Snowflake Building Challenge

Third grade students were engaged in a snowflake building challenge. We first spent some time learning about the science of snowflakes by watching a short youtube video on snowflakes. The students then worked to complete the background portion of their planning sheet, as well as the imagine part. Each student drew a plan for a snowflake and labeled it with the materials that they wanted to be using. The students then were put into groups and had to work collaboratively to decide on a plan and then work to build their snowflake. The students also had a 'budget' to spend on materials. This helped to keep students on track and not use or waste too many materials. The challenge was: to build a symmetrical snowflake that had 6 points or sides and that could be freestanding. Each group was successful and really encompassed all aspects of STEM learning.

Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving

1st graders had the opportunity to make it @ the library!  There was no technology involved, only origami. After reading the story Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by, James and Kimberly Dean, we worked as a group to identify the following story elements: characters, setting, problem, and solution. The students then made an origami Pete the Cat. We use origami to make the head and body of Pete and then used other paper and markers to accessorize and put the final touches on Pilgrim Pete the Cat. The first grade students had a blast and they turned out super cute.

Turkey Call Number Hunt!

3rd grade students have been working hard at learning the organization of the library. We have been talking about everybody fiction, genre fiction, and nonfiction. Recently, students had the opportunity to organize turkey feathers based upon their call number.  Students worked in groups of 4-5 and had 3 sets of turkey feathers to organize. In addition, when students had the everybody feathers in the correct order, they had to take one feather and find the matching Thanksgiving/Turkey book on the shelf.  It was a great learning experience for all and they did a great job.

Halloween STEM Challenge

Bone Bridge Building

This past week students worked together during TEAM time, to construct a 'bone bridge'.  Groups of students were given the set materials needed to build a bone bridge that would sustain a brach's pumpkin candy to go across without collapsing the bridge or falling through.  Thanks to two of our educational assistants they were able to guide the students in doing this great activity.  The students were highly engaged and building many 21st century skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, engineering and math skills!

Fall Book Tasting

The beginning of the school year brought a Fall Book Tasting for my 5th grade students.  We spent time talking about what a Book Tasting was and why we were going to be doing a book tasting.  I had several new books for students to sample.  This helped them to get an idea of what was new to the library, as well as find any new books they may be interested in checking out.  As the students, rotated through tables they had a book tasting menu to fill out. They had to fill out their menu for at least 3 books.  I set a timer and the students had 6-7 minutes for each rotation.  During their time, I played some background music to help set the mood of the book tasting.  I wanted them to be relaxed and calm and they were!  It was so quiet and the students loved this activity.  Students were wanting to check out books right away!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year!

We are on our 3rd full week of school for this school year and I have finally seen all of my classes! I have high hopes for this year, especially with the roll out of the Makerspace at both libraries.  I have been working hard to get it all ready for students to come and use without needing to have it planned in one of my lessons.  One of the new things I'm looking forward to using with the students are the Ozobots!  These tiny robots move by coding them with markers and colored lines.  Both schools also have LEGO walls that are up and ready for the students to build, create, and inspire.  If you want to see more of what is in the makerspace take a look at the website.

Spring Road & Clayton Makerspace

Summer Reading Program