Introducing Library Lessons Mondays & Feature Fridays!
I’m so excited to announce a new series here on the blog! Starting this week, I’ll be posting twice a week:
-
Library Lesson Mondays – Mini lessons, tech tips, and library activities that are ready to use in your classroom.
-
Feature Fridays – Spotlight on books, book lists, and short book reviews to inspire reading for your students.
Library Lesson Monday: Kindergarten News Report
Media literacy is more important than ever for students. Since the library is a natural hub for media, it’s the perfect place to start teaching it!
Here’s how we introduced it in our kindergarten classes:
Step 1: What is Media?
-
We started the year with a Common Sense Media lesson.
-
Students learned that media is everywhere — in video games, apps, TV, clothing, and even on classroom posters.
-
To make it fun, we played “I Spy Media”:
-
Example: A student wore a Minecraft shirt, so we said, “I spy something green that is a video game. Can you guess where I saw it?”
-
Result: Most students realized they were surrounded by media!
-
Teacher Tip: This is a great way to start discussions about how media influences our lives. It’s visual, interactive, and gets students thinking critically.
Step 2: Introduce Newscasts
-
We introduced a new form of media: the news report.
-
Discussed what reporters do: speak clearly, look at the camera, and provide information.
-
Watched kid-friendly newscast examples to inspire students.
Teacher Tip: You can use short, simple examples from PBS Kids or local student news clips to make this relatable.
Step 3: Student Reporting
-
Students were tasked with reporting on something they’ve been learning at school.
-
Originally, they were supposed to report on their own, but for kindergarteners, I interviewed each student instead.
-
Students still introduced themselves and answered questions.
-
This kept the task manageable while allowing students to practice speaking on camera.
-
Teacher Tip: For older students, you can let them record independently or work in pairs.
Step 4: Filming & Editing
-
We used a Chromebook to film in front of a blank wall, making it easy to edit.
-
Editing was done in Canva, creating polished, shareable clips.
-
Students were proud to see themselves on “TV”!
Teacher Tip: Even if you don’t have Canva, simple editing apps on tablets or phones work well.
Why This Lesson Works
-
Introduces media literacy in a tangible way.
-
Practices public speaking, storytelling, and interview skills.
-
Provides digital content students can be proud of.
-
Can be adapted for any grade level by increasing independence and complexity.
💡 Quick Materials Checklist for Teachers:
-
Camera (Chromebook, iPad, phone)
-
Blank wall or simple background
-
Canva or another easy editing tool
-
Interview prompts or a short list of reporting ideas
Next Week
I’ll be sharing another Library Lesson Monday, plus on Feature Friday, I’ll spotlight a book that pairs perfectly with this media lesson.
Stay tuned, and let’s make library lessons fun, interactive, and media-smart!
