Last week, librarians in Hamilton County gathered for our second annual Librarian's Institute planned by the library leadership team in partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library.
On the first day of the Institute, I hosted a mini maker party. The mini maker party included maker stations that could easily be introduced into any school library. Stations included: Art, Legos, littlebits, Cubelets, Paper Airplane Challenge, Design Thinking, foldable books (a great hook for writing), 3D printing and a display of helpful makerspace resources. At each station I included a sign created in PiktoChart with instructions and a QR code that linked to a manufacturer or lesson plans. Librarians were able to visit stations at their own pace and try out activities that interested them.
Making Foldable Books
Cubelets
littleBits
After the maker party, I led a session on redesigning your library. It's exciting to be able to share my work with school librarians in my district. I didn't want to just give a step by step how to create a makerspace because that may not be the best thing for your school. Instead, I shared the design thinking method as a process for redesigning the library. This approach encourages librarians for form a diverse team and to focus on the needs of the students, teachers, and parents that they serve. After sharing the design thinking approach, I shared my journey to redesigning the Clifton Hills Elementary School Library as well as what I have learned.
Thinking about starting your own Library MakerSpace?
I love Symbaloo as a way to curate resources. The MakerSpace Symbaloo has a variety of resources to help you get started with creating your own MakerSpace in the library.
In early 2014, after having been at Clifton Hills for 6 months, I became acutely aware of my students’ lack of access to technology. I knew that I needed to provide them with access to technology in the library so that they could build digital literacy skills. I also wanted to foster a participatory learning experience which would allow students to take ownership of their learning. Numerous grant opportunities emerged through which I built a network of community partners who would share my mission and vision for the CHES Library MakerSpace.
I began by reaching out to the Chattanooga Public Library. After all, my inspiration for my library's makerspace came from spending time there. Many public library staff members contributed to the success of creating the CHES makerspace through participating in initial brainstorming and planning sessions. As we prepared to makeover the library, CPL staff members visited my school to collaborate on the best way to reconfigure the space. Neil Reid, a Leadership Chattanooga member, helped secure carts for storing books during the redesign phase and assisted with designing the CHES Library Makerspace signage.
The Public Education Foundation was a significant partner in my work as they mentored me through the STEM Fellow and TeacherPreneur programs for the 2014-2015 school year. Keri Randolph and Lauren Wade worked diligently to provide unique professional development opportunities for me. Keri inspired me when she said, "When great teachers gather together to share ideas, great things happen." Lauren made herself available to help out with projects and shopped with me for paint and supplies. More than just the standard grant-funding opportunities, both STEM Fellows and Teacherpreneur focus on developing teacher leaders who positively impact school communities.
Leadership Chattanooga's Team SuperNova helped to bring the MakerSpace to life! Sponsored by the Chattanooga Chamber, Team SuperNova coached my vision for the MakerSpace and worked to help me redesign the library and prioritize my budget. Over winter break, we rearranged the shelving, painted the space, and created four maker "nooks," flexible enough for any task. In the Spring, we installed fabulous signage. Finally, on May 13th, 2015, they assisted in the planning and hosting of our first community event: the MakerGala, which was attended by students, parents, teachers, and community members. It was the highlight of the year!
Team SuperNova Members: Jeffery, Clint, Nel, Dionne, Lacey, Patricia, Matt, and Seth
Mozilla's Hive Chattanooga offered opportunities to network and build relationships with fellow educators and the tech community with the shared goal of creating innovative, transformative, educational experiences for students. Many thanks to Lindsey Frost for her feedback and support throughout the year!
Jenny Whitener with Bright Spark led a Design Thinking Workshop (a problem-solving model) with my MakerClub students where we recreated the gift-giving experience. Jenny also allowed me to job-shadow her, and as a result, we continue to plan monthly design challenges which have become a key piece in the MakerSpace curriculum. This model requires students to think about their design, gather research through interviews and observations, and then synthesize that information for possible solutions. Students ultimately test the solutions and make adjustments as necessary.
The CHES MakerSpace could not be what it has become without these amazing people, and for that I am grateful. I learned so much from the opportunity to work with community partners. First, seek out opportunities. Momentum for my project came because I attended one meet-up to learn more about one grant opportunity. Second, have an elevator pitch, and don't be afraid to share it; you never know who you might meet, and you better be prepared to share your mission and vision! Third, ask for help. Fourth, remember to share your progress with your community partners. Finally, thank them every chance you get!
Look around your community... Who might be willing to help out with a specific project about which you are passionate? Do you have an elevator speech for your library? Have you shared your vision lately? Maybe you should!
Summer is a restful time for teachers. I need this time to renew my spirits and refuel my mind so I can best serve my school community in the coming year. It is important to care for myself and spend time with my family. It also provides a great opportunity for me to thoughtfully plan and prepare for the new school year. The beauty of the summer is that my learning and professional growth happens on MY schedule. Here is what summer learning looks like for me this summer:
Reflecting on the school year
Attending TASL’s Summer Roadtrip
Presenting at HCDE’s Summer Institute for Librarians
Catching up on reading Knowledge Quest and American Librarians
Bookmarking ideas from favorite blogs
Sharing my learning with others
Participating in Twitter Chats
Taking time to read, make, and play
Want to join in on some valuable, at-your-own-pace summer learning? Follow along on this blog as I cover topics such as choosing “just right” tech productivity tools, creating goals and long range planning, building a PLN, and so much more. If you have a topic you would like to explore, just let me know.
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
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.
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.
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 Songas 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.
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.
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.
Last week, librarians in Hamilton County gathered for our second annual Librarian's Institute planned by the library leadership team in partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library.
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