Expectations and Routines Defined

At the beginning of the session, it quickly became evident I needed to create clear expectations and routines to keep things running smoothly in the Library. It is almost like muscle memory when I think about creating those expectations & routines in my 6th grade class, but as I reflected earlier I was in uncharted territory...Librarian and Makerspace Coordinator for Portland Elementary.

Additionally, looking through the District Makerspace Explore! Curriculum, I noted that several activities had a read aloud component to introduce the makerspace concept/skill. At the training, those that created the curriculum AND taught it last year, reflected that adding a read aloud just made sense because many of them are librarians through the regular school year. They wanted to promote their daily passion (Reading and Literacy) in the Explore! Sessions too. The read alouds have been a fun way to introduce the rotations/activities as it hits my daily role - Reading Teacher! Expecting the read aloud, I previewed the Portland Library space before students arrived and decided I needed to create a read aloud area by moving tables slightly over and bringing in my own rectangular carpet. (Thanks to my brother, Justin Belk, I was able to have a free blue carpet to use during my session.) 

The 1st activity in the Explore Makerspace Curriculum suggested to "read aloud Ada Bryon Lovelace and the Thinking Machine. Discuss makerspace procedures and norms as well as what Makerspace means for our library. Demo materials and station rotation procedures."

I used the Literature as Data strategy to see what others recommended in this area. 

Makerspace Norms
Guidelines for Our Makerspace
Makerspace Class Procedures

I created this Google Presentation and embedded it into our Canvas Course after our class discussion on the same topics.



I also reviewed tips and procedures to make our read aloud time run smoothly too. I found the strategy "SLANT" helpful and created a poster to reference at the beginning of each read aloud. Students knew when they walked in the library to sit on the carpet to ready themselves for the read aloud.