Friday 21 October 2016

Ssssshkype it's a Library Media Centre

Effective and successful integration of Information Communication Technology (ICT) is central to connecting those studying the Primary Year Programme to the wider world around them.  Students, at Seisen, are given opportunities, through Inquiry to Investigate and Communicate beyond the more traditional printed media.  ICT tools provide students with a platform to Collaborate with a global audience.  

“Help to create a better and more peaceful world.” (IBO)

Students at Seisen learn what it means to be a participant in a global community, to be digitally responsible and to make informed reflective decisions. 

This week we have been visited by two authors. Thank you to Ms. Linda Gerber and Night Zookeeper Buzz.


The Zoo needs you! 

Buzz's visit wasn't what you might expect.  He joined us from the Night Zoo via +Skype, where he shared the first chapter of the Spying Giraffe, offered students great advice for their writing; 'Great characters are an integral part of a successful story' . He finished by answering student questions. We found out that if Buzz had to compare himself to any of the zoo characters, he would choose Sam the Spying Giraffe because he is young, creative and eager to learn - sounds like our students here at Seisen.
Night Zookeeper via Skype Classroom
We welcomed Ms. Gerber's to the Library Media Centre, on Tuesday afternoon.  We learned she is a 'mom and an author' and she writes mostly mystery books and likes to integrate Japanese culture. Mama Gerber came to read to Grade 2 as part of their How we express ourselves unit. She shared her passion and writing experiences as she answered the many questions put to her. She also read one of her short stories.

If you are an author and would be happy to Skype with us please contact us at mediacentre@seisen.com  or tweet us @sisesmctweets. 

Thursday 13 October 2016

Explode the (QR) Code

If you have visited the Elementary School, Library Media Centre this week you might have noticed our new display board.


If you read our blog post last month about our Global Mindedness Day activity in the Library Media Centre and you will be aware that students were busy creating QR Code displays.  


But if you have done neither, let me bring you up to speed


Last year, students created a Google Slide for each of the countries represented in the Elementary School. 

With the Learning Objective in mind


Students created Google slides of country profiles and images to share information.  Students used Country Reports to investigate and research each country.  

"The ever-increasing impact of ICT on teaching and learning is an important consideration in education at all levels. Through ICT, there are greater opportunities for interactive communication and exchange of information through global collaboration, authentic learning, expansion of the learning community and empowerment for all learners."


Finally, they have created display cards with QR codes leading to these slides - make sure you have a QR Reader the next time you visit the Elementary School.

Qrafter - QR Code Reader and Generator 

Download from iTunes 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qrafter-qr-code-reader-generator/id416098700?mt=8

If you would like to contribute to our Google Slides, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Library Media Centre.

Happy Scanning!!

Friday 7 October 2016

'Stories Can Engage Their Audience...' Grade 2 Central Idea

Today the library media centre supported the new Grade 2 Unit of Inquiry by presenting a 'river of stories' for the girls to journey around. They had time to browse the books. They read them before discussing them with friends. Finally they shared in groups why they liked their selected books. Students shared their love of a particular page, the story, the pictures, the humour and the characters before checking them out to read or re-read at home.
 




 We have many more to share in the library and also online so we hope to see them checking books out frequently during this unit.