Students and Nonfiction: A Winning Combination!

Nonfiction reading has something for everyone! Even your most reluctant readers will find a nonfiction book about a topic they are interested in. Reading nonfiction can help students learn about and make connections to their world and history, think critically about topics, learn new vocabulary, increase comprehension, motivate further reading about their own interests, and … read more »

Turning the Page Together: How National Library Week Strengthens School Communities

National Library Week is more than a date on the calendar—it’s an open invitation to build a culture of reading, curiosity, and community that lasts well beyond seven days. Sponsored annually by the American Library Association (ALA) and typically held during the second week of April, National Library Week overlaps with School Library Month. Each … read more »

The Power of Two: Why Librarian-Teacher Collaboration is the Ultimate Classroom Hack

You’re staring at a new unit plan, trying to figure out how to weave in media literacy, find credible primary sources, and keep thirty different students engaged—all while hitting your state standards. It feels like a solo mountain climb. But here’s the thing: you aren’t alone on that mountain. Just down the hall—or perhaps right … read more »

Everyone Is a Poet (Even If They Don’t Know It)

On March 26, 1874, one of America’s most beloved poets was born. Robert Frost, known for his New England settings and his colloquial poetic verses, created some of the world’s most well-known lines of poetry that continue to speak to readers today. Frost can tap into the emotions of the average person and leverage that … read more »

Differentiate Your Iditarod Lessons with These Free AI Tools

The Iditarod, known as the Last Great Race, is an annual reconstruction of the 1925 sled dog relay to get diphtheria medicine from Nenana, Alaska, to Nome during hazardous blizzard conditions. It took five and a half days for twenty teams and approximately 150 dogs to travel 674 miles with the valuable package containing diphtheria … read more »

3 Cool Tools for Read a New Book Month

If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book. J. K. Rowling Read a New Book Month (December) offers a great chance to increase students’ enthusiasm about reading. Let’s explore three cool tools you can use to help students choose a book that will fit their interests and suggest some ways they … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Fakebook (by Classtools.net) – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Fakebook. We discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Fakebook in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom ideas.  Fakebook:  When you arrive at Fakebook, there are various options to add information. You can … read more »

From Wonder to Wisdom: Igniting Inquiry-Based Research in Your Classroom

According to the American Association of School Librarians, inquiry-based research is “a student-centered approach to learning which naturally utilizes higher order thinking, problem-solving, and information processing via questioning.” Inquiry-based research is student-directed, involves critical thinking and problem-solving, creates new knowledge, and involves open-ended questioning and basic research skills. Bringing inquiry-based research into your classroom will … read more »

Celebrate Navajo Code Talkers!

August 14th was National Navajo Code Talkers day! Celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers in your classroom this month or prepare lessons ahead of Native American Heritage Month in November. The Navajo Code Talkers are an interesting and engaging topic for students of all ages. Books and primary sources are a great way to hook students … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Write the World – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Write the World and discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Write the World in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom ideas. Write the World:  Write the World does not require any registration … read more »