Feeling grateful to spend our nation’s birthday backpacking in what I consider to be its most beautiful location hands-down, Yosemite National Park.
Amanda McCoy
@illinimccoy.bsky.social
Redefining school librarianship by day; playing outside in the afternoons and summers; singing, acting, and dancing at night. Proud lifelong Midwesterner. she/her linktr.ee/illinimccoy
I say it often but once again: By granting them borrowing privileges and protecting their privacy, public libraries afford children a form of civic standing and respect that has few parallels in our “free” society, which mostly treats children as chattel. Vociferously defend public libraries. 📚
What a cool project allowing Ss to create a 3D representation of what is important to them!
Wendy Garland@wendygarland.bsky.social · 2mo agoOur model magic creations are complete. Like our country has monuments and symbols to represent it's story, we do too! Our "Footsteps to Freedom" community read is coming to a close #America250 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
I love the introspective work @wendygarland.bsky.social is doing with her students to celebrate America 250!
Wendy Garland@wendygarland.bsky.social · 2mo agoStudents are creating a landmark or symbol with model magic. This one looks just like the plan. (That doesn't always happen). Markers are next week! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
It's always great talking to Steve! This time we chat about a program I've been running for years, adjusting and adding to it each time. 📕😄📕 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Steve "It's TAY-tro" Tetreault@drtlovesbooks.bsky.social · 2mo agoAmanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social is back in ep. 81 of the #SLLNPodcast to share her Bookmark Contest & Community Connections! Get it on your favorite podcatcher (search SLLN), or here: sllnpodcast.libsyn.com/081-bookmark... #TLSky #SchoolLibrary #EduSky #SchoolLibrarians #TLSkyChat
Due to our new schedule this year I had library classes after all books were due (not my favorite). A coworker's great idea really helped, though! She uses some of the books that are constantly checked out in centers. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Current librarian conundrum: This book was new to us in September and hasn’t been on the shelf since. Now that it’s back I am SO unsure of where to shelve it. Video games doesn’t feel right. It almost seems like I should have a character guide section. Any thoughts? #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
With events and field trips, I had only one 5th grade class in our last rotation. This is a helpful class in general, so instead of the centers every other group was doing I compiled a list of library jobs. There were varying degrees of engagement, but some kids LOCKED IN! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
All Ss focused on America 250, our country’s big birthday in our library lessons last week! (Resources in 🧵) K/1 read and watched to learn more about our nation’s symbols, then made American symbols mini-books using a word bank (frankensteined by me from free resources). #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
PSA in favor of a full school library inventory every year: 1. It finds any books Ss may have “helpfully” put back on the shelves themselves. 1/ #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Our Kdg Ss created their own city when we used the excellent Cityscapes lessons by @carolynvibbert.bsky.social I 1000% underestimated the excitement this would generate! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries knowledgequest.aasl.org/lesson-spark...
It’s time for all library books to be turned in, which means Mrs. McCoy has prepped our poster raffle for 2nd-5th and sticker/eraser rewards for K/1. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSkyChat - LOVE these tips!
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoA8: In addition, do not be afraid to go on local FB groups and others to post for wants. Legos, board games, etc. usually someone is getting rid of them. Even something as simple as tissue boxes to stop the books from going back on the shelves. Trading works too! Use those connections. #TLSkyChat
Ooo, I like this delineation, Heather!
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoA4: I prioritize by high-demand "holds" and diverse voices. In the past I have used Titlewave titlewave.com to curate professional lists and Amazon amazon.com for public-facing needs. Sharing the wishlist on social media helps donors see the immediate impact. #TLSkyChat
A4: Ugh, these are so tricky! I feel like I can't put my "must-have-it ASAP" items on the list in the event they don't get funded, so I end up putting my "this-would-be-nice-to-have" selections on it. The thought of constantly updated fries my brain. #TLSkyChat
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoQ4: Shopping & wishlists are essential and how do you manage and prioritize them? Share your system! Reply with A4 👇 #tlskychat
A8: Be nosy! Ask colleagues where they got funding to accomplish their newest project. When someone shares about a windfall ask followup questions on their source. #TLSkyChat
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoQ8: What are your best “hustle” tips for finding grants, gifts & free resources or becoming better at it? Share your wisdom! Reply with A8 👇 #tlskychat
A2: TELL A STORY Talk about the time you went to pull a cheetah book for a kid and the cover was so old and dated they didn't want to check it out (despite being SO excited about cheetahs). Describe how this kid would respond to a beautiful brand-new, on-their-level cheetah book. #TLSky
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoQ2: What are your best tips for writing successful grants or donation proposals? Do you use AI and how? Share your ideas! Reply with A2 👇 #tlskychat
A1: Starting local is the way to go! As the school librarian, you often interact with the children of the people looking at the grant applications. Check if your PTO has any type of grant and see if your district has any type of foundation that might take applications. #TLSky
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo agoQ1: How do you find local, state, and national grants? Which ones bring the most success? Share your strategies! Reply with A1 👇 #tlskychat
Hi, y’all! I’m Amanda, an elementary teacher librarian in Kansas. 🌻 #TLSkyChat
Heather Turner@techielibgrl.com · 3mo ago🎤 Let’s kick off #TLSkyChat! 🎶✨ 💛 Drop your name, location & connection to libraries! Tag #TLSkyChat so we can connect! 🎉 📚 tlskychat.com I am Heather and I am one of your moderators tonight. Thanks to @simplyrain.bsky.social for writing our questions tonight!
All prepped and ready for our AAPI Heritage Month Read-In tomorrow! We have parents joining us this time (their Ss are so excited), which makes room assignments vary a bit more. I’ve included a post-it on the back of each book to help and recruited some student guides. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Adventures in a lower tech library! Kdg Ss perused our beginning reader career books. They wrote the name of a job and drew a tool that person might use in their work. (Mind you, not everyone was this successful, but the activity really clicked for some) #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Adventures in a lower tech library! Our district rolled out a new initiative this year to decrease screen time for our Ss (love it, 100% support it). I’ve been experimenting with ways to implement this in some of research lessons, especially K/1. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
It’s really happening, y’all! We are doing One Book, One School next year with Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by the wonderful @soontornvat.bsky.social I am can’t wait for all our students, families, and staff to experience this TOGETHER! 🎉🎉🎉
THIS is how you put students first, folks! 🎉
Steve "It's TAY-tro" Tetreault@drtlovesbooks.bsky.social · 3mo agoStudent privacy book covers. I wrap ‘em around holds. Idea came from a TXLA presentation (sorry - I deeply wish I could remember the specific sharer!). Here’s how it evolved in my library: Version 1: Piece of blank paper, kid’s name scrawled on it. #TLSky #EduSky #SchoolLibrarians #TLSkyChat 1/
It’s finally happening! I got word this morning that we have extra funds at the end of the year and we might be able to use them for a One Book, One School program next year, BUT we have to move fast. Told the principal “I’M ON IT!” #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
patrick star and spongebob squarepants are standing next to each other in a room with a picture on the wall .
ALT: patrick star and spongebob squarepants are standing next to each other in a room with a picture on the wall .
media.tenor.com
Just updated our podcast lesson for 2026 with a new entry in the “History” category - Forever Ago. I can’t wait to roll it out! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Amanda McCoy@illinimccoy.bsky.social · last yr.I'm prepping our podcast lesson for one of our final library classes. I've updated the choice board with a couple new podcasts - one of which features retellings of Greek myths. I think Ss are going to love it! 🧵 #TLSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibraries
Why, it’s the epically awesome librarian @simplyrain.bsky.social - empowering students to care for and improve their school library! 🌟 💪 📚 💪 🌟
Rain@simplyrain.bsky.social · 3mo agoIn our final week learning about illustration (and Mo Willems) in kindergarten, we tackled the photograph plus drawing style found in Knuffle Bunny. Ss had a great time with this technique, several chose to add the “hidden pigeon” we’d come to know and love. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
5th grade Ss tackle Kid Citizen episode “Snap a Photo: Agent of Change” after we introduced the concept of primary sources. They interact with so many excellent examples in this activity. Thank you @wendygarland.bsky.social for introducing us to this great resource! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Kdg Ss drew elephant and piggie along with Mo Willems to get to know him better as an illustrator and flex their own illustration muscles. We can learn so much about a character by challenging ourselves to draw them! #TLSky ##SchoolLibraries
