Blog: Author: Rebecca Smith

Mexican Mirror Craft for Kids – for National Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on by Rebecca Smith
Panda has designed a creative activity in honor of National Hispanic Heritage month. This special craft lets kids make a Mexican Mirror. Take-and-make kits are available now–upon request–at our Info Desk while supplies last.
This Mexican Mirror is a form of folk art known as Hojalata which is a type of ornate tin art that is celebrated for its color and craftsmanship. These tin folk art mirrors are made by crafts people in Mexico and use colorful segments and embossed tin pieces to create beautiful and functional works of art. Designs often vary by region. And this style of artwork dates back as far as the 1500s.
This craft is to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. From the 15th of September to the 15th of October we use this time to recognize the creative, intellectual, and historical contributions by Hispanic Americans. And to learn about and embrace the Hispanic Americans in our community.

New StoryWalk® – Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Posted on by Rebecca Smith
Our new StoryWalk® features the beautiful picture book Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, winner of the Winner of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. You are invited to walk around the library building and enjoy this inspiring story on the following dates (weather permitting, of course–precipitation and winds of 13+ mph can be a challenge):
Thursday, September 16:  11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 18:  10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday, September 20:  10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 21:  10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 30: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 2:  10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
And many more rain-free days to come!
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children—and adults!—to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll along the walkway, you’re directed to the next page in the story.
StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Our recent StoryWalk® programs are supported in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Online Learning for Kids!

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

There are wonderful interactive websites so that your children can practice skills and keep learning while they are home from school. We will keep adding to this page as we discover more opportunities.

 

Here is a variety of sites offering math activities for different grade levels:

60+ Awesome Websites for Teaching and Learning Math

Here are sites relating to reading:

11 Free Reading Websites

Free Reading Program

 

Check out these games to help make reading fun:

Education.com

 

Science websites for interactive learning:

From Edheads to Wonderville

Adventures in Chemistry  Resources, activities, videos, games for elementary and high school students (free through March 31)

 

Are you missing storytime? Here are some videos featuring special readers of entertaining books:

Storyline Online

 

Don’t forget to keep the A in STEAM! Here are some ways to spark creativity:

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

 

 

Diane Edgecomb, Award-winning Storyteller

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

On Thursday, July 16, at 3:00 p.m., Diane Edgecomb will tell marvelous stories about “Superheroes Around the World.” People in all countries tell folktales about superheroes with amazing powers! Celebrate our common love of story by coming to hear these exciting and engaging multicultural tales. Recommended for children, ages 4-11.

This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.