🐉♥️🌮 Back to School with a Storybook Walk!

With the start of school approaching, it was time to consider what to do with the hallway that now cuts through the library. The hallway alleviates congestion by providing another pathway connecting the two sides of campus, and while it's certainly not ideal, it does provide a literacy opportunity. 

While the "library side" of the hallway is decorated, the "hallway side" has remained bare, but no longer! After some consideration, I decided that a story walk might work. If you're not familiar with a story walk, please visit StorybookWalk.com to learn more. I knew that some alterations to the original concept would be necessary--we're inside, not outside, and physical activities might not be reasonable given the space and passing time constraints. 

During my time in the district, I have also served as an elementary librarian, and I wanted to choose a book that students would perhaps recall from their time in elementary library classes. Several books came to mind; however, choosing a book would ultimately depend on what was available in double copies at Half Price Books. :) I was so pleased that I could pick up two copies of Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri.

It was time to get to work! First, I prepared the double spreads of the story by carefully removing them from the books, taping them together, and putting them on a background. This creates a larger image and makes the spreads more eye-catching.

To ensure that I could keep track of the story and place the images in the correct order, I numbered the backs of the posters before I laminated them. When I was finished, I had 14 double spreads, as well as the title page and the final page of the story.

While traditional story walks can include physical activities, I knew that wouldn't work well in the library hallway. Instead, I used AI to suggest reflection questions or polls to connect to the text. Students are allowed to use their phones during passing time, so I included 4 different questions/polls (Canva and Google Forms to the rescue!) to insert among the posters. Each item has a QR code that students can scan to respond.

Other supplemental items included "page numbers" and introductory signs to generate interest and prep students for the story walk.

One of the introductory posters

Examples of the "page numbers"

After taking the time to space out the posters, I only needed to hang them along the hallway wall.

I'm so excited for students and staff to return to the building to see the story walk! What was a frustration for me has now become an opportunity to promote literacy--and a little nostalgia! I'm eager to see everyone's responses--and hopefully many smiles as they move through the hallway!

💗📘 Heart Book Recommendations

Our library was buzzing with creativity last week, thanks to an awesome book craft that our students recently took on. (Thanks, Lacey Librarian, for sharing the activity!) Imagine a world where book recommendations take on a whole new shape – literally! 💗✨

During advisory students dove into the world of crafting with enthusiasm, turning their love for books into 3D heart-shaped book recommendations. Each heart not only showcased their ratings for the book but also held a special place for summaries and favorite parts. From fantasy realms to mystery adventures, the diversity of genres reflected in these heart-shaped recommendations was surprising. It's great to see how our students bring their favorite reads to life through art. Not only did this craft unleash their creativity in the short time we had to create them, but it also sparked conversations about the books at the tables where they worked.

These heart-shaped book recommendations are now displayed at the front desk for everyone to read and enjoy. It's a visual celebration of the diverse tastes and interests of our reading community. Swing by the library, take a look at the hearts, and maybe discover a new book to fall in love with. Who knows, you might just find your next favorite read! 💖📖

Keep reading, keep creating, and keep spreading the love for books! 📚✨

Welcome!

Welcome to the Dallas Center - Grimes High School library blog! It's been quite the transition to get the former high school and Meadows 8th - 9th grade buildings combined into one 9-12 high school campus! Over the summer, the former Meadows library collection was moved to the new Oak View building, and the high school collection was moved into East Campus. We've come a long way since June!

Slowly over several months, the collection has made it onto the shelves while the space itself has been modified.

Much of the fiction collection lines the long wall of the library.

New signage helps direct students to their areas of interest.

A vinyl decal appears alongside the windows.

The circulation desk got a makeover with the help of vinyl as well.

Stay tuned for additional vinyl to personalize the space, as well as some different furniture arrangements to support student work and collaboration.