%20Bookmarks%20FB
Have you ever sat through a PD session thinking, " Have you ever sat through a PD session thinking, "This has absolutely nothing to do with my library"?

You're not alone.

That's exactly why I created this Professional Development Bundle for School Librarians. Every session focuses on topics that matter in the elementary library, from advocacy and collaboration to lesson planning and library events.

No generic educator training. Just practical professional learning created by a school librarian, for school librarians. πŸ’œ

Take a look at the preview to see what's included! >>>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Professional-Development-for-School-Librarians-The-Complete-BUNDLE-6382067?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=TL%20Complete%20PD%20FB
One little way to spread some kindness and fun wit One little way to spread some kindness and fun with your staff…all year long! πŸ’œ

My Staff Morale Booster Bundle gives you a different themed activity for every month from September through May, so you can have your staff appreciation ideas planned and ready to go for the entire school year.

Each activity is low-prep, budget-friendly, and includes everything you need to get started. Just print, add an optional treat or note, and start spreading some encouragement!

And when you grab the whole bundle, you’ll save over 25% compared to purchasing each month separately. ⭐️

➑️ Take a look at the preview and get ready for a year of kindness, connection, and a little extra fun with your colleagues!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Staff-Morale-Booster-Bundle-for-Staff-Teacher-Appreciation-Youve-Been-Booed-16669185?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Staff%20Morale%20Booster%20Bundle
πŸ“š Books and freebies? Yes, please! Those are two πŸ“š Books and freebies? Yes, please!

Those are two of my favorite parts of our Back-to-School Library Helpers Newsletter!

IπŸ’œn this issue, Julie and I are sharing lots of books to add to your library list, including some fun back-to-school read alouds. You'll also find FREE resources you can download and use with your students.

And don't skip our August National Days! We've included ideas for everything from Friendship Day and Elephant Day to Tell a Joke Day and Dog Day. πŸ˜πŸΆπŸ˜„

We hope you'll find something inside that you and your students might enjoy!

⬇️ Grab your FREE copy on the blog! >>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/elementary-library-newsletter/
🩡 Hello library friends... Need help planning your 🩡 Hello library friends... Need help planning your lessons for September?

πŸŽ’The beginning of a new school year is always full of excitement! 

It’s important to start with engaging activities and lessons that will set the stage for a year full of active learning for all students. 

πŸŽ’Get ideas for your September library lessons over on the blog >>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2021/09/22/september-library-lessons/
πŸ‘― Need a fun way to pair up your K–2 students? Ba πŸ‘― Need a fun way to pair up your K–2 students?

Back-to-school time means lots of partner activities, and these Perfect Pair Partner Cards make choosing partners part of the fun!

Students find their match with familiar pairs like peanut butter & jelly and burger & fries. Add some music and movement, and you’ve got an easy, interactive way to get kids mixing, talking, and working with someone new. πŸ’œ

But don’t put the cards away when you’re done! Use them again as a low-stress Memory Game for a library center, small group activity, indoor recess, or fast finishers.

⭐️ 10 Perfect Pairs (20 cards)
⭐️ Two ways to play
⭐️ Print and reuse year after year
⭐️ Just $2!

➑️ Take a look and add a little fun to pairing up your students this year!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Partner-Pairing-Cards-and-Memory-Game-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Partners-15559316?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Partner%20Pairing%20Cards
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