SOL16 Day 16 of 31: An Instructional Round

Everyone has a story and you can catch up on more slices for the  SOLSC at
Two Writing Teachers.

Our school has PD available to make “instructional rounds.”  For me, it meant the opportunity to visit another school library.  That happened yesterday.

I started learning about “maker spaces” last year.  My first understanding was that these spaces involved tech and little gadgets.  It was something I wanted to do but how to get started?  And where would I get the funds for little gadgets (Little Bits), a three-D printer, and other materials.  How would I implement this in the library?

So by discussing the concept of a maker space, another colleague suggested I visit a school in SE Portland.  The library media specialist was doing maker space and had been involved with a Maker Faire for three years.

Yesterday was the day to visit the school.  I almost cancelled having been ill last Friday and feeling I was behind. But I didn’t and thank goodness for that.

I am the kind of person who jumps into the fire.  I think globally and miss the details.  But yesterday, I asked the best question: “What one thing should I do to get a maker spsce started?

And her answer was brilliant and simple and why didn’t I think of that.  It was to create an Art Cart for the library.

This is the  maker space of the school I visited yesterday.  It’s tucked away in a corner of the library.  These are second and third graders (they have blended classes)during book check out time.

It was such a great morning.  And the afternoon was all about returning to school to reflect and plan for such space.  I was able to meet with my principal and discuss my visit.

I have the perfect place to set up a maker space.  It’s in a corner of the library used by fourth and fifth grade.  I am starting with these grades.  I plan to be ready to go for April, National Poetry Month. Last year, a parent donated a cool wire tree for the library which will be our Poetry Tree.

More shall be revealed.

 

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