BLOGS > JUNE 3, 2023
Started by Jillian Heise during the 2014-15 school year, #ClassroomBookADay was inspired by Donalyn Miller's (@donalynbooks) #bookaday challenge. With a goal to read aloud a picture book every day of the school year with her seventh and eighth grade students, 180 complete texts were shared that helped grow classroom community and reading engagement. After sharing it at #nErDcampMI that summer, other teachers wanted to try it. It was coined #ClassroomBookADay so there would be a hashtag specifically about these daily picture book read-alouds. Five years later, thousands of educators across the country are using #ClassroomBookADay to positively affect student learning in schools, classrooms, and libraries. Join in by learning more from Jillian Heise and commit to taking the challenge this school year!
Jillian helps you with your #ClassroomBookADay commitment by sharing picture book recommendations and a reflection below.
Add Jillian Heise's recommended #ClassroomBookADay books to your classroom library by visiting Titlewave #ClassroomBookADay Lists.
Jillian Heise, NBCT and MLIS, is currently an elementary Library Media Specialist in southeastern Wisconsin. She previously taught Grades 7 and 8 ELA in the Milwaukee area for 11 years. Jillian is the founder of #ClassroomBookADay and dedicated to supporting all student identities and lived experiences through access to inclusive literature. She brings her literacy expertise and knowledge of kidlit to her role as Chair of the USRA Children's Literature Committee. You can find Jillian online at Heise Reads & Recommends and @heisereads.
8 Steps to Creating a New School Library
January 21, 2025
Creating a new school library from scratch is a monumental task, but with the right vision and approach, it can become a vibrant hub for students and staff! During a Follett Content webinar, librarian Rachel Weatherford shared her journey of...
Read more
5 Reasons to Celebrate the Love of Reading with an Online Book Fair This Valentine's Day
January 20, 2025
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while it’s a time to celebrate love and affection, it’s also the perfect opportunity to ignite a passion for reading among students. This year, why not host an online book fair during the...
Read more
Choosing the Right Texts for Diverse Learners: A Guide for Educators
January 20, 2025
As a former classroom teacher, there are few things as near and dear to my heart as my collection of books. I’d be willing to bet that I’m not alone in that sentiment. But as important as it is to...
Read more
You've Been Virtually Book'd! Choice Boards from Shannon McClintock Miller
January 15, 2025
We love the Choice Boards Teacher Librarian Shannon McClintock Miller creates! If you missed any, explore Shannon’s curated collections below and discover new favorites for your students on a variety of topics.Wicked Themed BooksWorld Read Aloud DayTaylor SwiftDigital Learning Day...
Read more
Spring Break Reading Retreat: Embracing Online Book Fairs for Your Classroom or Library
January 10, 2025
As spring break approaches, it’s the perfect time to recharge and reflect on new ways to inspire your students. For educators, this season offers a unique opportunity to explore our online book fairs, bringing exciting, fresh titles to your classrooms and...
Read more
Stop Summer Slide: Keep Kids Reading with Follett Book Fairs
January 10, 2025
Summer break is a time for fun, relaxation, and a well-deserved rest. But for teachers and school librarians, it’s also a crucial period to combat “summer slide” – the loss of learning that can occur when students aren’t reading regularly. Our online...
Read more