An Overview of Passive Programming in the RMMS Library

amyers@bcps.k12.va.us

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I am always looking to be a better teacher librarian for my students and love to collaborate. Please feel free to contact me via email or follow me on any of these social media platforms:

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Twitter: @LibraryRmms

FB: @rmmslibrary

IG: rmmslibrary

Word of the Week:

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This word is changed every week and is located near the entrance of the library doors. My goal with this is two-fold:

• To have students engage in dictionary skills that are becoming obsolete.
• To expand the vocabulary of our students.

Good Vibes Corner:

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• A place in the library where students can come to color, use stress relieving manipulatives such as Rubix Cubes and magnetic sand, be surrounded by live plants and a water feature, and have access to noise cancelling headphones if needed.
• This area was created in response to the growing anxieties of our middle school students as a result of Covid and the normal high and lows of being in middle school.

Rubix Cubes:

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• These are available for checkout for the block or lunch for student enjoyment if time allows. They are kept behind the library desk.
• This has been such a popular addition that a student-created club has been started that meets once a month before school begins.
• We have also started a “Hall of Fame” for students to become a part of for solving certain cubes in record times.

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The Puzzle Table:

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Recently, I was able to relocate some desktop computers that were not being used in the library. On this table, I introduced “The Puzzle Table”. It has been one of the most successful pieces of passive programming that I have ever implemented. The benefits have been articulated by students and teachers as promoting:

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• stress relief
• critical thinking
• collaboration with others
• achievement of a common goal

PUZZLE WALL OF FAME:

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After we, as a school, have completed puzzles, we Mod Podge them together and hang them in the Makerspace.

Lego Table and Wall:

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These two areas have been great additions to our space and have provided students with an opportunity to:

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• collaborate with others
• create something awesome
• have fun and relax

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Coloring Area:

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This is a passive programming area I have at the end of a group of tables that provides students with a non-stressful start to the day or down time needed throughout the day.

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Once collaborative coloring sheets are completed, the sheets are laminated and hung throughout the library.

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Water Painting Stations

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Students can use water to paint on three different canvases located throughout the library.

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Hermione and Dobby (Our Library Guinea Pigs) made possible by a grant from Pets in the Classroom:

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They have provided an added comfort to many of our students who sometimes relate to animals better than people.

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Dumbledore (Our Library Bearded Dragon) made possible by a grant from Pets in the Classroom:

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He has brought a lot of renewed excitement to the Good Vibes Corner. Then students can’t wait to see him grow this year.

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KEVA PLANK CHALLENGE AREA:

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This area has been a great addition to our space and has provided students with an opportunity to:

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• collaborate with others
• think critically about design
• have fun

Read and Ride Area: This is a space where students can ride exercise bikes while they read or need to get a little energy out.

Foot Peddlers: While students are seated, they can use these to relieve stress or excess energy.

Kindness Cart:

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This is a cart that combines a way to be kind along with a Makerspace challenge. This is changed each month. Previous challenges have been:

• Creating a positivity poster for local nursing home residents
• Creating a placemat for the tables for our local rescue mission to use during mealtimes

Chess sets, Checkers sets, and Tic Tac Toe boards are set up throughout the space for students to play in the mornings before class begins or throughout the day.

Independent Makerspace Challenges:

Students can use the Makerspace to create projects once a project brief is created in the Idea Factory.

Flexible Seating Areas

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These areas provide students with various areas to sit and enjoy the space. Grants, our PTA, Scholastic Dollars, and donations have made these areas possible.