Year 2 and the Makerspace
Central Idea
Technology has changed over time and influences the way people live.
Key Concepts
Related Concepts
Lines of Inquiry
Design Task
CREATE – CONNECT – COLLABORATE
In the JS Library Makerspace, we aim to develop students love of learning through hands-on learning by challenging the thinking 
process.
It is “a holistic approach that links the disciplines so that the learning becomes connected, focused, meaningful, and relevant to learners” (Smith & Karr-Kidwell, 2000, p. 22).
To celebrate our first week of our newly renovated library (which includes the Makerspace) the students were offered the opportunity to participate in the Global Day of Design (26th April #GDD16). Over three days, we offered three design challenges based on literature.
As a part of the Design Process, the students worked in groups to complete the challenge and then reflected on the learning (all in 30 minutes!).
The students were also exposed to the engineering design process which includes identifying a problem, developing ideas and solutions, and sharing these solutions with others.
|
Huff n Puff Designing a bridge for the Billy Goats Gruff |
Shake it Up
Designing an earthquake proof building |
The Sky is the Limit
Paper plane designs (Stealth: longest flight time in air) |
| Materials
toothpicks, masking tape and 3 marshmallows |
Materials
playing cards and ½ metre of masking tape |
Materials
paper |
| Contstraints
Billy Goats have to be attached to a marshmallow. Have to use all the toothpicks |
Contstraints
Have to use all the playing cards. |
Contstraints
1 A4 piece of paper |
Some of the students’ thoughts:
The ICT Mentors for 2016 were introduced to the Design Thinking concept and were available as support for the groups. They exhibited a wonderful enthusiasm and attitude to their role. Well done.
On Monday 27th April, select students from Year 3, with the support of the Year 6 ICT Mentors participated in a PROGRAMMING WITH APPS session.
The students were introduced to the following concepts:
They experimented with following instructions and thinking computationally through the use programmable Bee-Bots and the Bee-Bot app. These tools are excellent for reinforcing directional and procedural language.
Through the use of visual programming apps, the students also learnt to create simple programs. Apps like Daisy the Dinosaur and Kodable support students to learn to code by solving puzzles. The ability to problem solve is a critical and creative skill for students to develop.
The students were now ready to create their own program using Scratch Jnr. This app has a drag and drop interface designed specifically for programming with younger children.
The students were given the task to collaboratively design a simple story, selecting an appropriate setting and writing an interaction between characters. This task made connections between the story writing process and computer literacy through programming. The ICT Mentors supported and directed the younger students exceptionally well at this stage.
All these apps are available for free. More apps can be found at Programming for Primary Students.
If you would like to learn more, read some of our blog posts about programming on the JS Library blog or come and see the Bee-Bots in action during first break in the JS Library.
GET UNBORED
PS: This week I visited PIMPAMA STATE SECONDARY COLLEGE and saw their design thinking in action. Looking forward to seeing the next stage of their journey.
Design Minds EXPLAIN from State Library of Queensland on Vimeo.
We have spent some of our reward points from Scholastic Book Fairs and we have purchased some Bee Bots. Bee Bots are some programmable robots that are excellent to use across the curriculum (lower primary). These are hassle free ICT tools for supporting the Technologies curriculum as well.
In the JS Staffroom we have the Bee Bots on a world map ready for your explorations. We have ordered more maps – just waiting on delivery!
Bee Bots in action
See this blog post Beebots Downunder for some ideas about how these are being used in classes.
Great for literacy, maths, problem solving and geography! (Perfect for mapping UOI Year 2/3).
We have six Bee Bots and they need names!
Please come and have a play with your class and suggest a name (and reason why).
Post your responses below.
FLOTSAM by DAVID WEISNER
This beautiful picture book has stunning images that will fascinate the reader. A story about a boy,the ocean without any words.
Caldecott medal winner.
Scan the QR code below to learn more about this book and author.
Information for teachers.
Themes:
Open-minded. Creativity.
Beaches. Imagination. Other worlds. Photography. Voyages and travels. Imagination.
***Library Challenge***
Define: What is flotsam?
Navigation: Locate some books also by this author in our library.
See the library staff for your reward :).
WELCOME TO 2013 – SEARCH -ASK – LEARN -CONNECT
BEGINNINGS … We SEARCH…
Source
The Daring Librarian
http://www.flickr.com/photos/info_grrl/7125917627/
This year for my orientation to use of the PYP library we are going to use some QR codes. I will have a scavenger hunt for students to orientate themselves but I am also looking for some higher order and creative thinking to be employed.
We will look at what a contemporary library is using the Y chart as a stimulus (looks like, sounds like, feels like) and consider how this is different from the library of the past using the PYP ATTITUDES and PYP LEARNER PROFILE as support materials.
Teachers and students will have a chance to look at the PYP library using the QR CODE.
See the following links for more information.
http://jssalclibrary.wikispaces.com/HOW+TO+USE+THE+LIBRARY
http://www.diigo.com/user/jssalc/QR_codes
http://jssalc.wikispaces.com/Augmented+Reality
See the link below for a great example of QR codes being used in a Specialist class (PE).
http://www.thephysicaleducator.com/resources/skill-posters/
Finally, this glogster is an excellent introduction to QR codes in education.
Enjoy!
“Media maps are workflow storyboards for multimedia products. What do you want to create with your students today?”
This website clearly sets out how to develop a workflow with ICT to support the curriculum.
Simple, yet effective examples that can be applied to the classroom.
Wesley Fryer created the “Mapping Media to the Curriculum” website to accompany and support his eBook, “Playing with Media: simple ideas for powerful sharing.”
Love it!
