stayingcoolinthelibrary, Author at Staying Cool in the Library

Tips & Ideas for a Positive Book Checkout

Book checkout time can feel like a whirlwind if you don’t have the right procedures in place. But don’t worry because I’ve got you covered! By streamlining this process, you can turn what might be a chaotic moment into a smooth, enjoyable experience for your students. Keep reading to discover my top tips for making book checkout time a breeze and ensuring your students have a positive and fun library experience! Importance of a Positive Book Checkout Checkout time is more than just a routine. It’s a golden opportunity to build strong, meaningful relationships with your students. During this time, our students often share their thoughts on books, seek recommendations, and ask for help finding the perfect read. They might even open up about important events in their lives. This gives you a unique chance to support them both academically and personally. Taking the time to engage in these

Biography Research Projects

Students need to read and learn about many different types of informational texts, including biographies. A biography research project can combine many important skills besides just learning about the life of an important person, such as: note-taking summarizing and paraphrasing information evaluating information finding the best sources for information organizing information the importance of citing your sources practice writing informational text Basics of a Biography Teach students the call number When I teach about biographies in the library, I start by showing students the biography section and pointing out the call number for biographies. I always give my biographies the call number of 92; however, each library is different. What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography? I then like to discuss the difference between a biography and an autobiography. A biography usually provides facts about a person from their childhood through adulthood and is written by someone

Super Simple STEM Activities for the Library

STEM in the library…boy do I get a lot of requests for posts on this! I absolutely love incorporating STEM activities into the library as well as helping classroom teachers come up with fun STEM ideas. What does STEM stand for in case you don’t already know? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Some may also refer to STEAM which adds in art as well. STEM education has become very popular in schools within the last few years. The reason that STEM education has become so popular is because it pushes students to go beyond the typical school subject curriculum and standards. STEM education helps teach students how to solve real-world problems and challenges that they could face in today’s world; Hence, preparing students to be successful in their careers. STEM education can start as young as preschool age! Students should always be exploring hands-on activities and

Teaching Genre in the Library

Who else loves to teach genre to your students? Teaching different types of genres opens the door to lifelong reading. It’s about helping our students pick up books that ignite curiosity. It also shows our students the worlds that exist beyond their own. Understanding genres also connects to writing, helping our students move past the traditional narrative and explore creative possibilities. What is a Genre? Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is a genre? A genre is a category that helps us group books (or any type of story) based on similar themes, settings, or styles. It guides them to books they’ll love based on what they’re in the mood for. Whether it’s a suspenseful mystery, an adventure, or a heartwarming tale of friendship, genres help us organize stories and make it easier for our students to explore new favorites. In the library, genres go beyond fiction. Nonfiction

The Best Picture Books for Teaching Character Traits

Teaching students about character traits in reading is important but can be difficult to do. Character traits are such an ABSTRACT idea that some children have a hard time understanding what character traits are. Students typically have to use inferencing skills to “read between the lines” of what information the author is giving you about the characters in the story, such as what the character is saying and doing. How to Teach About Character Traits Start by defining exactly WHAT character traits are. Then together, make an anchor chart about character traits. Have students help you name certain traits that they believe characters in stories might have. Make sure to get them thinking about character traits on the OUTSIDE and on the INSIDE! I like to do another lesson about positive character traits vs. negative character traits. (Some traits can even be neutral). Finally, my biggest piece of advice

How to Manage Centers in the Library with Ease

Managing centers in the school library can seem daunting, especially with an already packed schedule. Let me tell you, I absolutely love having centers in the library! Using centers enhances student engagement while fostering a love for learning and reading. Over the years, I’ve discovered some fantastic tricks that make managing library centers a breeze. Today, I’m sharing my favorite strategies to help you effortlessly bring centers into your library routine and make the most out of every moment. (Note: This post contains affiliate links.) Centers in the Library Are Beneficial To Students’ Exploration Centers in the library are a game-changer for student exploration and learning. When I first started incorporating centers, I noticed an immediate boost in student engagement. These centers give our students the freedom to explore different subjects at their own pace, which fosters a sense of independence and curiosity. I love watching my students dive

Library
Management

Lesson
Plans

Reading
Motivation

Library
Skills

Research

Reading & Literacy

Archives

Tips & Ideas for a Positive Book Checkout

Biography Research Projects

Super Simple STEM Activities for the Library

Teaching Genre in the Library

The Best Picture Books for Teaching Character Traits

How to Manage Centers in the Library with Ease

Categories

Categories

QUICK LINKS

BESTSELLING PRODUCTS

LEGAL STUFF

JOIN MY FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY!