Fellow New Jerseyan Meredith and I randomly crossed paths on Bluesky, and I'm glad we did! Meredith's lesson is great, and our conversation blew my mind in about five different dimensions. Guest: Meredith Butts, Library and Information Scientist Grade(s) Taught: 5, 6, 7, 8 Resources: Information Organization Lesson: https://edushare.ing/organizinginformationbymeredithb Add’l Links: https://edushare.ing/deweychallengefororganizinginformationactivitybymeredithb Book Break: Ways of Attending: How o...
Apr 07, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Sarah joins us all the way from Mumbai, India! And she brings some great ideas for building reading culture with active and engaged students. Guest: Sarah Ducharme, Head of Secondary Library Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Resources: Creating a Culture of Reading: Booktalks & more Lesson: Various activities: https://oberoi-is.libguides.com/OGC-Secondary/OISReads Book Break: Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay Where to find Head of Secondary Library: Website: https://trycuriosity.b...
Mar 31, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 51
When I saw Bernadette's post on Bluesky featuring a video of her students serving as bowling alley bumpers, I had to know more! I'm so glad Bernadette was willing to share about this hands-on learning activity she does with her students to teach about, and then reinforce, library materials organization. Guest: Bernadette Roche Grade(s) Taught: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Resources: Biography Bowling video: https://bsky.app/profile/must-luv-books.bsky.social/post/3ljbtd4k43c24 Book Break: We Are Definite...
Mar 17, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 50
My new friend Rachael Welsh shared a great idea on Bluesky, and I had to learn more! Thanks to her generosity, we can now all learn along with her and her students as she shares her interactive history lesson. Guest: Rachael Welsh Grade(s) Taught: 5, 6 Resources: Interactive History Lesson: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGVAMqSWxc/vUSYg5HVNeki2Ys0pMIWQw/view?utm_content=DAGVAMqSWxc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h8254712e03 Add’l Links: htt...
Mar 03, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 49
First-year school libarian Gwen and I stumbled across each other on Bluesky, and I'm glad we did! We had a great time chatting about being new school librarians, and Gwen shared some of her methods for engaging her students with the library space. Guest: Gwen Blumberg Grade(s) Taught: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Resources: Strengthening Library Skills to Increase Independence & Engagement Lesson: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BwfwPZq5MHZVsokxd2L1_TbUMEg2CquA3VjULCuMcbk/edit?usp=sharing A...
Feb 24, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 48
I had heard Christina discussing her passion for getting publishers to focus on books for our 12-15 year olds on Amy Hermon's School Librarians United podcast, and was completely on board with her message. Months later, I happened to come across Christina on Bluesky, where we were able to connect and share some ideas. And now she's here to share some of those ideas with you, too! Guest: Christina Chatel Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8 Resources: Troybery Author Blitz Lesson: https://troymiddleschoolmed...
Feb 03, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 47
This episode was originally recorded for the second season of School Library Connection's "One Lesson at a Time" podcast. Ryan has so many great ideas on collaborating with teachers and bringing writing into the library to complement the reading and reasearch students do. Here he shares how he teaches students how to use research skills to add depth to their creative writing! View Ryan's lesson plan, catch the original version of the episode, and even get a PD certificate! Follow the link: https...
Jan 20, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 46
My friend Mike is back to chat about our different strategies for finding our next reads and keeping track of our TBR lists!
Jan 13, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Lindsey is a new friend I made on Bluesky. After years as a school librarian, she moved into school library administration. While our conversation isn't about a specific activity, Lindsey shares some great ideas for making our school libraries and resources more readily available; because it doesn't matter how great our libraries are if no one is using them! Guest: Lindsey Kimery Grade(s) Taught: 6th-8th for 20 years; K-12 for 5 years Resources: Removing Barriers to Access document: https://docs...
Jan 06, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 44
This episode was originally recorded for the second season of School Library Connection's "One Lesson at a Time" podcast. Barbara Johnson blew me away with this amazing program that encourages student engagement and increases their technological literacy. It is also a great opportunity to highlight the many ways school libraries support students beyond books - which can be some great PR and library advocacy! View Barbara's lesson plan, catch the original version of the episode, and even get a PD...
Dec 30, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 43
This episode was originally recorded for the second season of School Library Connection's "One Lesson at a Time" podcast. The always-amazing Melissa Thom was kind enough to share her lesson plan for a student podcasting lesson. This lesson engages students with research and offers them creativity in presenting their findings. View Melissa's lesson plan, catch the original version of the episode, and even get a PD certificate! Follow the link: https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Article/2...
Dec 23, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Texan-by-way-of-the-Pacific-Northwest Heather is a Library Coordinator for a 52-school district, after having moved over to admin from the library. She now supports the school librarians in her district through a variety of means, several of which focus on the librarians' self-collected data. They use the data for quarterly reports. Unlike so much of the data collected in schools, Heather's school librarians are able to use this data to improve their practice and their students' experiences. Tak...
Dec 16, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 41
I made a new friend, and she is awesome! Illinois school librarian Jennifer Fox Eberle shared some pictures of an amazing "Library of Things" program and a super-cool cardboard haunted house activity her students did. When we started chatting, she mentioned an AMAZING program she does that kinda blew my mind. And she was kind enough to come share it with everyone! Guest: Jennifer Eberle Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8 Resources: Writer's Week Staff Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Ryan and I first chatted a while back on the One Lesson at a Time podcast (which will be a Throwback episode here in the near future), and I was immediately struck by how Ryan managed to connect writing with the school library. In this episode, Ryan shares more suggestions to help school librarians support student writing. Guest: Ryan Bani Tahmaseb Grade(s) Taught: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Book Break: THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL by Drew Beckmeyer MAX & THE MIDKNIGHTS by Lincoln Pei...
Dec 02, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 39
I had seen the amazing things Andrea was doing with her students online, and when I first met her in person at TXLA in April 2024, I was absolutely blown away by her energy and enthusiasm. I'm excited to have her share with us some important ideas for working with ALL our students! Guest: Andrea Keller Grade(s) Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12 Resources: Add’l Links: https://beeinthebookends.blogspot.com/ Book Break: Author Karen McManus The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Naye...
Nov 25, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 38
This week, we're doing something a little different. I'm chatting with a life-long friend who is not a school librarian, nor is he an educator. I think it's always a good idea to get some outside perspectives, and I feel this conversation does a great job showing why that outside perspective can be so important. I hope you enjoy and take from this episode as much as I did!
Nov 18, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 37
While we've had a "previously recorded" episode with the amazing K.C. Boyd, we have the Boss Librarian herself back with a new program to share! While looking to her copy of Kristina Holzweiss's DEMCO School Librarian Planner, K.C. was inspired by Gratitude Month. She marshalled her Maker Club to create items for the staff and teachers across her school, something that has become an annual event. Listen to K.C.'s tips and suggestions on how you can have your students engaging with entrepreneursh...
Nov 11, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 36
This episode was originally recorded for the second season of School Library Connection's "One Lesson at a Time" podcast. I listen to quite a few podcasts, but I hadn't heard of Smash Boom Best before LaDawna Harrington, a recently retired school librarian from New Jersey, introduced me to it. Now I'm hooked! And you'll be hooked on this month's One Lesson at a Time episode, where LaDawna talks to us about how she used this energetic, fun podcast as a template for a lesson that gets students exc...
Nov 04, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 35
I first met Andrea at our state school librarian conference. She was wearing rainbow colored sneakers, and I had to compliment her on them. We struck up a conversation, and became fast friends. Andrea is a school librarian passionate about providing her students a safe, welcoming space and making sure they feel connected and respected. This lesson is just one of the ways she helps bring that message to all of her students! Guest: Andrea Caporale, aka Mrs C, Library Media Specialist Grade(s) Taug...
Oct 21, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 34
**This episode was originally recorded for the second season of School Library Connection's "One Lesson at a Time" podcast.** I have been fortunate enough to know K.C. for several years now, and she is always doing amazing things with her students - and this lesson is no exception! View K.C.'s lesson plan, catch the original version of the episode, and even get a PD certificate! Follow the link: https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Article/2291201...
Oct 14, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Ashley is one of my first stops when I am trying to expand my knowledge of manga, and I was very excited when she shared out this lesson on social media. She is also one of the authors of a book for educators on incorporating manga into schools! This lesson has my brain buzzing with all the possibilities - I hope you enjoy learning about it! Guest: Ashley Hawkins Grade(s) Taught: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3K/PreK Resources : Lesson Plan: Manga & Comic Con Project Based Learning Lesson: https://manga...
Oct 12, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Friends, I may have earned a doctorate, but Dr. Andrea Trudeau EARNED her doctorate! In addition to all her coursework, she's published several studies on her area of interest, virtual and augmented reality and its effects on students. She is an amazing resource, and I'm so glad she offered to share with us! Guest: Dr. Andrea Trudeau Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8 Resources: “Stories of Displacement: Promoting Empathy and Understanding Through VR and Text” Resources: https://padlet.com/andrea_trudeau/...
Oct 07, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 32
I was fortunate enough to work with Wendy on the AASL Member Engagement Committee. There, I learned she is a dedicated, hard-working individual who gets stuff done. And on top of that, she does amazing things for her students! Check out her materials on getting an origami program going in her library! Guest: Wendy Garland, Librarian Grade(s) Taught: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Resources: “Origami in the Library” Lesson: https://listenconnectempower.blogspot.com/2024/09/origami-in-our-library.html Book Brea...
Sep 30, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Tim Smyth is a school-librarian-by-association. We've known each other since I met him at a school librarian conference where Tim was presenting on the importance of having comics and graphic novels in classrooms and school libraries. He and I are definintely on the same page! Here, Tim shares a lesson that is near and dear to his heart, and his work as an educator. Guest: Tim Smyth, educator and Eisner award nominated author Grade(s) Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12 Resources: Comics as Artifacts Lesson: ...
Sep 16, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Tennessee school librarian Katie Capshaw is one of those people who feels like a friend after you've just met. She's here to share how she introduces her 8th graders to AI. This lesson has lots of adaptability, and could easily spin off some additional lessons. Settle in and enjoy the final episode of Season 1! Guest: Katie Capshaw Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8 Resources: Introduction to Ai Lesson: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/lesson/what-is-ai Add’l Links: https://school...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 28
It's me again! In the penultimate episode of Season 1, I'm sharing a lesson on information literacy that helped my students start to wrap their minds around two key concepts when it comes to considering any information: Context and Perspective. Guest: Steve Tetreault Grade(s) Taught: 7-8 Resources: Information Literacy & Reliable Sources Lesson: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TDCqafzR9uZ-y3n3y9n98vUwMQcSbbvKrCrANtp1evs/edit#slide=id.p All the Argument & Debate lessons & mate...
Jun 10, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Your intrepid host shares a lesson he's found helpful in preparing students (and teachers) to do better research in less time. Guest: Steve Tetreault Grade(s) Taught: 7-8, 9-12 Resources: Planning & Visualizing Lesson: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NBBdpOoktZ66HbodRXfpWF5WaHzuWaWEz7zQb4OJi40/edit#slide=id.p Add’l Links: See all the lessons for my "secret info lit" class here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LF4D4Gpf_jSzDuyIzi1fX5MwTb_glMNo?usp=drive_link Book Break: Fifty-F...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Virginia school librarian Maura Madigan has taken the idea of reading to pets to a whole new level as a way to support her school's literacy efforts. Guest: Maura Magigan Grade(s) Taught: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Resources: Reading Rescue Pet Adoption Program Lesson: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MidinPgjzMl25QmKJwlwA-jDjxWYv47G?usp=sharing Book Break: The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard Casa Paloma Retreat Where to find Maura: Handle: @mauramadigan7 (X and Bluesky) https://alastore.ala.org/conten...
May 27, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Melissa Corey shares so much of her work and so many ideas - and here she's sharing an amazing exhibit, along with ideas for her process of creating museum-like exhibits in her library! Guest: Melissa Corey Grade(s) Taught: 6, 7, 8 Resources: Holocaust Memorial Exhibit Lesson: https://fb.watch/rXxGavabSy/ Book Break: Free Lunch by Rex Ogle - My goal is to meet Rex Ogle so I can tell him in person how much our students appreciate his books! Where to find Melissa Corey: Website: https://linktr.ee/...
May 20, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I was fortunate enough to befriend Todd online, and his energy and enthusiasm were always a ray of sunshine on my day! Here, the 2016 SLJ School Librarian of the Year shares a great lesson that ticks so many boxes! While Todd does this with his upper elementary students, this could easily become a great lesson for upper grades as well! Guest: Todd Burleson, School Librarian Grade(s) Taught: 5, 6 Resources: Bookprints: An Exploration of Our Reading Journey Lesson: https://drive.google.com/drive/f...
May 13, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 23
