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Explore monthly highlights and get quick links to resources to help you plan after-school activities that are perfect for your group.
January STEM
Combine STEM, Maker Space, and art programming by making knitting looms and handmade items! Encourage kids to work with others, and to come up with different ways to use and share their creations.
Click on the image to learn how to make a knitting loom. Click on the links below to get the quick guide and explore the full programming Expansion Pack.
Loom Knitting Expansion Pack
Loom Knitting - page 1 - Activity Expansion Pack - updated.pdfLoom Knitting - page 2 - Activity Expansion Pack - updated.pdfLoom Knitting - page 3 - Activity Expansion Pack - updated.pdfLoom Knitting - page 4 - Activity Expansion Pack - updated.pdfJanuary Book Club
This month, we're weaving our dreams together for the annual Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We're also celebrating imagination with the Youth Media Award winners later in the month, and thinking about sustainability for Financial Wellness Month.
Click HERE for a quick guide to the January Book Club and Activities.
Seven Spools of Thread - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfDreamers - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfExtra Yarn - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfWoven of the World - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfSeven Spools of Thread
recommended for K - 5th grade readers
After their father’s death, seven quarrelsome brothers are tasked with finding a way to turn seven spools of thread into gold. Will they be able to set their differences aside and embrace the seven principles of Kwanzaa to successfully complete this task together?
GOOD FOR - Martin Luther King Day & the Day of Service, Financial Wellness Month, Imagination, Excellence, and Sustainability
Dreamers
recommended for PreK - 3rd grade readers
A young immigrant mother and her baby struggle to understand and communicate in their new home. One day, they find an amazing place filled with stories. Is this where they will discover their voices?
GOOD FOR - Martin Luther King Day & the Day of Service, Youth Media Awards, Imagination, Excellence, and Sustainability
Extra Yarn
recommended for K - 4th grade readers
No matter how much Annabelle knits, her little box of yarn is always full! Soon, the town is covered in her colorful creations. One day, a jealous archduke decides to steal the miraculous box of yarn. What will happen to the beautiful town?
GOOD FOR - Martin Luther King Day & the Day of Service, Youth Media Awards, Imagination, and Sustainability
Woven of the World
recommended for 2nd - 6th grade readers
This poem, set to the rhythm of weaving on a loom, sends listeners on a journey through cultures around the world. We learn about different weaving traditions passed down through generations. How does this artform connect us?
GOOD FOR - Imagination and Sustainability
Sensational Words
materials - paper; pencils; scissors; glue; yarn or string
In giant letters, write words that inspire you on a piece of paper.
Trace over each word with glue.
Trace over the glue with string or yarn.
good for - Excellence and “Dreamers”
January Activities
The activities below can be used throughout the month to support the January Book Club selections and will inspire youth to dream of excellence, sustainability, and imagination.
Look for volunteer opportunities surrounding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with the help of Global Citizen.
Check out the Youth Media Awards to learn about different children's book awards and find out which books are in the running this year.
Support older children and teens with understanding finances and gaining financial wellness with these resources compiled by the Youth Services division of the American Library Association.
Woven Bookmark
materials - paper; scissors; pencil; ruler; glue stick
Cut 4 strips of paper 1/2 inch wide.
Glue the ends of 2 pieces together to make a corner.
Glue the other strips of paper on each side of the corner to form a small box.
Fold the strip on the outer left downwards to meet the strips on the right.
Fold the strip on the outer right downwards to meet the strips on the left.
Continue braiding with this pattern.
Glue the ends then cut off the extra paper.
good for - Imagination, Excellence, and “Woven of the World”
Woven Pencil Holder
materials - heavy paper; scissors; pencil; ruler; glue stick; 3" round object or compass
Use the round object to draw a circle on the paper and cut it out.
Cut 12-14 strips of paper 1/2 inch wide.
Cut 4 strips of paper in half. Glue them around the edges of the circle to make a starburst.
Fold the strips upward.
Make loops with the remaining paper strips.
Bring every other strip on the circle towards the center. Drop a loop around them.
Bring that set of strips outward and the other strips towards the center of the circle. Drop a loop around this set of paper strips.
Continue weaving for the remaining loops.
Glue or weave the ends of the strips and cut off any extra paper.
good for - Imagination, Sustainability, and “Seven Spools of Thread”
Add-a-Word Garland
materials - paper; scissors; pencils or markers; tape or glue
Cut strips of paper.
Write the first word of a sentence on one strip.
Have a friend write the next word on the next strip of paper.
Take turns until the sentence is complete.
Make a loop with the first paper strip and glue the ends together.
Loop the next strip through the first loop.
Continue until the whole sentence is looped together.
good for - Imagination and “Extra Yarn”
Word Cloud
materials - paper; pencil; crayons or markers
Write 20-30 words that inspire you.
Circle the most important words.
Underline the next 5 most important words and put a checkmark by 5 other words to highlight.
Draw a big bubble on another piece of paper.
Inside the bubble, write the words you circled in giant letters.
Write the underlined words in smaller letters and the checked words in even tinier letters.
Add more words until the circle is filled with all of the ideas that inspire you.
good for - Imagination and “Dreamers”
Write a review of an award winning book!
materials - paper; pencils; your favorite book
Watch the video instructions.
good for - Youth Media Awards
Additional Resources
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