The Trapped Librarian

Make your library the center of your school

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Books for Kids
    • Bulletin Boards and Displays
    • FUN!
    • Helpful Hints
    • Library Advocacy
    • Life
    • Organize It!
    • School Library
    • Technology
    • TPT
  • Shop
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Archives for Library Skills

April 2, 2021 by: Laura

4 Fun Poetry Month Activities for the School Library

Poetry Month Activities

April is National Poetry Month, so of course it’s a great time for some poetry activities in your school library. I really love to take advantage of these types of themes to create fun events in the library. Many classroom teachers do poetry units in April, so that makes it a collaboration opportunity too. Using Poetry Month activities in your school library is a win-win

[ Read More ]

January 22, 2021 by: Laura

Why Your Students Need Library Catalog Practice

Why your elementary students need library catalog practice

I realize that many educators don’t see the importance of library catalog practice for our elementary students. Is it really that important for our students to know how to use this online version of the old-fashioned card catalog? I believe that mastery of these important library catalog skills contributes to strong lifelong learning and independent thinking. Consider the following scenario… How can we best help

[ Read More ]

August 21, 2020 by: Laura

Favorite Back to School Supplies for Librarians

Back to School Supplies for Librarians

Even though I might grumble about the back-to-school displays at stores in July, I can’t help myself… I love to shop for new school supplies at back to school time! I’ve already shared some strategies for getting ready for this school year in your library. Let me tell you about my favorite back to school supplies for librarians. This post contains some affiliate links for

[ Read More ]

August 3, 2020 by: Laura

The Benefits of Musical Storytime in the Library

Benefits of Musical Storytime

A few years ago, I was looking for strategies to keep my youngest learners engaged and ready to learn. It was at that time that I tried Yoga Storytime with my kindergarten and first grade classes. That experience propelled me into a new learning experience in which I stretched myself to become the “singing librarian” I had always wanted to be! All kidding aside, I

[ Read More ]

July 2, 2020 by: Laura

Specialists Collaborate for School Wide Engagement

Trapp School Specialist Collaboration

As school librarians, we are constantly working to collaborate with the other educators within our schools. We know that these efforts result in stronger and deeper learning experiences for our students. School specialist collaboration takes traditional collaboration up a notch by uniting the entire school community around an engaging learning theme. If you need more convincing, read my previous post: Energize Your School Community With

[ Read More ]

January 19, 2020 by: Laura

Media Literacy and the Super Bowl

Media Literacy and the Super Bowl

I’m all about seizing the teachable moment, so I’ve got the perfect media literacy lesson for you to use leading up to or immediately following the Super Bowl! It’s that time of year when more and more students are discussing football and their favorite teams. They come to school on Mondays talking about what happened at the latest playoff games. Excitement builds with each passing

[ Read More ]

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

[ Read More ]
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Past Posts

Categories

Find it Fast

Books for Kids Bulletin Boards and Displays Collaboration Distance Learning Freebies FUN! Helpful Hints Inspiration Library Advocacy Library Decor Library Events Library Lessons Library Management Life Organize It! Professional Development Remote Learning Research School Library Seasonal Technology Tech Tips Test Prep TPT Uncategorized

TPT Shop

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

thetrappedlibrarian

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

So many things to teach…and never quite enough lib So many things to teach…and never quite enough library time! 📚

That’s one reason I think it’s important to be strategic when planning our library lessons.

In this blog post, I’m sharing 6 practical tips for elementary library lesson planning, from scaffolding important library skills and collaborating with other specialists to using books and active learning to keep students engaged.

And while you’re there, you can grab my FREE Library Lessons Calendar to help with your own planning! 💜

➡️ Head over to the blog for all 6 tips and the free download.

>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2024/02/08/library-lesson-plans/
Six resources. One September bundle. And lots of y Six resources. One September bundle. And lots of your monthly library planning already done! 📚💜

I put together 6 resources I like for September to help you teach important skills AND get your library organized for the year ahead.

📚 Book Tasting activities
💻 Library Catalog Practice for K–5
⭐️ Digital Citizenship lessons and activities
🙋 Library Workers & Helpers Kit
📖 Monthly Book Display Signs
🔤 Library Section Signage

Use what you need now and keep the rest ready for later. These are resources you can come back to year after year.

⭐️ And when you purchase them together, you’ll save over 30% off the regular prices!

➡️ Take a closer look at everything included in the September Library Bundle!

>>>>> https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/September-Library-BUNDLE-7141462?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20September%20Bundle%20FB

#SchoolLibrarian #ElementaryLibrarian #SchoolLibrary #LibraryLessons #LibrarySkills #BackToSchool #TeacherLibrarian
📚 Don't miss the Back-to-School issue of the Libra 📚 Don't miss the Back-to-School issue of the Library Helpers Newsletter!

Some of you are heading back to school THIS WEEK (how is that possible?!), while others still have a few precious weeks of summer left. 💜

No matter where you are in the countdown, Julie and I put together this special Back-to-School issue with YOU in mind!

Inside you’ll find:
✨ Practical ideas for starting the year
📚 Book recommendations and read-aloud ideas
🎁 FREE resources
💡 Tips for new and experienced librarians
🗓️ 10 National Days with ideas you can use in your library
💜 Lots of encouragement from two retired librarians who remember just how busy this time of year can be!

We hope you’ll grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite cold drink!), download your FREE copy, and find a few ideas that make your back-to-school season a little easier.

⬇️ Head to the blog to get your copy! >>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/elementary-library-newsletter/
Have you downloaded the free Library Lesson Guide? Have you downloaded the free Library Lesson Guide?

Get ready to feel organized and prepared for each month of the school year. No more giving up your nights and weekends for lesson planning! This free resource will help you plan your lessons for the month, quarter, semester, or year!

✅ Take the guesswork out of what to teach and when
✅ Get idea for engaging interactive lessons
✅ Grab links to helpful products for every month of the school year

⭐ Grab this free guide today and make your library the center of your school! ⭐
https://the-trapped-librarian.myflodesk.com/3f88ae34-9844-4298-8238-66aa8a25836a
💜 Back to school is a great time to start building 💜 Back to school is a great time to start building positive connections with your colleagues!

A little encouragement, a fun surprise, or a simple act of appreciation can go a long way toward helping staff feel connected and valued. And it’s even better when you have those ideas ready to go before the busy school year gets rolling!

✅ My Staff Morale Booster Bundle includes 9 low-prep activities, one for each month from September through May. Each one includes signs, poems, instructions, and inexpensive treat ideas to make it easy to spread a little kindness and fun throughout your school.

⭐️ Start with You’ve Been Schooled! in September, then you’ll be ready with a new theme every month for the rest of the school year.

And you’ll save over 25% by purchasing the bundle instead of the individual resources!

➡️ Take a look at the preview and get your whole year of staff appreciation ready to go! >>>>> 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

#SchoolLibrarian #ElementaryLibrarian #SchoolLibrary #TeacherLibrarian #StaffMorale #StaffAppreciation #TeacherAppreciation #SchoolCulture #BackToSchool #TeachersOfInstagram
📚 September is here! If you’re looking at your lib 📚 September is here! If you’re looking at your library lesson plans and wondering how you’re going to fit everything in, I’ve got some help for you. 💜

My September Library Bundle brings together some of my preferred activities and resources for this time of year, so you don’t have to spend hours searching and planning.

You’ll have resources to help you:
⭐️ Teach and practice important library skills
⭐️ Introduce digital citizenship
⭐️ Get students excited about books with a Book Tasting
⭐️ Organize your library and get your Library Helpers started

Best of all, you’ll save over 30% compared to purchasing the resources separately!

➡️ Take a look at the preview and see if this bundle can save you some time this September.

#SchoolLibrarian #ElementaryLibrary #SchoolLibrary #LibraryLessons #TeacherLibrarian #SeptemberActivities #thetrappedlibrarian
🍽️ What’s on the menu in your library? BOOKS! 📚 A 🍽️ What’s on the menu in your library? BOOKS! 📚

A Book Tasting is such a fun way to help students explore your shelves and discover books they might otherwise pass right by!

Set out a variety of books, add the menus, table signs, and a little restaurant flair, and let your students start “tasting.” It’s a great beginning-of-the-year activity for getting kids excited about reading AND helping them add some new titles to their reading lists. ❤️

This Book Tasting Kit includes lesson plans for K–5, editable menus, bookmarks for younger students, genre and category table signs, posters, and more.

📚 Help your students discover their next great read!

⭐️ BONUS: It’s also included in my September Library Bundle, where you can save over 20%!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Tasting-Activities-2082366?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=TL%20Book%20Tasting%20FB
🩵 Hello library friends... Need help planning your 🩵 Hello library friends... Need help planning your lessons for September?

🎒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. 

🎒Get ideas for your September library lessons over on the blog >>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2021/09/22/september-library-lessons/
💜 If you're just heading back to school, this one' 💜 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. 💜

⭐️ 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/
Follow on Instagram
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Privacy Policy

© 2026 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Pretty Darn Cute Design