Category: STEM/STEAM

Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Winterizing Your Library Programming

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Color photo of a little free library covered in snow

Summer READing prep you say? So, preppers are prepping like crazy for summer reading. But, let’s face it: it’s still winter! Spring ain’t gonna spring anytime soon and the groundhog’s only just thinking about making some French press. While you’re doing your headless chicken routine hiring and lining up summertime performers, have a gander here for some great ideas for sort of now-ish! Don’t let the icy conditions slip you up! Okay, no more puns…for now! ; )) Feb Planning! 1 Students learn about George Washington Carver with this reading passage. [READ MORE] 2 This art-based idea focuses on the work of Langston Hughes, a well-known African American author who wrote poetry and plays. [READ MORE] 3 With adventurous characters, exciting plots, and three to five chapters per book, Leaves Chapter Books check all the boxes to engage beginning readers. [LEARN MORE] 4 Want more activities for Black History Month? [READ MORE] 8 Fun Facts about…

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Blogger School-Age Programs and Service Committee

Passive Programming in December

| School-Age Programs and Services Committee|2 Comments
A printed booklet with activities titled "The Very Merry Manual"

Like many other libraries, during the pandemic, our in-person programming was replaced with grab-and go style bagged activities. After several months and hundreds of bags, we decided December was a good time for a bag break! This month, we are celebrating the holiday season with simple passive programs that still feel special and fun. You can adapt many of these programs for any season. We hope some of these ideas will help ease your holiday stress!

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Blogger Jonathan Dolce

2022 We Look Forward To You

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black background with caucasian hand marking chalk lines in countdown to the year 2022

(Featured Image Credit: Handwriting Text 2022 Loading. Concept meaning Forecasting the future event by Jernej Furman) Whether you’re holding on with frostbitten fingers to 2021 or planning for the summer of 2022, this newsletter has something for you! And either way, you made it through 2021. There are reasons to be optimistic heading into the new year. Read on, comrades! – This dreidel-making project is sure to give students’ summarizing skills a whirl! [READ MORE]– This reading passage teaches students about traditions associated with Hanukkah. [READ MORE]– Discovery Education’s Social-Emotional Learning Center is a collection of SEL resources that support you and your students. [LEARN MORE]– Want more activities for Hanukkah? [READ MORE] All Things Comics Disney+ confirms the WandaVision spinoff, Agatha: House of Harkness. Orange Marmalade and 9 other must-read school romance manhwa. Great YA comics from 2021 you don’t want to miss. Book Club Bonuses FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to Using All Because You Matter at Home and in the…

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Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Holiday Programming Planning

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Holiday Programming Planning Now that you’ve eaten most of your Halloween candy, it’s time to seriously solidify your end of year programming. Here to help you with planning are tons of ideas, news, and much more! Read on, enjoy and, as always, best of luck! And just in case you are wondering — 22 Things to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween But first…*sniff* I’m Talkin’ Full Stream Here! New (& Cool) Kids’ Shows Coming to Netflix in November Billy Porter will direct and produce a feature adaptation of Camp, the young adult novel by Lev Rosen. Joey King and Chase Stokes Cast in Netflix Movie Based on Uglies Series Joey King and Chase Stokes have been cast to star in the Netflix movie adaptation of Uglies, based on Scott Westerfield’s young adult science-fiction series. Also cast in the upcoming film are Brianne Tju and Keith Powers. Netflix has yet to confirm who each of the actors…

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Blogger School-Age Programs and Service Committee

Adapting virtual program tools to in-person programs

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One of my library’s programs that pivoted entirely to a virtual format and has now pivoted back to fully in person is NYPL After School. This is a free drop in program for kids aged 6-12 that takes place after regular school hours, Monday through Thursday, from October-June, when school is in session. We launched September 27, 2021 in 20 branches and are so excited to welcome back our patrons in person with a program designed to meet them where they are and help them recover both literacy skills and supportive connections with caring adults.

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Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Fall Previews and Programming!

| Jonathan Dolce|2 Comments

Autumn is my fav season — hope it is for you, too! Lots of fun, possibilities and traditions. Ubiquitous, proverbial pumpkin, spices and cooler weather are all in the air. Let’s get programming and looking forward to winter! But first! It’s Time to Apply for the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards For more than 25 years, Penguin Random House has been working to encourage the next generation of writers through their Creative Writing Awards. In 2019, Penguin Random House entered a partnership with national advocacy organization We Need Diverse Books. And they are now accepting applications until February 1, 2022 or until they reach 1,000 applicants. The program awards five U.S. high school seniors with scholarships of up to $10,000. More Crafts than you can shake a cinnamon broom at! The BIGGEST (& Best) List of Fall Crafts, Ever Wednesday is ART day! Have you downloaded our FREE Art Challenge yet? Try these…

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Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Hispanic Heritage Month 2021

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National Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 is upon us! Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15…celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. [Starting] in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Johnson, it was later expanded by President Reagan in 1988 to cover from September 15 to October 15 The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period. — Library of Congress Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so Important? Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month every year is critical for American…

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