Above is the LMC space prior to the redesign at
Jefferson Elementary. The space did not allow for
any of the key components that were needed to shift this space to an Innovation
Commons like creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and
communication. This space was originally
designed as a simple library space for book checkout and a place for students
to sit at tables and work. After
visiting schools in Finland and California, I strategically redesigned the
space to work in the favor of the above listed components for an Innovation
Commons.
The layout to the left was designed after much thought,
reflection, and collaboration with the understanding that this space needed to
be a central hub for personalized learning and would help promote student
achievement.
Our student population is also very genre orientated which
helped me make the decision to genre catalog our fiction section. The space still needed to promote literacy
and remain a library at its core. But
through space redesign reading could be highlighted amongst the new components
and the texts could support STEAM, makers, and personalized learning.
The Redesigned Space
To quote one of my students, "I love this space. It's the best place in the whole school". That was music to my ears.
The space to the left is our MakerSpace and STEAM
Space. It has items for student inquiry,
items for the kids to create/make with, and items for students to work with
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) activities for
critical thinking and personalized learning.
Items in this space will continue to grow and a monthly STEAM activity
will be available for students to always allow for new opportunities in critical
thinking and STEAM components. Many of the items I was able to get through Scholastic, STEMfinity, and MakerShed. I have been continually curating STEAM activities and projects to complete with kids, either as enrichment opportunities, independent learning activities, or after school clubs, on Pinterest. Check out my board - https://www.pinterest.com/missandy22/steam-library-activities/
The space to the right is our E for everybody section
(housing pictures books). We have some comfortable furniture for students to read or work, highlighted new books, a
carpeted area for a read aloud, and a table space for small group work or
collaboration. The furniture in this space is smaller making this space nice for younger kids.
All the books were shelved so that they are not high for the littler
ones.
This space is the fiction space. When I genre cataloged, I chose to focus on
Sports, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Fantasy & Science Fiction,
Mystery, and Series. The redesign of the
space will allow the genre cataloging to be highlighted and easy to access for
students. Each book is stickered with
its own genre sticker and signs above the section match the sticker colors and
the cataloging identifier (i.e. Realistic Fiction book by Carl Hiassen will be labeled in Destiny as R FIC Hia). There is a table for collaboration as well as comfortable
seating for the students to lounge and read or work.
This space is the non-fiction space. The space works as an inquiry section that
not only allows a space for small group work, but also a strategically placed
space off the computer lab that allows for students to research on the computer
or in the non-fiction space without teachers losing sight of their students.
Within all the space, we have technology available in the form
of Chromebook, PCs, and iPads, for the students to utilize. We have a green screen kit, Safari Montage
broadcasting cart, Mac creation station, and a SMART Interactive TV all setup for use as needed. A majority of this equipment is mobile
allowing for staff and students to work where best fits their needs.
We are just in the first week of my introduction of this space to students and staff but already am I getting some great feedback. I can't tell you how excited I am to continue onward!
