Create Spaces
These are spaces that provide active creative outlets for your more creative students.
moth style storytelling
(With Podcasts!)
This is brand new at CLHS. We started with a Moth Storytelling club that performs once a month at our "Library Fridays" events, and are now progressing to at least half open mic and half club members for Moth Storytelling on those days. We are recording these performances for CLHS Library Podcasts to be posted in our district intranet, but are still working on district permissions to post those to the world wide web. Keep an eye out for us!
black out poetry
We did this last year on our own, but this year we are collaborating with the Art Department to create blackout poetry that has the added component of design purpose in the blacked out areas. In the example to the left, the poetry is circled, and the surrounding space is filled in with imagery that reflects the idea of being surrounded with too much noise, continuing the theme of the blackout poem.
slam poetry
(With Podcasts!)
We started with a Slam Poetry club that performs once a month at our "Library Fridays" events, and are now have at least half open mic and half club members for Poetry Slam on those days. We are recording these performances for CLHS Library Podcasts to be posted in our district intranet, but are still working on district permissions to post those to the world wide web. Keep an eye out for us!
collaborative poetry
We have done this during both Teen Read Week and during Poetry Month. Some of the collaborative poems are quite hysterical, and others are thoughtful and serious. Give it a try!
dear Diary
This is a Makerspace that displays diary books, and then invites students to write their thoughts in one of the provided diaries. This was a phenomenal success! We have the most beautiful, funny, and frightening entries. We even identified a few students who were in crisis and got them to the counselors they needed. Some students will bring you their entries to read, other will leave their entries for you to find. Either way, it was a joy!
Lego mosaics
There are several sites that will help you convert a picture into a Lego build. Some are free and some will let you order the bricks you need (not free!)
publishing lab
Fellowes Thermal Binding Machine & Covers: Office Depot. A comb binding machine works, too!
This was Erin's original grant, and I stole it! The publishing lab has many uses including supporting creative writing or poetry both in class and for those who write independently! At the high school, we also have students using it to publish their independent study reports and other projects.
Giant whiteboard
SO MANY USES! Collaborative group work; magnetic poetry, Tumble Trax, Cooperative Games like SOS and Tic Tac Toe!
These are available everywhere: Office Depot, Demco, Amazon etc.
Spine poetry
Not new, but always fun!
E-Textiles
Make clothing and other wearables that incorporate LED's, programmable light displays, sound, and more. This is really big in cosplay, which many of your students might be into.
Vendor: Adafruit, Sparkfun
Create Your Own Neon Sign
This SLJ tutorial walks you through using EL wire to create a neon sign that you design. Average cost is only about $5 per sign.
Podcasting
Pegboard
Develop, Create, Decompress
Reinforces Math concepts, increases visual/spacial intelligence, provides time to decompress and other mental health benefits.