Elementary library sample lessons
Elementary library sample lessons
Embedded Files
Standards
Standards
When planning instruction, school librarians should use the following standards as a guide:
North Carolina Digital Learning Standards - These are identical to the ISTE Standards for Students and are North Carolina's adopted standards for information and technology skills.
AASL National School Library Standards (Learner Competency) - While North Carolina has not adopted these standards, they are standards from our professional organization and are appropriate for us to refer to when planning.
CMAPP - Information and technology skills should be integrated into the content standards that students are learning in class.
Curriculum and Instruction Landing Page - as CMAPP is updated in 2025-2026, the newest versions of the curriculum and related lessons will be posted here.
This collection of sample lessons has been curated by a team of elementary library leaders. The purpose of these lessons is to provide support and inspiration for elementary librarians as they plan instruction appropriate to the needs of their students and their schedule. Lessons can be used as-is, or modified to better suit your needs.
Lessons are grouped by quarter, then by grade level. New material added in the 2025-2026 school year is noted with a ⭐.
A book can be great inspiration for a lesson in the elementary library!
This spreadsheet is a work-in-progress resource to support both collection management and library instruction. It is collaboratively developed by librarians participating in the Elementary School Library Instruction PLC and maintained by Library Media Services. Use the tabs to browse ideas by grade level or topic.
⭐Have a lesson you'd like to contribute to the Elementary Library Lesson Plan Bank?
Complete this form to submit your lesson to share.
Posting priority will be given to lessons that integrate information/research skills.
Additional Library Lesson Ideas and Resources
Additional Library Lesson Ideas and Resources
🔍Constructivist Media Decoding - This method (from Project Look Sharp) of teaching students to analyze texts can help support inquiry-based instruction. Project Look Sharp has granted permission for Library Media Services to curate their materials so WCPSS librarians can access them without having to create an account on the Project Look Sharp site. Hyperlinks in the lesson plans may direct you to the Project Look Sharp site; however, any supplemental materials crucial to the lesson are linked beneath the lesson plan for you to access without creating a Project Look Sharp account. While the lessons can be used as-is, it is recommended that you use them as a point of inspiration and personalize them for your students' specific needs. You must be enrolled in the Elementary Instruction PLC Canvas course to view this page.
📙North Carolina Children's Book Award - Students can read and vote for the book they want to win the NC Children's Book Award. The site contains activities to support each title. Voting occurs in March of each year.
Coming soon...WCPSS annotated booklist with lesson ideas + Canvas course for teaching with the NCCBA.
💻🎨👨🏽💻WCPSS Making Across the Curriculum Elementary Lessons - This site, developed by the Digital Learning Coordinator Maker team, includes maker lessons aligned to subject and grade level.
Sample Sub Plans
Sample Sub Plans
Long-term Substitute Support for Library Media Centers - Created by Library Media Services, this document is intended to support long-term substitutes in the library. School librarians may find the directions for circulation or sample lesson plans useful to incorporate into their short-term sub plans as well.
Abbotts Creek Elementary Library Sub Plan site - Stacy Darwin at Abbotts Creek Elementary curates her sub plans on a Google site. Theses plans are presonalized for her school, but might serve as inspiration as you develop your own sub plans.
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