Creating a Library Makerspace

This year with the support of several community partners, I created Library MakerSpace for my students.  Our MakerSpace is flexible learning environment giving students access to tools and resource that allow them to tinker, invent, create, and share their learning.  Initially, I planned to have 5 fixed maker "zones" but in the actual implementatation of the space I found that this placed limitations on the use of library.  I already needed to clean up and put away all of the maker components at the end of each day to allow for staff meetings and after school programming.  The maker stations need to be age appropriate which means I need to be able to change out activities for certain grade levels.  Also, some weeks depending on interest level,  I may need more than one area for certain popular maker activities like Legos.  I keep my supplies in baskets to make it easy to set up and put away each day.  Generally, the students have access to resources that fit into these maker catergories: 3D printing and design, coding and programming, robotics, DIY Crafts, Legos & Blocks, and a Production Studio.   It's important to note the "what" in the space is not as important as the HOW and WHY.   I believe that the library should provide students with access to the tools and resources necessary to become independent learners.  The library is also a place that can foster and nurture creativity.  

Below is a list of the available maker resources in our library makerspace.

Basic Technology that can be used in all of the maker stations

• Chromebooks on a syncing cart (20)
• Nexus 7 Tablets (20)
• Ipads (7)

3D Printing and Design:

Equipment:

Makerbot Replicator Desktop 3D printer: $2899

FREE Websites/Apps:

Thingiverse.com-Duplicating items already designed.  I recommend that you create an account for your class or library.  I think at the elementary level it would be wise to create a collection of objects for your students to print initially.  I have set up folders related to curriculum units. The searching process can be a little overwhelming if you don't know what you are looking for.

Tinkercad.com-Allows students to create 3D print files with basic shapes.  This is a great place for students to practice trial and error.  It may look great on the screen but will it actually print? If you don't get the result you intended, what should you do next?

Robotics:

Cubelets: Educator Kit $1096

Cubelets are  a system of interlocking and interacting blocks that allow you to create robots. There are 3 different kinds of cubelets: action(output), sense(input), and think(logic) Blocks are connected together to build robots.  Lego creations can be turned into robots using the brick adaptor. Cubelets has also added a bluetooth block and 3 apps that allow you to control and communicate with cubelets.  

Sphero: $799

Sphero is robot that kids can easily program.  Sphero provides students with a foundation for  learning to program.  Sphero includes a collection of free downloadable lessons.

Coding and Programing

In this area we'll be using the iPads, Chromebooks, and Nexus 7 devices to explore coding and programming.  There may be times when students also use the Cubelets and Sphero to practice programming and coding.

Coding Websites:

• Hour of Code: A full curriculum of resources for learning how to code
• Webmaker: Mozilla's digital literacy curriculum
• Scratch: Create stories, games and animations

DIY Arts and Crafts:

This area is well stocked with a variety of crafts supplies as well as household materials that can be upcycled. I rotate out a variety of art books each month to spark ideas.  However, my students are very good at coming up with their own craft projects. 

Legos and Blocks

Legos are very popular in the library makerspace and can be used across the curriculum.  Our Legos include a very large box of assorted bricks that was donate by a teacher and The Lego Education Story Starter Set. 

The Story Starter set motivates students to write about their creations.  I purchased the set that included the Lego Visualizer software so that students can take pictures of their creations and turn them into comic strips. Classroom sets include the StoryVisualizer Software and Curriculum.  The cost of the set for 6 students is $364.95 and a 30 student classroom pack is $1259.95.

In addition to the legos, we also have magnetic blocks and lincoln logs. 

Production Studio (Coming Fall of 2015):

• Green Screen
• USB WebCam and microphone
• Tripod with adaptors for webcam, iPad, and Nexus7
• Apps:

DoInk: $2.99

Lego Movie Maker: Free

littleBits

We also have a set of littleBits.  LittleBits are adaptable and reusable magnetic modules that can be used to foster creativity and collaboration.  LittleBits can fit into multiple categories from art to robotics.  The litteBits website has numerous resources for educators and they offer a 15% discount. Please keep in mind that littleBits are for ages 8 and up.  I found a set of littleBits task cards on Teachers Pay Teachers.  The task cards are a great way to introduce students to littleBits.  

Connecting the Dots across the Hills!

Monday, we Skyped, created bookmarks, played with augmented reality, and of course enjoyed reading The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. My first graders joyfully sang along to The Dot Song as they worked on their bookmarks. I was touched when one of my second graders who borrowed The Dot joined in with a smile when I began to read her favorite part. It was obvious that she had read the book many, many times over the last week.  Our third graders created some very beautiful dots that we brought to life with the Colar Mix App.

Both schools that we met with virtually had "Hill" in the name. So I guess you could say that we connected the dots across the hills.

We were privileged to Skype with the fourth graders from Prairie Hill Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thanks to Alyssa Calhoun, their school librarian for helping us to make the connection. We learned that they have art as a special. The Cedar Rapids students were shocked to find out that we don't have art at our school. We are looking forward to Skyping again when our bookmarks arrive.

Melissa McDonald, the librarian at Flower Hill Elementary School in Gaithersburg, MD and her kindergarten students shared Press Here with us.  Ms. McDonald also shared information about Flower Hill Elementary and Maryland with our students.

We are tracking our connections on a Google Map and are looking forward to connecting more dots all week long.

Connecting the Dots

Click here to register

I am looking forward to celebrating International Dot Day next week. The Dot by Peter Reynolds is about making connections, sharing, collaborating, encouraging others, and so much more. It is a great way to begin the year.

This year, we are connecting with several classrooms via Skype. Students will also exchange bookmarks, buddy dots, and dot trading cards with students from across the country.  A simple dot has so many possibilities. I'll supply a variety of art mediums through out the week for my students to explore as they create dots to share. 

New this year, I am hoping to connect the dots across Tennessee.  We are trying to collect on dot from every county in TN.  If you live in TN,  you can go here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_FukTou773DwKmCZpvwXrRTcBXKJiVThxxHIAzmdfFA/viewform?usp=send_form to connect with us.  I can't wait to share the dots from each county in TN.  Follow me @mrs_kapp for updates on our #DotDay celebrations.

Reads and Seeds-Harvest Time

This summer, the children that participated in our summer reading program had the opportunity to work in our new school garden.  Students rolled up their sleeves and planted seedlings.  They also checked on the garden each week.

We have a corn stalk as tall as a 3rd grader with a full ear of corn. Squash and peppers are also growing.  Harvest time is finally here.  Today, Mrs. Delk picked the first vegetables.  Tomorrow, her students are going to have a taste test of the yummy, fresh from the garden vegetables.

 Her students are already planning for the fall planting.  Hopefully, they will be able to plant the fall seeds this week.  They will be tending the garden all year long.

  

The Bucket of Awesome

Our Public Library has an Awesome Bear on the Second Floor that allows children and teens to tweet the awesome things that are happening in their lives.  You can read more about Awesome Bear here: http://justinthelibrarian.com/tag/the-awesome-bear/. Follow Awesome Bear on Twitter @AwesomeBearCha.

Inspired by the Awesome Bear, I decided to bring the Bucket of Awesome to Clifton Hills Elementary School.  I posted a sign on an up cycled clear plastic container with a handle inviting students and staff to share their awesome with me.

I set the bucket on my desk. It was such a busy week in the library, full of stories and teaching procedures, that I failed to say anything about the bucket. On Wednesday, one of my students asked me about the Awesome Bucket. I told her she could share anything awesome that she saw or experienced.  She asked for a slip of paper and then she came back for another slip for her friend. After her class left, I opened the Awesome Bucket and read the slips. Her slip said she had a great day.  I knew that for her, having a great day was a big deal.  I took the slips to the principal and shared them.  We decided to create the Bucket of Awesome shout out during our morning announcements.  It's a positive way to let students share the good that's happening in their lives.  Her teacher told me the next day that she was beaming to have her awesome news shared with the school during the morning announcements.  

Our Awesome Bucket needed some awesome paper, so Jocelyn Delk created Share Your Awesome cards for us.  She has lots of great resources on her Teachers Pay Teachers Store. I can't wait to put them in a basket next to the Bucket of Awesome.

I'll be telling all of my students about the Awesome Bucket this week. Here's to bringing more Awesome to Clifton Hills!

Teacherpreneur Incubator

This summer has been full of opportunities for me to grow as a teacher leader in my school and my district.  It all started in March when I participated in 48 Hour Launch. 48 Hour Launch is a weekend long business start up experience that culminates when the team pitches their idea for judges.  I showed up for the initial pitches and then chose to work with the 36 University Team.  Eight people came together to bring this idea to life.  We collaborated and worked together on to bring the ACT Test Prep App to life.  It was a very rewarding experience.  After the pitches were finished I asked our team mentor about similar opportunities to participate in the start up community. He introduced me to Keri Randolph saying that she was planning a similar experience for teachers this summer. It is probably the best professional connection that I have ever made.

A few weeks later, teachers received an invitation to participate in the first of several meetups for the Teacherpreneur Incubator,  That first meetup only a few teachers gathered to share their ideas.  Keri encouraged us to dream big dreams for our students, schools, and districts.  There were some amazing ideas shared at that first meet up from an internet cafe for students who lack access to internet at home to finding a way to build cross cultural community in our district. The teachers that gathered were quick to offer support and to help each other bring life to each others ideas.  Over the next few weeks there would be more meetups at various inspiring locations all across town.  At the end of May, 60 teachers submitted brief proposals to the incubator.  In June, 28 proposals were selected to move forward to the 48 Hour Launch weekend.   PEF hosted meetups during July for the selected teachers to network and share ideas.

This weekend is the 48 Hour Launch weekend!  Using the Company Lab's 48 Hour Launch Model we will gather with a team to help us prepare our pitches for Pitch Night on Sunday at the Church On Main.  We'll have 4 minutes to convince a panel of judges to fund our ideas. I can't wait to work with my team to bring my Makerspace idea to life. 

It started with a dream...

Last year, I was asked several times if I would be willing to have the library open in the summer for students to borrow books. Of course, I would want the library to be open in the summer. I know that the number one way to stop the summer slide is to read. I also know that many of my students need access to books.  So I started dreaming about what a summer library program would look like for my students.  I shared my idea with my principal. Mrs. Delk, a 3rd grade teacher, said that she would be willing to partner with me.  She wanted to start a school garden.  The summer reading program had life! We decided to name our summer program Reads and Seeds.  Each week we offer students (and parents) a variety of opportunities to Make. Play. Read. Learn. Students also work in our new school garden.

Make. Play. Read. Learn is the summer reading program sponsored by The Chattanooga Public Library.  I asked the Library if we could serve as a satellite site for the summer reading program and they said, YES!  Students are able to register and complete The Public Library's Summer Reading program at Clifton Hills Elementary School Library. Lee Hope, Youth Services Coordinator is even providing us with plenty of rewards for our summer readers. It's the beginning of a great partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library.

You can follow our summer reading adventure on Mrs. Delk's Blog.