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INTERACTIVE MOBILE STEAM AND LITERACY KITS

2/23/2020

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"If you build it, they will come." - Field of Dreams

ArcYou've designed a nurturing learning environment, and have developed a dynamic library program, but you still haven't been able to connect with some of your colleagues.  Most likely you've been told that these teachers don't have the time, but it could be that they aren't ready to leave their comfort zone.  When I was a middle school librarian, I was fortunate that our school had study hall periods, and most 6th graders had study halls built into their schedules.  This gave me the opportunity to work with students who wanted to visit the library on their own time.  With a flexible middle school schedule, library visitations were with by student choice or scheduled by classroom teachers.

Our library already had a makerspace that I was proud of, but how could I get those students and teachers interested in it if they had never visited it before?  Just because I built it didn't mean that everyone would come.

So I decided to create STEAM makerspace kits that teachers could borrow for their classrooms.  The kits were low tech (KEVA planks, Legos, sewing, coloring) and a few electronics (Snap Circuits and 3Doodler).  Each kit also included a related book to promote literacy.  For example, a kit would include a K'nex Levers and Pulleys set with Archimedes: The Man Who Invented the Death Ray.​


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Each kit included a Flipgrid QR code so the students could record their reflections while using the hands-on activity and/or reading the book.  In this way, many more students and their teachers learned about the library program and the other activities we had to offer.  Here are some suggestions for creating your own interactive mobile STEAM and literacy kits:

1.   Funding - Reach out to your school's parent association. Write a grant through DonorsChoose.org, PledgeCents, or AdoptAClassroom.org.  I was able to use Scholastic Book Fair rewards points to purchase book and makerspace items from their catalog.
2.  Advertising - Create a list of kits and share through your website, emails, and brochures.

3.   Circulating - Catalog these items if you decide to circulate them through your computer system, or create a way to track usage.
4.   Managing - Recruit student assistants or "techsperts" to advise you about what to purchase, to help you organize the kits, and to deliver them to the classrooms.
5.  Extending - Consider circulating these kits for home use, to develop connections with families.  These kits may be the only opportunity that your students have for participating in hands-on activities.

Remember...if you build it, they might not come.  So, go out to them! 

​How have you used mobile makerspace kits in your library or classroom? I'd love to hear YOUR story!

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WAKELET MULTIMEDIA READING LOGS

2/2/2020

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As a child I hated reading logs.  It was a nuisance to interrupt the "flow" of reading by writing down answers to prescribed questions.  Did my teachers even know if I finished reading these books?  Ever couple of weeks we submitted another index card with basic information including title, author, main characters, setting, conflict, resolution, climax, theme, plot, and opinion of the book.  Back then we didn't have the internet to copy from, but we did have our friends who could give us the Cliff Notes versions of books.  A few favorite books and authors stand out in my mind, but the index cards couldn't capture my true feelings about what I had read (or didn't read).

For some students, not much has changed.  There are still teachers who require reading logs, although brief, that record the number of minutes/pages read, a summary, and the authoritative parent/guardian signature to verify that their child had indeed fulfilled the reading requirement for the night.

With technology our students can learn through multimedia.  Shouldn't they express themselves through multimedia as well?  A Wakelet multimedia reading log gives students the opportunity to interact with a text, reflect on their reading, curate information that they find interesting, and organize their digital creations.  And with Immersive Reader Technology by Microsoft, Wakelet multimedia reading logs can be read aloud and even translated.  Now students, their classmates, and their teachers can have meaningful conversations about their reading lives.   
 

Feel free to copy my template:
​
https://wke.lt/w/s/_IKPSe

Here is a multimedia reading log example for "Hacking School Libraries":

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FLIPGRID QR CODE MEDICAL ALERTS AND MISSING PEOPLE IDENTIFICATIONS

12/22/2019

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My grandmother passed away from Alzheimer's. Years ago, she left home and was lost for hours before a policeman found her. She didn't understand English. Please record a video about your loved one using Flipgrid,and create a QR code bracelet for them. It could make a difference.

This could also be useful for small children on vacations and field trips, medical alerts, people with autism, and nonverbal people.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Go to https://info.flipgrid.com/ and create an account.

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​2. Create a grid and a topic for your loved one.  By creating a topic, you will be able to record and upload multiple videos.  You can hide old videos and update as often as you need to.

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3. Allow topic guest access so anyone with the guest code can view videos in the topic.  Turn off the "Allow Recording" option.

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4. Download the Topic Guest QR code and use this code to create jewelry, zipper pulls, and labels to locate your loved one.  You can also share the QR code and the link through email, social media, posters, and flyers.

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5. When someone finds your loved one they scan your QR code and will have access to your grid, the topic, and all of the video responses.

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PURCHASE QR CODE MEDICAL ALERTS AND MISSING PEOPLE IDENTIFICATIONS.  

​From Artsonia you can purchase...

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Print Avery iron-on labels for clothing...

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At Zazzle you can design...

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Purchase tyvek wristbands in bulk through Wristbands.com...

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Purchase silicon wristbands in bulk through Silicon-Wristband.com...

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Flipgrid QR Code jewelry also makes wonderful birthday, anniversary, retirement, and graduation gifts.

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8 UNIQUE WHITEBOARDS TO Boost creativity and productivity

12/1/2019

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I have a confession.  Over my 25 years of teaching I've developed focusing problems ("Squirrel!).  I find myself reading the first few lines of an article, jumping to the end, and then going back to the middle if I'm still interested.  I am a victim of information overload, a product of our increasingly technologically dependent society. 

I've tried everything to keep myself organized and focused, from apps to web tools, I always find myself becoming even more unfocused throughout the school day.  One day in the library a student saw all of the sticky notes that I had posted around the circulation desk to remind me of my daily tasks.  He went over to the shelf where I stored personal dry erase boards for my students and handed one to me.  Yes, this is what I needed.  I needed something that was in my face, gave me the physical satisfaction of crossing a task off of my to-do list, and could be modified when needed.

Here are 8 unique whiteboards to boost YOUR creativity and productivity:

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Mc Squares Stickies are repositionable and stick on anything.

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Carry your notes with you in a Nu Board dry erase notepad.

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Keep your hands free while teaching or making by wearing this dry erase board on your wrist.

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Use the Noteboard in meetings and workshops, and then fold it up to put into your backpack for travel.

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This 3 sided dry erase board by OnTask stores your markers while also providing for lots of space to write your lists.

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I was able to order 10 of these standards through the Scholastic Bonus Rewards catalog.  They are wonderful for group discussions and maker stations.

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Many of us get our best ideas when we are relaxed and alone.  Now I can write my thoughts in the shower!

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Make those boring professional development workshops and faculty meetings interactive with foldable dry erase tables.

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INCREASE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN 2019

12/1/2019

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Here are some awesome products that you can use to increase student engagement WITHOUT using mobile devices, tablets, or computers.

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LARYSSA'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

9/26/2019

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I never shared my 20th anniversary present with you from last year, so here are some photos.

Last year, like every good husband, Mike asked me if I would like a new piece of jewelry to celebrate our anniversary. I told him no. I wear the same pieces every day...my engagement ring that he designed, my wedding ring, the Maleficent watch he ordered from Disney World, the very first ring he ever bought me (my birthstone), the silver ring that also my sister Jen wears and my sister Laryssa used to wear, and two pendants (one that says mother in Korean and one that says mother in Chinese). I don't need anything else.

What I did ask for was this Little Free Library that Mike installed, with help from our kids, at the end of our driveway. We stock "Laryssa's Library" with books that our children are willing to discard from their bedroom libraries. Each book carries a message in it for the new owner to post a photo or video of a rubber duck in Laryssa's memory. This has been the best anniversary present ever, and a happy reminder of Laryssa.

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Update: Thank you to Linda Prout who inspired me to register Laryssa's Little Free Library, and even took it upon herself to send send me the information I needed.  I value your friendship.

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library houses

Smart Apparel for Smart People! Your one-stop shop for geek STEM clothing for adults, kids dresses, and babies. Our Ms. Frizzle dresses defy the gender norms & celebrates all of those amazing women pioneers. ....Did we mention our dresses with POCKETS?? We now have teacher clothing! Plus size clothes available too!

Use this link to receive 20% you first order over $50:
​https://librarian.rocks/Svaha20percentoff50?

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MEMES

9/22/2019

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Memes are a creative way of promoting literacy with visuals and text. You can create them digitally with Canva, Buncee, and Google Slides. Or you can go "old school" with pictures cut from magazines and writing.  There are many ways to do this:
* You provide the content, and your students find an image.
* Your students apply the content to your image.
* Your students choose the content and the image.
* Your students choose the content and create the image.
* Your students create the content and the image.
* You provide the content and a variety of images, and your students match them.

Create video memes with Flipgrid by adding text and images while recording.

Sites for Royalty-Free Images:
https://pixabay.com
https://morguefile.com
https://avopix.com
https://www.pexels.com
https://www.publicdomainarchive.com
https://unsplash.com
https://www.stockvault.com
https://nos.twnsnd.co
https://gratisography.com
https://picjumbo.com

*Please use your discretion when recommending sites to your students.

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A TWIST ON THE LICENSE PLATE GAME

9/3/2019

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A trip to my local Target Bullseye's Playground Bargain Spot inspired this license plate game Fliphunt! It's perfect for family road trips & field trips. You can play too at https://flipgrid.com/4334b927 before a Mystery Skype session.  Your students can also design license plates about themselves, famous people throughout history, and fictional characters/settings.

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ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO WEAR THAT APRON?

7/25/2019

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As a matter of fact, yes.  Yes, I'm going to wear that apron in the library and here's why...
1. Making is messy.
2. Here's to the end of calling myself from the library phone to find my cell phone.
3. Who needs to see the sauce spot on my shirt from my lunch?
4. A granola bar is just what a teacher needs to wolf down on between classes.
5. It's always handy to have a pen and post-it notes to jot more things down on the endless "To Do" list.
6. Librarians are always "cooking up" something, especially during book tastings.
7.  Pockets are perfect for holding change for kids who forgot their lunch money.
8. Students can scan the QR code on my apron to access their Flipgrid of book recommendations.
9. If students are already late to their next class, don't waste time by finding a hall pass.
10. Book fairs can be busy, and an apron can help you be organized.

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I just love this photo of my co-author Stony Evans and his co-librarian during a book tasting.

Here's a cool hack:
Use Wakelet, Buncee, or Flipgrid create a digital cookbook. Then print the generated QR code on an
 apron. You will have access to a wonderful collection of recipes whenever you scan a QR code.  What a wonderful gift for a teacher if each child submitted a recipe from their culture.

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WAKE UP WITH WAKELET!

7/25/2019

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So proud to be able to present one of my favorite tools (Wakelet!) with three of my favorite people (Kathi Kersznowski, Amy Storer, and Brad Dale!)

​​Wake Up! Top 10 Ways to Boost Productivity and Creativity With Wakelet - ISTE 2019 People's Choice Panel Presentation 

Wakelet Webinar: Top 10 Ways to Use Wakelet in the Classroom


10 Awesome Ways to use Wakelet in School Libraries
https://blog.wakelet.com/2019/02/19/use-wakelet-libraries/

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    Kristina A. Holzweiss

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PRAISE FOR HACKING SCHOOL LIBRARIES

​"Hacking School Libraries is the practical book that I have been waiting for a teacher-librarian to publish! This is the book I will be recommending to school librarians who want constructive and attainable suggestions on how to not only transform their library space, but also their library practices and in turn, their school. The stories and ideas from Stony, Kristina, and other respected colleagues in the school library world spotlight tried-and-true practices that have transformed school library programs across the nation."  
​- Sherry Gick, Director of Innovative Learning--Five Star Technology Solutions, Teacher-Librarian, 2015 Library Journal Mover & Shaker
​

"I really like the quick reading style and the focus banners for each hack.  This is a very useful guide for new school library professionals or those thirsting for easy, practical, and inexpensive ideas to revitalize their school libraries.  My highest praise is that it's written by practitioners FOR practitioners."  
​- Dr. Bea Baaden, Director of the School Library Program, Palmer School of Library and Information Science, Long Island University
 

PRAISE FOR KRISTINA'S WORK

"I am super excited to learn about both high tech and low tech ways to promote literature. 
I feel that over the years, I lost myself and my students with the primary focus always being on research.  I want to go back to book talks and making library enjoyable (again). 
Thank you for your inspiration!"
 

- Cara Lauber, library media specialist

"Kristina is a librarian's librarian!" 
-​ Ali Schilpp, 2018 SLJ School Librarian of the Year


"Kristina is an engaging guest speaker who offers rich and varied approaches for participants to take part in and contribute.  My graduate students leave the classroom feeling motivated, excited and ready to put their learning into practice in their own classrooms." 
Dr. Karen Megay-Nespoli, Director of the Literacy and Cognition Graduate Program,
St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue
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  • HOME
    • ABOUT KRISTINA
    • CONTACT KRISTINA
    • "BOOK" KRISTINA
    • CREDENTIALS
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS
    • HACKING SCHOOL LIBRARIES
    • SCHOLASTIC MAKERSPACE BOOKS
    • The Epic Ebook of Web Tools & Apps
    • THE DIGITAL LIBRARIAN'S SURVIVAL TOOLKIT
    • "You Can Write a How to Book" & STEM activity for kids!
  • FREE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • The Epic Ebook of Web Tools & Apps
    • THE DIGITAL LIBRARIAN'S SURVIVAL TOOLKIT
    • "You Can Write a How to Book" & STEM activity for kids!
    • Flipgrid Guides
    • PRESENTATIONS
    • ARTICLES & BLOGS
    • TWITTER CHATS
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  • SOCIAL
    • VIRTUAL SUMMIT
    • Join the "Hacking School Libraries" Facebook Group
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