4J Library Lowdown
February 2022 Issue 20
Makerspaces: Create, Collaborate, Innovate!
Makerspace activities celebrate STEAM and the engineering and design process. They offer unique opportunities for students to learn a new skill, collaborate, create, and innovate! Libraries are the perfect space to house a makerspace as students can come together during their lunch, before and after school, or a free period.
Makerspaces do not have to be complicated, intimidating, or even techie. Activities can be as simple as origami, friendship bracelets, paper engineering challenges, puzzles, or as techie as Ozobots, Bloxels, and micro:bits. Whatever you choose, rest assured, students will be drawn to having the opportunity to create and innovate.
Teacher librarian, Debbie Levy, at Churchill High School draws a large crowd during lunchtime. Students filter in to collaborate on Stick Together posters, make friendship bracelets, work a puzzle, and paint using a Buddha Board. It's a lively time where students visit while they create together.
Buffy Ritchie, library manager at Monroe Middle School, has several different opportunities for students to try new making skills. Students can learn to use a sewing machine where they create paper mobiles and pillows made from donated fabric scarps. The paint by numbers station draws a crowd that visits while completing a collaborative painting. There's a collaborative beading mosaic as well as Perler station where kids will leave with a cool ornament. Find easy ideas for quick activities on the weekly 4J Makerspace hub here.
If you're interested in integrating technology into a makersapce, our district has Ozobots, Bloxels, or micro:bits available to check out too. Contact Amy Page if you're interested or would like support getting a makerspace up and running in your classroom and or library. It's an easy way to get kids engaged, collaborating, and creating.
Connected Lane County Spark Lab
The Connected Lane County Spark Lab is the ultimate makerspace! As stated on their site, Sparklab is a central hub for Lane County youth to learn, innovate, collaborate, and create. By providing extended out-of-school education and training opportunities for STEM and much more, youth can grow their skills, become confident problem solvers, and gain hands-on experience. Check out this awesome opportunity for youth to engage with their peers while learning valuable life skills.
Black History Month
The choice board to the left offers resources to explore black history in the United States. There is also a You've Been Virtually Book'd choice board that features read alouds for young readers and our district collection in Sora with books for all ages. If you need more resources, connect with Amy Page (page_a@4j.lane.edu).
Research Resources
The K-8 resources below are filled with reliable resources to kick off any research project. There are tips for resource searches, links to databases, trustworthy websites, and more! Any teachers in need can contact Amy Page (page_a@4j.lane.edu) and she'll curate resources for your next research project like the penguin choice board below.
Participate in the Reading Olympics!
Enjoy a new reading challenge every week of February. Explore print books, ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts, and our Reading Olympics Choice Board. Log all your reading in Beanstack (K5 only, access via Clever), and let's see which school can read the most this month! Have fun!
Winter Olympics Choice Board
February Choice Board
There is a lot to celebrate in February. From Valentine's Day to President's Day, read, learn, make and explore! Have fun!
2022 Youth Media Awards
The 2022 Youth Media Awards are here! It's an awesome list of engaging, diverse books all of which we have in our district digital collection available in Sora. Click here to explore these great titles.
Flipgrid Live Event: Power of Words Perseverance
Join Stacy Abrams and Kitt Thomas for this free event for students of all ages. Register here.