Becky-David Learning Commons News
First Semester 2015-2016
Where did the library go?
So what happened to the library? We have been working hard to change from a library to a learning commons. We moved away from a place where students just absorbed information and stories to a place where they can use, create and construct new information. We envision a physical and virtual space where all learners discover, create, inquire, and think critically to produce and communicate new knowledge both independently and collaboratively.
We have new furniture, new objectives, and new programs. Our mission is to guide students and staff to be effective and ethical researchers and users of ideas and information. Our program promotes the love of reading, skills of research and develops 21st century skills.
The Learning Commons is a flexible, learner-centered space where collaboration, inquiry, imagination, and creation expand and deepen learning.
A Very Popular New Service -- Makerspace
We offer many services in the Learning Commons. Our newest service is Makerspace.
Makerspace is a time and place where students can make, create, and learn without the fear of failure. Students collaborate, ponder, and investigate activities that capture their interests. Makerspace is a hands-on time for students to learn new things.
Each quarter students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Here are some examples from the first semester.
Augmented Reality is physical, real-world elements that are augmented by computer-generated input. Students of all ages, including our Kindergarteners enjoyed this activity. We used the Quiver – 3D coloring app on iPads. The app is free and you can find it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quiver-3d-coloring-app/id650645305?mt=8 . It is also free in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.puteko.colarmix&hl=en , Basically you print a sheet and color it using crayrons then the app will make your drawing 3 dimensional. Many of the coloring sheets are free and others are available as in-app purchases. Click here for more instructions.
Origami lets students select their shape and then follow directions on the Origamiplayer website. http://www.origamiplayer.com/ Students fold their paper following along with the directions in the slow paced and easy to follow videos on the website. We usually start with the simple shapes first. These are found under "Simple" in the pink category column on the website.
Makey-Makey -- Students are given the opportunity to connect a circuit board to a computer. https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/makey-makey-quickstart-guide.
The Challenge -- Each Makerspace session we offer an opportunity for students to explore varies engineering challenges. This semester we had a challenge to see how high they could build a structure using spaghetti and marshmallows. For more information and the science behind it visit: http://kats.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Spag_towers_instructions.pdf The other challenge was building columns and testing which shape is capable of bearing the most weight. For more information and the science behind it visit: http://creeksidelearning.com/stem-activities-for-kids-how-strong-is-a-piece-of-paper/ .
Coding gives students a chance to learn some basic computer programming . On PCs we use the program Blockly- blocks of code (JavaScript), which is a part of the Hour of Code site: https://hourofcode.com/us. On the iPads we use Daisy the Dino, Kodable, Cargo-Bot, Lightbot and ScratchJr.
Make-and-Take -- This provides the students with an opportunity to use their creativity and make something out of a variety of materials and objects. This is always a popular activity.
We also have a number of other activities for students to select. We try to have some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities along with some arts activities -- making STEAM -- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Other Services
We do still provide books for students to checkout. In fact, through the classrooms, Six Flags is offering a free ticket as a reading incentive. In the learning commons we are encouraging students to read the Mark Twain books. Students can earn a superhero cutout and prizes. Any 4th or 5th grader who reads at least 4 current Mark Twain Book Nominees by March will participate in a State-wide voting event.
The teachers in grades 1 through 3 are reading students the Show Me nominees for 2015-2016. The students that hear or read at least 6 of these nominees will participate in a State-wide voting event.
Our kindergarten teachers are reading students the 10 Missouri Building Blocks nominees. These students will vote in a State-wide event in December.
Information on our Reading Incentive Programs can be found on our Web Page http://fhsdbde.sharpschool.net/learning_commons/reading_programs/
Our big reading program for the year will be duct taping principals to a wall. This is opened to all grades K-5. We will be sending out details by eNews. Get Stuck on Reading will start on January 6, 2016.
Lessons
We also provide lessons to all classes. Some of the lessons we have in the Learning Commons this semester:
Kindergarten – learning how to find and checkout a book, fiction vs nonfiction books, book care and library policies.
First Grade – Learning Commons arrangement, selecting books, self-checkout.
Second Grade – identifying call numbers, Learning Commons arrangement, text features as aids to help find Information.
Third Grade – use computer catalog, put books on hold, award winning books.
Fourth Grade – databases, award books, placing holds, finding information in print and online resources.
Fifth Grade – award books, databases, logging in to library catalog account, reading programs.
Click here for a list of our databases with user names and passwords. Please do not share these user names and passwords outside of the Becky-David Community. These databases can be found on the Learning Commons Website: http://fhsdbde.sharpschool.net/learning_commons --under Find a Resource.