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We chat a lot about how we want our students to find the best book for them to ignite a passion for reading. We also gather ideas to add to our toolbox of engaging hands-on activities that help our students become excited to visit us in the library. Think about that toolbox for a minute. Are the activities accessible to all? Could your special education students learn alongside their peers or do a similar activity to access the skill or story being worked with? We want our school libraries to be an inclusive space for all students to explore and work on their reading skills. Today, we will explore some resources that can be brought into your library to help! Making School Libraries Inclusive for Special Education Students is Important Let’s take a minute to think about why our school libraries should be a welcoming space for everyone, including
Nursery rhymes – the beloved lyrical stories of childhood. But there is so much more to these rhyming stories and songs than just entertaining children. These timeless rhymes and melodies are instrumental in laying the groundwork for literacy by introducing young learners to language patterns, rhythms, and rhyming structures. But the fun with nursery rhymes doesn’t stop there! We can continue to use nursery rhymes as the starting place for a variety of reading, language, and creative activities with students of all ages. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you how you can infuse the magic of nursery rhymes into your library sessions! Benefits of Using Nursery Rhymes Including nursery rhymes in our school libraries gives us a wealth of educational benefits that span early childhood development. There are the obvious benefits connected to pre-writing skills like learning to rhyme and developing an understanding of language structures. But the
The Caldecott Medal award winner will be announced on January 22, 2024, which means it’s time for my predictions on which book will take home the top prize and who will be runner-up. The ALA awards are given out sometime in mid-January. Members of the Caldecott committee work hard all year to choose the book they think is deserving of this distinguished award. Members of the committee read thousands of picture books throughout the year. Then they must narrow their choices down to 7 titles each. Once they have this much smaller list, they spend hours debating about which book should receive the top honor. Every year I always come up with my own list of titles that I believe will be contenders. This year I have come up with 15 books that I believe should be on the list (although I have not read nearly as many as
There’s nothing quite like getting caught up in a good book. It’s a magical experience that truly helps develop a lifelong love of reading. Knowing this, I am always on the lookout for stories that will grip my readers’ attention! If you are hoping to do the same, look no further than the wondrous world of children’s fantasy books! In this realm dragons take flight, wizards cast their spells, and extraordinary adventures unfold on every page. As elementary school teachers and librarians, we all play a pivotal role in nurturing young minds and sparking their imaginations. We all know the value of cultivating a deep love for reading, and fantasy books are a great way to do so. If you’re in need of some ideas, this post is designed just for you! Come along to see my recommendations for top fantasy books suitable for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Let’s
Are you eager to spark your child’s interest in the world, help them explore its geography, and set them on the thrilling path of map reading? Well, map books are the secret tool here! They’re like the treasure hunt leading young adventurers into the exciting world of maps. So, whether your learner is enchanted by far-off places, dreams of epic explorations, or wants to decode the secrets of maps, I’ve got you covered with a fantastic mix of fiction and nonfiction map books. The Power of Map Books Through Visualization Maps are visual tools that help children understand and remember geographic information. Map books provide a tangible way to introduce abstract concepts like distance, direction, and spatial relationships. Through the illustrations and graphics in these books, young readers can see the world in a way that makes sense to them. This visual learning not only aids in comprehension but
Do you remember those nights as a kid when the rain was pouring down, thunder was booming, and the spooky vibe of October was in the air? It was the perfect time to dive into thrilling, bone-chilling, scary books. I used to huddle under my blanket, flashlight in hand, and get lost in stories that sent shivers down my spine. Those were the moments when reading felt like an incredible adventure. I’m so excited to share this blog post with you today! It’s all about recreating those unforgettable experiences for your kiddos, no matter their age! From friendly ghosts to mysterious monsters, I’ve handpicked some fantastic spooky tales that will ignite young imaginations! Scary Books for Kindergarten to 2nd Grade For our littlest readers, it’s important to find books that offer just the right amount of spookiness without being too scary. These recommendations are perfect for kindergarteners through 2nd