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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

The Ultimate School Librarian Survival Kit

School Library Planners

When I first became a school librarian, I bought a teacher planner at a teacher store. I loved the bright colors and cute graphics and thought it would keep me organized all year. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that the planner was not what I needed. It was made for classroom teachers, not librarians. I tried a few others over the years, but nothing worked for my specific needs. I do not need to keep track of student data or their IEP information or their test scores. So that’s when I decided to make my own school library planner. I could customize it any way I wanted and only include pages that would help me. Once I realized how much I loved the planner and how useful it was, I wanted to share it with other librarians. So I added it to my TpT store and it quickly became

Back to School Checklist for School Librarians

Can you believe it’s that time again? The back-to-school hustle is upon us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling a whirlwind of emotions. There’s excitement bubbling up as we gear up for another school year, but there’s also a healthy dose of nerves mixed in there. It’s a rollercoaster ride of anticipation and anxiety, am I right? The neverending back to school checklist for school librarians can be overwhelming. But after years of experience, I have learned that it doesn’t have to be. As I sit down to think about all the things I need to check off my list before that first bell rings, it’s hard not to feel the pressure mounting. But then I remember that I have prepared a checklist that will guide me through all.the.things that must be done. So, stick with me as I lay out my ultimate back-to-school checklist for school

End of the Year Memory Books for the School Library

I have always loved the memory books and keepsakes that classroom teachers make at the end of the school year. It is so much fun to read about the students year and see what special memories they had. I decided that I wanted to do this with my own classes, through and create end of the year memory books just for the school library. There are 3 different memory books for different grade levels: K/1, 2/3 and 4/5. Google Slides Memory Books The digital versions are almost identical to the print, except they are in color. You will receive three Google Slides files as well as a folder of images. The images will allow you to upload the memory books to SeeSaw or other learning platform more easily. You can still upload the Google Slides file to SeeSaw, but you will have to delete the text boxes from each

My 9 Favorite End of School Read Alouds

As the school year winds down I wanted to share with you some of my favorite end of the year read alouds. As we all know it can be extra challenging keeping our students’ engaged during the end of the year excitement. Summer break is calling and kids definitely have some ants in their pants! You are Ready! The World is Waiting by Eric Carle This book has easy-to-read text encourage children who are going out into the world to spread their wings, knowing they have everything they need inside them Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Last Day of School by Julie Gassman A teacher points out many things that could go wrong if she were to grant permission for a student to bring a dragon to school on the last day. Summer Vacation, Here I Come by D. J. Steinberg It’s summer time, and what better

7 Questions About Library Inventory Answered

If you have never done a library inventory before, it can be a daunting task. I was taught the importance of doing an inventory in school but nothing about the logistics and process of completing one. This blog post will hopefully answer some of the questions you have about library inventory. I also want to point out that I am only familiar with the Destiny catalog system. I believe that other systems are similar but I have not used them. 1. Why do I need to do library inventory? There are numerous benefits of having an accurate and up to date inventory. They include: 2. When do I start inventory? Does it have to be at the end of the school year? No, you can start your inventory any time throughout the school year. In fact rarely have I done my inventory at the end of the year. I

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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

The Ultimate School Librarian Survival Kit

School Library Planners

Back to School Checklist for School Librarians

End of the Year Memory Books for the School Library

My 9 Favorite End of School Read Alouds

7 Questions About Library Inventory Answered

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