Lewis and Clark Learns

I try to maintain a balance of reading, making, and thinking in our library.  For about 2 weeks earlier this month, we were definitely heavy on reading!  We were getting ready for visiting author Henry Cole to rock our world!  If you are a teacher or librarian, I HIGHLY suggest looking into having him visit your school. He is a true gentleman, extremely entertaining, wonderful with kids and adults, and has so much to say about the writing process. I had several parents comment that their kids came home talking about him and kids are still asking for his books.  This is the second time we have had him at LC and again he amazed us.  In preparation for his visit, we read his books, examined his art, watched video interviews and even tried to recreate chickens in his honor!   Thank you Lewis and Clark PTA for supporting the love of literature!

I am currently completing year two of running a MakerSpace in my library.  It is a constant struggle to make sure that materials are available and ready for upcoming builds and projects.  Here are a few ways that I have been able to keep up with the needs of our kids and the space.  Donations of recycled materials are an easy fix.  I have found that just letting families know what is needed at the beginning of the year seems to keep those materials coming in throughout the year.  Just today, there were 3 bags of recycled materials sitting by my mailbox in the office.  They contained tin cans, plastic water bottles, lots of paper towel and toilet paper rolls, and the ever popular duct tape.  I have also been gifted fabulous donations of yarn, fabric, and other craft materials.   Donor's Choose projects have been a great resource for our MakerSpace.  I have created and have fully funded 3 projects that range from sewing machines and ...

I am so appreciative of the Lewis and Clark PTA support of our MakerSpace!  Earlier this school year, I submitted a PTA grant application for the amount of $650.00 and it was funded.  The grant was mainly for 2 additional sets of Dot and Dash robots to use with my younger kiddos to introduce robotics and visual programming.  I was also able to pick up the Dot and Dash accessory sets, two 10-port usb chargers, and a couple of surge protector power strips.  The kids and I are so ready to dive in to our robotics unit!  Along with this unit of study, I want my students to be stumped, to fail, evaluate the situation and figure out how to complete a challenge based on their learning, not mine.  I want my students to know that if there is a problem, there are multiple ways to solve it.  Additionally, the kids will be working collaboratively with others, demonstrate perseverance, think creatively, and realize that hard work produces great results!