So a NEW YEAR is here and we are starting our MAKERSPACES. I love watching the students use their creative juices and discuss what their possibilities are with the makerspaces. This year I am approaching this with a more planned strategy. I have presented the 5th graders with six possibilities they are:
Makey-Makey
LittleBits
Finch Robots
Green Screen
Animation
3D Pen
Students spend one class watching videos of their choice on the various topics presented and then at the end of the class I have them sign up for whichever topic they would like to investigate further. I strongly encourage them to not sign up for their first choice until they have explored at least two topics. This has forced them to really think about their choice more than just diving in without any exploration. In fact no one is allowed to sign up for any topic until the end of class when I give them the clue. So far this approach seems to be working better than last year!
