Ways you can use your library
December 2017
ex: Classes met to learn about DISCUS and then began independent research projects.
Groups or whole classes are welcome to use the library for research. If you schedule a time when I do not have a class, I am happy to help guide the research. If you send students on their own and want me to help them, some info from you would be appreciated to be sure I know what they need. Students are also welcome to come and work on their own.
Use of Space for Groups and Independent Workers
ex: Reading groups use the library to plan a dramatic representation to show their class.
Feel free to send groups or individuals to the library to work on projects or make up work. Just let me know if they are working on their own or if they need my help.
A different (bigger) space to work on projects
ex: Art class came to work on their cave art stories. They spread out to record their stories on their iPads.
Sending groups of students to work on their projects in a different space can free up space in your classroom. The library is also an excellent place to spread out if they need more room to work and plan.
Book Talks, etc.
One of my favorite things to do is to host book talks for your classes. Some classes like to come in and have me focus on an author or on brand new books to the library (that one is always fun!) Other teachers feel that their students are stuck in a rut only choosing one kind of book or one author, so they want me to show them other options.
I have done book tastings that focus on different genres or authors. At these, students are given a certain amount of time to "sample" books at a table, making note of the ones they'd like to check out before moving on to another table with a different set of books.
I have hosted a White Elephant book party where I've wrapped up library books like gifts. Students draw numbers and take turns opening a "present" or stealing one from a friend.
We have done a "Blind Date with a Book" where again the books were wrapped up but this time there were a few descriptive words about the book written on the package to help them make their decisions.
Massey and Ballard's classes are focusing on genres every other week and participating in a genre challenge with me.
Activities like these can be customized to suit your class's needs and what you want them to get out of the process. But these truly are some of the most fun things that I've done in the library.
Reading Opportunities
One thing that I've been thinking about is something that I remember from when I was in elementary school. Our librarian used to read to us and/or do book talks. I would be happy to read aloud to your students: your students can come to me, or I can come to them. I love reading with students, and I don't often get to do that with the upper grades. It might be fun to bring me in as someone different to read to them every once in a while or even to do a novel with them if that fits in with your schedule. I'm in the mood to read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, if anyone is interested!