Building a LLC Community

This final learning curation based upon the readings from Module 11 ends this course on one of the most important topics for me. Introducing students to Social Justice issues, hearing their reactions and discussions to these issues and watching them take action is, for me, a wonderful gift of teaching. While caught in midst of the issue, it is uplifting to see students passionate about these issues; getting involved, questioning the core of these issues and wanting to make a change. All of this week's readings and resources were very deep, thought provoking and meaningful. Read the article: " The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thinking for Social Justice  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. " by Danielle McLaughlin, Director of Education for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Canadian Civil Liberties Education. *print edition: " The King of Denmark and the Naked Mole Rat: Teaching Critical Thin...

The options are endless...there is so much to offer The reading and resources from module 9 gave many ideas and inspirations  Sketchnoting - I quickly scrolled through this article and thought to myself...I'm not a fantastic artist, how can I sketch and doodle well enough to make this work? Weeeellllll, let me tell you...THIS IS AWESOME!!! I LOVE IT. I can see how this would be terrific in a classroom and can get students to think beyond regular linear thought process and consider things from all angles - thinking outside the box. My five minute sketch note was all about taking the plunge and believing in oneself: School Libraries and Makerspaces: Can They Coexist? I think the most important point in summary here is Josh Weisgrau's statement " Librarians and maker advocates alike should be able to understand the need for both spaces and their different means for building knowledge, while recognizing and valuing the similar approaches to learning encourag...

The Secondary School Reluctant Reader: How to help build life long readers, one student at a time Here is the scenario: A grade 10 student comes into the library weary because he has to submit an intended reading list and goals for the year. The teacher is excited about his/her new syllabus and is making attempts to slowly integrate more choice in reading in combination with the required novels assigned.  The only novels he has ever finished, reluctantly, have been the ones that were required reading in class. He dislikes reading and the idea of finishing one novel let alone a list for the year is overwhelming. He is thinking of dropping the class. What do you do/say? How do you help this student? Who do you involve? How do you turn this dilemma into an opportunity? Number One:    First of all, you should feel very pleased that you have a Library Learning Commons community where students feel safe to enter.  Take a moment to realize how impor...

...the struggle is real A quick search of "full brain" in Google Images turned up countless images depicting this "full brain" syndrome. Yes, the struggle is real for many. My goal is to build a vibrant and welcoming Library Learning Commons Community. What I am hearing from many colleagues is this "full brain" syndrome and feeling overwhelmed in keeping track of all the information. Wouldn't on-line searching be easier if everything were only "three clicks" away? A large aspect of building this community is to provide a space to collect and share resources that others can access in a user friendly, organized platform that require only "three clicks" to access. I have watched many people (myself included) Google the same site repeatedly. In looking for the most effective way of doing this, I hope that Symbaloo will help. I have set up a Symbaloo account and have started creating Webmix pages to share. My initial ...

I did it!!! I created my very first PowToon!! It took far too long, but I did it. Small miracles. PowToon LLC Now that I am looking at it again, I realize I will have to pay for the upgrade to be able to see all the features I want...but now I know what is there. 

Thinking about different places in my neighbourhood/community brings me back to watching Sesame Street. I am taken back to my childhood; going to the public library with my mum, brothers and sisters. I loved it there!! Click here to see Grover in the library During elementary school, library time was my favourite. I loved sitting on the steps built into the corner of the library, listening to Mrs. Marwood reading a favourite story. The polyester swishing of her pants suit was the only sound that could be heard other than the turning of pages. Fast forward thirty years - my favourite place to take my kids was the St. Albert Public Library. The best EVER summer reading program filled the back storage areas of the library and involved the whole community; high school students to seniors. I would sing the Sesame Street "people in my neighbourhood"  (Click here if you need to hear it)  song to my kids on our long walk to the library. Now, those three little kids in the st...