96: Halloween and Makerspace in the Elementary Classroom
Makerspace and Halloween can go hand in hand with just the right literature to set the stage. Finding books that engage students and make them think is half the battle. The creation of solutions is the fun part!
This episode takes a closer look at several different books that can be used in October or for Halloween. Students work through literacy standards and then extend their understanding by having them work through the engineering design process by asking questions about the problems in the story, making a plan or a blueprint of possible solutions, getting to work creating and testing these solutions, refining them as necessary, and reflecting upon the solution. Students also should have the opportunity to share and showcase solutions. Comparing and contrasting solutions helps students see how important iterations are in finding solutions that work.
We want students to ask questions about the problem and about possible solutions, and we want students to use this inquiry-based learning to better understand how they can create a model of a solution. Another option is to take an already existing solution and revise and refine it.
Working through engineering standards and literature standards helps teachers justify Makerspace for admins who are wondering if standards-based learning is occurring.
I talk through several really fun stories. You can hear more by clicking the play button above.
Links Mentioned in the Show:
Makerspace Moment in Literature Halloween Bundle
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I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
Somethin' Pumpkin by Scott Allen
This is the House that Monster Built by Steve Metzger
Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
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Subscribe and Review:
Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.
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