Thursday, March 30, 2017

TeachersToolkit.com

Teacher’s Tool kit

    This site is a great source of teachers, On the main page you will the tab for tools. It gives teachers a variety of tools that will help them plan activities and engaging lessons for students.


  There are so many good ideas here!  On the very left hand side the tools are group into categories: opening activities, partner practice, group practice, reading strategies, and games just to name a few. I found so many interesting activities here! Share with your teachers, you will be a rock star!

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Re-Organizing my Desk

    Just last week I was able to re-organize and streamline my desk. I had two sets of hanging files, one of which was not often used , I wanted to get another file cabinet to store the files in but there was not any room in my office for another file cabinet. I do have  a large old teachers desk , where years ago they had some kind of space for either files or a pop up typewriter-( not sure what it was for)
     I ordered two handing file holders to go into the open pop up section. And I ordered  a smallest pencil/file/ post it holder. The supplies came the other day- the company I order from is NY based- S & B computer supplies.
    So the order was faxed on Monday and we got the supplies on thursday.
 Friday I set up the new system. Files used weekly/ monthly were placed in the new hanging file box and put in the 'hole' where the large space  is in the desk.

 Then I re-organized the files I used on a daily basis into the hanging file organizer. The two current projects are file in the small organizer that also holds pens/pencils,post it and scissors . I think it will work great and looks so much neater!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

April bulletin board ideas for library and classroom

      I've got a poem in my pocket!-- pockets with poems typed stuck in- these can be changed  weekly. Or let  students put in their  favorite poems.

     Get Graphic@ the Library!  Scan covers of some of your Graphic Novels and put on a colorful Bulletin Board.

      Get Hooked on  Books!- Fishing line with book titles or covers along the line.
( Fishing for a good Book)

     Spring into Reading with Great Books

      Sports Stories

      It's Raining Books- Put an umbrella in the corner of the bulletin board. Then place large blue and grey raindrops with book titles on them.( Again let students put up their favorites.

     April showers bring great books! ( Similar to above idea)


National Humor Month
School Library Month
DEAR- Day April 12

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

More Homework for Librarians


    The other homework I do during my evening prep: I read my professional journals ( School Library Journal) SLJ has many interesting and informative articles.  I also find many of the advertisements helpful . The book companies are great for showing covers and  starred reviews- telling about the new books.

Which leads me to my other homework from SLJ: reading reviews!  I read the reviews carefully to see if I want to purchase for my school. I also check Amazon and Barnes &Noble as part of my homework. They are great for descriptions,  professional reviews, and reader reviews .


So this post and “ A librarians homework “ keep me busy at home!

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Homework for Librarains

  When I had a fixed scheduled classes, I had homework  grading papers, and planning classes.  It was a new class for me(7th grade) so I did a lot of planning!This year , I do  not have a fixed schedule. I now work on supporting and collaborating with teachers on research projects and computer projects. So now my homework is very different but I still have work that I do almost every night.

One thing I do is to carry home a  notebook . When I am at home and think of something that is needed to be done ( and I did not put it on my "next day" list  I will jot it down in the front of my book.  When I get into work   I can add add it to my "TO Do" List.


In another section of my notebook, I write down topics of  teachers research projects . This is the time I surf for links that are age appropriate an d reading lever for the students ability .This sites I incorporate into a "LiveBinder" which I put on the library webpage  under the link Project Pathfinders. These links help the student s f  to easy find the information the need,

  The other homework I do is to look for websites and links that will help teachers  in their lessons. And the  best thing I surf for is library blogs and displays on pinterest which give me lots of inspiration  for my library.



Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Librarians website- Librarian.net

     Librarain.net is a website for librarians written by Jessamyn West from Vermont.
She writes on many library related topics, programs she has been too, libraries she has visited, and talks she has given, books she’s been reading.
     A presenter, she also has two books   she has authored: Revolted Librarians  Redux  and  Without a net. She has a digital newsletter.

     The content is varied and interesting. If  you click  on the tabs on the bottom, you will be lead to articles which I find is a great way to scope out her topics. I also like to see what she has been reading.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Tech site- Educationworld.com

    Educationworld.com  is a most helpful site for educators and for your staff.  Introduce  them to it if they do not know it. The most helpful  tags at the top is the Lesson plans, Technology, and Professional Development tips.( PD tips)

    Under lesson plans , there are drop down links  such as lesson library, 5 minute lessons ad tools and templates.  Under technology, there are web quests, tech in the classroom, and tech tools. I am going to be  checking theses out so that I can learn and share more with my staff.  All of these  helps for teachers will lead to many  good ideas and inspiration for teachers.

    Additionally there are teachers essentials,  and the latest news. At the very bottom of there is a site map which has more definitive  links and information to check out.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Get ready for tomorrow @ your Library

   No matter if you are in a school or public library , here is an easy  way to prepare  for getting more done   the next work day. At the end of each day, I  stop what ever I am doing  before my quitting time.

   If I am working on a specific project, and it is not completed I put the materials needed in  a file marked with the project name.  I place this file in my to do basket or my file sorter although I am trying to figure out which is the best thing for that.  

  If I have more than one project , then I will have two folders. I really try  not to have more than two things going on at once. The exception is if I have a monthly /yearly project  which then I will already have a file going,

  The other thing that also helps me if cleaning/ organizing my desk and whatever tools I have used that day.So I will leave with a clean desk and my projects for tomorrow.  

  Finally I will  put in my plan book or my planner, the items  that I need to work on the following day. So when I come in the next day , I know just what to do. I usually ask myself- "What is the most  important thing I must accomplish tomorrow. ( For more information  on  making each day effective see  my ebook- The Organized Librarian- tab is at the top for details)