As elementary librarians, we know the value of engaging activities that spark excitement and curiosity in our students. That’s why the interactive nature of first day activities get your young learners up and moving while immersing them in a world of wonder. From scavenger hunts and book tastings, to engaging and creative stations, the first library class can be extraordinarily fun and easy to prep. Make your first day extraordinary and set the stage for an exciting journey of exploration and growth!
Movement, talking, and drawing are integral parts of young children’s learning. Incorporating ways for them to move their body, talk to peers, and develop fine motor skills helps make the first day of any library class an exciting and comfortable one. Games, coloring, and cut and paste activities build on students’ interests to get them excited about what’s to come. Incorporate activities that give students a glimpse of what they can expect in the upcoming school year, and encourage them to set learning and reading goals.
Older students need opportunities to move, talk and use their hands when learning. For them, games, coloring, writing, and cut and paste activities are just as important as for younger learners. When we can incorporate these types of activities, older students look forward to participating and completing learning tasks that may feel challenging to them. For older learners, incorporate activities that expand how they view books, and pushes them to read outside of their preferred genres.
If we want a thriving environment where students look forward to coming to the library, incorporating activities that are active and interactive are a must. They set the tone for what to expect in the school library, builds trust that their needs are considered, and invites them to take risks. After, develop a plan to continues to include active and interactive learning.
