PASSIONATE ABOUT SCHOOL LIBRARIES

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Technology: Ozobot review

What can you do with a robot?

“What is that? What does it do?” Both are questions often asked since the library introduced its first robot, Ozobot Bit. The answer? “This is an Ozobot. As to what it can do, well, that is entirely up to you.” There are many articles, research papers, blog posts, and reviews citing the benefits of introducing technology into library spaces. But it is not until you see for yourself the wonder, excitement, and challenge these robots bring to students’ faces that the promise of what technology can offer really takes shape.

I was fortunate to win an Ozobot at an augmented libraries conference I attended recently. Since introducing Ozobot to the students, a mere two weeks ago, the response has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.

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Display: Our Favourite Books

Our Favourite Books Bookshelf Display

favourite-books-shelf

Using a slight Harry Potter theme this interactive display allows students to place some of their favourite titles on our bookshelf. The display also highlighted a Featured Author each week.

hanging-keysThe wording was made using Harry P font from dafont. The shelves were made from strips of black cardboard. I printed a range of blank book spines on coloured paper for the students to decorate and title.

I also added a few hanging keys, adding to the Harry Potter feel of the display and because they look so amazing hanging from the ceiling with fishing line. A student made them for me with black and grey cardboard and gold glitter pens.

The Featured Author area was made using a printed picture frame mounted on cardboard. I printed the words born, died, lived in, lives, was also, and wrote, and then laminated the shapes make it easy to change each week.

The displays continues to get more colourful as students add to the bookshelf.

Display: Winter Wonderland Display

Winter Wonderland Display

winter-wonderland-1

Christmas time is nearing and that means putting up the Christmas tree, making wreaths, digging out the Christmas books for display, and decorating the library with tinsel. Lots of tinsel. But this year I wanted something a little bit different from the traditional Christmas theme or summer reading display.

Books provide such a wonderful escape and while down here in the Southern Hemisphere we enjoy Christmases full of summer sunshine and sweltering heat, I thought it might be fun to decorate with a winter theme in mind. Escape to a winder wonderland was born.

Display Elements:

winter-wonderland-2Snowflakes – blue and white cut from cardboard, some by hand and others using a Cricut machine

Hanging snow – made with cotton balls and fishing line. I threaded them with a needle and just looped around each cotton ball to keep it in place. They look very effective, especially when they start swaying.

Snowy book covers – my list of books for this display included anything with a subject of snow, winter or ice. They all seemed to have a blue or white cover which fit into the theme nicely.

Lamppost, Tumnis and Polar bear – printed or cut using the Cricut machine.

Snowy window edges – Using a chalk pen I coloured in the base of the windows and up the sides a little to create a snowy effect on the windows.

Wording: The words “Escape to a Winter Wonderland this Christmas” were printed using the font Kingthings Christmas from dafont.

Display: International Dot Day

Dot Day Display

The Dot

The DotHave you read The Dot by Pete H. Reynolds? It is one of my favourite picture books. I love its message of creativity and having a go.

International Dot Day is celebrated on the 15th (ish) of September. This year we celebrated International Dot Day by creating a special Dot display.

Dot DisplayI printed off a load of blank dots – easily made with Word and the circle shape. Inspired by the story, the students created their own dot.  Emoji and Pokemon symbols were popular choices for the students, while others created beautiful patterns. I also printed off some celebri-dots from the celebri-dots website, to provide some inspiration.

I then made a giant dot out of all our little dots and added the quote “Just make a mark and see where it takes you” to the bottom of the display. It was a great way to incorporate student artwork into a display.

Find more information about International Dot Day from the Dot Club website and my International Dot Day post.

Display: Books and Films

Books that have been made into films display

film-display

There are many, many, many books that have been turned into films. Recent ones that pop into my head include The BFG, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Inferno, The Girl on the Train, Alice Through the Looking Glass, and of course Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

This display highlights titles that the students might recognise from the movie or prompts them to rediscover an old favourite.

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Display: Emoji Reading

Emoji Reading Display

emoji-reading-display

Emoji seem to be everywhere, on our phones, in our messages to one another, even on the front cover of books. I decided to takes these ever-present little faces and create a display that could be interactive.

I downloaded and printed a collection of emoji. Reusing some of my cover photocopies I had some student volunteers suggest emoji-book pairings. I then encouraged other students to choose a book from the shelf, perhaps a favourite, and stick on an emoji before placing it on the display table. Some colour-appropriate wording and a cute emoji-for-readers list complete the display.

The students have loved this display. Many have made recommendations and turn-over of titles has been good. Other students have suggested I add different emoji. The display is bright, eye-catching and a crowd pleaser.

Display: Books From Outer Space

  Outer Space Display

world-space-week

This was a quick display to tie into World Space Week, held this year from 4-10 October 2016. More information about World Space Week can be found on their website.

The titles displayed are all sci-fi titles with some sort of space tie-in, whether it is visitors from outer-space or intergalactic journeys.

I included the World Space Week poster. The stars were left-over from a previous Book Week display, and the Tardis and spaceship complete this simple display. It helps that the board has a black backing. I used the font SF Outer Limits from 1001 Fonts.

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