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K-5 Elementary Library Curriculum Map

I will never forget the overwhelming feeling I had when I started my first job and realized I had no idea what to teach my students. The librarian I replaced left nothing behind—no lesson plans, no curriculum maps, not even a single worksheet. The office was completely empty, and I felt out of my depth. That first school year was filled with a lot of trial and error. Over the next few years, I developed a plan. I learned the curriculum for all grade levels and subjects, understanding what was being taught in the classrooms and identifying areas where students often struggled. I integrated this with the skills I wanted my students to learn. Eventually, I created a document that combined elements of a curriculum map and a scope and sequence. It wasn’t a formal document, nor was I required to submit anything to the administration. Although I wrote
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Exit Tickets in the School Library + a FREEBIE

Find out how exit tickets can be used in the school library.
As librarians, we might not give grades for our class, but we do teach valuable skills that help our students with their core subjects. After a class, it is always nice to have feedback to know whether our students understood the lesson, what questions they have, or how they can apply what they learned. Using exit tickets in the school library is a great way to do this and it has been a game-changer for me. Keep reading to find out how exit tickets can benefit you as a school librarian. Purposes of Exit Tickets in the School Library One of the easiest ways I have found to do informal assessments and checks for understanding is through exit tickets. These little slips of paper focus on just one skill or concept at a time. Quite often, it is one question that relates to our lesson. This makes them quick
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Back to School Read Alouds to Use During Library Time

Use these back to school read alouds to engage your students during library time.
In just a few short weeks, most of us will be gearing up to head back to school. We all know how crucial it is to teach library rules and expectations during those first few weeks. One way I love to do this is with back to school read-alouds. I try to choose stories that naturally spark conversations about school and library behavior (including how to care for books). So, today, I’m sharing a list of my favorite back to school read-alouds with you, featuring some tried and true favorites as well as a few newer titles. 20 Back to School Read Alouds First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John This is a brand new back to school book from Jory John. All the animals are nervous about the first day of school. Sloth is worried he will be late and snake can’t keep his backpack on. And bunny
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Back to School Checklist for School Librarians

Use these back to school checklist for school librarians ideas to help you start the school year ready to tackle any challenges that come your way.
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
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End-of-Year Library Book Return Strategies That Work

As the end of the school year approaches, we are faced with one of our biggest challenges: tracking down all those missin library books! Over the years, I’ve tested a variety of strategies with mixed success. In this post, I’m sharing some creative tips and tried-and-true ideas to help you encourage students to return their books before summer break officially begins. Morning Announcement Reminders Give daily reminders during morning announcements. Add a silly twist – maybe a different “book joke of the day” or a dramatic plea from a “lonely book.” Example: “Why did the overdue book cross the road?To get back to the library before summer!” Make It Fun and Visible Put up colorful, eye-catching signs around the school. Think big fonts, bold colors, and clever sayings. Try funny ones like: Bonus: Add visuals like sunglasses-wearing books or a “missing book” wanted poster. Offer Small Incentives Consider offering
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Christmas Ornament Book Recommendation Freebie

The holiday season is upon us! Do you decorate your library or classroom for Christmas? I decorate for every season and Christmas is my favorite. I always put up a tree and string lights around the door. (Don’t tell the fire marshal!) A few years ago I started having the students make ornaments to put on the tree: Christmas ornament book recommendations! This is such a fun and engaging activity. You can use it with students in any grade level, the kids love to make them and they make your library look so festive! What could be better? Making the Christmas Ornament Book Recommendation This is a simple activity to prepare, which is always a bonus during this hectic and chaotic time. All you need are copies of the Christmas ornament book recommendation template, scissors, pencils, and crayons. If possible print them out on card stock or a thicker
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Staying Cool in the Library is my blog, where I share my passion for fostering a love of reading with children. As a librarian, I believe reading should be fun and accessible to all students. That’s why I share engaging and interactive lesson plans, creative ways to build exciting library collections, and resources to inspire even the most reluctant readers in any classroom or library. Check out my blog posts and products in my store, and join my email list below.

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