Day 11 - Tech Tip

Sorry I am one day behind – we got a SNOW DAY yesterday!!!

Tech Tip(s)

-         * Be on the lookout for the latest and greatest technology. Try to write a grant to purchase the materials 

        you need.

-         *  Be the first one to have the new technology and share it with your teachers. They might like it so 

        much that it drives them to try and purchase it for their own class. If not they will at least think "That 

        librarian sure is tech saavy"! Be sure to let staff know you are there to help them when they get the 

        new technology. Actually follow up and help them. 

-          * Be on the forefront and be an invaluable resource!

Day 10 - Library Displays

Library Displays

Displays – Where do you get your inspiration? Do you have a constant or rotating display? Do you students help?

I can answer the first question with one word - PINTEREST!

My main displays are bulletin boards and displaying books and matching plush characters on my book shelf. I keep all of the new books on top of the shelves and they get checked out pretty quickly.

I've rarely repeated a display. I tend to try something new every year. With young students I don't let them help. I do share my idea with my EA, Educational Assistant, and she is fabulous in creating it. 

Here are some recent photos. This is what I have out in the hallway right now.

Here is a banner the kids in my Writer's Workshop made for visiting author Brian Lies. I was so excited and blessed to have "won" a spot for him to come visit my school!

This is part of the display in the hallway during the Fall book fair. That was a run theme!

Day 9 - Library Trends

There are a lot of new trends in the library world. Share one you have tried or are considering trying.

Some of the other librarians in my school system have been doing library centers. Here are a couple of resources on the topic.

http://www.mrs-lodges-library.com/

This is another good blog http://librarylearners.com/

There is also the book The Centered School Library by Cari S. Young HERE

You can find a great startup kit on Teachers Pay Teachers. It’s called the “Library Centers Startup Kit Freebie”. Some of the blog owners that I just mentioned are the authors of this and other resources on TPT. Their seller name is “Library Centers”.

One last book worth mentioning is The Tibrarian Handbook: A Teacher-Librarian's Guide to Transforming the Library into a Center of Learning by Christine Varachi HERE

Day 8 - Professional Read

Tell about a professional read that has had an impact on you.

Earlier this week I came across this “1st Grade CCSS Research Report: A Case Study”

http://commoncorestandards.com/ela/1st-grade-research-report/

It is basically talking about how writing teacher Darcy Pattison helped a first grade class work on writing a research report over a 2-week period. These are some of the things that popped into my head after reading it.

-         - As a librarian I see “research report” and automatically start thinking about collaboration and how I could be helpful.

-         - As a Writer's Workshop teacher I am intrigued by the writing component of the project. I wonder if this is something I could work with my first grade group on, especially since I see them 4 out of the 5 school days.

      - I also think about how young students CAN and NEED to do research.

The article has some great details and information including books that were read, a few student samples and a “What we would do differently the next time” section.

You can never go wrong with a subscription to Library Sparks magazine either. Here is a link that gets you a 1-year subscription (9 issues) for $39.95.

http://www.magazineline.com/magazineline/librarysparks.htm

Day 7 - Management Tip

Library Management Tip

Here’s one thing that works for me - Shelf Markers. These “Demco Sturdy Shelf Markers” that you can find here are fabulous!

When I first started my library career I used to make them with poster board and cute stickers. Then I laminated them. After a few months they just didn’t hold up well. Luckily I found the Demco shelf markers and I’ve had the same 2 sets for years now. I do lay them out on the floor in the winter and spray disinfectant on them once a month.

I keep a basket with the shelf markers in them. Students are expected to make their first stop at my basket to get one! Every once in awhile I do need to review how to use them and also how to put the book back on the shelf with the spine facing out. You do occasionally need to keep an eye out for sword fighting. If I see it they sit down and don’t get a book. Overall I think shelf markers are worth their weight in gold.

Day 6 - Technolog Tip

Share a tech tip

Subscribe to Erin Klein’s blog, “Kleinspiration” at http://www.kleinspiration.com/

Erin is very tech savvy and I have gained a lot of knowledge from subscribing to her blog. Recently she blogged about “Remind 101” https://www.remind101.com/ Remind 101 is a safe way to share text messages with your parents and students WITHOUT sharing your personal number. Recipients can’t respond to your text so you won’t be slammed with responses back. You can also set a date for a text to go out in the future. In this Monday’s Morning Memo I will be sharing this information with my teachers.

I feel that my need to stay up on technology drives me to go out and learn more about the tech products that are out there. For most of us we are the solo librarian in our school so we have to teach ourselves, our teachers, and our students about what’s available.