Hey Library Lady

This week, I was so excited that my Meccanoid robot was finished!!  I decided to introduce him to the students.  I am still learning all the things he can do but I have a pretty firm grasp on how he works.  To give him a command, I say "motion control" for movement opt...

One of our makerspaces this week is fortune tellers--you know the ones that look like little egg carton designs with numbers and symbols and "fortunes" that you write in to tell people what is going to happen in their lives.  I write things like "You are always going t...

I was playing with little bits today.  They are a really cool piece of equipment that can be assembled to make a keyboard and a synchronizer among other things.  In a K-4 setting, I'm afraid the system might be too delicate for a makerspace unless it was just placed re...

The kids LOVE makerspaces!  I was with a group of third graders today and this group put together a train set over a "ravine."  They were the first group to ever consider adding buildings to their train set-up.  This is them talking about their idea. #makerspaces...

In our school, the teachers are all on board with the idea of right fit books.  Basically, the student has to be able to read the book or they should choose another book.  Of course, as a librarian, I am in favor of the Reader's Right to Read and choose whatever appeal...

If you have not seen Dan Santat's new book, Are We There Yet? you should run right now and get a copy!!  I picked it up when our scholastic book fair was here and it is AMAZING!!  I know that he already won a Caldecott for his Beekle book which was beautiful but this n...

I bought a Meccano robot from Fat Brain Toys back in December.  I thought the robot was going to arrive already assembled.  Imagine my surprise when he arrived in almost 700 pieces.  I was overwhelmed by the robotic arms that have 200 pieces but this 700 piece robot al...

I like to have the students do some kind of seasonal decoration to hang in the library.  We have very high ceilings which are perfect for hanging decorations down on streamers, except for the climbing up and down on the ladder for several hours, but my husband is willi...

Over the course of the year, I have tried at least 50 different ideas for makerspaces with my library students.  Makerspaces are a great way to stress the all-important 4 C's: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.  I also like the way Multipl...

One of our wonderful 3rd grade teachers, Becky Bragg, is an amazing artist!!  Over Spring Break, she spent several days painting a gorgeous murals on my sad blank wall.  I LOVE IT!!  Thank you so much, Becky!!  You are awesome!!