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Elementary Librarian

Library lesson plans and ideas for the school librarian. Lessons incorporate Common Core and AASL standards.

Member of the Week Lindsey Beck

MOW.Lindsey.Beck

Lindsey.Beck

Today's Member of the Week is Lindsey Beck. Lindsey works at Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School in Columbus, Mississippi. She has been a school librarian for one year.

We asked Lindsey some questions about her experience as a school librarian and we would like to share them with you.

What's your favorite thing about your job as a school librarian?

I was a public children's librarian for 3 1/2 years before I switched over to school librarianship. In public librarianship, there's no guarantee that you will see a child more than once, maybe at a storytime or for summer reading programs. I've really enjoyed being able to track my students' progress and growth as a school librarian. Being able to see the impact library books and skills can have on a child's academic career has been brilliant!

Name one children's book that you couldn't live without in your library.

The Little Prince

Tell us why you decided to join the Elementary Librarian Community. What's your favorite thing about it?

I decided to join the Elementary Librarian Community because of the 1st year school librarian testimonials about the lesson plans. Although I hold an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, I was still anxious about having free rein to structure library skill based lesson plans for a whole year for grades K-5! The best parts of being in this community have been the access to standards based lesson plans and the confidence they gave me to create my own lesson plans for our magnet theme.

What's the biggest challenge you're currently facing when it comes to your school library?

I came into a beautiful library, full of books that had never been entered into a computer catalog. My biggest challenges have been cataloging our many books and, like many other school librarians across our state, budget constraints.

If you could give one piece of advice to a brand new school librarian (or someone considering becoming a school librarian), what would it be?

You will enter with a list of goals....you will not be able to accomplish all of these goals in one day, or even one school year! Remember the bigger picture, which is the impact your presence and your teaching has on your students every day. Your dedication to them will mean more to them than you will ever fully see. Focus on giving them your best before checking a task off your list. If you can keep this focus then you will find success AND fulfillment in your new position!

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Worth more than I paid!

"I am so glad I found the Elementary Librarian lesson plans! The fact that these plans were easy to use and were aligned to both the AASL and Common Core ELA standards made them worth far more that what I paid for them!"

All the work is done for me!

"This will be my 7th year and until your plans I have been spinning my wheels trying to come up with solid plans each week. I had planned on spending all summer trying to figure out my “years” plans, but you have done all the work for me."

My students are engaged!

"I was thrilled to discover your treasure trove of resources. After two years of doing it “my way,” I decided to utilize the center approach and do it “your” way. The students are engaged and I see them using the knowledge the lessons give them."

My principal was impressed!

"Your lesson plans with the Common Core and AASL 21st Century Standards were a life saver! My principal looked through my plan binder and was completely floored that EVERY lesson had both sets of standards."