Memorial 4th graders participated in our Lauren Castillo (Author/Illustrator) Breakout Box puzzle this week during Learning Commons. A Breakout Box puzzle is a way for students to use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a set of challenges in order to open a locked box. Think escape room but in a box. In this challenge, students had to solve 5 different clues to open 5 different locks. All the clues were based on Lauren Castillo’s books. The students really enjoyed working together, solving the puzzles with black light flashlights, finding a lock key during a scavenger hunt, describing a trip around the world, alphabetizing synonyms, and answering questions.
Since the start of the school year, Mr. Murphy and I have taken collaboration to a whole new level through the creation of a Learning Commons here at Fox Hill. In the simplest terms, a learning commons is a “full-service learning, research and project space,” and this is exactly what we have developed. Previously, the technology integration specialist was in a different space than the librarian. This year however, Mr. Murphy and I are working side by side in the same space. There is no longer a separate computer lab for students and we’re starting to see what a positive impact the Learning Commons is having on our school culture and specifically on teaching and learning. Teachers now have a great deal of freedom and flexibility as to when and how they use the Learning Commons. They can schedule time to use the space through a shared Learning Commons Google Calendar and multiple classes can use the space simultaneously. Students and teachers are still using the Learning Commons for traditional “browse and borrow” library time and formal technology lessons, but they’re also using it for a variety of learning activities including:
Individual and group research with digital and analog resources
Writing assignments
Brainstorming and idea generation
Computer programming and coding activities
Movie creation with the green screen
Long term, multi-media projects for science and ELA
We explained our vision for the Learning Commons at a staff meeting just before the holiday break and shared some of the characteristics of a modern Learning Commons:
1. Student-centered, inquiry-based environment
2. Active & engaged learning (research, writing, creating)
3. Inspire creative and collaborative work
4. Students meet, talk, brainstorm, design, play, build
5. Offer a variety of tools & resources; digital & analog
6. Flexible environment, Moveable furniture
7. Staffed with specialist (library/media/digital learning)
8. Foster student-to-student, student-to-staff relationships
9. Preparation for secondary & post-secondary levels
10.Cross-curriculum, project-based learning
Since returning from the holiday break, many of our teachers have been using the Learning Commons in new ways and in the video below, third grade teacher Mrs. Lisano, fourth grade teachers Mr. Daley, Mrs. Nolte, and Mr. Lisano, and first grade teacher Mrs. Carroll share their perspective on the new space and how it is impacting their students.
The transition to a Learning Commons model has taken time, but we are excited to see our teachers embracing our vision and what an exciting learning environment we have here at Fox Hill. We hope to continue to develop the space, both aesthetically and with the curriculum, but we are pleased with what we’ve accomplished so far this school year and it’s definitely thanks to the open-minded teaching staff of Fox Hill. Check out the iMovie trailer below and take a look inside the Fox Hill Learning Commons!
In first grade at Fox Hill we’re wrapping up one of my favorite projects, the first grade book reviews. For this project students are free to choose any book they like that interests them, fiction or non-fiction. The only stipulation is it must be a just right book at their level that they can read on their own so they can put what they have learned or what interests them into their own words. After they have read the book, they first write their review on paper. I work with the first grade teachers to help the students construct their sentences and to help with spelling and grammar. After completing their draft on paper, students then use the Book Creator app on their iPad to type their review into a text box. Once they’ve completed their typing it’s time to get creative! Students are free to design their own page, choose their background, text, fonts, colors, and create a layout that they like. As a finishing touch, each student asks a friend in class to take their picture with their book to include on their page. This project is a favorite as it includes literacy, reflecting, writing, student choice, typing, information literacy, iPad skills, layout and design skills, and photography skills. Throughout the project, students share with their classmates how they creating their page, how to choose different colors, fonts, text sizes, and how to move things around on the page. Best of all the kids have a blast using Book Creator to show off what they’ve learned!
