Creativity in the School Library
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100+ Ideas And Prompts For Student Blogging

100+ Ideas And Prompts For Student Blogging | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Ronnie Burt, Sue Waters and Kathleen Morris write: "Want your students to write more in your class? Looking for prompts or ideas for student blog posts? You are in luck! This post aims to get your creative juices flowing with over 100 ideas and examples..."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Ah, the power of blogging! I read over 100 blogs thanks to the Feedly app. Right after I read this article, a teacher emailed me to ask if I could help her students create blogs--and figure out a reason for them to use them! Didn't I look like a genius when I suggested we use the types of blog posts from Ronnie, Sue and Kathleen's article and write blogs about the novel her students were reading? 

 

This project has since morphed into a grade-level one. All 7th graders are reading the novel Tangerine as part of our new language arts curriculum. Each blog post students write has to relate to something in the novel. (There's something for everyone in this book--bullying, environmental issues, inequity in education, prejudice, sports, etc.) So, everyone is blogging and everyone is  reading and commenting on other students' blogs. Most students are used to sharing work with their classmates, but now they will share with all students in their grade!

 

I used this presentation to introduce the types of posts they'd be writing. I encouraged teachers to customize: give students a choice of 6-8 types of posts, limit post length, etc. I was able to get them brainstorming by asking for examples from Hatchet, a novel most of them had read in 6th grade. They were very enthusiastic! A journal post from the perspective of the moose Brian encounters? Or a sales post for a plane, slightly used and maybe moldy? A curation post on how to determine which foods in the wilderness are safe to eat? We also looked at blogs on topics that might interest them and talked about how to find and follow them.

 

After the presentation all students signed up for Blogger and created their blogs. We wanted a standard format for the blog addresses, so one student demonstrated on our interactive board as everyone followed along. Next up, they write, they customize their theme, they find images that are free to use and share, etc. I can't wait to see the results! And I am happy to say that several students immediately thought of ideas for personal blogs. And all this happened because I read blogs:)

Sharing the awesomeness of school librarians and library staff
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Top Google Slide Add-Ons | Knowledge Quest

Top Google Slide Add-Ons | Knowledge Quest | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Becca Munson shares several great Slides add-ons for creating presentations. 

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

I'd add Grackle Slides to this list. It analyzes your presentation for accessibility issues like alt text, fine print, high contrast slides, etc., in a sidebar so it's easy to make changes. 

George Handley's curator insight, January 30, 2021 10:42 PM

So, you've gotten comfortable making microlectures and now want to take it up a notch? Well maybe your presentation can you use new age medicine, in comes the google slides add-on. Check to see how your slides can go from ow to pow!!

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How to make an escape room completely in Google Slides

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Christina notes there are some issues with using Slides to make escape rooms, but I am going to try this out for orientation. I know that Google Forms doesn't allow students to advance without getting the correct answer, but Slides just LOOKS so much better! So if you're giving grades, points, or prizes, I think you'd need to stick with Forms for virtual escape rooms, but for an introductory activity, Slides will work just fine. Some examples of escape rooms using Forms can be found here

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Choose Your Own Summer Reading Adventure!

Choose Your Own Summer Reading Adventure! | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Reaching out to our students to promote summer reading with a Choose Your Own Adventure. 

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Normally at this time of year, most of us are preparing summer reading promotions.  These, as you may have heard, are not normal times. I know I won't be seeing classes again this school year, so I decided to get busy on a promotion teachers could share during distance learning, and that students could access all summer. Here's what I did (and how I did it!)

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Discovering Children's Books-The British Library

Discovering Children's Books-The British Library | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

"Explore centuries of stories, poems and illustrations with Discovering Children’s Books, a free online resource for children, teachers and book-lovers of all ages. The site explores the history and rich variety of children’s literature, drawing on inspiring material from medieval fables to contemporary picture books.

Over 100 treasures are waiting to be found, from one-of-a-kind manuscripts to original illustrations. Collection highlights include original manuscripts, artworks, poems, drafts and notebooks by authors and illustrators such as Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Kenneth Grahame, Judith Kerr, John Agard, Quentin Blake, Axel Scheffler, Lauren Child, Zanib Mian and Liz Pichon. The website also provides access to some of the earliest printed works created for a young readership and an array of movable, miniature, noisy and toy books, propaganda stories, comics, poems and fairy tales."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

A wonderful new site from The British Library to explore! There's so much here:

  • excerpts of books, manuscripts, artwork and more to digitally explore (from 2000 years ago to last year.)
  • Activities to use with students, with great writing prompts.
  • Videos with authors and illustrators.
  • Book lists on a variety of themes

 

I already started a miniature book station for students to make their own books. Easy, cheap and fun!

 

Thanks to Gary Price at Infodocket for sharing this site!

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Jason Reynolds New National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature

Jason Reynolds New National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Christina Barron writes: "Jason Reynolds wants kids to love his stories, but he wants them to love their own stories more. The award-winning author, whom the Library of Congress announced Monday will be the seventh National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, plans to use his two-year appointment to listen as kids and teens — especially those in small towns — share those stories."

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Evaluating and Improving the School Library User Experience

Evaluating and Improving the School Library User Experience | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Hannah Byrd Little writes: "Seven recognized factors impact or influence the user experience. Though some of the factors seem similar, I hope to explain the nuanced differences.  Since school librarians are the librarians who “do it all” in their libraries, they need to be concerned with the user experience."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

This article is so timely! I'm back at work, revising my orientation presentations, setting up book displays and doing all the other beginning of the school year tasks. This is my ninth year in this library, and it's fascinating to look back on all the changes we've made. Even with our recent renovations, it's important to assess how our library works for our students and staff. Hannah's framework provides a way to evaluate your library from the user viewpoint. (It's also prompted me to work on a survey for returning students on their user experience in our library!)

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Celebrate National Poetry Month – Mighty Little Librarian

Celebrate National Poetry Month – Mighty Little Librarian | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Tiffany Whitehead writes: "We cut out a ton of words from magazines and pages from discarded books so students could create their own found poems and black out poetry. I also printed out some poems for students to take from the Poem in Your Pocket Day collection."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Such fun ideas! We usually do spine label and blackout poetry, but I am definitely adding this to my list for next year! 

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Stop literacy shaming! Engaging the so-called "non-readers" 

Stop literacy shaming! Engaging the so-called "non-readers"  | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Steve Tetreault writes: "It’s taken me years, but recently, I’ve become very aware that many folks–educators, administrators, students, and parents–have a mental image of what it means to be a “reader.” Anything that falls outside that image is labelled as “not real reading.” That “not real reading” label is often applied vociferously. That, my friends, is literacy shaming."

 

Imagine: Gift Habeshaw/Unsplash

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Thankfully I see fewer and fewer teachers doing this. But I clearly remember my second grade boys who avidly read every dinosaur, shark, or snake book in the library, suddenly labeled non-readers because it was time for chapter books--and only those at your Lexile level, please! I also remember one of those boys, now in middle school, who discovered Steve Sheinkin and a teacher who appreciated narrative nonfiction. The permission to read what he enjoyed freed him to explore everything in the library, including a few novels. 

 

In my middle school library, I often share with students that I tend to read fiction when I want to relax, but I read nonfiction to learn about the world. My husband only reads nonfiction and biographies--and 95% of that is through audiobooks! There's no one way to enjoy reading. (And I also tell them that it's highly unlikely any of them will grow up and get a job that requires them to read novels 8 hours a day!)

 

Let's end literary shaming once and for all! 

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5 Ways to Spread Book Love | Knowledge Quest

5 Ways to Spread Book Love | Knowledge Quest | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Kelly Hincks writes: "...book love is a combination of having a choice in what you read, access to books, and a positive reading attitude. My ideas are not about changing mindset, but about how to share resources with the school community."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

I just put a light up marquee on my wish list! What a quick and easy way to highlight books that might otherwise languish on the shelves. Kelly's ideas show how a little imagination can overcome most obstacles we face in getting books into students and staff's hands!

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Repeat after me: Academic Databases are the Netflix for Nerds! 

Repeat after me: Academic Databases are the Netflix for Nerds!  | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Kristen Mattson writes: "As a high school librarian, I know how important it is for my students to navigate and utilize academic databases. Ninety five percent of our students graduate with plans to continue their education, and will be expected to conduct research through their college or university library subscriptions.

 

Teaching students to navigate the databases is not the hardest part of my job, though. The most difficult part is convincing students that they are worth exploring." 

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

This is such a great idea! Now that every school district in California has access to Proquest databases via the Department of Education, I've been struggling with how to convince my 8th graders to use them. Kristen has come up with a wonderful way to get students to understand and to use databases! I can't wait to try this!

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Back-to-School Checklist for a Learner-Ready School Library 

Back-to-School Checklist for a Learner-Ready School Library  | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Kathryn Roots Lewis writes: "What’s on your school library back-to-school checklist? Do you have a learner-ready school library?

I’m kind of like a second-grader when it comes to a new school year. I love new school supplies and the excitement of seeing all the people I’ve missed over the summer. My feelings about a new school year may resonate with you, but sadly they do not resonate with all of our learners.

As I thought about posting a blog at this time of year, I contemplated what I share with new teachers, principals, and administrators about school libraries in my district. I began to rethink what it is that they all need to know. What do our learners need to know? What do you want them to feel when they come to the school library?"

 

Photo via Cathryn Lavery, Unsplash.com

 

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Wow, I'm feeling overwhelmed just reading this list! I love how Kathryn covers all the areas that librarians need to address at the beginning of the year. I do most of these things but it's always great to see them from a fresh perspective. 

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Is Your School Library Climate Controlled? | Knowledge Quest

Is Your School Library Climate Controlled? | Knowledge Quest | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Michelle Easley writes: "Your physical space influences the climate in your school library. In an effort to support diverse student populations critically observe your space."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Some good reminders for all of us as we head into a new school year. 

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#LibFive: Five Key Foundations for Building Inclusive Libraries

#LibFive: Five Key Foundations for Building Inclusive Libraries | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Julie Stivers writes: "Is there anyone more equipped to meaningfully speak on the concept of inclusive libraries than our students or patrons? Of course not. Of course not. To leverage students’ experience, perspective, and wisdom—and to create student-driven PD—I worked with three of our amazing 8th grade students at Mount Vernon Middle School to develop student-led training for librarians."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

What a GREAT article! I'm so inspired by Julie and the students who created the LibFive. This should be required reading for everyone who works in a school library! And great timing, as I'll be going back to school next week, and looking at my library and my practice with a new perspective. 

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Engaging Young People Through Read-Alouds | Donalyn Miller

Engaging Young People Through Read-Alouds | Donalyn Miller | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Donalyn Miller writes: "Focus on reading enjoyment and family togetherness, not academic reading tasks. Read-alouds communicate pleasure messages about reading and the value of sharing books together. These messages will last long after the pandemic subsides."

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Ten Things You Can Do With Canva in Your Classroom

Ten Things You Can Do With Canva in Your Classroom | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Richard Byrne writes: "Canva is a service that I have used for last five or six years to create all kinds of graphics, presentations, and simple websites. Recently, Canva introduced some new features and a new plan that grants access to all of Canva’s “pro” features for free to teachers and their students. 

njongboy's curator insight, July 19, 2020 9:24 AM
njongboy's curator insight, July 19, 2020 9:24 AM
njongboy's curator insight, July 19, 2020 9:25 AM
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Why Books About Hard Topics Are Essential - Donna Gephart

Why Books About Hard Topics Are Essential - Donna Gephart | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Donna Gephart writes: "I had a secret fear when I attended Solis-Cohen Elementary School, which I carried with me every day, along with my books. My classmates, I was convinced, would tease me for wearing the same thing to school every day because I owned only two pair of pants and a few tops."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Another heartfelt explanation to share with anyone who expresses concern about your library having books about those topics (whatever they happen to be in your community.) You'll be well prepared when you give them a copy of this, along with the articles by Jennifer LaGarde and Kate Messner linked here

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Genrefication Motivation - Julia Torres

Genrefication Motivation - Julia Torres | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Julia Torres writes: "Our students are some of the most curious and passionate readers I’ve ever met when provided with the right support, conditions, time, and encouragement.  I have said it before and will say again that no child loves reading like one who has been denied access to great books, time to enjoy them and reading role models in the form of connections to authors and readers who look like them and share their lived experiences. 

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

A powerful post on why genrefication helps bring students labeled "reluctant readers" back to the library and back to reading! Julia describes the process of analyzing her collection, getting input from students, and the moving and labeling books. 

 

As we approach the end of our first year of genrefied fiction, I know it's worth all the work! Our students feel more confident that they can find books on their own, they've identified themselves as readers of specific genres, and they are recommending more books to other students.

 

Julia had the same question I did about LGBTQIA books: do we as she says, "ghettoize" them in their own section, or put them in romance, etc? I decided to label each book that has any LGBTQIA characters with that label in the catalog, but shelved them in whatever genre fit. That way students who might be leery of approaching a shelf with a label can search the catalog and find them. I saw firsthand this year the relief on one student's face when he didn't have to advertise his reading to others (especially his family). I also saw perhaps a glimmer of understanding on another student's face when he sneered, "Where are all the gay romance books?" and I pointed to realistic fiction and said, "Over there with all the romance books, because...it's romance." 

 

And thanks to Julia for all the links she provided! I found a new to me resource, Yes! magazine, that has some great articles  for our social justice book club.

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‘Keep the story going:’ How community volunteers nudge elementary students to take on racism

‘Keep the story going:’ How community volunteers nudge elementary students to take on racism | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it
A Boulder County program uses storytelling in schools to raise awareness about racism and discrimination, and encourage students to do something about it.
Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

I love this idea! 

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Building beautiful book bentos — Joyce Valenza | NeverEndingSearch

Building beautiful book bentos — Joyce Valenza | NeverEndingSearch | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Joyce Valenza writes: "My friend Jennifer LaGarde (@jenniferlagarde) recently introduced me, and our Young Adults Reading and Literacy students at Rutgers, to the idea of Book Bentos.

 

Highly visual, creative and interactive the book bento strategy invites book lovers to create, hyperlink and share book titles in an artfully arranged interactive collage."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Before I even get to the fabulousness of this post, let's acknowledge this perfect example of the school library world: Joyce sharing an idea from Jennifer that built on a HyperDoc from Lisa and Rachel...and we can all use it with our students next week! School library people are the best people when it comes to sharing, giving credit, remixing ideas, etc.

 

This essentially is the digital version of book report boxes (which I always thought were student versions of Joseph Cornell's boxes.) I loved displaying those in the library, and we'd often host a gallery walk, in which students stood by their box and explained why each item was included. But book bento boxes can explain themselves! Making them interactive expands their audience and allows students to link to their own reflections on the book as well as book trailers, author interviews, and more. 

 

In order to make this equitable, I will suggest to teachers that students brainstorm what items they'd like to include in their book bento, then create a class list of needed items. Make it more like a scavenger hunt, so no students are left out, and no parents are buying items for these photos! Then the design, photographing and editing of the boxes can be done in class, too.

 

I can't wait to share this next week with ELA teachers!

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Beyond the Collection Diversity Audit

Beyond the Collection Diversity Audit | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Karen Jensen writes: "When I first began doing collection diversity audits, I had no idea that was what they were called. It was actually SLJ editor Kathy Ishizuka who gave me a name for what I was doing. I had Tweeted out pictures of me trying to figure out how inclusive my collection was and she said, “Oh, you’re doing a diversity audit”. And I thought, “Yes! That’s what I’m doing.” Doing diversity audits has radically changed how I approach and think about library services."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

I recently had a conversation with a parent whose transgender child was told her library had no LGBTQAI+ books because "that doesn't happen in elementary school." The parent offered to donate a few middle grade novels, but the librarian told her she wasn't sure where they would go. IN YOUR COLLECTION, WITH YOUR OTHER BOOKS! I believe every school district should have a policy about collection diversity, and a procedure for diversity audits, so an individual's blind spots/personal beliefs don't negatively affect the library's collection. 

 

The parent mentioned above accepted that she'd make no progress with that librarian. She was able to take her child to the public library and bookstores. So many of our students cannot get to the public library or buy books. Others use the school library as a place to explore without a parent around. (I've had many students read the entire Harry Potter series in the library, without ever checking the books out, because their parents wouldn't approve. Imagine that child bringing home a book about gender identity?) 

 

Karen gives great ideas for applying your diversity audit to all the offerings in your library: displays, programming, reading lists, etc. (I'd add accessibility, since many of us have made our libraries comfortable but not necessarily for all students.) This is easily applied--and equally important--in your school library. Look at your past displays, your book lists, your lit circle books and be honest. Can you do better? As Maya Angelou stated, "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." Let's all commit to that!

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Thinking About Becoming a Blogger? It's Never Too Late to Start.

Thinking About Becoming a Blogger? It's Never Too Late to Start. | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it
It’s crowded in the blogosphere to be sure, but there is always room for new voices if you're passionate about education.

Via GwynethJones
Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

Great ideas from Gwyneth! 

GwynethJones's curator insight, February 26, 2019 3:22 PM

Honored to be interviewed for @NEAToday Magazine. On pages 48-49 in the hard copy!

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The Adventures of Library Girl: Genrefying Your Collection Without Changing Call Numbers

The Adventures of Library Girl: Genrefying Your Collection Without Changing Call Numbers | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Jennifer LaGarde writes: "This image perfectly sums up why I am a fan of genrefying library collections and why I have gone through the process in two libraries."

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� MyBib – A New FREE Bibliography Generator

� MyBib – A New FREE Bibliography Generator | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Automatically create bibliographies, references, and citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and over 8,000 more styles with our totally free and no-ads citation generator.

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

I got an email from the creator of MyBib this morning and spent some time trying it out. I am so impressed! Here's what I wrote him about the features I love:

 

  • "Add notes & quotes" to citations is brilliant! I can see students who have limited time doing some research, saving citations and adding notes to remind themselves why they want to use that source.
  • "Go to webpage" is also brilliant during the research phase! An easy way to check you're citing sources you actually used. (I'm sure everyone has had that one teacher/professor who goes through your citations and asks you to show where you used each one.)
  • The extensive types of sources. Our 6th graders do a project in which they need to cite songs and art work. Citation builders other than EasyBib rarely had the depth of sources we needed.
  • Being able to create an account without receiving a confirmation email. Our students cannot receive emails from outside our school district with their student emails. 
  • Saving to Google Drive. A must for our Google Suites school!
  • Being able to manage multiple bibliographies simultaneously. Not a big issue in middle school, but I know in high school and beyond this will be helpful.

 

Check it out for yourself: I think you'll find it's a great tool to share with students!

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Spark Your Conversations, Connections and Collaboration With A Cube!

Spark Your Conversations, Connections and Collaboration With A Cube! | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Shannon Miller writes: "We can't share enough from our libraries, classrooms and school communities.

We need to share the stories, creativity and learning of our students. We need to share what we do and what our libraries, classrooms and communities have to offer.  We need to share and champion our skills, our specialties and awesome ideas....especially those of our students!"

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

SO.MANY.CUBES! We can't be everywhere at once within our schools, but these cubes can help move us outside our library walls. I especially see using them with teachers. I am working on one now for the beginning of the year to place on the lunch tables in the staff lounge. I would also like to make them for department meetings with more subject-specific info. 

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School Library Journal: Advocate This, Not That!

School Library Journal: Advocate This, Not That! | Creativity in the School Library | Scoop.it

Jonathan Hunt writes: "If your school is not a group of buildings gathered around a library, at least metaphorically, then I have made my best argument for why it should be. If we are going to change the status quo—if the school library is to ever fulfill its promise—then it must be transformed from the top down as much as from the bottom up. It can’t only be a grassroots movement. If budgets really are statements of values and strategic vision, and if schools and districts time and again spend large sums of money on lower-impact priorities with lackluster results, especially for our most vulnerable students, then it’s high time for a change—we are the ones to demand it."

Mary Reilley Clark's insight:

These four priorities are a great way to frame the purpose of school libraries, especially in discussions with administrators or district level staff. We need to help them see how crucial school libraries are in ensuring all of our students receive the best education.

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