1. Moving from Library to Learning Commons Anita Mays Jennifer Whitenack Baker-Butler Elementary School Albemarle County, Virginia VAASL November, 2015 1

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3. Preassessment : an instructional strategy teachers use to uncover what students know about a curriculum unit before they begin formal instruction if....... 3

4. Changing deodorant can be an example of how hard it is to change what we think is working. 4

5. The Albemarle County library media center program aims to: “Provide learning experiences that encourage users to become discriminating consumers and skilled creators of information. ” (Albemarle County Library Media Center Handbook, 2006) 5

6. Why move from traditional library towards learning commons? traditional library is center of information If information is all you want, why do you need to come to the library if that information is accessible online? learning commons is flexible space to provide interaction with information and construction of knowledge through collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication Can I borrow a set of encyclopedias for my class to do research on elements in the periodic table? 6

7. What does a library look like if it's purpose is as a connectivity portal to community, region, world? (Grant Lichtman) Traditional Library hub of the school information center- provides access to information in print, digitally and online. accessing information focuses on consumption of information through reading and research space for direct instruction, reading and research Learning Commons presence throughout the school learners’ center-flexible spaces that adapt to meet needs of participatory learners to provide interaction with information applying information focuses on construction of knowledge through collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication spaces for direct instruction, reading, research, making, creating, tinkering 7

8. Makerspace? Learning Commons learners’ center-flexible spaces that adapt to meet needs of participatory learners to provide interaction with information Makerspace makers’ center-flexible space that provides opportunities for learners to construct knowledge using materials and tools 8

9. Learning Commons Individual Space Collaboration Space Instructional Space Makerspace 9

10. How do we get there? 1.State the problem: How can the library space meet the needs /wants of the users? 2.Generate ideas: Evaluate responses to survey. Created blueprint and used tech tools to create movable furnishings. Suggested changes. 3.Select solutions. Prioritized suggestions by desirability and feasibility. Implemented changes. 10

11. Details Space Resources Schedule Staff Buy-in No Money 11

12. Space Work with what I have. Consider other uses for my spaces. Start small. 12

13. Schedule fixed, flexible, or mixed provide access to library space and resources collaborate with teachers for authentic lessons provide opportunities to construct knowledge and support content 13

14. Resources What do I use and want to keep? What do I not use? (overhead projectors) What can I repurpose? (part of circ desk) What do I want to add? (building kits) What can I get through donations? (Legos) 14

15. Staff Buy-in 1.Identify how program aligns with strategic plan administrative support 2.Identify needs to fulfill. Do not want solution in search of a problem Skeptics are sold by outcomes, not gadgets Students learn by doing Teachers’ content is supported 3.Seek input, ask for ideas Let them participate. Spend time to foster understanding of space. 15

16. What does it look like? 16

17. Stations Fixed stations: activities that are available all of the time for students to just walk in and work with. Flexible stations: activities that include more formalized introduction and instruction. 17

18. Fixed Stations Snap Circuits Little Bits Legos, Duplos Lego Wedo Scratch Sphero K’Nex, Lincoln Logs, Zoobs, Zometools Tangrams, Tantrix, Suspend Paper Engineering (planes, towers, origami) Marble Run, Q-Ba Maze, Weird & Wacky Maze Laser Maze Gravity Maze Magnets, Magformers Pattern Blocks, Dominoes Rainbow Loom Shell Sort Take Apart Simple Machines Art (puzzles, flags, fashion design, architecture, fingerprinting) Tools, materials, “to be finished” 18

19. Flexible Stations 19 Book Briefs Make cards collaboration with teachers raw materials tools

20. Expectations Users will be responsible. – I will take care of myself. – I will take care of materials I use. Users will be respectful. – I will respect the needs of other users. Users will be independent. – I know why I am here. – I know what I am working on. 20

21. “It’s not about libraries; it’s about learning.” AASL President Gail Dickinson, 7/15/2014 21

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23. Now for some fun: Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki: Everlasting Egyptians If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen: Personal Palace Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House by Cynthia Rylant: Mudge's Terrific Tree House We're Sailing Down the Nile by Laurie Krebs and Anne Wilson: Sailing for Souvenirs The Three Little Pigs' Sledding Adventure by Stephen Krensky: Swift Swine Sled Design Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince: Trust the Trusses Castle Under Siege! By Andrew Solway: Simple Siege Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss: Can You Hatch It? Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice by Sylvia Rosa-Casanova: Lunch Lifter Curious George Plays Mini-Golf by H. A. Rey: Direct That Golf Ball 23