CREATE: It's all in the name...Start Here

Formulating a Framework:

Library stations are my passion and the inspiration behind my library lessons.  Libraries have become active hubs, but to keep my sanity, I try to avoid chaos! This can be hard when you are seeing over 100 kids a day for only 45 minutes per class. Similar to my fellow librarians at the elementary level, I am on a fixed schedule and each day I see 5-6 classes, grades K-5. Whew! It is a whirlwind.

Organization, structure, and repetition are the key ingredients in the station framework I created; this framework can be adapted to fit any need, class, or lesson plan. Take a look! 

This is where I started...I wanted a word that would convey a big idea... concept...theme to my students. That word would become the structure for my library. 

In my library, I wanted an environment and space where we can CREATE. That is the word I chose... my acronym, my BIG IDEA. Using the word CREATE, my students rotate through 6 stations attending one station a week. Each letter in the acronym represents an activity.  My CREATE stations are implemented across all grade levels with different activities for each grade. I will share my framework and the mechanics over the next couple of blog articles, but here is the overview: 

C - Computer Choice Board (3-5)/Construction (K-2)
R - Robots 
E - Engineering
A - Art
T - Thinking Lab/Tablets
E - Explore and Research 

I have included a video where I am featured with my CREATE stations in the library...it is a very short overview that will give you the big idea: 

 CREATE Stations in the LIBRARY!