While about 1/3 of our students have returned face-to-face on campus, the majority of our students continue to learn from home. Each month, librarians continue to reach out to our at-home learners in order to build relationships and to encourage a love of literature.
I am taking a lot of things I did in past years, and turning them virtual.
Virtual Blind Date with a Book
Blind Date with a Book was a HUGE HIT last year at my middle school, but I knew this year I needed to do it differently. Even the students on campus wouldn't be able to pick up the wrapped books to read the descriptions. So I made it virtual this year. Students were given the opportunity to fill out an interest survey, then I matched them with a book. I actually had a LOT of fun matching books, and even some teachers joined in and wanted me to match them up with a book.
After I matched the book according to their interest survey, I wrapped the book in a brown lunch bag (nothing fancy), put some candy and a bookmark in the bag, and put a label on the outside. Then the books were delivered to classrooms, or picked up via curbside pick up for remote learners.
February Book Talks
One program I started this year that I plan to continue is the book talk videos. I started them so that all students, on campus and remote, would have access to my book talks. They have helped tremendously with promoting literacy.
6th grade book talks
7th grade book talks
8th grade book talks
Even though I am adjusting to this virtual librarian thing, I am definitely ready for everything to return to normal safely. I miss large groups of students hanging out in the library! I miss being able to have makerspace and coding with robots in the library! I miss classes coming to the library to solve the BreakoutEDU boxes!
