school library
I have been an elementary school librarian since 2001. These ideas come from my experience. Some lessons are my own and others are from librarians around the world who shared their ideas. I've included a few samples of things I've done. To view SMART Notebook lessons without the software use this link. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
a day in the life of our school library
lessons/ Activities
PreK/ KindergartenPreK classes focus on learning letters and sounds as well as practicing listening skills.
Kindergarten classes begin to learn proper book care, what authors and illustrators do, and how to locate and check out library books. Students also practice reading sight words and eventually reading simple books. ABC Activities & Letter Recognition third grade Third graders practice using reference sources (print and online) and begin doing simple research. They study Caldecott Award winners and begin to use the Online Card Catalog more independently. Students learn the basics of the Dewey Decimal System and begin learning to locate books in the nonfiction section of the library. Together we read the book, Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry.
Using the Encylopedia (Notebook) |
First GradeIn first grade students continue to practice proper book care and listen to quality stories. Students learn the difference between fiction and nonfiction and practice book location skills. Specific authors and illustrators are highlighted.
Library Mouse Lesson fourth gradeIn fourth grade we have read the book, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney. Students learn about the Newbery Medal winners and get a more detailed knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System.
Library Author Poster Lesson NFL Shelves (Notebook) |
second gradeIn addition to previous skills, second graders study folk tales and the parts of a book. Emphasis is placed on book location skills in the Easy and Fiction sections of the library.
Using Destiny Online Card Catalog fifth/sixth gradeFifth and Sixth grade students become independent library users, utilizing the Online Card Catalog and other library resources to locate information and books for pleasure reading. As a class, fifth graders read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Sixth graders have read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle.
Dewey Decimal System Poster - Fifth Grade Lesson Library Review Media - Sixth Grade Lesson Cracking the Code: Call #s (Notebook) |
resources
Book location skills |
literature appreciation |
S.T.E.A.M.
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research
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Promotion
School librarians must be proactive in promoting their libraries. It is important to reach out to the faculty, staff, and students and bring them in to the library. Promotion also helps when writing grants or seeking additional funding. I have tried a few different things in promoting the library. Here are a few of my ideas.
1. Today, it is vital to have a web presence. Create an effective and user-friendly website. Promote the library program through social media such as Twitter and Instagram.
2. Host a Book Look. When new books and materials arrive schedule a Book Look. Let the teachers know a few days ahead of time and invite them to come look at the new arrivals. Have an area set up to display the new materials. If you have new technologies be sure you provide access to try them out. Provide food and drinks to bring them in.
3. WINNER! WINNER! WINNER! Create a patron in your automation system called WINNER. Choose a few books from the shelves (most popular, or hidden treasures) and check them out to WINNER. Put them back on the shelves. When someone chooses those books to check out, the automation system will tell you they are checked out to WINNER. This patron gets a prize and gets to check out the book.
4. "If You Give a Teacher a Cookie" (This idea came from the LM_NET Listserv several years ago.) Put a cookie in a baggie and attach the following poem. Place cookies in the teachers' boxes and see what happens.
If you give a teacher a cookie
Chances are he/she will come by the library to say "Thanks".
When he/she does, he/she'll probably want to look at all the Instructor magazines.
He/She'll want to sign some out and then he/she'll notice the shelf full of faculty resources.
Then he/she'll see the shelf of DVDs.
He/She'll probably look around and notice books about...EVERYTHING!
He/She'll want to know about the iPads and Chromebooks and other kinds of technology.
All that discovering will make him/her hungry, and when he/she goes to the desk to check out his/her materials, he/she'll probably ask if you have any more cookies
5. Don't forget the simple task of sending out regular library newsletters. This can be as simple as an email or MSWord document. If you want to get more creative you can use MSPublisher or an online service like Mail Chimp.
6. Kids love to know what their teachers like to read. Have teachers fill out book recommendations and put them on the shelves near those books.
1. Today, it is vital to have a web presence. Create an effective and user-friendly website. Promote the library program through social media such as Twitter and Instagram.
2. Host a Book Look. When new books and materials arrive schedule a Book Look. Let the teachers know a few days ahead of time and invite them to come look at the new arrivals. Have an area set up to display the new materials. If you have new technologies be sure you provide access to try them out. Provide food and drinks to bring them in.
3. WINNER! WINNER! WINNER! Create a patron in your automation system called WINNER. Choose a few books from the shelves (most popular, or hidden treasures) and check them out to WINNER. Put them back on the shelves. When someone chooses those books to check out, the automation system will tell you they are checked out to WINNER. This patron gets a prize and gets to check out the book.
4. "If You Give a Teacher a Cookie" (This idea came from the LM_NET Listserv several years ago.) Put a cookie in a baggie and attach the following poem. Place cookies in the teachers' boxes and see what happens.
If you give a teacher a cookie
Chances are he/she will come by the library to say "Thanks".
When he/she does, he/she'll probably want to look at all the Instructor magazines.
He/She'll want to sign some out and then he/she'll notice the shelf full of faculty resources.
Then he/she'll see the shelf of DVDs.
He/She'll probably look around and notice books about...EVERYTHING!
He/She'll want to know about the iPads and Chromebooks and other kinds of technology.
All that discovering will make him/her hungry, and when he/she goes to the desk to check out his/her materials, he/she'll probably ask if you have any more cookies
5. Don't forget the simple task of sending out regular library newsletters. This can be as simple as an email or MSWord document. If you want to get more creative you can use MSPublisher or an online service like Mail Chimp.
6. Kids love to know what their teachers like to read. Have teachers fill out book recommendations and put them on the shelves near those books.