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ON THE ROAD...
I love to travel. Meeting people and seeing new places is always exciting, but when it also includes a Day of Making then I get REALLY energized! After 5 hours in my car soaking in the beautiful upstate NY scenery followed by a delicious dinner with Diana Wendell, SLS Director & CIS Coordinator of Madison-Oneida BOCES, and her wonderful colleagues I was ready for a full day of collaborating, sharing, and learning!
AN ARTICLE BY MADISON-ONEIDA BOCES...
I enjoy connecting with other teachers and librarians across New York State. I find that our situations and goals are more similar than different, and it gives me a good perspective on what is going on in libraries and classrooms off Long Island.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR VIDEOS...
From these videos you can see what great sports these librarians and teachers were. I am confident that their students are in good hands, by seeing how creative and open-minded these educators are. They really know what it means to have fun learning again!
ROLLING OUT A NEW BRAG TAG PROGRAM...
We all have those teachable moments in our lives, and this was one of them for me. But it was also a learning moment. During this workshop I was able to beta test my new "brag tags" program. Combining ideas from Brad Flickinger's Reward Learning With Badges: Spark Student Achievement, a discussion with my new friend Wanda Terral at Edcamp USA last month, and a request by Diana to incorporate standards into our workshop.....tada....I now know how to document learning during my Genius Hour program! Not only did I give brag tags during activities, but the participants gave them to one another and even themselves. Now, that's empowered learning!
Here are my Brag Tags for AASL and ISTE Standards. You can add Common Core Standards, if you like.
BLING YOUR BADGE...
"Bling Your Badge" is an introductory activity that combines low tech creativity and simple circuits. With paint markers, clear badges, lanyards, LED's, coin batteries, and tape participants created badges that showcased their personalities. This simple activity has so much learning "bang for your buck"!
MARBLE RUN...
So Dollar Tree was already out of pool noodles, but on a quick stop to Home Depot I was able to pick up some pipe insulation. It may have been more expensive, but the foam was SO much easier to cut and manipulate. This group were my guinea pigs, and such troopers! I had never done this with a group of educators during a workshop, but I plan to always make this an activity. Through collaborating, communicating, and critical thinking magic truly happened as individuals formed pairs, then teams, and then worked together as a full group. The dynamics that I witnessed during this activity truly made my heart sing. :)
"JUNK IN A BAG" CHALLENGE...
When my little sister used to come home from birthday parties, my mom would ask her how the party went. After sharing details about the games and the cake, my sister would inevitably rummage through her goody bag. Or as she would call it..."$%&^* in a bag." So, I've modified this challenge for schools and call it "Junk in a Bag." What are the rules?
BLOXELS VIDEO GAME DESIGNER...
When my little sister used to come home from birthday parties, my mom would ask her how the party went. After sharing details about the games and the cake, my sister would inevitably rummage through her goody bag. Or as she would call it..."$%&^* in a bag." So, I've modified this challenge for schools and call it "Junk in a Bag." What are the rules?
BREAKOUT EDU...
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You've heard of 12 step processes before. Well, when it comes to my Target addiction I have a simple 5 step process:
1. Target Dollar Spot You would have to be lying if you never bought anything in the Target Dollar Spot. When I used to shop for clothing in department stores (believe me, it's not fun trying on clothes with three little kids running around) I would head straight to the back of the store to the clearance rack. The hunt for a bargain is what thrills any female. Target is different. Target brings out the dessert cart before you ever touch your main meal! I could do some serious damage to my wallet within the first 5 minutes of entering the store. The Dollar Spot is perfect for organizational materials (storage boxes, folders, clips), decoratives (posters, tags, signage), craft supplies (ribbons, markers, beads), classroom resources (flashcards, dry erase boards, and erasers) and incentives (bubbles, stickers, and coloring books). Prices are usually $1, $3, or $5. Once you see something you like, nab it! Chances are items won't last very long.
2. Clearance Items
Craft supplies, STEM toys, storage...Target has it all! Browse the various departments and you'll find something that you "just have to have." But, if you have the time to rummage through the end cap shelves or look for specific items you can save A LOT of money on clearance items. On my recent excursions to local Targets I saved at least 50% off the original prices...Ollie robots ($50 instead of $100), Disney Imagicademy Storymation Studio Stop Motion Movie Kits ($9 instead of $30), Meccano MeccaNoid G15 ($45 instead of $150), Makedo Ready to Build Kits ($4 instead of $12), and SmartLab Toy Demolition Lab ($9 instead of $26). *Note: These prices were in store, not online. Don't forget that Target also has a price adjustment policy for 14 days, which came in handy when I purchased the Makedo and Demolition Labs $6 and $15 respectively a week earlier. We'll match the price if you buy a qualifying item at Target then find the identical item for less at Target.com, select online competitors, or in Target's or competitor's local print ad. Price matches may be requested at time of purchase or Price adjustments within 14 days after purchase.
3. Commitment to Community
Besides quality of products, good prices, an convenient one-stop shopping, I support Target for their commitment to the community.
Through Target's field trip grant, I was able to bring a group of students in our afterschool club to visit a working farm in upstate New York (Beaverwood Farm, Swan Lake). Students from our suburban, high-needs, culturally diverse district were able to ride horses, feed chickens, and milk cows. I still have students tell me what an impact this experience had on their lives.
Currently, Target is partnering with DonorsChoose to donate up to $5 million dollars for kid-inspired projects relating to topics of health and wellness. Through this program thousands of students nationwide to receive the resources they need to help them about proper nutrition, exercise, and healthy-living choices.
Target's commitment is apparent in their store planning as they consider people's needs. Having a non-gender specific family bathroom and a variety of carting options is a thoughtful bonus in my book. There are motorized carts, children's carts, and even Caroline's Cart for people with special needs.
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Kristina A. HolzweissEd Tech School Librarian Archives
July 2021
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