Tuesday 15 December 2015


Five of my favourite things....

What?!? Only 5?!?! Ok, well here goes nothing....



All of my favourite things have to do with my favourite thing .... which is making!

1. QuickTime:  I love how I can record screencasts using QuickTime on my Mac. I actually didn't know about this feature (I'm a little slow on the uptake at times) until last year and it is a LIFE SAVER! Library in a Minute, anyone?




2. Doink: Our makerspace has a green screen for students to use - our favourite way to record (and it is the easiest by far) is to use the Doink app!



3. Sphero and the Tickle app. (That's not cheating if they're in the same photo). I love myself - I won't lie. So I bought myself a Sphero for Christmas last weekend .... and I just couldn't wait to give it to myself or let the kids try it at school. It's certainly garnering a lot of interest as we've placed two mazes on the floor of the learning commons and are challenging students to "code" their way through!



4. Book: 3D Printing in the Classroom. I've been thinking a lot of about 3D printers and how they can be effectively used in the classroom/makerspace. This  book is a great resource - it will tell you everything you need to know about 3D printers in schools, what to look for, what to buy as well as sample projects. For me, a worthwhile purchase.

5. Book: Finger Knitting Fun. Our knitting makers started off this year knitting with needles. We soon found this to be quite a difficult and time consuming process. Students were getting frustrated (knitting is HARD) and couldn't see results that motivated them and made them feel successful. Since  then, we've started a few projects out of this book and the students have a new vigour and enthusiasm for creating knitting projects! Some of the samples we've tried so far!




And last of all, my MOST favourite thing to do after a hard day of making is to put my feet up and enjoy a nice cold Coke Zero. :)

One #6 never hurt anyone....



Please read on to check out the favourite things of our  other #peel21st blog hop colleagues!



Name
Link to December blog hop post
Jason Richea
http://beyondangrybirds.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-few-of-my-favourite-things.html
Heather Lye
Amit Mehrotra
Jason Wigmore
Melanie Mulcaster
Jonathan So
Jim Cash
Tina Zita
Maggie Fay
Sapna Gandhi

Pam Taylor
http://mindfulauthenticity.blogspot.ca/2015/12/december-peel21st-blog-hop-few-of-my.html?spref=tw
Gina Loutrianakis
Laura Smiley

Tuesday 17 November 2015




Best Learning Moment 2015 Blog Hop

My most memorial learning moment in 2015 is still happening.


The Valleys Snr Public school is running a makerspace during the lunch hour in the learning commons using a mix of digital and non-digital tools.


This year we added a sewing, beading, knitting and crocheting component. There are three different teachers who assist students in learning how to knit, sew and crochet, but sadly, the "beaders" are stuck with me (not a beading bone in my body).


And this turns out to be the best thing that ever happened.


At our start up meeting in September, I made it abundantly clear I had no idea what I was doing. Immediately after the meeting, a student stepped up and said that she had some ideas and would lead the group.


I haven't looked back since - every week she comes to beading club with a pre-made sample project. She then proceeds to teach the group how to make various beading projects.


So far we have made rings, three different types of bracelets, and ladybug bead pets. We plan to put our products on display at our first Maker Faire in April. The group is tickled pink.


She is also toying with the idea of filming her tutorials and uploading them to a YouTube channel. (with her parents' permission of course ;) Why shouldn't we share her talents with the world?


I am astounded every day with the potential of our students given the right opportunity to shine.


I can't wait to see what comes next.




This post is only one in a series of  blog hop posts by our amazing #peel21st colleagues! 
Check out what they have to say below!



Name
Blog Hop Post
Jason Richea
Jonathan So
Amit Mehrotra
Tina Zita
Jim Cash
Melanie Mulcaster
Heather Lye
Erica Armstrong
Matt Fletcher
Jason Wigmore
Shivonne Lewis-Young
Matthew Forestieri