ROBOTICS RULE: THE JS Library M@kerspace

Posted on October 22, 2015 by juliab

The focus for the JS Library Makerspace in Term 4 is exploration with robotics.

Students have access to the following robotic resources

Bee Bots
Cubelets
Spheros

In Term 1 some Year 1 students were able to learn with the Lego WeDo).

Additionally, we try to match the concepts to literature.

Photos of students at the initial mentor training session

The ICT Mentors (and friends) have learnt how to use the cubelets and the sphero in an introductory session in order to teach other students. These student were already competent in the use of Bee Bots.

As a part of the construct of the Makerspace, it is desired to have some permanent stations or activities for the students as well as ones that are temporary and supervised (led by a teacher or the ICT Mentors) in order to support the more complex programs and tasks.

Year 3 ICT Mentor in Training Mentoring Preps!

Permanent Stations for Exploration: Bee Bot

The Bee Bots will be available each day and at first break.

Sphero

The Sphero will be able to be ‘borrowed’ by other students (with a trained student willing to support the other students in its use and to assist with trouble shooting).

2015-10-18 09.46.35

Temporary Station for Exploration: Cubelets

COMING SOON

In Week 4 students across the Junior School will have the opportunity to use these resources and will be set a collaborative challenge to complete.

See below more information about these challenges below (select thumbnail to view larger size).

Bee Bots in Action

Cubelets in Action

Sphero in Action and see Cathy Hunt’s iPad Art Room for more exciting ways to explore coding with the Sphero.

SMORE: “LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY” NEWSLETTER TERM THREE

Posted on August 27, 2015 by juliab

SELECT FROM THE VERSIONS BELOW

LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY – SMORE (redirect to the website)
NEWSLETTER as an IMAGE (embedded but not interactive).
NEWSLETTER embedded (see below image) on the JS Library Blog)

e-Learning trends to watch

Posted on June 8, 2015 by juliab

Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics

Green Screen: It’s not just for superheroes or movie stars

Posted on April 1, 2015 by juliab

A group of Year 3 students have been experimenting with the green screen as a means to share their learning this term. These students have been considering ways to evaluate, reflect and report on reading.

These green screen movie reflections were created using a variety of apps on the iPad (using the video, camera, drawing and green screen apps).

Touch Cast
Green Screen by Do Ink
Doodle Buddy

This is what the students have thought about the process so far…

See below for two reviews they have created. When the students create their next review (in Term Two) they will direct this (almost) independently, with the aim to become experts for the other students in the class, teaching how to use the green screen and its associated apps.

These reviews are not polished presentations but have been created in a short time frame as a tool to engage and enhance the learning experience.

Book Reviews

The Cats of Venus

Today the students were introduced to the concept of a book hook to ‘sell’ the book to another reader.

See “How to write a book hook” wiki how with pictures.

The Treasure Island: A Fun Map

The students shared why someone should ‘read’ this map.

As the students become more confident and self reflective, the presentations will become more diverse and ‘professional’.

Finally, students are presenting for an authentic audience.

Love Your Library month & Book Giving Day

Posted on February 13, 2015 by juliab

For a few years we have been celebrating Love Your Library month. It is an excellent way to introduce students to the library as well as getting teachers involved and enthusiastic about visiting the library.

This year we have had teachers select their own gift of a Picture Book, Fiction or Non-Fiction book and a bookmark that “Gives the Gift of Reading” through a list of recommended authors on a specific genre.

As a part of the Loving your Library concept we also have “Getting to Know You” and Library Orientation activities. These activities have been arranged around the PYP Concepts from the perspective of the library.

Classroom Teachers select how they would like to orientate their students and set up the Essential Agreements for the use of the library space.