During this time of year, we often see the “best of” lists from books to toys to movies. I love to scroll through many lists to see what stands out. I decided to create my own “best of” in the… Read More ›
Professional Development
Looking Behind and Looking Ahead: A School Librarian’s Hurdles, Highlights, and Hopes
“Where did you go to, if I may ask?” said Thorin to Gandalf as they rode along. “To look ahead,’ said he. “And what brought you back in the nick of time?” “Looking behind,” said he. –from The Hobbit, by… Read More ›
Fighting the Good Fight: I See You, School Librarians!
In case you haven’t noticed, school librarians are going through a lot right now in the United States. It seems like something new every day is under attack: our impact on student learning, our budget for providing print and electronic… 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 ›
#BetterTogether: Creating Content and Communities
The community of school librarians is a community like no other. The PLN opportunities are endless and consuming information from our PLN is the most valuable part! What do you find yourself consuming from your PLN? Podcasts? Webinars? Wakelets? Or… Read More ›
Where Do You Get Your Ideas for Lessons and Projects?
When collaborating with teachers, I like to have a toolkit of ideas as we brainstorm ways to design lessons and assessment activities. Like authors get writer’s block, I also get “stuck” thinking of new ideas to implement with classes. The… Read More ›
Professional Development Book Discussion Group
Do you have a favorite professional development book? The Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) wants to hear about it! Click here to share a title and learn about other professional development books. All Learning Is Social and Emotional… Read More ›
Teaching Within Context
I applaud the Seuss Foundation for taking a stance on several books that are culturally insensitive. It was brave for the foundation’s leaders to acknowledge that some books penned by our beloved Dr. Seuss perpetuate stereotypes. They are books that… Read More ›
Enhancing Your #AASL21 Experience with Social Media
By Amanda Jones and Shannon DeSantis Gile The AASL National Conference, being held October 21-23, 2021, in Salt Lake City, will be here before you know it. Here are some of the ways that social cedia co-Chairs, Shannon DeSantis Gile… Read More ›
Picture Books that Support Social and Emotional Learning: Identity and Agency
Has your school adopted or created a social and emotional learning (SEL) framework? If so, are you wondering how to integrate SEL in the school library? If you answered “yes” to both questions, I have an idea for you. Read… Read More ›