Learning Commons Lowdown
August/September 2016
Here's to a Great Start in 2016!
The Learning Commons hit the ground running this August, and the momentum continued into September!
We've had 118 classes visit for LC orientation, Power Up Day, Banned Books Week, and other collaborative lessons. Book checkout has EXPLODED compared to last year's numbers, with the 40 Book Challenge in full force through reading classes - circulation is up 26% from last year!
Take a look at what's happened to date, and what's coming up in October!
-Ms. Diaz, LC Librarian
Orientations & Badge Hub
Students worked on earning their first badge as an LC Online Catalog Search Expert. More badges coming soon!
40 Book Challenge!
How it works:
- Challenge yourself to read 40 books from June 3, 2016 through May 31, 2017!
- Read ALL different genres & nonfiction---any length!
- Keep track of the books you read & rate them using a 5-star rating system! THAT'S IT!
Based on the circulation stats so far this school year, it's going strong throughout the campus!
Each reading class is supporting the Challenge by offering regular SSR: Silent Sustained Reading in their classes! See this link for more details and resources to support the 40 Book Challenge!
Power Up at the LC Day ~ September 15th
Giant Jenga
Poke-Aura Scavenger Hunt
Minecraft Stop-Motion Animation
The Learning Commons invited the Hill Community to celebrate via a menu of activities and experiences incorporating technology, resources, creativity, and fun! The students had a blast exploring this diverse offering:
- Badge Hub
- Coloring Corral
- Giant Jenga
- Power Perler Challenge
- Minecraft Stop-Motion Animation
- Poke-Aura Scavenger Hunt
- OverDrive eBookLove
- Google Search Challenge
- Green Screen Bookbyte
Analyzing Documents
- First Amendment
- Freedom to Read Statement
- Library Bill of Rights
- Intellectual Freedom
She got caught reading a Banned Book!
Exploring Challenges & Bans
READ ON....OverDrive & Nexus eReaders!
- you have access to THOUSANDS of digital eBooks and audiobooks for FREE?
- the Learning Commons has Nexus eReaders available for checkout to students!
Check out your next book...in OverDrive, our digital library containing thousands of eBooks and audiobooks available for download to your own device! Parents can also request their own account!
Don't have a device? Then consider borrowing one from the LC! The LC now has Nexus eReaders for student checkout! These devices are exclusively for downloading ebooks and audiobooks from OverDrive. The circulation period is 3 weeks, first come, first check out.
There is no technology parental permission form required; however, any loss or damage fees apply just as with lost or damaged books.
A student can check out up to 5 items from OverDrive at any given time...which means that a student could be reading 10 books at one time---5 print books from the LC and 5 digital books from OverDrive!
Idea Lab Request: Upcycled Items Needed!
- Take-Apart Tech Station
- Upcycling crafts
If you have any of these kinds of items in your recycle bin or donation pile, send them into the LC as creative fodder for Idea Lab activities:
- Metal Jar Lids - any size (from pickles, condiments, jelly, etc...)
- Any old/outdated or broken "tech" = cell phones, laptops, phones, keyboards, anything battery-operated or electronic
- Paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes
- Plastic coffee cup lids...if you go to Starbucks, save those lids!
August/September LC Stats
# of School Days LC Open (Aug/Sept): 29
Total # of Classes Served (Instruction/Activities/Collaboration/Checkouts): 118
Total # of Individual Students Served (Before/During/After School) = 3,074
Average of 219 students served per day
# of Books Checked Out
6th Grade: 1,151
7th Grade: 1,026
8th Grade: 554
Faculty & Staff: 47
OverDrive: 340
Special Print Collections: 57
Total Checkouts: 3,175
26% INCREASE from last year's circ stats!
Coming in October....
- Author Jeff Anderson speaks to 6th & 7th grade ELAR classes ~ October 11
- Global Read Aloud ~ through ELAR classes
- Teen Read Week
- Media Literacy Week
- Badge Hub: Britannica Badges!
Follow the Learning Commons on Twitter & Instagram!
Twitter: Follow @TexHillLC to stay informed about great resources, events and activities happening 24/7.
Instagram: Follow @TexHillLC to see a visual gallery of the LC's happenings in real time!
Learning Commons @Tex Hill MS
Email: tdiaz4@neisd.net
Website: http://neisd.libguides.com/welcome_hill_library
Location: 21314 Bulverde Road, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: 210.356.8004
Twitter: @TexHillLC