Maker Mindset in the Library

Our Elementary students have embraced the maker mindset in the library. Students visiting the library during class time or in their free time are diving in to investigations and play with a variety of materials. As a school, ASD has defined what "maker" means to us:

Maker Mindset @ ASD:

Question everything. Be curious. Think with your hands. Embrace failure.

Explore. Create. Tinker. Invent. Design. Experiment. Construct. Play. DO!

And how do we bring this mindset to life in the library? Through student choice and agency; students can drive their own learning and pursue personal interests. A variety of books, digital tools and materials are available and the students bring their own ideas and questions.

Over the first semester, we observed students elevate their creativity, work cooperatively and push their play to new heights. They are often using multiple materials in their creations such as building mazes for beebot robots, making tents to climb inside and read, designing a soccer game with Spheros and Keva planks and building a Christmas tree with dowels, rubber bands and art materials.

When classes visit the library, students choose from our "ASD Library Daily Menu." Students are able to make a choice as to which activity is right for them on that particular day.

Students practice making choices - one day may be book selection, another may be continuing a project with a friend and another it may be some independent exploration. Teachers and librarians support students in finding a balance that is best for each individual learner.

Libraries around the world are expanding learning opportunities for their patrons - both school and public libraries. As a K-12 Library team, we continue to research best practice for libraries around the world, and we continue to listen to and observe our unique community of learners. 

An article from Edutopia by Josh Weisgrau outlines some important reasons why libraries are becoming champions of the maker mindset:

• Makerspaces and libraries are sites of informal learning.
• Libraries and makerspaces are inherently interdisciplinary spaces.
• Libraries and makerspaces provide equitable access to materials and resources.
• Makerspaces and libraries are more than just resource closets.
• Libraries and makerspaces serve the common goal of building community.

Gratitude Graffiti

In celebration of Thanksgiving, our Elementary students wrote messages and illustrations expressing their gratitude. Students enjoyed both writing their thoughts and reading the messages from their peers. Many students wrote that they were thankful for their families, their school and their friends.

The library is quite literally glowing with beautiful words of gratitude. Reading our students' words helps us realize how lucky we are to have such a special school community. 

One School, One Book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

ASD Libraries invite our community to participate in a shared reading experience; One School, One Book. As a part of our visiting author celebrations in March, we encourage students, parents, teachers and staff to read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.

William's memoir, a New York Times Bestseller and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, is uniquely available in three formats - a picture book, middle grade novel and adult novel. William's story has inspired many as it shows how even in the face of hardship a child's idea can change the world. As a school community, we have the opportunity to share and discuss a powerful story together across all ages and to meet William in person.

When fourteen-year-old William’s Malawi village was hit by a drought, food and money were scarce. Unable to attend school, William spent days in the library, researching and dreaming of bringing electricity to his village. William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps and became a hero who harnessed the wind.

After an invitation to join TEDGlobal as a fellow, William graduated from Dartmouth College in 2014 and began work at Ideo.org. William's time at Ideo focused on Human Centered Design and sent him around the world working on projects ranging from sanitation in India to gender-based violence prevention in Kenya. He is now working with WiderNet to develop appropriate technology curriculum that will allow people to bridge the gap between "knowing" and "doing". WiderNet will distribute the content through eGranaries around Malawi and across Africa. His Moving Windmills Project uses donations to support community initiatives in Malawi.

Copies of all three versions of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind are available at ASD Libraries. Stay tuned for more information about our visiting authors program.

Celebrating Our Reading

We are always looking for ways to celebrate our students' reading. Reading is must be personal and social at the same time. We know that readers are successful when they are supported by a reading community.

Congratulations to all of our students who completed the "Reading Makes You Feel Good" Summer Reading Challenge. Around 100 students from K1 through Grade 6 completed the challenge by reading a recording a variety of books over the summer. Mr. Advento, Ms. Jones and Ms. Pollock visited classrooms to present certificates to these readers. 

Students kept track of their reading in so many creative ways! Some made lists, some drew pictures, some took photographs, some made charts. The goal was to read what makes us feel good and keep a log in a unique, personal way. Here are just a few examples of how students personalized their reading journeys:

Once again, we appreciated our students' enthusiasm around summer reading. If you have ideas or suggestions about future reading challenges, let us know! 

As we move into the school year, some of our students are using Biblionasium to keep track of the books they read and books they want to read in the future.

Our students in Grades 4 and 5 are connected and building a digital reading community in Biblionasium. In their class groups, they can make recommendations to friends, write reviews and view their classmates reading lists. 

Biblionasium now syncs with Destiny Discover to provide students with a seamless experience managing their library accounts, building books shelves and setting reading goals.

Learn more about Biblionasium in this short video:

What does peace mean to you?

In honor of International Peace Day on September 21, the ES Library partnered with the Service Learning team to create a community project centered around the theme of peace. Students and teachers were invited to create a peace flag to add to our community installation.

As class groups we shared The Peace Book by Todd Parr and I Am Peace by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds. The books gave us inspiration for designing our peace flags. If you haven't already, please visit us to design your very own flag to show what peace means to you. We will display the peace flags in the library. All contributions are welcome.

This month our library also added a new learning space. The Peaceful Place is a quiet, reflective zone for learners. Soft lighting, over-sized bean bags and rocking chairs help set the mood for peace and quiet. Our students and teachers have enjoyed stopping in to take some time and space for themselves.

A highlight of our Peace Day celebrations was sharing I Am Peace set to music by Emily Arrow. Mr. Advento and Ms. Strate even joined in for some of the peaceful fun! 

To enjoy the singing and yoga poses, view the video below: