Amanda McCoy
@illinimccoy.bsky.social
Redefining school librarianship by day; playing outside in the afternoons and summers; singing, acting, and dancing at night. Proud lifelong Midwesterner. she/her
linktr.ee/illinimccoy
linktr.ee/illinimccoy
Speaking of our Space bin, I continue to LOVE using book stands to help our books in bins stay visible no matter how many books are checked in.
1. I have a bunch of extras around (free!).
2. They can be turned forward or backward depending on the number of books in the bin that day.
#TLSky
1. I have a bunch of extras around (free!).
2. They can be turned forward or backward depending on the number of books in the bin that day.
#TLSky
November 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Speaking of our Space bin, I continue to LOVE using book stands to help our books in bins stay visible no matter how many books are checked in.
1. I have a bunch of extras around (free!).
2. They can be turned forward or backward depending on the number of books in the bin that day.
#TLSky
1. I have a bunch of extras around (free!).
2. They can be turned forward or backward depending on the number of books in the bin that day.
#TLSky
Continuing our Nonfiction Know-vember celebrations, today Kdg read a great book from our Space bin, which we then located.
They traced the names of the planets, then drew a planet and wrote the name to display on their own special poster.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
They traced the names of the planets, then drew a planet and wrote the name to display on their own special poster.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
November 11, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Continuing our Nonfiction Know-vember celebrations, today Kdg read a great book from our Space bin, which we then located.
They traced the names of the planets, then drew a planet and wrote the name to display on their own special poster.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
They traced the names of the planets, then drew a planet and wrote the name to display on their own special poster.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
So proud to organize a panel with the amazing @amybrownlee93.bsky.social on reorganizing collections to fit our students! Each panelist did some show and tell and answered questions.
At the end we walked through the process of planning the panel, encouraging others to do the same.
#TLSky
At the end we walked through the process of planning the panel, encouraging others to do the same.
#TLSky
November 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
So proud to organize a panel with the amazing @amybrownlee93.bsky.social on reorganizing collections to fit our students! Each panelist did some show and tell and answered questions.
At the end we walked through the process of planning the panel, encouraging others to do the same.
#TLSky
At the end we walked through the process of planning the panel, encouraging others to do the same.
#TLSky
Prepping for our 5th grade translation projects in the style of A is for Bee by borrowing a GREAT set of language books from another librarian in the district.
I’m also tweaking our 1st week exploration thanks to @wendygarland.bsky.social making me more comfortable with a checklist. 💜
#TLSky
I’m also tweaking our 1st week exploration thanks to @wendygarland.bsky.social making me more comfortable with a checklist. 💜
#TLSky
November 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Prepping for our 5th grade translation projects in the style of A is for Bee by borrowing a GREAT set of language books from another librarian in the district.
I’m also tweaking our 1st week exploration thanks to @wendygarland.bsky.social making me more comfortable with a checklist. 💜
#TLSky
I’m also tweaking our 1st week exploration thanks to @wendygarland.bsky.social making me more comfortable with a checklist. 💜
#TLSky
I love this lesson! As part of our Nonfiction Know-vember focus, 2nd graders searched through our nonfiction neighborhoods.
Ss always discover new sections and I ask them to tell me their favorite neighborhood on the back.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Ss always discover new sections and I ask them to tell me their favorite neighborhood on the back.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I love this lesson! As part of our Nonfiction Know-vember focus, 2nd graders searched through our nonfiction neighborhoods.
Ss always discover new sections and I ask them to tell me their favorite neighborhood on the back.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Ss always discover new sections and I ask them to tell me their favorite neighborhood on the back.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
I STILL find making library videos so useful to teach hyper-specific procedures that help our library run smoothly.
Like this one! It’s how we solve a student being distracted the whole class period because someone else might get to a book first at checkout.
#TLSky
youtu.be/5rHhGFfs5V8?...
Like this one! It’s how we solve a student being distracted the whole class period because someone else might get to a book first at checkout.
#TLSky
youtu.be/5rHhGFfs5V8?...
LTK #27: Save a Book During Library Class
YouTube video by Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I STILL find making library videos so useful to teach hyper-specific procedures that help our library run smoothly.
Like this one! It’s how we solve a student being distracted the whole class period because someone else might get to a book first at checkout.
#TLSky
youtu.be/5rHhGFfs5V8?...
Like this one! It’s how we solve a student being distracted the whole class period because someone else might get to a book first at checkout.
#TLSky
youtu.be/5rHhGFfs5V8?...
To wrap up a Monica Arnaldo author study 1st grade Ss built pedestals for Mr. S so he could been seen while teaching.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
November 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
To wrap up a Monica Arnaldo author study 1st grade Ss built pedestals for Mr. S so he could been seen while teaching.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Putting some AASL ideas into practice…..we started Nonfiction Know-vember today. To infuse some extra math into our library class 1st graders made tally marks for the type of books they checked out.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
November 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Putting some AASL ideas into practice…..we started Nonfiction Know-vember today. To infuse some extra math into our library class 1st graders made tally marks for the type of books they checked out.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
I always appreciate a good pop-culture-that-the-kids-likely-won’t-get reference during the school day (especially as an elementary teacher). Double bonus when it’s this hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣
My funny teacher story of the week- our recess and office staff have walkie talkies. I was walking through the office when I heard “We have a Mylie Cyrus on the tetherball” it took me a minute then I burst out laughing. #EduSky #Teaching #Recess
a woman in a white tank top and white pants is dancing in a dark room .
ALT: a woman in a white tank top and white pants is dancing in a dark room .
media.tenor.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I always appreciate a good pop-culture-that-the-kids-likely-won’t-get reference during the school day (especially as an elementary teacher). Double bonus when it’s this hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣
As a direct result of a student request, Ss are decorating the library with creepy carrots, underwear, and crayons. My intent was to honor more student voice, but it is happily also resulting in increased ownership.
The variations on the theme are fun too!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
The variations on the theme are fun too!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
As a direct result of a student request, Ss are decorating the library with creepy carrots, underwear, and crayons. My intent was to honor more student voice, but it is happily also resulting in increased ownership.
The variations on the theme are fun too!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
The variations on the theme are fun too!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
If you run an elementary school library in the Midwest can you ever really have enough tornado books? 😂😂😂 These are just our new ones.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
October 20, 2025 at 6:19 PM
If you run an elementary school library in the Midwest can you ever really have enough tornado books? 😂😂😂 These are just our new ones.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
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
🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
October 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
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
🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
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
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
October 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
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!)
www.theatrelawrence.com
(There's a cool video on the theatre website's front page too!)
September 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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!)
www.theatrelawrence.com
(There's a cool video on the theatre website's front page too!)
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!
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!
September 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
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!
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!
A8: This graphic novel series is not the newest, but it has been THE hot ticket this school year!
#TLSkyChat
#TLSkyChat
September 11, 2025 at 3:49 AM
A8: This graphic novel series is not the newest, but it has been THE hot ticket this school year!
#TLSkyChat
#TLSkyChat
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
Almost always if I physically write something on my to-do list I remember it much more easily.
#TLSkyChat
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
💬 Staying organized requires a plann(er)! What are your go-to strategies for juggling *all the things*?
For more information visit: tlskychat.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:47 AM
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
Almost always if I physically write something on my to-do list I remember it much more easily.
#TLSkyChat
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
"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
🔁 ICYMI Here again is question #6 from tonight’s #TLSkyChat!
More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com
More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:41 AM
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
"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
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
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
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
💬 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
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
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
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
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
1. Library Scavenger Hunt & Mapping
2. Book Tasting
3. Genre Mystery Hunt
#TLSkyChat
🔁 ICYMI Here again is question #4 from tonight’s #TLSkyChat!
More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com
More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:33 AM
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
1. Library Scavenger Hunt & Mapping
2. Book Tasting
3. Genre Mystery Hunt
#TLSkyChat
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
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
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
💬 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
September 11, 2025 at 3:29 AM
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
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
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. 🎆
Going AND presenting...if I don't faint from nerves!
September 11, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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. 🎆
A2: Our circ desk was looking a bit bare, so every S in our school wrote down a genre, topic, or book they like to read. It's so fun hearing them say "Look, there's mine!"
Inspo: I always want our Ss to feel they have a stake in THEIR library
Video intro: youtu.be/XwMCxCOnYz4?...
#TLSkyChat
Inspo: I always want our Ss to feel they have a stake in THEIR library
Video intro: youtu.be/XwMCxCOnYz4?...
#TLSkyChat
September 11, 2025 at 3:22 AM
A2: Our circ desk was looking a bit bare, so every S in our school wrote down a genre, topic, or book they like to read. It's so fun hearing them say "Look, there's mine!"
Inspo: I always want our Ss to feel they have a stake in THEIR library
Video intro: youtu.be/XwMCxCOnYz4?...
#TLSkyChat
Inspo: I always want our Ss to feel they have a stake in THEIR library
Video intro: youtu.be/XwMCxCOnYz4?...
#TLSkyChat
It's been a bit of a tough start at school and I am already leaning on my library peeps for inspiration this year. VERY excited to connect with others in KS through a year-long nonfiction PLC we're running and to see my phenomenal library friends at #AASL25 !
#TLSkyChat
#TLSkyChat
Here it is! Q1 for tonight’s #TLSkyChat!
💬 Let’s start with something you’re looking forward to this year. It could be a favorite lesson, a school-wide activity or even something personal! Let us know what’s got you “counting the days!”
For more information visit: tlskychat.com
💬 Let’s start with something you’re looking forward to this year. It could be a favorite lesson, a school-wide activity or even something personal! Let us know what’s got you “counting the days!”
For more information visit: tlskychat.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:14 AM
It's been a bit of a tough start at school and I am already leaning on my library peeps for inspiration this year. VERY excited to connect with others in KS through a year-long nonfiction PLC we're running and to see my phenomenal library friends at #AASL25 !
#TLSkyChat
#TLSkyChat
Hey there, #TLSkyChat ! Amanda here.
K-5 Teacher Librarian in Kansas
Passionate about tailoring library programs to the Ss in a school and leveraging the school library to build community.
I share:
Here @illinimccoy.bsky.social
on the website ahoymrsmccoy.com
on YouTube Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!
K-5 Teacher Librarian in Kansas
Passionate about tailoring library programs to the Ss in a school and leveraging the school library to build community.
I share:
Here @illinimccoy.bsky.social
on the website ahoymrsmccoy.com
on YouTube Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!
September 11, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Hey there, #TLSkyChat ! Amanda here.
K-5 Teacher Librarian in Kansas
Passionate about tailoring library programs to the Ss in a school and leveraging the school library to build community.
I share:
Here @illinimccoy.bsky.social
on the website ahoymrsmccoy.com
on YouTube Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!
K-5 Teacher Librarian in Kansas
Passionate about tailoring library programs to the Ss in a school and leveraging the school library to build community.
I share:
Here @illinimccoy.bsky.social
on the website ahoymrsmccoy.com
on YouTube Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!