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Improve Library Efficiency with Student Library Helpers

As school librarians, we juggle so much – circulation, shelving, displays, and helping our students find the perfect book to spark their curiosity. It’s a lot to handle and, some days, it can feel like you need an extra set of hands (or five). That’s where library helpers come in! They’re the secret to keeping your library running smoothly while giving students a sense of ownership and responsibility. Whether it’s shelving books or organizing supplies, library helpers can transform your space into a more efficient and welcoming environment. Today, I’m sharing some tips and guidance for how to get library helpers started in your library! Why Library Helpers Are a Game-Changer Having library helpers has completely changed how I manage my library. They don’t just take a load off my plate. They also make the library feel like a shared space where everyone contributes. These student volunteers bring so

Teaching Types of Genres to Elementary Students

If you’ve ever watched your kiddos light up when they connect with a story, you know how powerful books can be. When I introduce different types of genres in the school library, it’s a chance to open the door to new worlds, big ideas, and unforgettable adventures. Picture and chapter books are great for lessons because they’re perfect for breaking down genre elements while keeping children engaged. Whether you’re working with primary students or upper elementary readers, there’s something magical about finding just the right book to bring a genre to life. Today, I’m sharing some favorites that I use when teaching the different types of genres to my students. Breaking Down the Types of Genres Before diving into book recommendations, let’s take a moment to break down what makes up each genre. Understanding the key features of each genre helps our students recognize patterns and appreciate the storytelling

Graphic Organizers Spark Clarity and Comprehension for Students

Navigating the writing process can be a common challenge, both for me personally and for my students. From deciding where to start to organizing thoughts, the struggle is real. Whether assisting my students in their writing journeys or diving deep into reading comprehension, helping students work through all the thoughts and ideas can be challenging. That’s where the magic of graphic organizers comes in! Today, I’ll walk you through why graphic organizers are a must-have in your toolbox, what exactly they are, and throw in a few examples that you can use with your students! What Are Graphic Organizers? Have you ever been lost? Maybe you’ve been lost literally in a new place, or maybe you have felt lost in a school subject. Both scenarios create an icky feeling of being overwhelmed and hopeless. When students feel like this they have racing thoughts overpowering each other in their heads,

The Ultimate School Librarian Survival Kit

While sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to tackle everything on our to-do list, being an elementary or middle school librarian is such a rewarding gig! From cataloging new books to organizing reading programs and helping students find their next favorite read, there’s a lot of variety in this job! If you love what you do, but need some systems to help make it more efficient, I’ve got your back! Let’s talk about my school librarian survival kit and how it will be a total game-changer for you. What’s Included in This School Librarian Survival Kit My school librarian survival kit has EVERYTHING you need to rock the new school year. It includes lesson plans, activity ideas, library management tips, and even some fun decorations to brighten up your space. With these resources, you’ll have all the tools to keep your library running smoothly

Five Chapter Books about Anxiety and Mental Health

If you haven’t already, it’s time to add some chapter books about anxiety and mental health to your library. Readers will find allies in the young characters whose friends and family members (or themselves) struggle with some aspect of mental health. In addition, these titles will help students that do not struggle with mental health issues develop understanding and empathy both for themselves and for others. Check out these five chapter books about anxiety and mental health! Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt There are many ways to distract a teacher. Ally knows this, and she uses every trick in the book to keep her teacher from realizing she cannot read. In Mr. Daniels, however, she’s met her match. He’s determined to figure out the real Ally. In the process, Ally finds that she is actually very intelligent, and her dyslexia doesn’t have to define her. The

Getting Started with Flipgrid

Flipgrid’s catchphrase is “empower every voice”. Teachers and students around the globe use Flipgrid to allow all voices to be heard in the classroom. There are so many uses for Flipgrid in the library, and it’s really easy to get started with Flipgrid! Sign Up for Flipgrid Signing up for Flipgrid is simple. You can login with your G Suite or Microsoft account to create an educator account. Start Your Grid Once you sign up, dialogue boxes will walk you through the process, but your first step is creating a Grid. Your Grid is like your homebase for your classroom. I like to create a Grid for each grade level that I teach. First, you’ll title your Grid. Next, you’ll select a Grid type. School Email If your students have email addresses, you can easily control which domains have access to your Grid. This helps with security. Note that

All About Book Snaps

As a librarian, you are constantly finding creative resources to get your students to fall in love with books. Why not utilize the format of one of their favorite apps, “Snapchat”? No, you don’t have to have your students download the app. “Book Snaps” simply are digital images or photos where students can annotate or share their own ideas about a book. Learn all about Book Snaps and how to use them in your library classroom! Apps to Use for Book Snaps To begin, your students will take a photo or a screenshot of a page of text. It can be a digital or physical book. In order to annotate the text and add fun images and reactions, they can use any app that allows for editing. The native photo app on most phones PicCollage Canva Seesaw Google Slides Google Drawings. . .and more! How to Create a Book

Favorite October Picture Books

October is such a fun month for picture books! This time of year, everyone is getting excited for the upcoming holiday season and the weather changing. My October pictures favorites include a lot of fun Halloween stories, funny fall books, and plenty of giggles for your students! BONE SOUP BY CAMBRIA EVANS Known across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. But, when Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigin. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic? MISS SMITH AND THE

Using Wakelet for Collaborative Research Projects

Wakelet can be used in numerous ways, but did you know it is the perfect tool for a collaborative research project? And not just for upper elementary students but younger grades as well. There are three key benefits in using Wakelet this way. Students do not need an account to use Wakelet. You do not have to set up usernames and passwords or make sure students know how to log-in. All you do is share the link with your students. They will be able to view all your links and documents as well as add their own. You can easily have your students complete their research projects whether they are in school, virtual, hybrid or any other combination you can think of. All students need is access to an internet connected device. They can still work collaboratively together. Everything your students need to complete their research project can be

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Reading & Literacy

Improve Library Efficiency with Student Library Helpers

Teaching Types of Genres to Elementary Students

Graphic Organizers Spark Clarity and Comprehension for Students

The Ultimate School Librarian Survival Kit

Five Chapter Books about Anxiety and Mental Health

Getting Started with Flipgrid

All About Book Snaps

Favorite October Picture Books

Ten Picture Books to Teach Social Emotional Learning

Using Wakelet for Collaborative Research Projects

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