Joyeux Noël

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'd like to thank the students, parents and staff for making St. Luke's feel like home. This is an amazing school and everyone working together is what makes it so magical.

I hope everyone has a safe, warm and fun break for the holidays!

See you in the New Year!

Mme Kyra

 Thank you, Thank you!

2015 Book Fair Volunteers

Susan Tse

Tanja O'Leary

Loanne Nguyen

Shannon Ramsay

Michelle Melski

Jane Ernst

Francy Ruiz

Murielle Smith

Mary Tawfik

Elenor Turingan

Gabriell Springett

Mandy Dale

Xin Guan

Prizes, Prizes!

As an incentive for students bringing their books back on time I'm going to do a draw each month for each class. The prizes are from the book fair and include fun kits, coloring books and activity books. This will be fun for everyone!

The students are having a great time adapting to the Learning Commons! As we go into December, I hope to further incorporate the lessons from their classes into activities we do in the library. This will not only help solidify what their learning, but also make the library a space for collaboration and fun!

Book Fair, Coding, Green Screen Oh My!

Scholastic Book Fair

The end of November is full of sneek peeks, wish lists and an author visit! 

Nov 23          Arrives

Nov 24          Sneek a peek

Nov 25          Sneek a peek carry over

Nov 26          9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

                     12:30 p.m. - 2: 45 p.m.

Nov 27          4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

                     6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Nov 28          9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

                     12 p.m - 3 p.m.

A Code by Any Other Name

In the Library Commons I've started laying the foundation for code through games and a variety of exercises. This helps the students understand the concepts of coding. By engaging them in non-technical activities at first it introduces them to the basics before diving in! Below are some apps we'll be trying out soon

- Scratch

- Tynker

- Hopscotch

- Diasy the Dinosaur

- Cargo - Bot

Green Screen 

This is a really exciting time for students. The green screen creates a world of possibilities! It increases curriculum comprehension by giving the students a tool to express what they've learned in class. Below are some apps we'll be working with soon!

- Do Ink

- Green Screen Mobile Effects

- Hands-on Green Screen Movie Effects

- Green Screen 

STEAM and the Learning Commons Philosophy

Formerly known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math),  STEAM is an American
curriculum based on the idea of educating students in five specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, it is applied based on real world applications.

Here is a video showcasing the different ways to bring STEAM into the Learning Commons Library
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdD69KV59wo

Both STEAM and the Learning Commons philosophy create not only a physical space for collaboration but also an environment for project-based learning.

The Learning Commons  is something I'm really excited about! It incorporates all of our policies and procedures.


What is it?

It's a combination of a library, computer lab and maker space which facilitates a full service learning, research and project area.

How Does it work?

It is a flexible environment built to accommodate multiple learning activities. Designing—or redesigning—a commons starts with an analysis of student needs and the kind of work they will be doing.

Who's Involved? 

This is the best part....

This is everyone's space, and collaboration is key! This includes all of us working together - teachers, students, parents and administration. The school library learning commons is a concept that helps schools innovate and collaborate within a design that adapts to student and teacher needs.

Here are some helpful links below. There will more on the way. Also, I apologize, I'm so excited I'm bursting at the seems! There are limitless possibilities for what we can do with this. So if this is information overload I will scale it back. Also I would like to thank everyone for being so amazing!
This really wouldn't be possible without all of you.




Useful links 

https://education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/connection/archive/september-2014/other-news/learningcommons/

https://education.alberta.ca/media/8752414/learningcommonsguidelines.pdf

https://education.alberta.ca/media/10131747/learning%20commons_curriculum%20coordinator%20mtgs%202014.pdf

http://www.cbeilc.info/l2lc/files/2013/05/Library_Learning_Commons_Implementation_Guide.pdf

http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/library-learning-commons

http://cultureofyes.ca/2015/02/12/the-learning-commons-mindset/

https://ottomat3ch.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/the-learning-commons-philosophy-on-a-shoestring-budget/