FRANKENLAB: The Maker Space Initiative

"Makerspace" is the latest buzzword in the library world.  Mainly, these spaces focus on technology and electronics, but we took a different angle on this venture.  First, we put out a call to our library patrons to collect and bring us their BROKEN toys:

Our patrons told that the finally they had an excuse to do some cleaning and get their kids to throw out those old toys!  Once we collected enough toys, we invited the kids to come to our FRANKENLAB.

We gathered them all up, provided some tools:


And MADE TOYS!


- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/frankenlab#sthash.yrwkvKBS.dpuf

 We provided some tools:

And MADE TOYS!

and made TOYS!

 
The kids had so much fun using the tools and their imaginations
 
 Their innovative ideas transcended anything we could have planned.
 
This was the best makerspace program that I have seen. 
The kids learned how to be toy engineers and HAVE FUN!

We gathered them all up, provided some tools:


And MADE TOYS!


- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/frankenlab#sthash.yrwkvKBS.dpuf

We gathered them all up, provided some tools:


And MADE TOYS!


- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/frankenlab#sthash.yrwkvKBS.dpuf

Bookmark Contest!

We held a contest for a bookmark design.  Out of all the entries, it was decided that the best bookmark design was this:





















and our winner received an award too:

Homeschooling Meet n' Greet

The library is naturally one of the first places most home-schoolers visit for their work.  In light of this, I have planned a general get together for all interested families.  We will be holding a Meet n' Greet where parents and kids can get to know each other and exchange ideas about testing, curriculum, assignments etc.  It's a great way to socialize and meet others of like-minded attitude towards education.

Here is a list of places one can browse for more information:

http://www.nheri.org/

https://code.org/

 http://www.educationworld.com/standards/

http://www.wonderhowto.com/education/

http://classical-homeschooling.org/curriculum.html

http://a2zhomeschooling.com/laws/homeschool_laws_legalities_overview/

http://www.donnayoung.org/index.htm

I’m Not Consumed http://www.notconsumed.com/

About: "Whether it's death, divorce or deployment, many women find themselves "suddenly single." Circumstances rage out of control and questions beg for answers." Resources offered: This website offers support and resources for single parents doing homeschooling, provided by a single mom homeschooler who has an M.A. in Early Childhood Education and a strong Christian faith.

Secular Homeschool www.secularhomeschool.com

SecularHomeschool.com provides information, resources, and a place to share and connect with secular homeschoolers across the world. It highlights secular homeschool resources, provides a blog forum for discussion groups, online interest groups, and more.

Homeschool Christian Youth Association www.hcya.org 

The Homeschool Christian Youth Association is a nonprofit Christian service organization serving home school families and students via sports programs in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, swimming, track, and volleyball for boys and girls.

Extraordinary Education http://www.extraed.net/

About: Extraordinary Education is a cooperative non-profit learning community of families and teachers who educate children outside the traditional school setting. Services offered: It provides onsite classes, activities, and support services to families as they seek to meet the customized educational needs of their extraordinary students according to the parents’ goals for their child’s education. Services include clubs, classes, teams, competitions, field trips and social activities for students and support, information and educational workshops for parents.

Homeschool Reviews http://homeschoolreviews.com/

This website provides users’ reviews of various homeschool curricula and resources.

The Homeschool Store www.thehomeschoolstore.com 281-890-4295

This privately owned store run by a homeschool family buys and sells new and used homeschool curricula, novels, manipulatives, and other school-related materials. Located at the junction of FM 1960 and Highway 249, at 12315 Ann Lane, Houston, TX 77064, it is open 10-5 Tuesday to Saturday and also open Mondays during July and August.

Rainbow Resource www.rainbowresource.com 1-800-841-3456

This private, for-profit store run by a homeschool family offers curriculum and other school products as well as free curriculum consulting. Located in Illinois, sales are online, or by phone or mail. The website has a chat line. The mailing address is: 655 Township Road 500 East, Toulon, IL 61483 

Superhero Training Camp

Superheroes took over our library today!
We trained over 150 little superheroes.
They started out at HEADQUARTERS where they received their mission then worked through 12 different stations and met back at headquarters to receive their CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION and prizes. 

The most popular station was our papier mache boulder!

Summer Reading

SIZZLE THROUGH THE SUMMER WITH A BOOK!

It's hot, it's sizzling and it's time to keep reading.  Here are a few ways to continue exploring the magic of reading through the summer months with your little ones:

- Attend Library Programs:  And while at the library, have your child choose a book that he or she enjoys.  If they choose the book, they’re more likely to read it

- Read Together.  Take turns reading or talking about the pictures.  This stimulates learning and the love of reading in a deeper way and creates a bonding experience.

- Read about Your Summer. If you’re planning a vacation, choose books that highlight the themes of your vacation, such as; summer, beach, pet, going to camp, etc.

- Write. The ability to put down thoughts is just as essential as reading.  Start a journal and write about your reading materials or have your child draw from the story.

- Join SRP. Join the library’s Summer Reading Program  and get incentives for something you already do!

- Be an Example.  SRP is not just for children. Adults can get incentives, but most importantly, adults model behavior.  So if you read, your child will too.

The Library Went to the Dogs!

Last week our library was overrun by kittens.

This week, as part of our Springtime Story Time, the puppies came to our library!

All the children and adults enjoyed our books about dogs.

and we sang a song that went like this:

Puppy dog, puppy dog, turn around.

Puppy dog, puppy dog, touch the ground.

Puppy dog, puppy dog, sit and beg,

Puppy dog, puppy dog, lift your leg.

Puppy dog, puppy dog, try to talk,

Puppy dog, puppy dog, let's go for a walk... 

                                            - by Kathy Ross.

The kids were asked what other animals should come visit our library.  The most popular answer was.... SHARK!

A shark stopover would be difficult to arrange, but we never know who might will visit our Library next.

Library Overrun by KITTENS!

 

As part of our Springtime Story Times we had baby kittens visit our library!

All the children and adults enjoyed our books about kittens.

and we had an AWWW moment after AWWW moment once the kittens were brought out for the children to play with.

Even the reference librarians could not help themselves and had to participate:

Special thanks to Ms. Mary  for bravely bringing the kittens to the library.

Next week:

Puppies!

- See more at: http://www.hcpl.net/content/library-overrun-kittens#sthash.A0nHN3uY.dpuf