Hi friends! For something different, I made a video intro for this blog post! I strongly believe that your library centers and makerspaces should have a standards-based learning goal on display. Any student, teacher, or other library stakeholder walking through your space should be able to see (at a glance) that you are focused on…
Hi friends! I’ve been browsing around, looking for more input into my plans for a makerspace in my elementary school library next year. I’ve found some great ideas to share with you here. (I really love having the time in summer to think and plan!) Low Tech, High Gains: Starting a Maker Program is Easier…
Hi friends! I am learning about the idea of library makerspaces. I mean, really just beginning to learn. I didn’t even know if “makerspace” was one word or two. Jessica Gilcreast (The Dizzy Librarian) kindly invited me to join this Wiggio group (Library Learning Commons) to share ideas. (Thanks, Jessica!) She defines makerspaces like this: Where…
Do you have a bookmark library center in your school library? Let me share the reasons why I think you and your students will benefit from this library center. Have you taught students how to use a bookmark? I’ll never forget the day that a high school student stared at my bookmark display on the…
Hi, friends! How do you celebrate your 100th day in the library? Here are some great ideas for celebrating this special day at your school! (Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links below provide a small referral fee to me, at no extra cost to you.) Books to Read on the 100th Day Reading a picture book with…
Hi friends! Are you ready of the end-of-year library book round up? It’s almost time to get all those books back in the barn on the shelves and ready for another year of learning. I’ve lassoed five great ideas to make this annual event more fun and motivating for your school! Give Students Their Library Card As you…
Hi friends! Today’s post comes from an elementary school librarian in Tennessee who just started blogging at The Go To Library Girl. She tagged me in a tweet last week (@Amy_W00ds), and I loved the pictures of her library centers in action. Amy Woods, thank you for sharing your ideas with us! She says… I try…
Hi friends! Ellison Education gave me a great opportunity to try out their SuperStar die cut machine! I’ll tell you how much fun it was, and I’ll tell you how you can win one for YOUR school library! Personal Die Cutter You probably already have a big ole Ellison die cut machine in your teacher…
Hi friends! Are your ready for a Thanksgiving break? I know we are! Here are some great ideas to reflect on during your time off. Makerspaces My colleague Sara Romine blogs at Lessons From a Laughing Librarian. And she wrote a great blog post about incorporating makerspaces into a science lesson about energy. She used…
Hi friends! Have you checked out the Found Friday posts at Risking Failure and Mrs. Lodge’s Library? Don’t we have some amazing virtual colleagues? My Found Friday post focuses on construction makerspaces. I plan to have three makerspace areas set up in our library next year: art/crafts, construction, and technology. I’ll start the year with…
Hi friends! Here comes another Makerspace Monday! Let’s check out some videos related to makerspaces! Of course, the first video that comes to mind is Caine’s Arcade, the story of the 9-year-old boy who created an arcade from cardboard in a garage. His imagination inspired millions, launching the Imagination Foundation and the Global Cardboard Challenge….