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.

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!!

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?

Welcome Back to School!

Tomorrow begins my 23rd year in education and my 20th year in my district. My word this year is adventure.. and my theme is Reading Rainbow.

I got a SUPER cute shirt from Keen Bee Studios on Etsy and used Canva to create my station signs.

I am at a new school this year, but every year my goal is to get ALL staff into the library.  Sometimes teachers and staff have the misconception that the library is only for the reading/language arts department.  The library is a HUGE space that is great for any content area.. and as a librarian I can almost guarantee that I have a resource or have access to a resource that will help.  

The first week back to school for staff is a week full of professional development for staff, but usually on that Friday is when staff are working in their rooms or doing all the things they need to do to prepare for students on Monday.  Last year my theme was Library where the adventure begins and I had trail mix stations- You can find that blog HERE  This year- was reading rainbow.

A couple of things:
-My school is 9th-12th
-I have over 230 staff members
-There will be over 2000 students
-I purchased all materials myself (including the gift cards)

For this professional development week I also have a contest going on that encourages staff to follow the library on Instagram and X, check out our premium digital resources and also check out  SORA eBook.

On Friday I invited staff in to grab a cookie (thanks Sam's for being affordable.. since I also work in the evenings I did NOT have time to bake this time.. and there are LOTS more people) and then create their own wooden bead keychain.  When I do activities I try to make them easy.. not take up much time.. and something that people will use.  

I got the idea for the keychains HERE 

At the bottom of this blog you can find my Canva Template that I used for station signs.

Materials I used (and remember- I was purchasing for 200+) also.. I get no commission for these links- just sharing what I used
-Faux Leather String-LINK
-Spacer Beads- LINK
-Black wooden beads- LINK
-Navy wooden Beads- LINK
-Silver wooden beads- LINK
-Keychain hooks- LINK

The first table staff came to they signed in so I could add them to my drawing, and also cut their string. I also had cupcake liners out- because that is a super easy way to hold on the materials.

I had 56 people stop by the library JUST to make a keychain (or that is how many signed in). I know that we have over 200, but I am happy that almost 1/4 made it by.  

My other favorite thing to do at the beginning of the year is to have a First Day of School picture opportunity.  I will be at school uber early and take pics for staff (and students) that want it.  Super easy to do- and a great way to see more people!

I am SUPER excited about being at a new school (although my role this year is one school and flexible floater so I will be supporting all the schools in my district as needed) I of course my friends at my other school.. but I am also looking forward to doing things that a comprehensive high school provides.. I even drug my husband out of the house last night to go to a Vikings Rally.

What are some things you do to invite your staff into the library (also- when I say staff- I mean ALL the staff.. it takes alot of people to make a school run!)

Nimitz Library 2024-2025 Station Signs by akbusybee

My Top 3 From 2023-2024

I realize that I am only about 2 weeks away from another school year- and my blog suffered at the end of the year... BUT before a new year gets started I wanted to reflect on last year.

Last years blog at the end of the year was about thing I would continue - you can find that here

I don't know what I am going to continue this year, because I will be at a new campus that will have different needs.

I know that I will continue to collaborate with all content areas.  I also know that I will have a welcome back activity- Think Reading Rainbow!  I also know that I will continue to be my quirky self that makes terrible TikToks and makes sure everyone is welcome in the library!

Number 1

Collaborating with my amazing art teacher and creating paper Alebrijes.  This was a great way to share our premium resources, collaborating with teacher, providing a space and a place for students to be creative.  You can find the whole blog here------->BLOG

Number 2

Eagle's Nest Storytime! It is so important for a librarian to understand their community.  My past community had a handful of new or soon to be young parents.  I took this opportunity to create a practice storytime.  We talked about how to read with their child, where to find resources and ways to pick books.  We also sang songs and did practice crafts.

Number 3

Viral Ghost Programming.  Anytime I can get staff involved and students- I am for it.  Even better.. the LAUGHS that were had.   You can find the whole blog HERE------>BLOG

I don't know what this next year will bring.  I know I am nervous- but I also know that my word this next year is Adventure!

3 Favorites to Begin the Year

Three weeks are finished and I had to take a moment to my top 3 things so far this year.  Just a reminder- I teach in a middle school 6th-8th grade.  We have about 800 students and are a VILS campus so all of our students have devices.

Number 1

Portable Personal Waterproof Voice Amplifier Wired Headset- you can find it on Amazon Link Here I had one of my amazing Girl Scout moms text me for my Amazon wish list- I didn't really have one, but I had been eyeing this headset.  It was my LIFESAVER as I had sometimes 2 classes at a time in the library for my orientation lesson (it also made me so happy that I was able to teach classes in the library after it being so long)

Number 2

Sign-In Station. When students visit the library before school, during the day, or after school and they are not with a class they sign in.  I created this a few years ago, and it is a great way to easily keep track of who has visited the library and why.  I use a Google Form. I have 2 computers available for sign-in, but I also have a page that I made in Canva so students can just scan the QR code or type in the address. If you would like the form that I use- this will force copy LINK HERE

Used my Bitmoji and created using Canva

I love the easy graphs that Google Forms Give me

Number 3

Some of my amazing new earrings! I have gotten into fun earrings this year and Exalting In Beauty has some awesome ones!!

Although we are in person- I am still keeping up with my monthly calendars.  I will be keeping this on my Canvas course, but also posting it on my bulletin board. You can force copy September calendar here

We ended our 3rd week with #collegecolorsday anytime I can get a picture I am ALL about it!

Up next- National Literacy Day, Dot Day, and more! What have you done this year to get you through? What are your favorites?

Library Orientation 2021

Just finished my 20th first week of school with students and I had forgotten how tired the first week of school tired is!

The first week of school was all about badges and books! I saw 36 classes for about 20 minutes each where I took badge pictures and checked out books.  

This week the focus will be our digital resources and checking out books again.  Thanks to our fabulous other Middle School Librarians I am sharing this presentation with teachers to put as a small group assignment during their ELAR block.

 

You can find the presentation here

The last slide is a Tic Tac Toe board (thanks Erica and Donnie for creating!)

Online Library Tic Tac Toe Google Doc- this LINK will force copy

Official library orientation is coming up. With this last year, I have 7th graders who haven't been in a library since 5th grade!

For orientation, I have a short slide show where we will go over some basics, and then I will be sending them on Google Digital Breakout to find different items throughout the library. This orientation slide and digital breakout should only take about 25ish minutes altogether so the rest of the class periods students can find books. 

You can also find the presentation here

The last slide in the orientation has a Link or a QR code to our Lamar Library Escape Room. I got the idea for the Escape room from Donnie and Hope (I just tweaked it a little.. have I mentioned how thankful I am for the various librarians I learn from??)

You can play the Escape Room here want to make a copy of it- click this link to make a copy and make it your own.

I don't know how this year is going to go- but I do know that I am excited to see students in real life and in the library again!

Can we also talk about these uber-cute shirts and how much my new clerk Suzanne is making things happen? Thanks, Arielle for the awesome library shirts!

Mid Year Recap-Programming

As a librarian I talk books.. but there is SO much more to being a librarian!  One of my favorite things about being a librarian is having the space to have programming of all different kinds! I know that many libraries have maker space opportunities..and that is AWESOME! I do mine a little differently.  Whenever I have an idea for programming the first thing I do is go to images.google.com for inspiration. This blog will be FULL of pictures!
I also begin the year with goals that I set for myself.  For advocacy I think it is important to set goals and then also continually update those goals.  At the end of each six weeks I also have a newsletter that I share with my school admin and library admin.  I can also share that information with our community through social media.  To make these newsletters I use Piktochart. I do pay for this service as I use it a TON!

Smart Goals 2019-2020

First Six Weeks

Second Six Weeks

I am extremely lucky to have an admin that understands the need for various programming, a district that values librarians, a clerk that is AMAZING and does so much behind the scenes items, and an amazing team of interventionist/specialist that is always willing to go above and beyond! All the things I am going to share I have done some form or fashion without a clerk.  

We are all very busy people, but we also make time for things that are important.  For me it is important to be involved. I try to make at least one sporting event per grade level per girls/boys.  I also try to make it to at least one choir concert, band concert, orchestra concert.. and this year I finally made it to a Kickstart program!  It is amazing what the kids think when they see me in the stands.  Programming also happens with staff as well.  

Sports team schedule posted in the library

We have a bulletin board in the workroom that I have taken over.  During the month of October it was a BINGO board, November was a thankful board (December I failed) January is going to be what brings you JOY

This year our school had a Homecoming Week.  The library hosted a station before school for 8th graders to be able to create either a garter or mum ring. We had over 100 students take part in this.  Directions are made using Canva (my other favorite program)

In October I also attempted the Pumpkin Book Character contest. We had 5 entries and although low, I still like offering programs that might interest just that one student!

I have had a total of 4 Cub Clubs now.  We start our Cub Clubs with a fun headband, then kiddos and parents head over for a story time full of songs, books, movements and more.  Then participants head over to complete a couple of crafts.  I create the flyer in Library Aware.  You can find all my materials in this Google Drive folder. For each station we have all the materials prepared and also a sample made.

November headband

Fingerprint tree

December headband

Reindeer ornament

Dreidel  sun catcher 

November 6th, the library was transformed into Camp Know Where for Stranger Things Day that Kara Noah set up.   The library hosted some fun 80's style maker space activities to get ready. We had a friendship bracelet making station, a scrunchie making station (we used hot glue.. although I would love to sew next year!) and fortune teller station. The actual day of Stranger Things Day staff and students were invited to dress up in their best 80s outfits. Students that had pre-registered were able to do a fun Stranger Things breakout after school.  The library was packed with over 100 students in groups of 4 or 5 completing the themed Breakouts.

One of my favorite programs I have started this year is a Dance Club.  I had a K-Pop club last year (which was great) but I wanted to be more structured (and let's be real.. I like K-Pop as much as the next person.. but I couldn't handle an afternoon a week watching videos with screaming girls.. I love them though!)  Our feeder High School has dance programs, so I contacted the main dance crew director at Nimitz shared my crazy idea..and went with it.  This year each six weeks the library will host a dance club that sort of shadows the high school. I have NO moves.. so I am thankful for the mini "workshops" Flipgrid and youtube.  During the 3rd six weeks we focused on Ballet Folklorico, the 4th Six Weeks will be the Kings, and the 5th six weeks will be the Vikas.  My hope was that each six weeks whoever was interested would come for an hour on Mondays after school.  It turned into something SO much more amazing.  The Ballet Folklorico group came over one time and taught some steps, and came back a second time! Not only that they then gave our students a chance to learn a whole dance to be used in the Nimitz Dance Showcase.  It was amazing, and now our students have a chance to see what other programs will be available when they get to high school.  I have NO dance experience.. and can't move gracefully at all- but the library has the space! We have also been invited to be in the next couple of dance showcases that are coming up.  There were only 4 that participated, but I can not even begin to tell you the JOY I saw on their faces after they had performed.  It was worth every bit of extra time!

Our ukulele group is still up and running.  The Uke Can Do it Club meets weekly on Thursday mornings- we even performed a couple of songs for the Christmas on Crandall event.

I love programming, but I also love working with teachers and increasing instruction in the library.  I also make it my goal to leave every day by 5:15pm (I also manager 4 Destination ImagiNation teams and am a Girl Scout leader.. and I am married to a very understanding and supportive husband)  I leave school satisfied that even though I might not be the best librarian, I am providing opportunities, mentorship, and a space for middle schools to thrive (middle school is hard!)

There are so many things I want to do in the new year, but one of the first ones I am doing is participating in Celebrate Your Story! Are you in the Texas area, if so.. you should check out this 2 day conference being put on by Todd Nesloney.  I am talking Bringing the Sunshine

 I end this overfull blog with a couple of more pictures!

My ugly sweater- a book snowman

Did you know that my parents are Texas Santa and Mrs. Claus? I was able to spend time with them walking around the Stockyards last weekend (and- Texas Santa has donated 2 of his BEAUTIFUL handmade pens as door prizes for Celebrate Your Story)

The most wonderful team to work with! These guys inspire me daily!