Mrs. French's 4th Grade Science classes visited the Learning Commons for a STEM project last week! They were presented a problem and had to work through the Scientific Process to solve their problem. Sam (their gummy worm) was stranded on his capsized boat (plastic cup). His life preserver (Lifesaver gummy) was trapped underneath the boat. Using only 4 paper clips, the students had to brainstorm a way to get the life preserver from underneath the boat and on to Sam. They could NOT touch any objects with their hands except the paperclips. The students worked so well together and Sam was saved!
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YES!! We began the process last school year with a major weeding of our library collection. We looked at data from the last 7 years and began pulling books that have not been checked out to make room for newer, up to date literature. Once we completed weeding, the books were then rearranged and shelves were removed to create a more open flow to make room for adaptable furniture. Books in the nonfiction section have always been arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. We found this to be a very difficult way for students to navigate the shelves to find the books they were interested in. We “Ditched Dewey” and arranged the nonfiction books according to their topic. We’ve seen tremendous increases in circulation of nonfiction books already! Chapter books were also rearranged slightly. All books in a series were placed in a certain section with their series name clearly marked. The students have already commented that the books they are most interested in are much easier to find. We have a plan in place for painting and colors have been chosen. We are also compiling a list of adaptable furniture that we hope to get through a grant. Students have already begun STEM activities and Makerspaces as well as activities done in collaboration with teachers and Learning Commons staff.
The main focus of our Learning Commons will always be to promote the love of reading. Students will still come in for story time, book check-out, Reading Counts tests, Book Fair, etc. In addition to this, we will be incorporating more STEM activities, Makerspaces, collaboration with teachers for large projects that will connect with the curriculum they are teaching in the classroom, etc. STEM activities will be geared toward science and engineering. Makerspaces will be opportunities to express creativity.
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