I recently re-read two very helpful books on the subject of reading aloud: The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Megan Cox Gurdon, and Jim Trelease‘s Read Aloud Handbook (8th ed.). The… Read More ›
Blog Topics
Creating an Adulting 101 Section
As students mature into adults there are certain life skills that they will need to be successful. They are progressing from dependent child to independent member of the world. Some of the most important things I have learned as an… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: Kate’s Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse by Elizabeth Spires and Emily Arnold McCully
Maybe I’m a sucker for a good lighthouse story after sitting on the 2019 Caldecott Committee where Sophie Blackall won for Hello Lighthouse. But more likely, I’m drawn to an intriguing story. That was what I found when I opened… Read More ›
Library Zones
Spaces, Zones, and Students Our school is experiencing incredible growth in the wake of the pandemic. We are happy to welcome our new students! However, we need a plan to adjust for the additional student traffic. So the search begins… Read More ›
My #AASL21 Conference Experience
If you have ever been to an AASL National Conference, you know it can be a remarkable event. It is difficult to put into words just how impressive this conference can be for our professional growth. There are author visits,… Read More ›
Book Challenges: Coming Soon to a School Near You?
Challenging Times If you or someone you know hasn’t yet had a book challenge, give it time. As you are undoubtedly aware, there is a rising tide of book challenges across the country. Targets include specific titles and particular topics;… Read More ›
Librarians, Let’s Confer about Who We Are
This short volume of a post stands between bookends: #AASL21, which just occurred last week, and the upcoming #VAASL conference, which takes place next week. The word “confer” has been around for over five hundred years; its first known use… Read More ›
The Art of Creating Book Displays (Part 2)
This is the second post in a series about creating book displays in the school library. There is a true art to creating a successful book display, one in which students will stop and scan the titles, maybe browse a… Read More ›
How to Diversify Literary Analysis Research
As I was teaching a research lesson to an AP literature class the other day, a student raised her hand and asked, “Why is this list mostly dead white males?” She had been looking over the chart of author choices… Read More ›
The Versatility of Information Literacy
As a school librarian, how often have you found yourself before a class of students without prior knowledge? You may know the students’ grade level, some names, maybe a hint of what they’re studying. But as the sole librarian serving… Read More ›