When students enter through the front library doors the first thing they encounter is our study hall desk and a book display podium. This book display is strategically placed here to entice students into grabbing a new novel, but I… Read More ›
So often in education, we focus on the end-game: summative assessments, finals, standardized tests, graduation. We’re always asking ourselves, “Did they learn it?” However, learning is never really finished; it’s a journey that continues regardless of what milestones we pass…. Read More ›
“We’re all learners, and we should be growing ourselves every day. We ask our students to show up every day ready to learn… Yet as adults, how committed are we to that same learning adventure?” – From Sparks in… Read More ›
Lately, when I’m in the middle of my high school library research lessons, I’ve been asking the students a question: “How many of you have listened to a podcast?” Usually not one hand goes up. Occasionally, there are a few…. Read More ›
There’s something about comic books that excites people. As a child I devoured Archie and Richie Rich comics, but soon forgot about them as novels became my go-to medium. A few years ago, while in library school, I was introduced… Read More ›
Let’s start with a quiz. Select the definition/idea/skill you consider challenging to assess student mastery of: Satire Habitat Pythagorean Theorem Reading Laterally Did you choose option four: reading laterally? Congratulations! Your answer is correct. Now you may think this was… Read More ›
There’s nothing like seeing a great movie in a theater. First of all, there’s the popcorn. Movie-theater popcorn is unlike anything you can microwave or cook on the stove. There’s the anticipation of a great film and spending 2 hours… Read More ›
Primary sources can give students an opportunity to explore an event or individual over time. A historically based picture book can reveal a lesser known event or individual from history. Paired together, the two can lead to engaging learning for… Read More ›
My co-librarian and I are messy and disorganized. We love our work, we love our middle schoolers, but we do not love cleaning. As we’re were doing our end-of-the-year chores, we realized we need to make some major changes and… Read More ›
Drawing Inspiration School librarians consistently look for inspiration. Inspiration motivates us to develop programming, supports, and approaches to teaching and collaboration. Inspiration also lets us consider ourselves in the greater world while appreciating those around us. This past month, a… Read More ›
Think of a book that compelled you to make a difference. Some may say A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park urged them to act. This story is about a remarkable young man named Salva. He was one of… Read More ›
It is essential that school librarians continuously update our collections with newer, more relatable, more diverse books; and it’s also essential that we do more than that. Note: While diversity and inclusion work has many layers and intersections, this post… Read More ›
As school librarians, we are all busy. There is never enough time to do it all, much less do it all well. One area that has demanded my attention lately is reading kids’ books. A school librarian must read books… Read More ›