Great+Ideas


 * From Barb Berner - Genesee Depot**

Here is an easy way to win $1,000 for books for your library. I entered this drawing in March 2012 and was selected as the October 2012 winner. Go to Sisters in Crime We Love Libraries and fill out the application form. Send it along with a photo of yourself with three titles from authors who are members of their organization. I used Kathleen Ernst, Joan Lowry Nixon and Kathy Lynn Emerson. It’s as simple as that. Once you submit your application, you will never have to submit your name again. I couldn’t believe that I won that quickly. The money cannot be used for anything but books. Sisters in Crime is a national mystery writers organization. A complete membership list is available on the website. I found out about this drawing at the Follett New Leaf in Learning Conference in March 2012. Once you win, you are not eligible to win again.
 * __ YOU COULD WIN $1,000 IN FREE BOOKS __**


 * From St. Sebastian**

Each month the 5th graders at our school help gather books for a display in the library. For example, I have a display labeled “Look Who’s Having a Birthday this Month!” I type up a list of historical people with a birthday during the current month and students have to use the computer to look up a biography book on the person. Students practice using the computer to find books and I get a whole stack of books pulled from the shelves to use in the display! This site has a calendar of birthdays and quirky celebrations listed by month: www.theteacherscorner.net/calendars/february.php
 * __ Help make a library display! __**

When the kindergarten students come to the library I lay out colored vinyl circles on the floor to show them where to sit (I was originally going to make lines on the carpet with tape but didn’t want to damage the carpet with sticky residue). The circles are different colors so as students come in I can tell them what color to sit on. After setting clear and firm expectations about not playing with the spots, I do not have much trouble with students playing with them. If a student plays instead of sits on their spot, I take it away and they are the last to leave the carpet to check-out books. I dismiss students from the carpet by the color which helps alleviate congestion. The spot markers were ordered from: [|www.discountschoolsupply.com] and are called Poly-Vinyl Spot Markers.
 * __ Classroom Management Tip: Sit on a Spot! __**


 * Reading Strategies - from Jane Egan**

Looking for some great ways to help students improve their comprehension - here's a link to some reading strategy bookmarks

I purchased journal for each student in grades 4-8. The students record each book they read, writing the title, author, number of pages and when they completed the book. They mark the year at the top of the page and number the books consecutively. These journal are kept at school until the student leaves or graduates. I encourage the students to set a goal of how many books they want to read per year.
 * Journaling - from Eileen Langer**

This idea came to me after I showed the students my journal that I started in 1985. Several students looked at it and a few even wanted to tally the number of pages I had read so far. A couple students purchased their own journals. Since I had extra money one year from a donation, I went to Michaels craft store and purchased the journals.

**Returning Books**

Here are some great ideas from Sr. Elaine at St. Margaret Mary - how to motivate children to return their books




 * Great way to keep track of what you are reading!**


 * Experiential Learning**

The Bookmaking Experience by presenters Carol Carlin and Madeline Huston http://woodnbarnes.com/our-authors/carlin-carol/the-bookmaking-experience-an-educators-guide-to-student-made-books/

- pick a subject or genre each week for display - speed dating/musical chairs - grades 6-8 stack books on tables, students fmove from table to table in a set time frame in hopes they's check out some of the excellent books which are often overlooked on the table - 1st and 2nd grade - use one picture book and have each student read one page aloud from it - for older grades choose a harder picturebook or folktale - hang "book ads" created by students - create a new or popular section - decorate to draw attention to it - set an good example - become excited about the books students choose and ask them questions about what they read - validate their choices - Recognize top readers on a quarterly basis with popcorn, ice cream, etc.
 * Ideas gathered in our afternoon exchange of information:**

The two things that work for me:
 * Quieting Down from WCSS**

I turn off the lights. We have one whole wall of windows so it isn't that dark, but it gets their attention. Our K4 teacher started this with her class and I have used it with all ages through 5th grade.

With the older grades I suggest they silently pray the lord's prayer if they can't seem to read or work quietly. This often then leads to meditation, which I let them do if they aren't too silly and don't insist on chanting.


 * Managing Technology from Brookfield Academy **

Here is an idea to share about three super easy websites that have helped me organize technology-based lessons. See you soon. ..

Rene Steven, Brookfield Academy Librarian/Media Specialist

http://livebinders.com A collection of virtual 3-ring binders to collect, organize, and store websites, PDF’s, Word documents, images. Make as many as you wish. Share or keep private. FREE!

www.only2clicks.com Upload and save your bookmarks on the web for FREE. Make tabs public (students can see) or private (students cannot access).

www.portaportal.com A basic, FREE website to post links. Just links, no images, text, or movies. Super simple!

Be an Illustrator Book Shelf Idea

Passport Research Shelf Elf Award -

Riddle Me Biography From St. Anthony on the Lake - Neat tools to recommend books



From Holy Wisdom - __Library Organization__

__Soliciting Donations__ I don't know if other librarians get book donations from their students, but I really do. I've gotten close to 250 books since September, some hardcovers. I give a small token, colorful eraser, pen, notebook, homemade bead bracelets, secondhand (washed) stuffed animals. I do this on my own, so it can cost a bit of money, but the hunt is very fun. Our 4th & 5th graders love this program and it grows our library.

From St. Paul Genesee Depot

Reading Worms - treats and bookmark bracelet

From Waukesha Catholic Middle School - St. Joseph



Ways to Interest Middle School students in Reading