The LLC at Whittier, Sept 2015
Kick the year off right! Resources available.
Schedules in the library
Although I have tried to make sure all staff have access and editing rights, there are sometimes issues. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you are having a problem signing in or with getting on the schedule.
Scheduling links include:
- 1,2 Laptops,
- 3,4 Laptops,
- 5th Laptops,
- ipads
- Computer lab
- LLC Schedule
- My schedule for working with classrooms will change each week so look in this folder for the schedule with my name and the upcoming week to see if I will be available when you may need help.
The Collaboration Center
The Collaboration Center is up and running!
Our SMART TVs are hooked up and ready to be worked on. Divide students into groups, have them plug into the TVs with the attached cords and let the collaboration begin. Tables and chairs are all easily movable and can be arranged to fit each classroom's needs.
To use the CC, sign out times like we do with the computer lab. If your classroom requires assistance let me know! I can help you out with instruction or at least troubleshooting and student assistance. My schedule is posted in the shared drive with upcoming dates and times I may be free.
A few things to keep in mind while in the collaboration center:
- Noise is good, it means students are communicating but remind students to keep their noise level respectful to the needs of the other learners in the area .
- The tables and chairs move around fast. Remind students not to run over the cords from the Smart TVs and to be careful with laptops on the tables. Do not get laptops and ipads out until tables are in their locked positions. As we get started in this new area we will have to remind students that they need to be responsible around the computers and equipment in the collaboration center.
- Try out the CC before you plan on using it for a tech activity. This way students know how to work out the table and chair situation (including the table foot locks) before tech becomes a part of the equation. We will be working on this during library times but students will definitely benefit from hearing about it more than once.
Great tools for presentations that use collaboration
Collaboration and our district vision
This year the LLC commits to encouraging an environment of collaboration and creation
- Time and space will be allocated for learners to collaborate and create in pairs and/or small groups.
- Group time will expect meaningful contributions from all students as well as individual accountability.
- Classroom activities and culture will designed to foster creativity and healthy risk taking.
External Drives
Help! It isn't working!
Books and Activities in a wagon
Laptop problems
If the problem seems big and you think it is going to be a bigger issue than I can handle in the LLC, put a help desk ticket in to the tech dept right away since there is a bit of a backlog with items getting looked at right now.
*In addition to the above, be sure to leave a notice on the cart that the laptop has been sent to the LLC so that the next group using the laptops knows where the missing computer is and doesn't waste time looking for it.
Thank you!
Do you need an activity for smaller groups of students in your classroom?
This month's wagon activity focuses on early reader non-fiction books from the popular series "Natures Children". Classroom teachers may sign out the wagon which is loaded with over 50 non-fiction easy reader books, puppets, and several pre-planned clipboard activities. Clipboard activities don't require much more planning that what has already been done and include tools used to encourage student learning and exploration. Keep the wagon in your classroom for up to a week. Clipboard activities include directions for students creating their own fact sheets about animals, art activities, vocabulary games and enhancers, puppets for storytelling, and introductory activities which encourage developing research skills. I will try to change the wagon each month and welcome suggestions of activities to include.
*The wagon is a differentiated set of activities that can be brought out into the garden.
Thanks for your flexibility these first few weeks!
I am appreciative of everyone's flexibility with the Book Fair and the craziness it brought to the LLC. The success of the book fair allowed us to add about 40 books to our school's collection and set aside funds for future purchases. We purchased popular books requested by students and filled our Monarch, Bluestem, and Caudill nominee list needs.
At this point all staff and students who placed orders for books should have received all of their books except for The Diary of Wimpy Kid Preorders. If you or your students have not received your order, please let me know ASAP!
Faster Checkouts
There have been some challenges in checking out books in a timely fashion so I am printing out student cards with barcodes to speed up the process. This will eliminate the need to do picture searches of students in class lists. The cards will remain in the library and will be used primarily for checkouts during whole class checkouts.
Drop in Checkouts
I am trying to get enough volunteers to make sure the LLC can be staffed 9-9:30 each morning (except Tuesdays) so students can drop in for book checkouts. At this point I do not have enough volunteers to staff the library for drop in checkouts in the afternoons so please limit drop in checkouts to the morning unless you have a staff member that will be able to supervise and check the group of students out that you send in. Also please limit your groups to no more than five students at a time.
WANTED: Student Tech Assistants
This is the link we will have potential tech helpers fill out.
Wheaton Public Library Book Bags
Did you know that you can tell the librarians at WPL what grade you teach, what subject you will be working on, and then they will provide you with materials for your students to use in your classroom for a 4 week checkout period?
YES, it's easy as that. For more information go to the web page about book bags on the Wheaton Public Library site or drop into to talk to me in the LLC. It is not necessary for you to have a Wheaton Public Library Card for this service, it is through the school.