Each year, our K–5 campus selects a novel to read at the beginning of the school year. This book is either read aloud to students or read independently in the upper grades. I incorporate the campus novel into the Makerspace by designing activities that connect literacy with hands-on building, creativity, and problem-solving.
In the Makerspace, I design a lesson that allows students to build a key feature from the novel. For example, during the year the campus read The One and Only Ivan, which features a carousel, students explored the history of carousels and studied diagrams outlining their various components. Following this introduction, students began designing and creating using materials provided in the Makerspace.
Modifying the Makerspace Carousel for Grades K-2
Kindergarten through second-grade students completed a modified version of the carousel build to support their developing construction skills. In this adaptation, the teacher assembled the main structure of the class carousel, while students designed and created individual animals to attach. These animals were intentionally selected from those mentioned in the novel, allowing students to form meaningful connections between the story’s characters and their carousel creations. Additionally, students identified and discussed the various parts of the carousel to deepen their understanding. This project also fostered cross-grade conversations, as students with siblings in upper grades were able to share insights and compare their builds, naturally creating opportunities for collaborative, multi-grade learning.
Click the image to view the lesson plans
Challenging Grades 3-5 with the Makerspace Carousel
Third through fifth-grade students built their carousels entirely from scratch using materials provided in the Makerspace. Working in small groups, students collaborated on all aspects of the design and construction process, from brainstorming ideas to assembling the final product. Each group selected a theme inspired by The One and Only Ivan, centering their designs around the novel’s main character.
To guide their creativity, students were challenged with the question: “Where would Ivan live if he didn’t live in the Big Top Mall?” This inquiry led students to research the real habitats of the animals featured on their carousels, inspiring them to incorporate natural elements such as plants and flowers into their designs.
Carousel build requirements included:
- Creating a functional carousel that could rotate.
- Includes four or more animals that share the same habitat as Ivan.
- Contains plants and flowers found in the habitat.
- Contains a platform, center pole, sweeps, and drop poles.
- Contains a flag with a saying from the novel
Students were encouraged to build uniquely shaped platforms and multi-story carousels. Throughout the construction process, students used the digital checklist to monitor their progress, exposing them to the carousel’s vocabulary and parts.
Click the image to view the lesson plans.
Sharing with Families- Extending Beyond the Classroom
The culmination of this project was presenting our carousels at Family Literacy Night. Not only were parents able to view the Makerspace projects, but they also participated in various literacy-based activities connected to the campus novel. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for all students to collaborate on the building process, and each student had the chance to explore the completed carousels, identify characters, and name different parts of the carousel. Family Literacy Night has proven to encourage higher completion rates and improved quality of student projects, as students take pride in showcasing their finished work to their families.
Including Pre-K Family Members
Although Pre-K students do not attend Makerspace classes, I wanted to make sure they were included in Family Literacy Night. To involve all students participating in the event, the Pre-K classes received a working carousel along with templates of the three main characters. The students decorated their animals and attached them to the carousel’s drop poles, allowing them to contribute to the experience in a fun and creative way.
Click the image to view the template
Adding More Technology to the Makerspace Carousel
Want to take this project to the next level? Try these ideas!
- Add Rotation
- Utilize small motors or servos to create a rotating platform. This can be controlled using simple circuits or microcontrollers like Arduino or Microbit.
- Include Paper Circuits:
- Use paper circuits using copper tape, coin cell batteries, and LED lights. These circuits can be placed strategically to illuminate the top of your structure to make it more relaistc to the real thing.
- Integrate Student-Created Music:
- Encourage students to compose original music or sound effects using digital tools like GarageBand or Soundtrap. The music can be triggered by sensors or buttons for an interactive experience.
- Add Rotating Animal Figures:
- Design and attach small animal cutouts or 3D-printed figures to the rotating platform. These animals can symbolize themes like ecosystems, habitats, or storytelling elements.
Integrating our campus novel into the Makerspace has allowed students across all grade levels to experience literature innovatively and hands-on. By designing and building carousels inspired by The One and Only Ivan, students combined creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking while deepening their connection to the story. From our youngest Pre-K learners to our fifth graders, every student had the opportunity to contribute and shine. Family Literacy Night provided a meaningful platform to showcase their hard work and foster a love of reading, learning, and making. As we continue to add new elements like technology and music to these projects, our goal remains the same: to inspire students to think creatively, work together, and bring stories to life through the power of STEAM and literacy.