Your web browser might not work well with our site. We recommend you upgrade your browser.
/classroom/8026693 Customize URL
School libraries are essential only if and when they meet the needs of their students. Today, our children need more than wonderful books (and believe me--I LOVE books)--they need engaging activities that support and enhance their learning in the pursuit of their own interests and curiosities. I can make this happen with your help, as I've done it before. The hands-on materials on my list will allow me to transform my curation and teaching in the library. I've done this before at my previous library, and I'm excited to do it again as the Library Information Specialist at my new school. Not only can this be done--create dynamic, creative, active libraries through student choice and expert teacher instruction --but it's being done right now, albeit slowly, in school districts around the country. Such a transformation happens when three crucial elements line up: 1. a district that understands the value of an updated library learning space; 2. a teacher librarian who believes in the vision and has the knowledge and interest, and 3. materials to support the learning. We've got the first two--now we just need the third. Keva planks, Strawbees, LEGO bricks, and magnetic building blocks foster creativity and concentration as well as build spatial reasoning and teamwork skills for the youngest, newest members of our school. For intermediate grade students, these materials provide them with simple, reusable, durable building materials to imagine, plan, design, test, and revise both in small groups and alone. For the older students, Keva planks are used to test out prototypes they first researched and then designed using CAD programs and graph paper. Makey Makey sets and Circuit Boards offer intermediate and older students an opportunity to explore and learn about circuits and electricity through hands-on trial and error as well as teacher guided lessons.
Read more