Author: Tech Fun In The Library

The Little Things That Make the Library Special

Tech Fun In The Library

I want my students to enjoy coming to the library.

Not just because we have books. Not just because they know they have to come to library class. I want them to walk through the door and wonder what we’re going to do today.

Over the years, I’ve found that it doesn’t always take a big activity or hours of planning to make that happen. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

Let them have a voice.
Let students vote, choose between two activities, or tell you what they like to read or play. I like to have reward days where if they get 10 good visits then then as a class they get to pick the activity. Of course, I give them the options so they are still getting learning activities but they love getting to choose.

Have something unexpected.
A mystery book, a quick game, a silly question on the board, or something different waiting for them can make the library feel special. Around every holiday I put out guess the amount jars. This month will be candy corn, Halloween colored M & Ms, and guess how many seeds are in the pumpkin. The winners get to take the candy home and they love trying to guess…even though the younger ones have no clue how to guestimate.

Talk about books without making everything a lesson.
Sometimes just saying, “You have to see this one!” is more effective than a formal book talk. It is so much fun when we get new books because I can pull a few out, show them to students, and share why I think they might love them. Sometimes that little bit of excitement is all it takes to get a student interested in a book.

Use games to build community.
I have lots of board games available in my library that students love to play. Sometimes they just need a chance to sit down, play a game, talk, laugh, and enjoy being together. I also like sneaking a little learning into the fun with games like Library Would You Rather or Shark Bite! to practice genres. They may not even realize they are learning because they are too busy having fun.

Give students something to look forward to.
A weekly question, challenge, favorite-book share, or little library tradition can make students excited for their next visit. Last week I had a couple students asking when I was going to put a new Pumpkin Jack out so they could watch him decompose.

At the end of the day, I want my students to enjoy coming to the library. I want them to feel like the library is a place where they can explore, play, discover something new, and maybe even get a little messy watching a pumpkin decompose!

It doesn’t have to be complicated. A little choice, a little fun, a good book, or something unexpected can be enough to make the library a place students look forward to visiting.

What are some little things you do that make your students excited to come to the library? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Easy Library Activities for When You Have Limited Class Time

Tech Fun In The Library

With budget cuts and changes in schedules, library classes seem to be getting shorter and shorter. Sometimes 15 to 20 minutes is all we have.

But even with a short class, there is still time to have an engaging activity, talk about books, and get students excited about coming to the library.

Here are a few things I like to do when I don’t have much time.

Would You Rather?

Kids love making choices, and Would You Rather questions are an easy way to get everyone involved. You can use book related questions, silly questions, or even food choices. I like having students choose an answer and then explain why. It gets them talking and doesn’t take much time.

Library Scavenger Hunts

A quick scavenger hunt can get students moving around the library while they practice finding things. You can have them find a certain section, locate a book, find an author, or answer a simple question using the library.

Book Talks

You don’t need a whole lesson to talk about a good book. Pick one book, show the cover, read a little bit, and tell students why you think they might enjoy it. Sometimes that little introduction is all it takes to get a student interested in a book.

Book Care

Short classes are a good time to review simple book care skills. How do we carry books? What happens if a page gets torn? Why shouldn’t we use a book as a place to write or color? These little reminders can make a big difference.

A Quick Library Game

Sometimes you just need something fun. Library trivia, guessing the book, book character questions, or a quick partner game can fill a short class and still keep students connected to the library.

I don’t think a short library class has to mean a boring library class. We may not have as much time as we used to, but there are still plenty of ways to make those few minutes count.

Sometimes a 20 minute class with a good book, a fun question, or a quick game is enough to leave a student excited about coming back to the library.

If you are looking for some ready to use activities for those shorter library classes, I have several of my library activities available in my TPT store. I have included a few of them below. They are easy to use and give you something fun to pull out when you only have a little time. Just click on the links below to take a look.

Back to School Means Back to the Library!

Tech Fun In The Library

A new school year is almost here, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the library! One of my favorite first day activities is my Library Themed Would You Rather game. It’s a fun way to get students talking, laughing, and thinking about books, reading, and all things library.

As students make their choices, I get to learn a little more about their interests and personalities while they get comfortable sharing their ideas with their classmates. It’s a simple activity, but it’s always a great way to start the year and begin building our library community.

If you’re looking for an easy, engaging back-to-school library activity, my Library Themed Would You Rather is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, along with many other library lessons, games, and activities to use throughout the school year.

Here’s to another year filled with great books, new adventures, and lots of reading fun!

Click here to shop my TPT store.

Surviving (and Thriving in) My First Year of Junior High Library Class

Tech Fun In The Library

If you had told me at the beginning of this school year that a blended 7th and 8th-grade library class would become one of my favorite parts of my week, I might not have believed you.

Coming from an elementary background, the thought of staring down a classroom of junior high students for 90-minute blocks, two and three times a week, felt a little intimidating. How was I going to keep them engaged? How do you fill that much time without losing them to the abyss of middle school eye-rolls?

But as the year wrapped up, I looked back and realized it was an incredible success. Having those long blocks actually allowed us to dive into deep, meaningful research activities that you just can’t squeeze into a standard 45-minute elementary rotation.

My secret weapon? Mixing it up every single week. If you are starting a new junior high library class next year, here is a breakdown of some of the units, resources, and activities that kept my students engaged, talking, and learning.

Media Literacy & Big Discussions

Junior high students are drowning in digital media, but they don’t always know how to navigate it. We dived deep into digital citizenship and internet safety using Above the Noise (via KQED/PBS).

  • How I used it: These videos are sharp, fast-paced, and highly relevant to teens. I paired them with video guides for the students to fill out as they watched to keep them focused. I also used this as an opportunity to practice Google Slides and Canva. Students summarized what they learned by creating presentations in one of these.
  • The result: This completely unlocked the room. It led to some of the most insightful, honest discussions and discoveries about social media algorithms, fake news, and digital footprints.

Collaborative Research with a Retro Twist

To teach research skills without hearing the groaning and complaining, I used videos from Retro Report (an incredible resource that connects history to current events).

  • How I used it: We used their investigative videos to look at topics like invasive species and media frenzies. Students worked in groups to unpack the history, analyze the media’s role, and conduct their own deep-dive research based on the prompts.

Creative Writing & Author Deep Dives

With 90 minutes on the clock, we had the luxury of slowing down for multi-step creative projects. Two of our absolute favorite writing and research units were:

  • “Library After Dark” Creative Writing: I challenged the students to write a creative story about what happens in our library when the lights go out. Giving them the freedom to write ghost stories, fantasy adventures, or mysteries set in their actual school building sparked incredible creativity.
  • Author Deep Dives: Instead of a generic biography report, students chose an author and did a comprehensive research deep dive. They investigated the author’s background, their writing process, what inspired their most famous works, and how their style evolved over time. It was a fantastic way to blend database research with literary appreciation.

The Middle School Mock Caldecott

Think picture books are just for the younger grades? Think again. One of our major highlights was running a Mock Caldecott unit with my 7th and 8th graders.

  • How I used it: I chose books that were recommended on different Mock Caldecott blogs and sites, plus some of my own personal favorites. Then, we looked at the actual evaluation criteria used by the real-world ALA judges to grade the art, media, and storytelling. Finally, the students cast their official votes to see if they could successfully predict the real winners.
  • The result: The kids took this so seriously. It was a brilliant way to practice critical evaluation skills and analyze visual storytelling at a higher level.

Rethinking “Book Time” for Big Kids

You might think 8th graders are “too old” for certain library books, but I found that changing how we interacted with the collection changed everything. Some of the fun activities we did with books were:

  • Wordless Picture Books: We used these for visual literacy, storytelling, and sequencing activities. It forced them to slow down and look at detail, context clues, and subtext.
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not Books: Never underestimate the power of weird trivia. These were fantastic for an end of the year news article writing assignment. They had to pick a bizarre event and then write a realistic sounding news article.
  • Fractured Fairy Tales: We spent time analyzing traditional fairy tales and breaking down how they are built. Then, I set the students loose to write and create their very own fractured versions. They had a blast spinning old classics on their heads.
  • Studying Point of View: I pulled various picture books specifically to study point of view. Because they are short and direct, they were a fast, visual, and really effective way to show students how a story changes drastically depending on who is telling it.

Keeping Catalog Skills Sharp

  • Destiny Scavenger Hunts: Destiny Scavenger Hunts: To make sure they didn’t lose their practical library skills amidst all the big projects, we periodically did Destiny Scavenger Hunts. It was a great way to keep them familiar with using the library catalog system so they can find the books they need.

Year One: In the Books!

Overall, it was a great first year with this course. I was definitely worried at the beginning, but it quickly became one of my absolute favorite classes. It turns out that when you give 7th and 8th graders the right mix of new activities, videos, and creative choices, a 90-minute block actually flies by. I’m so glad I got to try these new ideas with them, and I’m already looking forward to adding to the class year after year.

Fellow librarians: Do you teach a junior high or middle school block? What are your go-to resources for media literacy or creative writing? Let’s swap ideas in the comments!

Click the images below to find these activities on my TPT page.

Behind Closed Doors: Inside the Empty School Library

Tech Fun In The Library

The final bell has rung, the backpacks are cleared out, and the hallways are completely quiet. You might think the school library goes to sleep for the summer… but you’d be wrong.

Have you ever wondered what the books do when the students are away? We managed to sneak in and capture some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. Here is the actual truth about what happens after student leave for summer break:

  • The Graphic Novel Reunion: During the school year, the Dog Man and I Survived books are never on the shelf at the same time. They are constantly checked out! Summer is their only chance to finally sit together, catch up, and swap stories.
  • The Picture Book Spa Day: After nine months of being stuffed headfirst into overstuffed backpacks next to crunchy potato chips, dropped on the floor, and read aloud to enthusiastic puppies, the picture books are finally taking a break. Right now, they are relaxing on the shelves, getting a gentle spine massage, and enjoying the peace and quiet.
  • The Chapter Book Marathon: The thick chapter books have been waiting all year for someone with enough free time to read past chapter three. Right now, they are flexing their bookmarks, stretching their pages, and doing some heavy lifting to get in shape for your fall book reports.
  • The Scanner’s Deep Sleep: The library barcode scanner beams its red laser thousands of times a week. It is currently in a deep hibernation mode, dreaming of that satisfying BEEP! sound. (Please do not make any loud noises near the circulation desk; we don’t want to wake it up.)
  • The Great Book Drop Vacation: The library book drop handles hundreds of heavy books a day. Right now? It’s taking a well-deserved nap. We even caught it wearing sunglasses.
  • The Dust Bunny Takeover: With no feet running down the aisles, the library dust bunnies have formed a tiny civilization in the biography section. They are currently electing a mayor.

The Librarian’s Confession

As for me? I’m busy doing the most important summer job of all: reading a massive stack of brand-new books to make sure they are safe for the shelves this fall. (It’s tough work, but someone has to do it!)

We miss you already, readers! Stay cool, read some great books at home, and try not to let the dust bunnies take over your bedroom.

What do you think your favorite library book is doing right now? Let us know in the comments below!

Believe It or Not: Student Reporters on the Scene!

Tech Fun In The Library

As we wrap up the school year in the middle school library, students have been having fun with a creative writing activity inspired by our Ripley’s Believe It or Not books. Students browsed through the books looking for a strange, unusual, or downright bizarre fact or event. Once they found one, they had to write a news report covering the story as if they were a real reporter.

One of my favorite parts of this activity was listening to students react as they flipped through the pages. There were plenty of “Oh gross!” comments and lots of students calling out to friends across the library to share some unbelievable fact they had just discovered. The books sparked curiosity, laughter, and lots of conversation.

This activity was a great way for students to continue practicing their writing skills while also exploring books they might not normally pick up. Sometimes the best way to get students excited about reading and writing is to let them discover just how weird and wonderful the world can be!

Fairy Tales, Fractured Fun, and Library Magic

Tech Fun In The Library

I love May because the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it is time to begin our fairy tales unit in the library! This is always one of the most enjoyable units of the year, and students of all ages look forward to it.

Fairy tales are important because they help students explore storytelling, character development, problem solving, and life lessons that have been shared for generations. They also introduce students to different cultures and traditions through stories that have been passed down over time. As we read fairy tales together, students practice making predictions, comparing stories, identifying themes, and recognizing story elements.

Over the years, I have added many cultural fairy tale versions to our library collection so students can experience stories from around the world. Some favorites include Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu, The Rough-Face Girl, and Lon Po Po. These stories help students see both the similarities and differences in tales across cultures while broadening their understanding of traditions and perspectives from around the world.

One of the best parts of the unit is adding our own creative twist through fractured fairy tales. These stories take familiar fairy tales and change them in funny, surprising, or unexpected ways. Students love comparing the original versions with the fractured versions and noticing how the stories are transformed.

After reading many different fractured fairy tales together, students get the opportunity to create their own. Their creativity always shines as they reimagine classic characters, settings, and plots in brand-new ways. This unit is filled with laughter, imagination, and wonderful storytelling, making it a favorite time of year in the library!

I have also created activities to go along with our fractured fairy tale unit, and they are available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store for anyone looking to bring a little extra fairy tale fun into their classroom or library.

Click here to grab your copy of the Fractured Fairy Tale Unit

Wrapping Up the School Year in the Library

Tech Fun In The Library

As the school year comes to a close, it is time to begin wrapping things up in the library. One of the biggest end-of-year tasks is making sure all library books are returned. I am currently sending reminder emails home to families to help track down overdue books and get everything checked back in before summer break.

During the last two weeks of school, there will be no book checkout so we can focus on getting materials returned and preparing for inventory. To encourage students, classes that have all books returned or paid for will earn popsicles! The first class to complete this goal will also receive an extra activity day in the library with STEM activities and games.

Another important task this time of year is the annual library inventory. With a full teaching schedule, finding time for inventory can be challenging, so I try to work on it whenever I have a few free moments. Field trip days are especially helpful, and I also work before or after school when meetings and IEPs do not fill the schedule.

Weeding the collection is another ongoing project. While I do some weeding during inventory, I try to keep up with it throughout the year while shelving books and checking shelf order. This makes the process much more manageable in the spring. With new books arriving each year, I typically remove a few hundred older titles annually to keep the collection current, useful, and engaging for students.

On the last day of school, after the students head home for summer, I finish the year by wiping down shelves and dusting books one final time before summer break begins. It is a busy season, but it is also rewarding to prepare the library for another great year ahead!

Researching Nature’s Uninvited Guests

Tech Fun In The Library

This week in the library, my middle school students took on a short research project all about invasive species. We started by watching a Retro News video about snakes in the Everglades. While they watched, students answered a few questions tied to the video, which really helped keep them focused and thinking about what they were seeing.

After the video, we had a great discussion about how these species ended up in new environments and the impact they can have. Students were especially interested in just how quickly things can get out of balance.

From there, they split into four groups and each group researched a different invasive species from around the world. They used their time to gather information and put together a Google Slides presentation to share what they learned with the class.

It was fun to see how engaged they were throughout the process. Students were asking thoughtful questions, digging into their topics, and really taking ownership of their learning. It turned into a great mini research project that fit perfectly into our library time.

Poetry Month Made Simple

Tech Fun In The Library

April in the elementary library is all about Poetry Month. The whole month we focus on reading poems, sharing them, and giving students time to write their own. It is always fun to see how creative they get and how proud they are to share what they wrote.

To make things easier for teachers, I put together a poetry unit that is simple to use and ready to go. It includes Google Slides that introduce different types of poems in a way students can actually understand and enjoy, plus worksheets they can use to practice and create their own writing.

I know how busy things can get, so this unit is meant to take the stress out of planning. It is an easy way to bring poetry into your classroom without a lot of extra prep.

Poetry Month is such a great chance for students to try something new, have fun with words, and build confidence as writers. It is always a highlight of the year in the library.

Click here to go to my TPT page.