The first week of school is a thing of the past and week two has just begun. The library is already a hub of activity and I can't wait for library orientations with our panthers and the first book selections of the year. Three hungry caterpillars made their way into the library on the first day of school and have already changed into beautiful chrysalises. We are now waiting as the metamorphosis takes place. Stay tuned to see photos of our monarch butterflies!
Check back often to read about and see the exciting things taking place
This past September we acquired 2 chrysalises and 4 very small caterpillars from a company called "Butterflies and Roses". Our Panthers watched as these beautiful creatures transformed- going through the process of metamorphosis. The primary students read about monarch butterflies in their classrooms and learned about the life cycle of these butterflies. When the butterflies emerged the students gathered for their release chanting- "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go to Mexico" which they had learned from a book written by Sam Swope and Sue Riddle. It was an exciting way to start the new school year!
September is always a time of new adventures and learning and this is very true for our library at Portage View this year.
The week before our students arrived at school, time was spent determining just how to change the physical space of the library to create a space where students could collaborate, access materials, conduct research and would foster a growth mindset. After a conversation with another teacher about the area that was currently being used as a circulation desk (for students to check books in and out), the possibility of transforming this space into our new Makerspace was born (thank you Mrs. Rankka for being my collaborative colleague). This large tiled area is bordered on two sides by counters cupboards and some drawers. The space has always been an issue as there was no line of sight into the actual library from this area. So at the end of August the transformation began to take place. Here are a few pictures of the remodeling in progress.
Coming Soon to the PVPS Library- A MAKERSPACE
At the end of last year Mr. Boulding, Mr. Schweitzer and Mrs. Raycraft ordered a variety of materials to support STEAM (the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) in our school. All of the materials have now arrived!! Some of the material that were ordered were Plus Plus building tiles, Kapla Blocks, Lego, Circuit kits, Electricity kits, Dot and Dash robotics and Ozobots. Several of our classes had an opportunity to spend some time exploring these materials prior to summer vacation but we are looking forward to integrating these materials into all student learning in this Fall.
This is an exciting time in education and we will continue to assess and add equipment and materials to ensure the needs of our panther students are met throughout the year.
The Portage View library is in a state of change as we move from a library housing books for teachers and students as well as most of the technology for our school to one of Makerspace. I have decided to record the changes, challenges and our thinking about this process through our library blog. It is my hopes that we will be able to share student's creations and thinking here also. So please check back frequently to see where this journey takes us!
What is a Makerspace? Well I'm glad you ask... by definition it is a place where people can work independently or collaboratively to create, build, invent, craft, and learn. Makerspaces vary though and can be as simple as an area where there is a craft table and some Lego to a high tech space with 3D printers and laser cutters. You may hear this type of space referred to as a hackerspace or invention lab or another name referencing a space where people have the opportunity to DIY using a variety of available resources and materials. The big idea is the space should provide opportunity for creation and not just consumption- a place for people to make stuff!
But why? Again, I'm glad you asked as your questions are assisting us in developing a rationale for this space which will in turn assist us in our planning. Makerspaces develop problem solving skills, creativity, collaboration and confidence in students.
That being said, the staff at Portage View are now in the process of determining what this space should look like and how it should be accessed by students at our school.
We have started this process by having three of our staff attend a workshop and then initiating an inquiry related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Mathematics). This team of three then made a plan as to how the this plan should be implemented so that student's needs would be met. To begin, materials and resources were needed so orders were placed. The following are a few of the materials we have ordered: Dot and Dash robot, Circuit boards, Makey Makey, and Ozobots.
A number of books have also been added to our library to support students and staff for example: instructional books such as drawing origami, magic, and art books. As the materials have arrived primary students have had the opportunity to explore the various items through challenges presented to them as responses to books that they have heard read aloud to them. Here are just a few examples: the kindergarten students crafted superhero wristbands after hearing the story 'Super Red Riding Hood', the grade one students used Lego to create a park after hearing 'Butterfly Park' by Elly McKay and the grade 3 students used an app to share information they researched on a country in Africa after listening to Alma Fullerton's book called 'In a Cloud of Dust'. As materials are introduced we have been able to establish expectations for their use together with the students.
We are fortunate that our space already includes laptops, ipads, a GoPro camera, iographer kit, green screen, some Lego and some craft supplies.
Hopefully this has provided a little insight into the direction we are taking our library. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas. We will also be requesting donations of various materials as we continue to plan and design this space.
Reading a fantastic book called Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Mrs Ayres donated it to our library and it is a book that I would definitely recommend to students in grade 7or 8.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Today I am posting on a blog for the first time. :) The past school year was filled with new learning experiences and blogging is the next! When school begins in September it is my hope that I will be able to invite classes, working with me in the library, to add to this blog using Easy Blogger Jr. In an attempt to become more familiar with these two blogging platforms, I will try posting a couple of times during the summer. Not sure what this will look like yet but as we discovered last year- learning can be MESSY so why should things change now? So here we go again muddling through another new experience. Have a great summer! Mrs. Raycraft
