Not a good Blogger.

Why is it so hard to keep up with my social network. I started with this blog as a way to keep track of what I am doing in the library and get ideas from others. Seems I am only blogging at the end of school vacations when I am facing a new semester. I really need to get better at this.

What is a school librarian?

It is almost the end of my winter break and I am preparing for the spring semester.  These preparations have me reviewing what I have done so far.  I tend to do a lot of reminiscing this time of year.  Another thing that has me thinking is that I ran into a former student this afternoon.  Even though it has been a little over four years since I've seen her she needed my help. 

All this leads me to a set of questions I often find myself answering for myself and trying to explain to others; "What is a school librarian?"  "What does a school librarian do?"  "How would you describe a school librarian?"

What is a school librarian:  We are teachers, book peddlers, multi-taskers, technical support, protectors of freedom, friends, cheerleaders, presenters, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, someone to share a laugh with, and a general problem solvers.

What does a school librarian do:  We collaborate with and assist teachers with lessons, resources, and research.  We help students reach their potential, become literate citizens, learn to share, become creative, discover who they are, and on occasions learn a new talent.

How would you describe a school librarian:  A passionate, caring, creative individual who is always seeking to become a more knowledgeable person in order to better serve their community.  We are young, old, tall, short, conservative, and sometimes a little edgy.

I did not set out in life to become a librarian...I wanted to be a Rock Star.  Little did I know that the satisfaction I desired would be found in a career that is ever changing and often misunderstood.  After helping a teacher or student I often feel like a super hero.  Silly I know, but there is something gratifying about helping someone.

By the way.  I was able to help my former student with the help of another librarian.... ;)

So...what is your definition of a school librarian?

Knitting a Following

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be knitting I would have laughed at you.  If you then told me I would be knitting with students and other teachers I would have said you were crazy.  Yet, here I am knitting, teaching knitting, and hunting for more yarn.

In an earlier post I talked about loom knitting, which is the way I started.  Since then I have learned to knit ruffled scarves (thanks to a friend and fellow knitting junkie).  The move from the loom to the needles was very natural and satisfying.  As a crafter I am always looking for new ways to express myself.  As a teacher librarian I am always looking for new ways to connect to students.  The looms were/ are a great way to get students started with knitting, but using needles for knitting will be cheaper and more convenient.
   
It still amazes me how many students, boys and girls, that knit or want to learn to knit.  There is also something very calming about working with the yarn and the rhythm of the stitches.  For middle school students having a way to relax and unwind at school is valuable. 

My goal for this spring is to work with students to write curriculum that can be used by other students and teachers beyond our school to learn knitting.  I plan to use Cat Bordhi's books and web site as a guide.  Wouldn't it be nice to have students working together and talking while doing something constructive.  Students spend so much time focused on technology and media that they need time to have conversations with another person.  I have found that knitting and crocheting is the perfect opportunity to bring a variety of people together and conversations just naturally flow.

The bonus for our community has been handmade hats and scarves that are donated to refugees and the homeless.  As well as, our students having a skill that they can enjoy and be proud of for the rest of their lives.  We have also found it is a good way to connect generations and cultures.

So, if you are looking for a way to connect with young people find some yarn, a loom, knitting needles or a crochet hook and start creating.  Knitting and crocheting attracts attention without requiring you to put in a lot of effort.  Teens love to learn and to share what the know.  It is a win win for everyone (just make sure your library has enough craft books for students to check out).

 

Looking Forward

Last winter in Nebraska was mild; so, of course this year there are lots of cold days and snow.  I find that I want to spend more time curled up with a book and a cup of hot tea.  However, now that the first week of winter break is over I better start lesson planning for the second semester.  I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate on a Civil War historical fiction literature circle project.
I am hoping to help students connect with history through the stories they read.  Now I just have to figure out how to make the magic happen!

One of the projects I do with students is loom knitting.  Students are able to knit before school, during their lunch break, and after school.  Students use it as a way to relax, connect with others, and give back to the community.  I started loom knitting last year after being taught by a friends 10yr old daughter.  Our students make hats and scarves for people in need then they can make something for themselves or a family member.

 Knitting is a wonderful way to connect with students and get them to open up.  It is also a skill that can be used to calm children who struggle with their behavior and to help students with special needs connect with their peers.  Knitting and crocheting is also a wonderful way to connect generations and cultures.

    Amazingly, I have found that the boys in my school enjoy knitting as much or maybe even more then the girls.  The boys are very good at focusing on the patterns and tension of the stitches.  Some of the young men have even taught our older male teachers and administrators.  This even included a student who struggled to meet regular classroom behavior expectations teaching our principal and athletic director to make a hat for a baby.

The popularity of this craft is such that I am fortunate to work on it with two other teachers.  We have been requested to teach classes and have been working on curriculum that includes knitting.  There are several curriculum correlations including math, social studies, and reading.  Working with yarn can also be a great stress reliever for students and staff after standardized testing.

This weekend I have been working on some new designs to teach the students.  These new designs include using two pieces of yarn at one time and making cowls.  The best thing about working with yarn is that if you mess up you can start over without any loss of materials.  As happened this weekend when I made one cowl to short and wide.  It is a great lesson in making errors and beginning again.

The above pictures are from websites I have used for patterns and instructions:  http://dayliliescreative.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/learn-along-1-casting-on-learning-loom-knitting/

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/loomed-patterns.html

You can find more on my Pintrest site:
http://pinterest.com/kellylibrarian/

It has been awhile since my last post.  I have been working on several things including opening the library for the school year.  My school district libraries now has LibGuides which is an awesome program for creating web content.  I have had one author visit so far this year and have three more scheduled over the next couple of months and I am collaborating with two teachers on Service Learning projects for our students.  I wanted to revamp my library program and I have done just that.  It hasn't gone as smoothly as I would have liked, but I think the changes/ updates have been good.  I best thing is that it has given me a new enthusiasm about school.

For some crafting projects check my pintrest page at

http://pinterest.com/kellylibrarian/

     The last week was very busy.  Since we will have to close the library for three weeks for testing (more about that later) the Reading teachers and I decided to get as many of our students into the library for check out time as possible.  In three days we had over 350 students in the library for book check out.  It was a lot of fun.

     At the beginning of the week I changed over two of the library displays for Spring/ April.  I am very excited about my Lorax inspired display which includes books about the outdoors, gardening, and of course recycling.  I included both non-fiction and fiction since I wanted a variety to interest all students.  Seeing the movie and an early spring in my area inspired me.

 

 

     I used feather boas for the "Truffala" trees; I think the feathers give the trees the texture and dimension that they had in the book.  Next I painted the Lorax characters on white construction paper.  Once the paint was dry we laminated them to bring out the vibrant colors.  The grass and stream were made out of plastic table clothes.
     The students' love the colors and having different books on display.  I think this display may take me to the end of the year.