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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 2d

Sorry, Rain, but...

a woman in a police uniform is screaming at a man in a police uniform .

ALT: a woman in a police uniform is screaming at a man in a police uniform .

media.tenor.com

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 2d

The entire “No, David!” series has been a HOT commodity in 1st grade this year. Upon seeing they were all checked out today, one student grabbed this and announced to the class they were checking out the book with “David’s girlfriend!”
🤣🤣🤣

#TLSky #SchoolLibraries

The book Alice the Fairy by David Shannon

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks to @simplyrain.bsky.social for the reminder to add time & date and repost!

I cannot wait to meet you in person at @aaslala.bsky.social 💜

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 2d

I just put the finishing touches on a scope & sequence to bring together the slides, worksheets, printables, and links for the FOURTEEN storytelling lessons I'm sharing at my session at #AASL25. I truly hope you'll join me on Friday as we talk student author goodness!

#TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 5d

What She Said Tracey Matney GIF

ALT: What She Said Tracey Matney GIF

media.tenor.com

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 5d

I LOVE the “caption” option that you gave your Ss! This is much less intimidating for some than “write one fact about…”. They are still showing the knowledge they gained by describing a picture they’ve made.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 18d

This is our second and final weekend of shows for Next to Normal. I am incredibly proud of the work we've all put in and feel confident this is the best thing I've ever done on stage. 💜

www.theatrelawrence.com
(There's a cool video on the theatre website's front page too!)

A man and woman pick up sandwiches made on the floor

A woman sits on a table pouring pill bottles into the trash

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 20d

You bet!
Welcome @alexadoom.bsky.social !

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 21d

Ooo, this is a GREAT project for an MLS student to take on! Thank you for the idea; I have one coming later this year.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 27d

Thanks @mrtomrad.bsky.social for sharing this fantastic idea!

In our elementary library space it took the form of each student writing or drawing something they like to read on a brick to build our “lego” display. Kids are so excited to search and show their contribution to others!

Colorful bricks decorate an elementary library circulation desk.

Colorful bricks decorate an elementary library circulation desk (2nd angle).

A close-up of bricks with pictures of elephant & piggie and words like Hermione Granger and Wimpy Kid.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 28d

I find my Ss to be SO visual that we display face-out books everywhere we possibly can. The number of exclamations of "I didn't know we had this book!" that happen when we simply rotate displays is ridiculous. 😂

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 28d

I hear you on finding the right display method for your particular elementary population. It can take some trial and error and it always helps to listen to what they CAN'T find that they want to.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 28d

Yes! The pictures are of my library. The only way we were able to make space was some heavy weeding - just shy of 3000 books in my first two years here.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 15

Cool cool. Thank you for sharing your thinking and process. It is incredibly helpful for other librarians to see!

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 15

This is so attractive and well organized to match the way kids search; great work!

If you have the space, I really like keeping the baskets on the bottom shelves so Ss can pull them and filling the top shelves with face outs.
#SchoolLibraries #TLSky

Library shelves with early nonfiction books organized by topic in clear bins on the bottom two shelves, face out books on the top three shelves.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 15

Epic performance in a career full of bangers. She. does. not. miss.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

Thank you; we're pretty darn happy with how it turned out!

Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A8: This graphic novel series is not the newest, but it has been THE hot ticket this school year!

#TLSkyChat

Book Cover of 5 Worlds graphic novel: Book 1

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A7: I go very old school with a medium sz blank notebook. I make a to-do list every week, checking things off when they're done or transferring them to another week if they weren't completed.

Almost always if I physically write something on my to-do list I remember it much more easily.

#TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · Sep 11

Q7 for tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

💬 Staying organized requires a plann(er)! What are your go-to strategies for juggling *all the things*?

For more information visit: tlskychat.com

Graphic for #TLSkyChat Question 7 with illustration of a colorful calendar filled with sticky notes. Text asks: “Staying organized requires a plann(er)! What are your go-to strategies for juggling *all the things*?”

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A6: Connect with them on a human level first.
"Tell me about that vacation you took"
"What grade is your son in this year?"
"You have put SO much work into your room and it shows!"

Keep talking and the seeds for a collab will pop up.

#TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · Sep 11

🔁 ICYMI Here again is question #6 from tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com

Graphic for #TLSkyChat Question 6 with puzzle piece and handshake icons. Text asks: “What is your go-to collaboration tip for connecting with teachers in September? What do you do to educate teachers on what you can offer?”

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

It's on me to keep working to professionally drive this message home with my colleagues in a way that shows the library's true value to our school.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A5: I absolutely LOVE teaching

AND

it is ONE part of my job. Administering a library program has many, many facets. The other parts are essential for a thriving library program. I'm not greedy for wanting and requesting time to perform them.

#TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · Sep 11

Q5 for tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

💬 Taking inspiration from I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz, what’s one thing you wish your school new about you, your goals and why your work matters.

For more information visit: tlskychat.com

Graphic for #TLSkyChat Question 5 with the book cover of *I Wish My Teacher Knew* by Kyle Schwartz. Text asks: “Taking inspiration from *I Wish My Teacher Knew*, what’s one thing you wish your school knew about you, your goals, and why your work matters?”

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A4: I've spent the first three lessons with our older kids with them seeing, searching for, and touching titles in our collection, emphasizing each time that YES, they can check out these books.
1. Library Scavenger Hunt & Mapping
2. Book Tasting
3. Genre Mystery Hunt

#TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · Sep 11

🔁 ICYMI Here again is question #4 from tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com

Graphic for #TLSkyChat Question 4 with a welcome banner and illustration of a smiling child. Text asks: “How do you handle library orientation to set the right tone and vibe for the school year?”

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A3:
1. Welcoming returning students back and individually introducing myself to our new friends, ending the interaction with "I am so glad you are at our school this year" (and delivering it like I mean it...because I do).

2. Filling as many impassioned book requests as I can - early.

#TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · Sep 11

Q3 for tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

💬 Given your busy schedules and full plates, how do you build in opportunities to get to know your students? What are some of your go-to relationship building strategies?

For more information visit: tlskychat.com

Graphic for #TLSkyChat Question 3 with illustration of three students and a speech bubble that says “Who are you?” Text asks: “Given your busy schedules and full plates, how do you build in opportunities to get to know your students? What are some of your go-to relationship building strategies?”

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · Sep 11

You're going to be so great, Rain! Your passion is very evident; I am confident it will infuse your session with so much power. 🎆

The Bride (aka Rain) I ❤️ the Monster @simplyrain.bsky.social · Sep 11

Going AND presenting...if I don't faint from nerves!

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