Each year, school libraries celebrate #SLM17, or School Library Month. The hashtag #SLM17 is used to follow the conversation on social media, with the numerals changing each year. You may recall a post about the history of SLM in March… Read More ›
Library Media Specialists
When Reading, Research, and Coding Join Forces
In the field of education there is constant change. There is always something new we should be teaching or popular trends that find their way into the classroom. For me, I have always been willing to try something new as… Read More ›
12 (mostly cheap) Teacher Tricks that Work in an Elementary Library
Learning practical teaching tips and tricks is one of my favorite forms of professional development. I love when others share simple things that can be applied quickly and easily to my teaching and improve learning for my students. Here… Read More ›
Journey to a Flexible Schedule: Part 2
The great John Dewey once said, “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” Reflecting is what I am doing every day this year as I move forward using a flexible schedule with first- and second-grade students…. Read More ›
Media Literacy Education in a Blurred Truth Landscape
My favorite childhood movie is “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Though every bit of that movie is magical, fun, and chock full of wisdom, one of the scenes that especially replays in my mind as I think about media… Read More ›
New Year’s Goals I Will NOT Keep
January of the new year marks a time in (almost) everyone’s lives when we set about making goals to help better ourselves in the coming year. Most are for health and fitness. Maybe a reading challenge or goal. But, what is… Read More ›
5 Free Apps to Create with in Early Elementary
Over the past two years my school has moved from having a few carts of iPads to 1:1 in kindergarten to second grade. We also use a modified version of the project approach as a part of our focus to… Read More ›
Why a Makerspace Is Not a Magic Cure-All for Your Problems
I realize that this title is going so upset some people. That some might accuse me of click-bait. But I think this is a topic that is often being left out in the discussion about makerspaces. Many school librarians… Read More ›
Advocacy: Breakout Sessions and Hour of Code
Special activities and programs in the library can often be great times for advocacy. Recently, our library hosted breakout sessions in preparation for Hour of Code. These sessions took place during our celebration of National Game and Puzzle Month. I… Read More ›
Gaming in the Library: National Game & Puzzle Month
Gaming in the library has become common place in many school and public libraries; however, there are several instances where gaming is still considered “fun” and not part of a learning atmosphere. If you’re in a school library setting that… Read More ›