Library

A-Z Animal Challenge!

Can you think of an animal that starts with each letter of the alphabet? Impress me by filling out this form!

The Ickabog

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling is publishing a new book called The Ickabog. It's a fairy tale, it's for kids, and it's FREE! She's putting one chapter at a time up on her website over the next several weeks. And, children can enter a contest to illustrate the print edition when it comes out this fall!! So cool! Check it out here: https://www.theickabog.com/.

Super Cool Maps!

From the May 11th Specialists Newsletter:

I don’t know about you, but I think maps are really fun to explore. And luckily, there are so many cool maps online right now, and when you look at a map online you can zoom in and really see neat details. So, here are three map sites you can look at this week:

• Map It! - an activity for grades K-2 where students can compare and contrast different maps of a neighborhood.

• Where in China Is...? - a map-based trivia game about the geography of China! So fun! Grades 3-5.

• Unrest in Boston 1765-1776 - Explore old maps of Boston from the Revolutionary War era. Fascinating!

Thank you to WGBH and the BPL’s Leventhal Map Center for these resources!

A Kindness Challenge for the week!

From the May 4th Specialists Newsletter:

• Monday - Write about a time today that you took turns with someone you live with.

• Tuesday - Think about how a character in your book was helpful to others.

• Wednesday - Ask your caregiver how you can help with lunch today. You may be able to get everything that is needed (utensils and plates), clean up, or even help prepare the food.

• Thursday - Say thank you at least five times today.

• Friday - If you start to get frustrated, take three deep breaths before you say or do anything.

Social Studies Resources

These resources were shared in the April 27th Specialists Newsletter:

1. World Cultures from PBS Kids - videos and activities from cultures all over the globe! (JK-5). ​World Cultures Collection

2. Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government - Tons of information about the U.S. system of government. (Grades 2-5) ​Ben's Guide To the US Government

3. iCivics - fun educational games AND a toolkit for families to support remote learning! ​iCivics | Free Lesson Plans and Games for Learning Civics

Science resources

These resources were shared in the April 13th Specialists Newsletter:

1. PEEP and the Big Wide World - Videos, games, and activities about science for our youngest students (JK and K). Preschool science and math games, activities, and videos | PEEP

2. Design Squad Engineering Games - Games designed to teach sustainable living and engineering concepts. For these games, all you need is a device! (Grades K-3) Design Squad also has fun activities, but most require supplies such as batteries or string. Games . DESIGN SQUAD GLOBAL

3. Climate Kids - this super cool website has TONS of information about Earth’s climate, environment, and climate change. Grades 3 to adult! NASA Climate Kids: Home

Virtual Field Trips

These resources were shared in the April 6th Specialists Newsletter:

I picked three virtual field trips with some element of interactivity - YOU get to control your experience!

1. Smithsonian - National Museum of Natural History: Explore past and present exhibitions of this national treasure. https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

2. The Great Wall of China - https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china. I’ve always wanted to visit this amazing structure, and now I can! And so can you!

3. Calling all future astronauts! Did you know you can visit Mars? That’s right, Mars! So cool. Don’t skip the intro! https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/

All these trips and more can be found here: https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/. Enjoy!