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 of my state association, MAME.

• My Favorite Collaborative Lesson: Animal Crossings in 2nd Grade

  By Kelly Hincks on 05/09/2022 • ( 0 )

  

    In my school, we use a hybrid schedule in the library.  This means that all lessons taught in first through third grade are done in collaboration with the homeroom teacher.   The goal is to teach the library and… Read More ›

• 4 Levels of Collaboration for Teachers and Librarians

  By Kelly Hincks on 03/31/2022 • ( 3 )

  

  As school librarians, we know that collaboration is a large part of our role.  In the AASL National School Library Standards to collaborate is to “work effectively with others to broaden perspectives and work toward common goals.”  We also understand… Read More ›

• 7 Random Thoughts from a School Librarian

  By Kelly Hincks on 03/22/2022 • ( 0 )

  

  If you know me then you know that I do not usually run out of things to share.  However, this month I found writing this post tricky.  This is the point of the year when energy is low and things… Read More ›

• Journey to a Flexible Schedule: 5 Years Later

  By Kelly Hincks on 02/10/2022 • ( 2 )

  

  Recently, I was chatting with another school librarian and they asked about our schedule.  At one time the school library used a fixed schedule for all classes but switched to a hybrid model several years ago.  I realized that it… Read More ›

• 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 ›