Are you in need of Kinder Literacy Lesson Plans? Then check this out!
When I became a librarian, I had already taught third grade for 15 years. I was pretty confident in my teaching, and I felt like I had a good grasp on how to plan interesting lessons, build differentiated activities, and create assessments to and for learning. But somehow, my first year in the library made me feel like a first-year “newbie” teacher all over again, and planning for 7 different grade levels (Pre-K through 5th) became this nerve-wracking event each week!
Out of all the grade levels I planned for, Kindergarten seemed to be the most challenging for me, and I was always looking for new ideas to keep the students’ attention. My first year was pretty much a blur, but I did make a conscious decision to save my lesson plans and write down the titles of books that I read so that I could use them the following year. I made sure to write down notes to myself on what worked, what didn’t work, and what needed to be tweaked if I did the activity again. (I still do this today!)
As each year went by, my lessons became more detailed, and I began to see a natural flow of concepts from one week to another. I was becoming more adept at collaborating with the kindergarten teachers, and blending my library skills with their grade level’s language arts skills. I was also able to create lessons that correlated to prior ones so that students could start to make some connections from week to week.
As each year went by, my lessons became more detailed, and I began to see a natural flow of concepts from one week to another. I was becoming more adept at collaborating with the kindergarten teachers, and blending my library skills with their grade level’s language arts skills. I was also able to create lessons that correlated to prior ones so that students could start to make some connections from week to week.
This year, I decided to type up some of these lessons and create an “Emergency Binder” to use for those unexpected times when I’m sick. (You know, those rare occasions when you don’t have the time or energy to try and write up a detailed lesson plan for a substitute because you can barely remember your name!)
Some fellow librarians asked what I was doing, and when I told them, they all said that they would love to have a copy! So, I thought I’d put together a collection of my kindergarten lessons for librarians who may need some guidance in their first year or who just need some new ideas for their own “Emergency Binder”.
I created the unit to include 36 separate lessons that cover a variety of skills/topics. These lessons can be used if you are on a 6-week or 9-week grading period, or can also be used in isolation. Most activities correspond to either a Fiction or Non-Fiction book (sometimes both) that are common to libraries, but can also be easily purchased through Amazon.com if needed. If you follow them in order, they will take you through a normal school calendar year (August/September through May/June).
Some fellow librarians asked what I was doing, and when I told them, they all said that they would love to have a copy! So, I thought I’d put together a collection of my kindergarten lessons for librarians who may need some guidance in their first year or who just need some new ideas for their own “Emergency Binder”.
I created the unit to include 36 separate lessons that cover a variety of skills/topics. These lessons can be used if you are on a 6-week or 9-week grading period, or can also be used in isolation. Most activities correspond to either a Fiction or Non-Fiction book (sometimes both) that are common to libraries, but can also be easily purchased through Amazon.com if needed. If you follow them in order, they will take you through a normal school calendar year (August/September through May/June).
Each lesson page shows the week number, the main library skill/concept, and the book title(s). The rest of the page is divided into three main sections: 1) the main lesson with detailed step-by-step directions, 2) a list of possible supplemental activities, and 3) a list of possible technology activities. I put a copy of each lesson page in a 3-ring sheet protector, and placed them in a binder. I added a post-it note to let myself know if I had a personal paperback copy of the book or I wrote the call number if it was a library copy. Here’s a sample of what the lesson plans look like:
If you would like the entire collection of 36 Kinder Literacy Lesson Plans,
you can find them on my website here or at my TpT store.
I just finished typing up these lessons over our winter break, and made my binder tonight! I’m super excited about this and I’m now thinking about creating a collection of activities like this one for each grade level (1st through 5th). Do you think it would be more useful to have a 6-week or 9-week collection that includes all grades (Kinder through 5th)? Is this something that you would find helpful and use? I would love to know what you think!
Sandy
I would love to see more for each grade level. Being a fourth grade teacher for eight years before moving into the library that is responsible for fourth and fifth grade has been rather simple to figure out my lessons. Next year I will be the librarian of a brand new elementary school that will house grades 1-5. Though I'm confident in my lessons and organizing of the upper grades, the younger ones make me a little nervous as I try to organize myself. Seeing your plans would definitely help me as I prepare for this new job.
Congratulations on your new job for next year, Kelly! I love opening new schools, but I've never done that as a librarian so I imagine that's going to be a little overwhelming! 🙂 I've started working on typing up my 1st grade plans and will add an update to this blog when it's finished. Good luck! 🙂
YOU ROCK!!!! I would love to see your lesson plans…I have purchased many of your items but that would be awesome!!!
Love the format! I would like to see your plans for K-5 🙂 I have a fixed schedule K-5 on a five day rotation. It's really hard to find continuity while planning lessons.
Thanks Jolee! 🙂 I'm working on 1st grade now. My goal is by the end of January/February I'll have it done! :0)
Thanks Shelly! I'm hoping that now that I have the format, completing the next grade level will go by faster! I'm shooting for 1st grade to be done by January/February. Thanks again! 🙂
Love the format, love the book/technology ideas. I taught 3rd grade before becoming a librarian also. I have the most trouble developing plans for K5 and 1st so these are awesome. Thanks so much
These lesson plans are awesome! I taught 3rd grade for 3 years before becoming a librarian and have the most trouble planning for K5 and 1st. Can't wait to see your future lesson plans! 🙂
I love your ideas but I'm having a hard time figuring out if they will work in my library. I am not a teacher, never have been but have 3-4 classes a day from 2nd through 5th grade. I have one classroom for a week, and then they move on through the other specials. Is your lesson plan for a class that you have everyday or one that filters through weekly? I would love to incorporate so much of this, but I'm afraid there will be a high need for review that we won't move through the curriculum. Thoughts?
Hi Robyn,
My school is PreK through 5th, and I used to see each class every week for 30 minutes. This year, library became a part of the specials rotation, so now kids either go to PE or they go to Library/Music/Art. This means that I would see every class every six days. (PE, Library, PE, Music, PE, Art, PE, Library). It's hard not seeing them more frequently (especially when doing research projects with them) but I've gone from only having 30 minutes class times to now 50 minutes which I love! If you see a class for an entire week, how long before you see them again and how long are your class times? You might just have to focus on creating week long themes… and then you can get one theme done in a week with one class and then the next time they come through, focus on another theme?
I really enjoyed using your lessons with my kindergarten classes. I am looking forward to seeing your lessons for other grades!
Thanks! I'm almost done with 1st grade and hope to have them posted soon!
I have your K, 1, and 2 lesson plans on my TPT wish list to purchase. When do you think grades 3, 4, and 5 will be available? I would love to use these plans as my library curriculum for K-5!