5 New Back-to-School Hacks for 2023

5 new back-to-school hacks to help you get ready for a new year in your library. Orientations, surveys and more.

My Back-to-School Hacks post from 2015 has been getting a lot of traffic lately (maybe because of the School Library Journal article with a similar title?) so I thought it might be good to write an updated version.  A lot has changed for me since 2015 – I’m at a different school (Tampa Prep, where … Read more

Science + Makerspace: Earthquake Structure Design Challenge

Learn about how we created an Earthquake Structure Design challenge to bring our makerspace into our 6th grade science curriculum.

In the spring of 2021, the 6th grade science teacher and I began forming a plan.  She had seen the engagement of 6th graders in our afterschool Maker Days program and wanted to find a way to bring that into her classroom so that ALL of our 6th graders could have this opportunity.  We applied … Read more

Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge

Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge

  In the spring of 2021, the 6th grade science teacher and I began forming a plan.  She had seen the engagement of 6th graders in our afterschool Maker Days program and wanted to find a way to bring that into her classroom so that ALL of our 6th graders could have this opportunity.  We … Read more

How to Start a Classroom Makerspace from Scratch

How to start a classroom makerspace from scratch : Want to build a mini classroom makerspace? Here's some advice and supply recommendations to get you started.

In the 2021-2022 school year, I collaborated with our 6th grade science teacher to incorporate makerspace activities into her curriculum.  We decided on a hybrid approach where for some projects, students would come up to the library makerspace and for others, I would come down to the classroom.  So we decided to purchase supplies (using … Read more

20+ Ideas for AWESOME Instagram Posts

20+ Ideas for AWESOME Instagram Posts -Here are some great ideas for awesome, engaging Instagram posts that are perfect for your school library IG account.

Instagram is a fantastic way to connect with students, teachers, parents and community members.  You can showcase what is going on in your library, promote a love of reading and feature student work.  If you’re new to IG, it can be easy to feel stuck and unsure of what to post.  (Check out my previous … Read more

The Power of Instagram to Connect With Students

The Power of Instagram to Connect With Students // Instagram is a powerful tool for connecting with your students and community. Here are some ways to utilize IG.

I’ve long used Instagram as a way to reach out to my students.  It started back when I first got an iPad through DonorsChoose at my previous library (before I had a personal smartphone).  Some of my former students (now adults) still follow that account and keep in touch.  When I started at Tampa Prep, … Read more

Genrefication Reflections: 5+ things I’ve learned in 3 years

Genrefication Reflections: 5+ things I've learned in 3 years : Since genrefying my fiction collection a few years ago, I've learned a few things. Here, I share those lessons with you.

  Back in early 2019, I reorganized the fiction section of my library, categorizing books into genres and labeling them with colored stickers to help students find them.  You can read more about the exact process I used back here, and I’ll include more genrefication resources at the end of the post.  Since that time, … Read more

How to Run a Tech Take Apart Workshop in Your Makerspace

How to run a tech take apart workshop in your makerspace // Learn how to plan for, setup and run a tech take apart workshop in your makerspace

  How to Run a Tech Take Apart Workshop in Your Makerspace Tech Take Apart is a fun, low-budget activity that gets students excited about seeing how the inner workings of electronics function.  That being said, my first time attempting this activity with middle school students was a disaster (so much so that I only … Read more