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Featured image with screenshots of a librarian's BeReal posts and the title "BeReal: Show the world what you're doing in your library."
Libraries

Using the BeReal App to Advocate for Your Library

by Amanda Hunt
written by Amanda Hunt

When new apps for social media come out, generally I get all the tea about them from my students. This year’s hot new app that is taking the tween/teen crowd by storm is called BeReal, and we can use it in the library.

What Is BeReal?

BeReal is an app that is available for download across platforms to “show your friends who you really are, for once.” It removes filters and opportunities to stage, overthink, or edit photos. The app notifies users that it’s “time to Be Real” at a random time throughout the day, so in order to be successful, you must have notifications enabled. A two-minute timer starts when the user opens the app, giving them a limited amount of time to take a picture of whatever they’re doing at that moment.

How Does BeReal Work?

Throughout the day BeReal will send you a notification to post your BeReal photos. Be aware! The app will take two photos: 1) a picture of what’s in front of you and 2) a selfie. The purpose is to keep everything 100% authentic. It’s meant to capture where you are, what you’re doing, and what you look like (no filters!) at the moment the notification goes off. When you sign up, the app is going to almost immediately ask you to take your first BeReal photo. Get ready! You will have two minutes to complete this activity. This app is not a big-time waster. You can click on Discover to view others’ posts, but basically, you wait for your notification, take your selfie/photo within the two-minute time frame, and move on with your life.

Features in BeReal

Posting Late: If you don’t post within the two-minute time period, you can still post your photos. Friends will get a notification if you post late.

Deleting and Retaking Posts: While you can retake your BeReal as many times as you like during the two-minute countdown, once you’ve pressed “post,” you can only delete and retake it once.

Creating Content: Don’t try and create content on your own — you won’t be able to. The point of this app isn’t to capture the perfect picture. It’s meant to BE a REAL reflection of what’s happening in your daily life. 

“Realmojis:” You can react to friends’ posts in BeReal, but you can actually selfie the emoji yourself! When I went to put a heart-eyes emoji on a friend’s post, it asked me to take a selfie of what I think that emoji looks like on a human. BeReal saved the selfie, so I can continue to use my version of the heart-eyes emoji on anyone’s post.

Comments and Descriptions: Like with other social media apps, you can comment on others’ posts and write a description for your post to explain what you’re doing, where you are, etc. 

Digital Scrapbook: Like the app 1 Second Everyday, BeReal creates a digital scrapbook of all your posts that only you can see. I like that feature so I can have a memory photo roll to look back on.

How Can You Use BeReal As a Librarian?

I believe that a lot of what’s happening in the library community with book challenges stems from a lack of awareness about our profession. Many people don’t know what it takes to become a librarian, what librarians do on a daily basis, how much detail is involved in the job, how much professional development is involved, or how we choose books for our inventory. If we create an “open door policy,” so to speak, it gives the public a look into our lives in the library. Perhaps we can reach more citizens if we show what a day in the life of a librarian looks like? As my friend and fellow school librarian, Amanda Jones, says, “It’s not bragging; it’s advocacy.” 

With this app, I’m able to take real-time photos of what I’m doing, whether it be inventory, weeding, shelving, processing, curating, research, teaching lessons, working with library aides, clubs, professional development, meetings, hallway duty, creating displays, and more.

See some examples below of what BeReal “caught” me doing both in and out of my school work day.

Here, I was attending the Middle Grade Magic Conference.

I was setting up for our 7th grade Gifted and Talented (GT) Competition.

I was designing and writing questions for our Battle of the Books.

Organizing and taking inventory of our literacy library with my library aides.

I was reading graphic novels all spring break for the Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List committee through TLA.

I was working on book recommendation graphics for the Apple TV in our library one weekend. 

When new apps come out, I am always thinking of ways librarians can use them to their advantage. So many people don’t know what library media specialists do on a daily basis. BeReal is a great way to spread awareness, especially since librarians are under attack not only on the books we’re choosing for our libraries but also for what we do throughout the school day. BeReal allows me to take snapshots of my day so that I can share these with my stakeholders and advocate for my library. How will you use BeReal?

Did you know that April is School Library Month? TCEA will feature a guest article written by a member librarian once a week throughout the month! April also includes:

How will you show appreciation for your librarian, media specialist, and library staff?

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Coding/Computer ScienceLibraries

How to Get Started with Python in Your Library

by Monica Babaian
written by Monica Babaian

For the past few years, many librarians have included coding activities in their curriculum. Yet most librarians themselves do not know how to code. They might feel as though they do not have time to learn something new. They might be intimidated by computer science. Or maybe they feel like they are all thumbs when it comes to technology. The good news is that one does not have to be a genius to learn a few coding shortcuts with Python that will make their job easier. 

How Can Python Be Used in a Library?

Python is a powerful programming language that is easy to learn and can be used to simplify repetitive tasks. There are several ways that librarians can use Python: automate social media accounts, remove missing or duplicated data from your ChalkDust statistics spreadsheet, or create virtual booktalks. Let’s explore a few functions for Python and some resources for curious librarians who want to know more about Python.

Using Python to Convert Text to Speech

Recently, while working on a virtual booktalk project, I wanted to use a text-to-speech (TTS) converter, because I do not like the way my voice sounds when recorded. For a variety of reasons, none of the websites I found fit my requirements (free and ongoing in comparison to paid or freemium). Then, I realized that I had the skills to make my own converter using Python. Even better – someone had already created one! I just needed to copy the code and tweak a couple of variables before I had exactly what I needed. A few minutes later, I had a program that allowed me to input a bit of text and then convert that text into speech, saving it to an mp3 file. The only cost involved was about ten minutes of my time, and I can reuse the converter any time I need. 

Text-to-Speech Converter Using Python

Using Python to Automate Tweets

Another timesaving use for Python is to automate your library’s Twitter account. With a few lines of code, you can set your Twitter account to send out tweets at whatever time interval you want – one hour, two hours, or thirty-six hours. The hardest part about this process is actually not the code.  As a matter of fact, much like the text-to-speech converter I mentioned earlier, the code for setting up and automating your Twitter account can be found with a simple search. Most of your time and effort will actually go into completing the necessary form and getting the key codes from Twitter. 

Using Python with Spreadsheets

When working with spreadsheets, I can compare two or more Excel files for differences, and then record the differences into a .txt file that I can share with others. In addition, I can use Python to clean up missing or duplicated records from hundreds of entries in a spreadsheet. I only have to write the code once. Then, anytime I want to compare files or clean up some data, all I have to do is type in one command to run the program. 

Python as a Password Generator

Source

For those who are concerned about privacy and Internet security, once you are comfortable with Python, try making a password generator that lets the user change parameters, like how many characters to use for the password, whether to include special symbols, or whether to include a specific number of random words like the password appearing in the XKCD comic above. Of course, there are already some tools that create random passwords, but there is always the possibility that those tools also record the passwords that they generate. To be honest, nothing connected to the Internet is 100% safe. With my own program, I worry less about my passwords being recorded.

Check your password.

Resources for Beginners

If you would like to get started with Python to automate basic tasks, the following is a list of resources for beginners. I recommend starting with “Automate the Boring Stuff” by Al Sweigert and “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes. There are many other tutorials and videos on Python projects all over the Internet. YouTube is a treasure chest for finding tutorials that will walk you through projects step by step, and videos are a great way to get started because they can be paused and replayed when needed.  Keep in mind, however, that there is no right or wrong way to learn how to code. Find whatever method works best for you. 

Books

“Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart. (free)

Al Sweigert provides free access to digital copies of all his books through his website. “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” has both step-by-step instructions and practice projects. Sweigert also offers free print copies to anyone who wants to write a review for one of his books. This book is great for those who would rather take what they need than read the book from cover to cover. 

“Python Crash Course: 2nd Edition” by Eric Matthes ($39.95 print; $31.95 Ebook)

“Python Crash Course” complements the information covered in Sweigart’s “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python.” This book is divided into two parts, with the first section covering basic Python. The second part contains three sections: a video game, data visualization, and web applications. These sections highlight the versatility of Python. Readers can skip around or read from front to back. 

Websites

YouTube Channels

Replit

A repository for librarians of Python programs I have created to make my job easier. Hopefully, it will do the same for you! 

Are you interested in learning even more about how to use Python to automate tasks in our library? Join Monica as she walks you through step-by-step Twitter automation with Python at TCEA 2023. No coding experience is required. Register before January 10 to get the $50 advanced pricing discount!

Register Now!
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LibrariesUncategorized

How to Create Accessible and Equitable Library Collections

by Adriana Lebrón White
written by Adriana Lebrón White

The concept of “diverse books” has gained a lot of steam in recent years. While most librarians agree that having a diverse collection is a good thing, the process of actually creating an equitable and accessible collection may not be as obvious. How do we even begin to decide which diverse books to choose? With so many books and book lists available online, how do we know which ones we can trust?

Additionally, for some librarians, it’s not enough to receive lists of book recommendations from others. They may want to take a more active role in evaluating the books they choose for their library collection. Many of us want to truly understand why some books are better than others. We want to learn how to improve our ability to analyze the quality of diverse representations in books. If any of this sounds like you, or if you just want to learn more about diversity in children’s books, then read on for five resources that can help you create more accessible and equitable library collections.

1. Want to Diversity Audit, But No Time? – Kelsey Bogan  

For many librarians, diversity audits feel like yet another insurmountable administrative task that we all know we should do, but we can’t always find the time to do it right. Reminding us of the adage that “perfect is the enemy is good,” librarian Kelsey Bogan outlines some smaller steps that librarians can take to begin the process of diversifying their library collection. By auditing new purchases or focusing on book lists and displays, librarians can develop their auditing skills without overwhelming themselves with the enormous task of tackling a full collection all at once. (Those who do have the time and resources to do a full audit can refer to the full guide.) Bogan also shares tips for making the most of diversity tag analysis tools offered by companies like Mackin and Follett.

2. Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books – Social Justice Books  

anti-bias books library collection

This guide is actually one of several updated versions of a brochure that was originally published in 1980! In addition to this list by Louise Derman-Sparks, there is also a version from the University of Arizona’s World of Words and another from Teaching for Change. Obviously, the original pamphlet from the Council on Interracial Books for Children in New York must have had some pretty good ideas. From reviewing illustrations to considering the background of the author and/or illustrator, these guides provide helpful suggestions and examples for librarians who may be new to this kind of book analysis.

3. Replacing #OwnVoices: Promoting Diverse Library Books With Specificity – WNDB  

library collection #ownvoices

Just as #OwnVoices was breaking into the mainstream (and was being discovered for the first time by many librarians), organizations like We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) decided to step away from using the term. Long story short, publishers and readers were misusing the idea of #OwnVoices to try and force writers to disclose aspects of their identities before they felt ready to do so– the most famous example being the forced outing of “Simon Vs.” author Becky Albertalli. There are several librarians who are trying to follow the example set by WNDB, and they are finding other ways to talk about diverse books. Gianna Macchia’s piece for WNDB interviews four librarians on how they’ve shifted their practice away from the concept of #OwnVoices and toward more specificity.

4. Where to Find Diverse Books – We Need Diverse Books

where to find diverse books

Following WNDB’s suggestion of choosing specificity over the vagueness of #OwnVoices, librarians should seek out a variety of potential sources for book reviews. A librarian who is evaluating a book featuring Latinx characters will want to see what sites like Latinxs in Kid Lit and Vamos a Leer have to say about the book. Individual opinions of a book will, of course, vary from reviewer to reviewer. But by looking for information from culturally-specific websites like these, librarians may be able to spot harmful stereotypes and inaccurate representations that mainstream review sites might have missed. The sites and blogs listed on this WNDB webpage can be great resources for learning how to see a book from someone else’s perspective.

5. Going Beyond Diverse Collections – Follett 

going beyond diverse library collection

Finally, librarians can learn how to go beyond diverse books and start their journey toward learning to recognize the patterns of representation that appear in children’s books. Librarians Julia E. Torres and Jillian Heise offer links to several good resources in this blog post, including a recording of a webinar that they did for Follett on the topic of “Using Inclusive Books to Build Community.” Ultimately, Torres and Heise encourage librarians to make a lifelong commitment to “asking questions, building connections, and being intentional in our text selections,” all of which will definitely help us make our library collections more accessible and equitable.

The idea of analyzing and diversifying a library collection can certainly be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone! By reaching out to other librarians, working alongside students and community members, and being open to learning new ways of seeing the world, librarians can take some important first steps toward building an even greater library collection– one that authentically and respectfully serves and represents everyone. 

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Back to SchoolClassroom ManagementDigital CitizenshipLeadershipLibrariesPlanning and PreparationSocial-Emotional LearningSTEM/STEAMWeb 2.0 Tool

Back-to-School Roundup

by Sara Qualls
written by Sara Qualls

Where did the summer go? With the start of a new year, I’ve gathered back-to-school resources from our amazing PD team and staff here at TCEA. Check out this categorized list full of ideas to create a successful school year.

You can skip to a section by selecting a category below:

Icebreakers

Bellringers

Leadership

In the Library

STEM

Social Emotional Learning

Activities

Templates

Lesson Planning

Choice Boards

Tools

Classroom Management

Classroom Walls

Coaching

Artificial Intelligence

Icebreakers

Bellringers

Leadership

Image of a bingo card for a Staff Summer Bingo Game

In the Library

STEM

  • Prepping for a STEM/STEAM Year
    STEM/STEAM activities are a powerful way to engage students. Here are a few resources to help you prepare for a stem-rific school year.
  • Back to School with STEM
    STEM activities are a powerful way to engage students. Here are a few resources to kick off your school year in the STEM direction.

Social Emotional Learning

Activities

Templates

self-reported grades

Lesson Planning

  • 2000+ Lesson Plan Templates and Ideas for K12
    Discover a wealth of lesson plan template resources and treasures in this searchable collection for grades K-12 in all subject areas.
  • Back to School Apps for Lesson Planning
    Looking for tools to make lesson planning easier? Look no further than these three free apps that can assist you in designing amazing learning experiences.
  • Lesson Planning: 5E Model + Technology
    Lesson planning remains a tool for teachers to use to make sure they are covering the required material. If you follow the 5E Model for planning and add technology to it, you end up with a very powerful way to bring the curriculum to life for all students.

Choice Boards

Tools

Classroom Management

Classroom Walls

Coaching

  • Ten Ideas for Tech Coaches to Help Their Teachers Grow
    Explore creative and fun ways for tech coaches to encourage teachers in their growth with technology integration. Ready, set, ed tech!
  • Conference for Educational Coaches
    Sign up for the Conference for Educational Coaches (CEC) to discover the latest in professional development, best practices for coaching, and even more ideas for supporting educators. Attend in person in Austin, Texas or online from October 9-10.

Artificial Intelligence

For Texas Educators

I hope these strategies, activities, templates, and more get the brain flowing with ideas to create a successful start. Have a wonderful new school year!

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Back to SchoolLibrariesPlanning and Preparation

Seven Back-to-School Tips for Librarians

by Kristi Starr
written by Kristi Starr

Are you a librarian who likes to plan, or do you fly by the seat of your pants? Maybe it’s a bit of both. Intentions are good but, when the first day of school suddenly stares you in the face, it’s all about survival mode. No matter where you are in the planning process, here are a few suggestions to help you face the beginning of the year with confidence. 

Know thyself.

Be honest with yourself about your skills, your strengths and weaknesses, and the things you can and can’t control. Whether you’re considering sweeping changes or just want to make small alterations in daily tasks, think about what each requires and what stands in your way. Do you need an ally? An accountability partner? An alarm? Never be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s a friend on your campus, a fellow librarian, or a library leader.

Use a planning system.

Find a way to track what you want to accomplish and when! That could mean slotting a time every day, or a few times a week, to create and schedule social media posts or write blog posts. It can include noting days for changing displays as well as ideas for display and programming themes. Your calendar/planner is also a great place to track events going on in your library as well as classes or groups visiting and using the library. Don’t forget to include events you plan to attend and classes you visit. Your planner will also be a valuable data resource when it’s time to provide reports. 

librarian tip calendar
 Created by Zinnia Bayardo

You can find some excellent planner options for purchase or download. Demco offers a library planner designed by Kristina Holzweiss. Zinnia Bayardo of Northside ISD shared this fabulous weekly calendar template that can be printed or used digitally. You can also make your own in Canva or Slides. A general academic planner can also be easily customized, like this Star Wars-themed one from Erin Condren).

Find your go-to programming resources.

Planning and programming go hand in hand. There are many great people and sites to follow to help with ideas and resources. For this, social media might be your best friend. The Book Wrangler is an elementary librarian to follow, and he shares lots of printables on his blog. Shannon McClintock Miller and the VanMeter Library Voice is another good source for programming ideas. Use reading lists, designated months and weeks, and holidays. Or maybe Facebook groups are your jam. If you prefer more random celebrations, check out NationalToday.com for a compilation of popular as well as lesser-known events. Like today, August 10, you get National Lazy Day, National Spoil Your Dog Day, Update Your Bio Day, Vlogging Day, World Lion Day, and Duran Duran Appreciation Day. 

the book wrangler
the library voice

Pick your go-to tools.

Canva or Adobe? Nearpod or PearDeck? Wakelet or Padlet? Genially or BookCreator? Know which tools you can access in a pinch to create amazing content. When you have more time available, then you can play around and experiment with new sites and apps. 

Pick one big thing at a time to focus on.

Some people are better at multitasking than others, but if you want to work efficiently, your best bet is to focus on a job and get it done. Too many overlapping projects can lead to burnout. Weeding, diversity audits, genrefication and shelving changes, or website development are just a few projects that can require extensive time to complete. When you’re trying to launch a new program or initiative, establish one at a time before moving on to the next. Trying to establish a library advisory board, set up your very first book club, and institute a Tech Tuesday can be overwhelming if you’ve never done any of them before. 

Determine the data you need, then decide how you’ll collect it.

I keep track of 3 types of student visits: classes, individual students and small groups, and students needing loaner Chromebooks. I document each in a different manner. Circulation reports are easy. Numeric data is important, but it’s not the only data we need to tell our stories. Materials requests, reading preferences, and patron comments can inform and justify collection development and library services. 

librarians back to school class

Grow your PLN.

I have the best professional learning network ever. Some are friends I’ve only met once or twice face-to-face, but they consistently make my job easier and better. Find and follow the people to follow who fill your cup, who share great ideas, who make you a better person. My PLN contains people all across the state and even the nation, people I consider to be friends. If you’re fortunate enough to work in a district or live in an area with lots of other librarians, use them to learn from and grow your practice. If you don’t, the TCEA librarian community is vibrant, and Twitter and Instagram are wonderful places to connect with others. Iron sharpens iron. 

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LeadershipLibrariesProfessional Learning

A Librarian’s Approach to Launching Tech Tuesdays 

by Amy Marquez
written by Amy Marquez

“Tech Tuesday” all started with seeing a need for instructional technology integration support at my campus. At the time, we didn’t have a dedicated person who was able to provide training and support on how to use technology tools to support instructional goals. Since the start of the pandemic, librarians and teachers everywhere have been trying to figure out how their roles would need to evolve to embrace virtual learning, blended learning, and in-person learning post-pandemic. This was a pivotal moment for me that changed the trajectory of my leadership journey. I wanted to address the needs of my staff by providing targeted support on impactful technology integration. This was my opportunity to change how my role as a librarian would impact my learning community.  

Creating Tech Tuesday

A plan began to form in my mind for supporting our staff. What if I provided a weekly “Tech Tuesday” session that was meaningful and relevant for my staff, based on campus goals and staff needs? In short, 30-minute sessions, I set out to provide support, build relationships, and offer collaboration opportunities to meet the needs of my staff. I began by brainstorming a list of questions I would ask my staff to assess their needs, interests, and ability levels. Then I set up a meeting with my campus principal. My principal’s support was essential to the success of “Tech Tuesdays.” I created a sample needs assessment survey, a suggested timeline of topics, and I pitched the idea to my principal. With their support and feedback, I got the green light to move forward and meet with my staff weekly. 

Setting Tech Tuesday up for Success

At first, I was worried about how my staff would react. I didn’t want this to be one more thing teachers “had to do.” My goal was for my staff to see that the practical ideas I had to offer were valuable, relevant, and could be used immediately. Respecting their time was crucial, so I rarely canceled my sessions and ensured that I didn’t exceed the 30 minutes scheduled each week. I approached each session from the perspective of how teachers might use a strategy in a variety of ways to reach a goal. 

What Tech Tuesday Looks Like

Sessions weren’t focused on tools but instead focused on the instructional goal. During each session, teachers would have hands-on application of the tool or strategy from the students’ perspective. Then they would “put on their teacher hat” and see what the tool/strategy looked like from the teachers’ perspective. I included collaboration time and sharing of ideas just like we would want to see students doing in the classroom. I also gave them time for reflection about what they were learning, what they wanted to see more of, and what wasn’t working. 

tech Tuesday tips for success

Certified professional librarians are essential to building a strong school community. When librarians are empowered to lead and provide professional development for staff, collaboration among members of the learning community increases, and teachers are empowered to use technology in impactful ways.

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Content AreasContent CreationLibrarian ConferenceLibrariesProfessional LearningWeb 2.0 Tool

Two Tools that Make My Job as a Librarian Easier 

by Andrea Keller
written by Andrea Keller

Like most humans, I spend a large amount of time on various devices using various websites and applications. Although there are a million different websites and applications,  I can count on just one hand the ones that have made my life as a librarian so much easier. When I look at websites and apps, I want to find ones that are useful, make my job easier, and help with community engagement and programming. 

Before I even dive into a website or app that I am going to use in school, I remind myself about my district policies and expectations. I also take a few minutes to really look at the fine print of the terms of service. There are so many great apps out there that our students are using, but they are not always listed for 13 and under. I also look at the data that an app or website takes from the user (be sure to read the fine print!) to be sure I’m protecting my students’ privacy.

1. Nearpod 

Nearpod is one of my favorite websites to use as an instructional tool. Think powerpoint or slides, but make it interactive. The district that I am in provides us with the upgraded version, but even the free version is robust. I can start a Google Slide, and by using Nearpod, I can easily add on other content.  Although the Google Slide add-on is convenient, I tend to create most of my content directly in Nearpod. Nearpod also has a library full of already created lessons and slides that are easily editable once you’ve added them to your own library. Students can access created Nearpods through the Nearpod app on different devices, or log in through the website. Nearpod can also be student-paced, teacher-led, or both, depending on the type of learning. Working in middle school, my students are not always the first to volunteer answers. When using Nearpod, I can invite students to answer open-ended questions, take polls, take short quizzes and so much more. I use the feature to hide students’ names to provide students a safer space. I also appreciate that I can have students log in using Google Single Sign-on, which helps with those names. Nearpod is easily embedded into different Learning Management Systems and offers great data reports to see activity. With any website or app that I use, I want to make sure that my students are engaging with it, and with Nearpod, I’ve hit the jackpot. 

2. Canva

If you haven’t jumped on the Canva bandwagon yet, do so now. Canva is a graphic tool that you can use to create, design, and edit images and videos. I was always in awe of all of the cute and interactive graphics I would see on my different social media platforms. Once I discovered Canva, I realized I could do the same. Canva offers thousands of templates, but also the option to start from scratch and create your own. I use Canva on a daily basis to promote what is happening in the library, provide information to teachers, and create items for my own personal use. I create most of my first line Fridays using Canva and their video options also offer the ability to add collaborators and share across platforms. And there is a free educator account you can sign up for! 

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English Language ArtsLibrariesPlanning and Preparation

Recharge Your Poetry Unit with a Fliphunt

by Amy Marquez
written by Amy Marquez

Looking for a fun and interactive way to teach or review poetry? A FlipHunt just might be the answer. As a former ELA teacher and current librarian, I have a soft spot in my heart for poetry. What better way to get your students excited about poetry than with an engaging gamified contest? I had been searching for how I could help all students engage positively with poetry. I wanted to find a way that allowed for more student agency and personalized learning experiences. That was when I came across #fliphunt on Twitter. Kathi Kersznowski had a great resource that got me thinking about how I could recharge my poetry unit.

Planning a FlipHunt

A FlipHunt is a scavenger hunt using Microsoft Flip to record responses. This would be a great activity for in-person and virtual school settings. I’ll walk you through the planning process for my first FlipHunt.

I started by thinking about my goals. What did I want my students to walk away with a better understanding of? Then, I wanted to ensure my students had choices and opportunities to be creative. I also thought about the structure. Did I want students to work independently or in pairs/groups?

Then I generated my plan:

  • Goals– my students will…
    • Find poetry enjoyable and relatable
    • Practice constructing poetry
    • Make connections
    • Analyze theme
    • Creatively respond to poems
  • Student choice– my lesson will…
    • Include a variety of tasks students can choose from
    • Allow students to select poems of interest to analyze
    • Allow students to choose the order to complete activities
  • Structure– my lesson will…
    • Gamify the activity with point values
    • Allow independent or small-group participation
    • Engage students through choice
    • Include a link to my Flipgrid project where students can respond to the tasks by class period

Results of the Activity

Unveiling my first FlipHunt with students was a great opportunity to collaborate with ELA teachers and bring in their students. It was exciting to see students having fun working on the FlipHunt and getting them excited about poetry.  Students loved getting to choose the poems they would respond to. From a management standpoint, having all their Flipgrid responses organized in my teacher dashboard on Flipgrid also made it easy to track student participation. Check out one of our #BookSpinePoetry submissions below.

Book Spine Poetry Submitted through Flipgrid

Poetry Fliphunt Template

Download this Template

Want to try it out yourself? Take this template and customize it to meet your needs. And if you’re interested in learning more, check out this related blog post from TCEA.

More Poetry Blogs

Four Ways AI Can Help Teach Poetry

Celebrating National Poetry Month

Creating Dynamic Digital Poetry Books

Three Tools for Your Poetry Slam

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Content AreasEnglish Language ArtsLibraries

68 Free QR Code Read Aloud Cards

by Emily Horn
written by Emily Horn

Storyline Online has always been one of my favorites. At present, this site, created by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, has 68 read alouds in its collection– read by everyone from Seth Meyers to Allison Janney to Michelle Yeoh to Dulé Hill and more. Not only that, it has a free activity guide for each book! These teacher guides are based on the Common Core State Standards, but, be not dismayed; they are translatable to the ELAR TEKS. Today, I want to share all 68 read alouds as QR codes that you can use in your classroom– for FREE! (Who doesn’t like free? I personally love free.)

Why Are Read Alouds Important?

Read alouds are important for a variety of reasons. According to Reading Rockets (and many, many other sources), “Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.” That’s it in a nutshell, right there! It is a critical component of building the foundational reading and vocabulary skills necessary for fluent reading and good reading comprehension. Boom.

Tips for Successful Read Alouds

In ASCD’S fantastic article “Why Every Class Needs Read Alouds,” Pernille Ripp, Regie Routman, Barbara Moss, Tanya Friedman, and Valentina Gonzolez offer some great tips:

  • Don’t over teach! Stopping with too many instructional-related tasks will cause students to lose interest. Read the book in advance and plan your stops strategically, but give students the time to enjoy it.
  • Think about your English Language Learners (ELLs). Pictures, slowing down your reading, and adding movements or gestures can support understanding and help build vocabulary.
  • If the kids aren’t into it, let it go. Don’t spend time on texts your students aren’t into. It’s ok to drop it if it’s not something that works for your class.
  • Don’t be afraid to get informational. Students love to read about what’s happening in the world around them. Add nonfiction to the mix– everything from history to news and science is great.
  • Create a structure or routine. Build read alouds into your daily schedule and make a routine. Time is scarce, but planning for read alouds will keep them from getting nixed and replaced with other things.
  • Get students talking. Choose your texts with conversation in mind. If students are wanting to talk about it, they’re interested in it.
  • Choose texts that are “culturally relevant and rigorous.” According to ASCD’s article, “A culturally relevant read aloud creates a self-propelling cycle of engagement where students not only want to learn more, but also want to do something with their new knowledge.” I could not agree more. What high-order thinking does the read aloud instigate? What do students already know about the content, and how does it relate to them?

Ways to Use the Read Aloud Cards

So can Wanda Sykes, Chris Pine, or Connie Britton follow this advice and host an adaptive read aloud through their Storyline Online video? Nope. Then how can you use these read alouds in meaningful ways? Here are some ideas based on reinforcement, extension, and enrichment:

  1. Classroom library. Students can revisit texts you’ve already read in class or discover new ones. Rotate which books you highlight in your class library by switching out the cards regularly.
  2. Read aloud center. Give students the chance to listen to reading in a class center.
  3. English Language Learners (ELLs). ELL students can benefit from revisiting texts and having access to audiobooks.
  4. Interacting with characters. Use images from the book to make stick puppets. Place them with the read aloud cards so that students can interact with the characters as they are listening and watching.
  5. Sequencing. As they hear the story, students can put images from the book in order to sequence it! They’ll love this.
  6. Retelling. After the student listens to the read aloud independently, ask them to retell the story. You can use a retelling rubric to help you assess their understanding. You can use the images from the book and/or the stick puppets to support students who may need it.
  7. Early finishers. When a student finishes early, let them grab a read aloud! Pair it with a writing prompt for some additional enrichment or extension.
  8. Vocabulary reinforcement. Give students access to read alouds that will reinforce specific vocabulary you’ve taught in class.
  9. Paired Reading. Make a read aloud available that pairs well with a text you’ve recently read in class. Put some visuals up that encourage students to make comparisons between the books. Or have them complete a KWL chart to activate prior knowledge from their previous reading.
68 FREE QR Code Read Aloud Cards

I hope you enjoy using these read aloud cards and find them useful for your students. If you have any additional ideas for how they can be used, please let me know in the comments. I always love to hear from you.

Download QR Codes

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LibrariesPlanning and Preparation

Want to Boost Your Librarian-Teacher Partnerships?

by Heather F. Adair, MSLS
written by Heather F. Adair, MSLS

Librarians, do you know your teachers? Teachers, do you know your librarian? Have you had a chance to work together yet? I’m not referring to students’ regular visits to the library to check out books. I mean, really work together?  

As teachers and administrators, we’re missing something in our teaching and learning community, but we can’t quite put our finger on it. So we cast the searchlight into the night sky, not quite knowing who exactly we’re looking for. But working quietly alongside our superhero faculty and staff is a super-secret weapon: the school librarian. They have the uncanny ability to swoop in and affect change, boost morale, and impact student success. They are a crucial part of the learning landscape on campus. Perhaps they are the missing link.

But how do you draw the school librarian into the conversation? Honestly, it won’t take much. They have been waiting for an opportunity to help. Remember, your campus librarian was first a teacher. Let’s take a look at four ways teachers and librarians can partner to impact student learning in big ways.

1. Build Teacher-Librarian Relationships.

Break out of your shell. Not comfortable mingling? Me neither. But just as we step into a frame when preparing to teach, we must break out of our shell to develop collegial relationships.

Librarians, seek a place and time to meet teachers on their turf or invite them to a teacher preview next time you unbox new books or have a book fair. Teachers, your school librarian is eagerly awaiting your invitation to collaborate, I promise. Invite them to your classroom, visit the library, tell them about an upcoming unit, schedule a meeting, or ask them to come to your next team meeting.

In my first library, I connected with a seasoned 6th grade social studies teacher who was a champion for the library and innovative instruction. We collaborated on an upcoming unit on Pompeii, agreeing that I would launch the unit for all of his classes. We worked together to craft the activities and resources for not only the launch but the entire unit. This led to opportunities to collaborate with 7th grade Texas History, 6th grade ELAR and Science, Music Theory, AVID, and much more.

2. Work Together to Meet Goals.

Librarian joining PLC

Sometimes the best advocates for teacher-librarian partnerships are the instructional leaders on campus. Librarians, discuss how you can support the campus goals with campus administrators. Review the campus needs assessment, standardized test scores, or other data points, and come to the table with ideas already in hand. Not sure where to access the information or how to disaggregate the data? Identify a campus department chair, content specialist, or instructional coach and ask for their support. Seek professional development events that focus on interpreting student performance data, structuring and implementing campus goals, and trends in instructional strategies for diverse learners. Teachers, don’t shy away from inviting your librarian into discussions about data to see how they can support you and your students in meeting learning goals.

3. Expand Your PLC.

Librarians, ask to attend PLCs (professional learning communities) in whatever form they appear on campus: by subject area, grade level, academic teams, special programs, etc. Teachers, invite the librarian to your PLC. What better way for librarians and teachers to discuss upcoming lessons or instructional concerns than within the structure of the PLC. Even if the librarian begins as an observer only, once they learn the structure, vision, and dynamics of each PLC, they will likely transition through PLC roles toward being an active participant. Librarians can bring ideas for integrating media and information literacy skills into the curriculum at the course, unit, or lesson level to meet students’ intellectual needs and boost student engagement.

4. Learn with Librarians.

Librarian leading ed tech training

Librarians, you are poised to be the campus ed tech gurus. Though you can demonstrate your aptitude in the lessons you lead in the library, and across campus, your greatest impact may be through conducting professional development sessions. This checks multiple boxes. It hones your presentation skills in front of your peers, provides you with the opportunity to develop lessons integrating technology into active teaching and learning, and presents teachers with the learner’s perspective on integrating tech tools into lessons. Though these sessions could occur on a dedicated PD day, they could also be short demos embedded in the next faculty meeting or PLC. Teachers, are you looking for a digital tool to support learning goals? Ask your librarian! They may already know of a perfect tool, or they can find you one.

Need a superhero to boost student engagement and achievement? Draw your campus librarian into the teaching and learning conversation.

For more ideas, check out:

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