Katie Leech 1st Grade
Meet the Maker:
My name is Katie Leech, and I am a first grade teacher at Elmwood Elementary. Maker culture is important because it allows students to be design thinkers while learning how to solve problems, communicate, and collaborate. Above all, students have an opportunity to develop empathy for each other and the world around them.
Provocation:
Some plants and animals are at risk of disappearing! Their habitats are in danger due to pollution, building, and the need for resources. It has an impact on the plants and animals that live there because they need their habitat to survive. We need to inform others about this! Find a solution to inform others about the risk of losing an animal in our world. Get the word out that we need to save them!
Maker Plan: connects to our Plants and Animals science unit
MAKER PLAN Please view my Maker plan to see this process in more detail. Students also participated in a variety of Skill Builders prior to being presented with the challenge (provocation).
What we are making, Why we are Making, Who we are Making for:
What are we Making: books, videos, posters, newspapers, games
Why are we Making: to inform others of the possible loss of animals and how we can help
Who are we Making for: our Earth and the creatures that live on it
Maker Skill Builders & Highlights
Intro to Apps
Students were exposed to a variety of apps throughout the school year to add to their digital toolbox: Book Creator, Seesaw, Clips, Chatterpix, Blockly, and Scratch Jr.
Disruptus
A game the encourages small groups to "invent" a new product by combining ideas in two cards and create something new. Students had to brainstorm, collaborate, design a product, and communicate with others.
Ready, Set, Design
A fun way for students and teachers to try out some design thinking. All you need is a bag of materials and a challenge prompt for the students! Students work in groups to brainstorm, collaborate, build their design, and communicate to share their ideas.
Research
Students dove into Pebble Go, World Book Kids, and books to research various animals and their habitats. This helped to engage them and develop empathy for these animals.
Student Product Samples
Students created a variety of products and presented them to second graders.
video on Clips app
book on Book Creator
designed a newspaper
presented to peers
Additional Teacher Resources & Reproducibles:
Additional Teacher Resources & Reproducibles: IF applicable
Must know tips for Teachers:
Go slow, but set time constraints for students (and yourself!).
Let them take the lead - their ideas are amazing!
The engagement factor goes up when they love what they're doing.
It's okay to reach out to your digital coach or even other Maker teachers for help.
Ask other classes in your building to come into be your audience for sharing prototypes. The students are excited and it makes for authentic feedback from peers.
Try Maker projects that tie to your curriculum so that you aren't needing to find more time to fit things in.