December Newsletter

Library Learning Commons Tour

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of showing a few of our library learning commons to a principal and small group of teachers from an independent school who are interested in creating a LLC in their school. I always enjoy the rich conversations that happen when teachers get together and it's always interesting to visit teacher-librarians in their space! Thanks to Sue, at Chantrell Creek, Carly, at Pacific Heights and Jane, at Rosemary Heights for the warm welcome and the professional conversations.

LLC at Chantrell Creek. Curved bookshelves are easily moved.
Small armchairs are perfect for young readers.

LLC at Chantrell Creek. Wall decorated with stick on mural.

SSBOY display at Pacific Heights.

Soft furnishings are easily (and often!) rearranged by students
in the LLC at Pacific Heights.

Pacific Heights library cart transformed into rolling tool kit!

Pacific Heights LLC display pairing natural objects with books.

Rosemary Heights LLC makerspace in progress.
 Students were so engaged with these activities!

Organizing Coding and Robotics Resources

Looking for a way to organize your coding and robotics kits? As mentioned in the newsletter, there are generic titles in Destiny allowing you to barcode materials for sign out to classroom teachers and check out the labels created by Kim and Bev at Adams Road! Each label has a list of the materials that need to be returned with the bag or box, as well as the Library Learning Commons name. This allows teachers to sign out various kits and makes it easy to repack when it's time to return resources they are finished with. Resources are stored in drawers in the storage units and fit neatly under the counter. I can see this idea extending to makerspace materials as well!

November Newsletter #2

Digital Resources in Surrey Schools

Looking for a way to promote digital resources? Check out this video by Surrey Schools and feel free to share it! Digital resources are available to students and staff at school and at home.
https://vimeo.com/243040132?ref=em-v-share

November Newsletter #1

Award Book Promotion Ideas

Looking for a way to promote the Surrey Schools Book Award Programs? Here are a few ideas I've seen in LLCs this week.

Colour copies of the book covers highlight this bulletin board by Kathy at George Greenaway.

Thanks to Mandip at Surrey Centre for the QR code sheets.

Ingrid at Sunrise Ridge made nominees easy to spot with labels printed on brightly coloured paper.  

October Newsletter #2

LLC at Mary Jane Shannon

I had the pleasure of visiting Sonja at M. J. Shannon and took a few photos to show some of the great features of the library learning commons.  I noticed seating available in a variety of heights. It was a very welcoming space!

Soft green high tables with stools have proven to be very popular with students.

Comfortable bean bags, pillows and stools offer seating at different levels. The large counter hides deep shelving, perfect for makerspace bins! The countertop provides display space and is easily cleared for project work.

Shaped tables with wheels on two legs are easily rearranged according to need. 

October Newsletter #1

September Newsletter #2

September Newsletter #1

District Meeting for Surrey Teacher-Librarians

A new year begins...

September has always been the "new year" for me as a teacher-librarian. New students, new books, new ideas to try. Last year saw many teacher-librarians try out coding and makerspace ideas with their students. I'm looking forward to our District Teacher-Librarian meeting on Thursday this week and seeing some of those ideas in action! In the meantime, here's a link to a short Youtube video you may find useful in teaching students about taking care of their library books.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRMRMeBzfTA&sns=em

Makerspace at Rosemary Heights

A short time ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the library learning commons at Rosemary Heights Elementary during their Friday afternoon makerspace time. Teacher-librarian, Jane Leslie, invited two buddy classes to come in and work on some A-MAZE-ING creations. Grade 1 and Grade 5 students worked side by side to build, create, discover and problem solve, all the while using their core competency skills of communication, critical and creative thinking and social responsibility.

The makerspace materials in the library learning commons at Rosemary Heights are varied. Some have been constructed or donated by parents, such as the Lego wall with the tubes. The tubes have a piece of Lego attached to each end, allowing the tube to be attached to the wall to create a marble maze. The wall is large enough for a group of students to work at and I saw much trial and error in the building of the mazes.
While the Lego wall is a permanent feature, not all the makerspace materials are left out. The teacher-librarian stores the materials in bins in the library workroom and pulls out the materials needed for the day's activity. Varying the activities and materials keeps it "fresh" for the students.
Do you have a favourite makerspace activity or resource? Share in the comments below.

Surrey Schools' Narrative Nonfiction Book of the Year: New for 2017

Coming soon! Teacher-librarians in our elementary schools are looking forward to sharing the ten nominated books for this new award program with their students. Check out the new website to see all the nominees!
https://sites.google.com/view/surreyreadsnonfiction/home
We invite your input via the google form on the Teacher tab on the website.

Tweet using the hashtag #SSNNFBOY

Protecting Your Online Profile

Secondary teacher-librarians may be interested in sharing this video from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. It hits many of the essential safety concerns for protecting your reputation online, all in under 5 minutes! Check it out here.

Lena Shaw Hosts Mentoring Group

The teacher-librarian mentoring group met at Lena Shaw Elementary for an after school session on favourite picture books and sharing ideas. We all took away some great library display ideas from Armee Malig, the teacher-librarian at Lena Shaw. Check out these great ideas!

Lena Shaw Library Learning Commons

I love this idea for a dust cover banner.

Clear, visual clues for students to find books on their topic.

Eye catching display for the graphic novel section!

Semiahmoo Secondary Library Learning Commons

Semiahmoo Secondary has undergone a transformation from library to library learning commons and I'd like to share a few features of the new space. Teacher-librarian, Maureen McDonough, gave me a little tour and shared how much she enjoys working in the new LLC, which she calls, "A work in progress." Students in the LLC were comfortable in the space: collaborating with groups, using the computers, signing books out or just catching up with friends. Some were using the meeting room which was formerly a workroom. Others collaborated in the Maker Space area behind the circulation desk. I loved how this library was transformed and it was great to see so many students taking advantage of the space.

Students feel at home working on their assignment.

Small footprint with a lot of display space on this triangular shelf.

Higher table and chairs for group work.

This was a storage room for VHS tapes. The room has been cleared out
and repurposed as a green screen room.