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
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
Perhaps most entertaining is the student who took the opportunity to comment on our Scary section. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
October 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Perhaps most entertaining is the student who took the opportunity to comment on our Scary section. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
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!
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
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
September 15, 2025 at 2:59 AM
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
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
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
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
We are writing or drawing things we like to read about on small rectangle bricks for a Lego-type display on our circ desk (finished pics to come). They are turning out really cute so far……and this one was also submitted.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
August 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
We are writing or drawing things we like to read about on small rectangle bricks for a Lego-type display on our circ desk (finished pics to come). They are turning out really cute so far……and this one was also submitted.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
Processing new titles makes me so happy when I get to save them for specific students. Watching their faces light up with joy when I hand them a requested title NEVER gets old!
#TLSky #Schooibraries
#Skybrarian
#TLSky #Schooibraries
#Skybrarian
August 27, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Processing new titles makes me so happy when I get to save them for specific students. Watching their faces light up with joy when I hand them a requested title NEVER gets old!
#TLSky #Schooibraries
#Skybrarian
#TLSky #Schooibraries
#Skybrarian
Today we will again be screening the horror film “How to Take Care of Your Library Books” in Kdg & 1st.
The volume of the gasps when little sister brings out the scissors to cut a library book rival a full movie theatre. 🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
The volume of the gasps when little sister brings out the scissors to cut a library book rival a full movie theatre. 🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
August 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Today we will again be screening the horror film “How to Take Care of Your Library Books” in Kdg & 1st.
The volume of the gasps when little sister brings out the scissors to cut a library book rival a full movie theatre. 🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
The volume of the gasps when little sister brings out the scissors to cut a library book rival a full movie theatre. 🤣🤣🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
Our 1st graders go directly to lunch after library this year, so they CANNOT take their books. We print labels and attach them to tall pieces of cardstock. These are inserted into books before they go on a cart.
Cart goes to class and teacher pulls the names as they hand out books!🪄
Cart goes to class and teacher pulls the names as they hand out books!🪄
August 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Our 1st graders go directly to lunch after library this year, so they CANNOT take their books. We print labels and attach them to tall pieces of cardstock. These are inserted into books before they go on a cart.
Cart goes to class and teacher pulls the names as they hand out books!🪄
Cart goes to class and teacher pulls the names as they hand out books!🪄
As I'm casually chatting up a new 1st grade student they ask "Okay, but...do you have any dinosaur books in this library?"
"Friend, we have a whole bucket!"
INSTANT RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
"Friend, we have a whole bucket!"
INSTANT RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
August 20, 2025 at 10:52 AM
As I'm casually chatting up a new 1st grade student they ask "Okay, but...do you have any dinosaur books in this library?"
"Friend, we have a whole bucket!"
INSTANT RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
"Friend, we have a whole bucket!"
INSTANT RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
Did a quick "All About Me" block activity with 3rd-5th for their first library class. I used our rainbow trick dominoes (because there are lots of colors and that's what we have) and was concerned Ss wouldn't see many building possibilities. I love being proven so wrong!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
August 19, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Did a quick "All About Me" block activity with 3rd-5th for their first library class. I used our rainbow trick dominoes (because there are lots of colors and that's what we have) and was concerned Ss wouldn't see many building possibilities. I love being proven so wrong!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
And we’re back! Kids in the building today; I’ll start classes tomorrow.
New this year - one table per week will be designated to pass out and collect materials, continuing my quest to empower even the youngest of our students.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#Skybrarian
New this year - one table per week will be designated to pass out and collect materials, continuing my quest to empower even the youngest of our students.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#Skybrarian
August 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM
And we’re back! Kids in the building today; I’ll start classes tomorrow.
New this year - one table per week will be designated to pass out and collect materials, continuing my quest to empower even the youngest of our students.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#Skybrarian
New this year - one table per week will be designated to pass out and collect materials, continuing my quest to empower even the youngest of our students.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#Skybrarian
I am PUMPED for #AASL25 and truly excited to share this work that grew out of listening to our students regarding what they needed and wanted from our library program.
Thank you @melissacorey.bsky.social for creating this easy-to-use template!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
Thank you @melissacorey.bsky.social for creating this easy-to-use template!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
June 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I am PUMPED for #AASL25 and truly excited to share this work that grew out of listening to our students regarding what they needed and wanted from our library program.
Thank you @melissacorey.bsky.social for creating this easy-to-use template!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian
Thank you @melissacorey.bsky.social for creating this easy-to-use template!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian