Everyone has stories to tell. These stories could be true or could come entirely from your imagination. Who are the characters? What world do they live in? What challenges do they face? Authors have the power to share their vision of a different world. Storytelling also connects us to our history and our ancestors. By creating stories we help other people see different ways of living. In our activities over the next two weeks, we will engage in some imaginative world making — where we will create fantastic characters and settings that expand our imagination of what is possible and what is important. Read more…
Learning in the Making: LIVE!
Learning in the Making: LIVE! is an online video series designed to support educators and families with accessible hands-on learning experiences. This work is part of our focus on supporting remote learning in various environments. (To learn more, read this blog post about our work during shelter-in-place measures in 2020.)
Each week, we host a live making activity on our YouTube channel and share related resources on our blog.
Learning in the Making: Stop Motion Animation
Ever wonder how your favorite cartoon characters come to life? It is done through the process of animation. Stop motion is one style of animation, and it’s really simple! Instead of drawings, artists use objects to create their illustrations. This week our guest host Bárbara Yarza will teach us the basic principles of stop motion animation as we explore our stories of self. Read more…
Learning in the Making: Letter Writing & Pop-up Cards
Looking for something fun to make at home? Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and this week is letter writing and pop-up cards. We are focusing on making with what you have around the house. Here’s some inspiration to get you started! Read more…
Learning in the Making: Visual Poetry
Looking for something fun to make at home? Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and this week is visual poetry.
Poetry is all around us—in books and magazines and in the lyrics to your favorite hip hop song. Whether written on paper or spoken out loud, poetry taps into the power of words to express feelings, communicate ideas, and tell stories. A visual poem (sometimes known as a concrete poem) is a written poem that creates a visual image that relates to its meaning. We will be using our imaginations and creativity to create different shapes with words! Here’s some inspiration to get you started. Read more…
Learning in the Making: Shapes in Nature
Looking for something fun to make at home? Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and the next two weeks are about structural engineering—buildings constructed by animals (May 6) and humans (May 13)!
Join us in Learning in the Making: LIVE! This will be a two part series with special guest educators from the Lawrence Hall of Science! Read more…
Learning in the Making: Sewing
Do you have mismatched socks lying around? Don’t throw them out! Sew them into a stuffed creature of your very own. Stuffed animals can provide a source of comfort in times of stress, reducing loneliness and anxiety. Here’s some inspiration to get you started. Read more…
Learning in the Making: Music
Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Birds chirping? Cars passing by? Laughter? Sounds are all around you, and all of those sounds are created by vibrations! Throughout history, people around the world have used vibration to create music as a source of joy, to mark important events, and to unite people during difficult times. Check out this activity to learn how vibrations create sound, and join us as we build some instruments and make music together! Read more…
Learning in the Making: Cooking
Looking for something fun to make at home? Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and this week is cooking. Chefs do so much more than simply combine ingredients to make delicious meals, and they have a lot in common with mathematicians and scientists. They rely on scientific principles – especially with baking – and use math for a range of functions, from measurement to ratios, to conversations! Read more…
Learning in the Making: Zines
Looking for something fun to make at home? Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and this week is zines. We are focusing on making with what you have around the house. Here’s some inspiration to get you started! Read more…
Learning in the Making: Design
Suggested supplies:
– Planning supplies: paper, pencil, markers, crayons
– Base material: cardboard, construction paper, felt, fabric
– Structural support: Chenille stems (pipe cleaners), craft sticks, straws, twist-ties, paper clips
– Connecting materials: tape, yarn, hot glue gun, glue sticks
– Decorating materials: pom poms, ribbon, yarn, markers