Have you heard about Boom Cards? They are no-prep, digital, interactive task cards that are super easy to use! They are just the ticket to add some fun to the learning in your virtual or in-person library classes! Follow these tips to get started using Boom Cards in the school library. What are Boom Cards? Boom Cards are self-grading exercises that are gamified for students
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
Hour of Code: Future Computer Scientists in the Making!
Computer Science Education Week is the first week in December each year. This is a time when students around the world participate in the Hour of Code. I’ve been participating with my elementary library classes for several years now, but at first I was very reluctant to try it with my youngest classes. My lack of understanding about coding led to me feeling afraid to
It’s almost time for the PARADE!!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, that is! I’ve always loved watching this parade on Thanksgiving morning. This year I am thankful for Melissa Sweet’s book, Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. This fun book was the winner of the Robert R. Sibert Informational Book Medal in 2012. This week I plan to use the book with all of my
It’s Great to Have Friends!
88 1st Graders + 4 Teachers + 1 Principal + 1 Librarian + 1 Amazing Author = Pure Magic! Tuesday was a terrific day in the library because my first grade students, their teachers, our principal and I got to meet and visit with the inspiring Ame Dyckman! We had been reading her books, Boy + Bot and Tea Party Rules, which are fabulous friendship
DIsplay Your Instagram Feed on Your Blog Page
A couple of weeks ago I had seen a tweet from Free Technology for Teachers about embedding an Instagram feed on your blog page. I had been thinking about starting an account for my library, so this gave me the push to get it done! The article tells how to use SnapWidget to get a code to embed your feed, and can be found at
Snapguides made simple by Simple K12!
Thanks to some colleagues who are lifetime learners, I got a great deal on a membership to Simple K12 and it has been a wonderful resource for me to use for professional growth. I love the concept: “PD in your PJs!” Just the kind of class I always wanted to take in college! Recently I viewed the on-demand webinar: Stop Repeating Yourself: Create Easy Student