Blogs

Well, isn't that the life of a teacher librarian? We are constantly changing what we do and how we do it.

This summer I moved every book in my library and discarded some very old non-essential materials and made lists to replace them with 21st century materials. I also dumped all of my VHS tapes. Yes, you read this correctly. ALL VHS tapes are gone.

There are two reasons for dumping the technology. First, it is ancient technology in schools today when we have laptops instead of DVD players, LCD projectors, and electronic whiteboards. None of the teachers have VHS players in their rooms. None of the teachers have TVs in their rooms. We have one TV in the entire building located in the lobby and it is not to be used for TV shows.

Second, like most people we download, we subscribe, we stream, or we play from a DVD in our laptops. We may be replacing student laptops with Chromebooks so we will only have teacher laptops left in our building. So, out with the VHS tapes. I have spent a lot of time ridding the library of ancient tech and I think I am almost at the end. Baby steps but steps indeed.

Third, I needed the space for my students. I teach in a PK - 4th grade school where very few children reach my shoulder before 4th grade. Due to lack of space my books were shelved on 72" shelves where many students could not reach them and certainly did not maintain the integrity of the shelf once a book was removed. I spread out the books by reclaiming four three-foot 72" tall units and so could lower books for my shorter students, raise individual shelf height to accommodate tall books and make the library look much neater.

I shifted my non-fiction materials, weeded a few I went, to take back those shelves. By doing so I was able to shift my biographies into the non-fiction section and put them at a better height as well. I also reorganized my picture book section by AR level. Our school enjoys using AR and I wanted to make the sections more distinct. I spent a great deal of time color coding levels and reshelving. Books without AR quizzes are shelved at the end of the section to be revisited and enjoyed.

I finished reorganizing the fiction section of the library by genre. My students loved that I did this last year as it made the sections easier to access and when students asked where the fiction sports books were shelved, I could point to a section. I also removed a computer table and two chairs in order to make way for two recycled seating benches. I want my kids to enjoy sitting and reading on days where we are free to just read.

My next goal is to replace some of the old furnishings in the library. I have a GoFundMe account set up so if you are interested in see what has been done and want to help out, go here:

http://www.gofundme.com/SESLibrary

Thanks and enjoy!

Shawn

Great teachers are invaluable, yet too often their tireless work goes unnoticed or worse, unappreciated. While teacher appreciation week is in May, why wait to recognize the incredible work of our educators? These individuals dedicate their lives to developing the next generation. They come in early to prepare special lessons and stay late to help tutor struggling students. They capture the imagination of students by showing them the world of books, the power of math and the lessons of history. Great teachers make schoolwork come alive and they are not satisfied by helping students just achieve good test scores; instead they strive to spark curiosity, foster learning and encourage new discovery among the young scholars they nurture.

Almost everyone can relate to being inspired at some point in their lives by a great teacher … someone who took an interest and gave support, helped with mastery of a skill, taught us how to conquer a problem or made it possible for us to take a dream of who we wanted to be and turn it into reality. More than ever, we need teachers that not only educate our students, but help connect them to their passions and explore the possibilities of what could be. Teachers deserve our thanks every day for all they do. 

A new video, “Salute to Teachers,” (http://youtu.be/ypFRxw9czi4) thanks these important mentors by showing the dynamic influence of educators. They ignite students’ minds and passions by asking simple questions like “what,” “why,” or “how.” Once the curious fire of learning is stoked, great teachers have the ability to build on that excitement and desire for discovery. Engaging teachers bring personal commitment to the classroom every day and that kind of interactive connection between teachers and their students motivates learners of all ages to test boundaries and become a part of the larger world around them.

Surveys have shown students are greatly influenced by their teachers. The mentorship of a teacher can solidify a student’s success in high school and beyond into college. Last fall a Microsoft survey found that a majority of college students studying science, technology, engineering or math decided to enter those fields because of a teacher. Great instruction sparks interest in exploring the world––one teacher can encourage a student to make a lifelong commitment to learning.

In a world that is ever changing, the importance of teachers is a constant. Teachers play a critical role in the future of our planet. The GLOBE Program (http://www.globe.gov) is taking this opportunity to salute teachers everywhere—for all of the things they do. GLOBE encourages you to thank teachers for their work on the frontlines and for pushing the world to be a better place by inspiring students everywhere. Share the “Salute to Teachers” video with all of the educators that have impacted your life. From your elementary or secondary school teachers or college professors, to the teacher who inspires your child, show your appreciation by posting the video on their Facebook page or to your social media profiles, as well as by sharing the link with others so they can also thank the great teachers in their lives. Together we can show teachers how much we appreciate all that they have done – and continue to do – for our communities and us each day they are in the classroom.