Author Archives

I am the librarian at Detroit Country Day Lower School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I have worked as a librarian for the past eleven years. I was a classroom teacher for four years prior to that. I have worked in charter, public, and private schools. My favorite thing about being a librarian is the opportunities I have to work both with students and teachers. I love the co-teaching opportunities and connections I have been able to make! I have served on AASL committees as a member and chair. I currently serve as secretary on my state association, MAME.

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Birds in Preschool

  By Kelly Hincks on 01/10/2022 • ( 0 )

  

  Our preschool is all based on play and authentic learning opportunities. The objectives in preschool can be taught through a variety of themes. So the teachers choose the themes to teach these objectives from what the children are talking about… Read More ›

• Talking about Books: Student Conferencing in the Library

  By Kelly Hincks on 12/07/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  Three years ago I started to notice that many of the third-graders I was working with were not checking out a book when they would come to the library. My schedule is such that we have a twenty-minute fixed time… Read More ›

• 6 More Games to Play with Elementary Students

  By Kelly Hincks on 11/12/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  In October 2020, I shared a blog called “8 Games to Play Virtually with Elementary Students.” Now that we are back to in-person learning, I have discovered a few additional content-driven games to add to the list. These are games… Read More ›

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Talking about September 11th

  By Kelly Hincks on 10/12/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  In August, my school offered a school-wide professional development about Mind Brain Education (MBE) from The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL). The purpose of this professional development was to identify best teaching practices that are grounded in research. … Read More ›

• 6 Goals for the Library This School Year

  By Kelly Hincks on 09/09/2021 • ( 1 )

  

  This summer has been unique for me. Usually, I jump into professional development opportunities or professional reading, but this summer I have needed a minute. Instead, I have focused on reading for pleasure every day. I have just tried to… Read More ›

• Super Awesome Library Project: Websites in 3rd Grade

  By Kelly Hincks on 08/12/2021 • ( 2 )

  

  You know when you have those times as an educator when you become so impressed by what students can do that you just have to stop and appreciate the moment. Well, this happened to me at the end of the… Read More ›

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Story Problems with Scratch Jr.

  By Kelly Hincks on 07/22/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  I find that collaboration between homeroom teachers and the school librarian can happen naturally in subjects like language arts and social studies, but other subjects like math can be a bit tricky to fit together. However, every once in a… Read More ›

• Are You Backable? 5 Ways to Advocate

  By Kelly Hincks on 06/09/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  What does it mean to be backable? You know the person who seems to convince others with ease. The person who can get up and share an idea and show others exactly what needs to be done. When becoming a… Read More ›

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Flags in First Grade

  By Kelly Hincks on 05/19/2021 • ( 1 )

  

  Collaboration can take many forms. It does not always have to be a co-taught lesson or one with many parts. It just needs to be one where the school librarian and classroom teacher support each other’s curriculum to help extend… Read More ›

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Stop Motion in Preschool

  By Kelly Hincks on 04/14/2021 • ( 0 )

  

  As school librarians, we know that collaboration is important. I am fortunate that many of my colleagues love to work together. They understand the shared vision and benefits that collaboration can offer. Below is a project that was developed alongside… Read More ›