Once Upon a Senior Year

 Well- the 2025-2026 school year has ended, but I am finishing up my stint being the summer school librarian for pre-k-2 school. I LOVE my adventures in library land- but let me tell you the prek students are giving me a run for my money!

I did end the year with one of my favorite programs- and one I plan to do every year.  I think I might even do it at the beginning of the year and the end of the year.

I see all the time these amazing public libraries and elementary libraries doing a teddy bear sleepover- and I adapted it for my seniors.  This year I hosted the first ever Senior Storytime/Teddy Bear sleepover.

The idea:

Host a story time for seniors in high school at the end of the year.  Have stations set up for them to participate in and invite them to bring their stuffed animals.  After the storytime and stations- the seniors leave their stuffed animal with the librarian to go on adventures over the weekend.

To Prepare:
-I looked at the best day to host this event- and chose to do it before Senior Sunset (which really was perfect
-I posted information that included pictures/videos with music on Instagram stories (that is where my students tend to stay)
-I had the senior class president share about it along with Senior Teachers
-I put information on our announcements
-I reached out to our librarians in our district and a couple of others to see if they would be interested in being a guest reader
-Created a Google Form for students to fill out-----> THIS WILL FORCE COPY THE FORM
*students did not have to fill out this form- but it did include questions about their stuffed animals/advice they would give to students/and if they wanted their stuffed animal to visit teachers

By the Numbers:
-I have about 2500 in our school- so roughly 700 Senior Students
-I had 19 stuffed animals that went on adventures
-I had 12 seniors show up for the event

Week of the event:
-Started collecting stuffed animals- when the stuffed animal got dropped off the student had to fill out a "permission form" and the animal was given a number.  This number went with the the tag that I added to the stuffie
-If students wanted their stuffie to meet some of the teachers- I took pictures (this I am revamping for next year!)
-Got materials and set up for Senior Read Aloud

Event
-This was from 6pm-7pm- but we ended up being closer to 7:30pm-it was sort of come and go before Senior Sunset
-I had 2 guest readers
-There was too much to do - but watching the students color and chat while holding their stuffed animals was pretty stinking cute
*******I did have some students that came that did not have a stuffed animal- I had extras that they got to use- and actually.. they ended up keeping a couple******

ALL THE PRINTABLES------>HERE

Senior Printable by akbusybee

After the event- I sent the Senior students on to the Senior Sunset- and I loaded up the stuffed animals to go on adventures around the school that weekend. 

Y'all- I loved this SO much!!

What I am doing different/Changing next year:

-Having a better system for taking pics with teachers- the kids REALLY loved that.. and I have to admit- I think the teachers did too
-creating a quick google form to go along with check in so I can grab an email address.. that students actually check!

-Instilling the help of students/other staff to take pictures- THIS TOOK FOREVER- it was worth it.. but it took SO long.. and even though I had a cart- I had at least 3 stuffed animals try to escape (thankfully I took pictures and could tell when one was missing.. it was like I was counting on a field trip!)

-Putting this on the calendar whenever the Senior events list comes out- it worked perfect to go along with Senior Sunset. (I think I might do a storytime at the beginning of the year to go with Senior Sunrise)

-Have a better way to share photos- this year the students that participated only got the video

-Having extra stuffed animals for students to adopt

-have a better way to attach labels

Overall- this was a VERY easy and I feel impactful program.  The students loved it.. and having a way to end their journey.

Have you done a stuffed animal sleepover?

Did you read this far?? I have to give an update about my beginning of the year Stationary Station- you can see the blog HERE

I gave parents/students the option to have their letter delivered the first week of school- OR the end of the year.  I loved passing out the notes at the end of the year- because some students didnt' even realize that they had a note written for them.  I shed a tear or two when I gave one student their note and later found out that the note was written by one of the parents that had passed away that year.  

Y'all these little things might take time and might seem overwhelming- but they sure can leave an impression and a lasting memory.  I can't wait to make even more memories next year at 2 High School Campuses!

Language Lounge- Lunar New Year

 I don't know about you- but when I can find resources that are pretty much done- I am grabbing them!

Also- don't let my blogs/videos fool you.. if you know anything about High School- you know that the spring semester there is testing.. and some testing.. and some testing.. and oh yeah there is TESTING.  There is also lots of testing that happens in the library.  I am having to get creative in how I collaborate and work with teachers.

I posted about Language Lounge HERE-----> for Celebrating Friendship

Next up- Lunar New Year- My amazing friend Kathleen (she is a wealth of information) had curated all of the information- I just put it into a Canva Slide that matched my other items.

I did this with our LIFE Class (learning in a functional environment) today- and they loved it!

Couple of things:
-for the LIFE class I only did the listening and reading
-I did the reading piece as a whole group
-The listening piece the students worked in groups of 4 or 5 to complete

For this one:

Listening- Watch The Great Zodiac Race- and then retell the story using worksheet (I had these already cut apart and put in ziploc bags) I also had two different options- one with less words (I do plan to laminate these.. but haven't gotten that far yet)

Reading- Followed directions to create their own Chinese Lantern

Writing- Writing a story about their own family traditions

Speaking- Reading the story they had written about their family tradition using Adobe Spark

Share Lunar New Year by akbusybee

You can find the TEMPLATE HERE-------> LUNAR NEW YEAR TEMPLATE

Share Lunar New Year worksheets by akbusybee

TEMPLATE FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR WORKSHEETS-----> HERE 

Next up in the Library is World Read Aloud Day.

Library Shelfie Day

 Every year on the fourth Wednesday of January- Library Shelfie Day is celebrated.

If you are reading this blog the day I wrote it- you realize that it is actually a Thursday.

Our school district had been closed for the past 3 days due to terrible road conditions from the ice and the snow.  BUT.. I still want to celebrate- so we are celebrating today!

Of course taking a picture in the shelves is fun- but I also work with high schoolers so they need a little more incentives to make their way down to the library on their own.

So today I am inviting students and staff to:
-Stop by the library for a shelfie- students can't have their phones- so I have a poloroid that they can then take the photo with them
-If students and staff take the picture AND check out a book they can roll the dice for a prize!

Prizes include that were free
-free book
-jeans pass (for staff)
-buttons- I have collected these over the years
-bookmark- something else I have collected over the years

Prizes that were cost:
-stickers- but I have been collecting these.. AND I had lots of awesome people donate these at the beginning of the year
-poloroid film
-croc charms
-snacks (but I always find good deals!)
-Sonic drink for staff- but I also use the app and coupons

I plan to use this roll the dice in the future as it was SUPER easy to set up.  Anytime I can get staff and students into the library is a good day!

CANVA TEMPLATE for rolling the dice----->HERE

Share of Shelfie Day by akbusybee

Language Lounge

I am currently on day 4 of staying in the house due to the weather outside being extremely cold and the roads being terrible.  Crossing fingers that we get to head back to school tomorrow- but we will see what the forecast holds.  I know I have friends from all over that laugh at us Texans when bad weather hits.. but our roads and houses are not built for this (those bridges and overpasses get scary!)

I haven't blogged as much- but I post almost daily on various social media platforms with Adventures in Library Land- The items that I mention in this video you can find below with Teamplate Links

I am getting caught up on all the things (I did actually rest for 3 days.. but now my body says I need to get things done)

First- tomorrow- January 28th is Library Shelfie Day- I am offering prizes for both students and staff that come in, take a picture and check out a book.

But- this blog is all about our new Language Lounge that secondary librarians are beginning.  In 2024 I was able to see a great presentation that librarians in San Antonio were doing called the Telpas Cafe- this supported students that would be taking the TELPAS test. I loved the idea, but didn't know where to start.  At our last two PLCs with our district librarians we have learned from Mesquite how they did this and got some great hands-on experiences.  We are now working on our own and calling them the Language Lounge.

The TELPAS covers Listening, Speaking, Writing and Reading.  I will share what I create (and I know they will change over time.

Couple of Notes:

*I am creating these for high school students that are ESL or ESOL- but this would be greart for anyone

*This will be done in stations of no more than 4 to a group

*Stations will last 15-20 minutes

The first one I am doing is called 

Celebrating Friendship

Listening- we are reading a Crankstein Valentine by Samantha Berger- and then students will complete a cause and effect activity

Speaking-Students will use Adobe Express to Animate a Character and will read what they wrote for their Valentine Card.

Reading-students will follow the directions to create their own Valentine garland.

Writing- students will create a Valentine card.  We work with our local Keep Irving Beautiful and one of the projects they do is to have cards donated and then they pass out to our local nursing homes. 

You can find my Canva TEMPLATE for presentation HERE------->

Sharing Celebrating Friendship Language Lounge by akbusybee

Worksheets to go along with the Celebrating Friendship Template-------->HERE

Share Celebrating Friendship Writing/Reading by akbusybee

Are you doing something like this?

World Read Aloud Day is coming up- and I am SO excited!! I am doing activities on campus- but the pool that I also work at is doing a Splash of Stories event that night as well!

Valhalla Voyages- Audiobook Walking Club

I can't believe that we just finished up our first six weeks of school already.  I am already well into my professional and school goals, and also trying to think of creative ways to get staff involved in library fun.

An article came across one of my various social media feeds about an Audiobook Walking Club and I was SO excited about this idea!! I am an AVID audiobook listener- so the Valhalla Voyages Audiobook Walking Club was born

Original Idea:
-staff only
-walk on the track in the morning
-walk during lunch time
-walk in the afternoon
This way I could invite various people that would have different times free

I emailed the coaches to see if space was available- and had Coach Bradley email me back asking to meet.

What started as an idea for staff only- is now forming into a Collaboration between a coach and the library (you know I love collaborating with various content areas!)

Currently:
-The Thursdays I am not flexible floating- those that are interested meet on the track for a 30 minute walk and listen to their OWN audiobook (no need to be listening to the same one!)- After walking- head back into the school for a cup of coffee and conversations
-I did the walking during lunch- it was great- but- it was also alot of time needed to do this- I might do this once a month depending on how much it grows.
-After school we meet at the library and walk about a mile around the inside of the school- and end up in the teachers lounge for a popsicle and a conversation

What I love about it:
-it gets staff reading and talking- I mean- I had a whole conversation with the coach about the book he was reading about Tom Brady
-it helps our Beanstack minutes!! When teachers are reading- students are reading!
-I LOVE talking- but it is really nice to schedule in a time where I can just walk and it is expected to not talk and listen to my book. 
-I have been getting my steps in!

What's Next
I will continue offering the walking club after school every week and then in the morning the days that I am on campus.  Once a month during lunch depending on interest.

I am REALLY excited about working with our PE coach during the 3rd six weeks.  They have a Wellness Walking Unit.
Our district uses SORA, and our students have Chromebooks. Chromebooks are a little bulky.  SORA is an app that can be downloaded on a phone- but due to state laws- cellphones are not an option.
We are looking at:
-playaways
-books on CD- I mean- lets go oldschool!
-set of iPads

This is just the beginning- but it has taken very little to get it going.  The coffee and the popscicles came from our Irving Schools Foundation- so- it is also a program that needs very little from me other than some decent walking shoes.

What you need to start your own:
-30 minutes a week
-headphones and would recommend some walking shoes
-an email to invite others

-Do you participate in an audiobook walking club?
-What speed do you listen to your books?

Our walking groups have been anywhere from 2-5 people.. but as I always say- even if one shows up- that is one person that needed it (and I needed it too!) I have had so many great conversations about some great books.  I am always SO thankful for all the people that join in the random activities I have!

Up next- how I am doing our Parent Book Club, Lunch and Learn, and HOMECOMING!!

Dot Day in the High School

When I was a teacher in LIFE k-5 I began celebrating Dot Day. 

International Dot Day happens every year around September 15th ish. It is to celebrate the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  It is all about making your mark and seeing where it takes you. 

You can find SO many ideas by just looking up #dotday #internationaldotday #makeyourmark

Check out the International Dot Day website  Check out this list of events as well that includes a Global Webcast on September 16th---->LINK

I am continuing my Tales and Tide read aloud program this year at our indoor pool. The theme this weekend was The Dot.. It was our first weekend to move indoors from this summer- so I didn't have an participants- BUT Dot Day is September 15th ISH.. so I will have this same storytime at my next one at the end of this month1

I have to admit- my most favorite thing I did was a couple of years ago when I collaborated with my art teacher and we combined Dot Day with Hispanic Heritage Month and created Alebrijes

This year I was scrolling the various social media pages and I found a great idea from Deb Zeman and shared a couple of great ideas that I am totally stealing.

Here are her links- Both of these are created in Adobe Express
-Dot Day Collage
-Her signage

Reminder background on my campus:
-Comprehensive High School 9-12
-2500+ students

The Plan:
-Read The Dot by Peter Reynolds before school on Monday the 15th
-Have the collaborative mosiac (I created in Canva- see below)
-Have a Bookmark station

Pretty low key passive programming for this.

If you want the Canva poster- you can find it here----->LINK

Dot Day by akbusybee

I don't know how many will participate- but you never know who might be interested in playing (or need the space!)

Other programs coming up:

-Literary Mums

-Parent book club

-I am going to start a walking audiobook club

This next month I am also flexible floating a ton! I can't wait for all the adventures!  

What programs do you have coming up? How do you celebrate Dot Day?

Orientation in the High School Library

The beginning of the year is the time where students are learning schedules (well- me too- one day I will have the bell schedule memorized) and learning teachers and expectations.  I am already in full swing of attending PLCs and also scheduling orientations. Although I have had some of these kiddos since they were in elementary and/or middle school (and high school) I still like the chance at the beginning of the year to talk about library expectations- and also remind them what they can do in the library.

My orientation is pretty cut and dry, but I did try to put a couple of games in there. One game is 4 corners- I loved The Contoured Librarian's idea to make 4 corners- but library related and it gets the kids up and moving.  The other idea is the ABC of the library.  We played this this summer during one of our Back to School days with other librarians- and I loved it!

I am scheduling classes for 30 minute times- they will go through the orientation and check out books

During my orientation:
-review items in the library
-talk about all the different programs the library has to offer- Book fair included this year!
-talk about Beanstack (and enter time in after I read a short book)
-get into Sora and make sure that our Public Library is added- and also check out a book
-play one or two games
-CHECK RECORDS- I plan to check everyones record when they come in so we can start the year off fresh! Especially those seniors- Last year was my first year in a comprehensive high school- and I want to be way more organized at the end of the year
-Check out books

Thanks to Monica and Angela for the super cute presentation format.  

Want the template yourself click HERE--->TEMPLATE LINK

Welcome to the Library by akbusybee

Next up in Library Land

-Literary Mums (and more)

-Destination ImagiNation

-Student Aides

-Mini Mums

-and I keep getting tagged in this super cute Ghost too!

You can follow along all of my adventures on TikTok, Reels or YouTube

What are you doing for orientation?