Smart Librarians

November 15

Every Other Thursday, you’ll get this short, fun, relevant newsletter.  It will contain a quote about the library and those who love it, an idea you can use to promote your library or reading in general, a Common Core implementation idea and occasionally a shameless plug for the programs I offer.  Enjoy!

Quote

“Librarians are almost always very helpful and often almost absurdly knowledgeable. Their skills are probably very underestimated and largely underemployed.”

Charles Medawar, author

Promote

To encourage students to read “whenever they get a minute,” set up a Lunchroom Library.

I LOVE this idea. Get, make, or find a set of bookshelves that display the fronts of books (not just the spines) and put a hundred or so paperback books in the cafeteria for kids to look at before school, or after they finish lunch. You can provide bookmarks that students can put their names on so they can find their places the next day. Include quick reads, short chapter books and high interest titles on the shelves. And don’t get too attached. Some books may walk away, others may fall apart. It’s okay. That’s why you use inexpensive paperbacks and books you and your colleagues get at yard sales, Goodwill, the Friends of the Library sale, and from donations.

Common Core Connection

There seem to be LOTS more questions about the Common Core standards than there are answers.  One place I have found a lot of helpful information (and your teachers may find it helpful too!) is in the FAQ section on the Common Core website. 

Go to http://www.corestandards.org/frequently-asked-questions and read over the Q’s and the A’s.  If you find information there about something your teachers have been asking about, copy it and send it to them in an DL e-mail.  You could be a HERO!

Shameless Plug

Did you know that Tommy Johns Presents also offers Media Specialist training?  I have 45-90 minute workshops for promoting your media center, dealing with stress in the school’s largest classroom, using puppets in storytelling, and more.  If you are planning a training event, give me a call!  You might be surprised how affordable training can be!

Thanks for reading this far!  See you Every Other Thursday!

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist
www.TommyJohnsPresents.com
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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