The Recording For The July Follett Content Webinar, Passive Programming: Creative Ideas, Is Here, Friends!

 

This week was the second webinar in Shannon's Summer Webinar Series with our friends at Follett Content.  

In this webinar, Passive Programming, three of my amazing friends and librarians, Tim Jones, Dr. Nikki Robertson-Griffin, and Jennifer Thrift, joined me to share lots of creative ideas, resources and so much more. 

You will find the webinar recording here and the presentation slides here.

We also started the Passive Programming Playbook in a Padlet.  Feel free to add to it too. 

                 

I also want to share the June webinar again.  This was was a Back-to-School Book Talk.

In this choice board, you will find the webinar recording, webinar slides, and the Titlewave list of the 132 books Veronica, Amanda, Deb, and I shared during this book packed hour of fun! 

And don't forget to register for our entire Shannon's Summer Series at bit.ly/FollettShannonSummerSeries25 which includes one more webinar in August. 

Thank you for joining us this week, and we can't wait to see you again this summer, friends.

AI Literacy and Digital Responsibility in K-5: What Educators and Leaders Need To Know! Join This Special Webinar, Friends.

 

There is a very special webinar coming up on July 30, 2025 from our friends at edWeb and Robo Wunderkind. 

AI Literacy and Digital Responsibility in K-5: What Educators and Leaders Need To Know will be presented by:

• Steve Dembo, Director of Digital Innovation, Western Springs School District 101 (IL)
• Dr. Kimberly Robertson, Executive Director of Choice Schools and Programs, Guilford County Schools (NC)
• Matthew Bannon, Director of Curriculum, Robo Wunderkind
• Sponsored by Robo Wunderkind

As shared on the edWeb webinar page,

Artificial intelligence is already shaping how children learn, play, and interact. To ensure students can engage with technology safely and responsibly, AI literacy must become a foundational part of K-5 education. Join this edLeader Panel to learn why AI literacy is critical for K-5 students and get practical steps to bring it into your classrooms.

Attendees will learn:

• How AI tools like chatbots and recommendation engines are already influencing students
• The risks of uncritical AI use and how AI literacy builds digital responsibility and critical thinking
• Age-appropriate, cross-curricular strategies to teach AI in K-5 through unplugged and hands-on activities
• What district leaders can do to scale AI integration effectively

The session includes real-life classroom examples, implementation frameworks, and free resources to get started right away. Bonus: Learn how to join Robo Wunderkind’s fall 2025 pilot program for early access to the world’s first K-5 AI literacy curriculum. This edLeader Panel will be of interest to K-5 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.

You can register for this FREE webinar here, friends.   

Even if you can't attend live, register and you will receive the recording and resources after the webinar too.

And find out all about Robo Wunderkind's NEW K-5 AI Literacy Curriculum!  There is nothing like this out there and will want to bring it to your students too.  This webinar will be the perfect way to learn all it.

Click here to pilot the AI Literacy Curriculum from Robo Wunderkind today.

Get Your Sneak Peek At Fall's Must-Have Titles For The Follett Book eFairs!

 

I love kicking off the school year with a Follett Book eFair.  It's a wonderful way to celebrate our readers and help them get books into their homes, while supporting our library too.  

And guess what?

This week our friends at Follett Content released a little sneak peek of the fall's must-have titles of the Follett Book eFairs! 

Visit the invite to sign up to get your sneak peak of the amazing new books. 

I just signed up and just saw the sneak peek! I am even more excited to kick off the year with our Follett Book eFair! 

I know you will love seeing the hottest reads of the season too! 

It's Almost Time For The STEM Teacher Summit on July 17-19th! You Won't Want To Miss Registering Today For This Amazing Event, Friends.

 

 Mark your calendar and make plans to join me inside the Elementary STEM Teachers Club Membership with Carly and Adam!

 The online STEM Teacher Summit is happening July 17-19, 2025 from the comfort of your own home!

️ Keynotes: Cassie Stephens, Paul Reynolds, and Jed Dearybury

 The STEM Teacher Summit features world-class speakers and experts who will share innovative ideas, strategies, and hands-on activities to spark student imagination, creativity, and engagement.

 Visit http://www.stemteachersclub.com/ for more information and to join the STEM Teachers Club Membership. Your membership includes access to the summit and access to EVERY SINGLE (500+) Carly and Adam STEM challenge!

 Join us in the STEM Teachers Club Membership! You won't want to miss the amazing lineup of presenters.

Bring The NEW ISTE Digital Explorers Series To Life With Book Creator and These 6 Amazing Book Companions!

I’m so excited to share the newly released ISTE Digital Explorers Reading Companions—created in partnership with Book Creator!

Last week at ISTE Live 25, my new children’s book series, ISTE Digital Explorers, with Capstone and ISTE, officially launched! These books help teach and support essential digital literacy skills in fun, age-appropriate, and meaningful ways—all aligned with the ISTE Student Standards.

I’ve teamed up with Book Creator to develop incredible Reading Companion Activity Books. These interactive resources are designed to extend the learning from each story, giving students hands-on, creative ways to explore the digital literacy themes covered in all four books.

These companions are the perfect addition to any classroom or library, helping educators seamlessly integrate the ISTE Digital Explorers series into their teaching while empowering students with the skills they need to thrive in today’s digital world.

You will find them on this new Book Creator page that includes all six of the activity books.

There is one for each of the four books...Hagan Proudly Presents, Jack's Playground Plan, 

Ana's Smart Move, and Sonia Speaks Up. 

Look inside of Hagan Proudly Presents to see what one of the reading companion includes! 

I love the Create a Favorite Animal Presentation at the end, which can also be found separately in the Book Creator library. 

And look at My Digital Citizenship Pledge! I am going to start the year off with this activity at my school.  The kids will love creating their own pledge in Book Creator. 

 I will be sharing more about the Digital Explorers Book Creator Book Companions throughout the summer and how I will use them with our students.  

I can't wait to hear how you will use them with your students too. 

Find the ISTE Digital Explorers Book Companions here, friends.

And get your Book Creator today.

Friends, Add Your Ideas To Our Passive Programming Playbook! Let's Fill This Padlet With Ideas For The New Year!

 

Today, in our July Follett Content webinar, Passive Programming Playbook: Creative Ideas, I shared the Passive Programming Playbook.  

We can all add ideas and resources to make this truly a playbook of so many amazing ideas to take us into a wonderful new year in the library. 

You will find the Passive Programming Playbook here in this Padlet.  Please share ideas, resources, pictures, videos....whatever you'd like to turn this into an interactive space. 

We shared our ideas and resources from the webinar today too.

You've Been Book'd With Books About Dinosaurs Our Readers Will Love!

 

With the new Jurassic Park movie, Jurassic Park Rebirth, being released this summer, I thought It would be fun to pull together a list of 21 new dinosaur books for our readers. 

In the You've Been Book'd With Books About Dinosaurs Our Readers Will Love choice board, just clikc on the book covers to find each book in Follett Content's Titlewave.  You will also find the entire list linked in the choice board too. 

I can't wait to see the movie, and I am so excited to add more dinosaur books to our library collection.  Our readers will be so excited to see all of these new books...They love dinosaurs! 

Find the choice board here, friends.

Register For This Weeks Follett Content Webinar, Passive Programming Playbook: Creative Ideas!

 

Friends, this week on July 8 at 4:00pm CST is the second installment of our Follett Content summer webinar series.  In this session, Passive Programming Playbook: Creative Ideas, I will share innovative and budget-friendly ideas to engage students of all ages.  I will be joined by a few friends....Dr. Nikki Robertson-Griffin, Tim Jones and Jennifer Thrift. 

What to Expect: • Engaging Activities: Discover simple yet effective passive programming activities that will captivate and inspire students. • Creative Ideas: Explore a variety of creative and interactive ideas to enhance the library experience. • Independent Exploration: Uncover unique and thought-provoking strategies that encourage independent exploration and learning. • Free/Low-Cost Resources: Learn how to implement these programs with minimal budget, using free or low-cost resources to maximize impact.  Whether you're a librarian, educator, or program coordinator, you'll gain valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your library's offerings without breaking the bank. Register today and join us for a session full of inspiration and practical solutions!

Register here for this super fun and helpful webinar. Scheduling conflict?

We’ve got you covered! Register and we’ll send you the recording shortly after the webinar ends.

See you this week!

Apply To Become a Digital Navigator and Help Families Thrive in a Digitally Connected World!

 

Digital literacy is no longer a luxury—it’s a basic need in our increasingly connected world. From accessing school communications and healthcare to completing job applications or staying in touch with loved ones, technology shapes how we live, learn, and work every day. For families, caregivers, and community members, understanding how to use technology safely, responsibly, and effectively is essential.

According to Pew Research, adults with strong digital skills are more likely to find employment, access critical services, and actively support their children’s learning. That’s why digital literacy isn’t just a tech skill—it’s an equity strategy, a community connector, and a key to opportunity.

To help close this gap, All4Ed is launching a program to provide accessible, school-based support around digital literacy, essential technology skills, and online safety to families and caregivers—the often-overlooked champions behind every student. This program will provide guided support, resources, and tools to help families thrive in a digital world.

Now launching… Digital Navigators—school-based experts who teach and support families with technology skills, digital citizenship, and online safety.

We are recruiting 50 trusted, school-based leaders—such as librarians, instructional coaches, or family engagement coordinators—who are passionate about digital wellness and safety to become a Digital Navigator.

A Digital Navigator will serve as the go-to expert within their school community, helping families and community members build confidence and skills around technology use, digital citizenship, and online safety.

Participants will be selected through an application process and must commit to fulfilling all program expectations between August 2025 and January 2026.We recognize both the opportunity and the commitment, so we’re offering a $750 stipend upon successful completion of all program requirements.

Apply here today, friends. We would love to have you join us for this special program that will make an impact in your school, community and beyond. 

Feed Your Brain With The NEW "Brain Candy Books" From Capstone! Your Students Will Crave These Awesome Books!

                    

At ISTE, I was so excited to celebrate the NEW Brain Candy Books from our friends at Capstone by giving away this amazing book box to a new friend. 

And I am super excited to share Brain Candy Books with you! 

 

From the minute I found out about Brain Candy Books, I couldn't wait to get them for my library and readers, and to share more with all of you. 

The series is called Brain Candy Books and they are filled with knowledge that kids crave! 

As shared from Capstone, 

Ever marveled at a child’s endless appetite for scrolling through short-form media?

Kids can devour an impressive amount of information when it’s delivered in bite-sized portions! Brain Candy Books invite kids to browse a menu of irresistible tidbits ranging from disgusting hypotheticals to awe-inspiring statistics.

Kids will love dipping in and out for instant hits of knowledge or binging entire Brain Candy Books at once for a full-on feast of fascinating facts. Fanboys, gross-out girls, cat-crazy kids, and everyone in between will discover that READING can be the most satisfying and effective form of content consumption!

Brain Candy Books help a generation of kids addicted to short-form media build stamina and discover that the most stimulating way to consume content is by reading it. 

You will find the first 30 Brain Candy Books here in the Follett Titlewave Brain Candy Books From Capstone list.  I just added them to my first order of the school year!  Our kids are going to love these books so much! 

Here is a preview of a few...

...that you will find here. 

You can also sign up on this page to keep up to date with this awesome new series. 

I can't wait to hear what you think of the Brain Candy Books, friends. 

The July Activity Journal From Book Creator Is Here...And It's Perfect For Summer Learning!

 

The July Activity Journal from Book Creator is here! 

The July Activity Journal is packed full of fun activities to celebrate special days throughout July including....

World Chocolate Day, 

Pet Photo Day, 

I Love Horses Day, and so much more. 

And don't forget that you can get all of the Monthly Activity Journals in the back of the July Activity Journal too.

Remix the July Activity Journal and make it your own.  You can change up any of the pages and then share it with your students. 

The Book Creator Activity Journals are perfect to share for summer learning, creating and fun. 

Get Book Creator today, friends.

New Books, Special Moments: Sharing ISTE Digital Explorers at ISTE Live 25!

 

One of my favorite parts of ISTE Live 25 was sharing my new book series, ISTE Digital Explorers.  They join my first picture book, Sonia's Digital World.  

Four of the seven book series came out at this ISTE, and the other three will be published next year. 

I have been working on this project with Capstone and ISTE for the past several months...

...and couldn't wait to share them with everyone at ISTE.  

And did you see the special Sonia that my amazing daughter, Brianna, made for me to bring to ISTE? 

Between book and booth presentations, an author signing, ISTE Librarians Playground, and the scavenger hunt, Sonia and I had so much fun seeing friends...

...and meeting new ones from around the world. 

You can read all about ISTE Digital Explorers here on the Capstone Fall Preview site. You will also find the Educator's Guide and ISTE Student Standards Poster on this page. 

You will find all four of the books on Titlewave here, friends. 

Creating this book series has been a dream come true. Each title is designed to help us teach and support our young digital explorers in libraries, classrooms, and at home. They’re a perfect fit for introducing and reinforcing digital citizenship, media literacy, computer science skills, research, reading, and so much more.

I’m so excited to share them with you and your students, friends!