Making During the School Year

Making Time for Making in the Library

Now that we are half way through the school year, we are finally starting to get into a groove with our makerspace. Fitting in maker time, along with providing book check out and other activities, was proving to be a challenge. What I really needed was a schedule, so that all students could benefit from our space, and continue to have access to library resources. I've decided that one week a month will be a maker week. Second through fifth grade will have time at different maker stations each month. If students are unable to finish a project, or want to add something to an existing project, they can take their creation with them, or come after school to complete it. Students have fun building, creating, exploring, planning, and seeing their ideas come to life.

Wooldridge Library Mini-Makerspace--Before and After

Reviewing the Rules of the Makerspace

Our makerspace has only three rules:

1. Be creative

2. Be safe

3. Clean up after yourself

Students seems to be on board with these three simple rules. I assure them that makerspaces can messy, but it is their responsibility to clean up after using the space. After everyone agrees to these rules, they are free to choose a station. 

Students play Minecraft on the library computers.

Students use recycled materials to make creations. There can never be enough hot glue and tape!

Weaving with yarn and ribbons. 

Using tools to take apart and explore the inside of a computer. 

More recycled materials building.

A unique dog created out of recycled materials.

Students use a small camera to create stop animation movies.