Programming During a Pandemic

 Most of my blogs I share about the different programming I do in my school.  Programming is one of my most FAVORITE things about being a librarian (I mean.. I love to read..but the library is such a special space for so much more)

This blog is FULL of pictures, links, ideas that I did last month and will be doing next month.  Things of course will change, but if we don't have a starting point, plan and idea.. what do we have?

If programming fills my bucket.. and we are virtual.. I had to figure out how to still fill my bucket.
I want to preface this blog with:
-our school is a hybrid of about half kids on campus and half kids off
-I am in a middle school
-our library program in my district is amazing!!
-our school is also a VILS Campus (Verizon Innovative Learning School) where each student has an iPad along with data
-our school is using Canvas- I have my own library Canvas Page (also I LOVE the announcements feature.. and that I can see how long students are interacting with my page :)
-I Co-Teach lessons daily

October is #TeenTober and thanks to the AMAZING librarian Ms. Walton over at Sam Houston Middle School- I took her idea of the TeenTober Calendar. I took her idea and created one for Lamar. I used Canva to edit the calendar (and create the one for November as well)

I also tried to remember what I did before Covid! Because although we live in this crazy world doesn't mean that I can't still offer meaningful activities. Before Covid- the library was open for students for games and activities from 7:45ish-8:10ish.  I also had at least one after school activity each month (I also manage Destination ImagiNation teams.. and am a Girl Scout leader.. so my afternoons are busy!) So, I took that idea and made it somewhat virtual

These links lead to our resources and databases

October Activities
-Pumpkin Hunt (I also made it virtual for those that remote)
-Ghost Character Contest (this will force copy what I gave to students)- I got this idea from Library Bulletin Boards FB page from Megan Carroll Lawell! (would tag her in a tweet.. but can't find her)
-Weekly Try it Tuesdays after school
-Started First Chapter Friday

TeenTober2020-Lamar by akbusybee

On the library Canvas page I have one area for Events. This Events link went to a published Google Slide with links to all of the activities

It is important for me to look at data.
Ghost Character Contest- 9 entries
Try It Tuesday- usually have 2-3 Students
First Chapter Friday- about 9-10 students
Pumpkin Hunt- Over 40 entries

Although some of these are low numbers.. I continue on with them.. because those 2-3 students showed up because I feel like they needed it.  These things are also not taking anything away from what I am already doing.  I am already at school in the mornings.. and I usually stay after school until 5pm (I also work a second job on Tuesdays/Thursdays and Saturdays)

I loved the calendar idea, so I have started on the November calendar.

Lamar Calendar by akbusybee

November Activities:

-Thankful Photo Contest

-1 Try it Tuesday- I am having one official after school event where we will be making thankful pumpkins.  Students will need to fill out a form in order to get materials to do the activity (YouTube video idea)

-I also want to up my database and eBook usage, so I am working on a Trivia that students will need to use our resources to complete

-Literacy Lions- This will start Monday Mornings where the students chose a book for me to read

-First Chapter Fridays- in the morning

With so much being virtual a few other things I have done:

-Really worked on social media- right now it is really just me telling our story, but I am working on getting out there and having other people share

-I do a BookTalk Tuesday every Tuesday on TikTok- and also one on our library FlipGrid

-I do a What are you Reading Wednesday and add to the library FlipGrid

-We are offering for students to place books on hold- those that are in person learners get books delivered during ELAR time, and remote learners can sign up for a pick up time through Calendly (thanks to the Amazing Singley Librarian Ms. Basoco for sharing that resource!)

-I tried my Cub Club- when we were all virtual.. it worked.. but as soon as we went into hybrid.. it was a dud.  It is hard for me to put that one on the backburner.

-Promoted our Local Library!! Our Irving Public Library has had so many amazing virtual programs that they are offering.. between the author panels, free books, and activities.. there is always something to do! Check out their YouTube Page (we personally love the Kawaii coloring)

-Create a monthly Installment that has all sorts of information that I put in all the staff bathrooms

-Keep up with data!! I know times are tough right now.. and the data is not the greatest.  But even data that is not the greatest gives me a chance to grow.. and rethink what I am doing.

Every Six weeks we get data and I use Piktochart.com to share what happened in the library

-Realize that not everything I do is working, but it is important to try!!

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The world is a weird space right now.  I am trying to support educators and students as much as I can.  Every time I get in front of the class...  one of the first things I do is remind students that it is important to read, because when we read we grow our brains.. and when we grow our brains we become better human beings.  I don't know about you, but we need as many amazing human beings we can get!!  It is not easy right now.. there are lots of times I feel defeated.. but I have to keep reminding myself.. if I get to 2 or 3 students.. then someone is needing my programming as much as I am.