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Leading By Example in the Library Learning Commons

@bogiemomof2

 

 

Melissa Bogaert, Teacher Librarian, West Nissouri Public School, Thames Valley District School Board.

 

 

In my role of Teacher Librarian at a medium-sized school, I have the incredible opportunity of working with a staff of 52, and with 450 students, all on a path to success. One of the easiest ways to help achieve success is through using Wipebooks in our Library Learning Commons. 

 

 

VNPS in the Library Learning Commons 

 

 

As part of my role of Teacher Librarian, I provide teacher prep for subjects like Drama, Dance, Health and Media Literacy. Using a Wipebook allows us to develop our success criteria, and to have it move with us throughout our large library. This also allows the success criteria to be easily changed as needed while saving paper, and stored between classes too. We usually start sitting around the rocking chair to develop the success criteria on our Wipebook, and then move the Wipebook to a common spot for all to see as students are working on the task for the day. Students refer to the success criteria as a visual cue and checklist as needed. While working, we have even used different Wipebooks as workspaces for gathering data, problem solving, and more. This portability in a large space allows for flexibility to be a part of student learning, while meeting student needs.

 

 

whiteboard_VNPS_thinkingclassroom_LearningCommons_Library_teacher

 

 

Indoor Recesses made easy with Wipebook Flipcharts

 

 

Our Library Learning Commons(LLC) is a space that is used during indoor recesses for 2 intermediate classes. A Wipebook is posted within the LLC for the options for indoor recess, and can easily be changed based on the needs of students. This helps our staff on duty have a consistent and visible message, and students can refer to the Wipebook for ideas and options.

 

 

whiteboard_VNPS_Thinkingclassroom_teacher_Library  

 

 

Changeable Displays #VNPS 

 

 

I am a huge reader, as well as a big poetry fan. I am always looking for ways to meaningfully share great poems with students and colleagues. Using Wipebooks to display different poems around the LLC provides a great opportunity for displaying different types of poems, with the flexibility to change them as needed.

 

 

In a short unit on making, I had 6 different poems from Amy Ludwig Vanderwater’s book “With My Hands” to work with students, and wrote these up on 6 different Wipebooks. These were displayed in a variety of spaces for students. As we read the poem, students could try a making activity that related to the poem. We shared three poems together with activities, and then I explained that there were three more poems ready, with making ideas ready for them to explore too. Choice matters for engagement too, and I really liked seeing where students gravitated too!

 

 

VNPS_Whiteboard_thinkingclassroom_teachers_library

 

 

From moveable workspaces, to adaptable criteria to changeable displays, Wipebooks provide a huge opportunity within a school for many opportunities for learning. I look forward too discovering new ways to continue to use Wipebooks. 

 

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