Kristin Fontichiaro

Creating a book where Scratch is used in relation to the playground is exciting. However, if the reader is familiar with Scratch, the illustrations of the code are very simple, and the reader will complete the tasks without a challenge. Still, if the program is new, the large amount of text on each spread makes programming challenging. With preprogrammed blocks, there is little room for creativity. The link to get started on the particular game set up for this book is complicated and includes a nine-digit code, although the book is intended for students in the lower elementary school grades. A book too easy for the higher grades and too much of a challenge for the lower grades, and not likely to be read just for fun. Coding on the Playground is part of a series that creates games with Scratch in different settings.
The book includes a table of contents, an index, a glossary of keywords, and additional websites and books about the topic in the back.
Written
2nd - 4th grade
AD-… (meer)

This webinar, presented by Booklist and sponsored by Cherry Lake Publishing, featured some of the authors of the Makers as Innovators book series for schoolchildren. Each presenter talked about one or two aspects of maker culture, ranging from the experience of working in a public makerspace or setting one up in a school to the actual projects that can be done in makerspaces. Things that were discussed included the range of things that happen in a makerspace; makers build things by hand or make things with technology (or both) and are always looking to try new things.

The presentation had great information for any librarians or educators looking to start a makerspace. It was an good introduction of what a makerspace can be. One of the biggest takeaways came from the question and answer portion, where many attendees asked what tools are needed to start a makerspace. The presenters emphasized the fact that librarians do not need to buy anything in order to start a makerspace and can just build off the interests of their patrons. This webinar made the idea of starting a makerspace more accessible to anyone looking to try it.… (meer)