Auntie Librarian

2. The Super Reader Card. Instead of a full page reading log, students will use a business card to record their titles. The reading program last year just did not bring in the participation I want. I think something like this will generate more interest and give the reading program a coolness factor. Plus, I am adding a level-up feature where students who fill up the first card get a new different looking level two card which get more rewards and privileges. Eventually, at the end of the year, our level four card holders will qualify to go on a special field trip to Barnes & Noble and the awesome Spartanburg Public Library where they will have activities waiting for us! I am thinking of more ways to use the card. One of our ELA teachers saw a classroom incentive card and thought the card concept would make a great idea for our reading program. Our students have lanyards and ID badges. Hopefully students will find that these cards will conveniently slip into their ID badge sleeves. 

3. Divergent Book Club and Hunger Games Hype. I have plans for a Divergent Book Club for my 8th graders. Although it looks like the movie may be a bit more edgy than the Hunger Games was. I love using the movie trailers to fuel reading hype. 

4. School Wide Read Aloud. We are reading The Running Dream as our school wide book. Last year we read Wonder and Schooled and had fantastic response from our students and teachers. 

5. Technology Club. Last year we took a group of students to present an iMovie workshop at USC Upstate's Inaugural QEP  Technology Symposium. The students got rave reviews and really enjoyed the experience. They were really excited that they were teaching university professors! USC has some amazing things going on taking technology integration to the next level. Many teachers are using social media to meet their students needs. It was awesome to be a part of this symposium. Hopefully we'll be taking our show on the road again this year. Someone once told me that students should be a part of all professional development for teachers.   I have always believed in this and tried to involve students in the trainings and presentations I do at school whenever possible. After this experience I am even more convinced that students belong in the PD picture. Where technology is concerned, students are definitely  an advantage. Here are some of the Tweets from our day at the QEP Symposium. 

• This year, I actually caught a student sneaking into the library through an exit only door. We were at capacity one morning and I was not letting any more students into the library, so a student tried to sneak in the side door. Of course, students are not supposed to sneak in. I had to correct him, but secretly, it made me happy to think I have created a place students wanted that badly to be in. 

• Book Clubs are so much fun. I love the energy and enthusiasm the students bring with them. One of the reasons why book clubs are great is because they are something students choose to do voluntarily. Everyone there wants to be there. 

• I love planning and preparing for reading celebrations and book club meetings. It is basically having a party! We know how to party in the library! 

• My Manga Boys always keep me on my toes. They are very enthusiastic about their Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto. I am always happy to see them coming through the doors.

• Contests Drawings and promotions are always fun. I love brainstorming new ways to promote reading. One of my latest brainstorms has been the "first check out" drawings at school and on Facebook. Who doesn't LOVE to give away prizes?

• One of the best things about my job is the variety. No two days are ever alike and there is always something to look forward to or get ready for.

• "I'm the only one!" as Tigger says. I'm the only librarian in the building. This has its down side, but  I enjoy being the go-to person for technology issues, research questions, reading and website recommendations and collaborative teaching. It is a great feeling to help a teacher find the perfect resource for a lesson or to help a student with their bibliography.

• Laughing. If you ever want a good laugh, spend some time in a middle school. If you have a sense of humor and you are not too "full of yourself" it is almost guaranteed that you will be amused by their antics and their honesty and their awkwardness (which I find adorable).

• It feels great to purchase books that students have requested and notify them when their book arrives. I always make sure the student who requested the book gets the first chance to check it out. It is like I have bought them a gift, they feel special and that makes me happy.

• School Life is great. Especially middle school. Why? Because at the middle school level we have it all. We have sports and clubs and activities and academics, but the students aren't cemented into their "cliques" yet. There's nothing like school spirit, pep rallies, band concerts and school plays to make you feel part of a youthful right of passage. 

• The regulars. I call students who check out lots of books or visit the library frequently my regulars. There are always some big time readers who plow through books. I love getting to know them and their tastes. I love it when I have the perfect title in mind for them when they come in for a book. 

• I love to see students come in the library, pull a book off the shelf, plop down on the floor and read. I love to see them playing checkers together. I love to see my students use their library and enjoy its resources. 

• It thrills me to hear a student tell me that they loved the book I recommended to them and want another one like it. Even better is when they bring a friend in to get book recommendations. 

• I enjoy getting to know students during their three year stay at our school. It is wonderful to watch these young people learn and grow and change as they go from grade six to eight.