Celebrating Weekly Wins!

 

I am the librarian at a 9th Grade Center. At the high school level, the library focuses on supporting teachers by: 

• collaborating to integrate library resources and educational technology  

• curating resources to support and enhance the curriculum 

• co-teaching to support the implementation of resources and technology

• provide an alternate space for lessons that would benefit by having more space than the classroom

Students who submit a Weekly Win get an email from me congratulating them on the win they shared.  I've had students celebrating anything from finding a lost jacket to their success in preparing for an audition for the Central Texas Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CTPYO).

Friday is one of my favorites! Students are encouraged to share a "Weekly Win". I got this idea from Kristina Holzweiss who posts it each Friday to her Facebook group.  

Since I don't conduct weekly scheduled classes, my Library Canvas Course serves as a way to remain connected with students daily.

Each week I post the following:

• #BookTok 

• BrainTeaser 

• Did You Know..? 

• This or That 

• Weekly Win

Here are some of my email responses to students Weekly Wins:

These connections through sharing Weekly Wins go a long way in building positive relationships. I've even had teachers share their Weekly Wins! 

My "dirty secret" for crafting my Weekly Win response emails is ChatGPT. Here is the prompt I use:

Assume the role of a high school librarian. Each week students can share a Weekly Win. This is where students can share something they are proud of, that made them happy or feel successful that week. Write two brief email responses including a subject line, that would appeal to high school students, to this student about their Weekly Win: [insert Weekly Win here]. Use a tone and structure that would appeal to high school students. 

What are your go-to tips and tricks for building positive relationships with high school students?

25-26 UPDATE: A Tour Of My Library Canvas Course

 

Teacher Library Canvas Course Video Tour:

*Video made using Google Vids

Student Library Canvas Course Video Tour:

*Video made using Google Vids

How to use Canva with Canvas Blog Post

Canva Template Links Links:

• Teacher Tech Tuesday Announcement Slides
• Teacher Canvas Home Page
• Student Canvas Home Page
• 25-26 Brain Teasers Announcement Slides
• 25-26 This or That/Would You Rather Announcement Slides
• 25-26 SWVBC What We Are Reading
• 25-26 Did You Know Announcement Slides
• 25-26 #BookTok Announcement Slides

Beauty and the Beast: Librarian and the Chromebook Adaptation

 

For better or worse, many school librarians (Beauty) have been saddled with Chromebook (Beast) management. We are too smart, however, to succumb to Stockholm Syndrome, so we try to find ways to best manage a less than ideal situation.

Yes. It would be better to not have the Beast around at all, but, in many districts, the librarian taking care of Chromebook management is the only thing that keeps library funding in place.

While I do not have all the answers, I have developed a system that has tamed the beast to a certain degree.

First, I let my admin know that my duties as a librarian come before Chromebooks. This is how I ensure I can still collaborate with teachers, support educational technology integration, teach classes, take care of library management tasks, be open for MakerSpace time, etc.

Second, I established a protocol for how Chromebook issues are addressed:

• Students NEVER come to the library if they have a Chromebook issue. This is to minimize the loss of instructional time and to ensure student safety by cutting down on students out in the hallways.

• Students must complete a Chromebook Help Ticket (Google Form).  Although we use a great Chromebook ticketing software system, I still use the spreadsheet from the Google Form to record and track all of the information related to the Chromebooks in need of repair. For me, it's easier to search using a spreadsheet rather than a software program.

• I deliver loaner Chromebooks to the student's class and take up the damaged Chromebook when available.

If a teacher "forgets" and sends a student to the library for Chromebook Help, I send the student back to class and send a template email I have ready to go to the teacher. (see image)

Third, I added a Chromebook Information section to the Library Canvas Course.

Fourth, I printed Chromebook Help flyers and distributed them to all classroom teachers, front office staff, and counselors to hang in their areas for easy student access.

Template Link

I am incredibly fortunate to work in a district where the librarians are valued as librarians and not just Chromebook wranglers. My school administrators and teachers are supportive and, for the most part, help to support the established Chromebook protocol.

This week, however, I had to "revisit" the need for a library aide. You can read a copy of the email sent to the school admin, my district library admin, and the district tech director HERE.

What are some tips & tricks that have worked for you?

The Making of a 9th Grade Makerspace

Recently I shared in the Future Ready Librarians Facebook group about my 31-year journey in education and how, despite having Makerspaces with all the fancy gadgets in the past, I'm loving the simplicity of my Makerspace this year – and the kids are loving it too!

What I'm Working With:

• 9th Grade Center

• 8 periods (45-50 minute classes)

• No scheduled weekly classes (like the EL & MS)

• 30-minute lunch waves

• Morning Madness 

• 8:25 when the doors to the school open

• 8:55 when the bell for 1st period rings

• Expectation for bell-to-bell instruction

• Principal's directive: Do not send students to the library during class time unless they are checking out a book

• Chromebook Help contact person

• minor troubleshooting

• entering work order tickets into the queue 

• organizing and documenting Chromebooks that have been processed for repairs

• returning repaired Chromebooks

As you can see, I have very limited time to interact with students face-to-face. This means I need to have quick, self-explanatory maker items and places to store projects that take longer to complete. 

It's important to know that everything doesn't need to be structured in your Makerspace. Even if I introduce a makerspace activity doesn't mean the kids can't come to the Makerspace if they do not want to do the featured activity. I offer opportunities and ideas but always let the kids be free-range maker kids.

Creating the Makerspace:

• Designate an area
• My area is behind one-half of the circulation desk

• Making a plan
• Matching Makerspace activities with monthly NGC LitBox Themes & holidays

• Decide storage options that make materials easily accessible
• I use the drawers and cabinets in the circulation desk
• I recently added a bookshelf

• Know your school/students
• 1:1 Chromebooks
• Students want physical activities over digital activities
• Students who like digital activities bring their Nintendo Switch devices to school and play with them elsewhere in the library
• Students who want to watch videos can watch on their phones

• Abandon plan if needed
• lack of student interest

• Ask and listen to your students

Where I Started:

• Basic materials
• Puzzles
• Coloring pages
• Glue
• Stamp pads
• Button Maker
• Jenga
• Klutz Sew Mini Treats Craft Kit
• SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box
• Rubik's Cubes
• Japanese Zen Sand Garden
• Buddha Board
• "Making" supplies
• Austin Creative Reuse
• Yarn
• String
• Ribbon
• Material
• Scraps
• Quilt squares
• 12x12 Craft Paper
• Scissors 
• Regular scissors
• School Smart Paper Edger Scissors
• Stamps
• Paints
• Paint brushes
• Misc. items I thought kids could use to create

Examples of Themed Projects & Supplies:

• Hispanic Heritage Month
• DIY Amate Art Directions
• Mulberry Craft Paper
• Paint Set w/Brushes

• Holiday Ornaments
• Paint
• Popsicle Sticks

• Valentine's Day 
• Love Monsters
• 60 Pcs Faux Fur Pom Pom for Hats
• FEBSNOW 200 Pieces Wiggle Eyes Self Adhesive Black White Googly Eyes for DIY Crafts Decoration (20mm)
• Cricut:
• Cut out hearts and "monster feet"

Signage Examples:

What The Kids Are Currently Asking For:

• Bracelet making supplies

• Cross Stitch
• Cute Kawaii Cross Stitch: Over 400 super adorable patterns
• 100 Mini Cross Stitch Patterns: 100 Motifs for Quick Projects and Ornaments
• Similane 6 Pieces Aida Cloth 14 Count Cross Stitch Fabric, White, 12 by 18-Inch
• Paxcoo 124 Skeins Embroidery Floss Cross Stitch Thread with Needles
• Caydo 12 Pieces 3 Inch Wooden Round Embroidery Hoops Adjustable Bamboo Circle Cross Stitch Hoop Ring Bulk for Home Ornaments, Art Craft Handy Sewing
• Cats 5 Stamped Cross Stitch Kits for Kids.Needlepoint Kits for Beginners. Embroidery Kit for Kids. Crossstitch Kit for Beginners and Girls (Cats)
• 5 Stamped Cross Stitch Kits for Kids.Needlepoint Kits for Beginners. Embroidery Kit for Kids, Girls Cross Stitch kit (Dogs)
• 5 Stamped Superhero Cross Stitch Beginner Projects for Kids Needlepoint Starter kit Sewing Set for Backpack Charms

• Crochet Kits & Hooks (not purchased yet)

Where I Get My Ideas:

• Social Media
• TikTok
• Andrea Keller: @akbusybee
• Halloween Thrift Ghosts #1
• Halloween Thrift Ghosts #2

• Facebook
• Future Ready Librarians

Past Presentation about MakerSpaces (with lots of ideas!):

What Questions Do You Have?