Novel Sips Soda Bar for Staff

Today was my FIRST official day of the the school year. Not only that- but it was my first official day of my 25th year in education (and 11th in library land)! (also- one of my favorite things to do is to have this letterboard ready for the first day of school to grab pictures!)

Also- shout out to the hubby for the beautiful flowers and cute bumblebee

BUT- this blog is all about how I set up my Soda Bar.  One of the things I try to do is to get teachers to stop by the library before the school starts. I usually try to have food- or an activity (because they have been in meetings.. and just now have a few minutes to work on their classroom before the school year starts.

Stopping by the library is also part of my back to school challenge.

Materials (I do purchase these myself)

-Cups with lids and straws- I found this GREAT deal on Amazon---->LINK

-I also chose to only do three flavors- all found on Amazon- Cherry, Vanilla and Caramel ----->LINK

-I also chose to only do three flavors of Sodas- and since this was my budget I chose to do Sprite, Diet Coke and Coke

NOW- for staff to get their entry of the name for this challenge- they had to just come down and sign in- I realize that not everyone drinks soda.  

NOVEL SIPS SODA BAR LINK------>LINK TEMPLATE

My personal favorite is the Book Dragon- but staff really LOVED the Plot Twist

Novel Sips- Soda Bar by akbusybee 

That was it- it was SO easy. 

I usually remind staff in the morning when I see them- but Monday my husband and I had to make the tough decision to help our goodest puppy make it across the Rainbow Bridge.

Back to School in the Library (Student Edition)

 A new school year starts this week (I am beginning my 25th year!)

Last year I wrote about my Stationary Station HERE----> LINK

It was a super easy station for staff, students and parents that only required putting out paper, envelopes, and pens)  

Last year I also only did this during Meet the Teacher- I am adding a couple of more interactive things this year that will last through Labor Day

Meet the Teacher/Beginning of the year (all the templates are in Canva and will be below)
-Draw yourself into a story- I found this on School Library Media Specialist Facebook page from Sharon Autry
 *This was super easy- I did change it up a bit because I have access to a poster printer- can't wait to see this come together throughout the year

-Stationary Station- invite students/staff/parents to write a letter to themselves or a student to be delivered at the end of the year
*materials- paper/envelopes/pen/directions and a bucket to collect items
*I have reached out to the Senior Teachers about sharing a post and information about this so seniors can write letters to themselves
*I am also going to send out a Kinvolved to parents and invite them to write me an email that I will print off and then put in an envelope for the end of the year

*I am going to take these until September 4th before Labor Day

TEMPLATES

Draw yourself into a story- TEMPLATE LINK

back to school bulletin board by akbusybee

Stationary Station- TEMPLATE LINK

Stationery Station by akbusybee

This is also what I am posting on Social Media to advertise

Of course a couple of other Back to school traditions I have is First day of school pictures.. and my next blog will be about the Novel Sips soda bar I am creating to get my teachers into the library!

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?

Back to School- Stationery Station

 School starts for students this week- but as a librarian I have been back since July 28th.  

Before students are back on campus- staff is busy at working together to make it a great school year and getting ready for Meet the Teacher. The library not be completely set up- but it is ready for students and staff to check out books!  I also try to create an activity for students and parents to do inside the library and this year I created a Stationery Station.

Info about my campus:
-comprehensive high school 9-12
-about 2500 students

 

Materials Needed for the station:
(also- many times- I spend my own money creating things- this year I was able to do this with all the materials I had- AND- I am SUPER thankful for those that helped with my Amazon Wishlist)
-different types of paper
-fun pens
-envelopes
-information about what to do

That's it! I posted on social media to let parents/staff/students know that they could stop by the Stationery Station.

The Station
This station offered parents to write a letter to their student that I am going to either deliver the first of September or the end of May (I mean- lets think about those freshmen and seniors!)  I invited students and staff to write a letter to themselves that I would deliver at the end of the year. 

Although this was up for Meet the Teacher- I am going to keep it open until August 22nd.

TEMPLATE

Stationery Station by akbusybee

Next blogs will be about:
Back to School for teachers- my competition that I have and also the Bookmarks we are creating.

What do you do to get students in the library at the beginning of the year?

Summer Bookish Bucket List

 Anyone else counting down the days until summer? I love working in education- but that doesn't mean I am not also excited about a break (also- public education has been a little much lately)

I love social media- and I saw a SUPER fun idea where a group of friends created a summer bucket list that was attached to points (and a little bit of money)  Thanks @thymephillips on TikTok for the inspiration. 
* You can find the official game that also has money attached to it here -----> THE BEST SUMMER EVER (I personally think I am going to do the Best Holiday Ever.

I loved this idea so decided I wanted to make one of my own.

Check out the Summer Bookish Bucket List- You can find the template HERE--->TEMPLATE

I was going to create a Google Form to collect points- but I decided that was going to be too much for this first year- so I am sharing it with you! I am promoting this to my staff and plan to have prizes for when we get back from the summer vacation.

Want to play along this summer- use the hashtag #readyoursummer25 and tag me!! @akbusybee on X and TikTok- @beeinthebookends on Instagram. You can also use the Total tracker shared below.

Bookishlist2025 by akbusybee

I am ending the year at school with another Book Basket Party that is summer read themed.  How are you promoting summer reading? Will you be joining my challenge?

Using AI for Productivity

 I can't believe that we are already in May! The end of the year my checklists tend to get longer instead of shorter, but that doesn't mean that there is not great learning going on.  

In high school the end of the year also means SO MUCH TESTING.. and that means that often times the library space is being used.  Thank goodness I can travel to classrooms.

A teacher came to me a couple of weeks ago and asked for a lesson that talked about AI and Productivity.  Now, I know that AI is a hot topic.. some agree with the usage and some disagree with the usage. I personally use it EVERY day.

To Prepare:
-looked through Common Sense Media 
-conversed with a fellow librarian (Jessica Ross) on how she had worked with students and using AI tools
-revisited the amazing presentation that I saw while at TLA called Do I Need AI in my Life that was presented by Lindsey Brewer-Munoz and Ami Uselman

After compiling resources (and also thinking about the attention span of a high schooler in May) I came up with a quick lesson.  

To prepare for the Magic School- I did have to create a classroom.

Below is the video of me walking through the lesson- want the whole presentation-

TEMPLATE LINK------>HERE and see below

To Share AI and Productivity by akbusybee

Things I loved about this lesson:

-the kids loved that my friend used Chat GPT to help us go to 7 Buc-ee's in one day- 

-they loved the Which is Real Face page where they had to figure out which face was real

-I LOVED using MagicSchool to write Thank You Notes for Teacher Appreciation

On that note- the list that I made in Goblin.Tools tells me that I need to get started on preparing the books out list of seniors.

Do you use AI? If so- how?

National Library Week 2025

 Wow! We are almost to April! I haven't blogged as much this year- but I have been sharing a TON on different platforms.  Right now I am preparing for the Texas Library Association Conference (will I see you???) and National Library Week

After being inspired byMiranda at @bilingualbibliotecaria on Instagram  I realized I wanted to share even more of library land.  My word this last year has been Adventure- so Adventures in Library Land began.

I share these snippets of various library adventures through TikTok-but I also cross-post on Instagram and Facebook as reels, share on X and I am trying to get better at sharing them as Shorts on YouTubeb

Links:
-TikTok- @akbusybee
-Instagram-@beeinthebookends
-X- @akbusybee
-Youtube

National Library Week is coming up- and I want to make sure that I am continually advocating for the importance of the library in all that I do!  We are also about to be knee-deep in testing season so I wanted to think of ideas that I could do with different spaces.

I started out by seeing what American Library Association had posted for National Library Week- and I LOVE the theme!! They also have resources in Spanish.

They have ideas associated with days for April 7th-10th and graphics that you can use.

Here is my plan (and these are pretty much the same things I have done the last couple of years- but I am at a new campus)

I am sharing each day- but also below is my Canva Document- I will be sharing them across platforms- but I found that my students spend more times in Insta Stories than the actual Insta feeds.

Monday-April 7th- Right to read- stop by the library to pick up items to make your own bookmark (also- I don't know what this will look like yet- but I have a couple of days to figure it out)
I am also going to have a Read and Recommend Board outside of the library

Tuesday- April 8th- National Library Workers day- I am going to invite students and staff to stop by and grab a water bottle sticker because I am stuck on our students and staff.

Wednesday- April 9th- National Library Outreach Day- Stop by the library to check out one of our new books or pick a free read from our book cart!  I am going to also offer for staff to stop by and create a bookmark using the Glowforge (students too..but I might have to figure that out the next week when the library is more open- the Glowforge is amazing.. but loud)

Thursday- April 10th- Take Actions for Library Day- I am going to use the ALA page and invite students to pick up a sheet and they can share what draws them to the library.

Friday- April 11th- Library Time Capsule- I am going to invite students and staff to help create a Library Time Capsule! Write down your favorite book, book quote or a message to future readers, and we’ll seal it up to open in a few years.

--->TEMPLATE LINK FOR CANVA<----

Library Week 2025 by akbusybee

What are you doing for National Library Week?

Adventures in the Libraryland- Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to all those that have served or are serving.

This weekend I worked on social media posts to highlight our Veterans on campus, but also finished up my lesson for our LIFE Students- Government Class.

Reminder about my school:
-9-12 Comprehensive High School
-Have various programs that include Culinary/Floral/Vet Tech/ROTC and more
-LIFE (Learning in a Functional Environment) 9-12

Anytime I can showcase our Premium Resources- I am doing it! It doesn't matter the content or ability- there are so many resources to make them accessible for all learners.

Lesson:
-Using Britannica to learn about Veterans Day (we will spend time navigating to the article)
-Completing a Matching Sheet
-Using Canva to create Thank You Cards for our Veterans on campus (this might be finished in the classroom depending on length of time for the other pieces)

Reasons I LOVE Britannica for ALL levels of learners:
-can change the reading level
-can change the font size (make that font size bigger!)
-can change the language
-can have it read to you

Ways I am making this lesson more accessible to all:
-anytime I need them to type something or search for something I have it spelled out so they don't have to look at the screen

-The presentation that I used as very little words and has one picture per slide (This is great for any type of scaffolding)

Veterans Day by ANDREA KELLER

Worksheet that I created- you can access HERE----->WORKSHEET

Adventures in the Library- Building a Resume

I looked back and I realized I haven't blogged since September. I have been sharing lots on my Instagram and TikTok account!  This last month I have been doing a TON of orientations! I apologize to all the teachers when they come in that my jokes never change, but feel free to laugh at my punch lines.

I am slowly but surely starting some more collaborations- I have to remind myself.. I have only been on this campus a little over 3 months.  

Demographics of my campus:
-9th-12th grade
-over 3000 students
-comprehensive High School so also has a floral program, vet program, culinary program and more

Some lessons I have done:
-working with the Spanish class to create Instagram posts over famous Hispanic People using our premium resources
-working with the floral department on library displays
-working withe English I over how to use our online catalog to find books they enjoy
-working with English 4 to work on research and search tools
-I taught my first parent class!

My hope is to share more of these lessons for you to take, borrow and steal!

I spent 13 years as a LIFE (learning in a functional environment) teacher before becoming an Instructional Technology Specialist and then a librarian.

I try to collaborate with all content areas- and of course this includes our LIFE students.  I had the chance to collaborate with Coach O our Work Based Learning Teacher we talked about creating a Resume. Now, resumes are important for jobs.. but what a great way for students to also advocate for themselves! They can give these resumes to a teacher or a friend.  

Here is the presentation that I had ready:

Building a resume by ANDREA KELLER

To make it more accessible for various learners:

-used pictures
-when search terms needed to be typed- had paper next to students
-when they needed to choose a template printed ones for students to choose from

This is also a project that we started today but the teacher will continue in the classroom.

Our big goals for today:

-Learning about a Resume
-Opening up Canva

-choosing a template

-renaming the template for their name

-adding their name

-adding their phone number

-adding their school and grade level

(also- what a great way to work on phone numbers/email addresses/regular addresses and more!)

The things they will work on when they go back to class:

-thinking of at least 3 things that they can put in the about me section

-thinking about what skills they have

For both of these items we talked about how some are bilingual,  some already have a job, some help babysit, some are hardworkers, some like to learn new things.  In other words- they all have something to bring to the table!  

For them to finish their resume the teacher they will finish up:

-The Skills section
-The address section

-The about me Section

With us using Canva this is also now a living document that they can go back and edit as needed (and also share like in Google)

If you are on TikTok this video is here too- but this is the breakdown of how I set up the lesson.

Next week I am working with another LIFE class over Veterans Day.

Other upcoming adventures:

-headed to an elementary school (my role as a flexible floater has me supporting all campuses)
-working with ELA 4 over science fiction

-THANKSGIVING BREAK!!

I also have some other programming projects up my sleeve- but will save those for another blog.

Ready, Set, Vote

September 17th was the official Voter Registration day, and working in a High School we have the chance to ensure our Seniors are able to vote!

Last year I had a chance to listen to Lucy Podmore about ideas for a Freedom Walk that she did with her school. You can find more information here---->LINK

I then also was able to attend a great webinar put on by ALA over Reader. Voter. Ready that had a ton of great information. 

The planning then began. Working closely with the two other amazing high school librarians we came up with a plan that could be in person, but also be passive depending on availability of the librarian at the campus.  

The materials shared here were created by Kathleen Basoco, Andrea Keller, and Jessica Ross

Our overall goal for this was to offer simple programming that would educate and promote voting.  

When looking at resources, it was also important that we made sure materials that were as nonpartisan as possible. 

We created a Wakelet that holds all of our information.  Each of our campuses has a TV that is in front of the library, so one of the slides is a QR code to this Wakelet.  I also have a slide of a brief history of voting that Kathleen created showing as well.  

Each of our campuses has different needs, so we are doing the activities to fit the needs of our own school community.

A couple of my favorite things from our materials:
-The Educaplay games that Kathleen created
-The Genially games that Jessica created

My Plan

Our campus has three lunches.  Seniors are able to eat their lunch in the courtyard.  Although Fall is next week, Texas still thinks it is the middle of the summer, so the weather is still nice (aka hot)  I am working with our Student Council to help man the different stations.  Here is my plug for student council... if you have a student council on your campus- partner with them! They need points for different things- so I give them an idea and they run with it.

Social Media post shared on our Instagram/X accounts

Stations:

-I Side With quiz for students to see how they are politically alligned

-Voting Vocabulary Matching station- voting vocabulary words- old school memory (found this on TPT)

-Election Timeline station- this is one where students can use the cards in order for voting timeline (found this on TPT)

-A station that is a book display and QR codes that lead to different virtual games and activities that include matching representatives, filling out a sample ballot, when can you vote for different officials and more.  This will also become a display in the library after our event on Thursday and Friday.  You can find most of the games inside the Wakelet below.

-Possible Voter Registration.  We have a group coming later to do this as well- but might be able to also have it on campus.

Are you in High School and working on voter information? What do you have planned? Do you have a favorite website to share? We also are using this time to talk about bias and where information comes from- another great way to talk digital citizenship.

Mums the Word

The saying in Texas- Everything is Bigger.  During Homecoming Season- the big thing is the mums!

Just take a moment to search up Homecoming Mums on Instagram and you will see what I mean.

Lots of pictures in this blog to share how I did the Mum station.

I mean- check out our own Big Vik ready for homecoming this weekend.

This is my first year at a new school.. and I wasn't going to do anything except have a station on Thursday that would have hot glue and safety pins for students to use.... but then I saw the TikTok for the Croc Mum.. and then the Stanley Cup Mum.. and I knew that I had to make it happen.

Background on my school:

-we are one of 5 high schools

-there are over 2300 students from 9-12

Background on this program:

-although I have some budget money-it is only available at certain times so I did not use library budget for this program

-Although we have 2300 students- my goal was to have 200 come through

-I was able to get materials by purchasing myself and also I had an Amazon list that I shared so I had donors help

-I am running this program only from 8:00am-8:35am before school starts

Being a Girl Scout leader and some experience under my belt- I create different spaces to pick up materials.  Thanks to my amazing clerk Franco and the yearbook advisor Robison I had plenty of ribbon that was cut out!

When students enter the library I usually have a Google Form for them to fill out.  But, I wanted to capture a little bit more information this time (and also prepare for future programs)

I had students sign in on paper with their Name/Grade Level and then check off if they wanted to do a Stanley Mum or a Croc Mum

Each area had a bucket with certain materials in it.  I also counted and have a spreadsheet of materials so I can keep track (and also document who donated)

Buckets:

-3 inch and 2 inch flowers

-cardstock circles cut to about 1 1/2 inch to 2 1/2 inch depending on which flower was chosen

-blue ribbon in various widths cut to 5 inches

-white ribbon in various widths cut to 5 inches

-specialty ribbon in various widths cut to 5 inches

-chains cut to 5 inches

-various charms

AMAZON LIST

Not everything was purchased and my parents also purchased some things from Hobby Lobby

At each bucket was also a sign for how much materials you needed.  I would LOVE to provide so much more.. but I want to get as many students as I can.  Students can of course take their mum home and add more to it.

Materials

-1 flower

-1 cardstock circle

-2 blue ribbons

-2 white ribbons

-1 specialty ribbon

-1 chain

-1 charm

-1 ribbon for loop or one button for croc

Once students had their materials they headed to the creation station where there was hot glue and also staplers.

Students stapled the ribbon to the cardstock first and then hotglued the flower (I did have them cut a slit in the cardstock for the flower)

They then either added the croc button or the loop for the straw.

Also I had one friend make our logo out of shrinky dinks!

The below Canva designs are what I used for intros and also station signs.

Homecoming Mums 2024 by ANDREA KELLER

Our first day I only had 8 students.. but it is also my first program and kiddos are warming up to me.  I also had some students try to come in at 8:37am which would have made them late for class.  On Wednesday I will also open up to staff.  Today I also had another parent stop by and bring more ribbon... AND cut it for me! 

This week I am also having the Senior LIFE students to come and create their own mini mum.  They will follow the same directions as the students but will have Student Council support them.

I am in love with how they look.. and they don't take that much material!

I have also shared on Reels and Tiktok how to make these under @akbusybee