Unstuff Your Library

Taking the stuffiness out of the library since 2006! I strive to bring brightness to the space and create a robust learning environment for my students.  Follow me on Twitter!  @lookitup1514

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Check out this amazing First Day of School gift from @loveandgriefandwonder! #missnelsonismissing #violaswamp

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New blog post about research tools and other fun stuff!

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Sometimes I write things.

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What Would They Read?: Parks and Recreation - The Hub

Those of you familiar with the lives of the employees of the Pawnee Parks Department know how they feel about the Pawnee Public Library. The…

Treat yo’ self to this brilliant site!  Leslie Knope reading Frankie Landau-Banks?  The best match ever!  I can’t wait to do this in the library with student ideas!  Also, make sure to check out Part II of the list where the author kills it with the choice of Tom Haverford reading So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld.  

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Reading Conferences vs. O.J. Simpson

About every other month I meet with students in my school to talk to them about their reading habits - specifically for independent reading.  Instead of meeting with their English teachers, students meet with me to build yet another relationship around books and reading.  I’m a pretty big fan of these conferences.  It is quite time consuming, but it is a great way to hold rich conversations about reading, recommend books, and get to know the students on an individual basis.  

Students each set their own goals in order to work on their reading habits.  Sometimes the students meet the goals.  Sometimes they don’t.  But they are usually extremely reflective (and honest!) about their habits.

Yesterday I was talking to a seventh grade boy about his reading habits.  This is verbatim our convo.  Because I wrote it all down as soon as he left because I thought it was so hilarious.  “I’m sorry, Ms. Nelson, no offense, but I just don’t have time to read.  I mean, I can never read on Tuesdays because I have a big night of shows.  I can’t miss The People vs. OJ Simpson.  Do you watch it?  I think you’d really like it.  Unless you’d rather be reading, I guess.” 

Verdict?  The boy is going to try and complete two outside reading books per month, and I agreed to watch the show on Hulu so we can talk about it in the future.

Case dismissed. 

[unstuffyourlibrary]

Hamilton the Valentines

So I just bought these.  I HAD to.  

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1107272350?campaign_label=transaction_buyer_notification&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=transaction_buyer_notification_010170_10529880387_0_0&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1453727538&euid=bZn57FBjKfXPC5lqJjM4kZF5BavZ&eaid=78902640&x_eaid=dcfdbc5bd8

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Pen Pals

My student book club is reading the book I Will Always Write Back and were hoping to find student pen pals in another country.  Does anyone have contact with a school in a different country that some students could connect with?  

[unstuffyourlibrary]

Teacher/Student Book Clubs

Thanks to a new reading initiative at our building this year, reading has been pushed to the forefront.  One thing we are doing to promote a reading culture is the debut of teacher/student book clubs.  We have our principal, teacher associates, and teachers leading groups from our top twenty books of the year. They are giving up their lunch/prep in order to do so.  Students signed up and come up to the library during lunch.  It has been so fun so far!  And I have the best colleagues.  Not only are they giving up lunch, they are going above and beyond to make great reading experiences for students.  I have loved organizing such a successful experience!

Here is the group that is reading Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.  The two science teachers leading the group set up a “base camp” in the courtyard.  They plan on reading in the tent every week.  LOVE IT.

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Goodbye, Professor

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Article I'm featured in!

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The sign outside my public library.

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My new advent calendar straight from the Bodleian Library!

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Post-it gem found in an infrequently checked out library book. #narwhal #wheresthehorn #bookfinds

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We will not rest until we’ve covered ALL of the actors who appeared on “Seinfeld” and “Hey Dude”.

Christine Taylor is the other one.

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Yessss

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Where did I find this picture?  I’m not sure, but I AM SURE that I will need to utilize this image in some sort of presentation soon.  And I’m pretty sure my library (personal library, not at the middle school)  needs this book for its collection.  

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My students are obsessed with scratch and sniff bookmarks.  And because it’s freaking adorable to see thirteen year olds excited about such a little thing, I have stocked up on all the scents possible.  These new mac and cheese ones just came in.  And they are THE WORST smelling of the whole collection.  Worse than even the worms and dirt option.  To put it in more perspective, I’d almost rather smell axe body spray.  You’ve been warned....

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There is a renewed focus to bolster the reading culture of our school this year, and I have been trying to support this in a variety of ways.  One newer thing:  Taking a cue from the “By the Book” feature in The New York Times, each week a different faculty member will be asked some random questions about books and reading.  I then compile the answers and print out a poster for the hallways and include a digital copy for the announcement TVs. Here’s an example.  Stay tuned for more exciting stories about building a reading culture at my middle school!