https://goo.gl/yR166U
The “Ten Step” Program Children’s literature can inspire students to invent, build, and create, both individually and collaboratively. They can work well in a Makerspace environment. It is important to select books based on 10 steps: 1. Does the book allow for creativity? 2. Can the book be used in all content areas? 3. Can the student/teacher design a Makerspace activity based on the book? 4. How much time is needed for the Makerspace activity? How many class periods? 5. Can you use the book for more than one grade band? PreK-4, 5-8, and 9-12? 6. What materials are required? Cost? 7. Does the story and activity go along with what we teach and assess? Common Core, Act/Aspire? 8. Can the activity go beyond the classroom? Entrepreneurship? 9. Is the Makerspace easily assessable for the students during and after school? 10. Will the student be scored/graded on the activity?
What is a Makerspace?
Activity: Roller Coaster Twelve people set aside their fears and ride a roller coaster, including one who has never done so before.
Description: Kids explore ways to change the speed and direction of a rolling object virtually or by building roller coasters out of everyday objects. Materials: ● 6ft. length of foam insulation to fit a 1 inch pipe with a plastic cup taped to one end. ● Marble that will roll down split pipe insulation. ●
“Roller Coaster” by Marla Frazee
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://gated.jason.org/digital_library/4851. aspx ● http://www.instructables.com/id/MarbleRoller-Coaster/
Activity: Robots
Description: Kids learn how to create a simple and parallel circuit with LED’s and conductive tape. They also learn basic programming skills using robots and arduino’ s. Materials: ● Chip Feltie Sewable Kit or the following: felt, conductive thread, CR2032 BAttery, LED’s, Battery holder sewable ●
“Boy and Bot” by Amy Dyckman
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://www.abcya.com/make_a_robot. htm ● https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/therobot-factory-by-tinybop/id936966605? mt=8
One day, a boy and a robot meet in the woods. They play. They have fun.But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he's sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don't help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep.Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him?
Activity: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse Purple Purse Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly's fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends. Description: Kids design their own purse/wallet according to specific instructions. Materials: ● Duct tape - assorted styles and colors ●
“Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Amy Dyckman
●
Scissors, ruler, and marker
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://www.instructables.com/id/howto-make-a-duct-tape-purse/ ● https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ducttape-fun/id760989681?mt=8
Activity: What’s My Name? Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?
Description: Kids learn how to write their first name in code using programming apps/websites and print them on a 3-D Printer. Backpack keychains are made for the kindergarten classes. Materials: ● https://www.tinkercad.com ● 3D Printer of your choice, filament ● Planning sheet ●
“Chrysanthemum” by Amy Dyckman
Websites/Apps to explore: ● https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cubifydraw/id635482654?mt=8
Activity: Cardboard Challenge
Description: Kids design an object based on a specific set of guidelines using cardboard and other materials. Extension: Kids download template for Google Cardboard and build 3D glasses. Materials: ● tape, scissors, paint, paint brushes ● Planning sheet ●
“Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://cardboardchallenge.com ● https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/
A box is just a box . . . unless it's not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.
Activity: Toy Wire Cars
Description: Kids design a toy using wire and other loose materials. Materials: ● wire, pipe cleaners, washer, etc. ● Planning sheets ●
“Galimoto” by Karen Lynn Williams
Websites/Apps to explore: ● Lesson Plans - http://teacherlink. ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnesafrica/susbuc/index.html ● http://www.instructables.com/id/WireCar-Push-Toy/step5/null/
Kondi is determined to make a galimoto -a toy vehicle made of wires. His brother laughs at the idea, but all day Kondi goes about gathering up the wire he needs. By nightfall, his wonderful galimoto is ready for the village children to play with in the light of the moon.
Activity: Recycling Plastic Bags
Description: Students use recycled plastic bags to create rugs, purses, etc. Materials: ● plastic fencing grid ● Planning sheets for rug ●
“One Plastic Bag” by Miranda Paul
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://oneplasticbag.com/teacherresources/ ● http://www.pbs.org/parents/craftsfor-kids/plastic-bag-jump-rope/
This is the amazing story of Isatou, a young woman who empowered others by looking for solutions. Isatou Cheesay watched as garbage began to overtake and destroy Njau, Gambia. Rather than ignore it, she began to gather up the ugliness and turned it into a thing of beauty, “recycled plastic purses.” Other women began to crochet and Isatou’s solution began to reclaim her village.
Activity: Lighthouses and Bridges The Little Red Lighthouse Cubelet (Nan Stifel)
Description: Students create lighthouses and/or bridges. Materials: ● Cubelets or LittleBits ● 3D Doodler ● Cups, tape, markers, cardboard, water bottle, straw, zip ties, glue gun, scissors, exacto-knife,etc. ●
“The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” by Hildegarde H. Swift and lynd Ward
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://littlebits.cc/projects/wine-box-lighthouse http://the3doodler.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/07/Bridge-Engineering-andDesign.pdf ● http://www.schooltimesnippets.com/2012/01/fiarlittle-red-lighthouse-and-great.html
On the Manhattan bank of the Hudson River, a small lighthouse —made of steel and painted bright red — proudly protects boats with his faithful beam. One day a great expanse of gray steel, which also shines a bright light into the fog and darkness, is built over it. The little red lighthouse feels insignificant and useless in comparison but soon learns that … small can be mighty!
Activity: Operation!
Description: Using MakeyMakeys and Scratch, students create their own operation game. Materials: ● MakeyMakey ● Scratch ● Cardboard,Paint, Aluminum Foil, Glue Stick, Clay/Sugru, Chopsticks, Rubberband, Box Cutter, Duct Tape ●
“Even More Parts” by Tedd Arnold
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://www.instructables.com/id/MakeyMakey-and-Scratch-Operation-Game/ ● https://scratch.mit.edu
The boy from Parts (1997) and More Parts (2001, both Dial) returns. Here, he is preparing to go to school. Each page features a phrase that includes an idiom, along with a humorous illustration of the child literally living up to that particular expression. For example, for "I lost my head," the headless youngster wanders around with arms outstretched looking for his missing body part, which is partially concealed behind a chair.
Activity: Buildings Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his secondgrade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up!
Description: Kids design their own buildings using legos or other materials and create a stop motion movie. Materials: ● legos, lego board, building blocks, etc. ● Stop Motion App or any that use slow motion ●
“Iggy Peck Architect” by Andrea Beaty or “Dreaming Up” by Christy Hale
Websites/Apps to explore: ● http://www.andreabeaty.com/parents-teachers.html ● https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dZxCYpSXQTs ● https://goo.gl/BX6BkU