Author Archives

Ronda Hughes is a Middle School Library Media Specialist in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She has 21 years experience in public education as: a Physical Education teacher, 5th grade Literacy teacher and a library media specialist. Hughes has served as Tri-Lakes Reading Council President, Arkansas Reading Association Intellectual Chair, Alpha Delta Kappa Vice President, and Arkansas Association of Instructional Media Board Member. She has been on numerous committees such as; Arkansas Department of Education K-8 Computer Science Standards and Library Media Standards, Garland County READS, Arkansas Diamond Book Award Committee, Charlie May Simon Book Award Committee, just to name a few.

• The School Library during a Pandemic

  By Ronda Hughes on 07/02/2020 • ( 0 )

  

  I never could have dreamed that Friday, March 13, 2020, would be the end of “normal” for quite a while. As the school librarian I brainstormed ways to assist students and teachers in my middle school.  How can I keep… Read More ›

• Count the Ways to Collaborate with Other Librarians…

  By Ronda Hughes on 07/08/2019 • ( 0 )

  

  There are many outlets for librarians to connect with and support one another. Below are just a few that help me in my school library practice. Citywide Consortium of Librarians My hometown has seven school districts. Within those districts there… Read More ›

• Traveling the Dust Bowl in the School Library

  By Ronda Hughes on 05/03/2019 • ( 0 )

  

  Connection: Classroom Curriculum and School Library Standards School librarians wear many hats; teacher, keeper of the books, tech expert, collaborator, program planner, host of events and programs, just to mention a few. I recently planned, organized, and hosted “Traveling the… Read More ›

• Read Across America in the Middle School

  By Ronda Hughes on 02/21/2019 • ( 3 )

  

  Read Across America is an annual event that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. Most elementary schools celebrate in a variety of ways, including: Allowing students to… Read More ›

• A Community That Reads Together

  By Ronda Hughes on 01/08/2019 • ( 0 )

  

  My hometown has a population of approximately 55,000 people and seven school districts. These districts have always acted as rivals rather than schools that form a united community of students. Three years ago my superintendent and I decided to attempt… Read More ›

• Not Your Traditional Book Club

  By Ronda Hughes on 11/02/2018 • ( 3 )

  

  Book clubs have been a staple in school libraries for years. Usually the same few students show up each time, because they genuinely love books. While every school librarian is pleased that they attend, it would be nice to add… Read More ›

• What to Do for Banned Books Week?

  By Ronda Hughes on 10/03/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Intellectual Freedom and Middle School Students I look forward to September every year, as it’s my opportunity to focus on our freedom to read. Each year I revamp my Banned Books Week presentation to stir in my students a renewed spirit… Read More ›

• Surviving the Wild of Middle School by Making It FUN

  By Ronda Hughes on 08/31/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Supporting Curriculum and Adding FUN Each year seventh-grade students in my school read two class novels that focus on survival skills and wild terrain. Students read Call of the Wild by Jack London and Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen… Read More ›

• Social Media in the LMC–What’s All the Hype?

  By Ronda Hughes on 08/01/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Social media is an easy platform from which you can shout the great things that are happening inside of your school library. I am shocked at how often I cross paths with people that still think a library is a… Read More ›