Lent is almost over. Spring is here. We've reached the 2nd to last month of our school year. It just so happens to be the BEST month for librarians because it is National School Library Month! Specifically, the week of April 3-9, 2022 is National Library Week! Celebrate with me via this month's newsletter and be sure to hug your school, public or academic librarian. We need the social & physical therapy! :)

As mentioned, the month of April celebrates school librarians. It's the month we have our statewide conference, national library week and join in conjunction with Earth Day, Poetry Month & National Humor Month! April is the only month that begins with a Fool's Day and ends with a May-day! Lol!

But since there's a grave injustice going around banning books and firing librarians, I want to take the time to share exactly how librarians choose books. The lesson is above. All you have to do is click on the title as it's a hyperlink. Students will learn the process of selecting books and "grade" books according to the American Library Association for Book Selection Choice (disguised as a handy rubric). Additionally, there are virtual book titles on slide 6, in case you can't make it down to the library. Thank you to Mrs. West and Mrs. Lorch for allowing me to collaborate with their classes on this writing prompt:

Write a proposal in which you argue which book would be most effective for a school-wide book club. In your proposal, choose an informational or literary text. Use text evidence to help explain how the text you chose is worthy.

The Spades Tournament will be held April 22, 2022 in the library from 3-5:30 pm. Please send me all questions/concerns.

The Prize

2 $50 Amazon Gift Cards

Bragging Rights

Trophy

To create a mimic poem, students begin by performing a close read of their mentor poem — making note of specific elements such as stanzas, line breaks, rhyming patterns, and syllable count. Once students have a firm grasp on their mentor poem’s structure and style, they can begin brainstorming ideas for their own. Create a collaborative poem as a class first, especially if your students don’t have a ton of experience analyzing or writing poetry yet. Feel free to use the above simply sweet poem as a model to begin. Then, turn those students loose to create their own magic!

The library is open daily from 8:00am-3:30pm. I take "C" lunch from 12:25-12:55, closing briefly for nourishment. Reserving the library can be made here. Please send students with a legitimate pass on their agenda from their classroom instructor (name, date/time of student & staff) and reason for their visit.

Email: eboni.darnell@pfisd.net
Location: 12900 Dessau Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-594-2671
Twitter: @AwakenLibrarian