STEAM when there is no "T"

Oh TECHNOLOGY!  Oh TECHNOLOGY

What do you do in a STEAM classroom without computers?

What do you do in a STEAM classroom with very few supplies?

GET CREATIVE!

The first 3 weeks were on boats, buoyancy, floating/sinking!  Thank goodness for a patient educational aide, borrowing LEGOS from the art teacher, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and free resources from our public library through HOOPLA.

Today I planned a three week unit on simple machines.  Low tech and high learning are the goals!

I now can rattle off more information than I ever knew about boat, displacement, and more.

Look for pictures of our boats, LEGO challenge, sinking/floating and more...the camera card is at school and I am home for the weekend.

So look for TECHNOLOGY updates...until then...my STEAM is more of SEAM classroom :)

When is the TECHNOLOGY coming????
My current mantra is "The tables are coming, The tables are coming"  like Paul Revere might say....
The company said that it should take about 21 business days to ship out the order.  21 business days feel like FOREVER.  I am 7 days into this waiting period.  Then they will ship out to us.


UPDATE AS OF 10/1
WE HAVE COMPUTERS, POWER, and IT IS WORKING!

First STEAM project

Week 1 in the library was all about learning what is STEAM, internet safety, and finally trying out a science/engineering project.

After projectors not working, buckets being too small, courtyard not having a spigot to get water, not enough pennies, the aluminum foil boats worked as a kick off project!

Helpful hints to fellow STEM teachers:
1. Have 100 pennies per group
2. Purchase pre-cut sheets of aluminum foil. I found mine at Gordon Food Service (GFS)
3. Find a big space to build and float the boat
4. Dog/kiddie pool makes a fun, large place to float boats and add pennies

Where did I get this idea?  I went to the Pennsylvania State Library Association conference.  I attended a break out session.

2nd, 3rd, and 4th used this website/video
Kara and Winston
1st grade watched this video
Smartie the Penguin

STEM vs. STEAM

I love acronyms.  They can make writing something longer so much shorter.  But educational ones can be confusing, used with ease by educators, and confusing to community people.  Over the past two weeks, I have been working on switching my brain to STEAM vs STEM.  In addition, Wattsburg Elementary Center will be offering STEAM as one of the "specials" along with art, gym, music, and library. 

First what does STEM stand for?
    SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATH
What does STEAM stand for?
    SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, and MATH

Where did this start or where can I find more resources?
STEAM
Article

What are your thoughts on STEM vs. STEAM?  Any other great resources or articles?

Later this week look for information on my students first STEM project!

Reading Websites

I love to find links to encourage my students to read more!

For the past two years, our local PBS channel has supported a reading competition from September through November.

Our students have done well reading, but no winners.  This year is going to be even better.  We are keeping a log in the library and at home.

Here is the link for the WQLN reading club....

What reading websites do you love?
How do you motivate your readers?






WQLN 

Summer 2016

Created with Padlet

TOP TEN

Today's post is list of what must be done as a librarian preparing for a new program.
 Next Sunday will be about back to school topics like first day of school books!
So how does a librarian prepare for a new program?

Here are the TOP TEN that I can think of - the list is really much longer
1. Meet with the principal and aide to discuss job responsibilities, classroom management, and more (done)
2. Prepare parent letter (done)
3. Register for WQLN reading club (completed 9/2)
4. Find first week of school reading material (done)
5. Review Young Reader Choice Awards and prepare for this new program (only undone item!)
6. Find materials for first STEAM project (done)
7. Update Library Management system/watch webinar on updates (done 9/16)
8. Prepare Digital Citizenship and safety lesson plans (done)
9. Pull first day of school books for teachers (done)
10. Relax and enjoy the last few days of summer! (tried my best)

Check in next week for back to school books, links to WQLN, and Young Reader Choice awards for Pennsylvania!

Little Free Libraries

I love the idea of children (and adults) always having access to BOOKS.

This blog post came to me as my son (age 4) was coming out of the Whole Foods Co-Op one evening.  It was bedtime, I was tired, my arms were full!  He stopped to look at the little free library box at the exit.  He wanted a book to take home...amid adult books and full hands...I found nothing for him.  He did find one for his big sister.

Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking of the joy and spontaneous nature of this interaction!
The Wattsburg community doesn't have a public library except a book mobile every other Saturday.

Where could we put a little free library box in the Wattsburg community or on the school campus?
What are the pros and cons?
Would you or your children be excited to swap books at any time for free?

I applied and received a FREE "Little Free Library" for Wattsburg Elementary School.  Look for updates soon!

Here are few links about "Little Free Libraries"!

https://littlefreelibrary.org/

http://mentalfloss.com/article/61083/15-gorgeous-little-free-libraries

http://www.goerie.com/article/20140719/NEWS02/307189898

Whoopie Goldberg's Favorite Things

***NEW Video about Little Free Library
Today Show 7/2/18

Here is our new Little Free Library
12/12/16

Building a Wall

The library that I work in is undergoing a transformation.  I am so excited to have this awesome wall.

The students will now have 50-55 minutes of library each week as well as a separate 50-55 minutes of computer/technology/makerspace time!

Look for more updates on this project as well as updated pictures.

Change is exciting and scary.

Here is the wall mid construction
Entrance door and wall

Close up of the wall/windows

Inside the new computer lab looking back into the library

Inside the lab (another angle)

Straightened/shifted shelves with the wall to the left side of the picture
This is part of the fiction/chapter book nook

Check out desk - overlooking library - computer lab wall on the left
Most of these long shelves hold the non-fiction

Bulletin board as you walk into the computer lab door

Main library reading area and picture book section

AH HA moments in the library

On Friday, most of the family (minus the teenager) went to the library for building/block time.  It was a blast watching everyone build, create, think, explore, and interact with one another.

My favorite story was with my 6 and 8 year old children playing with KEVA planks.  Ben made a ramp and was rolling a ball down.  Eventually, they creatively decided to make sides so the ball would stay on the path.  Then the ball would not go FAR enough down the path....so they figured out if the ramp was HIGHER then the ball might roll farther.  This is the basic of physics!  Bella was getting all scientific.

It was an AH HA moment...I want the students in my library having these moments in school library where I work every day!

Here are two pictures from our adventure...same planks were used in both pictures!

Who wants KEVA planks now?

Keva Planks

SUMMER READING

As promised, I am making my Sunday post.

What to write about? Sustaining Leaders Academy, summer reading, or something else????

I am going write this week about ways to increase reading time with your family!

As a mom of 5, I want the "perfect" schedule....bedtime stories, prayers, brushing teeth, and off to bed...

Reality is far from this picture...

So where and when can I read with my children in a meaningful, fun way???

THE CAR/VAN is our answer!!!

So far we have read Magic Tree House books #1 and #2...now we are reading number #3 "Mummies in the Morning".  As we dash to swim practice, a play date, the beach, the store, hubby DRIVES and I read (sometimes my son reads who is 8).

Where do you and your family like to read together?
What is your family reading routine?

Share your routine!

Magic Tree House

UPDATE: As of October 31, 2016, our family is up to book #17!
UPDATE: As of January 21, 2017, our family is up to book #23!

Continuing Education

Continuing Education...Life Long Learner...Teach the Teacher

I am always striving to learn and grow in some way personally and professionally.  There is ALWAYS something to learn.

So here is my story about Sustaining Leaders through the Pennsylvania State Library Association (PSLA).  Sustaining Leaders Academy

January/February - I see a post about this new learning co-hort opportunity that I would have to apply to on the website and via emails.  So I re-write a resume (I hadn't done one in 7+ years), essay, letter of recommendation, etc...
March - accepted into program for mid-career librarians in Pennsylvania with 6-15 years experience (only 23 in the state were accepted)
April - answer an extensive self survey
May - attend PSLA in May in Hershey, meet the team of Sustaining Leaders, meet my mentor, etc...
May/June - develop my Personalized Learning Plan
July - attend a 4 day immersion learning experience to RENEW, REFRESH, and REVITALIZE the library.

Here is one piece that I have accomplished below which will be my frame for my Personalized Learning Program!