What Can Your Public Library Do for You?

What can your public library do for you as a teacher or school librarian? Schools and public libraries working together is a winning combination! Public libraries offer a wide variety of services as well as learning, programming, and collaboration opportunities for teachers and school librarians. Finding your closest public library is a breeze with the … read more »

Happy 223rd Birthday, Library of Congress!

April 24th is the 223rd birthday of the Library of Congress! The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library and an agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government. It serves as the main research arm of the U.S. Congress, is recognized as the national library of the United States, and is the … read more »

Powerful Collaboration: Library and Art

In honor of Georgia O’Keeffe’s birthday, let’s talk about the many ways school librarians and art teachers can collaborate. Librarian and teacher collaboration is a must for school librarians! Collaboration provides teachers, librarians, and students with new opportunities, resources, and ideas. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Start small! Collaborate by helping the art teacher … read more »

Connect to Nature with Earth School

How do you celebrate Earth Day? Has remote learning made it more difficult? Earth School, a resource by TED-Ed, may be the answer to your distance teaching needs while also being adaptable to in-person lessons. The first celebration of Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin designated Earth Day … read more »

School Librarians and Digital Citizenship

Teaching Digital Citizenship…..whose responsibility is it? School librarians today take on many roles in the digital world. They are leading the way in the conversation around teaching digital citizenship in their schools and districts. From compiling resources for their students to teaching digital citizenship to promoting digital citizenship, school librarians are at the forefront. Digital … read more »

Differentiation for the School Librarian

Differentiating instruction is defined as “shaking up” what goes on in the classroom so that students have multiple options for taking in information, making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn” according to Carol Ann Tomlinson. This can be achieved through a process called Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The UDL process emphasizes representation … read more »

School Librarians Stepping Up During Virtual Learning

School librarians and school libraries are essential in school buildings today. What happens when schools go virtual? School Librarians step up! How can you as a School Librarian step up your virtual learning game? Besides staying abreast of school library news and blogs, staying connected with your school community is fundamental. School Librarians are reimagining … read more »

Using Technology for Virtual and In-School Math Groups

As I write this blog, millions of students are out of school, some indefinitely, due to closures related to the coronavirus outbreak. Educators immediately jumped into action to provide at-home lessons for students. Some sent home learning packets; others didn’t even have time to prepare at-home materials yet have found ways to stay in touch … read more »

Amp Up School to Home Communication

A new year is a time for reflection and resolutions. Perhaps you have taken the time to reflect upon your teaching and want to make some changes. One area all teachers should think about is how well they effectively communicate with parents and family members as part of their ongoing efforts to make all students … read more »

5 Steps to Planning a Successful School Garden

  To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. ~Audrey Hepburn   April is Gardening in Schools Month and now is the time to start planning and preparing for your school garden. Maybe you have created school gardens in the past, or have considered it. Either way, careful preparation is key to getting off to … read more »