In addition to this, students have begun to explore the simplicity of the DoInk Green Screen app. We have the green screen (purchased with P & F Funding) , iPad and tripod set up for anyone who wishes to learn.
It will be available for the rest of the term. I am hoping that some inspired readers will create some BOOK HOOKS.
This term is always about Book Week and the promotion of reading. This year we are focusing on the pairing with a Makerspace concept.
At the start of term, students nominated their interest in a cardboard construction activity.
Over the course of two lunchtimes, students planned the lighthouse, presented their ideas, assessed the best plan and then came together a week later to actually construct the lighthouse. The process was loosely based on a DESIGN THINKING process.
At the top of the lighthouse there is an LED light that can be turned on (battery powered). This was a design element that the students need to consider when planning and building the lighthouse.
In the coming weeks we will add our shortlisted reviews to the Lighthouse Construction.
SO FAR in the JS Library this term…
Other activities that the students have been doing related to the Book Week are
creating BOOK LANTERNS using book dust covers
collating (PAPER CRAFT) of the L-I-G-H-T letters for display
STAY TUNED FOR MORE LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES TO ‘LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY’ in the weeks to come.
In the JS Library this year we are planning to engage with the Share a Story Project and have a focus on exploring literature through the monthly topics in the beautiful Share a Story CALENDAR with the desire to celebrate literacy and learning at SALC.
The Share a Story Project is the idea of the prolific and well respected author Jackie French (who has currently published 103 books!). She is Australian Children’s Laureatefor 2014 and 2015 and Senior Australian of the Year 2015.
Share a Story Project
Learn more about this and find some suggested activities here.
Locate ‘navigation’ through subjects such as sailing, explorers, devices such as the compass, maps and mapping or read adventure stories, biographies, Choose Your Own Adventure stories or mysteries.
Have a go at creating your own version of a ‘Choose Your Own ..’ style of story. This tool allows you to create it online.
Creating a Maker Space is just one way that we can connect what happens in the library to the real world.
There are many versions of Maker Spaces. In reality it depends on many variables such as money, space and time.
The Horizon Report 2014 (preview) has identified some topics that are clearly relevant and met by the use of Maker Spaces, Design Thinking and STE(A)M approaches to Innovative Teaching and Learning.
Significant Challenges Impeding K-12 Ed Tech Adoption
Difficult Challenges: Those that we understand but for which solutions are elusive
Complex Thinking and Communication
Integrating Personalized Learning
Solvable Challenges: Those that we understand and know how to solve
Like most things, being creative and open minded can allow you achieve success and value add for our students.
I am looking at ways we might do this as SALC. The Australian Curriculum – Technologies allows us to do this authentically and to fulfill the requirements of the curriculum (win win!).
In the past students have participated in exploratory sessions with programming, designing apps, game making and digital story telling. I would like to further scaffold this with a design thinking approach, where the students design their own inquiry, rather than it being a structured teacher led experience.
PS: This week I visited PIMPAMA STATE SECONDARY COLLEGE and saw their design thinking in action. Looking forward to seeing the next stage of their journey.
