article thumbnail

9 Fine Ways to Do Better 20% Time

The CoolCatTeacher

Some definitions: 20% Time. Maker Movement. Many schools are creating maker spaces or “ Fab Labs ” so students have a space and place to invent. Some libraries are putting these in a Learning Commons. (See ” Perhaps looking into Micku Uppena’s library can help us understand.

article thumbnail

Do Pre-Packaged Kits Belong in Makerspaces?

Edsurge

Aligned with the maker movement—which focuses on using hands-on activities like building, sewing, assembling and computer programming for learning—the kits provide a foundation that teachers can use for guided projects both in and out of the classroom. There’s kits and then there’s kits ,” says Martinez. “I Some of the Alexandria, La.,

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

What Should I Buy For My New Makerspace? A Five-Step Framework For Making the Right Purchases

Edsurge

My definition of what a makerspace is drives every decision I make for my makerspace, and that includes selecting the right products for my makerspace. The next section of my framework echoes a piece of my definition of a makerspace—the importance of Open-Ended Exploration. This piece was adapted from a post on her blog.

article thumbnail

Passion Projects in Kindergarten and First Grade

The CoolCatTeacher

She’s helped the students find books in the library, and she has also helped them learn some ways to navigate ways to share their knowledge through Google Slides or Wixie. I think this whole passion project was definitely more about the process than the product. Then they even started to go the library and find books for their friends.

Libraries 234
article thumbnail

7 Ideas for Student Genius Hour and Passion Projects

The CoolCatTeacher

However, if you look at the definition of the word, you’ll find: 1. She’s helped the students find books in the library, and she has also helped them learn some ways to navigate ways to share their knowledge through Google Slides or Wixie. Now, some people think that to say every child is a “genius” is a stretch.

article thumbnail

Creating Space for "Maker Moments"

Graphite Blog

Despite claims made by some, the maker movement is no fad -- it's just a new name for something lots of people have been doing for a long time. I had my first "maker moment" at 4 years old. " The maker movement is about creating and problem-solving, not purchasing and consuming. How We Make.

article thumbnail

Creating Space for "Maker Moments"

Graphite Blog

Despite claims made by some, the maker movement is no fad -- it's just a new name for something lots of people have been doing for a long time. I had my first "maker moment" at 4 years old. " The maker movement is about creating and problem-solving, not purchasing and consuming. How We Make.