#FirstLineFriday

If you are not already signed up to use Canva- GO DO IT NOW!

The presentation that I used to walk students through the process is at the bottom- along with a link to the template.

Canva is one of the most versatile programs and there are so many reasons to use it.  I use Canva on almost a daily basis for so many reasons. This week I had a chance to collaborate with one of my teachers. (Spencer.. like all the teachers at my school.. is amazing!)

Canva can be used as an app or in a browser on an iPad, Chromebook, desktop.

There were several TEKS that were covered-this was one:

Apply desktop publishing to create products using word processing programs, editing products, or drawing programs; design elements such as text, graphics, headlines, color, white space; typography concepts, including font size and style; and graphic design concepts such as contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity;

After chatting with the teacher, we decided that we would have students create #FirstLineFridays using Canva.

The Main Points of this Lesson:
-Having students take the time to read the first line of a book- there are some really boring first lines out there-sorry authors. Students could choose ANY book- and some even chose a Graphic Novel or Manga.
-Once they had their book they then had to read the inside book cover and decide on the Tone and Mood- we talked about how that will change our font, background, and color choices
-Students then used the Instagram Story template in Canva to create these
-We talked about how these will be shared on social media- no one wants to watch a Reel on Instagram or a TikTok that is over 30 seconds long- so we talked about how to change the length of the videos

There were 2 products of this lesson:
-A finished #FirstLineFriday promo created in Canva
-A CER about why they chose the book and also why they chose the different design elements.

Other Great outcomes from this lesson:
-Students checked out books
-I had products that I can use on our various social media sites
-A chance to collaborate with a teacher 
-For the most part- students were engaged and were able to create great products!
-It was also a great lesson for students to check their spelling and capitalization of words.  You would think copying is an easy task- but proofreading is important

This is the presentation that I used to guide the lesson (also made in Canva)- Would you like to use this presentation for yourself- here is the Template

First Line Friday by akbusybee

November in the Library

 So, I realized that I had not shared in my blog since last March! I have been sharing much more library land happenings over on TikTok (akbusybee) and Instagram (beeinthebookends)

First an update:
I moved schools!! I had the opportunity to move to a high school (same district) At this high school I am the librarian and the DLC (Digital Learning Coach) I miss my middle schoolers, but I sure am loving high school.  I also got my lifeguard certification so I could lifeguard for my Girl Scout troop.. but I don't know if you have kept up with the news this summer- pools were short staffed! So, I also now lifeguard and teach swim lessons- currently working on my water aerobics instructor courses.

Before I get into all that I am doing.. want to give a little background on my new school
-Our campus serves 9th-12th graders
-Our campus also has what we call grad lab
-Our campus also serves students in our Nigh Owl Academy

Let's get into November.  Here are the things that I have planned with templates, links and more! November for me is also going to be a little crazy.  I am in the process of moving houses, I am attending the TALL Texan Leadership Institute, I am traveling to New York with one of my Girl Scout troops, and I am traveling to my hometown to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary.. so this Busy Bee is WAY busy this month!

Book Club

I have a confession to make- I have never hosted a book club.  Last month was my first one.  What I decided for my book club is that I would focus on a theme rather than an actual book.  October 31st was our first book club where we focused on Ghoulish reads.  Students that signed up in advance were able to come in share about their books and we made candy pumpkin catapults (another confession- this is my first year in the library here.. so I am working on building relationships.. I only had 2 students sign up) I had some extra students in the library during this time, so you know- start small and it will grow!

The month of November my focus is Nonfiction November.  Here is the template to the Canva that I created  On the flyer that I make for school it also has a QR that links to a form that students fill out.  The reason that I need that information is that my book club happens during the day.  It is also good data to have! I am not for sure of the activity that we are doing yet- but I will share once I do have it.

Stranger Things Day

If you are a fan of the show- you will probably already know this trivia.  Stranger Things Day happens on November 6th- the day that Will went missing.  I have written about Stranger Things Day here before

Here is the social media post I am creating to share- you can find the template here (also- I took these pictures at the Stranger Things store.

There are so many great Breakouts that have been created and so many ideas that are out there on the web.  I created my own Digital Breakouts last year through Google Slides.  Since I am at a new school- I am doing what any smart person would do.. and reusing them.  Last year I posted a new clue each day, this year I am going to have them posted around the library on November 7th (when we are celebrating Stranger Things Day.

My plan:
-this week I am promoting that we are celebrating Stranger Things Day on Monday November 7th.  I will promote through social media and on announcements.
-since I am doing during the day, students will need to sign up by Friday to participate during SWAG on Monday
-all students and staff will be invited to wear their best 80s outfits
-I am inviting students and staff to share their favorite 80s or Stranger Things music so I can make a Spotify playlist
-During our SWAG time (SWAG is just like a "homeroom" that we use during the day) the students that signed up will be able to come down to the library to participate in the digital breakouts
-I do have prizes and incentives- there are some great affordable stickers on Amazon (I would always recommend going through the stickers first before giving them out!) and also some fun off brand Stranger Things jibbitz that I found.
-I also went to the Stranger Things Store this summer and took some pictures- I think I might have students use these to create their own scene.

The Breakout
I will print these posters in color. You can find my template from Canva here  Also, on the posters that I am printing for school they will have a QR code on them that lead to the Google Digital Breakout that I made.  Don't worry- I have those too!!

These will force you to copy

Virtual Escape Room- The Letter
Virtual Escape Room- The Code
Virtual Escape Room- Morse Code
Virtual Escape Room- The Bike
Full Virtual Escape Room- This one will take a little bit more time

For The Letter, The Code, Morse Code and Bike- any one that is playing can get through it even with wrong answers.  For the full Virtual Escape Room you must have the right answers to proceed!  What are the answers you may ask...this is the document with them so you can help students (or yourself!) get through.

The Answers

Feel free to edit/change (or you might even find a mistake) and use yourself.  I would love for you to share and also tag me in any photos or other ideas!

Scavenger Hunt

If you don't already follow Melissa Corey on Twitter- go do it now!! She shares the best stuff- and also shares the templates to go with it! She shared a cute ghost hunt template during October and then came out with this cute Turkey Scavenger Hunt. My high schoolers loved it!

Here is the template to mine (but she shared two- both are SUPER cute!)

The end of the month (after Thanksgiving) I am also collaborating with my art teacher to work on holiday cards as part of a service project for Keep Irving Beautiful.  We will create cards to donate and then Keep Irving Beautiful will pass them out to Nursing Homes. My next blog I will share how I do some of my social media such as my #FirstLineFridays.

What programming are you doing in the library? What exciting things do you have coming up?

Hopefully I included everything that I am doing in November.  If I missed something or didn't change a sharing setting- let me know. It is going to be a wild month! 

Read Across America

Read Across America is coming up, and like many librarians, I am working on programming.

If you are new to my blog- a little background about my school.

I am a middle school librarian for a campus that is a hybrid model.  We have grades 6th-8th, about 900 students, one-to-one devices, and about 400 on-campus face to face.  

Next week is not only Read Across America- but it is also North Texas Teen Book Festival which is a FREE event that is virtual.  So, what better way to celebrate Read Across America than adding in North Texas Teen Book Festival.

Each day we have a different hashtag and prompt. I will be posting this on our Library Canvas page with a link for students to fill out a Google Form.  Do you want your own copy-click this link and this will force copy

Currently, on Mondays and Fridays, I already have time on Zoom from 8am-8:15am where I read.  Mondays-we are reading a book and Fridays I do #FirstChapterFridays My First Chapter Fridays are currently books that are on the North Texas Teen Book Festival Link.  This has been a plus of being hybrid and using Zoom.  Often times I would only see ELAR classes, but with Zoom- ALL classes are able to hop on.  I am working with my amazing DEAN April Richmond who always helps me with my ideas. 

Next week we will be sharing a book each morning via Zoom from 8:00am-8:15am.  I send calendar invites to teachers, but students also have the ability to login on their own (we have 2 people monitoring students as they come in)  The book and information also get posted into the Library Canvas classroom daily. Despite what middle schoolers think- they do love a picture book (and picture books are AMAZING!)

The thing I am MOST excited about sharing is- Read Across America-North Texas Teen Book Festival. Jillian Heise posted this AMAZING blog about actually Reading Across America.   Although this is amazing, I needed something more middle school.  With the help of Donald Cummings and Hope Krum we created a Read Across America with the stories from the places that happen in the books from authors with the North Texas Teen Book Festival. 

Each book that is shared is linked to information from Teachingbooks.net  We also linked to the panel that that author will be presenting.  This will be a changing document (thank goodness for Google!)

You can find the presentation here (know that we are still adding to it) Thank you Jillian for the GREAT idea!

What are you doing for Read Across America? Are you marking your calendar for North Texas Teen Book Festival? 

Want a copy of my March calendar- click this link and it will force a copy

CANVAS and the Library

During the summer our district moved from Google Classroom to CANVAS for our course management system.
Background on my district
-3 early childhood schools
-20 elementary schools (k-5)
-8 middle schools (6-8)
-5 high schools (9-12)
We have over 33000 students. 
Lower-grade levels use Seesaw with CANVAS usage beginning in 2nd or 3rd grade. 
I am a middle school librarian and our school is in a hybrid model right now as students have the opportunity to be in person or virtual and can change that every six weeks. 

My Top 3 Favorite things about using CANVAS:

1- It keeps all of my information in one place (and I love that I can pull data from that- I love having data to share with my admin and also my patrons) I do still update our website as well

2- I can post passwords because it is protected

3- I feel like I am reaching more students, and I think some students feel more comfortable asking questions through email than face to face (middle schoolers) I also love that I can set up announcements- more information on that below.

There are so many ways to use CANVAS- how I do it is just one.  I have one CANVAS course for the school and added all of our students to the class.

Landing Page- I used my Bitmoji/Canva/Picmonkey to make the buttons- but there are so many free ones that are available. Each button either leads to our Lamar Library Website, a different website, or a Google Slide with interactive links.

First Row

Each of these buttons leads to a specific Google slide that gives more information on our different resources.  The Lamar Library button leads to our library page.

For the Google Slides- I published them to the web so students can click on the different links (much like Google classroom)

-although I get data information on how much students are interacting with CANVAS, I did change all my links to bit.ly so I can see how often they were actually clicked.

This is what one of the Google slides looks like- what you can't see is at the bottom of each of these I have the passwords listed or how to login to them. Although.. many of our items are now in Classlink which I LOVE! One less step for signing in!

Second Row

This row has links to my different activities that I do. 
Literary Lions
Every Monday I have Literary Lions- where I am reading a book that students chose- I think that I am going to change this up a bit. It is from 8am-8:15am every Monday morning.  Remote students can log in, but I also send calendar invites to teachers so they can join as a class while students are eating breakfast.

Monthly Calendar

I started creating these in October using Canva, but I realized it was so much easier through Google Slides (and easier to copy and paste) I get the ideas for dates from BrownieLocks and link back to our databases for students to access. 
-Another reason I love CANVAS- is I can schedule announcements. So, although this is a button for students to click on, I also make it a daily announcement and set it for 8:15am when school begins (and encourage my teachers to have students interact with my page.  

-Want a copy of the March calendar? Click on this link and it will copy the Google Slide (there are no links- you will have to add your own.

First Chapter Friday

Every Friday from 8am-8:15am I have a First Chapter Friday. Much like Literary Lions on Monday I invite students and classrooms to join in (and I love that I have Band and Science joining me too!)

I cam currently doing a First Chapter from authors that will be at the North Texas Teen Book Festival (which is FREE and VIRTUAL this year!!) Each book is also linked back to our system so a student can place it on hold.

Third Row

This is just a spot where students can learn more about me and check out our Library social media.

I also a FlipGrid where I post a #BookTalkTuesday every Tuesday (I do this through TikTok as well) and a #WAYRWednesday (What are you Reading Wednesday) every week.  This way students can go back and look at book talks.  The Events button leads to a Google Slide that has all the monthly challenges and events that are happening or I am hosting.

Overall

In reality- database usage, book check out, and digital book usage has declined.  Not everyone participates in my different activities.. but I feel successful if even one person does because that student probably needed it.  Students, teachers, and librarians are learning how to navigate during this crazy time.  

BUT-I have also noticed an increase in databases since I started posting the daily announcements and engagement with the page has also increased.

I am always looking for ways to grow and reach ALL of my students, teachers, and community. I like having the CANVAS data and the bit.ly data to show what students are interacting with. I also like that I can still have a "safe" space in CANVAS. One of my favorite things about being a librarian is being able to have a space and different opportunities for students.  

How do you use CANVAS for your library?

Each Six Weeks

I take a look at my data every six weeks and create a Piktochart to share with admin and patrons as to what has been going on in the library.  Much like everyone- we are shifting/growing/changing.. and not everything works.

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Reading Habits

This blog has been milling around my head for awhile... as in several months.  I was not for sure how to put it into words. I love reading.. I am a librarian. But, I was always reading the same kinds of things by the same kind of authors.  This is also a little bit more vulnerable blog in that I didn't realize how much I was stuck in certain reading ways.. and didn't realize how much I needed to GROW (my word of the year!) to be a better person and librarian.

Now, there is nothing wrong with that.. at all.. I tell kids ALL the time that reading is reading (I tell teachers that too!) I also work REALLY hard to make sure that students, staff, and community know that they belong, the library is for everyone, and that I believe in them. 

When the pandemic hit back in March- I got SUPER hooked on Crime Junkies as I have now listened to every episode.. and hopefully will soon be able to become a member of the fan club.  Then the Black Lives Matter movement really started.. and this changed my WHOLE reading habits. I know that sounds super strange.. but it did.. and here is why.  

I grew up in a small town, my parents are still married, I have a bachelors and I have 2 masters.  In other words- my upbringing and life don't always mirror the students that I work with. I needed to read outside my comfort zone (which is really weird that I even had a comfort zone and didn't realize it) Thanks to April Richmond I finally read All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.  This book was an eye opener and an amazing read... and what I needed to read to become a better librarian and a better person.

My goal this year was to read 30 books... I know that sounds small because I am a librarian.. but.. I also run clubs, have 2 jobs, and do various programming.. and I do enjoy sleeping!  But thanks to SORA audiobooks, our amazing Irving Public Library, and having my friend April that would answer questions for me.. and also be my sounding board for different things.. I am now working on my 34th book for the year.  30 of those books were listened to or read since May 31st.

You can find my Goodreads account here

When I do any lesson, I try to be very transparent in my own reading styles- as in I LOVE having books read to me- reading magazines are great-a good graphic novel is AMAZING- and it is okay to read any type of book.  This year, my intro lessons also included the fact that I too was stuck in a reading rut, but because I read out of what I thought was a comfort zone I became a more avid reader.  I began to read more books that were windows rather than mirrors.  I also remind students that it is okay to put a book down.. now.. read more than 3 pages.. try 3-5 chapters.. but it happens. Sometimes a book just doesn't hit how we need it to at that moment. Just like any librarian- I also work really hard on finding those books for every type of reader.

Every lesson this year I end with this:
The more the read the more you know. The more you know and the better human being you become.  Guys we need as many good human beings as we can get! 

I am so thankful to have such a diverse reading community around me. I also appreciate that I can have conversations with people about different topics that I might not understand and not be judged because I am naïve or I don't have the same background knowledge.  

The world is a really hard place right now, for SO many reasons, but reading a good book can help transport you to a different location and time, help you better understand your surroundings, or just be a mirror into your own life.

Thank you April Richmond for helping me become a better librarian and inspiring me to read even more... and thank you for being such a great sounding board.

I can't always change the world, but what I can do is continue to try to "see" other people/customs/thoughts, continue to make sure that I have books for all types of readers and people, and continue to work on not judging a book by its cover.

Other things that helped me and my reading habits:
-Irving Public Library and their North Texas Teen Book Festival Present virtual panels- Go check out their website and their AMAZING virtual author panels- you won't be disappointed! 
-Recording Booktalks for my students- This year I began creating a TikTok a week for #booktalktuesday along with a Flipgrid for #booktalktuesday and #WAYRWednesday
-Having someone to talk to about what I was reading-at first it was mainly adults- but now I am able to chat even more with students!!
-Audiobooks (I also listen to my audiobooks a little faster)
-getting a better reading light for next to my bed
-following great people on Instagram/Twitter/TikTok and Facebook

Here's to new reading goals in 2021 and discovering even more amazing authors and illustrators.

My Top 5!

Friday (12/18/20) I finished my first official semester of being a librarian during a pandemic.  Wow what a semester it has been! There have been many downs, but also many ups. I have a reflection blog coming up, but I wanted to share my 5 Top Favorite Things of this first semester.

School background: We are a middle school hybrid model.  We have virtual and in-person students and our student enrollment is about 850.

Nearpod

Nearpod is my absolute FAVORITE app to use for lesson planning and creating!

Our school is a Nearpod school, but it is a platform I would be happy to pay for because of how amazing it is.  It is a platform that allows for interactive lessons, games, and ways to embed items. Students can access Nearpod through a web browser or an app on various devices.

How I use it:
-I create slides directly in Nearpod or use one of the many thousands of lessons already created and tailor it for myself
-I embed activities to keep students engaged such as Time To Climb, Matching, and videos
-Sometimes I just use it as slides while teaching
-I can give the teachers the embed code so they can embed into their Canvas course or give them the student link so the asynchronous learners can have access to the lesson as well

Canva
Being mostly virtual I love that I can use Canva for social media posts, flyers, and my monthly calendars. There is an option to embed and also share through links.  Back in October I created my first calendar, and have loved making them ever since. I also currently use the free version, but have put in an application for the educator account.

How I use it:
-social media posts (there is even animation available)
-the phone app is pretty good for ideas on the go
-monthly calendars that have hyperlinked ideas
-embed items into my Canvas course

January Calendar by akbusybee

Piktochart

I will be honest, there are not many things I pay for when it comes to apps (I do pay extra for Google storage), but I do pay for Piktochart- and it is the BEST money I spend a year.  Piktochart is fantastic for creating infographics, flyers, and other digital content.  There is an educator discount that I use. There are plenty of templates, but it is also easy to start from scratch.

How I use it:
-Each six weeks I create an infographic of all that happened in the library
-Each month I create an "Installment" which is a newsletter that goes in all the staff bathrooms
-I share the links to the different infographics through social media outlets along with downloading PDF (which has clickable links)
-I also love how interactive it is when looking at the PDF and website (and I can keep track of how many times it was viewed)
My second six weeks infographic for the library

Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a platform that offers video discussions. Once a topic is created students/staff can add videos to enrich the conversation, share their own information, or record a response

How I use it:
-I have a Book Talk Tuesday topic and a What are you Reading Wednesday Topic where I post weekly book talks (it is also open to students to respond)
-I have a Staff Recommendation Topic for teachers to share their reads
-I have topics for Try It Tuesdays where students can share what they have tried
I like that I can see how many views these have and how I can easily share it to Twitter.  I also like that I can control who posts and who sees videos

Sora

I want to get books in kids hands, but that has been a little tougher than usual lately.  Our district (and our public library) use Sora (which is under the Overdrive app) Because of Sora I have read and listened to SO many more books (but that too is for another blog on how my reading habits changed because of the pandemic)

How I use it:
-I use it personally- audiobooks for my walks and in the car and eBooks for my Kindle (I don't have the self control to read on my phone)
-promoting to our students- all of our students have iPads- although it works in the browser- the app is amazing!

I know that 2021 is probably not going to be much easier, but I am jumping for joy that I can check 2020 off my list!

What are your top 5? I know that there are several other items that I use on a regular basis, but these have gotten me through this semester.

Programming During a Pandemic

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

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

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

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

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

These links lead to our resources and databases

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

TeenTober2020-Lamar by akbusybee

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

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

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

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

Lamar Calendar by akbusybee

November Activities:

-Thankful Photo Contest

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

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

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

-First Chapter Fridays- in the morning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bitmoji for the Library

With many of our homes becoming our office, there is a rise of Bitmoji use! I LOVE using Bitmoji's and I use them for so many items! I have loved seeing how educators of all type are now creating their own scenes for their digital classrooms and headers.

Being a librarian, my "classroom" looks a little different! I decided that I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and create my own Bitmoji scene, but do it for a Virtual Reader Advisory activity (Thanks Skye for the great idea!)  I watched several videos, and chose to do my first header in google draw (which is something that I am not as familiar with.)

I have added templates to all that I am sharing in this blog.  

*One thing I did realize- when choosing a background image, it seems to work better when you actually inert a background, and not just an image as the background)

I watched this YouTube video here (he uses Google Draw) and here (she uses Google Slides... and also offers templates!)

Once I created my header, I create a Google Form for students to fill out.  (REALLY.. I also realized I needed to do this, because I was in my own reader funk and the Irving Public Library now has one of these forms.. and recommended some books for me! You can find my whole TikTok about it here)

My Form- it will force you to make a copy

After creating the readers advisory form, I realized I needed to take a step back and figure out how I was going to get book recommendations to the students.  Although I would love to say that ALL my students know how to access our digital resources and eBooks, I have to also be realistic.  Using Google Slides I created both a template for a "Virtual" help desk.  This virtual setting has a video to share with students on how to access our resources, a link to our current virtual help desk that we have as virtual librarians and also the form from above.  I love that once I make it in Google Slides, I can publish it to the web or download it as a PDF.  Both of these versions allow for easy sharing to staff and through Google Classroom.  Both publish to the web and PDF also allow for the hyperlinks embedded into the document to still work.

I have created this template (without the links to the book form, help desk or video)

Once students had filled out the form, I then took their information and am creating a Virtual book shelf.  What I love about this virtual book shelf is that I can recommend so many different items from our digital resources and not just regular style books.  After I make the recommendations, I am emailing the student their link to the published individualized Google Slide and also the PDF of the links.

Sample email:

Thank you so much for filling out the form for some book recommendations.

Based on your survey it looks like you enjoy both non-fiction and fiction.  I found several books that I think you might like! I recommended 2 Capstone books and one book that you can find on Destiny. 

If you need any help with logging in or other information, please let me know!

If these books were not what you are expecting- please let me try again! You can fill out the form as often as you like.

Virtual Bookshelf for student:

Sample Virtual eBook Recommendation shelf that students/staff get as a link and a interactive PDF

I know that there is SO much more that you can do with the virtual classrooms and Bitmoji, but I am loving that I can connect with my students even more!

I did create a YouTube video for a full walk through

Cub Club October

I am deep into my second year as a middle school librarian and I LOVE every minute of it! One of my goals this year was to increase family involvement (and increase parent check out) When I was an elementary librarian, I had programming called Late Night in the Library. The concept of those was that parents and students would come after school for programming. During this programming students and parents would work together to complete tasks.  Middle schoolers are just a tad different (in that they don't always want to be seen with their parents). 
This year, I created a Cub Club.  The Cub Club is a toddler time for 2 year old to 5 year olds.  You can find out about my first Cub Club here.  Although I only had 4 children attend the first Cub Club, I was not ready to throw in the towel!  Because, 4 kids is still more than no kids.

This month, I changed the time to be right before lunch and I had 4 DIFFERENT kiddos show up! The theme this month was Pumpkins and Monsters. I even invited Cub Club Members to show up in their costume (we had a cute unicorn and a Hulk)

Flyer made in Library Aware

In planning Cub Club I realized I needed much shorter and active books.  I start planning at the beginning of the month and create a schedule for myself to do during the time.
My Cub Club has:
-Welcome activity (this has been a head band both times)
-Hello song
-Story
-Action song/finger play
-Story
-Action song/finger play
-Story
-Goodbye Song
-Kids are able to complete activities and check out books

You can find all my notes/files for October here

For the activities I do, I try to make them very easy (they are little fingers) and also super affordable (ie free or very cheap) Each station has a sample with all of the materials ready to go and at the moment I am plan for 15. I hope to grow this program, but I want it to be an organic growing. I already have people asking when the next one is in November! The Cub Club is geared towards children/parents in the immediate community but it is open to anyone in the area.

5 Little Pumpkins- children counted out 5 pumpkins and added them to the fence along with the rhyme

Of course I had to be in costume. Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Sun catcher  Jack-o-lantern. Used tissue paper and construction paper on contact paper.  Everything was already pre-cut

Bat Headbands

Children working at the stations after the stories

Child working on the pumpkin

Two of the kiddos (who I am sort of partial to their whole family!)

I am So excited about our next Cub Club! Picking out books this week to talk Turkey!! This Cub Club was also during Book Fair week, so parents and kids could go shopping as well. Do you do any programming for toddlers? What are your favorite things to do? How do you increase your family engagement?

Top 5 of #TXLA19

The Texas Library Association Conference ended on Thursday, and I am still processing all of the amazing things I learned. The conference was Monday-Thursday, and I used ALL of my time learning, connecting and taking it all in.  You can check out all my sketchnotes from the various sessions at my Beeinthebookends Instagram. I learned more than 5 things while at the conference, but these were by far the things that stood out to me.

Top 5 of  #TXLA19
1- Mindfulness 101 with James Butler and Rachelle Finck out of all the sessions I went to, this was the one that I needed the most.  Living with someone that has mental health issues, I understand the importance of needing to teach children (and adults) mindfulness.  Working in a middle school I have also seen first hand how students need help in learning different coping skills to help them through life and middle school (middle school is hard!)  I was so excited to be one of the first people in line to purchase James new book Mindful Classrooms as I plan to incorporate some of these ideas in the library next year.

2-Listening to Sylvia Acevedo keynote the first general session.  I have talked about her before as she is the CEO of Girl Scouts.  She shares such a powerful story of her own journey of being very poor to being a rocket scientist.

3-The general session with Scott Pelley.  I could have listened to him speak all day! His book Truth Worth Telling will be coming out in May. TXLA19 was his first book event, and what a masterful story teller he is.  Before he shared some of the stories that have changed his life, he mentioned that so often we are trying to find the meaning of life.  We are asking the wrong question.  We should not be asking the meaning of life, but what is the meaning of you.  In my bag.. I had packed everything I needed but Kleenexes!

4- Connecting with librarians!  Being a librarian is one of the best but also hardest job that I have ever had.  I work on a great campus, but I am still the only librarian on the campus.. so sometimes it gets a little lonely.  During the conference I was able to connect with not only Irving librarians, but also librarians from across the state that are doing some amazing things.  In having conversations, it also helped me realize that I am doing pretty cool things too.

5- The authors and illustrators. I know that these authors and illustrators realize that they are going to be bombarded by crazy librarians wanting autographs, pictures, and conversations. But that just makes them even more awesome for being so patient and listening.

Dawn and I went to watch the bats and ran into AMAZING Illustrator Chris Hsu.  He is the illustrator for The Boo Boos that Changed the World

When I found out that there was going to be a Comic book day on Wednesday, I was super excited to become Vera from Be Prepared. Even better, the author Vera Brosgol was going to be signing books!

I have now had a chance to see this guy twice! Sean Easley is the author of the Hotel Between Series. 

 6- My bonus takeaway! I feel as if I do social media pretty well, but I really enjoyed going to Steven Vrooman over social media.  I look forward to telling my library story even better next year!

I am sure that you have noticed by now, one of my favorite things to do is take selfies! I LOVED that TXLA captured this one of me taking a selfie of the Comic Day Group.

On our way out of town, we also stopped at the new Austin Public Library Central Location. All I can say.. is wow!! There were so many more selfies, so many more people, and so much more learning that happened. I can't WAIT to go back and rethink some of things that I am doing, tweak other things, and evaluate those programs that I am doing.

Did you attend #TXLA19? What were your favorite sessions?

#NTTBF19

I have been home for about 3 hours, and my brain has been reeling from attending the North Texas Teen Book Festival (#NTTBF) This was my third one to attend, but my first to take a group of students.

I attended the first one with my friend McKennan.  She had asked if I wanted to go to a book festival that was down the street, so I said sure.. thinking it would only be a couple of hours. We ended up staying the whole day and getting books signed. Before #NTTBF15 I had already been talking to some of my librarian friends about becoming a librarian, but it was just talk and in the back of my mind.  During the session It's The End of the World as We Know It, I was so inspired by several of the authors, but especially Alex London. They talked about how powerful it is to share your work no matter if it is good or bad. That it is important to be rejected, because that it only makes you better.  As I sat there.. I realized how I want to give even more students the opportunities to listen to authors that are writing for them. You can find my blog about #NTTBF15 here.

I volunteered at #NTTBF last year not knowing that my path would soon change and I would get that chance to take students.  I got a late start preparing due to Destination ImagiNation.  But before spring break started.. I had the bus ordered, a list of students.. shirts ordered and was ready!

I met my students at Lamar (many had attended before with the previous amazing librarian!) this morning at 7:45am and we were on our way by 8:15am. We missed the wristbands that were given out (things to rethink about next year) To attend some of the sessions and specific authors, wristbands are required.  Did I mention the whole festival is FREE? It takes a ton of man power from the amazing people that organize it to the 100s of volunteers to make sure it runs smoothly.

Although there were so many panels I wanted to see, I did a TON of picture taking. I had the chance to provide pictures to the Visit Irving Texas Instagram feed. I enjoyed people watching as I saw so many excited readers meeting the authors of the characters and stories they had fallen in love with.

She drug me to the first one and I am so glad that she did!

Had to stop Alex London again and tell him thanks for inspiring me to become a librarian.

I finally got to meet Hope in person! She is doing AMAZING things.. and she used to be the librarian in the Lamar Library!

These ladies were the awesome chaperones with me!

Horizon Imprinting always does a great job for me. Our students looked fabulous (and were easier to spot!)

I did attend one session called Adventure Awaits. The panel was Holly Golberg Sloan, Daniel Older, Lisa McMann, Yoon Ha Lee, Sean Easley, and Soman Chainani. I think my favorite part is where they shared "Easter Eggs" that you might find in their books.  I enjoyed hearing how one of the characters from Sean Easley's book was from a kiddo that he knows that uses a wheelchair.  As librarians we are always looking for windows and mirrors to share, and I can't wait to share that one. I also loved what Holly Sloan said about her character Willow Chance.  Such a deep meaning for a name, and I hope that I am both will and chance for all the things I have done and who I am.

My Top 3 of #NTTB19
1. Having conversations with various students about what books they were reading, why they were in love with the characters and realizing I need to read SO much more!
2. Playing photographer! I know I just had my phone on my camera, but I loved nabbing all the different pictures (and I sort of loved getting some sneaky shots of some amazing authors!)

Signing for Tomi Adeyemi 

Signing lines for Raina Telgemeier and Angie Thomas

3. Taking a group of kids! Oh my goodness, I know it was only 23 students.. but I LOVED that I got to share NTTBF with them.

I can't wait until next year! Did you go to NTTBF? What was your favorite part?