Sunday, August 28, 2016

Reading Websites

I love to find links to encourage my students to read more!

For the past two years, our local PBS channel has supported a reading competition from September through November.

Our students have done well reading, but no winners.  This year is going to be even better.  We are keeping a log in the library and at home.

Here is the link for the WQLN reading club....

What reading websites do you love?
How do you motivate your readers?






WQLN 

Sunday, August 21, 2016

TOP TEN

Today's post is list of what must be done as a librarian preparing for a new program.
 Next Sunday will be about back to school topics like first day of school books!
So how does a librarian prepare for a new program?

Here are the TOP TEN that I can think of - the list is really much longer
1. Meet with the principal and aide to discuss job responsibilities, classroom management, and more (done)
2. Prepare parent letter (done)
3. Register for WQLN reading club (completed 9/2)
4. Find first week of school reading material (done)
5. Review Young Reader Choice Awards and prepare for this new program (only undone item!)
6. Find materials for first STEAM project (done)
7. Update Library Management system/watch webinar on updates (done 9/16)
8. Prepare Digital Citizenship and safety lesson plans (done)
9. Pull first day of school books for teachers (done)
10. Relax and enjoy the last few days of summer! (tried my best)

Check in next week for back to school books, links to WQLN, and Young Reader Choice awards for Pennsylvania!

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Little Free Libraries

I love the idea of children (and adults) always having access to BOOKS.

This blog post came to me as my son (age 4) was coming out of the Whole Foods Co-Op one evening.  It was bedtime, I was tired, my arms were full!  He stopped to look at the little free library box at the exit.  He wanted a book to take home...amid adult books and full hands...I found nothing for him.  He did find one for his big sister.

Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking of the joy and spontaneous nature of this interaction!
The Wattsburg community doesn't have a public library except a book mobile every other Saturday.

Where could we put a little free library box in the Wattsburg community or on the school campus?
What are the pros and cons?
Would you or your children be excited to swap books at any time for free?

I applied and received a FREE "Little Free Library" for Wattsburg Elementary School.  Look for updates soon!

Here are few links about "Little Free Libraries"!

https://littlefreelibrary.org/


http://mentalfloss.com/article/61083/15-gorgeous-little-free-libraries

http://www.goerie.com/article/20140719/NEWS02/307189898

Whoopie Goldberg's Favorite Things

***NEW Video about Little Free Library
Today Show 7/2/18

Here is our new Little Free Library
12/12/16





Friday, August 12, 2016

Building a Wall

The library that I work in is undergoing a transformation.  I am so excited to have this awesome wall.

The students will now have 50-55 minutes of library each week as well as a separate 50-55 minutes of computer/technology/makerspace time!

Look for more updates on this project as well as updated pictures.

Change is exciting and scary.
Here is the wall mid construction
Entrance door and wall
Close up of the wall/windows
Inside the new computer lab looking back into the library
Inside the lab (another angle)
Straightened/shifted shelves with the wall to the left side of the picture
This is part of the fiction/chapter book nook
Check out desk - overlooking library - computer lab wall on the left
Most of these long shelves hold the non-fiction
Bulletin board as you walk into the computer lab door
Main library reading area and picture book section