Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian!

So...how many of you librarians have visual directives to assist students with returning items to the shelves? Well if you don't have any visual aides, you're in luck! This post is dedicated to shelfie conversations that "cutely" address how to treat the library books. If you have CHAMP behavior level expectations at your campus, then these Shelfie Talkers cover all facets! C -Conversation: Level is 1. The only discussion is for assistance with shelving materials. H -Help: The help needed is re-shelving books. Follow alphabet order for "fiction" books and numeric order for non-fiction! A -Activity: We're returning the books back to the shelves in alpha/numeric order. M -Movement: We're walking to the shelves without disturbing others. P -Participation: This activity benefits you & the librarian so books can be easily found next time. S -Success: I know exactly where that book is on the shelf! Enjoy!

Tomorrow is... We're kicking off our celebration with "Story Webs!" However, instead of a boring graphic organizer (LOL), I made it interactive with a ball of yarn, some giggle and one classic story! We featured a great updated version of the "Three Ninja Pigs" with Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat's " The Three Ninja Pigs " See all the excitement with our iMovie recap: International Literacy Day from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . Here's the campus wide challenge that we gave staff members: For more resources on how you can incorporation some literacy and reading fun check out 11 Creative Reading Incentives for You Classroom ! As a bonus, I came across this wonderful Eduphoria find for teaching literary analysis. I just had to share! :) Big Update: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY NEW PRINCIPAL! She's a former librarian and she loves reading to the students! Her SUPER-POWER is spreading the joy of literacy! Thank you, Mrs. Metoye...

Would you rather be a poet or a rapper?? To some of us...there's little difference. How many times have you heard a lyric in a song so poignant and poetic that it rivets your soul? Like some of you, I can listen to a song and travel back in time. So...being a kid of the 80s/90s and loving all genres of music (like I love all genres of books), I thought I'd collaborate and combine my two great loves: poetry and music...specifically rap music! I came across the idea a couple of years ago via Book Riot's post: Poetry Line or Rap Music. We begin the lesson with a few foundation questions via a Gallery Walk! With 8 poster size sticky notes and the following questions, we were able to build a foundation for the poetry vs. rap: 1. What are some characteristics of poems? 2. How do you encounter poetry in your everyday life? 3. What is poetry to you? 4. What makes a good poem? 5. What makes poetry easy? Difficult? 6. If poetry was a food, then which food and w...

Tomorrow, I present at the Fort Bend ISD's Digital Learning Conference . So get ready for my tweets to follow #FBISDDLC ! What's the topic? Glad, you thought that! The presentation covers how I used social media and web 2.0 tools to advocate for my library. Most of in encompasses what I blog about, for those just mastering the ins/outs of technology, I do have "how-to" instructions for starting a blog, creating a vine and of course Twitter! Rather than bread-crumb you step-by-step, here's the presentation: BIG UPDATE: Thank you to all 28 of you lovely ladies that came to my session! Your presence touched my heart! Because of you, my nightmares vanished! Mad love for you! Come join me as we use #socialmedia to propel our #libraries into the #21stCentury for #learners ! #FBISDDLC pic.twitter.com/hkrilckLAw — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) June 9, 2016 I'm ready for the #FBISDDLC and #Robin has found her #Batman ! #FBISD Digital Learning greatne...

As the school year comes to a close, let's not forget about the importance on learning, even when playing. Help us stop the "Summer Slide!" Here's a handy graphic from the National Summer Learning Association . Thank you to our Sienna Branch Librarians for coming out to spread the joy of their summer reading programs! TY #FortBend County #Librarians for inspiring our kids! Be sure to stop by & say hello to Mrs. Goss & Ms. Parra! https://t.co/H72rViU6LT — Goodman_Owls (@Goodman_Owls) May 24, 2016 Love our Sienna Branch #Librarians ! They're helping our kids stop the #reading #summerslide ! @SugarLandSun #FBISD pic.twitter.com/u3PHljg120 — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) May 24, 2016 Don't forget to join their Summer Reading Club ! The fun starts May 30! Look for the above graphic if you're in grades K-5! Look for the above graphic if you're going to MIDDLE SCHOOL! Before you head on over to Sienna Branch Library, b...

As promised, if you want to win one of the three Eric Dean Seaton's LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI , PLEASE make sure you answer ALL questions, including your name, grade and teacher (NGT) . Without NGT, I don't know who wins the book and I will selected the next winner! Also, you must be 12 yrs or older to win this book! Don't miss out because you didn't follow directions...oh and ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING!! Yes, I can figure out if you've cheated...kiddos! Here's a short (film) hot from the Legend of Mantamaji website! Loading... Here's an interview with the AWESOME Mr. Seaton! And, yes, I met Mr. Seaton at the Texas Library Association's Annual Conference this year!

I've often said that this blog is my resume. It has all one needs to know about me as a librarian. I've covered the spectrum of abilities, but what I'm most proud of is that in one school year, I went from 15,000 views to 30,000!! That's an 100? increase and absolute affirmation that I'm on the right path advocating for the library. Thank you for all your support this year and I hope to continue pleasing my viewers! :) P.S. To check out last year's review, click here . Prevent the #SummerSlide in reading. Check out this tweet below...plus Chuck E. Cheese is even aware of the IMPORTANCE of #SummerReading! Stop the #SummerSlide in #Reading ! Join @BNBuzz 's campaign: https://t.co/l474TCJ5I3 #whatisschool #tlchat #WNDLibs pic.twitter.com/bT7LhmR4fv — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) May 13, 2016