We've been out of school today to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Last week in my library, we read one of the nominees on the Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award list. It was a heart-breaking topic, but a good story for students to know and talk about. If you haven't read it, grab a copy. (The author is Michael S. Bandy.) At this hour, the evening news is taunting us with....the possibility of a snow day! What is it that makes the possibility of a snow day so exciting -- whether you're 5 or... well, a WHOLE lot older than 5?? My mother-in-law from upper Michigan is visiting -- AND scoffing at our snow possibility! Her comment... "You get out of school FOR THAT MUCH?!" (Er, or that little.) Yes. Yes, we do. ;) (Love you, Marjorie!) I've been under the weather for a few weeks, so I'm especially praying in the "please let's stay home" direction! I would love to shake this before I head back again, but we'll see! The little graphic below was inspired by ... Keep Reading...

I've done a pretty scary thing this week. I've asked for honest feedback from 4th graders about my new library media program! This year I've begun a radical (well, for me) new library program with a private theme of -- "How about I TALK AT you less... and you TALK TO each other and DO more."  (Cue the Frozen theme..."Let it go, let it go..." It's a cute song, but hard to do.) After about 30-something years of being a teacher/library media specialist, I've had the pleasure of reinventing myself several times over. It's good -- keeps my practice fresh! I'll admit, this new approach has not been without growing pains, but, it has filled my library with a new sense of wonder, discovery -- and okay, yes -- NOISE!  Lots of happy, excited, fussy, collaborative, team-building noise! My new program merges Arkansas library media frameworks with our new computer science frameworks, while sprinkling in a healthy dose of makerspace! Oh yes, it has been a hot mess somedays, but the feedback is ... Keep Reading...

On the long list of things that I'm thankful for, as a teacher/librarian, GO NOODLE is pretty close to the top! It's a database of little 2-3 minute exercise routines, and they are great for stretching, making some purposeful noise, and getting the wiggles under control with my K-1 library classes. (Plus, leading Go Noodle adds to my Fitbit count, so hey -- there you go!) Right now, I think the kids' favorites are "Run the Red Carpet," ANYTHING "Moose on the Loose" Wobbly Man, and PopSeeKo. If you are an Arkansas teacher, Arkansas Children's Hospital has blessed us by providing a premium subscription! (THANK YOU!) Honestly, if you haven't tried it, you're missing out! Kids can't sit all day -- and neither can we. Get up and "Go Noodle" -- you'll love it!   ... Keep Reading...

Why am I up past midnight on a school night? Santa Brought Me an Instant Pot! AND... I've been going through a new cookbook. Yawn... on a happy note, I know what we're having for dinner tomorrow tonight. Zzzzz.... #lovestreganona #mynewinstantpot   ... Keep Reading...

Oh, how I love my Kindle app! I'm so excited about JoJo Moyes' new book, Still Me. (This is #3 in the Me Before You series.) It's coming out on January 30, 2018, and I've already put in my request for a snow day. (Let's go, weatherman! I've got my ice cubes, backward pjs, and spoon all ready to go!) The reviews tell me that our dear main character, Louisa Clark, is starting to feel like her old cheerful, quirky self again in book 3... and I am so ready to visit this old friend. So, my pre-order is done... now, all I need is the snow day! Isn't it fun to have something to look forward to?!     ... Keep Reading...