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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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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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Open the Doors to Reading and Scholastic Book Fair

5/20/2016

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Research, Reading Ambassadors, and Open the Doors to Reading Scholastic Book Fair Contest

5/6/2016

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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
    • INTERVIEWS & VIDEOS
  • SOCIAL
    • VIRTUAL SUMMIT
    • Join the "Hacking School Libraries" Facebook Group
    • Follow Me on Twitter
    • YouTube Channel
    • My Zazzle Store