Wrapping up school year 2016-2017 at ISE Library

Enjoy the ISE library antics through the below photo show. Our library is a busy place where learning, socializing and fun in general happens.

Let's start off with a regular state of the library on any given Wednesday, period 8, when almost all middle school, well except year 4 is in having a class, group investigations or independent work.

Our IT Integrator Ms. Glyka introduced books including augmented reality during our last PYP literature circles meeting. Grade 3 students were eager to make connections on how innovation changes the ways we read, and access books and information, something that we have been discussing in the library in conjunction with their Innovation UOI.

Meet the Gruffalos in Reception. Students loved Gruffalo stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, as well as the lovely film based on Gruffalo book that gave a sneak and peek in "behind the scenes" of the story.

In February Year 5 students hosted the Human library on their Personal project topics. We has 12 exciting and knowledgeable Books sharing their learning stories with the community.

Visitors from the youngest to the oldest of our students.

 And then this happens... I told you...

... fun ...

... sometimes sorrow ...

... and love.

Till the next year! Have a great summer holidays! Päikest!

Reflections

One of our 7th grader made an interesting observation the other day. "Why did the IBO pick the Pokemon Go team colours for their programme logos?" See what I mean...PYP-team Instinct, MYP-team Valor and DP- team Mystic. I, personally, was pointing out the IB Learner Profile at the core of all Continuum programmes at that time. Being a Pokemon Go player myself the connection was cool but completely overlooked. Bigger fan of the IBO than Pokemon Go...

IBO-team Instinct, team Valor, team Mystic

Pokemon Go-team Instinct, team Valor, team Mystic

Grade 5 welcomes new students in the library

During their first visit to the library returning grade 5 students took on a role of library tour guides and showed our new students around the library introducing the areas and activities happening in the library. After the tour the new students reflected back about what they heard.

They noticed the World languages section, picture books for young readers, the artwork (the chair) displayed in the library, computers in the research area, classroom for working and even that there is a book for blind people in the library:)

This was the magical "The Black Book of Colors" by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria laying on a shelf top waiting to be displayed. It is an interesting book "with raised black line drawings, which can be deciphered by touch, accompanied by a beautifully written text which is translated into braille" (from the book jacket).

How does that sound: "... yellow tastes like mustard, but is as soft as a baby chick's feathers" and "Black is the king of all the colors. It is as soft as silk when his mother hugs him and her hair fall in his face". Pretty amazing, doesn't it? Check it out from the library! You might even get a free tour.

Wrapping up first semester 2015-2016

The busy first semester is coming to an end soon.
Below are some high lights, accomplishments and exciting events that took place in the library.

Smart surfaces

Lego nook

Library days

MYP Projects

PYP classes

New homeroom for grade 8

Visiting students

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).

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!

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:)

Human Library 2015

Book Week 2015 "We All Speak Music" ended on Friday with an exciting Human Library event. I commend the time and effort all the Books in the Human Library volunteered. From International School of Estonia - Karolina Sepp and handbell students (Christian, Simon, Janek, Anjali, Saskia, Viola, Amane), Paula grade 10, Tamara grade 12, Guido Hiiemaa, Anais Chevalier, Reelika Herkel, Relika Bergstrom, Solvi Ryder, and from outside school Toomas Sepp and Andrea Patron. The books were very interesting and expedient. I was amazed by the talent people have to be shared with our students.

This year the Library Catalog held 10 music themed books.

1. Title: The World of Bells
Summary: The history and the basics of playing the handbells, and a small concert with the possibility of joining in.
2. Title: The Rhythmic World of Percussion
Summary: Find out musical percussion instruments from different part of the world and discover how to play interesting sounds and rhythm.
3. Title: Trumpet in a Musical Circle
Summary: You will learn about the trumpet player's life and why music is important.
4. Title: You Can't Dance Without Music
Summary: This book is about dancing. It tells us about how music and dance are closely related. Have you ever seen a ballet? Would it be good if there was no music? Let's find out and dance together with the music.
5. Title: Singer Songwriter
Summary: Have you ever thought about singing? How about singing a song you wrote yourself?
We will be talking about joys and struggles of being a singer songwriter, learn few tricks and ways to write a song and try to create one together.
6. Title: Digital Organ
Summary: Find out about an instrument called piped organ and hear it play some extraordinary pieces of music.
7. Title: Feel the Beat
Summary: Find out about different drumming styles, discover the rhythm in you and create your own beats.
8. Title: Estonia and the Eurovision Song Contest
Summary: A short overview of Estonian performers and songs at Eurovision song contest from 1994 till now. Greatest winners and losers, and funniest performers and songs. Come and check us out.
9. Title: A Musical Trip Through the Baltics
Summary: Listen to a song starting from Estonia, through Latvia and ending in Lithuania. In each country the song recommends what to do there and what to notice and keep in mind.
10. Title: The sounds of variety
Summary: Listen to various genres of music and spot the differences between them. Find out what genre suits you the most and is your favorite. A perfect opportunity to hear what makes genres different.

Human Library

This year a new event was introduced during annual Book Week - ISE Human Library. 

Human Library works exactly as a normal library – readers come and borrow a “Book” for a limited period of time. After reading it they return the Book to the library. There is one difference: the Books in the library are human beings, and the Books and readers enter into a personal dialogue.
Human Library for the young students is a verbal heritage tool, a way:

• to share our stories, culture, hobbies, interests, skills in a real face to face situation,
• to learn from each other and about each other.

As in the real library, the Books are the most important resource of the Human library. The role of the book could be demanding, but it is also interesting and fun.

Great Big THANK YOU for goes to all the wonderful Books for sharing their stories!

The Books in the ISE Human Library related to the theme "Healthy Mind in Healthy Body". Browse the library catalog to see what books students read.

1.Title: Underwater Adventures
Summary: Find out about scuba diving, look at the photos of some interesting sea creatures and try out the equipment needed for breathing underwater.

2.Title: Dance Like No one is Watching 
Summary: Find out about hip-hop, show dance and ballet. You can also see different pictures of dances from around the world.

3.Title: Archery- Not Only in Movies
Summary: Take a look into the interesting world of archery. Find out about different bows, arrows and other pieces of equipment and see some of them for yourself!

4.Title: Rowing - Sporting Heroes, Successes and Disasters.
Summary: Find out about the sport of rowing, including some of the best races ever (and one where the boats sink!), what it takes to be a champion, the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race, and the greatest Olympian of all time.

5.Title: Illustrated Guide to Yoga for Kids
Summary: Learn about yoga, a sport for body and mind. Practice some yoga moves to test your strength, balance and flexibility. 

6.Title: Austria and the Olympic Winter Games
Summary: Find out about the Olympic winter games held in Austria and the most famous Austrian Skiers who won Olympic gold medals

7.Title: Soccer Stories
Summary: Learn how exercise, practice, and a positive attitude can help you become better at the sport you love to play.

8.Title: Brain Teasers
Summary: Find out how you can "grow" your brain, by solving fun puzzles and see whether the boys or the girls have the strongest brains!

9.Title: Hiking in Mountains
Summary: Find out where the highest peaks in Europe are, how to walk in mountains and what kind of dangers might be on the trek. What makes hiking in mountains an adventure: wild nature, sleeping in snow, different cultures, fascinating views? Learn to make simple loops with climbing rope, try on climbing equipment, and look at some photos.

10. Title: Walking the World
Summary: Walking does not have to be boring! See photos and find out about some of the interesting places and people you can meet while walking.

MSP Info studies - Research cycle

We started the Information studies course with learning about the Research cycle. In order to complete research papers successfully it is important to understand what are the stages we go through while doing research, and what happens at each stage. Understanding and following effective research strategies results in deeper knowledge and successful work outcomes. The course is built around the research process discussing topic that arise from doing research. As the final assessment students created and designed their own research models. They had to include at least 4 stages; give each stage a name and write a brief description/explanation for it. They were allowed to use any graphing tool.

I am glad to share the top 3 models.

Research model by Elliina Gorobets

Research model by Patrick Williams

Research model by Mary Neuburger

What's happening at the MSP Info studies

Last week we wrote Info studies reflections with middle school students. See below what they say about their studies.

I did a really good job on the Google a Day activity. The Google a Day is a thing were it gives you questions and you have to find the answer to the question using different search techniques. Josh Gr 6

Some benefits [of Info studies course] are that I can improve and learn new skills. Kento Gr 7

I have learned how to search, to get better information quicker without having to read a lot. Calle Gr 7

Some benefits are that I know how to cite a source and how to search on the web for information I need. Alexandra Gr 8

The benefits are that I learned more about Wikipedia and I know now that I shouldn't use it as a primary source as everyone can edit it. I am struggling with getting too much information at once then I won't remember everything, and when we need to write I struggle with deciding what to write. Marius Gr 8

I think the benefits that I will actually use [from this course] are citing and also knowing about Wikipedia. It will be good for my studies and help me get better information for research. Teele gr 8

The class had taught me how to cite and use Wikipedia better without getting wrong answers by people who change the information. I'm still struggling with finding out which information is right and wrong. Minh Gr 8

The benefit for me in this class is that it helps me with researching techniques. Jamie Gr 9

This course has been a big help to me especially when researching the different search engines and how to properly cite the sources used.  I have also learned a lot about how to even more narrow down the information needed on search engines such as Google.  Caroline Gr 9

I learned a lot of things, which I never knew before. Valentin Gr 9