Free Easy Lesson for GRs. 4-7: Internet versus Print

 I have an easy lesson plan for grades 4-7, that involves students in a completion and shows them the importance of using both books and internet sources for information,
 For the set up , I have  some non-fiction books, a set of encyclopedias, and computers - laptops, desktops, or chrome books.
  Think of some simple questions that students might need the answer to- What year was Lincoln president? When did the civil war start?  Link the question to what the students are doing in Social studies or science so it has some significance.
  For class prep: Go over /ask students to tell the class how to find items in books and encyclopedia quickly/ ) use the table of contents, index, know the Encyc are in alphabetical order.
  Hand out the questions to each group. Students will work together to find answer. One person in each group should be a time keeper, writing down how much time it takes to get the answer. Students write the answer down with the time.
See who gets the correct answer first!! Each group can state the answer , their source, and how much time it took to get  the answer.
 If time permits, students can do another round of questions.
  Exit ticket: Have students determine  what source is best for the quickest answer.
   

September Bulletin board for the Library!

  Yes I know many of  you are back in school already and probably have your "Welcome back" bulletin boards already up. We go  back  the first week in September!
 I will put up  one of the following. When I make a bulletin board I always take a photo and keep the pieces in a homemade  folder.

Fall in Love with Reading

Leaf though a Good Book

Fall in love with  your library

Rake in a good read

Welcome Back - The books missed you!

All of these can be done with a simple background,  a tree, and some leaves!

Don't forget to leave a comment to one of my posts in order to be included in The Organized Book giveaway!

Weeding- Reference section

  This year I weeded my Reference sections  because I was looking for Makerspace room for LittleBits, and some other  items our district purchased. 
    I left the Encyclopedias even tho no one uses them for two reason: I think all libraries should have at least one set for quick look up, and 2) I like to do an activity each year where groups of students work together  to see who can find answers the questions- the inherent or an Encyclopedia. ( More details on this in another post)
   I moved on to look at the general books. With 4 books of costumes/ uniforms/ dress, I  got ride of all but one.  The same with Science Encyclopedias- I saved one - the newest . ( All though not completely up to date) The other sets I offered to the Science teachers , That is pretty much what did in each subject areas.
   I looked at copyright date, condition and scope. Some of the items I knew would never be used I also eliminated.
  I really dislike weeding because I feel there is value in most items I did weed items that were completely out of date( Mostly Science)  Most of my teachers are happy to take the items  for their classroom libraries. I ended up with shelving for my Makerspace so I was pleased with the process.
Check out more tips on weeding in The Organized Librarian!

Supplies for Book Processing - part 2

  We don't have all of the necessary items yet for book processing. So in another larger box, we have several sizes of our most used book covers. We also have contact paper for our paper  backs- its not regular contact paper but one we get from the supply company especially for covering paper backs.( I can;t right at this moment think what it is called,)
  Both of these boxes are put on the bottom shelf of a flat shelved book cart that we keep specifically for this process. Then when  a shipment comes in , the books are checked in and put on the top shelf.
  This way we can wheel out the cart when we have time to work on the new books. It can be tucked away  when we are busy, This helps us be efficient and have supplies ready when we need them.
See The Organized Librarian for other tips on getting library jobs done.

Supplies for Book Processing- part one

    Get ready for processing your new books! Do  you have everything  you need?  Do you know where your processing supplies are ? Are they in on spot or do you have to go from cabinet to cabinet  to get them?  Or do they happen to be all in one location?
   A couple of years ago , I worked on getting  all of my processing supplies in the same location ( or at least close to each other) , so that processing  supplies would be together. Then my assistant or I would not have to hunt out the things we needed.
  We gathered up barcaroles, property stamp, label protectors  and genres colors into one large box- The barcodes are in a folder. Also in this box we included tape, scissors, fine line makers , a ruler and posts it, pens and pencils.  Later this week- part 2. Check out The Organized Librarian for more ways to be organized. For sale here or at Amazon!

Book Review-The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

    The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek  by Kim Michele Richardson.   It's 1936 in Kentucky, one of the book woman is Cussy Mary, takes her books to patrons by mule. There are many miles ad obstacles to over come on her route: animals, weather, underbrush, and folks who want to harass her because she has blue skin.
  Cussy Mary and her kin have blue skin , so they are treated as "colored". Cussy is a wonderful book woman to her patrons, some of whom are cautious because of color of her skin, and some who treat her no differently at all. She reads to some of her patrons and tries to help them as much as  she is able( bringing food and medicine, and company) Her library supervisor  gives  her a hard time because of her color. Her patrons become part of her life. This is a book based on the people who delivered the books in Kentucky I did't want it to end! You've got to read this !

Book Review- The Orphan's Song

 I have been reading quite regularly since school is out. I just finished The Orphans Song by Lauren Kate. She is a YA  author - I will check at school to see what / if we have any of hers. My Public library did not - which was surprising since the book jacket said they were excellent.  This is a historical fiction  which was right up my alley,
  Violetta  and  Mino meet on the roof of the Orphanage ( run by nuns) . Their musical talent draws them together and they spend hours with Violetta singing and Mino playing his violin. Each week they grow closer. and closer,
 When Mino is ready for his apprenticeship  , he declares his love for Violetta. But Violetta does not think she can leave her church singing when she is close to being asked to join the special choir of talented singers
Mino, in search  of his mother, goes out into Venice , distraught over losing his mother and Violetta,   Eventually he finds a wife who bears him a child. He begins to develop his Violin repair business, Violetta continues to sing . But she begins  secret nightlife of singing out side the church, which is forbidden.
 Neither Violetta or Mino really finds what they looking for,  An odd  relationship  that develops for Violetta which  finally brings about a interesting and satisfying conclusion,
  I couldn't stop reading this- excellent book. I want to look for more of Lauren Kate's work.

Budget Work for the Library

   This year I had to really streamline the way I kept track of my allocated funds. In the past I had done an excel  or google spread sheet to keep track . By doing this I knew I was accurate in what  I had spent and what I had left.
   But this year I went back to just doing paper based budget because I did not have time or patience to do the spread sheet. So staring with my beginning totals, I would just list and subtract  orders (both supply and books ) as I went along.I had a total as I went along. I could keep a running track of how much I had spent and what was left.  This is important to do as they year goes along.

Book Review & Orders

    This year I used my system outlined  in my book "The Organized Librarian"( See info on book page for ordering).  This helps me keep track of reviews that I read, and what books I ordered. This is a simple sheet that I use as I read in my journals and check on Amazon / Junior Library Guild. ( Those are the two vendors I like to use)
   I list the reviews from the starred reviews and the reviews that have been read. This helps me keep track of what  I have read. When I got to place an order, I take a sheet and can quickly place an order . I then note what has been ordered. We check the shelves and the  catalog  before finalizing the order to avoid duplicates.
  This makes ordering  so much easier!!

Summer Vacation

   Yesterday was the first day of summer Vacation. Actually I was able to get everything accomplished - the basics  before the last day of school. We had 4 half days for students . So I got my grades done  and my summer reading list for the website.
And I got my budget finalized and did not lose any funds.
     The end of year items were also completed. We did not do inventory this year. I had planned to do it in September  but 2 weeks before school , they dropped the bomb that I was to have  5 classes per day plus a study hall. So the year was done on a minimal basis.
     So now I am focused on relaxing, catching up on house work, writing , and of course reading!

'Tidying Up' the School Library- SLJ

     I am finally catching up on my reading- yes this year I am Way Way  behind!!   I actually did this quite a few years ago when my school and library were being renovated from a Middle school to an Elementary school. In my office We shoved every thing( supplies) willy nilly  into boxes when we were packing! When we got into the renovated space and it was the beginning of the year, we just shoved the boxes into brand new cabinets. ( It was a big office with even a bathroom!)
   But then of course , I did not know where anything was! So I dumped boxes into the center of the room and began to organized everything!  And put supplies away, And mark the cabinets,  And labeled every drawer, and cabinet  so I knew where everything was and how much I had! And I did make a map so that I could glance at the map to help me find what I was looking for!
    Read this article  & check out my article on organizing your supplies in The Organized Librarian!
See info above for ordering or check out Amazon.

Library Bulletin Boards - April

 It 's time again to start thinking about April!   I like to always think ahead! Some ideas for your bulletin boards! Adapt them to your needs and space!

     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- Drop Everything and Read

February Bulletin boards for Libraries

   I've been floating through  January but now it is time to think about February and what to do about the bulletin boards.   Here are some ideas :

We love to Read!- Give pink or red hearts  to students and have the write their favorite books. Students can write I Love...   and give the title and their name. Place on BB with letters of slogan on top in black letters - Can use a light background and heart /scallop edges.

Black History Month- Place pictures of famous African Americans. You can number them, Give some clues under each one. Students can use references or online sources to find out . Students can give guesses in to you- At the end of the month, place names under each one.

Tech tie in- Tweet a sweet Book! Give students an enlarged note. Place a cute bird on each side of the BB- Students can write their favorite titles on each note and then placed on the BB.

Presidents Day- You  can do this similar to Black History Month.( Use presidents that students do not know) Or you could place some presidents  and have students find little know facts on each person.

Fiction to Film: Scan covers of books that you have in your library that have been made into movies.  Place the slogan in the middle and the covers around. A slogan to add  would be: Have you read these?