For years, public libraries have been offering some form of Summer Reading Program for the youth in their communities. There is an abundance of evidence on the benefits of Summer Reading Programs in reducing the effects of summer slide and reducing the achievement gaps that can exist between students from low and middle income families. (For more resources look at http://www.summermatters.net/summer-learning-loss-increases-the-achievement-gap-diagram/ and https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/summerslide). In the last ten years, many public libraries and youth librarians have been asking the questions “Is a Summer Reading program enough?” and “How can we help reduce our students’ losses in mathematics and other subject areas?” The evolving solution to those questions is the transformation from Summer Reading Programs to Summer Learning Programs.
Tag: STEM
Fall Fun Preschool STEAM
The past sixth months, I’ve been finding my programming “legs” at a new branch. With my team’s help, we had some wildly successful summer school age programs, but, with school now back in session, I wanted to offer some additional programming for our younger friends. A colleague of mine from Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Fairview Park Branch, Jennifer Haag, had presented on Preschool STEAM at an Ohio Library Council Chapter Conference a few years ago. It was a wonderful presentation, offering a full year of monthly program plans. So, to dip my toes in the water, I chose ONE of her programs—October—to try this year. Quite simply—it was a lot of fun. The families and staff performed all the science experiments together, and then participants had the opportunity to spend time at Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math stations throughout the room. Which liquids will dissolve candy corn and peeps—water,…
In Defense of Slime
In my June blog, I talked about a summer drop-in program pilot occurring in my library, including the successes and the challenges. Since that article, we have had several more popular and overwhelming programs, including one in which 75 people (!!) came to have Messy Science fun…including slime making. As you might imagine, this was more than a bit overwhelming, and more than a little pricey. We went though 4 gallons of slime. I had NO idea we’d get so many people, and luckily, I tend to overbuy and had enough. I joke that it’s the same impulse my Italian family has to ensure 3 times the amount of needed food is available at every family get-together. However, what I wanted to talk about was a comment I fielded the next day when a customer overheard staff talking about the huge turnout—why do libraries bother with slime programs?…
I Scream for Ice Cream Reads
July is National Ice Cream Month! Check it out. Celebrate July by eating ice cream all month long… at least that is my plan. If you have a freezer at work– allow me to introduce the concept of work ice cream– a special pint that you can take spoonfuls of when you just need a minutes peace… but I digress.
It’s All Fun and GAMES at ALA Play #ALAac19
I just got in from ALA Play, An Evening of Gaming, Maker, & STEM, sponsored by the Games and Gaming Round Table at #ALAac19. Attendees got to watch demonstrations of and PARTICIPATE in different board games and card games. There were games for young children as well as for adults. We also got to paint our own Warhammer miniature. (This was very relaxing and a good way to meet and interact with other librarians from around the country!) There were also ten or more raffle prizes given out at the end of the evening. It was great learning about the new games that are available. I was excited to see that a lot of the games for younger children incorporate STEM and problem-solving while making it fun–what kid wouldn’t love solving crimes committed by cats or designing their own working mini-rollercoaster?! I got some great ideas for game nights(/afternoons!) at…
STEM Teaching Begins with Preschoolers!
STEM Teaching and Learning Begins with Preschoolers! So, I was explaining STEM to my dad, a retired physicist. He’s skeptical by nature as any good scientist should be. When I got to the part about teaching it to preschoolers, well, let’s just say I was bombarded by particles. But hear me out – it really DOES start with preschoolers! And I can prove it! Penny Bauder, environmental scientist, teacher and mom of two, points out that “It is never too early to start STEM education, and an ideal way to teach STEM is to go out into nature!” Boston Children’s Museum, too, points out that children have a natural curiosity. STEM is a great way to help 3-5 year-olds to focus and refine their naturally inquisitive behaviors. Linking it up to Summer Reading 2019! Even a pre-schooler can be a NASA citizen scientist! Download and install the GLOBE Observer app…
Día! El día de los niños – El día de los libros – Children’s Book Day
Día! is upon us! So, you’re reading this and thinking OMG, this is not so LOL when Día! is upon us! Don’t panic! There’s still time left to make this a meaningful Día! Sure, you may have somehow missed out on REFORMA’s March 31st deadline for applying for its Día! grants, but with a little planning, and some great resources, you can do this! Do YOU Día? But, I hear you say, Jonathan, I’m not Hispanic and I don’t speak Spanish above the “hola me llamo [insert name]” level. Let’s review what Día is all about! El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of ALL linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Thus, you see that it’s not just about Spanish speakers. Indeed, I…
Women’s History: A Universe of Stories
Women’s History: A Universe of Stories I’m not going to state the obvious. You know…It’s March…It’s Women’s History Month. I refuse and I resist. INSTEAD! We’re looking forward to summer reading. Any writer of summer reading guides will tell you, while pulling their hair, these themes can go all. year. round! So why not adapt your WHM line-up and do some prep for summer at the same time? Breaking news, folks! 29 years after Sally Ride broke the astronaut gender mold: ‘For the first time in history, an all-female crew will conduct a spacewalk at the International Space Station, NASA confirmed to CNN. As part of Expedition 59, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch will carry out the spacewalk on March 29. They’ll be supported on the ground by Canadian Space Agency flight controller Kristen Facciol, who will be on the console at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston….