Amanda McCoy
@illinimccoy.bsky.social
Redefining school librarianship by day; playing outside in the afternoons and summers; singing, acting, and dancing at night. Proud lifelong Midwesterner. she/her
linktr.ee/illinimccoy
linktr.ee/illinimccoy
If you had asked me to name a weakness when I was a newbie school librarian I would have said, without hesitation, “Event Planning”.
It feels like such wonderful growth to now be campaigning to host more events and bring more of our community into the library!
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
It feels like such wonderful growth to now be campaigning to host more events and bring more of our community into the library!
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
January 30, 2026 at 10:54 PM
If you had asked me to name a weakness when I was a newbie school librarian I would have said, without hesitation, “Event Planning”.
It feels like such wonderful growth to now be campaigning to host more events and bring more of our community into the library!
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
It feels like such wonderful growth to now be campaigning to host more events and bring more of our community into the library!
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
I love our public library! Attended a kick-off event last night for our community read and everyone in attendance received a free copy of the book. 📕 💜📘
January 30, 2026 at 3:56 PM
I love our public library! Attended a kick-off event last night for our community read and everyone in attendance received a free copy of the book. 📕 💜📘
Kdg wrapped our author study of Antoinette Portis by reading her new title, To Activate Space Portal Lift Here, and built a spaceship to visit the aliens inside!
(I try to line up our building challenges in multiple grades so the blocks can stay out)
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
(I try to line up our building challenges in multiple grades so the blocks can stay out)
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 23, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Kdg wrapped our author study of Antoinette Portis by reading her new title, To Activate Space Portal Lift Here, and built a spaceship to visit the aliens inside!
(I try to line up our building challenges in multiple grades so the blocks can stay out)
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
(I try to line up our building challenges in multiple grades so the blocks can stay out)
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
THIS BOOK, y’all! It is such a perfect encapsulation of a moment when you see something marvelous that others don’t. Mr. McCoy did a double take on these pages and related it to some natural wonders that we’ve seen.
I want so badly for all Ss to have this feeling of awe.
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
I want so badly for all Ss to have this feeling of awe.
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
January 22, 2026 at 5:01 PM
THIS BOOK, y’all! It is such a perfect encapsulation of a moment when you see something marvelous that others don’t. Mr. McCoy did a double take on these pages and related it to some natural wonders that we’ve seen.
I want so badly for all Ss to have this feeling of awe.
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
I want so badly for all Ss to have this feeling of awe.
#TLSky
#SchoolLibraries
We’re wrapping up our illustrator study of Juana Martinez-Neal with a building challenge! Ss were asked to build a structure 20 inches tall (for the 20 mattresses) and adjust their structure to accommodate a pea (marble) underneath.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 21, 2026 at 6:09 PM
We’re wrapping up our illustrator study of Juana Martinez-Neal with a building challenge! Ss were asked to build a structure 20 inches tall (for the 20 mattresses) and adjust their structure to accommodate a pea (marble) underneath.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
It’s Selection Sunday here at the McCoy house! Which books will make into the 2026 Schoolwide Humor competition??? 🤔 Stay tuned!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 19, 2026 at 3:01 AM
It’s Selection Sunday here at the McCoy house! Which books will make into the 2026 Schoolwide Humor competition??? 🤔 Stay tuned!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Our Kdg author study of Antoinette Portis continues with her simple, but oh-so-relatable Wait.
We spend time with the pattern of the words in the book, practice mixing them up together, then we cut & glue to make our own patterns with only the words “Hurry” and “Wait”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
We spend time with the pattern of the words in the book, practice mixing them up together, then we cut & glue to make our own patterns with only the words “Hurry” and “Wait”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 17, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Our Kdg author study of Antoinette Portis continues with her simple, but oh-so-relatable Wait.
We spend time with the pattern of the words in the book, practice mixing them up together, then we cut & glue to make our own patterns with only the words “Hurry” and “Wait”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
We spend time with the pattern of the words in the book, practice mixing them up together, then we cut & glue to make our own patterns with only the words “Hurry” and “Wait”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
3rd, 4th, & 5th grade Ss built some background knowledge for our Winter Olympics unit by getting a quick intro to this year’s location, then searching the library for the pictograms of each sport created for the 2026 games.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 AM
3rd, 4th, & 5th grade Ss built some background knowledge for our Winter Olympics unit by getting a quick intro to this year’s location, then searching the library for the pictograms of each sport created for the 2026 games.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Another great day in 2nd grade exploring the work of Juana Martinez-Neal, this time with her book Zonia’s Rainforest. After reading and discussing deforestation we did a write-the-room with South American animals to extend our learning.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Another great day in 2nd grade exploring the work of Juana Martinez-Neal, this time with her book Zonia’s Rainforest. After reading and discussing deforestation we did a write-the-room with South American animals to extend our learning.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
This year’s Global Traveling Mural pieces have arrived from our partner schools! They are adding beautiful art and color to our library space. We love this project!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
This year’s Global Traveling Mural pieces have arrived from our partner schools! They are adding beautiful art and color to our library space. We love this project!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Reposted by Amanda McCoy
Students are coding and I wanted to give them language to ask for help. These are at tables to help them troubleshoot who/how to ask and what to ask for. #HourOfCode
#TLSky
#TLSky
January 13, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Students are coding and I wanted to give them language to ask for help. These are at tables to help them troubleshoot who/how to ask and what to ask for. #HourOfCode
#TLSky
#TLSky
Today in 2nd grade we started an illustrator study of Juana Martinez-Neal with her excellent Fry Bread. One S told us all about fry bread at their house and how they sell it at powwows!
Then we explored the library’s collection of cookbooks with a recipe scavenger hunt.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Then we explored the library’s collection of cookbooks with a recipe scavenger hunt.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 9, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Today in 2nd grade we started an illustrator study of Juana Martinez-Neal with her excellent Fry Bread. One S told us all about fry bread at their house and how they sell it at powwows!
Then we explored the library’s collection of cookbooks with a recipe scavenger hunt.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Then we explored the library’s collection of cookbooks with a recipe scavenger hunt.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Y’all, I just got approved to host our school’s 1st African-American Read-In! We’ll host it in February to celebrate Black History Month, books, black creators, and community. I am SO STINKIN’ EXCITED!!!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
ncte.org/get-involved...
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
ncte.org/get-involved...
a scene from schitts creek shows a man and two women
ALT: a scene from schitts creek shows a man and two women
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Y’all, I just got approved to host our school’s 1st African-American Read-In! We’ll host it in February to celebrate Black History Month, books, black creators, and community. I am SO STINKIN’ EXCITED!!!
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
ncte.org/get-involved...
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
ncte.org/get-involved...
We’re starting the year with an Antoinette Portis study in Kdg and a Pete Oswald study in 1st. Unintentionally programmed two sunflower seed titles in the same week AND just a bit before Kansas Day at the end of January (the Sunflower is our state flower). 🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
January 7, 2026 at 2:59 PM
We’re starting the year with an Antoinette Portis study in Kdg and a Pete Oswald study in 1st. Unintentionally programmed two sunflower seed titles in the same week AND just a bit before Kansas Day at the end of January (the Sunflower is our state flower). 🤣
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Reposted by Amanda McCoy
We are kicking off the year with some small group practice, talking about our books and why we chose them. I created sentence frames to support students. It feels like this is just what we needed!
#TLSky
#TLSky
January 6, 2026 at 7:42 PM
We are kicking off the year with some small group practice, talking about our books and why we chose them. I created sentence frames to support students. It feels like this is just what we needed!
#TLSky
#TLSky
I was JUST pondering how to bring an emphasis on pleasure reading back to our library program.
Fantastic work on this front and THANK YOU for sharing!!! 🎉
Y’all rock!
Fantastic work on this front and THANK YOU for sharing!!! 🎉
Y’all rock!
Excited for our new Reading Initiative, Everyone needs a BFF (Book For Fun). Here's the presentation we used to kick it off to our staff. If you want to use BFF in your school, go right ahead! bit.ly/3Yqg9Ta #tlsky #middleschoollibrary
January 6, 2026 at 4:18 AM
I was JUST pondering how to bring an emphasis on pleasure reading back to our library program.
Fantastic work on this front and THANK YOU for sharing!!! 🎉
Y’all rock!
Fantastic work on this front and THANK YOU for sharing!!! 🎉
Y’all rock!
❄️🏂❄️⛸️❄️ Want a way to introduce your students to the Winter Olympics? Here's a four lesson unit I created to use with my 3rd-5th graders. It includes slides, worksheets, and a student-friendly research website with multiple videos and links for each sport.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WO Unit Plan
Winter Olympic Infographics Unit Plan Activities Slides Materials Week 1 Play the Olympic theme as students enter (slide 2). Introduce Olympics location in 2026. Present pictograms. Write the room m...
docs.google.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:50 AM
❄️🏂❄️⛸️❄️ Want a way to introduce your students to the Winter Olympics? Here's a four lesson unit I created to use with my 3rd-5th graders. It includes slides, worksheets, and a student-friendly research website with multiple videos and links for each sport.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
WO Unit Plan
Winter Olympic Infographics Unit Plan Activities Slides Materials Week 1 Play the Olympic theme as students enter (slide 2). Introduce Olympics location in 2026. Present pictograms. Write the room m...
docs.google.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:14 AM
❄️🏂❄️⛸️❄️ Want a way to introduce your students to the Winter Olympics? Here's a four lesson unit I created to use with my 3rd-5th graders. It includes slides, worksheets, and a student-friendly research website with multiple videos and links for each sport.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Kdg learned the definition of media, distinguished between media and devices, then created a gallery of their favorite media.
Just typical Kdg things, like K-Pop, a snake book, Roblox, and…ASMR videos. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Just typical Kdg things, like K-Pop, a snake book, Roblox, and…ASMR videos. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
December 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Kdg learned the definition of media, distinguished between media and devices, then created a gallery of their favorite media.
Just typical Kdg things, like K-Pop, a snake book, Roblox, and…ASMR videos. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Just typical Kdg things, like K-Pop, a snake book, Roblox, and…ASMR videos. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
After discussing how media can be made to Teach, Entertain, and/or Sell us things, 1st grade created their own media! I didn’t get a pic of the K-Pop Demon Hunters sequel movie. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
December 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
After discussing how media can be made to Teach, Entertain, and/or Sell us things, 1st grade created their own media! I didn’t get a pic of the K-Pop Demon Hunters sequel movie. 😂
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
The search for funny books to include in our 2026 school-wide humor competition is in full swing!
Do YOU have any picture books that made you LOL this year? I’d love to hear about them.
Already in: Don’t Trust Fish
Can’t wait to read: E-I-UFO
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Do YOU have any picture books that made you LOL this year? I’d love to hear about them.
Already in: Don’t Trust Fish
Can’t wait to read: E-I-UFO
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
December 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The search for funny books to include in our 2026 school-wide humor competition is in full swing!
Do YOU have any picture books that made you LOL this year? I’d love to hear about them.
Already in: Don’t Trust Fish
Can’t wait to read: E-I-UFO
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Do YOU have any picture books that made you LOL this year? I’d love to hear about them.
Already in: Don’t Trust Fish
Can’t wait to read: E-I-UFO
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Finally digging in to the 5th grade digital literacy lessons on Common Sense Media.
There is a lesson on parasocial relationships!!! Can’t wait to tackle this one with our Ss.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
www.commonsense.org/education/di...
There is a lesson on parasocial relationships!!! Can’t wait to tackle this one with our Ss.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
www.commonsense.org/education/di...
Friends vs. Followers
What is the difference between following someone online and being their friend? Check out Friends vs. Followers, a free digital literacy and citizenship lesson plan by Common Sense Media. Teach studen...
www.commonsense.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Finally digging in to the 5th grade digital literacy lessons on Common Sense Media.
There is a lesson on parasocial relationships!!! Can’t wait to tackle this one with our Ss.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
www.commonsense.org/education/di...
There is a lesson on parasocial relationships!!! Can’t wait to tackle this one with our Ss.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
www.commonsense.org/education/di...
Continuing our Common Sense Media’s Literacy lessons, we paired the Internet Traffic Light lesson with “That is Not a Good Idea!”.
Our discussion included listening to the little voice inside you that says “this is not a good site or app for you”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Our discussion included listening to the little voice inside you that says “this is not a good site or app for you”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Continuing our Common Sense Media’s Literacy lessons, we paired the Internet Traffic Light lesson with “That is Not a Good Idea!”.
Our discussion included listening to the little voice inside you that says “this is not a good site or app for you”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Our discussion included listening to the little voice inside you that says “this is not a good site or app for you”.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
I am working my way through Common Sense Media’s new Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum seeing how these new lessons will fit into our library time.
Today in 2nd grade we paired the incredible BIG by @vashtiharrison.bsky.social with Dealing with Online Meanness.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Today in 2nd grade we paired the incredible BIG by @vashtiharrison.bsky.social with Dealing with Online Meanness.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
December 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I am working my way through Common Sense Media’s new Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum seeing how these new lessons will fit into our library time.
Today in 2nd grade we paired the incredible BIG by @vashtiharrison.bsky.social with Dealing with Online Meanness.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
Today in 2nd grade we paired the incredible BIG by @vashtiharrison.bsky.social with Dealing with Online Meanness.
#TLSky #SchoolLibraries
I am so ready!!!🎉🎉🎉
TWO days dedicated to funny books, I can’t wait!
TWO days dedicated to funny books, I can’t wait!
Are you ready to celebrate the books you know, and discover the ones you had no idea about? December's gonna be a WHOLE THING!! afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/30/i...
It’s Almost Heeeere….
Are you ready to celebrate the books you know and discover the ones you had no idea about? December's gonna be a WHOLE THING!!
afuse8production.slj.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I am so ready!!!🎉🎉🎉
TWO days dedicated to funny books, I can’t wait!
TWO days dedicated to funny books, I can’t wait!