Blog Archives

Idea Toolbox - #Fliphunts!

7/20/2022

What is a #Fliphunt?

Originally created by the wonderful Kathi Kersznowski, #Fliphunts are a digital scavenger hunt using Flip! You create tasks and then students complete the tasks by creating video responses on Flip. There are so many ways to adapt this for back to school introductions, content in the classroom, or even professional learning.

How do I get started?

Decide your purpose - whether that's a meeting a standard, goal, or objective
Create a list of tasks for participants - this is 85% of the work!
Decide on how to gamify the tasks - will you add points, difficulty levels, stars for completion? The personalization is up to you.
Create a Group on Flip for the #Fliphunt
Create a Topic in that Group for each task you created
Share the list of tasks and the link to your Group with students
Have fun!

What would this look like in Flip? Here's an example I just setup for our library orientation this year.

Teacher View

Student View

What considerations should I take into account when creating the #Fliphunt?

#Fliphunts are meant to be fun, so make sure you balance the silly or goofy tasks with ones that go deeper into the content you want the participants to learn or do.
Consider what time frame you are giving to the students or participants. Time limits help us stay focused and on task.
Participants should be and moving around the room or area just like a non-digital version of a scavenger hunt.
- Consider placing QR codes to the different topics around the room for participants to scan instead! Want to go super extra? Use the AR feature of Flip to make it pop even more. Check out how here.
There are over 200 #Fliphunts already available in the Flip Discovery if you want to search for something specific to your content or try searching the Twitterverse using #Fliphunt or #Flipgridforall.

Do you have templates to help me?

Yes. Yes, I do! Feel free to take and tweak for your needs. Just make sure to attribute correctly when sharing with others. 😉

Library Orientation Template

PD Workshop Template

I hope you have fun making your own #Fliphunt, friends! If you have questions or ideas to share, I'd love to hear. Drop them below!

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Getting Ready for a New School Year - Support for New and Veteran School Librarians

7/17/2022

2 Comments

Hi!

Our school year starts back in just two short weeks, and I am so excited! Even though I'm excited, I still get nervous about juggling all of the back to school needs and wants that each new school brings. If this is you as well, I hope this page of resources helps.

New School Librarian? Start Here!

Are you a new school librarian? I created this handbook for new school librarians in Georgia as part of our mentorship program for Georgia Library Media Association, but the overall ideas are good for any new school librarian.

TLDR
Before initiating changes:
- Learn the school
- Learn your admin
- Set goals

Create a Library Services Menu

Each year, I share a library services menu with staff (I update it each year to reflect on the past year and new year needs) to start conversations about collaboration for the year. New teachers don't know me, and let's be honest, sometimes our veteran teachers need reminders that we're here to support them too. ?

Library Services Menu Template

Build Relationships

Engaging with your new learning community is the most essential thing you can do at the beginning of the year. Whether it's your first year, tenth, or twentieth, your staff and students need to be reminded of how you care for them and that the library is the heart of the school.

Connecting with Staff
One of the ways I do this for staff is through fun little conversation starters at the beginning of the year for staff. I print off my library services menu and share a little gift with teachers during our back to school staff meeting, in their boxes, or hand deliver them depending on the time.

Get the Template

Connecting with Students
Establishing a safe, supportive environment is the first step to building connections with students. Using our social media and signage goes a long way! We also have a Student Library Advisory Board who help advocate for the library to other students through their student-run programming and book clubs.

Get the Template

Set Goals

I spend time getting to know our school and district goals for the year and having an upfront conversation with my principal about their needs for the year. Once I have those established, I work to align our library goals and plans to meet their needs. I also do a needs assessment with staff regarding professional learning and meet with our Student Library Advisory Board at the beginning of the year to get to know what they want to do or plan for the year as well. Using the Georgia School Librarian Evaluation Instrument, Future Ready Librarians Framework, and the ISTE Standards for Students, I align my goals between best practice and the needs of my community.

Tip: If you use Microsoft, I keep a journal/portfolio of support with OneNote!

One other item I use in planning and setting goals is my Library Program Planner. This helps me with MakerSpace challenges and community programs throughout the year.

Get the templates below!

Goal Alignment Sheet Template

Library Program Planner

Make Time for You

My biggest piece of advice is to make time for you and your development as well. It's easy in a service oriented profession to feel like you're always on and school librarians are the worst at actually taking a lunch break. I carve out time in my day for lunch and administrative tasks during the week so that it's intentional.

My favorite way to spend lunch is reading or listening to an episode of the School Librarians United Podcast.

List of School Librarians United Podcast Episodes

Have fun!

Don't forget to have fun! We have the best job in the world!

You don't have to try everything and you're not going to be able to make big changes overnight. Focus on learning three new things for the year and the needs of your community.

Do you have additional ideas or resources? Share them with us below!

If you have any questions or want to reach out, feel free to connect with me on Twitter or Instagram!

Have an awesome school year!