https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0 M5A1 en-us 2016-12-04 02:07:29 UTC 2017-11-11 19:25:57 UTC hello@padlet.com theresaproler https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141573422 ScratchED is a great resource if you are an educator introducing Scratch into your classroom or library. This site is exclusively for educators - you need to apply and be approved for membership, which is free, and takes about a day. The site allows teachers to create accounts for their students, features forums for discussion, resources for utilizing Scratch with various grade levels, curriculum tie-ins, lesson plans, printables, and more! 

I have a number of students that are really interested in Scratch. Unfortunately, getting them logged in has been a really cumbersome process, since they work on Chrome Books and are all needing individual accounts. Finding ScratchEd is the solution to all of the Scratch-related issues I had faced in the library! With so many activities, tutorials, integration with other Maker-components (there are some cool Arudino lessons), and student guides, this resource shouldn't be missed!]]> 2016-12-04 02:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141573422 theresaproler https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141573884 MIT's App Inventor teaches students to build real Android apps, using code blocks similar to those found in Scratch. The App Inventor website provides free access to the App Inventor platform, in addition to a wealth of resources for implementing the technology into curriculum. Plenty of tutorials, printable instruction cards, and an easy-to-operate platform makes this program a really fun resource for educators and students alike.

I had a number of students express interest in creating an app as a means of showcasing research for their independent research projects. Without experience, they found it to be a better idea in theory than in practice - it was just too daunting and overwhelming for fifth and sixth graders. The App Inventor is an easy-to-use and understand platform that is completely age appropriate for middle schoolers and beyond. It's also a perfect progression for my elementary students that have been working with Scratch for a while and are looking for a new challenge!]]> 2016-12-04 02:36:20 UTC https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141573884 theresaproler https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141574298 The Built by Kids website showcases DIY projects and activities that are appropriate for children, many of which utilize simple materials that are inexpensively purchased or are readily available. Ideas for fun projects, activities, and other making activities are featured as well and videos and tutorials are available for many of them. The site also showcases how to teach children to use tools safely, a necessity in a school makerspace!

I'm not a handy person, and honestly have little experience using tools myself. If given the funding for a makerspace in my school, I will definitely be relying on the "how-to use xxx safely" tutorials, so I can teach my students to properly use the tools they will need. 
While all of the activities may not be appropriate for in-school use, I will absolutely be using the tutorials to make things at home - a pool noodle water cannon?! Don't mind if I do!

]]> 2016-12-04 02:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141574298 theresaproler https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141574577 I have found that basically everyone in my school is willing to contribute to creating a space for our students to make, play, and learn in. Our technology teacher has committed to collaborating on Scratch and other coding projects with my lower elementary students in the library. The IT department has offered some older computers for students to play on (once we can find a suitable space for them in the library), and has offered to teach some basic computer repair skills using parts that are lying around. The art teacher would love to come in and work on craft-type projects, like the awesome build your own rocket found on builtbykids.com, and has offered some craft scraps for the students to play with independently. The help is out there, it's just a matter of asking for it! ]]> 2016-12-04 03:15:14 UTC https://padlet.com/theresaproler/slae7gpu4cl0/wish/141574577