Make your library the center of your school
Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie series for early readers is popular with young children for a reason. They are fun, exciting, surprising, and full of genuine emotions! Although the final book in the series was just published in 2016, these engaging stories have already become a classic staple in elementary school libraries and kindergarten and first grade classrooms across the country! At my school, older
We loved celebrating Screen Free Week—formerly known as “TV Turnoff Week”—at my school and it was a great event for family engagement! Our screen free week activities challenge students to avoid using screens for entertainment and explore other ways to spend their time. Students who participate complete a contract and tracking sheet, get it signed by an adult, and earn ten raffle tickets for fun
Wonder is still a wildly popular book at my school! The themes of friendship, respect, and kindness are timeless. The following project is a great way to reinforce some technology skills with your students while spreading kindness and inspiration throughout your school community! If you give it a try, be sure to comment and let us know! A friend shared a great idea with me
I started a Keyboarding Club for 4th and 5th grade students in my library because keyboarding wasn’t being taught at my school in those grades and I wanted to give students the option of sharpening their skills on the keys before they began the Smarter Balanced Tests in the Spring. I used free websites, and didn’t have my students create the free accounts offered,
Do your students ever seem extra wiggly or restless during storytime or lessons? You’re not alone! One simple way to channel that energy in a positive direction is through yoga for kids. Just like yoga helps adults with focus, mindfulness, and overall well-being, it can do the same for children. Adding short yoga activities to your classroom or library time can give kids a chance
The first time I hosted a Scholastic Book Fair, I eagerly watched the helpful online how-to videos for setting up the book fair. I scoured the book fair toolkit for helpful hints and tips and I was ready for my shipment. When my books arrived, I called my representative asking “Where are the cases?” You know… the cases that you roll to the exact place
When I first moved into my current library, a colleague visited and suggested I utilize the wall space in the hallways leading in by putting up some large bulletin boards. She could see the possibilities for displaying student work and library concepts in this high-traffic area. I followed her advice and have had a love/hate relationship with those boards ever since! On the one hand,
About a month ago I received a surprise visit by a local television station and representatives from First Interstate Bank with a check for $250 – I had won their One Class at a Time grant!! I used the money from this grant to purchase 5 Ozobot Starter Kits, (which were on sale for $50 each). These tiny programmable robots will enable all of my
It all started with a casual conversation with our physical education teacher… It was a Friday afternoon and I felt like the week had chewed me up and spit me out! I told her I could use some advice on incorporating some movement into my library classes. I needed to turn my lessons up a notch to provide more engagement. She suggested I team up
Happy New Year! Students and teachers will be flooding back to school next week, excited to see what 2016 will bring! Set the stage for an exciting new year of reading by helping your students make some “Reading Resolutions!” Make a display of new books and/or some that may have been forgotten and let your students browse to find titles for their “To-Read” list.
