When I first moved to this media center, classes almost never came in. And if they did, it was to use the computers. I really wanted to see more use out of all this space.
Unfortunately, teachers didn't see the space as a learning common. It was "The Library." That has changed, but it didn't happen overnight.
It took some recruiting on my part. If I heard a teacher was having students present something, I invited them down to present in the media center. Eventually, someone took me up on the offer because they were trying to have two classes together and needed more room.
I had everything ready for them, when they got there. Welcomed them with a smile, and served them in every way I could. It was a success!
Over time, more and more teachers began using the media space for a large variety of activities. It's been great, but last year my principal told me about a school that had an actual presentation space. She thought our school needed one.
I agreed, and so I began thinking and studying. I came up with an idea, but I was going to have to move some bookshelves. Okay, move is putting it mildly. I was going to have to tear out some bookshelves.
In my opinion, we had WAY too many bookshelves, so one day, I just did it. (Don't tell anyone, but I didn't ask, I just did it. It's that whole forgiveness-permission thing.) In about three day, I had a presentation area that has really added a new dimension to creating communicators.
I would love to hear what you are doing in your media center to help build communication skills in your media centers.
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