And so it Begins..My New Life As a Librarian...

I just completed year 38 as a teacher, and my dream has finally come true! I am now a librarian! I loved being a teacher, don't get me wrong. I know that every year I spent in the classroom was directed by God. I also know that all along, He was preparing me for the moment when I would attain my dream job, librarian!

I moved into a lovely library, fully stocked and organized, but had to make it my own. I am a major "nester." I can't start work until my personal space is just like I've pictured it in my mind. Moving into the library was no exception. I worked most of the summer making my new space fit my vision of what my library should look like. I added watercolor drawings of children's literature characters, LED lights, Anne of Green Gables touches, pictures of family and former students, and a very small personal vintage-looking personal refrigerator. 

Next I began making some major modifications which would reflect student learning in the library -- MAKERSPACES! After much study online, I knew that I wanted to incorporate these STEAM-related spaces into my library space. I added a long table and turned the existing workroom into a "Creation Station." With some spots on the table and some nearby access to important supplies, I was satisfied.

Next I added another table, a box of Legos, and a sign: "Construction Zone." 

My final labeled Makerspace was "Puzzle Place" which was set up on a low table with a rotating puzzle table on top. I later found that it worked to have an upper-grade larger puzzle on the regular table, and then have the lower-grade puzzle on the puzzle table which could be placed over the larger puzzle or removed as needed.

My fourth Makerspace, though unlabeled, would be a coding station at one of the existing tables in the library. I bought some SCRATCH cards at Barnes & Noble and planned to use those cards with tablets for the coding practice. 

My plan going into my first year was to have station day on the last library period of the month for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I wanted to take things slow and move into the whole Makerspace idea in a gradual manner. 

Fast forward to the last week of September -- the stations went great. I made a chart for each class, dividing each class into four groups. The puzzle place and construction zone counted as one station, where students could drift between the two at will. Added to that would be coding, creation station, and book checkout. Each group would go to three assigned stations per class period, with checkout being a required station. That meant that each group would miss one of the actual stations. I pacified them by letting them know they would start with that station the following month. There were no real complaints, and everyone was so happy to participate in the stations and to have the option of free movement between Legos and puzzle. (Though in all honesty, very few spent any time on the puzzle.)

The assignments for each station were as follows: 

Creation Station -- create a bookmark using markers and washi tape

Puzzle Place -- (2-3) dog puzzle; (4-5) Periodic Table puzzle

Construction Zone -- create a house with Legos (be creative); there was also a Lego book there with house ideas.

Coding -- the first card in the SCRATCH box was to change the color of a letter.

To use the signs I created, click below.
Construction Zone Sign

Creation Station Sign

Puzzle Place Sign

All signs were created on Canva. I am still in the learning process with Canva, but I already love it!