Cassandra Ellis📚
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ccls531.bsky.social
Cassandra Ellis📚
@ccls531.bsky.social
HS teacher librarian, wife, mom, sister, favorite auntie, shoe lover, & reader. Thoughts are my own.

Instagram: stories_from_the_stacks
HS lib blog: gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com
Thanks @ericcurts.bsky.social for the Two Truths & a Lie AI activity! 💻 My students celebrated National Candy Day using your prompt & their lateral reading & media literacy skills to determine the lie. 🤓 And of course we celebrated w/candy treats to wrap up! 🍬🍫🍭
November 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
What a successful first quarter of school! I can't believe the increases in circulation and class visits!
#TLSky #EduSky #librarylife
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
📚In my book talks recently, I’ve been trying to blend new releases with titles HS kids may have missed growing up. Here’s today’s selections. The good news? Lots of circulation for titles that were otherwise looked over!
September 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🐉♥️🌮 Check out the new library hallway StoryWalk for DRAGONS LOVE TACOS! I'm so excited for students to interact & talk about this new reading adventure in the library. You can read about it on the library blog: gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/back...
#TLSky #EduSky #librarylife
August 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
🎉 Big news from the library! This year, we saw a massive 41.9% increase in book checkouts & hosted nearly 350 class periods in the library! Read all about our incredible year of growth and engagement on the blog: gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-ye...
#TLSky #EduSky #librarylife
🎉A Year of Library Growth!
As the school year draws to a close, we're thrilled to celebrate some fantastic milestones here in the library! This year has seen a wonderf...
gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com
June 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Read aloud THE STORY OF FERDINAND in Novels class today—one of my all-time fave picture books.❤️ We talked about its history, & I shared how Loren Long included a quiet tribute to Ferdinand in his book OTIS. Bonus? Some of today’s Ss were in elem school when I read OTIS to them. Full circle moment. 😍
April 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
💙💛 Valentine’s Day, Ukrainian style! Our Ukrainian exchange student shared Valentine’s Day traditions from her home country today. Students learned about Ukrainian dating customs, played a fun True/False activity (w/delicious Ukrainian candy!🍬), & created heartfelt Valentine’s cards for friends.
February 14, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nearly 20 students joined the Graphic Novel Showcase today, exploring 6 different categories & rotating thru groups. Participants included everyone from 1st-time readers in the format to #graphicnovel enthusiasts. GNs continue to spark engagement & foster conversation in the library! #TLSky #EduSky
February 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
📚✨ The library cart is loaded & ready! The book cart is stacked and prepped for two exciting upcoming sessions: 6-Word Book Talks and Graphic Novel Showcase. Can’t wait to get these books into students’ hands! Stay tuned for highlights! #TLSky
February 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just started THE FACULTY LOUNGE by Jennifer Mathieu, & I love it. 🤩 These flawed, wonderful characters feel so real—I’ve laughed out loud at the spot-on “education speak” & teared up at some of their stories. If you’re in education (or even if you’re not), this one is a must-read! #amreading
January 31, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I'm *so glad* I signed up to receive the Control, Alt, Achieve newsletter from @ericcurts.bsky.social! Today's information about AI prompting is *exactly* what I needed in my work life. Have you seen the post? www.controlaltachieve.com/2025/01/top-...
Top 10 Components of the Perfect AI Prompt
As amazing as AI chatbots are, to get the best results from them it is important that we provide them with well structured prompts . As the ...
www.controlaltachieve.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Now that we've wrapped up Semester 1, here's a look at the Top 10 titles based on circulation numbers. What a great combination of old favorites and new releases! #TLSky
January 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
🤩 A lot to be pleased about when reflecting on the second quarter of school! Our library space took a hit over the summer with a remodeling decision, but my colleagues continue to show their support & promote/encourage literacy with their students. #TLSky #EduSky
January 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Here's the link: who13.com/news/politic...
January 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
You guys! In a TV local news interview about our building's new cell phone policy, my principal included the stats I shared with him about the marked increase in library use and book check-out! 🤩 I feel seen and supported! #TLSky #EduSky
January 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🤩Today's win: Before the holidays a student overheard me recommend THE SERPENT KING by @jeffzentner.bsky.social to his friend. Before the friend can check it out, he says he'll try it. (He's not an eager reader, but I'm hopeful.🤞) Today he visits the library to tell me he loves the book! #TLSky
January 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
My recent book purchases for school included RAISING JUPITER by Gary D. Schmidt, LOUDER THAN HUNGER by @mrschureads.bsky.social, & TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW by Jason Reynolds. I *loved* all 3 & am so eager to recommend these important stories by popular authors to my students! #TLSky #EduSky
December 20, 2024 at 9:34 PM
🎨🌟 Inspired by THE DOT by @peterhreynolss.bsky.social, seniors created their own unique dots to share their future plans, favorite quotes, or creativity to be on display in our main hallway. Such a wonderful celebration of individuality & the journeys ahead for our Class of 2025! #TLSky #EduSky
December 20, 2024 at 4:34 PM
Fun times today as we explored some of the science behind the Northern Lights & then created art projects showcasing our versions in pastel. (Thx to The Book Wrangler for the inspiration!) You can read about it on the library blog: gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com/2024/12/art-...
#TLSky #EduSky
December 19, 2024 at 6:55 PM
It's been years since I was an elementary TL, but my friends & colleagues came through big time when one of my HS colleagues asked for narrative NF children's titles! 📚 So excited to share these titles & see how they inspire the kids' work! 🤩 #TLSky #EduSky
December 10, 2024 at 3:22 PM
📣Louder for the people in the back! (Again...😮‍💨)

Reading graphic novels IS REAL READING. Readers interpret text, visuals, & what’s unsaid, making inferences & filling gaps with critical thinking. These skills are just as rich and complex as traditional texts!
I guess I’ve got strong feelings about #GraphicNovels!

Re-sharing PSA and defence of GNs thread, since it’s sadly still needed…
My PSA poster
re: #GraphicNovel defence.

[FYI: ALT contains full text]
December 8, 2024 at 9:35 PM
YES! Librarians are professionals working hard to curate diverse, thoughtful collections. It’s disheartening to see our professional judgment pushed aside for a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores students' needs. Parents' objections seem to overshadow our work & the rights of other families.
💯 That’s where the PROFESSION of librarianship comes in. We’re skilled at conducting reference interviews to learn a reader’s interests, & we know our collections, authors, & publishing trends to make viable matches. For parents raising their kids like veal, only mush will do.
December 8, 2024 at 9:25 PM
📚 Freshman English book talks = a success! Students heard about historical fiction choices, realistic reads, & buzz-worthy new titles. Check out the blog for highlights & must-reads! #TLSky #EduSky
gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com/2024/12/engl...
📕📕English I Book Talks
This week, I had the pleasure of hosting freshman English classes to deliver two engaging book talk presentations. Each session introduced s...
gatheramongthebooks.blogspot.com
December 3, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Perfectly said! Reading choices are personal and unique to every child and family. Let's champion the freedom to read and respect everyone's right to choose!
We need to keep talking about how weird it is for people to think they should have a say in reading choices for anyone's kids but their own. You're not in charge of what other people's children eat or wear or when they go to bed. Why on earth would you get to choose what they read?
December 3, 2024 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Cassandra Ellis📚
Librarians are champions of free access, fighting for your right to knowledge! From books to databases to broadband, they ensure everyone can connect, learn, and grow—because information should never be a privilege. #LibrariesTransform #BookSky 💙📚 #TLSky
December 3, 2024 at 12:18 AM