We were doing so well until yesterday afternoon when we had no fewer than four students in tears for various reasons. All very important reasons, of course.
Change in structure
If you checked out Wednesday or later, you already know this change. For those of you who didn't, we are instituting some changes to alleviate current challenges. And it will look different for each class. After checking out books, students will be sent to the wooden tables to read. For those students who are following directions, an adult will give the opportunity to pick a buddy and a comfy seat around the room. Some of your classes have been very good about their reading time and may not need these extra steps. We'd like to make sure that all students have the opportunity to enjoy the space so the adults can assist with finding good books, not playing whack-a-mole.
Plans for checkout next week
Fourth and Fifth - we will learn to access OverDrive on the iPad. Have the students download the app from Self Service. We will launch it and get them set up during your time in the media center.
Third - how to create a hold for a book
First and Second - how to use the new shelf markers to find topics (coming soon!), reminders on how to use space savers to keep the shelves neat.
Kindergarten - basic survival
Pineapple Charting
Shoutouts to Taryn, Joe, and Abbey for adding some activities to the Pineapple Chart this week. Everyone who submits an activity will have their name thrown in a hat to win books at the end of each month. No limit to the number of entries!
Congrats to Abbey Upton for winning the #CREteach award for this week! Keep those tweets coming! It's really nice to be able to see all the cool stuff you are doing in the classroom. We need to write our own story!
You made it to the end. Stop by the media center on Tuesday and yell out "I love reading" to get a treat!
Have a great long weekend! You deserve it!
Welcome to the "Library Teacher Guy" blog. In case you're wondering where the name came from, I was struggling to come up with a title until Deb's kindergarten came for checkout yesterday. A little guy says "thank for helping me find my book, library teacher guy". Perfect.
My goal is to write a post every Friday with updates, upcoming events, and super-handy tips. I feel this is preferable to flooding your inbox with emails throughout the week. This blog will be linked to the media center site so you can come back to it when necessary.
I'll make the headings very obvious so you can focus on topics that are relevant to you.
#CREreads
It's been fun seeing your signs posted and the books you are reading. Feel free to tweet out pictures of your students with the hashtag #CREreads. Be sure to add stickers when you get kids talking to you. I've been shut out all week...
Pineapple Charts
My goal for Monday is to get the Pineapple Chart set up in the lounge. All you have to do is post what's happening in your classes that others might want to check out. If you want to visit another room but need coverage, talk to Angie, Jacquie, or myself. Visits can be as short as 10 minutes to see what's happening. There's a lot of great stuff happening, so let's open our doors!
I put a pineapple sign in your box this afternoon. Post those on your classroom doors as an invite for others to pop in for a visit. Add something you're working on if you'd like some feedback. Could be anything: wait time, formative assessment, student engagement, etc. I think my first goal will be giving clear directions to classes.
To clarify, you don't need a sign posted to participate in the Pineapple Visits. Two separate but equally awesome things.
Computer Labs
We are fortunate to have four computer lab options: one hardwired main lab and three laptop labs. The calendar for each is located on our media center webpage. Check those calendars before you contact me so it'll save us some back and forth. Send me an email if you would like to reserve any of them. Remember the main lab is only available on D days or after 2:35 the rest of the week.
BrainPOP Teacher Access
We have access to BrainPOP video content. I forwarded you an email earlier today with information on how to set up your teacher account.
Grade Level Meetings
I've enjoyed coming to your meetings this week. I think it's really important for me to know how I can support you. A few grade levels have given me direction on what they would like to see the following week. Shoot me questions ahead of time and I'll come with some answers.
iPads for classrooms
If you haven't received iPads yet the wait is almost over. I hope to have them out by the end of the day Monday. Sorry it's taken awhile. It's been pretty hectic getting everything up and running.
#CREteach
Our #CREteach Superstar last week was Ms. Wall. Congratulations! Her classroom tweets earned her a iced skinny vanilla latte!
Ms. Gonzalez took home the prize this week. She's still deciding on a school appropriate drink...
That's it for the week. Congratulations if you read all the way through this first post! I'm assuming this post will be the longest of the year...
