isa bookworm

Figure 1: Image generated using Word Press AI Image Generator.

During my school’s Open House I stayed in the library and got some work done. I wasn’t visited by any parents and nor did I expect to. Parents are busy and need to see their children’s teachers. It doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate the library. I proposed that I present about SORA, the digital library, to families.

I felt useful because I was able to share something that parents could really use or appreciate learning. I brainstormed other possible content to share with families either during Open House, or as stand-alone workshops. Most of the sessions I came up with could be done in-person or via zoom. These are the ten that I came up with:

1. Summer Reading Kick-off: Sharing book lists, and reading logs.
2. Modeling how to search for books in our OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog). It’s helpful to parents who want to help their child find a book.
3. Overview of Google Classroom. Most teachers at my school use Google Classroom to post their assignments, student work, and presentation slides. Students are familiar with the platform, but parents may appreciate an overview of this online classroom platform. 
4. Presenting test preparation tools like Quizlet. Students can create their own accounts to make flashcards, study guides, and play games to help prepare for a quiz or test. 
5. What is Clever: the digital backpack? There are so many tools and resources in Clever. Sharing the most common tools that are used in the classroom is better.
6. How to create a reading culture at home? I also like asking families to share how they do this. Many of our students do read at home and it’s a good way to hear from families directly. 
7. Introducing reading challenges and promotions. Get the whole family in on a reading challenge. Ideas include: listening to an audio book together; or reading the book, and then watching the movie.  
8. Aspen, the school’s Student Information System.  How to check your child’s grades, missing assignments, and attendance. 
9. Share how to find newspapers like the Boston Globe and the New York Times through the district website. 
10. How to get free or very low cost passes to museums and fun things to do in Boston? It all starts with a Boston Public Library card. 

AI Generated Image: “Parents participating in a workshop provided by the school librarian. The workshop is at the school library.”