Let’s be honest—those first few minutes of library class can be a little chaotic.
Students are still talking about recess, asking to use the restroom, returning books, or trying to tell you the most important story they’ve ever had to share. Before you know it, you’ve lost precious instructional time.
That’s exactly why I love using library bell ringers.
Instead of waiting for everyone to settle down, students walk in and immediately have something meaningful to do. It creates a routine, gets their brains thinking, and gives you a few moments to handle attendance, book check-ins, or whatever surprise the day decides to throw at you. Consistent opening activities are widely used by teachers because they help establish routines and maximize instructional time.
My Library Bell Ringers: Year-Long Morning Work for Elementary & Middle School was created with busy librarians in mind. It’s packed with engaging prompts and activities that reinforce library skills, reading, research, digital citizenship, and critical thinking—all without requiring hours of prep.
Whether you see students every week or every few days, these bell ringers make it easy to start every lesson with purpose. Just print (or project), and you’re ready to go.
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to build routines while keeping students engaged from the moment they walk through your library doors, this resource might become your new favorite time-saver.
After all, when the first five minutes run smoothly, the rest of the lesson usually does too.