Makerspace in K: What Does it Look Like? What Does it Do for kids?

Back in the day I added, "Creation Station" to my kindergarten "free choice" options. It was a center stuffed with scrap paper of various shapes, sizes, and colors. It also held confetti, die cuts, stamps, envelopes, you get the idea. My goal was to allow creativity through a writing/craft type of center. Let the kids put writing to real life by making a card for a parent or friend, making a "bracelet" or crafting a picture. The results were OK. Most kids, not surprisingly, would not incorporate writing as they struggled with writing. Most were glad to make things, but they didn't usually go the extra mile. The items were simplistic in design.

     The items were simplistic in design.

This year I decided to switch things up and add a cart...a rolling IKEA cart to the classroom and call it a Makerspace Cart. To be honest, I didn't have much knowledge on Makerspace. I really wasn't sure what it meant, but it sounded cool. And to the cart I added a plethora of items to choose from: Popsicle sticks, googly eyes, glue, ribbon, tape, boxes of various sizes (down to the box the tape came in!), tissue paper, construction paper, string, and anything odd that I would have just thrown away. Consider it my new recycle center. 

Kids shop the cart daily...even looking at it during other work time for possible "good finds" such as a plastic bottle, a gold buckle, a discarded hanger. 

There are no rules at the MakerSpace cart other than to clean up your own mess and put things back where you find them.

What have I noticed? Incredibly diverse creations. Creations to help their parents solve problems (dumbwaiter made from paper and string). Items to fill their heart (stuffed animal). Items for others (toilet paper roll basket). The list goes on and on and rather than repeating, new things are constantly appearing. Each kid now comes up with complex, amazing items akin to designers and engineers. We have gone from mediocre to marvelous. 

We have gone from mediocre to marvelous. 

Listen as this kiddo details what she made.

Are you ready to see amazing things? Here's what you need.

1. A table, center, or cart to house materials.
2. An abundance of various supplies like sticks, buttons, tissue, construction paper, straws, etc.
3. TAPE and CARDBOARD (must haves!!)
4. Anything set to be thrown away (lids, bottles, small cups, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, etc.).

Next time you go to throw something in the trash, 
think to yourself...could this be usable in the MakerSpace?

Inventors and Inventions of the Day!

Great inventions are only limited by the time and supplies to create them. The ideas are there. The students just need our castoffs to solve problems. Make your own Makerspace today!

A Box and a Dream: Thank you Kevin Honeycutt!

This week, for STREAMing into Learning (my summer learning camp), my daughter wanted to learn about TVs.

As I pondered how we could make a TV (knowing full well an electronic version was out of the question) I had a vision pop into my head. Maybe we could make one with a box? What would it look like? I knew it wouldn't be a true version of a TV, but something akin, and then the A-Ha moment hit.

In February of this year I had the very good luck of being sponsored by the NCCE (Northwest Council for Computer Education) to attend their annual Pacific Northwest tech conference (it ROCKS by the way). While there I was able to hear keynote speaker Kevin Honeycutt talk. I was connected with Kevin on Twitter (the GREATEST place to find teacher PLNs) but I wasn't prepared for his awe inspiring presentation. Turns out Kevin is a man of many skills: speaking, teaching, creating, mentoring, writing, just to name a few. Seriously, Kevin makes you want to be a better person!

I was eagerly listening to Kevin when a picture popped up on the ginormous screen: it was of a box of some sort, that young, school age Kevin had turned into a TV-esque book report. I remember it had knobs, and rollers of some sort. He turned the roller and the book report rotated through the front of the box. Duplicating a live TV show of the book in question.

I was mesmerized.

I thought it was the coolest idea, so unique, so simple, yet so creative...

I thought Kevin was about to talk about creativity or thinking outside of the box (or with a box :).

Instead he spoke of how he struggled through school, how he created his book report design only to be told later that it wasn't the "right" way: the way the teacher wanted it.

I was deflated. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Teachers teaching to the middle in a my-way or the highway fashion, running over creativity in the process. I could see why it happens: a teacher assigns a project, it has a rubric, a project presented doesn't match the rubric. Now what?

At that point...when faced with what to do (Do I follow the "rules" and deem it inappropriate even though it met the same end goal?) I would always default to human, as in, I'm not omnipotent and I don't pretend to be. Rather than channeling Darth Maul, who is unable to get past following a prescribed set of instructions (i.e. the rubric, the rules) and declaring full compliance is mandatory (as in no room for creativity~ the master is all powerful), I choose to channel Obi-Wan, able to take in information (the rules, the rubric), think about it (the TV-esque book report), ponder it (Damn, that's creative!) and respond with a positive mindset (This isn't what I imagined, it's even better).

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I tend to believe that they are like me when it comes to teaching: they have an open mind, they differentiate, they acknowledge strengths and needs of students and provide appropriate instruction. They advocate for their students when needed, just as a parent would. When a student does something unexpectedly incredible they rejoice with full-on joy. When a student makes a mistake, as we all do, they respond with compassion and assistance. When a student does something disappointing (i.e. being unkind, or violent) they pause with sadness and then immediately begin to brainstorm ways to change the behavior to a positive. Most importantly, and in tandem, they reflect upon themselves and search for ways to grow. Knowing that, just like their students, they are never perfect, never finished, always a learner.

What I realized, from Kevin's extraordinary keynote (Did I mention how inspiring it was? EVERY school district should have Kevin present; I was THAT impressed.) is that these are not common traits amongst all teachers and that greatly saddens me. As a profession we need to be tasked to be listeners of our students, their lives, and their needs; this will help keep individuals from becoming invisible.

 I use a new lens now... to look at teachers... one in which I am no longer naive. One in which I acknowledge that, as much as I'd like it to be true, not every teacher is flexible. Not every teacher is looking to grow from what their students can teach them. Not every teacher sees their self as merely another student in a different school (Life) from which to learn. And so as I finish dual summer learning camps, camps based on learning through nature & interest (project based), and reflect upon their incredible success to spark kids and teachers alike I hope to carry the torch forward. My only desire: to inspire flexibility and growth in others so that creativity is never stifled and students, all students, at all levels, feel successful.

Kevin--Thank you for inspiring me to do better, to be better, and to realize I can make a difference to so many. If you are ever this way, and enjoy towns with lots of cows, stop by and see us. And without further adieu, here are our Honeycutt inspired TVs. Rock On, Friend :)

Painting with our favorite colors.

The finished project. This one is called, "Me, Sierra, SiSi."

Sierra took pride in that hers is vertical rather than horizontal.

D's finished project is titled, "9 Little Monkeys."

 It includes tree branches to propel the paper forward for viewing. 

A hole in the back allows for highlight via flashlight. 

Pride is evident. :)

I LOVE STUDENT TEACHERS: The Myths, The Truths, and The Legacy.

When the new tech comes out that allows your thoughts to be sent to paper, or document, without stopping other chores, tasks, and minutiae (ie vacuuming) I will be the first one to sign up.

I get so many great ideas for my blog that I want to write down, but other things take constant priority. And if you are like me...at the end of  a long day...last thing I want is to do some heavy thinking.

It is spring break here (can I get an amen?) and while my "To Do" list is still TOO long, I have a little less rushing around and consequently, decided the last fleeting thought for my blog deserved recognition.

I'm not sure about your week before spring break, but mine was a killer. I have a student teacher and so I was having these beautiful dreams of finaling finding the actual top of my desk, you know before all the paper piles started in September. I know it's there, but it has become akin to an archaeological dig.

However, Monday came and Monday went. Tuesday came and Tuesday went. You get the drift.

In kindergarten we describe our problems as big problems or little problems and there was an abundance of big problems. Ones I had to jump right in and solve, try to solve, find someone to help me solve them, etc.

And each day I would say..."Today, today is that day I am getting X done." And yet "today" never came. My days were full of problems clear up to 3pm on Friday. And, here is what gets me, there were TWO adults in the class! Two teachers for the love of all things holy. Typically, there is one, who must survive...amidst the chaos...on her (or his) own.

Which gets me to the point of this blog...I LOVE STUDENT TEACHERS.

When you teach K you love anyone with a heartbeat that can help out in your class, because you realize two arms, two ears, and one mouth is not enough. You know what I'm sayin?

And in weeks like this last one I realize why student teachers are the bomb.

1. You actually see things that happen when you are usually too busy teaching. Like Billy glueing pencils to his chair and Blaire tripping kids on purpose. (Names have been changed to protect the guilty) I then get to bring up these topics with my St Ts and we laugh about how little we are able to see, when we really do think we see everything.

2. You get more done. I was serious and kidding about my desk. I didn't get done nearly what I hoped to have done, but when you are finally able to go through and pitch the mimeograph copies in files that have lived there since someone so graciously gifted them to you, you jump for joy (not really as I'd hurt something, but I do in my mind).

3. You leave a legacy. This week I had the privilege of watching two former St Ts on Facebook, posting pics of things they did with their classes, things I did with them when they co-taught in my class, and it hit me...I made a difference. I helped grow another teacher. They planted the seed. I watered and tended the sprout and seedling and watched it bloom into a sunflower, radiating promise and belief in the profession. Their students enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick's Day, as we enjoy celebrating it in my class. They made art and traps (STEM people, STEM!!) just like us and what I saw was kids loving learning, and Ts loving teaching. It made my heart happy.

The Myths: I hear people say they don't want student teachers. They say it's too much work (really? because they are the ones who have to create a portfolio, not you). They say they had a bad one (it happens--which is why I am a proponent of meeting the St T ahead of time and seeing if your personalities match). If you feel you and your padawan are sympatico the more likely you are to enjoy the experience. But, no matter what, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

The Truths: I am on my 4th student teacher and each has brought me great joy. My first was interviewed by my principle. It was a great match. Both Amber and I had been "non-traditional" students (code word for old). She did a great community outreach that netted us plants from the garden club. We put them in the much neglected planters outside our school. Our legacy lives on in them. My second, Amy, I was allowed to interview and she brought her wonderful skill of art to the class. She reminded me of the joy in homemade cards and in the eternal joy she brought to every event. We started a list of funny kid sayings that year. My third was Jo. She was a former TESL practicum who asked to student teach with me. I was honored. She was all over everything but had to learn the art of being a teacher not a friend (everyone does- we jokingly call it "getting mean" as that's how student teachers feel). She taught our class (and me) about football. She shared the love of the Patriots in tandem with the class majority love of the Seahawks and the kids were the winners. And now there is Meagan...she came to me under different circumstances, but the result has been the same: learning for her, learning for me, and a friend for life.

When we help others grow in the profession, it in turn helps us grow...and so just like every year, I am about ready to remind my principal, "Now remember, I'd REALLY love a year long student in the fall...."

From my class...

From Aimee's

From Jo's

I am creating a legacy...

Day 20: The Year of Training Dangerously

Today's blog topic (What are You Working on NOW?) came at an appropriate time. Today I was away from class again, this time to train on a math program called Origo.

Each time I am gone I feel guilty about being absent from class...I really do. I want to be there changing my students lives for the better. I worry what the parents will think. I worry the kids will forget what I look like. But then, after stewing about it, for long periods of time, because that's what introverts do, I came to the conclusion that I am not going to become a better teacher if I let guilt hold me back.

I'm going on my 7th full year with my district and although I've had trainings in the past, nothing as frequent, and worthwhile, as this year. This year I broadened my mindset by attending GLAD training, the NCCE (Tech) conference, and Origo. And, although the year has only 37 days left (yikes!) I have a 1 day Dr. Jean workshop I'm attending (thanks to Lincoln Parent Council!), Handwriting without Tears, and a week long pre-school GLAD program.

When I think about training I am reminded of the Maya Angelou quote:

 

Because, although I am bright, I am the first to admit I do not know it all. As I tell my kiddos, I learn something new every day...and its not just a Foleyism, but a truth. Hence, if I stay in my fortress, guarded by my constituents, and continue to plot along the best I know...I won't be able to become a better teacher and thus impact students with more efficient and best practices.

 

And yet 2 years ago, I was embarrassed to ask to attend the national, "I Teach K!" conference (the first MAJOR conference I had EVER been to) because every time I told someone it was being held in Las Vegas they looked at me with a stare of disbelief. As if learning cannot occur in Vegas, the convention capital of the world mind you, because its Vegas. And yet to be there for 4 days with only KINDERGARTEN teachers was so empowering. To talk to people who understand that kindergarten is an undiscovered planet in our solar system, a place where glue eating is commonplace and sainthood should be granted was powerful. And yes, to Zipline across Fremont street provided me with the strength to start another year. Yet it also provided me with 100s of new ideas, ways to improve, ways to "be better."

 

So where does that leave me? With a new mantra. I believe every year should be, for every teacher, a year of training dangerously. To get so much outstanding, effective, passion filled training that we, as teachers, are ignited to come back and to do so with gusto. In my mind an ounce of prevention (by providing quality training) is worth a pound of cure (trying to figure out how to "fix" low performing schools).

 

So I implore those in charge, those making the decisions, those teetering on the edge of whether to send teachers to professional development to JUST DO IT. Because the kids are worth it.

 

As for Vegas...there is always next year :)