Blog Post 3 Sustaining Makers Space Classroom

     After being introduced to "real" makers space teaching methods/techniques, I can say that I am on board with making learning fun and relating activities to solving real-world problems. It is a bit of a challenge for elementary classes (I teach 5th grade), but it can be done. Our librarian and fellow classmate in this class, Chris Stegall, has already laid a bit of ground work to support individual makers spaces in each classroom. I know that all four 5th grade teachers at Knik Elementary are gearing up for a more productive way of teaching by doing things rather that regurgitating knowledge from texts.

     My delivery design will consist of exercises and studies of how things work and why, rather than guiding students to one certain end product. I may have a simple product that students build as an example, but my real goal will be for them to bridge the gap between concepts that will work in designing something completely different from the example, given the tools and knowledge from previous exercises. The most important step in my design is to make sure students have the knowledge and tools at their disposal before turning them loose as makers.

     I intend to establish my makers space by paying close attention to the standards and expectations on given tasks to look for opportunities to extend those lessons into student-led design and application of lessons learned through various methods of study. I believe lessons will be much more relevant and memorable if the students take on the roll of deciding what it is produced, from the design stage to the end product.

     As far as funding, I believe makers spaces are not necessarily elaborate project-based activities. Some of the most elaborate plans can miss the mark in meeting standards and expectations in regards to learning goals. Our school already has some of the resources we need to get started. I will start with simple materials and move forward as funding is made available for much larger endeavors. I also have a key ally in my journey, our school librarian. She has secured some funds, and time for that fact, to enable me to jump in with both feet. I am looking forward to this year and adapting my classroom to a makers space whenever possible.