INSPIRED!!

There are two weeks left of summer and I'm getting antsy to be in my classroom/library!!  But since we can't get in until after the 10th of August, I am working from home on my TO DO list.  And tonight I am inspired,  I am visiting one of my favorite blogs and have just been inspired to do some new centers in my library.  The only issue is finding space to do them all!!!  The blogger is Cari Young, from Library Learners at the Centered School Library!  I'm still learning to blog, but I'll try to post a link.

Here is the link to her blog: http://librarylearners.com

Besides finding space for each of the centers, I haven't quite figured out how to explain them to 23 classes.  I think I will create a video, or a couple of videos, but we'll see.  I have seen a couple of explanation videos on Library sites, I better get busy!!!  Oh there's so much to do.  (But my 11 year old daughter wants to help, so maybe we'll get lots done!!)

And I still need to finish reading the books on the Sequoyah list, I think I only have three left.

Have you been inspired?  Who has inspired you lately?

Brandy

Summer Planning

Summer!!  As a Library Media Specialist, how do you spend your summer?  Vacations and hanging out, reading by the pool, or the beach!  Do you do any planning?

I've been struggling with my planning, last summer I had centers planned and everything ready to go!  This year, I don't know,  I'm not sure where I'm heading or what I'm doing.  I used to be in specials rotation and next year I won't be, so I've been working on a schedule, but since my wonderful aide is only part time, that makes scheduling classes difficult because I can only have class in the afternoon to keep the library open all day (my aide is in the afternoon).  But I think I have a schedule figured out, only my teachers and principal haven't seen it yet.  But now I'm ready to work on plans, but here in OK, CCSS is benched for the time being, so we're going back to PASS, I think.  It's all so confusing, so what skills do I focus on, where do I go with my planning?  There are the AASL standards, but to me, those are a little confusing and there are so many of them.  Which ones do I focus on?  How can I make my library program stand out?  What skills would benefit my students the most?  So I'm in a quandary!  What do I do?  I hate to wait until school starts to start planning, but I'm just not sure where to begin.  So if you have any great ideas, I'd love to hear them.  

I have decided to skip Orientation this year!  I got my fun little Library Brain box of ideas and one thing was, don't do Orientation, the kids already know it all, just review it.  And do you really want the kids first impression of you to be about RULES?  Read them a book, introduce yourself and tell them that they are welcome in the library.  

I have lots of great ideas for the library, just not my lessons.  Gotta get focused!!!  What is your focus for lessons?

The Mommy/Daughter Challenge

I challenged my daughter at the beginning of the summer (see previous post) to see who could read the most books.  And so far, I'm winning, but just by one book.  Here is a my stack of books, not including the books I've read on my Nook.

I'm working on book #10 and she is on book #9.  I'm very proud of her for taking on this challenge.  I'm hoping that she will start reading bigger books.

We're also watching the Harry Potter movies together as a family and I think she may move on to those next (I hope so!).  She's always shied away, but maybe...

Maybe I'll make a big reader of her yet!!

Brandy