📖✨ 6-Word Book Talks: Quick Hooks for Engaging Reads

In a recent advisory session, students were introduced to more than two dozen books in a fast, engaging format—6-Word Book Talks. Each book was distilled into just six words, offering a quick glimpse into its core themes, intrigue, or emotional impact. These short but powerful teasers were presented in a series of Slides, giving students an easy way to preview a wide range of books across all eight fiction genres, as well as graphic novels and nonfiction selections.

After viewing the presentation, students had time to browse the featured books, flipping through pages, reading summaries, and seeing which stories sparked their interest. 

Students looking online or already reading with the featured books in the background.

Other students browsing the cases as time allowed.

With something for everyone—from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt contemporary reads, epic fantasies to eye-opening nonfiction—this session encouraged exploration and discovery. Sometimes, all it takes is six words to spark curiosity, and this format proved to be a fun, effective way to get books into students' hands! 

Graphic Design Class Collaboration

With the return to school came the return of collaboration opportunities. The graphic design class visited the library to delve into the world of YA literature and book covers. On this creative journey students can see where literature meets art and discover insights into the design elements that make these book covers not just visually appealing, but also significant in representing the essence of the stories they tell.

In collaboration with the art teacher, students first discussed the visual elements of YA book covers – from color schemes and typography to imagery and content. This interdisciplinary approach reinforced students' appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between literature and art. By understanding how design choices reflect the story within, students gained valuable insights into the creative process behind crafting these covers.

To bring theory into practice, students then had time among the bookcases to browse the collection to find examples of book covers that appealed to them. Guided by the art teacher, student will later share their findings about effective YA book covers based on their library browsing. This not only allows them to apply the design principles they've learned but also fosters a deeper connection with the books they choose to reimagine.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

As we enter our last month of school, there's still time to promote reading and some of our newer books. The most recent library display features several of the SEMH titles included in social media posts throughout the year, as well as other titles that highlight responsible decision making, self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills.

Many of the books appear in the Slides presentation below:

🌎 It's Culture Week!

Because Culture Week was such a hit among students and staff a year ago, it's now a 2-week event with a week showcasing student, staff, and community presentations both in the fall and again the in spring. (You can read about earlier Culture Week sessions here.) Two sessions were offered in the library this week: Diversity in Books and Creation Stories from Around the World. 

Like previous Culture Week sessions, students could again sign up to watch book trailers and talk about diverse books. This time, students accessed a Google Drawing featuring 15 diverse titles that included book trailers or author interviews. While some of the titles have been part of the collection, new books to the collection were also included to encourage browsing and checkout during our time together.

CLICK HERE to access the resource.

Another sessions students could choose to attend featured creation myths from a variety of cultures. We chatted about several of the beginning Slides and identified the Adam and Eve/Garden of Eden story as a creation story they were already familiar with, and we also applied several elements from the Slides to the the Garden of Eden story. 

LINK to presentation

After our discussion, students had time to access the Slides presentation to move through an interactive world map featuring creation stories from several different cultures.

Clicking on a box took students to a Slide with a brief description and video about the creation story. Finally, then, students had the opportunity to add to a Padlet to reflect on what they'd seen or read.

Students had the option to watch and work independently or with others, and throughout their work, we continued to chat with each other about what they were seeing and what they already knew about creation stories, the cultures featured, or their Culture Week experience so far.

Culture Week continues through Friday, so students will have the opportunity to attend more sessions lead by students and staff.

Wrapping up Women's History Month

As the end of March nears, students could choose to participate in an advisory activity related to Women's History Month. Like other activities students have chosen in the past, this was also a Google Slides 1-pager with hyperlinks that students could access.

While many of the women included were familiar to students, some were not, so after a brief discussion highlighting some main points about the women, students had time to click, watch, and read.

Interested in using the 1-pager? It's available online through my TPT store. If you have questions, please reach out!

📚 New Term, New Round of Book Talks

With students beginning all new rotations of English and reading classes at the new term, teachers have been bringing groups into the library for check out, as well as book talks. Below is the latest round of featured books, some new to the collection and others that have been included for a while:

Books are showcased "by the numbers," meaning each title has some kind of connection to numbers. Some are obvious--like Five Survive and 3 Things I Know are True--while others are less obvious. For instance, the hotel in Hotel Magnifique changes locations every 24 hours and there are eight players on the basketball team in Dragon Hoops. The final book in the presentation, The Serpent King, shows the number one because it is my Number #1 read in the last semester. :)

See something you might want to check out or learn more about? You're welcome to stop by--and if the book you're looking for isn't available, we'll get it on hold for you and recommend something else! :)

National Rubber Ducky Day

January 13 is National Rubber Ducky Day!

Photo by Jason Richard on Unsplash

To recognize the day and have a little fun on the last day of our semester, students could sign up for a 1-pager activity in advisory. To kick off our work, we began with a read aloud of the Eric Carle book 10 Little Rubber Ducks.

After the read aloud, students could access the 1-pager, which included a link to an article explaining some of the history behind National Rubber Ducky Day, a video compilation featuring songs about the Sesame Street rubber ducky, and a design-your-own rubber ducky pixel art activity from Eric Curts at Control Alt Achieve. 

CLICK HERE to access the 1-pager

Much smiling and reminiscing and singing along to the rubber ducky song as students watched and designed their own duckies today!

And look at this raft of ducks!

🌎 Cinderella Stories from Around the World 🌎

We're celebrating Culture Week this week, and we teachers--along with many students--are offering advisory sessions that students can choose to attend. (You can read about how we recognized Culture Week last year with diverse titles and book trailers HERE.) This year, students can visit to learn about, read, and discuss Cinderella stories from around the world.

First, students gained some background knowledge about Cinderella stories with a Slides presentation:

The Slides also included brief descriptions from the online catalog to give students a quick idea of the stories. After forming groups of their own choosing, students moved to tables where the books and a T-chart for similarities and differences awaited. 

As they read, students considered the traditional Cinderella story with which they were already familiar, then added sticky notes with examples for the T-charts. As our time together came to a close, we shared out information from sticky notes and other points or connections from their reading.

Some examples of their work appears below:

With a limited amount of time during our session, students weren't able to rotate through more than 2-3 books, and some groups chose to focus on one book rather than skim several books and work quickly. Altogether, nine examples of Cinderella stories were featured:

Recognizing Native American Heritage Month

One of the ways we celebrate in November is with National Native American Heritage Month. Like with other monthly celebrations, students could choose to visit the library to access an interactive one-pager featuring related websites, videos, and activities. Students can visit Google Arts & Culture or Mesa Verde National Park, as well as learn about the Navajo Code Talkers or create a beaded design.

CLICK HERE to access the one-pager.

One of the items included on the one-pager comes from Sarah Wood and My Ed Tech World. The virtual exploration room related to Native American Heritage Month comes from her Symbaloo of virtual exploration rooms. A close-up of her room is below:

CLICK HERE to access

A shout-out to our Heartland AEA technology consultant Cathy Hines who shared this exploration room and a directory of the items linked in it. How great to be able to give students a bit of a preview before they began exploring the room and the rest of the one-pager!

Back-to-School Book Talks

Welcome back! It's been great to spend time with so many of the reading and English classes on these first days back to school! Several classes came in to hear about the new genrefied fiction section and how to use the catalog effectively when searching, and other students participated in a book tasting during their visit. Others listened to the book talks included in the Slides presentation below:

Several of the featured books have been checked out already, but you're welcome to stop by to put a book on hold. Or, you can browse the dozens of new books on display and on the shelves to find something different to check out! Happy reading!

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and with the generosity of The Book Wrangler, students can access an exhibit hall of 28 Epic Days of Black History. 

CLICK HERE to access the full Slides presentation.

Each Slide features people or events that recognize achievements and moments in Black history. Clicking on the YouTube icon takes the viewer to a video with information about the person or event featured in the hall. An example Slide appears below.

Curious to know more about what you've seen? Stop by the library or visit MackinVIA to find books related to your interests.

👀 #TakeALookTuesday--Podcast Edition

Just before the holiday break, some of the English II classes stopped by the library to participate in a podcast lesson and activity. Students will be creating podcasts for an upcoming project, so this day's work served as an introduction.

The introduction Slides were based on an earlier presentation created by our AEA digital learning consultant Cathy Hines. After working on a middle school podcast unit together, Cathy again offered great suggestions about how to present podcasting to high school students. Another great resource was Jeff Glade, an AEA instructional technology consultant with a fantastic site devoted to podcasts. With Cathy's guidance and Jeff's resources, the English II podcasting lesson and activity came together. Many thanks!

Throughout the introduction, students offered talking points related to their own podcast listening and what they already knew about podcasts, like differences between YouTubers and podcasters.

Students also had the chance to listen to a podcast and complete together a note-taking/main idea Slide as seen on Jeff Glade's website. As an activity to complete in class, students listened to the prologue and Act I of a podcast called "Babysitting" from This American Life. As we listened, we paused at times to consider main ideas and images or text that would represent what we were hearing. Both classes' Slides are below:

Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month

 Every year from September 15 - October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. According to the official website, "we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success" (Library of Congress, 2021). 

Photo credit: Detail of Hispanic Heritage Select Photos, by David Valdez

The National Park Service shares that National Hispanic Heritage Month "... traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries" (Library of Congress, 2021).

As part of our recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, DCGHS students can visit the library during advisory to access a Google Draw one-pager and take a closer look at a library display featuring titles by Latino and Latina authors or characters.

Much of the information on the one-pager originated at the National Hispanic Heritage Month official website. Students could explore various audio and video resources, browse Pinterest boards, or learn about the changes Latinas and Latinos brought to baseball. A special "thank you" to the The Book Wrangler for sharing his Google Slides, "Portraits of Hispanic Americans" and to Jeff Glade from Heartland AEA for the curated podcast list from Comprehension Amplified.

CLICK HERE to access