Learning Commons / Makerspace at Kenneth D. Taylor School

Our Learning Commons is a shared space. Part of our job as being a member of this space is to remember to be re-sponsible and respectful of yourself, your classmates, your teachers, other staff and volunteers. Take care of our learn-ing commons by respecting others’ work and cleaning up after yourself. Walk to keep others safe. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Be kind and polite with your words.

(**Due to allergies and the well-being of our students, food and drinks will not be allowed in the learning commons area.)

We share all of the books in our learning commons so it is important that we follow some rules to make sure that every-one has access to the books. To do this the following guidelines exist:

Kindergarten: 1 book - Loan Period: The next library day
Grade 1: 2 books - Loan Period: The next library day
Grades 2, 3 & 4: 2 books - Loan Period: 2 weeks

Magazines: 1 week check out Reference books: 1 overnight check out

At Ken Taylor we strive to provide the very best learning commons services possible. One of our tasks is to retrieve library books that are overdue and to replace those that have gone missing or have been damaged.

• Overdue notices will be sent out on a weekly basis.
• If a book is overdue, another book cannot be checked out until the overdue book is returned.
• A signed-out book can be renewed when the student brings the book back to the library. There may be a limit to this if other students or staff have put this book on hold. The size and the difficulty of the book will be taken into consideration.

Please Take Care of our Books and Resources

Use a Ziplock bag to transport library books to and from school

• Return books on time
• Keep books in a safe place
• Keep food, drinks & pets away from books
• Supervise any younger children who have access to the books
• To avoid damage to library books when they are in backpacks, keep food/drinks and library books in separate bags
• Read with clean hands
• Do not write in library books
• Please do not try to mend books at home
• Report damaged books to your teacher or library assistant

***Students are responsible for the replacement cost of lost and damaged books. Replacement of the exact book by the student (hardcover if hardcover or paperback if paperback) will be considered.***

How To Check a Student`s Library Account

• A student`s library account can be accessed https://ims.cbe.ab.ca
• Enter Student’s CBE ID and Password (This is the same as their computer sign in procedure)
• Click on My Account (It is located under the CBE banner at the top of the screen)
• Click on Review My Account (When a student has signed out books, it will be displayed on the screen)

Library Cards

Each student will receive a library card at the beginning of each new school year. Replacement cost for lost or damaged library cards is $2.00.

The Five Finger Rule

The "Five Finger Rule" can be used to choose a book with greater success. If you are not sure if the book is "just right" or not then try the Five Finger Rule to help you decide.

1. Open to a page of the book.
2. Begin reading.
3. Each time you come to a word you don’t know, hold up 1 finger.
4. After you finish reading the page, check to see how many fingers you are holding up:

       0 - 1 fingers: Too Easy 2 - 3 fingers: Just Right 4 - 5 fingers: Too Hard

Makerspace

Our Learning Commons also houses our school Makerspace.  This is a place where students can gather to create with a focus on building, robotics, technology, coding, or a combination of these skills.  It allows students to invent, tinker, and discover using a variety of tools and materials while promoting critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and creativity.   

Students are invited to complete building challenges with materials such as Lego, Magformers and Keva blocks or S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) challenges using a variety of materials including Loose Parts, natural objects, and iPads.  Students also experiment with different technology tools to share their learning including green screen movies, robots, and iPad apps.  This is a collaborative and flexible space that both students and staff learn together. It naturally leads to open-ended tasks that promote risk taking, a growth mindset, and empowers students to share their knowledge and questions