Maker Literacy: A New Approach to Literacy Programming for Libraries

by Lynn Pawloski, Cindy Wall

Overview

This book takes the creativity and inventiveness of the maker movement and applies that energy in a new way to help children learn across all subject areas as well as broaden their world view.

Traditional library literacy programs have helped many children foster a love of reading, but to prepare this next generation of learners, this programming needs to be modified to include technology. The inherent creativity and inventiveness of the Maker Movement, embracing both classic and innovative technological activities, provides the perfect bridge to invigorate, expand, and update these programs. This alternative to conventional library literacy programming will help children learn throughout all subject areas, see additional possibilities, and make connections in the world around them.

With this guide, readers can discover how to apply maker literacy to introduce connections that help children better understand that their experiences in life are interrelated—that art can be made on a 3D printer and that science and technology are an essential part of design. This holistic approach provides a myriad of creative opportunities for both teaching staff and the children they serve. A great resource for youth services librarians in public libraries, this guide to infusing library programs with technology and maker activities to motivate learning will also appeal to preschool and elementary librarians, educators, and parents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440843808
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/07/2016
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.27(d)

About the Author

Lynn Pawloski is coauthor of The Maker Cookbook: Recipes for Children's and 'Tween Library Programs, has been contributor to Public Libraries magazine, and has spoken at numerous library and education conferences.

Cindy Wall has been head of children's services at the Southington Library since 2001.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 eTots: An iPad or Tablet Story Time for Children Aged Two to Five 1

Theme 1: Frogs 6

Theme 2: Sandra Boynton's Musical eTots 7

Theme 3: Robots 8

2 It's Not Just for Kids: A Program for Children Aged Four to Six and Their Parents or Caregivers to Attend Together 11

Spin a Yarn 11

Lascaux Caves 14

Book Your Flight Soon 16

3 Use Your Words: Multi-Activity Program for Emerging Readers Aged Four to Six to Reinforce Basic Literacy Skills Using Technology, Art, and Filmmaking 19

You've Got Mail! 19

Alphabet Mash-up 21

Action: Take Three 27

4 Rookie Readers 2.0: Book Discussion, App Exploration, and Art Workshop for Children Aged Five to Six 31

I lust Need a Little Space 31

You Must Be This Tail to Ride 33

Any More Questions? 34

5 SKILL: Discovering Engineering, Art, and Design to Increase the Visual Literacy of Children Aged Five to Seven 37

Friendships Are the (Bow) Ties That Bind 37

Tiny Houses, Big Design 39

Testing, Testing 41

6 ARTeractive Books: A Program for Children Aged Six to Seven Centered on an Interactive Book or Book App 43

One Planet, Two Planet, Red Planet, Blue Planet 44

Poetry on Wheels 45

Leggo My Eggloo 47

7 Kidz Kode: Introducing Computer Coding through Stories and Storytelling for Children Aged Six to Eight 49

Once Upon a Code 49

Good Things Come in Small Packages 52

Art: Human versus Machine 53

8 No Reading Required: A Booktalk and Transmedia Program Encouraging and Exciting Reluctant Readers Aged Seven to Ten 57

What Iceberg? 58

Lunch Is the Most Important Meal of the Day 61

Get Me Outta Here! 62

9 Guest Reader Day: Supplementing Traditional Class Visits with Technology 65

Choose Your Own APPventure 65

The Wonderful Wizard of Osmo 66

New Bots on the Block 67

10 There Was a Fine Town That Swallowed a Book: A One Book, One

Town Program for Kids 69

Fall Family Reading Kick-Off: Pet Parade 71

eTots: eBugs 73

Rookie Readers 2.0: Said the Spider to the Fly 76

SKILL: Name That Time 79

Yummy! 81

Pixels and Pencils: You Light Up My Life 84

MakerLab: Stuff It! 85

Draw Like a Pro 86

Green Screen Films: As Seen on TV 86

Story walk" 87

Simultaneous All-Ages Finale 88

11 Mission: MakerSpace: A Space-Themed Literacy MakerSpace for Children 91

APPendix 97

Technology Glossary 111

Index 113

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2017
Though the maker movement is often seen as "the creation of concrete things," it "also applies to ideas, feelings, and thoughts," assert Wall and Powlski, who here offer a range of activities aimed at preschoolers and elementary and middle school students. While the concept of learning by doing isn't new, what sets this title apart is the introduction of technology such as iPads or other tablets. The authors suggest pairing Sandra Boynton's popular book and app Barnyard Dance with a craft activity that involves making a musical instrument. A Titanic-themed unit incorporates Lauren Tarshis's I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912, YouTube videos, and an experiment that lets students create an iceberg. Another example pulls together Mac Barnett's Extra Yarn, the app Paint for Cats, and an activity (using wet felt to make wool ball toys for cats). Several projects rely on a 3-D printer. The chapters tackle a variety of programming ideas, such as storytimes, family programs, science and design, computer coding, and booktalking. Each chapter includes a description of one or two apps or videos and a list of craft items required for the theme. The app descriptions also appear in the appendix, but there is no indication of price, and reviews of the apps are featured but are not always clear. A helpful glossary defines technological terms. VERDICT Recommended for large libraries with technology budgets.—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, VA

School Library Journal