Makerspace =  "a place where young people have an opportunity to explore their own interests; learn to use tools and materials, both physical and virtual; and develop creative projects" Laura Flemming, Worlds of Making 2017

April 2023 - Students created treasure out of trash this month,  taking inspiration from the 2022 Ladybug Award Winner, Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance by Meredith Crandall Brown. After listening to a a pre-recorded read-aloud by tandem mystery guests, students visited the Makerspace where they used their imaginations to create something completely new out of clean, recycled milk and juice cartons. This was a make and take activity and students were able to take their creations home after presenting them to their classes.

Check out the slideshow to view our recycled masterpieces!

March 2023 - In honor of National Crayon Day, students created creepy crayon castles. After listening to Creepy Crayons by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown, students visited the Makerspace where they used plastic cups, cardstock and popsicle sticks to contain their creepy crayons. We had castles of all shapes and sizes as students worked collaboratively to problem solve. All work was the student's own and they were in no way assisted by any creepy crayons - if you read the book you'll get the message!

Check out the slideshow to view our creepy crayon castles!

February 2023 - Can you imagine traveling around a city in a roller coaster? How about having free beverage machines on every corner? Well that's what some of our students envisioned as they designed their dream cities! After reading  2022 Ladybug Nominated picture book, Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long,  students brainstormed their ideas a list of ideas on the interactive whiteboard and then put their ideas onto paper. Each of the distintly different dream cities was presented to the class. 

Check out the slideshow to view our dream cities!

January 2023 - Students created mixed media self-portraits taking inspiration from the 2022 Ladybug Nominated picture book, On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex. After listening to a a pre-recorded read-aloud by an extra special mystery guest, students visited the Makerspace where they  worked in pencil and marker to draw their faces. They then scoured old magazines and store catalogs and fliers for items to sit on top of their heads. Before leaving the library students had an opportunity to share what happened to their hair "on account on the gum". 

Check out the slideshow to view our kooky collages!

December 2022 - Students made festive reindeer bookmarks to celebrate Polar Express Day at Valley View. Students in 3rd grade learned origami, the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures and crafted book corners. Students in K-2 made traditional bookmarks with paints, pipe cleaners and cardstock. When we finshed crafting we listened to the hilarious story, Santa's Underwear by Marty Rhodes Figley and Marty Kelley. 

Check out the slideshow to view our book-tastic bookmarks!

October/November 2022 - Students planned and built floats for the 2nd Annual Valley View Thanksgiving Day Parade. They took their inspiration from Nicolai Popov's picture book The Great Shoe Parade. Each class worked with Mrs. Levasseur during their Library Enrichment block to create a 3D model of one of the instrument playing animals from the book.  Students worked collaboratively using a variety of materials from the Library Makerspace and mounted their finished floats to a wheeled scooter borrowed from P.E. teacher, Ms. Cook. Colorful balloons and festive banners added to the excitement of the parade.

Check out the slideshow to view our  magnificent floats!

September 2022 - Students learned about the life of Queen Elizabeth by listening to a Little Golden Book Biography and as well as a silly story called "The Queen's Knickers". They learned that Queen Elizabeth lived to be 96 and was the longest reigning monarch in British history with an impressive car collection! Students were then challenged to work collaboratively and rebuild London bridge so that the Queen could drive safely back across the Thames to Buckingham Palace in time for afternoon tea. 

Check out the slideshow and see our Jenga, Unifex cube, Lincoln log and cardboard creations!

Want to be a Maker at home ? Check out these cool activities from @dailySTEM: 

77 Stem Activities 

They can easily be done with things you might have at home. Take a picture and send it to me via email hlevasseur@sau61.org  

I will post any pictures here!