Recently I shared in the Future Ready Librarians Facebook group about my 31-year journey in education and how, despite having Makerspaces with all the fancy gadgets in the past, I'm loving the simplicity of my Makerspace this year – and the kids are loving it too!
What I'm Working With:
- 9th Grade Center
- 8 periods (45-50 minute classes)
- No scheduled weekly classes (like the EL & MS)
- 30-minute lunch waves
- Morning Madness
- 8:25 when the doors to the school open
- 8:55 when the bell for 1st period rings
- Expectation for bell-to-bell instruction
- Principal's directive: Do not send students to the library during class time unless they are checking out a book
- Chromebook Help contact person
- minor troubleshooting
- entering work order tickets into the queue
- organizing and documenting Chromebooks that have been processed for repairs
- returning repaired Chromebooks
As you can see, I have very limited time to interact with students face-to-face. This means I need to have quick, self-explanatory maker items and places to store projects that take longer to complete.
It's important to know that everything doesn't need to be structured in your Makerspace. Even if I introduce a makerspace activity doesn't mean the kids can't come to the Makerspace if they do not want to do the featured activity. I offer opportunities and ideas but always let the kids be free-range maker kids.
- Designate an area
- My area is behind one-half of the circulation desk
- Making a plan
- Matching Makerspace activities with monthly NGC LitBox Themes & holidays
- Decide storage options that make materials easily accessible
- I use the drawers and cabinets in the circulation desk
- I recently added a bookshelf
- Know your school/students
- 1:1 Chromebooks
- Students want physical activities over digital activities
- Students who like digital activities bring their Nintendo Switch devices to school and play with them elsewhere in the library
- Students who want to watch videos can watch on their phones
- Abandon plan if needed
- lack of student interest
- Ask and listen to your students
Where I Started:
- Basic materials
- Puzzles
- Coloring pages
- Glue
- Stamp pads
- Button Maker
- Jenga
- Klutz Sew Mini Treats Craft Kit
- SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box
- Rubik's Cubes
- Japanese Zen Sand Garden
- Buddha Board
- "Making" supplies
- Austin Creative Reuse
- Yarn
- String
- Ribbon
- Material
- Scraps
- Quilt squares
- 12x12 Craft Paper
- Scissors
- Regular scissors
- School Smart Paper Edger Scissors
- Stamps
- Paints
- Paint brushes
- Misc. items I thought kids could use to create
Examples of Themed Projects & Supplies:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Holiday Ornaments
- Paint
- Popsicle Sticks
- Valentine's Day
- Love Monsters
- 60 Pcs Faux Fur Pom Pom for Hats
- FEBSNOW 200 Pieces Wiggle Eyes Self Adhesive Black White Googly Eyes for DIY Crafts Decoration (20mm)
- Cricut:
- Cut out hearts and "monster feet"
Signage Examples:
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What The Kids Are Currently Asking For:
- Bracelet making supplies
- Cross Stitch
- Cute Kawaii Cross Stitch: Over 400 super adorable patterns
- 100 Mini Cross Stitch Patterns: 100 Motifs for Quick Projects and Ornaments
- Similane 6 Pieces Aida Cloth 14 Count Cross Stitch Fabric, White, 12 by 18-Inch
- Paxcoo 124 Skeins Embroidery Floss Cross Stitch Thread with Needles
- Caydo 12 Pieces 3 Inch Wooden Round Embroidery Hoops Adjustable Bamboo Circle Cross Stitch Hoop Ring Bulk for Home Ornaments, Art Craft Handy Sewing
- Cats 5 Stamped Cross Stitch Kits for Kids.Needlepoint Kits for Beginners. Embroidery Kit for Kids. Crossstitch Kit for Beginners and Girls (Cats)
- 5 Stamped Cross Stitch Kits for Kids.Needlepoint Kits for Beginners. Embroidery Kit for Kids, Girls Cross Stitch kit (Dogs)
- 5 Stamped Superhero Cross Stitch Beginner Projects for Kids Needlepoint Starter kit Sewing Set for Backpack Charms
- Crochet Kits & Hooks (not purchased yet)
Where I Get My Ideas:
- Social Media
- TikTok
- Andrea Keller: @akbusybee
- Future Ready Librarians
Past Presentation about MakerSpaces (with lots of ideas!):
What Questions Do You Have?
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