candystore

candystore

September 29, 2015

Books as concept manipulatives

I came across an intriguing idea reading "The Library Element" blog by Philip Williams. I think it is worth sharing and exploring further. Have you ever thought of using books and library for math instruction? Organizing, sorting, counting, size and other math topics could easily be explored in the library. Great, or what?

"Books, as physical objects, can similarly be considered as  “concept manipulatives“. Apart from the rich stories, informational texts & all that books represent, the physical artefact that is a book gives students the opportunity to hold ideas in their hands. This is not a print versus digital argument either. It is simply an appreciation for the physical act of grasping a book or a pile of books on a subject & organising them, categorising them, classifying them, sorting them and all the while discussing & engaging with various concepts that may relate to that subject area. Even the act of searching the library shelves for a book engages the whole body in the process of research." Read more


Exploring books in the library.

Manipulatives in the library.
It all comes together in the library.



September 16, 2015

What's available at the library?!

This entry introduces the e-book collections and e-readers to access the books we have at ISE. You can access them through your computer or download a free e-reader app from AppStore - MackinVIA and Follett BryteWave
Both collections include materials, e-books and audio books, for younger and older students, free reading and some unit support.

Attached are videos that guide you through the readers and their features.


Computer access for MackinVia e-reader https://www.mackinvia.com/ or via MackinVIA app.

Computer access for Follett Shelf https://wbb31688.follettshelf.com/shelf/servlet/presentshelfform.do?site=31688 or Follett BryteWave app

Please contact Ms. Kadri, kadrit@ise.edu.ee, for log-in information.

In addition to our school e-book collection there are links to various free e-book sites via "Ms. Tomson Recommends - Online Resources" wiki https://mstomsonrecommends-onlineresources.wikispaces.com/E-book+resources

Please find me in the library if you have any further questions. Read yourself and/or show these to your students, children.



Do you prefer a book or a bookbook? (IKEA.)


Happy exploring!



Smart surfaces in ISE Library!

Have you ever wanted to let your creativity loose and draw on a table or a wall but not being allowed to...? Now you can! ISE library has new innovative, smart surfaces for collaboration, group work, brainstorming and other creative activities. With the help from Mr. Guido we turned a couple of tables and shelf ends into white boards. Come in, take a look and be smart!


Hi! Tell me your thoughts, ideas & dreams!

What book speaks to you?

Grade 5 brainstorming information sources.

When were you the happiest today?

Group work

Collaboration

It all comes together in the library (see the center).


September 7, 2015

What available at the library?!

It's my pleasure to let you know of the various on-site and off-site resources available at ISE Library. All resources include materials for all grade levels, students and teachers, for curriculum support, learning, research and leisure reading.

Please visit Learning Commons and Library sites to learn what's happening at the far end of the second floor.

ISE website Online resources page includes links to ISE Online Catalog and subscription databases available at ISE - World Book Online (all school range research and e-books database) and EBSCOhost (premier academic research database for IB DP).

ISEOnline catalog offers access to all the books at the library and to our e-reader platforms, MackinVia and FollettShelf.

Please contact Ms. Kadri, kadrit@ise.edu.ee , for the log-in information.

There is also a link to Ms. Tomson Recommends – Online Resources wiki offering free resources for online reading, learning and research; carefully selected by Ms. Kadri Tomson, reviewed and recommended by fellow librarians and information specialists.

Please find Ms. Kadri in the library for further questions. Come yourself and/or bring your students, children. 
Make the most of the resources our library offers. Check it out as one needs beauty AND the brains:)





Name change!

Finally I changed the name for the blog to what our library has evolved into "the Learning Commons".


Learning Commons is a place with students talking, reading, and learning, searching for information on a variety of devices, focusing on content creation and synthesizing of information; a place for teachers to collaborate, to build inquiry learning and critical thinking skills in students; a place for technology integration and experimentation; a place that is ‘owned’ by students and staff alike. (Kelly Reierson and Lissa Davies).

A Learning Commons approach takes the school library into the 21st century. Don’t worry, our students are still reading, we have one of the biggest English language collections for young readers in Tallinn, and there is still a librarian and a thorough information studies and reading programs. Be happy, there is a bustle and activity. The ISE Learning Common is the hub and the heart of the school. ISE Learning Commons include the library and research area, computer cafĂ©, technology-robotics, art and design room, and a lounge area for various kinds of individual or collaborative, creative and learning activities.


September 2, 2015

"There is no greater sadness than the end of a book"

I just have to share the the below video of love for reading featuring a very young yet eager reader. He knows no greater sadness than the end of a book. Do you sometimes feel like that at the end of a great story? If only books and reading would leave such strong emotions to the most of us, so we couldn't live without them...

Video "The saddest bookworm", Youtube, uploaded by leesedanielle, 1. Sept, 2015


Welcome to the new school year MYP!

The school year has started and we are at the full swing at ISE and in the Library by now.

Below is some info about what library has to offer for upper school students and how information literacy and research skills are addressed at MYP, middle school level. 

     Academic honesty
MYP programme takes academic honesty very seriously. One of the four policies all MYP schools have is an Academic honesty policy. ISE adopted one at the end of last school year and is implementing it into teaching and learning this school year.
All MYP students signed an age appropriate student version of the policy agreeing to demonstrate academic honesty and avoid any form of academic misconduct.

Academic honesty in the IB is described by the IB learner profile. As stated in the IB learner profile, all members of the IB community must strive to be “principled”, acting with “integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere”.
ISE’s Academic Honesty Policy focuses on prevention and promoting good practice. It is our goal for the entire school community to view the principles of the Academic Honesty Policy positively.

In IB the programmes, students develop skills that are important across the curriculum and help them “learn how to learn”. Students will learn and practice academic honesty as part of the ATL skills in various classes, receive and sign an age-appropriate, copy of the policy and understand that the coordinator and teachers are available for further advice and guidance.


We encourage parents to teach and support the ethical values of honesty and integrity and share ISE’'s enforcement of the academic honesty policy, especially with regard to work done outside of school. ISE helps and encourages students with schoolwork, but never does it for them.

                  Binghamton University students talk about academic honesty.

     Information literacy
This year information studies are integrated into subject group units of study. MYP subject teachers and I will  be looking into ways how to collaborate when teaching and learning ATL (approaches to learning) - research and information literacy skills in an authentic settings while exploring UOS topics. 

     Personal project
For the second year I am the Personal project Coordinator at ISE. The MYP culminates in the personal project. Year 5 (grade 10) students engage in the Personal Project. It is a mandatory project in the Middle Years Programme. The project is an opportunity to explore a topic of interest, to develop ATL (approaches to learning) skills and to create something unique, to demonstrate a consolidation of learning in the MYP (what they have learned during the 5 years in MYP). ISE library offers support with finding resources in and outside school for the research portion of the project.

Besides wearing the hats of a librarian, an information literacy specialist and a Personal Project Coordinator my new role this year is a MYP Coordinator.
Last but not least the library is a homeroom for grade 8 this year.


We like it here!


September 1, 2015

Welcome to the new school year PYP!

The school year has started and we are at the full swing at ISE and in the Library by now.

Below is some info about how library time is allocated at PYP, primary school, level. This year I will also be looking for further collaboration with core classroom teachers to teach and learn about information literacy skills in an authentic setting while exploring UOI topics.

Lower school students come to the library for weekly library and information studies class. During that time we learn about library behaviour, book care, and an orientation to library matters and subjects according to their grade level. Research skills are essential for studying and learning; therefore these skills are reinforced in information studies lessons at the upper elementary level.

We read stories with younger students every lesson, discuss and explain what is happening in the story. Students have an opportunity to show their communication – viewing, listening and speaking; thinking and social skills, and share their experiences. Stories are often connected to the UOI topics learnt in homeroom.

Upper elementary students focus on learning research skills; how to locate, organize and use information. We search ISE Online catalogue, and learn to use reference tools available at ISE library. We talk about plagiarism and what is “good” information.

At the end of the class students have a chance to find a book for home reading. Students start taking books home beginning Reception class. The choice is up to your child, as to what she or he wants to read. Each child has a blue library bag. All new students will get a bag from the librarian, and it has to be returned at the end of the school year. Children can keep their books up to 4 weeks, but new books can’t be checked out until the previous one is returned. Therefore, younger students might need a reminder to take their books back to school at the right time.

I am looking for happy exploring and exciting discoveries at the library and occasionally some cookies:)