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You are here: Home / Archives for Helpful Hints

March 30, 2020 by: Laura

Show Up for Your Students When School is Closed

As we all deal with the wide spread effects of school closures during this COVID 19 coronavirus outbreak, educators are looking for what is truly best for their students at this time. Many people may panic at the idea of missed instructional time and a possible decline in academic achievement. I believe the more pressing need is to maintain a connection to and among our

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January 4, 2020 by: Laura

Spice Up Your Library Catalog Instruction!

Trapped Librarian Catalog Practice

Library catalog instruction can be dull and boring. It can be difficult to motivate students to care about library search and location skills when they’d rather be playing a game. Why not make your library catalog search and location practice into a game with additional activities just as fun as playing a game?! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  This means that

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July 30, 2019 by: Laura

TPT Tips for School Librarians

I’ve teamed up with 4 other School Librarians to give you some shopping tips for using the Teachers Pay Teachers website to your advantage! Many of us have tight budgets in our school libraries, so it’s important to save money whenever we can! Take a look at these tips for using TpT… It’s a Blog Hop! You can start at the top and hop on

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July 29, 2019 by: Laura

TpT Tips for Teacher Librarians: Ratings, Comments, and Questions

I love to shop on Teachers Pay Teachers! It is so satisfying to find just the right resource at just the right time and to be able to purchase and download it instantly. More than once I’ve found the perfect activity for my students right when I need it. I’ve found that I can save some money while also helping out the sellers who create

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January 21, 2019 by: Laura

I Love to Read Month in Your Library

I Love to Read Month The Trapped Librarian

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’ll help your students and staff spread the love of reading throughout the school. This article may contain Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. This means that if you click a

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March 11, 2018 by: Laura

Get Your Students Prepared for Tests with Keyboarding Club!

Keyboarding Club Test Prep

  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,

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October 22, 2017 by: Laura

7 Tips for a Successful Book Fair

Trapp Book Fair Displays

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

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July 24, 2017 by: Laura

Help Your Students Find Book Series They Will Love!

Do you have students who find a favorite book series and then want to read all of the books in order?  On any given day in my library, students come in asking questions like: “What’s Magic Tree House number 17?” “Which book is after Rodrick Rules?” “What’s the first book in the Underland series?” Now, I know it is relatively easy to look up the

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October 24, 2015 by: Laura

TRICK or TREAT!

Hello Friends! I’m teaming up with Rachael from The Classroom Game Nook for another fun Blog Hop!  I hope you’ll join us for some Trick or Treat fun! One trick that has helped me in recent years is to color code my class materials and supplies. I teach 4 classes each of K – 2nd grades and 3 classes each of 3rd – 5th.  To

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October 1, 2015 by: Laura

Do You BITMOJI??!!

If you don’t, you should.  Just for a giggle.  And some fun.  And to impress your friends.  AND to have a ridiculous Bitmoji-filled text message conversation with your loved ones! I’ll be honest, my Bitmoji has gotten me through some tough times. It’s helped me say the things I couldn’t really put into words. Bitmoji is a free app that comes from the creators of

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thetrappedlibrarian

📚 Elementary School Librarian
🌟 NBCT 2011
👩🏻‍🏫 Teacher Author
Blog: trappedlibrarian.org

🏈 It's time to seize the teachable moment and get 🏈 It's time to seize the teachable moment and get your 4th & 5th grade students excited about learning in the library! 
https://trappedlibrarian.org/2020/01/19/make-the-most-of-the-super-bowl-excitement-with-fun-and-engaging-media-literacy-lessons/
❄️ Whether your students are bundling up for snowy ❄️ Whether your students are bundling up for snowy adventures or dreaming of what snow might feel like for the very first time, winter-themed stories are perfect for your library lessons right now! Get ideas for 15 great winter picture books over on the Trapped Librarian blog! 
☃️ >>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2025/01/11/winter-picture-books-2
This 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 Library Lessons Calendar will help you g This 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 Library Lessons Calendar will help you get organized and prepared for 2026! 

✅ Take the guesswork out of what to teach and when⁣
✅ Get ideas for engaging interactive lessons⁣
✅ Links to helpful products for every month of the school year ⁣
⁣
⭐ Let me help you plan your elementary library activities for each month of the school year!
⁣
➡ Download it today! >>>>>> https://the-trapped-librarian.myflodesk.com/3f88ae34-9844-4298-8238-66aa8a25836a
✨ Start the new year with reading goals students a ✨ Start the new year with reading goals students actually care about! ✨
This New Year Reading Resolutions Bulletin Board gets kids talking about books, sharing favorites, and setting personal reading goals after winter break. Sticky notes, bookmarks, and book displays make this an easy, low-prep win for your library.

📚 Your new bulletin board will become a gathering spot as the culture of reading spreads throughout your school!

👉 Click to see the preview >>>>>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Year-Reading-Resolutions-Bulletin-Board-Library-Bulletin-Board-2301568?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20NYRR%20BB%20FB
Happy New Year, library friends! 🥳 New year, new m Happy New Year, library friends! 🥳
New year, new month, same library friends cheering you on. 💜
The January Library Helpers Newsletter is here with practical ideas, free downloads, and low-prep inspiration to help you kick off 2026 with confidence.

Click through to grab your free copy and start the year with support.
>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/elementary-library-newsletter/
Need a simple January center or reward activity? ❄ Need a simple January center or reward activity? ❄️ This Winter Bingo game is perfect for snowy fun in the library or classroom.

>>>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1-DEAL-Winter-Bingo-for-Kindergarten-1st-2nd-January-Activities-and-Centers-15161327?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Winter%20Bingo
❄️ January Fun! ❄️ Cold days are the perfect time ❄️ January Fun! ❄️
Cold days are the perfect time to spread a little kindness. This You’ve Been Snowed winter staff morale booster makes it easy to lift spirits in January with a simple treat and note. A fun winter activity that helps build connection and smiles at school! ⛄💙

>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1-DEAL-Youve-Been-Snowed-Winter-Staff-Morale-Booster-for-January-15156473?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20You've%20Been%20Snowed
Winter break is the perfect time to recharge and g Winter break is the perfect time to recharge and get inspired for the second half of the school year.
❄️ Pour a cup of cocoa, grab your comfy blanket, and learn at your own pace with professional development made just for school librarians.
You’ll head back in January feeling refreshed, confident, and ready to make your library shine!

👉 Grab it now so you'll be ready to explore the when you get some down time after the holidays!:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Professional-Development-for-School-Librarians-The-Complete-BUNDLE-6382067?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=TL%20Complete%20PD%20FB

 #elementarylibrary #librariansofinstagram #elementarylibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #librariansofig #schoollibrarians #thetrappedlibrarian #teacherlibrarian
Need something quick for those last chaotic days b Need something quick for those last chaotic days before winter break? This Christmas Scavenger Hunt is your new go-to! Hide the cards, let kids search, and watch the excitement take over. Perfect for classroom parties, movement breaks, or a meaningful time-filler when plans change. 🎄🔎✨

Grab it today! >>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Scavenger-Hunt-for-Kindergarten-1st-2nd-December-Holiday-Activities-14980074?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Christmas%20Scavenger%20Hunt

 #teacherlibrarian #elementarylibrary #iteachk #iteachfirst #iteachsecond #elementarylibrarian #tpt #thetrappedlibrarian #teacherspayteachers #elementarylibraryfun
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