Last week I hosted my first literacy event that was Star Wars Themed. There are so many different ideas out there- but here is how I hosted my "Jedi" Training. There are lots of links and pictures to go along with this.
On May 4th we invited students and staff to wear their best Star Wars attire (shirt or costume) just no face covering. The Jedi Training was after school in the library from 5:00pm-6:30pm
Of course, I had to have a voting area- thanks Nicole for giving the idea for voting We went with old-school characters. I think in the end it was a tie between Chewie and Darth- poor Luke didn't have a chance
This was one of my displays- I got the sign idea from one of the Facebook groups- it says Reading Solo is Dangerous- take a Wookie with you (and then there were Wookie bookmarks)
This station had a QR code that led back to our databases and posed the question of what was an interesting fact that they learned about Star Wars- and then use a dry erase marker to write on the board.
I loved this decodable message station and will probably do something like this throughout the year.
I also had regular games set out throughout the library for students to play.
This was the Light Saber Training- I created the Light Sabers out of pool noodles that I cut in half and added duct tape. The mission was to see how long they could keep the "Droid" (balloon) in the air. I had some students set up obstacles with some chairs.
I also had a station that invited attendees to put themselves into a Star Wars scene using a Canva Template.
Will I do this again- absolutely. I think I had 7 attendees and also 5 staff that came and participated. The high schoolers that attended were totally engaged and did the stations. At the end of the evening, I also had free books to give away. I LOVED having conversations with these kids! I had some elementary school kids come and they walked away with picture books. The high schoolers that came walked away with books they would enjoy. I also have some high schoolers that have children of their own- and they walked away with board books for their little ones at home.
Do you guys do anything for May the 4th? My next blog is about what I plan to continue next year as a high school librarian. I can't believe that is already May and that this school year is almost done!!
There are 3 days a year that I intentionally treat myself. The first day of school, my birthday in January, and School Librarian Day.
April 4th is School Librarian day, and I am geared up and ready to go for the month! I will probably have a few more things up my sleeve but wanted to share what I have so far.
Since I am at a new school, I will be doing some of the same things.
Although National Library week is not until the end of the month, I am still starting the month off by celebrating School Librarian Day.
I do have Amazon links in here, but I do not make any profit off of them, I just want to share where I got my materials.
I am passing out stickers to remind students and staff that I am stuck on them.
I was pleasantly surprised with the latest stickers I ordered from Amazon. You can find them here (and they were only $9.99 and I didn't have to get rid of any- if you do order them I would still check!)
I love all of the information/ideas/social media items that ALA has- check it out here
Monday, April 24th- Right to Read day- I am going to invite students/staff to stop by the library and share their favorite book
Tuesday, April 25th- National Librarian Worker Day- I am going to have a Book Talk Tuesday wall up for everyone to add theirs too (I am hoping this will look like a "graffiti" wall)
Wednesday, April 26th- National Library Outreach Day- I am going to have hot chocolate in the morning and then invite students and staff to create a bookmark. There will be two options. -Felt Bookmark that only takes two items (which I already have in my Amazon cart)- full disclosure- I haven't made these before.. so I am hoping the items that I am ordering will work. *Jumbo Paperclips *Stiff Felt Squares -Scratch Bookmarks for Kids
Thursday, April 27th- Take Action for Libraries Day- this day I will be sharing information about what our library does for the community and various stats. It is also Poem in your Pocket day!
You can find my premade social media designs by using this Canva Template Link I did use ALA social media Instagram Square and added more to it.
Other big things this month: -Texas Library Association Conference in Austin- are you headed that way? I am helping at the Wakelet booth and also presenting over how to be a TokStar Librarian -I am offering Senior Photos to my students (I am not a professional, but I love taking photos- and this is something I can do for my community) -Getting one of my teams ready for Destination ImagiNation Globals in May!! -Planning a literacy event for our families
I plan to also share on my various social media platforms what the library looks like throughout the day.
Thank you to all the librarians out there that are continually making a difference and making sure that all stories have a place on the shelves!
Also- if you need a good template for your Twitter/Facebook there are two great ones going around right now!
February was a whirlwind! I didn't make it to TCEA- thanks to the ice storm that stretched from Dallas all the way to San Antonio. Although I was bummed about TCEA, I know that NTTBF and TLA are just around the corner!
March is another busy month with lots of different things in store (along with spring break!)
This March I am planning
-Read Across America -Open House Activity -Promoting North Texas Teen Book Festival -New Displays -Taking 2 teams to the Lonestar Finals for Destination ImagiNation -Senior Pictures
Read Across America
Read Across America is a great time to promote reading, but sometimes that gets a little harder when it comes to middle school and high school. You can find what I did last year here
I have a confession- I am using the same Read Across America ideas and tweaking them just a little bit. These high schoolers haven't seen it before... right? I do love dress-up days, but my mind was busy with Destination ImagiNation- so, maybe next year. You can find the template here
For Thursday, March 2nd- Read Across America Day- I am going to host a Hot Chocolate and storytime before school starts. I have started doing these about once a month.. the students humor me and stop in, but I think they secretly enjoy the story and hot chocolate.
Open House Activity
March 1st is our Open House. I always like having a fun and simple STEM activity. I am reusing this idea as well, but it has been one of my faves (it is also super easy setup and creating!)
We are going to do Hoop Gliders and then challenge students to see whose glider can go the farthest.
Materials Needed: -scissors -tape -tape/glue -straw -ruler if wantedNorth Texas Teen Book Festival
If you are in the DFW area, I would HIGHLY encourage you to check out the North Texas Teen Book Festival. I have written about this festival several times- because honestly, it is the reason that I became a librarian. You can find information on their website There are SO many amazing authors... and.. it is FREE!! You pay for parking, food (it is credit card only) and books if you want to buy (which you will want too because the authors sign them!) It is a day full of author panels, conversing with students, book signings.. and just a day of amazing books.
I have a group of students that are helping with the countdown- Look for us on Day 4 until North Texas Teen Book Festival on their social media.
New Displays
I have been doing a weekly vote outside the library- currently, the vote is favorite kind of pizza. I think for Read Across America I am going to do favorite type of book.
-March Mammal Madness- I saw this from a TikTok- and now I am trying to convince my Biology teachers to do it with me. You can find it here
-Women's History Month
-North Texas Teen Book Festival
I will post pics of my displays once I am done with them. You can find my libraryland Instagram at @beeinthebookends
Destination ImagiNation Lonestar Finals
I am ending my month taking 2 teams to the Lonestar Finals for Destination ImagiNation. In my spare time, I am a DI team manager and also a Girl Scout Leader. I am SUPER proud of all of my teams.
I took 4 teams to Mid-Cities Regional Tournament and all walked away with medals with 2 advancing to state.
The Nerdy Birdys- I have been hanging out with them since they were in 3rd grade- and now they are Seniors! They are an Improv group and will be going to state at the end of March
The PEEPS is another group that I have been hanging out with since they were in 3rd grade and now they are Juniors. They didn't make it to state but still did an amazing in their Fine Arts challenge.
The E.L.V.E.S. was my FIRST team from my new school- they did AMAZING.. and placed second in their challenge. Check out the website they created
The Flock is the combined team of the Nerdy Birdys and the PEEPS. They placed 1st and are headed to state as well.
I am super proud of all these teams and what they did (I also shed a couple of tears when I realized that was the last time for my Nerdy Birdys to have a regional tournament)
I also love a selfie- and check out this pic that the photographer caught at awards.
Senior Pictures
I love taking pictures.. I am not a professional, but I am not too bad. I am offering senior pictures to our students- a headshot and some candids.
So far these two books have been my favorite reads of February.
Of course, spring break is in this month too. I am helping with robotics, planting trees with my Girl Scout Troop for Keep Irving Beautiful, and picking up a few hours of lifeguarding.
