 | Westford Academy Library Suzanne Harde, Library Media Specialist Christin Monaghan, Library Media Specialist Sarah Sullivan, After-School Library Assistant Over the last few years the Westford Academy Library has undergone a physical transformation. Print resources were shifted to the periphery to open new spaces to allow students to collaborate more easily. |
These changes showcase our most important resources, the students. Our six collaboration tables allow classes to work cooperatively on group assignments. Each table has a large monitor that connects to a student’s chromebook and is then projected on the screen for viewing and discussing. Meanwhile, each student is usually able to edit the project depending on the application. This has become a popular area due to the fact that it promotes meaningful conversations on small group assignments.
AP European History students use the Tech Tables to examine transatlantic slave trade maps.
In the fall of 2018 Westford Academy transitioned to 1:1 with each student having their own Chromebook. In the past this was a high use computer area with 25 stationary desktop PC’s. With the transition to each student having their Chromebook, we removed the PC’s and reconfigured the space to serve multiple purposes. We put casters on the tables to allow for flexible table arrangement, turned the wall into a 20 foot long floor to ceiling whiteboard, and included a projector for presentations. This space has been very well received by all subject areas. For example, Math uses the space to work out problems, History has drawn timelines, English illustrates plot sequence and Fine Arts created theater storyboards. We are looking forward to seeing the many more creative projects that will be inspired by this space!
Challenge Success-Reduce Student Stress
Westford Academy partnered with Challenge Success, a program at Stanford University that helps schools learn and implement stress management skills as well as focus on student wellness. In the library we looked for fun, relaxing, and engaging ways for students and staff to take a break. We found these large coloring murals that students can work on together and when the mural was done we displayed it for all to enjoy! Another relaxing and stress relieving activity is a large sticker mosaic. Students and staff have enjoyed stopping and sticking a few pieces to work together to complete the mural.
Westford Academy partnered with Challenge Success, a program at Stanford University that helps schools learn and implement stress management skills as well as focus on student wellness. In the library we looked for fun, relaxing, and engaging ways for students and staff to take a break. We found these large coloring murals that students can work on together and when the mural was done we displayed it for all to enjoy! Another relaxing and stress relieving activity is a large sticker mosaic. Students and staff have enjoyed stopping and sticking a few pieces to work together to complete the mural.
Students stop at the library entrance to enjoy a few minutes of coloring before class begins.
Taking a break to work on the sticker tile mosaic.
