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 ›
Student Engagement/ Teaching Models
Popcorn and the Power of a Great Book Trailer
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 ›
You Are Never Too Old for a Good Story
The Storyteller As a child I loved good storytelling, whether told by a professional storyteller or an elder in my family. As a young student I can recall meeting Ella Jenkins, a national storyteller who visited my elementary school. Through… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: Waiting for Pumpsie by Barry Wittenstein
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 ›
Books That Can Make a Difference
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 ›
Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries: More Than Books on the Shelves
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 ›
A Prime Location for Circulation: Book Displays
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 ›
Stories Have Power: YA Fiction as a Life Model
When Good Books Go Bad I was enjoying the anthology Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, an anthology of stories about “geeky” YA protagonists edited by YA authors Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. The book includes an array of tales… Read More ›
5 Things I Love about Author Visits
Each year I am responsible for scheduling the author visit for my school. Preparing for these visits can be a lot of work. There are many factors to consider such as finding the right fit for your audience, budgeting, book… Read More ›
Makerspace Made Easy
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of setting up a makerspace in your library. If you are an elementary librarian with a fixed schedule, you may think that you don’t have the time or the space for a makerspace. Creating… Read More ›