TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Staff Manual

Welcome letter from the Toronto Public Library The Toronto Public Library is pleased to present the 2011 TD Summer Reading Club, made possible through the generous support of TD Bank Financial Group. Lively scenes of children playing in and around water are brought to mind with this year’s theme: Splash! Celebrate Summer. Building sandcastles at the seashore, fishing off the end of a dock, setting off in a canoe or just splashing around in a local pool are all part of the fun this summer. This year’s theme was chosen by a nationwide vote of children’s services staff from libraries participating in the program. The search for an illustrator was also Canada-wide. British Columbia artist Kim LaFave, a recipient of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award for Shin-chi’s Canoe, has created the artwork for the program. This staff manual contains all new programs with many fun activities and crafts for all age groups, from preschoolers to twelve-year-olds, centred on the Splash! theme. The programs contain many book suggestions, in addition to those on the booklists. The TD Kids National Web Site, http://tdsrc.torontopubliclibrary.ca/, continues to offer child-friendly booklists, games and activities for youngsters anywhere in Canada. The site also allows librarians to add the number of books read at the library to an ever-growing national total, and, new this year, there is a newsfeed of the number of books read at individual libraries all over Canada. Beginning in 2010, CNIB Library aligned its theme with the TD Summer Reading Club. As a result, children with print disabilities will now be able to read some of the same books as their friends and find other books on the Splash! theme in audio and Braille. An information page that describes how to include blind and partially sighted kids in your programming is included in this staff manual. A tactile sticker in the shape of a seahorse is included with this year’s print materials and is distributed to all children that register for the program. Creative input from the team of children’s librarians in Toronto, Ottawa, London and Montreal that develop the materials for the program is gratefully acknowledged. The contribution from Library and Archives Canada is also very much appreciated and, since joining the program only a short time ago, CNIB has already benefited the program in numerous ways. TD Bank Financial Group supports responsible forestry practices and enabled the printing of this manual and supporting print materials on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.

TD Summer Reading Club

We hope you have a wonderful summer introducing the children in your community to the TD Summer Reading Club and to the programs outlined in this manual for your use.

Yours in Reading Fun,

Lisa Heggum Children and Youth Advocate, Toronto Public Library

TD Summer Reading Club

TD Summer Reading Club 2011 Splash! Celebrate Summer Staff Manual Table of Contents 1. About Splash! Theme essay..................................................................................................................... 6 About the artist ................................................................................................................. 9 About the poster New! .................................................................................................... 11 Program elements .......................................................................................................... 11 2. How to Run a Successful Summer Reading Club Content ........................................................................................................................... 13 Promotion ....................................................................................................................... 14 Thank you letters to TD sponsor .................................................................................... 19 3. Splash! and the Internet TD Kids National Web Site Updated! ............................................................................. 21 Promotion Using Social Networking & Video Updated! .................................................. 22 4. Taking the Summer Reading Club into Your Community Outreach to summer camps and child care centres ........................................................ 24 Outreach to other community groups Updated! .............................................................. 26 Outreach to kids with print disabilities (CNIB Library) Updated! .................................... 28 5. Ready for Reading at the Toronto Public Library Ready for Reading ......................................................................................................... 29 6. Programs, Contests, Display and Outreach Ideas Preschool Treasure Hunting ........................................................................................................... 30 Sea Creature Habitats .................................................................................................... 32 In the Ocean.................................................................................................................... 34 Sea Creatures in Disguise ............................................................................................. 36 Scuba Fun! ..................................................................................................................... 37

TD Summer Reading Club

Sea and Seashore ......................................................................................................... 38 A Day at the Pond .......................................................................................................... 41 Ages 6–8 Shark Attack! .................................................................................................................. 44 Big Fish in the Pond ....................................................................................................... 47 All Around the Campfire (also 9–12) .............................................................................. 49 Rainy Day Fun ............................................................................................................... 54 Craft Stations ................................................................................................................. 56 Mythical Water Creatures ............................................................................................... 58 Chalk It Up at the Library ............................................................................................... 61 Beach Party! (also 9–12) ................................................................................................ 63 Ages 9–12 Cooking with the Sun – Make A Solar Oven .................................................................. 66 Viking Explorers ............................................................................................................. 69 Ahoy, Matey! .................................................................................................................. 74 Fit to Travel .................................................................................................................... 78 Fun Paper ...................................................................................................................... 80 Loads of Fun: Activity Day ............................................................................................. 85 All Ages A River Runs Through It ................................................................................................. 87 Splish, Splash! ............................................................................................................... 90 Take a Hike! ................................................................................................................... 93 Under the Sea ................................................................................................................ 95 Yellow Submarine .......................................................................................................... 98 Bricks and Brains – A LEGO Building Contest ............................................................. 100 Silly Stuff ...................................................................................................................... 102 Contests Funny Caption .............................................................................................................. 110 Water Words ................................................................................................................ 111 Hidden Words .............................................................................................................. 113 Guess the Number ....................................................................................................... 113

TD Summer Reading Club

Display Ideas Aquarium Display ......................................................................................................... 114 Adding Names to the Wall of Fame ............................................................................. 114 Book Reporting – Name Game .................................................................................... 114 Reading River .............................................................................................................. 115 Outreach Ideas Extend Your Programs ................................................................................................. 116 7. Activity Booklet Answers New! .........…………………………… …… ……………...........122 8. Forms, Templates and Clip Art Available online at http://www.td-club-td.ca ◊ Oral Book Report Questions (Fiction) ◊ Oral Book Report Questions (Nonfiction) ◊ Reading Reports ◊ Picture Report ◊ Dice Template ◊ Bingo Sheets ◊ Registration Forms ◊ Wall of Fame ◊ Certificates ◊ My Summer Reading Log ◊ Ready for Reading Preschool Activity Sheet ◊ Library Program Sheet ◊ Decima Statistics and Evaluation Form ◊ Splash! Celebrate Summer Clip Art 9. Booklists ◊ Picture Books ◊ Advanced Picture Books ◊ Beginning Readers ◊ Easy Readers ◊ Fiction Ages 9-12 ◊ Nonfiction ◊ Graphic Novels ◊ Folk and Fairy Tales ◊ Teen Books ◊ DVDs

TD Summer Reading Club

Theme essay Splash! Celebrate Summer The theme essay is researched and written by Josiane Polidori, Head, Children's Literature Service, Library and Archives Canada. Seen from outer space, the Earth is blue; we call it the “blue planet.” The reason for this is that water covers nearly 70% of our planet’s surface. Water is essential for life. We are going to learn about various aspects of this far-reaching resource and dive headfirst into the chosen theme for TD Summer Club 2011. Mermaids, pirates, and all the rest Children’s classics are teeming with legendary creatures from the sea or rivers. The best known is, without a doubt, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. This story, first published in 1835, is the tragic tale of a mermaid who falls in love with a prince and breaks taboos in order to become human. Many adaptations, including one by Disney Studios (1989), offer a softer version. The bewitching siren of Greek mythology and the selkie of Celtic legend are featured in many stories: Sonia Sarfati gives them a comical turn in Le sang des sirènes, while in Greyling, Jane Yolen draws inspiration from the selkie, a half-woman, half-seal that dances in the moonlight. Ponyo, the fish-girl in Miyazaki’s animated Japanese film, is an environmental fable in which a sea creature named Ponyo joins forces with a little boy to fight pollution, while Sedna, the sea goddess of the Inuit, appears in Nicolas Dickner’s story Boulevard Banquise and in Sedna, published by Les éditions du soleil de minuit. Novelists of the Victorian era were captivated by adventures of the sea and travel. Charles Kinsley’s illustrated didactic fable The Water Babies presents an underwater world inhabited by babies. Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick have both enjoyed great success since first published. The original versions of these tales still captivate, while their comic book adaptations, published by Glénat in the series Nemo (by Brüno) and Achab (by Patrick Mallet), are attracting new readers. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn may seem inaccessible to today’s readers, but the journey of Huck and his friend Jim satisfied the longings of generations of children who dreamt of setting out on a raft to conquer an unknown river. Who has not dreamt of being a buccaneer sailing off in pursuit of a treasure-filled galleon? As they turn the pages of A Thousand Years of Pirates, by William Gilkerson, children will learn that the Vikings devised methods of piracy. The characters in Camille Bouchard’s series L’île de la Licorne and in Patricia Juste Amédée’s Tila find themselves in actual historical situations, such as slavery and the conquest of New France.

TD Summer Reading Club

6

Why is water blue? Water is a topic of social debate; there is concern about the conservation of this natural resource and an insistence that everyone have access to drinking water. In February 2010, novelist Yann Martel wrote a poetic tale entitled What the Drop of Water Had to Say to draw attention to the mandate of the ONE DROP Foundation. Many nonfiction books for children shed further light on various aspects of this natural resource by taking a look at lake and river ecosystems. A book such as One Well, by Rochelle Strauss, shows the importance of having access to a well, and in Under the Ice, by Kathy Conlan, a biologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, the secrets of ice are revealed. The importance of marshes and wetlands, the discovery of fauna and flora, or the exploration of fishes, marine mammals and coastal areas are all exciting avenues for exploring the theme of water. Any books about water sports, especially those in the Spooky Tales series, such as Don’t Go Near the Water! by Veronika Martenova Charles, will provide relevant information about water safety. Books about outdoor activities such as camping, fishing and canoeing will also appeal to young readers who love nature. Draw me the sea English Canadian illustrators are known for their knack for depicting the natural world. Landscapes of the east and west coasts are rendered poetically and realistically by illustrators Ron Lightburn, in his picture book Driftwood Cove, and Susan Tooke, in her alphabet primer A Seaside Alphabet. The more energy bursting and imaginative approach of Quebec illustrators is apparent in the dreamlike work of Stéphane Poulin in L'oiseau des sables, and is perfectly suited to Dominique Demers’ poetic tale. The characters in children’s favourite picture books are often shown at the seashore: Stella, Stanley, Galette and Scaredy Squirrel have all had unforgettable experiences at the beach. The visual imagery of outdoor activities is also found in the book When We Go Camping, illustrated by Andrew Kiss and written by Margriet Ruurs, and in picture books such as Franklin's Canoe Trip, by Sharon Jennings, or even Camping de nuit, in which Toupie and Binou are harshly tested. Finally, the pleasures of summer are also shown in depictions of summer holidays and family gatherings. Jan Andrews’ story The Twelve Days of Summer, wonderfully illustrated by Susan Rennick Jolliffe, and Marie-Louise Gay’s illustrated series Hounsley and Catina make us long for the holidays. Barbara Reid serves up a visual feast in The Party; her tale of a zany family party leaves us drooling. Then there are the many picture books that feature animals that live near the shore or near lakes and rivers as well as insects, and the adventures of Max Velthuijs’s famous Frog that will make us croak with pleasure.

TD Summer Reading Club

7

Holiday activities For children, the summer is synonymous with holidays. It is a time when children have fun together swimming in the local pool, running under sprinklers in the neighbourhood, going camping with their families, or having a picnic beside a lake or at the seashore. No matter where they are headed, children always ask the same question: “When will we get there?” David Homel’s story Travels with My Family, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay, and Richard Scrimger’s novel The Way to Schenectady are hilarious accounts of trips that are strange indeed. Spending time at a summer camp on a lake is a common experience for many youngsters from the city. They learn how to pitch a tent, build a campfire and roast marshmallows, and how to paddle a canoe. River waters may also hold secrets, as we find out in Robert Soulières’s novel Un été sur le Richelieu, which takes the reader on a discovery of sunken shipwrecks. The experiments suggested for young naturalists in magazines such as Les Débrouillards, Owl or Chickadee, and a number of novels highlight these discoveries as they are experienced, for example, by the characters Julie Johnston creates in her novel The Only Outcast. But when the weather calls for rain, it is time to find a project, to consult Who Likes the Rain? by Etta Kaner, illustrated by Marie Lafrance, for a better understanding of the water cycle and, most important of all, to stay indoors and read a good book. Bibliography Cullinan, Bernice E., Person, Diane Goetz et al. The Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature, New York: Continuum, 2003. Edwards, Gail, Saltman, Judith. Picturing Canada: A History of Canadian Children's Illustrated Books and Publishing, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, c2010. Landsberg, Michele. Michele Landsberg's Guide to Children's Books, Markham, Ontario: Penguin Books Canada, 1986. Lepage, Françoise. Histoire de la littérature pour la jeunesse. Québec et francophonies du Canada suivie d’un Dictionnaire des auteurs et des illustrateurs, Orleans, Ontario: Les Éditions David, 2000.

TD Summer Reading Club

8

About the artist: Kim LaFave Kim LaFave studied illustration at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary and at the Illustrators Workshop in New York, before settling in Toronto in 1978 to become a freelance artist and children’s illustrator. Kim now makes his home in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, painting and illustrating from his studio by the sea. Examples of Kim’s award winning illustrations can be found in Amos’s Sweater, Big Ben, Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chi’s Canoe. Other works include the much loved early readers Emma’s Emu, Andrew’s Magnificent Mountains and Andrew – Catch that Cat! His neighbourhood series with Paulette Bourgeois has been translated as Dans mon coin and includes Les éboueurs, Les pompiers, Les policiers, and Les postiers. Other translations include his work with Dorothy Harris, Un chien très, très particulier, and Kenneth Oppel’s L’étoile de Noël as well as Lunn’s Le chandail d’Amos. He is published by Groundwood, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Scholastic Canada, Orca, Kids Can Press, Random House and Doubleday, among others. Kim is exploring the digital environment as well as continuing to work in more traditional mediums like watercolours. The illustrations in Shin-chi’s Canoe were digitally created and the ink drawings in We’ll All Go Sailing were scanned and coloured using a computer. Much of LaFave’s artwork has a comic book look that is seen with the use of line in the characters in Ben Over Night and in the recently published Fishing with Gubby. Kim’s illustrations and books have received many prestigious honours. Some of the awards won are listed below. TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award 2009

Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell

Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s illustration Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Medal 1988

Amos’s Sweater by Janet Lunn

Selected publications illustrated by Kim LaFave Andrew, Catch that Cat! Text by Deanne Lee Bingham. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1999 Angels Inc. Text by Bruce McBay. Tradewind, 2008

TD Summer Reading Club

9

Bats About Baseball. Text by Jean Little and Claire MacKay. Viking, 1995 Becca at Sea. Text by Deirdre. F. Baker. Groundwood, 2007 Ben Over Night. Text by Sarah Ellis. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005 Big Ben. Text by Sarah Ellis. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2001 A Bumblebee Sweater. Text by Betty Waterton. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008 Duff’s Monkey Business. Text by Budge Wilson. Halifax: Formac, 2000 Emma’s Emu. Text by Kenneth Oppel. London: H. Hamilton, 1995 Firefighters. Text by Paulette Bourgois. Kids Can Press, 2005 Fishing with Gubby. Text by Gary Kent. Harbour, 2010 Follow That Star. Text by Kenneth Oppel. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1994 Garbage Collectors. Text by Paulette Bourgeois. Kids Can Press, 2004 Gregory and Alexander. Text by William Berringer. Orca, 2003 Police Officers. Text by Paulette Bourgeois. Kids Can Press, 2004 Postal Workers. Text by Paulette Bourgeois. Kids Can Press, 2005 Shi-shi-etko. Text by Nicola I. Campbell. Groundwood, 2005 A Very Unusual Dog. Text by Dorothy Joan Harris. North Winds, 2004 We’ll All Go Exploring. Text by Maggee Spicer. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2003 We’ll All Go Flying. Text by Nicola I. Campbell. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2002 We’ll All Go Sailing. Text by Maggee Spicer. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2001

TD Summer Reading Club

10

About the poster The artist selected for the program creates the poster illustration based on the following parameters: •

The theme is symbolized.



The illustration promotes reading.



All children across Canada are represented with a range of ages depicted.



Cultural sensitivity is considered.



The images are dynamic and fun.



The colours work well for children with vision loss.

The mix of warm and cold colours in Kim LaFave’s poster this year is visually dynamic as are the images bursting out of the frame. The white splash adds contrast to balance the busy middle section and is echoed by the cloud effect of the top left section. The Canadian vignette of cottages and canoes is charming, as is the mermaid who is represented as a water creature, which is reflected in her blue skin tone. The poster will draw attention because it is action-packed. Characters in the raft have distinct personalities, and there are many culturally diverse representations that blend seamlessly into the overall illustration. There are four girls and four boys in the raft, with other children in the background scene whose gender is not discernible. There are three stickers of girls and three of boys. The characters change into a pirate, sailor, coureur de bois, lighthouse keeper, adventurer, mermaid waving, sea monster, pirate’s galleon and two birds chirping. The little boy at the front of the raft holds a map in his hand that is a clue to the special feature with this year’s poster; a superb treasure map on the back of the poster that can be used as a game and played with any number of children. The paper dice that is made available in the Forms section of this staff manual can be used to play the game.

Program elements The print materials part of the program include: •

A full-colour poster for each child who registers in the program.

TD Summer Reading Club

11



A sheet of nine colour stickers for each child. Each sticker is placed on the poster to reveal something new. Stickers can be given out each time a book is read and recorded or they can be given out all at once, depending on the preference of library staff.



An activity booklet for each child containing a story, book suggestions for all ages, crosswords, riddles, colouring activities, crafts, recipes and log sheets. The story on the first page of the activity booklet describes the poster. The log sheets are for recording titles of books read over the summer. Additional log sheets can be downloaded from the online “Forms” section.



A tactile sticker for each child that acknowledges CNIB’s participation and welcomes their community of children to the TD SRC.



An invitation for each child designed according to the theme. Invitations can be distributed in schools, sent to community outreach locations or given to children who visit the library. If possible, invitations should be given out well before the end of the school year and before the start of the program in July.



All of the above print materials are free to children who register for the program.

TD Summer Reading Club

12

How to Run a Successful TD Summer Reading Club Using the Manual The manual has been created to give you many ideas to choose from. It provides many library programming activities with fun, easy to do projects. All programs are new to the Splash! theme and the variety makes it very easy to choose a few different types of activities every week. Children will be enthusiastic to participate in programs with names like Sea Creatures in Disguise, Scuba Fun!, Beach Party, All Around the Campfire, and Treasure Hunting. The book suggestions that are included with the programs are just that—suggestions. If you own the books listed, that’s great! But feel free to substitute books from your collection. The crafts and other activities can also be adapted to your supplies, space or number of children attending. Pick and choose what you will use If you were to start at the beginning of the manual and do every program right to the end, you would probably still be doing summer programming in December! Instead, figure out which activities get you excited about the theme and concentrate on those.

Be Prepared to Have Fun When library staff show enthusiasm for the program, it is infectious. The children will have a great time. Why run a summer reading program? For years, studies have shown that school-age children lose many of their reading skills over the summer months if they do not continue to read while they are out of school. Summer reading clubs first started when library staff realized that they could make a difference. When further studies demonstrated that children who do not learn to read fluently in fourth grade will likely never feel totally comfortable with the printed word, our job was clear. Keep those children reading and make sure they have fun doing so! Getting ready Hosting a successful summer program takes careful planning. Children will be anxious to come to the library if they know that something exciting is happening. Library staff can build enthusiasm prior to the summer using displays; but the most effective method is to get children to tell their friends about the club. Each child and parent who visits the library should be reminded that the library is planning a summer of fun. When children are at the circulation desk taking out books, remind them to join the program.

TD Summer Reading Club

13

Promoting the Program Contacting schools Invitations Invitations will be sent to participating libraries. Staff can contact local schools in May or earlier to drop off the invitations. Invitations used to be distributed with the children’s report cards, but as this requires a lengthy approval process in some schools and is not permitted in others, it is best if the invitations are left with teachers. Invitations should be given out to the children well before the end of the school year so that they are not combined with all the other information papers sent home at the end of June. Class visits Statistics from previous years show a strong connection between classroom visits and enrolment in the summer reading program. Library staff will notice an increase in program participation if they schedule visits with the appropriate grades in local schools. Bring along a copy of the poster with the stickers and the activity booklet. Tell children when they can come to get their own poster at the library. A quick “book talk” on a fun subject will show that summer reading can be light and easy. The artist for the program has some books that are appropriate for this year’s theme, so bring one along. Displays Included in the online “Forms” section is a collection of the artist’s clip art that can be downloaded. Staff can use a photocopier to enlarge the images to create interesting displays. This year’s program poster can serve as a focal point for the display. The theme was chosen to allow staff to be as creative as possible. Let your imagination run wild. Why not have downloaded drawings from the poster placed all over a notice board? Children often enjoy seeing their names displayed on a board, so incorporating their names or the books they have read into the display is always effective. Wall of fame The online “Forms” section also includes two sheets that can be turned into a wall of fame display. Place the two sheets together and add blank paper underneath so that children’s names can be listed when they finish the program or when they register.

TD Summer Reading Club

14

Book displays This year’s theme provides ample opportunity to make displays with your current collection. A booklist of recommended titles is included in this manual, but these are only suggestions. Use similar books from your own bookshelves. This is also a good time to pull out copies of prize-winning books or books that have been nominated for awards. Remember, children are likely to be attracted to books that are displayed face-out. Posters The full-colour poster designed by this year’s illustrator can be mounted on foam core and put on an easel at the circulation desk. Display this fun poster throughout the library; do not limit it to the children’s department. Plan a launch An excellent way to bring attention to the TD Summer Reading Club is to host a media launch. If this event occurs in June, then classes can be invited. Invite the mayor or a local celebrity to kick-off the program to ensure publicity in the local newspaper. Be sure that the CEO and upper management of the local TD Bank are invited so they can support the program. If the local newspaper does not send a photographer, take a photograph and send it with the story to the paper. July and August are often slow months for local news. Please make sure to save a copy of any media clippings to be included with your Statistics and Evaluation Form for your main library. A library can put all the new books on display and then seal the display with ribbon or tape until the launch of the TD Summer Reading Club. This is an effective way to build excitement. Advertise in your local newspaper Send the local paper a copy of the invitation, the poster and the activity booklet along with information about the program. Explain how the program is unique for your library. The paper might be willing to run a story about the program and interview a staff member with expertise in children’s services. Consider buying space in the paper, as the invitation can be easily adapted to become an ad. Local television Be sure to let your local cable station know about the program. Suggest coming to talk about the summer of fun the library has planned. Take the poster and stickers and explain how the stickers reveal secrets hidden in the poster. Have a few of the artist’s books on hand to talk about. Take lots of other books to remind viewers that reading is a great summertime activity.

TD Summer Reading Club

15

Running the Program Planning the TD Summer Reading Club requires library staff to decide what approach works best for the library and the local children. The program has been designed to be used in virtually any fashion. Children only need to receive the poster, the stickers and the activity booklet. Meetings can be set up or children can simply be told to keep track of their reading in the activity booklet. The following are just a few of the methods that can be used. Participant registration Librarians should encourage children to register for the program; however, registration should not be mandatory for children to receive the summer reading club materials. In fact, children might be more willing to participate after familiarizing themselves with the reading kit. The staff manual provides samples of registration forms designed to collect statistics on participation, including the sex and age of each participant. The form also includes a tally of how children first heard about the program. Collecting this information is mandatory on the Statistics and Evaluation Form, to be filled out at the end of the summer. Record children’s progress on the reading log page Remind children that they should record all the books they read on the reading log page of their activity booklet. A template of the reading log is included in the staff manual (online “Forms” section) so that you can photocopy extra pages for avid readers. Reading options Keep track of the number of books read. This is a standard method of making sure that children read throughout the summer. For every book read, the child gets a sticker. Some libraries vary this by asking younger children to read more books, while older children can get a reward for finishing one long book. Others count the minutes spent reading in a day. Thirty minutes a day for older children, or 15 minutes of being read to for younger children. If you choose the latter consider giving the children a calendar on which they can mark their minutes. This calendar can also advertise your summer reading activities.

TD Summer Reading Club

16

Book Reporting Options Anytime the library is open Past practice in many libraries has been to allow children to come to the library at any time and discuss, with library staff, the books they have read. This encourages children to read extensively and provides the opportunity for staff to promote a wide variety of books. The stickers can be used in this type of program as an incentive for each book read. Weekly meetings (e.g., two hours reporting each Tuesday and Thursday) Locations may identify a specific time each week when children can come to the library to report on the books they have read. This allows the library to staff accordingly. Pages might be brought into the library to help cover the circulation desk while the staff listens to children discuss the books they have read. Included in this manual is a list of questions for staff to ask children about the books. This can be turned into a game by using dice (template included). The children can roll the dice to decide which question will be asked. Alternatively, you can enlarge the questions and put them on cards to be chosen from, or use a numbered spinner. Club meetings (one afternoon a week) Library branches may decide to have a weekly meeting where children come as a group and discuss the books they read the previous week. An advantage to this option is that children hear from other children about books they think are good. Peer promotion is always a good way to build interest in books. During these meetings, a variety of other activities can be planned. Staff may decide to give out the stickers at each meeting as an attendance incentive. As a family event This method allows the family to set their own goals and come whenever the goals are met. The parents judge whether the books read are appropriate, which eliminates the need for staff to ask the children questions.

TD Summer Reading Club

17

Maintaining Interest Special events Special events are an excellent way to build excitement throughout the summer. Contests, plays, puppetry workshops and storytelling are just a few of the many events that can be planned in July and August. Author/Illustrator readings Many children’s authors and illustrators make excellent presentations to children. Hosting a reading during the summer means that the children in attendance are the children who want to come, not children who are there because their class came to the library. If you bring in an illustrator, make sure you have paper and an easel for them to demonstrate their illustration techniques. Community friends and leaders The local bookstore owner, the fire chief, the mayor and the school crossing guard are people the children recognize. Invite them to the library to share their favourite children’s books.

Other Things to Do Keep statistics Individual library branches are asked to provide their evaluation responses to their main branch so that each library system fills out a unique online Statistics and Evaluation Form. Before starting the program, please review the form to find out what information is requested (see online forms at http://www.td-club-td.ca). Also, please use the designated registration forms to collect other mandatory statistics. These statistics are useful not only to show how many children participated in the program, but also to highlight the great work being done in Canadian public libraries. Write a letter to the sponsor Towards the end of the summer, get the children to write a letter either individually or as a club to TD Bank Financial Group. The letter can describe their summer of reading fun. Include any pictures, drawings or book reports that you think would be of interest. Please send all material to your main library branch.

TD Summer Reading Club

18

TD Summer Reading Club 2011 Splash! Celebrate Summer Ed Clark, CEO, TD Bank Financial Group C/O Toronto Public Library Foundation 789 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M4W 2G8

We would like to thank TD Bank Financial Group for sponsoring the TD Summer Reading Club.

TD Summer Reading Club

19

TD Summer Reading Club 2011 Splash! Celebrate Summer Ed Clark, CEO, TD Bank Financial Group C/O Library and Archives Canada 395 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N4

We would like to thank TD Bank Financial Group for sponsoring the TD Summer Reading Club.

TD Summer Reading Club

20

TD Kids National Web Site The TD Kids National Web Site at http://tdsrc.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ continues to offer child-friendly booklists, games and interactive activities throughout the summer for children anywhere in Canada. For kids Children can tell their own stories using art from this year’s illustrator, share book reviews with each other, take quizzes and polls, play games, and discover other fun Web sites that fit this year’s Splash! theme. No registration is required and all submitted content is moderated by librarians to ensure a safe, child-friendly space all summer long. For library staff The site also offers library staff a form for submitting the number of books read at the library to the TD Kids National Web Site tally as well as a newsfeed of library reading, which is new this year. We encourage library staff to promote the site to children and parents throughout the summer, and welcome feedback on what you think would make the site better next year.

TD Summer Reading Club

21

Promotion using social networking & video Promotion using social networking Social networking tools offer new ways to promote the TD Summer Reading Club and can reach a wide range of people. Below are some examples to explain how libraries can use social networking to their advantage. Facebook (www.facebook.com) Another effective way to promote the TD Summer Reading Club is through the popular social networking site Facebook. Libraries can create a Facebook page where they post information about their programs, events and services. The target audience would be mainly adults, since children 13 and under require a parent’s or guardian’s permission to have an account. Facebook would be a great way to communicate information to parents and teachers who are on the site. Users just have to “Like” the library’s page and they will start to receive information that is posted by that library through their daily newsfeed, including any content the library might post about their TD Summer Reading Club. Check out the Facebook pages of these two libraries: Stratford Public Library www.facebook.com/pages/Stratford-ON/Stratford-Public-Library/11062531990 Edmonton Public Library www.facebook.com/stratfordpubliclibrary#!/pages/Edmonton-PublicLibrary/131975733506911 Twitter (www.twitter.com) Another great way to announce information about the TD Summer Reading Club is the social networking tool Twitter. Twitter is a popular way to send and receive short messages (called tweets) to handheld devices or computers through the Twitter Web site. Twitter feeds can also easily be embedded into Web sites using a widget. For more information, visit: http://twitter.com/about/resources/widgets Some public libraries are now using Twitter to share news about their programs, services and events with their users. For example, a library could post the registration dates for its TD Summer Reading Club and include a link to the library’s Web site for further information. To use Twitter, visit the Twitter Web site to create an account and get a username (also known as a Twitter name or Twitter handle). Users who want to receive tweets are known as followers and can choose to follow a particular library by finding its account. For example, the Toronto Public Library’s Twitter name is “torontolibrary” and staff members tweet regularly to announce library programs, services, book awards, and any other

TD Summer Reading Club

22

information to their users. The Toronto Public Library’s TD Summer Reading Club 2010 was announced via Twitter as one more way to promote the program. Promotion via video Some libraries have been creating entertaining videos to promote the TD Summer Reading Club for a number of years now. All of the libraries created a YouTube (www.youtube.com) “channel” (i.e. account) and uploaded their videos to the site. Below are three examples to show the different ways libraries can make videos. The London Public Library has produced videos to promote the TD Summer Reading Club to local families for the past few years. The videos are posted on the library’s Web site during the summer months, and are used during visits to local schools. The videos are also posted on the popular video-sharing community YouTube. The video concept and scripts are created by the London Public Library’s TD Summer Reading Club Committee, and filming is done by their Web Librarian with a library-owned camera. To view the London Public Library’s 2010 TD Summer Reading Club live action video, go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgDONHyEzc The Oakville Public Library approached its live action video differently. Summer literacy students wrote a skit to use during class visits. A professional video producer (a relative of a staff member) volunteered his time and camera to produce the video. This was posted on YouTube and on the library’s Web site, and burned onto DVDs to be sent to all the local schools. See their video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3DKMQgsJ_U The Middlesex County Library did away with the need for filming their video. A staff member came up with the concept of creating a presentation using readily available images and music with the Windows Movie Maker program. See the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLfC536y_I

TD Summer Reading Club

23

Taking the Summer Reading Club into Your Community Outreach to summer camps and child care centres There are often many children in our communities who cannot take part in a summer reading club because they are enrolled in summer-long activities such as day camps, summer school and child care centres. One way to reach these children is to incorporate an element of outreach into your TD Summer Reading Club (TD SRC). Explore in your community to find out where outreach would be logical. Some places to look include: • Summer day camps (municipal parks and recreation programs, private day camps, charity-run day camps, YM/YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs); • Child care centres; • Community/public housing projects; • Faith-based programs; and • Multicultural and immigrant services agencies and programs. Look for programs that are general in focus. While there are skill-based activities/camps (sports, technology, theatre) in communities, these programs are often so focused on achieving skills that there is no room to include a summer reading club component. Outreach to summer camps and child care centres can take several forms: 1. Programs and Summer Reading Club at a camp or child care centre Library staff or volunteers make trips to the camp location or child care centre to offer programs based on books and reading. These would occur regularly and library staff would register children in the TD SRC at the site. 2. Visits to the library Children and child care workers visit the library for special programs and activities. They could take part in regularly scheduled events or have special programs presented to them by library staff. As part of the visit, all the children would be encouraged to register for the TD SRC. 3. Child care workers register children in the TD SRC The library cooperates with child care workers to provide TD SRC materials. Child care workers register and encourage all children to participate in the TD SRC and to the record books they read. The child care workers report back to the library at the end of the summer.

TD Summer Reading Club

24

4. Orientation of child care workers Library staff or volunteers would take part in training sessions organized for child care workers. As part of the orientation, library staff would explain how to incorporate reading into program planning and show how to choose appropriate books. This could take place in conjunction with any of the above scenarios or as a stand-alone activity. 5. Library book collections in camps and child care centres The library provides collections of books for child care workers to use with their children over the summer. Collections could be signed out for the whole summer or regularly changed as suits the library and the centre. Keep in mind: •

You will need to assist child care workers in getting all the children registered and to comply with their requirements for parental permission before taking any personal information.



You may need to order extra kits if you are planning a significant outreach program.



Child care workers are often new to serving children and welcome advice, resources and ideas to make their programs fun and engaging.



It is advisable to set up an evaluation component from the start. Make sure child care workers know in advance that they must track the number of participants and that registration forms and/or evaluation forms must be completed in order to evaluate the program’s success.



Follow up with the child care workers at the end of the summer to get feedback on the program and on evaluation and registration statistics. Along with the Summer Reading Club statistics, you could also ask questions to evaluate your impact. You could ask how they use the SRC in their program, how much they read in the program and whether they have noticed any changes in the reading patterns or interest of their children.



In reaching out to immigrant services agencies you may have to inform the staff and parents about public library services and the benefits of summer reading. Many newcomers to Canada have very little experience with either.

TD Summer Reading Club

25

Outreach to other community groups In addition to working with children in formal care settings, you can also take the TD SRC into the community by working with groups and agencies, such as: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

Girl Guides and Scouts Family literacy agencies Community information and health centres Family shelters Hospitals

You can also look for opportunities to highlight the TD SRC at community events, including: ƒ ƒ ƒ

Canada Day and other community celebrations Local fairs Community picnics and outdoor events

Throughout the summer, look for ways to bring the TD SRC to the community. This is a great way to use materials you have on hand after the initial registration push in your branches. Sample Training Session for Child Care Workers The following is an outline of a sample training session that could be offered to child care workers. It focuses on the importance of reading and incorporating reading into their general camp program. The time allotted to each component can be changed according to the amount of time you are given for the training session. 5 minutes Introduction Be sure to include information about local branch hours, location and contact information. The importance of summer reading 5 minutes Talk about why we organize summer reading clubs, why kids love to take part in them and how they help children. You could use a quote such as: “A review of literature provided evidence that summer reading clubs were effective tools for keeping summer learning loss at bay and improving children’s reading performances.” TD Summer Reading Club Literature Review http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/009003/f2/009003-06-040-e.pdf

TD Summer Reading Club

26

TD Summer Reading Club 5 minutes Describe the TD SRC, registration information, forms, and kits. How to weave reading into a summer day camp program 10 minutes Share ideas on various opportunities to use books and encourage reading throughout the day: • Storytimes • Reader’s theatre • Quiet reading times • Reading games • Shared reading/reading partners • Poetry breaks Reading aloud 10 minutes Use props such as felts or puppets to demonstrate reading a favourite book. Share tips for reading aloud, such as: • Choose books you love to read, never read a book you do not like just because it fits the theme • Choose books with a strong story line, that has an obvious beginning, middle and end • Choose books kids can relate to • Make sure that the books are age appropriate (know your audience) • Look for ways to encourage participation (e.g., repetitive phrases that kids can repeat) • Read the book in advance and know it well 5 minutes Sample reading-based program Distribute handout(s) of sample book-based programs, use program ideas from the TD SRC staff manual or, if possible, find out in advance the themes the camp or centre will be using and base your handout on those themes. 10 minutes Practise reading aloud in pairs Distribute good examples of read-aloud books and have the child care workers practise reading to each other. Questions

TD Summer Reading Club

27

Outreach to Kids with Print Disabilities (CNIB Library) Fun for Everyone! Are kids in your community missing out on TD Summer Reading Club fun because they cannot read traditional print books? The CNIB Library can help you bring the fun to everyone, including kids with a visual, physical or learning disability. Enrol your eligible library users in the CNIB Library service, so they can: • • •

Read the same books as their friends and find other books on the theme in audio and Braille; Take part from home in additional, accessible activities offered by CNIB online and by email, phone or mail; and Join our Canada-wide team challenge and win prizes.

Full programming is offered in English only. However, there are some audio books and online activities available in French. For alternative format booklists and more information, visit: www.cnib.ca/src. Tips for including kids with print disabilities These quick tips will get you thinking about how to include kids with print disabilities in your programming. 1. Get the word out. If you print flyers to promote your program, make sure they are accessible to children, parents and grandparents with low vision. Follow CNIB’s Clear Print Guide. Also announce activities on your Web site and phone line. 2. Describe it. If you are doing a group activity, always describe out loud what you and others are doing. Everyone needs to know who’s there, who’s talking, and why someone starts to laugh. Include some activities that do not require vision. Cool sounds and textures are popular with all children. 3. Ask for help. Ask parents to help you choose reading formats and adapt activities so that their child can participate. Be aware that the effects of print disabilities vary, and that not all blind and partially sighted children read Braille. If you have handouts, ask parents if they would prefer to receive an electronic version (e.g., Microsoft Word) in advance. You can find CNIB’s Clear Print Guide and more tips for making meetings and events accessible at www.cnib.ca/accessibility.

TD Summer Reading Club

28

Ready for Reading at the Toronto Public Library Ready for Reading is the Toronto Public Library’s full set of programs, services and resources for children from birth to five years of age. Ready for Reading emphasizes the importance of early literacy and helps parents and caregivers learn how to develop six important pre-reading skills in their children. Six pre-reading skills 1. Print motivation (I like books!) Children who enjoy books will want to learn to read. 2. Phonological awareness (I hear words!) Being able to hear the smaller sounds in words helps children sound out written words. 3. Vocabulary (I know words!) Knowing many words helps children recognize written words and understand what they read. 4. Narrative skills (I can tell a story!) Learning to tell a story helps children develop skills in thinking and understanding. 5. Print awareness (I see words!) Being familiar with printed language helps children feel comfortable with books and reading. 6. Letter awareness (I see letters!) Knowing the names and sounds of letters helps children to sound out words. Why is early literacy important? Scientists have presented compelling evidence that a child’s success in school is linked directly with the acquisition of early literacy skills. The relationship between the skills with which children enter school and their later academic performance is striking. Children’s success in life depends on their success in school. Preschool activity sheet Staff are encouraged to plan and adapt their TD Summer Reading Club activities to include Ready for Reading principles and approaches for children five years and under by using the TD SRC Preschool activity sheet found in the “Forms” section of the Staff Manual (online). Ready for Reading online http://kidsspace.torontopubliclibrary.ca/preschoolers.html

TD Summer Reading Club

29

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Programs for Preschoolers

TD Summer Reading Club

Treasure Hunting (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 30 to 40 minutes Introduction: Explain to the participants that they will be going on an underwater adventure. Adventurers who want to explore water (i.e., oceans, seas, etc.) can pretend to be scuba divers. During this underwater adventure, they will encounter many different types of creatures, some are real and some are make believe. Ask them what kinds of animals or “things” are considered real, and which ones are fake (i.e., mermaids, the Loch Ness monster). Children can also identify hidden treasures or gems. In this activity, children will find out about different water areas. Suggested Books: ƒ Miranda’s Beach Day by Holly Keller ƒ Nanook & Pryce: Gone Fishing by Ned Crowley ƒ Wave by Suzy Lee ƒ Duck, Duck, Moose by Dave Horowitz ƒ In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming ƒ Can You See What I See? Treasure Ship by Walter Wick (Note: for older children) Song: Fish in the Sea (Tune: “Wheels on the bus”) The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim swim, swim, swim, swim, swim, swim The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim All through the day The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch All through the day The octopuses in the sea go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle The octopuses in the sea go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle All through the day The crabs in the sea go click, click, click click, click, click, click, click, click

TD Summer Reading Club

30

The crabs in the sea go click, click, click All through the day Activity: Scuba diving for treasure Set up and arrange a location or two in your branch that is most appropriate for the theme. Materials: ƒ Pictures of animals or fish ƒ Coloured paper ƒ Glue ƒ Scissors ƒ Treasure items (fake pearls, coins, etc.) Instructions: 1. Cut out pictures of different animals, underwater plants, coins, “jewels” (pearls, gems) etc., which are spread throughout the different landscapes 2. Tell the children that they will be pretending to be scuba divers. You can ask participants to identify various sea creatures or animals and also ask them to find “buried treasure”. As scuba divers, the participants will be discovering the different types of sea creatures in the water. They will also be looking for buried treasure! 3. A simplified version could use a display board divided into sections that allow the children to find the animals or buried treasure.

TD Summer Reading Club

31

Sea Creature Habitats (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 30 minutes Introduction: Using sea creatures or aquatic animals is a good way to create an association between animals and their habitat. There are also animals from different climatic regions that not only live in water, but live near water or are dependant on water. An example can be seen in The Water Hole by Graeme Base. Sea creatures refer to all sorts of animals that live in water or close to wetlands, oceans, lakes, or ponds. The books listed below may help preschoolers identify animals and their habitat. Suggested Books: ƒ Turtle Splash! Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell ƒ Jump, Frog, Jump! by Robert Kalan ƒ The Water Hole by Graeme Base ƒ Moving Day by Robert Kalan ƒ Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori ƒ Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni Activity: Matching Game Instructions: 1. Make a list of some of the creatures that may live in or near oceans, ponds, etc. For example, a frog may live in a pond on a lily pad; tropical fishes live in coral reefs, etc. 2. Cut out pictures of aquatic animals and their habitats. 3. Ask the children to match up the correct animal with their home. Note: (List of habitats) oceans, salt marshes, freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes and tide pools.

TD Summer Reading Club

32

In the Ocean (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 30 minutes Introduction: Create a landscape of the ocean. Ask participants to identify the following animals that may live in or near water. For example: polar bears, whales, dolphins, walruses, penguins, seals, sea lions, manatees and sea otters. Suggested Books: ƒ Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin ƒ Somewhere in the Ocean by Jennifer Ward & T.J. Marsh ƒ Waiting for the Whales by Sheryl McFarlane ƒ An Ocean World by Peter Sís Song: Sticky, Sticky Starfish (Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star") Sticky, sticky little starfish, How I wonder what you are, Beneath the sea so cool and blue Can you see me as I see you? Sticky, sticky little starfish Beneath the sea so cool and blue! Song: Catch a Fish (Tune: Row, Row, Row your boat) Catch, catch, catch a fish, Hook it on your line. Reel it, reel it, reel it, This one will be mine. Song: Five Little Sea Creatures Five little sea creatures On the ocean floor; The lobster walked away Now there are four. Four little sea creatures Living in the sea; The octopus crept away Now there are three. Three little sea creatures Wondering what to do;

TD Summer Reading Club

33

"Good-bye," said the starfish Now there are two. Two little sea creatures Not having much fun; Off swam the sea horse Now there is one. One little hermit crab Sad and all alone, Back came the starfish, Back came the sea horse, Back came the octopus, Back came the lobster, Then all five went home. Choose one craft to do from the selection below. Craft: Paper Bag Octopus Materials: • Paper lunch bags • Paper scraps or tissue • Coloured paper • Large googly eyes (optional) • Tape • Glue • Paint Instructions: 1. Stuff a paper bag with wrinkled up paper scraps. 2. Cut strips of paper about 5 cm wide, you can make them bigger or smaller, this depends if you want a bigger or smaller octopus. 3. Fan fold the strips, this will be the legs of the octopus. 4. Gather eight legs together, stuff the ends into the stuffed bag. 5. Tape the bag closed around the legs. 6. Paint and decorate the body of your octopus (optional: googly eyes.) Craft: Paper Plate Octopus Materials: • Paper plate • Tissue paper • String or yarn • Crayons or markers • Googly eyes

TD Summer Reading Club

34

Instructions: 1. Use the paper plate as the head of the octopus. 2. Create the legs out of coloured tissue paper or construction paper, when using construction paper, the legs can be an accordion style (fold to strips of paper; one horizontal, one vertical and fold back and forth to achieve the accordion style effect.) 3. Ask participants to glue the legs on the bottom of the paper plate. 4. Glue eyes, decorate the head. 5. Optional: punch hole on top of the head, place string or yarn through the hole.

TD Summer Reading Club

35

Sea Creatures in Disguise (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 30 minutes Introduction: There are various sea creatures that are hidden underwater or among the coral reefs. They could be living in between rocks or seaweed depending on where these sea creatures live. As a snorkeler, your mission is to find these sea creatures in disguise (camouflage). Explain to the participants what camouflage means. Let them know that some sea creatures have special markings that help them to blend in with their environment. Suggested Books: ƒ Life in the Coral Reef by Bobbie Kalman and Nikki Walker ƒ Looking Closely along the Shore by Frank Serafini ƒ A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle ƒ Big Al by Andrew Clements ƒ Swimmy by Leo Lionni Activity 1: As an ice breaker, obtain various pictures of sea creatures in their camouflage state. Ask the participants to find the animals in the picture. Various fishes are able to camouflage because of disruptive patterns such as stripes, spots, splotches or eyespots. Eyespots refer to the illusion of the back of the fish being in the front, hence the name eyespot. Examples of animals that have the ability to camouflage include the octopus, scorpion fish, goby fish and seahorse. Activity 2: Introduce the children to various animals that may be different, unusual or special. Some examples include: the stingray, which is flat-shaped and has its eyes on top and its mouth on the bottom; the dolphin, which has a brain almost the size of a human being; the shark, which has sharp teeth; seals and sea lions, which have a fat layer of blubber; penguins, which waddle; jellyfish, which are poisonous; octopuses, which contain ink in their bodies; oysters, whose special shells may contain pearl(s); and the blowfish or puffer fish, which inflates (blows up) into a ball when threatened.

TD Summer Reading Club

36

Scuba Fun! (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 20 to 30 minutes Introduction: List items that a scuba diver would use during his or her underwater expedition. List the types of sea creatures he or she might encounter. You can also have pictures of the scuba gear to help the children identify what they need during their expedition, along with pictures of various sea creatures. Scuba gear list: • Wet suit • Snorkel • Mask • Scuba tank • Flippers/fins • Weight belt • Net Sea creature list: • Dolphin • Fish • Sharks • Turtles Suggested Books: Use any of the pre-school books you may have on underwater themes or consult this year’s book lists. Craft: Paper Plate Sea Turtle Materials: • Paper plates • Cut outs of turtle body parts (head, arms, legs, tail) • Crayons, markers • Scissors, glue Instructions: 1. Assemble the turtle using the paper plate and match body parts accordingly. 2. Participants can colour or decorate their sea turtle with crayons or markers.

TD Summer Reading Club

37

Sea and Seashore (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate Time: 45 minutes Suggested Books: ƒ The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister ƒ Baby Beluga by Raffi ƒ Swimmy by Leo Lionni ƒ Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen ƒ A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle ƒ Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Mélanie Watt ƒ Stanley at Sea by Linda Bailey ƒ Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle Song: I'm a Little Fishy (Tune: “I'm a little teapot”) I'm a little fishy Watch me swim Here is my tail Here is my fin When I want to have fun with my friends I wiggle my tail and dive right in Song: The Waves at the Beach (Tune: “The wheels on the bus”) The waves at the beach The waves at the beach go up and down The crabs at the beach crawl back and forth Lobsters at the beach go snap, snap, snap Clams at the beach go open and shut

Finger Play: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 One, two, three, four, five Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten Then I let it go again. Why did I let it go? Because it bit my finger so.

TD Summer Reading Club

38

Which finger did it bite? The little finger on the right Finger Play: Here is the Sea Here is the sea, the wavy sea (indicate small waves with hands) Here is my boat and here is me (cup one hand for the boat, and stick a finger from other hand up) All of the fishes down below (put hands down low, and point to the floor) Wriggle their tails and away they go (wriggle fingers behind your back, then push hands up and away behind you.) Rhyme: 5 Little Fishes Teasing Mr. Shark (See p. 49 for the words in Shark Attack.) Action Song: Blue Shark, Blue Shark (This can be done with puppets, as a felt board, or pictures printed in colour) Blue shark, blue shark What do you see? I see a green turtle swimming next to me. Green turtle, green turtle What do you see? I see a purple octopus gliding next to me. Purple octopus, purple octopus What do you see? I see an orange seahorse floating next to me. Orange seahorse, orange seahorse What do you see? I see a red crab crawling over me. Red crab, red crab What do you see? I see a yellow fish speeding past me. Yellow fish, yellow fish What do you see? I see a big whale coming after me!

TD Summer Reading Club

39

Crafts: There are a variety of crafts that can be used for this program. You may wish to choose one of the following. Craft: Rainbow Fish http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/rainbowfish/rainbow_fish_craft.htm http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/rainbowfish/coffeefilter.htm Craft: Crepe Paper Jellyfish Children can make these simple jellyfish crafts. They can be made of crepe paper or construction paper and can be decorated using whatever materials you have available. http://www.freekidscrafts.com/crepe_paper_jelly_fish-e395.html Activity: Hide and Seek Sea Creatures Searching for seashells and sea creatures at the seashore. Instructions: 1. Tell the children they will be going to the imaginary seashore. 2. Find or print pictures of seashells and sea creatures and hide them around the room. 3. Have the children search for the hidden items (make sure there are extras in case children have difficulty finding them.) 4. After they have all been found (at least most of them) gather around and talk about the images. 5. Give the children a piece of construction paper or Bristol board and tell them to colour the pictures and glue them onto the paper. They can add their own drawings to the picture.

TD Summer Reading Club

40

A Day at the Pond (Target Audience: Preschool) Approximate time: 45 minutes Introduction: What is a pond? Explain to the children that a pond is like a lake. A pond is usually small, quiet, and not very deep. Have you ever been to a pond before? What types of animals and plants did you see? Read Looking Closely around the Pond by Frank Serafini or show a small portion of an enlarged picture related to ponds. For example a turtle shell, a duck, a dragonfly and have the children guess what the picture is of. Suggested Books: ƒ The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog: A Traditional Tale by Ana Martín Larrañaga ƒ Big Frog Can’t Fit In by Mo Willems ƒ Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London ƒ Angus and the Ducks by Marjorie Flack ƒ The Ugly Duckling by Rachel Isadora ƒ Turtle Splash! A Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell Suggested Music: “Six little ducks” on the CD More Singable Songs by Raffi Action Song: Five green and speckled frogs (can be sung with a felt board or puppets) Five green and speckled frogs Sat on a speckled log Eating some most delicious bugs YYYYUUUUMMMM YYYYUUUUMMMM One jumped into the pool Where it was nice and cool Then there were Four green and speckled frogs GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB GGGGLLLLUUUUBBBB (Repeat in descending order) Action Song: Can you hop, hop, hop like a bunny? Can you hop, hop, hop like a bunny Can you jump, jump, jump like a frog? Can you walk, walk, walk like a duck?

TD Summer Reading Club

41

Can you run, run, run like a dog? Can you fly, fly, fly like a bird? Can you swim, swim, swim, like a fish? But can you still be a quiet little child And sit as still as this? Action Song: Five little ducks Five little ducks went out one day, Over the hill and far away Mother duck said: "Quack, quack, quack, quack." But only four little ducks came back. (add lyrics) Finger play: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 One, two, three, four, five Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten Then I let it go again. Why did I let it go? Because it bit my finger so. Which finger did it bite? The little finger on the right Finger play: My Turtle This is my turtle He lives in a shell He likes his home very well He pokes his head out when he wants to eat And pulls it back in when he wants to sleep. Finger play: The Little Turtle There was a little turtle Who lived in a box Who swam in the puddles And climbed on the rocks He snapped at a mosquito He snapped at a flea He snapped at a minnow He snapped at me He caught the mosquito He caught the flea He caught the minnow But he didn’t catch me!

TD Summer Reading Club

42

Craft: Frog paper bag puppet http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mfrogbag.htm

Craft: Frog paper plate puppet http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mpfrog.html

TD Summer Reading Club

43

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Programs for Ages 6-8

TD Summer Reading Club

Did you know… Kids can share book reviews throughout the summer by posting them to the TD Kids National Web Site at http://tdsrc.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ No registration is required and all submitted content is moderated by librarians before posting to ensure a safe, kid-friendly space throughout the summer.

Shark Attack! (Target Audience: Ages 6-8) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes This program is all about sharks, the king of the sea. You can also format this program for any predator of the sea such as sting rays, killer whales, eels, barracudas, etc. Display books on the ocean, any underwater predators and other sea creatures. Suggested Books: ƒ Ugly Fish by Kara LaReau ƒ Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (And Other Things Not To Do) by Judi Barrett ƒ Shark in the Sea by Joanne Ryder ƒ Actual Size by Steve Jenkins (A squid’s eye is the size of a baseball!) You can also read scary facts about predators from many shark books or even Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Guinness World Records and play “True or False” to see if they can guess if what you are telling them is fact or fiction. Suggested Music: These songs can be used as background music. ƒ “Barracuda” from The Essential Heart by Heart ƒ Jaws: Anniversary Collector’s Edition soundtrack by John Williams ƒ “Mack the Knife” by Kurt Weill (multiple versions by different singers) Action Song: “5 Little Fishies” Five little fishies swimming in the sea, teasing Mr. Shark; “You can’t catch me!” Along comes Mr. Shark quiet as can be….SNAP! Four little fishies swimming in the sea, teasing Mr. Shark; “You can’t catch me Three little fishies swimming in the sea, teasing Mr. Shark Two little fishies swimming in the sea, teasing Mr. Shark; One little fishies swimming in the sea, teasing Mr. Shark; “You can’t catch me!” Along comes Mr. Shark quiet as can be….SNAP! No more little fishies swimming in sea!

TD Summer Reading Club

44

Action Song: “Shark Attack!” (Multiple versions of “Baby Shark”) Baby shark do do do do do do do do! (tap thumb and pointer finger) Mama shark do do do do do do do do! (clap hands close together horizontally) Daddy shark do do do do do do do do! (clap hands together horizontally using large and exagerated movements) Grandma shark shark do do do do do do do do! (movements same as Mama but with fingers curled in) Grandpa shark do do do do do do do do! (bring elbows together) Went for a swim do do do do do do do do! (pretend to swim slowly) See a shark! do do do do do do do do! (move hands above head like shark fin) Swim away! do do do do do do do do! (pretend to swim) Swim faster! do do do do do do do do! (swim faster) SHARK ATTACK!!! do do do do do do do do! (pretend to flail in water) Swam away do do do do do do do do (pretend to swim) Whoooo! Safe at last! (wipe brow) Action Song: “Sharkey Pokey” (Tune: “Hokey Pokey”) Example: left fin, right fin, sharp teeth, gills, tail Suggested Games: ƒ Minnow, Minnow, Shark! (Duck, Duck, Goose) ƒ Pin the Fin on the Shark (Pin the tail on the donkey) ƒ Shark Says (Simon Says) (e.g., Shark says swim! Shark says stop. Bite your friend!) Game: Musical Sharks (Similar to musical chairs) Instructions: 1. Cut out multiple size sharks (you can Google “shark template”) 2. Cut out multiple size fish 3. Use Mylar cut outs to make them more durable (this can be found at most dollar stores) 4. Play music and have kids dance or walk around the room in a circle with all of the fish and shark pictures scattered on the floor. 5. When the music stops, whoever lands on a shark gets eaten and is out. Whoever is not standing on a fish is also out! 6. Remove one fish each time the music stops - depending on the group; you can allow more than one person on a fish (even if just their pinky finger is touching!)

TD Summer Reading Club

45

Craft: Shark Attack Hat Materials: • • • • • • • • •

Grey, blue, or silver construction paper Red paper (optional) White paper Scissors Glue Tape Crayons or markers String (optional) Sparkles, or other craft decorations

Instructions: 1. Prep before the program: Cut squares from construction paper approximately 22 cm (The larger the better - depending on what size paper is available at your branch); Give each child a square. 2. Fold one corner to the opposite end, making a diagonal crease. 3. Place paper on head, making sure one corner is aligned with the forehead (creating a widows peak). 4. Fold the opposite corner from forehead into a fin (back of the head) by folding the paper left and right making another crease. 5. Glue these two sides of the fin together, only to the crease, leaving the back open to sit on the child’s head. Adjust accordingly. 6. Cut out large white triangles for teeth. 7. Glue these teeth around the bottom of widows peak, crowning the forehead. 8. Add googley eyes on each side, gills, and red sparkles or paper for blood! 9. Optional: Add string to secure around head. 10. Wear as hat Craft: Shark Sock Puppet (Courtesy of Danielle’s Crafts at www.daniellesplace.com) If you have more preparation time, instructions for this craft is available at this website (substitute the white whale as a great white shark): http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/under_the_sea.html#

TD Summer Reading Club

46

Big Fish in the Pond (Target Audience: Ages 6-8) Approximate Time: 45 minutes Introduction: Fishing is an activity that is widely enjoyed. In Canada it can be done year round, but is generally associated with summer. Some possible fishing stories are listed here but check your shelves for others. Suggested Books: ƒ Anansi Goes Fishing by Eric A. Kimmel ƒ The Fishing Summer by Teddy Jam ƒ Fishing at Long Pond by William T. George ƒ McElligot’s Pool by Dr. Seuss ƒ Fox on the Ice by Tomson Highway Icebreaker: Introduce theme of fishing. Start by asking the group if anyone has ever gone fishing. Talk about the different ways of fishing. This can include the season (winter or summer), object of fishing (commercial or pleasure) and the type of fish (fresh or salt water). Where can you fish? (dock, boat, from the shore, etc) How do different animals catch fish? Have an assortment of non-fiction books on fishing around the room to help with answers or for children to sign out at the end of the program. These books can also help demonstrate the different methods of fishing. Suggested Books: ƒ Hook, Line, and Sinker: Everything Kids Want to Know about Fishing by Italo Labignan ƒ Fishing for Kids: A Family Fishing Guide by Steven A. and Elizabeth May Griffen ƒ Fishing in Action by Hadley Dyer and Bobbie Kalman ƒ The Complete Guide to Fishing by John Bailey Song: Slippery fish Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water, Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an … Octopus, octopus, squiggling in the water Octopus, octopus, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …

TD Summer Reading Club

47

Tuna fish, tuna fish, flashing in the water, Tuna fish, tuna fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a … Great white shark, great white shark, lurking in the water, Great white shark, great white shark, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a … Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water, Humongous whale, humongous whale, Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … BURP! Pardon me! Game: The Big Catch Materials: • long table or blanket to hide the “pond” from the children • two or more long cardboard tubes or rulers to act as poles • one magnet for each tube • metal paperclips • string • assortment of paper cut-outs in the following shapes: - fish of different sizes - tin can - tire - tree branch Instructions: 1. Using the tube, string and magnet create fishing rods for the children 2. Attach one paperclip to each cut-out. 3. Set up the table or blanket so that the children can’t see the location of the fish in the pond 4. Have children try to catch a fish. No throwing the catch back into the pond. Child with the biggest fish at the end wins. 5. Alternate game play. Give each child a time limit and see who can catch the most fish in a set time. In this version the fish are returned to the pond at the end of each turn.

TD Summer Reading Club

48

All Around the Campfire (Target Audience: Ages 6-8, 9-12) Approximate Time: 60 minutes Introduction: Summer Camp is the epitome of summer for some children but many children do not get a chance to experience it. Bring elements of camp to the library with this program. Some books about summer camp are listed here: Suggested Books: ƒ Beany Goes to Camp by Susan Wojciechowski ƒ The Big Swim by Cary Fagan ƒ Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming ƒ Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries by David A. Adler ƒ Summer Camp by Bobbie Kalman ƒ Summer Camp Crack-ups and Lots S’more Knock Knock Jokes to Write Home About by Katy Hall ƒ The Ultimate Summer Camp Guide by Devra Newberger Speregen Icebreakers: You can find many icebreaker games online if you use the search terms “icebreakers for kids”. Playing an icebreaker (parents included!) will help ease any shyness in the group. Icebreaker: Toilet Paper Game • Have the children and parents sit in a circle. • Go around the circle with a roll of toilet paper and ask each person how many sheets of toilet paper they want. Do not tell them what it is for! Give a minimum and maximum number that they can choose. For example between 2 and 30. • Once everyone has chosen each person must tell the group a number of things about themselves, including their name. They must tell the group the same number of things about themselves as the number of sheets of toilet paper they took. One thing must be their name. Suggested Music: There are great resources to find many camp songs. Do an online search for “camp songs” or look in books such as, Camp Granada: Sing-Along Camp Songs by Frané Lessac. This website has many camp songs and other camp ideas: http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/

TD Summer Reading Club

49

Song: “Grey Squirrel” (Whisper) Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Shake your bushy tail! Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Shake your bushy tail! Take a peanut from your hand... (Shout) AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR NOSE!!! (Whisper) Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Shake your bushy tail! When saying "grey squirrel" make little squirrel actions with your arms. When saying "shake your bushy tail" turn around and shake your bottom. When saying "Take a peanut from your hand" pretend to take a peanut from your hand. When saying "AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR NOSE!" pretend to shove the peanut up your nose. Song: Funky Chicken Check out this clip from The Ultimate Camp Resource http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/funky-chicken.html I want to see your funky chicken! (Leader) What’s that you say? (Campers) I said, “I want to see your funky chicken!” (Leader) What’s that you say? (Campers) Chorus: I said, Ooh ahh ahh ahh, ooh ahh ahh ahh Ooh ahh ahh ahh, ooh One more time now! (Leader) Ooh ahh ahh ahh, ooh ahh ahh ahh Ooh ahh ahh ahh, ooh (Do actions with chorus, i.e., flop like a funky chicken) Repeat verses using Frankenstein, Schwarzenegger, Superman, Ballerina, Sumo Wrestler, Surfer Dude, etc.

TD Summer Reading Club

50

Activity: Campfire stories Summer camp would not be complete without ghost stories around the campfire. Create a “campfire” to place in the middle of the circle. Instructions: 1. Roll up empty cylinder containers in brown construction paper to be the logs. (e.g., Pringles potato chip cans.) 2. Shape orange and yellow tissue paper into “flames” and glue them to the “logs.” 3. For added effect direct a gentle fan towards the flames. 4. Tell your favourite ghost stories or you may choose to read them from ghost story collections by Alvin Schwartz or Robert D. San Souci: Books by Alvin Schwartz ƒ Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark ƒ More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark ƒ Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones ƒ In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories Books by Robert D. San Souci ƒ Short and Shivery: Thirty Chilling Tales ƒ More Short and Shivery Read: “Something Was Wrong” From More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Read: “The Voice” From More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Instructions: 1. Tell this story with a lot of suspense. When the voice screams “I’ve Got You!” end the story there. Try to startle the audience by yelling this part. 2. For added effect turn some of the lights off and shine a flashlight on your face from your chin while telling the stories. 3. If the group is younger and scares easier try some lighter “scary stories” such as In the Dark, Dark Room or “The Brown Suit” from More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Other Stories: There are many great websites with appropriate stories. Here is just one: http://www.squidoo.com/campfirestories#module1991098

TD Summer Reading Club

51

Craft: Rain Sticks (see also an alternative “Rain Sticks” craft in Rainy Day Fun on p. 54) Materials: • Paper towel tubes (one per participant) • Rice (alternatively use small dried beans, un-popped popcorn, tiny pasta) • Aluminium foil • Brown construction paper • Scissors • Glue • Paint/markers/crayons • Glitter Instructions: 1. Wrap the paper towel tube with brown construction paper and glue it in place. 2. Trace the end of your tube on brown construction paper. Draw a bigger circle around that circle and then draw lines, or spokes, connecting the two circles. 3. Cut out the outer circle and then cut along the spokes. 4. Put glue on the spokes and place the “cap” on the end of the paper towel tube. Fold the spokes up to glue them to the tube. 5. Cut a piece of aluminium foil about one and a half times the length of the tube and about 15 centimetres wide. 6. Crunch the foil into a long snake-like shape. Then twist the foil around to look like a spring. 7. Put the foil spring into the tube. Pour your rice/beans, etc. into the tube. The tube must only be about 1/10 full. 8. Make another cap for the other end. See steps 1 to 3. 9. Decorate your rain stick with glitter, markers, crayons, etc. 10. Enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rain! Craft: Friendship Bracelets Materials: • Different colours of embroidery floss • Scissors Instructions: 1. Measure the length of three different coloured strands of embroidery floss to fit around your “friend’s” wrist. 2. Cut the floss to fit. 3. Tie all three coloured strands in a knot at one end leaving a short tail on one end. 4. Braid the three colours together.

TD Summer Reading Club

52

5. Tie a knot leaving a short tail on the other end. 6. Tie the bracelet around your friend’s wrist using the tails on both ends.

TD Summer Reading Club

53

Rainy Day Fun (Target Audience: Ages 6-8) Approximate Time: 30-45 minutes Introduction: A rainy day is a great time to splash over to the library! Here are some fun books, songs and activities to share with the children on a wet, rainy summer day. Suggested Books: The Rain Stomper by Addie Boswell Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett Rain Play by Cynthia Cotton Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco Orphans in the Sky by Jeanne Bushey The Umbrella by Jan Brett The Mud Puddle by Robert Munsch Suggested Music: You can lead into your stories with some rainy day songs, as well as intersperse some songs throughout your program. Below are some fun ones that you can try. (The lyrics to these songs are widely available online. They can also be found in Jane Cobb’s book I’m a Little Teapot! Presenting Preschool Storytime.) “Rain Rain, Go Away” “The Eensy Weensy Spider” “Mr. Sun” “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” Activity: Human Rain Storm A popular camp activity is to make a “rain storm” as a group with your hands. The progression in the actions described below should generate the effect of a rain storm growing and waning in intensity. Instructions: 1. Arrange the group of participants in a circle (including you). Instruct everyone to be very quiet and watch what the person to their left is doing. 2. Begin by rubbing your hands together. The participant to your left should follow, then the person to their left and so on. 3. As soon as the whole circle is rubbing their hands, begin to snap your fingers. 4. Once everyone is snapping their fingers, clap your hands. Continue to wait until everyone is doing the same action before proceeding to slap your

TD Summer Reading Club

54

thighs, then stamp your feet, slap your thighs, clap your hands, snap your fingers, and finally rub your hands together. 5. The effect of these actions will be of a rain storm getting more and then less intense! Craft: Rain Sticks Send a bit of “rain” home with participants by having them build their very own rain stick! Materials: • Paper towel tubes (one per participant) • Toothpicks • Sewing needle • Spoon • A bag of rice or other small grains • Paper circles, (approx. 10 cm in diameter) (2 per participant) • Tape • Stickers, markers, paint and other decorative craft supplies Instructions: 1. Each participant should be given a paper towel tube. Participants can begin by decorating their tube. This will keep them occupied while you are doing the next step! 2. Circulate around the room with the needle. Poke a bunch of holes through each participant’s tube. Then, push toothpicks through the holes. 3. Seal off one end of each tube with one of the circles of paper and the tape. Pour several spoonfuls of rice into each tube. Then, use the second circle of paper and the tape to seal the rain stick. 4. When the rain stick is turned over, the sound of the rice bouncing off the toothpicks should generate a soothing rain sound.

TD Summer Reading Club

55

Craft Stations (Target Audience: Ages 6-8) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction: Set up a number of craft stations around the room. Provide each station with samples of the craft along with basic instructions. If possible, have a staff member at each station to assist. When the children are finished the craft, they can move on to the next station. The following crafts are only suggestions; there are many more options available. You may want to check the craft section of your library for more ideas. Craft: Paper Bag Octopus Materials: ƒ Paper lunch bags or larger, grocery bags ƒ paper scraps (junk mail) ƒ coloured paper ƒ large wiggly eyes (optional) ƒ tape ƒ glue ƒ paint Instructions: 1. Stuff a paper bag with wrinkled up paper scraps. 2. Cut strips of paper about 5 cm wide depending on how big you are making your octopus. Fan folds the strips and glue them together to make longer legs. 3. Gather eight legs together and stuff the ends into the stuffed bag. Tape the bag closed around the legs. 4. Have fun painting or colouring your octopus. 5. To finish glue on wiggly eyes or make your own eyes. Craft: Under the Sea Mobile Children can make their own under the sea mobiles to hang up. Depending on the materials available, choose one of the variations listed on the website below. You can either print the templates or use your own pictures. http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/moceanmobile.html

TD Summer Reading Club

56

Craft: Jellyfish Coffee Filter Children can make their own colourful jellyfish craft to hang up. Follow the instructions listed on the website below. http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mjellyfish.html Craft: Ocean Bookmark Children can make their own bookmarks. Click on the link below for instructions as well as the template. There is also the option to make a tassel that can be attached to the bookmark. http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/moceanbookmark.htm Alternately, you could provide pieces of construction paper or Bristol board and children could design their own bookmarks. Craft: Shark pop-up card The craft can be made as a card to give to someone, alternatively the children can write a story to go along with the picture. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Mouthcard.shtml

TD Summer Reading Club

57

Mythical Water Creatures (Target Audience: Ages 6-8) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction: What is a myth? A myth is a traditional story that that often features supernatural beings. Frequently, myths take place during ancient times. Ask the children if they can think of any mythical creatures (Big Foot, vampires, werewolves etc.) Next, ask them if they can think of any mythical creatures that live in water. They’ll likely be able to name a few. Show the children pictures of various mythical creatures that you find in books or on the internet. Provide them with a brief description of each. The following are just suggestions, there are many more to choose from. •

Mermaids/mermen/merrow: Creatures that have the head and torso of a human and the tail of a fish.



Selkie: Selkies are seals that can shed their skin to become humans. They are from Irish, Scottish and Icelandic folklore.



Dragon: Dragons appear in the mythology of many cultures. In many Asian legends dragons are associated with rainfall and bodies of water. They are typically large, wingless creatures with clawed feet that live in rivers, lakes or ponds. The white O-Gon-Cho dragon of Japanese folklore lived in a deep pond. Every 50 years the dragon rose from the pond and became a gold-coloured bird. Water Leaper: A creature from Welsh folklore that lives in swamps and ponds. It is described as a giant frog with a bat's wings instead of forelegs, no hind legs, and a long, lizard-like tail with a stinger at the end. It jumps across the water using its wings. Lusca: A sea monster from the Caribbean, resembling a giant octopus. Loch Ness Monster: A giant creature (also known as “Nessie”) with a huge rounded body and a long neck. According to legend, Nessie lives in Scotland in a lake called Loch Ness (Loch is the Scottish word for lake.) Kraken: A huge sea monster said to resemble a giant squid. According to myth, the kraken lives off the coasts of Norway and Iceland. Sea Serpents: A giant snake-like creature that lives in the sea. Sightings of sea serpents have been reported for hundreds of years.



• • • •

Visit http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/ for more information about specific creatures.

TD Summer Reading Club

58

Suggested Books: ƒ Selkie by Gillian McClure ƒ The Selkie Child by Gill Howell ƒ The Loch Ness Monster by Terri Sievert ƒ A Treasury of Mermaids: Mermaid Tales from Around the World by Shirley Climo ƒ Sim Chung and the River Dragon: A Folktale from Korea by Ellen Schecter ƒ Monsters: A Strange Science Book by Sylvia Funston ƒ Sea Monsters by Paul Harrison ƒ Dragons: Truth, Myth and Legend by David Passes ƒ Here There be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid by H. P. Newquist ƒ Imagine You're a Mermaid! by Meg Clibbon Activity: Searching For Mythical Creatures Hide pictures of various mythical water creatures around the library. Write the name of the creature on the back of the picture. Instructions: 1. Tell the children that they are going to be searching for mythical creatures. 2. Separate the children into two teams. 3. The group that finds the greatest number of pictures wins. 4. Ask the children if they can tell the group something about the mythical creatures they found. Crafts: Select one or more of the following crafts. Craft: Origami Loch Ness Monster Children can make their own origami Loch Ness monster. You’ll need three square pieces of paper: two the same size and one slightly larger per child. Prepare a sample beforehand. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/origami_loch_ness_monster.htm Craft: Loch Ness Monster colouring sheet This is something that could be given out at the end of the program. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/loch_ness_monster_colouring.htm

TD Summer Reading Club

59

Craft: Mermaid finger puppet You may wish to do this simple mermaid craft. Print out the template and allow the children to decorate and cut out. http://www.birthdayinabox.com/partyideas/guidesdetails.asp?aseq=116&bgs=9&dept_id=257&lk=8002&id=115 4 Craft: Poster Ask the children to draw a picture of an imaginary sea creature. It can be a creature from folklore or one from their imagination. When they finish, ask if they would like to share their poster with the group along with a description of where their creature is found. Children can either take their posters home or hang them up around the library.

TD Summer Reading Club

60

Chalk It Up at the Library! (Target Audience: Ages 6 -8, 9-12) Approximate Time: 60 minutes Introduction: Beautify your library’s walkway, patio, outdoor seating area or parking lot with children’s colourful chalk drawings that can promote summer reading and summer fun. Utilize a water theme (sharks, ships, pirates, mermaids, ocean creatures, etc.) or let your group draw whatever they like. This program has both an indoor and outdoor component. Indoor Component (Approximately 20 minutes) Activity: Discuss techniques and ideas Instructions: 1. Display a wide variety of materials on drawing, art and sketching from your collection, as well as any from the booklists if you are using a water theme. Have a copy of the Summer Reading Club poster on display and encourage any children who haven’t yet joined, to register. Use the poster illustration as a jumping-off point for a short discussion on drawing and creativity. Ask your group what they like to draw, what materials they like to use when they want to create a picture. Ask if anyone has ever drawn with chalk and if they’ve drawn outside with chalk. 2. Talk a bit about technique. Unlike drawing on paper, where the illustration is often small and detailed, outdoor chalk drawing works best if the picture is big, simple and uses lots of colours. 3. Brainstorm ideas for their drawings outside, and write them down on a whiteboard or flip chart. Story: Chalk by Bill Thomson Use this exciting wordless story to introduce the outdoor drawing they will be doing. Have willing participants in the group take turns telling what happens in the story while you show the pictures. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson would also be a fine choice here.

TD Summer Reading Club

61

Outdoor Component (Approximately 30 minutes) Activity: Chalk Drawing Materials: • Stubby, multi-coloured chalk, one box per child • Black or blue construction paper or a roll of butcher paper (*only if rainy) • Popsicles • Scissors • Hand wipes or paper towels Instructions: 1. Ensure that your drawing area is clear of debris beforehand. 2. Ensure that pedestrian and vehicle traffic is diverted and won’t interfere with your participants. Clearly designate the area you will be using. If you have received permission to decorate a part of your parking area, have all cars moved out well before your program begins. 3. Pages and parent volunteers can help supervise. 4. Each child gets a package of stubby outdoor chalk to create with. 5. Spread the children out so the whole area gets decorated. 6. If you have the budget, hand out freezies or popsicles just before the program ends. Chalk drawing works up a thirst! 7. In case of poor weather, use large sheets of black or blue construction paper, or a roll of butcher/kraft paper inside.

TD Summer Reading Club

62

Beach Party! (Target Audience: Ages 6-8, 9-12) Approximate Time: 60 minutes Introduction: Fill the room with beach decorations to set the tone for the program. This could include: • Beach towels • Beach balls • Inflatable palm trees • Large cardboard sun Suggested Books: ƒ A Beach Tail by Karen Lynn Williams ƒ Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies ƒ Beach by Elisha Cooper ƒ Beach Ball by Peter Sís ƒ The Sandcastle Contest by Robert Munsch ƒ Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Mélanie Watt ƒ Wave by Suzy Lee Memory Game: I’m going to the Beach This is a variation of the game “In My Suitcase” found in Fit to Travel on p. 84. Instructions: 1. Have the children sit in a circle. 2. Going around the circle each person begins a sentence “I’m going to the beach and I’m going to bring…” 3. They list something that they would need to bring to the beach, e.g. sunscreen. 4. The next person then has to list what the previous children are bringing and add one item to the list. 5. As you go around the circle the children have to remember more and more items. Note: Parents/caregivers or older siblings could be involved if the children are having trouble remembering the items. Story: Wave by Suzy Lee or Beach Ball by Peter Sís Instructions: 1. Wordless books are great ways to make the story interactive and for the children to use their creative minds. 2. Stay in the circle that you were in for I’m Going to the Beach.

TD Summer Reading Club

63

3. Using a wordless book go around the circle and have the children tell the story, while you hold up the pictures for everyone to see. 4. They can add details to the story as you go around the circle. 5. Note: Rather than going around the circle and putting some children on the spot you may want to have them raise their hand if they have a good idea for the story. Game: Hot Beach Ball This is a variation of the game Hot Potato. You will need a beach ball to serve as your “potato.” Instructions: 1. Have everyone stand in a circle leaving a bit of space between each person. 2. Play beach-y music. One suggestion is “Surfin’ Safari” by The Beach Boys, or any Beach Boys song. 3. While the music is playing the children toss the beach ball around the circle to each other. 4. Periodically stop the music. 5. The person who is holding the beach ball when the music has stopped is out and has to stand on the outside of the circle. 6. As more children are out of the game they can have a Beach Dance Party outside of the circle, twisting and dancing to the Beach Boys! 7. The winner is the last person standing in the circle. Craft: “Sand”Castle Contest Read The Sandcastle Contest by Robert Munsch to introduce the idea. (You can listen to Munsch read it at: http://robertmunsch.com/the-sandcastlecontest/# where you can also download the recording.) Materials: • Toilet paper/paper towel rolls, cylinder containers (i.e., potato chip containers) • Small cardboard boxes • Pieces of cardboard • Cone paper cups • Construction paper • String • Popsicle sticks • Glue • Scissors • Paint/crayons/markers/pencils • Glitter

TD Summer Reading Club

64

Instructions: 1. Arrange the group into teams of 3 or 4, depending on the size of the group. 2. Put enough materials for all of the groups in the centre of the room, on a table or on the floor. 3. Give the groups one minute to collect materials. Monitor this so that there is not one group taking everything! 4. In their groups have the children construct a castle with the materials they have gathered. Give the children a time limit to complete their castle. 5. The parents and caregivers can serve as your “impartial judges.” 6. Display the “sand” castles around the library.

TD Summer Reading Club

65

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Programs for Ages 9-12

TD Summer Reading Club

Did you know… Kids can tell their own stories using art from this year’s TD Summer Reading Club illustrator on the TD Kids National Web Site at http://tdsrc.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ and send them to friends and family?

Cooking with the SunMake a Solar Oven (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Approximate Time: 60-75 minutes Introduction: Part of summertime fun includes eating outdoors. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a picnic at the park or a campfire cookout, food seems to taste better when it’s cooked and eaten outside. This program uses many recycled materials and demonstrates the power of solar energy in a practical and fun way. Note: Registration for this program is recommended. Two staff members should be able to handle 20 registrants. Activity: Building a Solar Oven Solar oven designs taken from Cooking in a Can: More Campfire Recipes for Kids by Katherine L White and Solar Cooking for Home and Camp by Linda F. Yaffe Materials: For each oven you will need: ƒ Two cardboard boxes (one should be small enough to fit inside the other with about 5 to 7.5 cm of space all around. Shallow boxes heat better than deep ones.) Collect these boxes yourself, or let parents know on registration day that their child should bring these with them the day of the program. Make sure to have extras on hand in case some forget. ƒ Large pieces of cardboard ƒ Non-toxic white glue and brushes ƒ Regular weight aluminium foil ƒ Newspaper ƒ Stapler ƒ Scissors ƒ Masking tape ƒ Clear plastic wrap or nylon oven cooking bags ƒ Chopsticks or wooden dowl ƒ Pencils

TD Summer Reading Club

66

ƒ

Black construction paper

There are many interesting non-fiction books about the sun and solar energy. Choose several favourites from your library’s collection to display in the program room and for book talking to your group. After your book talk, let the group know what materials they will be working with. Show them the roll of foil and ask why they think it’s needed to make an oven? (reflector); why would we use black construction paper? (absorbs heat & light); why use newspaper? (insulator); and how does a solar cooker work? (uses both absorbed and radiated heat) Let the group know that their oven will really cook simple things like a hot dog, fruit/veggie kebob or s’mores on a sunny day. Instructions: 1. Have the group move to tables in your programing space. 2. Place the larger box on a piece of cardboard and trace the outline. Use a pencil and ruler to add 7.5 cm to each of the long edges of your outline. Cut out this new larger shape. 3. Using the glue and brush, cover one side of the rectangle with foil. Smooth out any wrinkles to make the foil as shiny as possible. This is your oven’s reflector. Set it aside for later. 4. Using glue and brush, line all interior walls of the small box with foil. It should cover the interior completely. Overlaps are fine, but the surface should be smooth as possible. 5. Line the bottom of the small box completely with a sheet of black construction paper. Set aside for later. 6. Line the interior of the large box with foil, using the same technique as above. Fold the foil over the top edges of the box to keep it in place. 7. Crumple sheets of newspaper into loose balls and fill the bottom of the large box to a depth of 5 to 7.5 cm enough to make the edges of both your boxes level. 8. Set the small box inside the bigger one. Stuff the spaces in between the boxes with more loosely crumpled newspaper. Be sure that it’s not too tightly packed; you want air pockets between these insulators to trap heat. 9. Lay the plastic wrap or oven bag over the top of the box. You may want to cut the bag open along one seam. Secure this on two sides of your oven with masking tape. 10. Make a fold along the long edge of the reflector about 7.5 cm deep. Lay the reflector on top of the box to be sure it fits. Secure the reflector, shiny side down, to the top of the box using masking tape and staples. The reflector should be able to stand up on it’s own at

TD Summer Reading Club

67

about a 45 degree angle. If it’s floppy use the chopstick or dowel as a prop. 11. When it’s time to cook, the oven should sit with the reflector facing the sun for about 30 minutes before the food goes in. Place food on a plate or pan (the darker in color the better), and secure the plastic wrap or oven bag to retain heat. 12. Solar ovens work best on bright sunny days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 13. Provide the group with the recipe and safety tips sheet.

Cooking with the Sun: Hints & Tips Your solar oven will really work. Use it on a sunny day between noon and 3 p.m. when the sun is hottest. Prop up your cooker until it faces the sun. Choose a south-facing spot that is protected from the wind, and let your oven pre-heat for about a 1/2 hour before adding your food. Food will cook better if all the pieces are about the same size. Ask an adult to help you cut up your ingredients. WARNING: Never stare at the sun! Not even if you are wearing sun glasses.

Recipes: Hot Dogs: cook a wiener in your solar oven in about 15 minutes. Fruit kebabs: put slices of your favourite fruit on a skewer and pop it into your oven until the fruit softens up. Drizzle chocolate sauce over your kebab. Yum! Vegetable kebabs: put pieces of vegetable, like cherry tomatoes, green or yellow pepper and onion on a skewer and leave it in your oven until the veggies get soft. Enjoy!

TD Summer Reading Club

68

Viking Explorers (Target Audience Ages 9-12) Introduction: The Vikings were sea-going explorers and fearless warriors. They came from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden and sailed large wooden ships, called “longships,” in search of new lands, treasure and adventure. They travelled to numerous areas such as Ireland, England, Iceland, Greenland and even parts of North America. Eventually they settled in these areas as well. The “Viking Age” lasted from approximately the 8th to the 11th century. Choose a Scandinavian myth or legend to tell. This can be done through storytelling or from a book. Suggested Books: ƒ Norse Myths and Legends by Philip Ardagh ƒ Favorite Norse Myths by Mary Pope Osborne ƒ Myths of the Norseman: Retold from the Old Norse Poems and Tales by Roger Lancelyn Green ƒ Viking Myths and Legends by John Snelling ƒ Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland ƒ Viking! Myths of Gods and Monsters by Kevin Crossley-Holland Participation Story: The Viking Voyage Explain to the children that you are going to tell them another story but this time you will need their help to tell it. Instructions: 1. Separate the participants into five groups 2. Assign each group one of the words listed below. 3. Read the story below pausing for the appropriate group to make the response. Vikings “Brave and daring, brave and daring!” Erik the Red "Straighten them horns, straighten them horns!" Great Ship "Watch out, watch out!" Greenland "Land ho, land ho!" Sailing, Sails or Sailed "Oh, my aching back!"

TD Summer Reading Club

69

The Viking Voyage Long, long ago, before any of you were born, in a distant land called Norway, there lived a brave and daring group of people known as Vikings___. These Vikings___ were noted for their skill as seamen and for Sailing___ their Great Ships___. One day the Vikings___ led by Erik the Red___ decided to set out on a dangerous journey to find a new home in a faraway land called Greenland___. The Vikings___ loaded up their Great Ship___ with supplies and started Sailing___ towards Greenland___. For many days and nights, the Great Ships ___ rolled and swayed through the stormy waters. The great Vikings___ were frightened when they Sailed___ dangerously close to a few giant sea monsters. But each time, Erik the Red___ daringly steered his Great Ship___ and lead his little band of Vikings___ past the danger. Working the Sails___ fast and furiously, they managed to keep the Great Ship___ safe. Finally, after weeks of Sailing___ through the stormy seas and past all those giant sea monsters, the daring Vikings___ led by Erik the Red___ in their Great Ship___ spotted Greenland___. With great skill, the Vikings___ continued Sailing___ until they landed onto the shores of Greenland___. "No more dried fish!" cheered the Vikings___. "No more Sailing___!" cheered Erik the Red___. "No more giant sea monsters! Everyone was happy to be in Greenland___. And that is the story of how Erik the Red___ and the Vikings___ Sailed___ their Great Ship ___ through the dangerous seas to a new home in Greenland___. Visit www.scoutingbear.com for similar participation stories.

TD Summer Reading Club

70

Activity: Runic Alphabet

Introduction: The majority of Vikings could not read or write. However, the ones that were literate used an alphabet called a “runic” alphabet. The above is just one example of a runic alphabet; runic alphabets varied depending on the region and time period. Runes, as the letters were known, were carved onto wood or stone. As you can see, the majority of the runes in the Viking alphabet were made up of straight lines. This is because straight lines would be easier to carve than curved lines. Instructions: 1. Write out the above alphabet for the children to see. 2. Give the children the opportunity to write something using the Viking (runic) alphabet. 3. They could write their names, a secret message or anything they wish. 4. If the children wish to use letters not included in the above alphabet, tell them to invent their own, trying to make them similar to the existing letters.

TD Summer Reading Club

71

Activity: Viking Chant Instructions: 1. Have the children sit side by side in two straight lines as if sitting in a Viking longboat. 2. There are four groups. 3. The first half of the first line is group one, the second half is group two. 4. The first half of the second line is group three the second half is group four. 5. While the kids pretend to row their boats in unison they should say the following chant. Chant: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

Heave Ho, Heave Ho We are Vi-king war-ri-ors, We are Vi-king war-ri-ors Thor, O - din, Thor, O-din Val-hal-a, Val-hal-a, Val-hal-a

Allow each group to practice their chant one at a time so they can get the hang of it. Then start overlapping each part one at a time until they create a thunderous Viking chant. Craft: Viking shield Materials: • Bristol board or cardboard • Paint, markers, glitter or whatever you have available to decorate the shields • Glue or tape • Scissors Instructions: 1. The children can trace large circles onto pieces of cardboard or Bristol board and cut them out. You may wish to do the tracing beforehand and the children can just cut them out. 2. Provide the children with craft supplies, such as markers, paint, glue and glitter to decorate their shields. 3. You may wish to show pictures from books to show examples of how Viking shields would have looked. 4. While the shields dry, they can cut out a handle from any scrap pieces of Bristol board and tape or glue it to the back of the shield when it's completely dry.

TD Summer Reading Club

72

Craft: Viking Longboat The Vikings sailed ships known as longboats or longships. Carved dragons and serpents were sometimes fixed to the fronts of the ships. Materials: • Bristol board or cardboard • Construction paper • Paint, markers, glitter or whatever you have available to decorate the ships • Straws or dowel sticks • Scissors • Singular hole punch • Glue or tape Instructions: 1. Have the children to trace the pattern found at ( http://www.crafts4kids.com/projects/viking_longboat.htm ) onto cardboard or Bristol board. Construction paper can be used for the sails and shields. Alternatively, you could trace it beforehand and allow the children to cut them out. They may wish to cut out multiple “shields” to place on the side of their ship. 2. If they wish, they can design a dragon or serpent to attach to the front of their ships. 3. You may wish to show them pictures in books of Viking ships. 4. Have the children to decorate their ships, sails and shields. 5. Use a single-hole punch to punch two holes in the sail, one near the top and one near the bottom. 6. Glue or tape the straw or dowel stick to the back of the ship. 7. Attach the sail by placing the straw or dowel stick through the holes in the sail. 8. The children can glue their shields to the side of the ship and their dragons or serpents can be glued to the front. 9. Allow the children to show their ships to the group.

TD Summer Reading Club

73

Ahoy, Matey! (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes “Avast me land lubbers! Here be a program fer older matey’s to entertain.” Display books about pirates, buried treasure, shipwrecks, and mermaids. You may also want to dress up by wearing a pirate hat, eye patch, or have a hook for a hand. Suggested Books: ƒ How to Be a Pirate by Cressida Cowell (Book talk) ƒ Bedtime at the Swamp by Kristyn Crow (you can incorporate instruments and make lots of noise with this book) ƒ Pirates Don’t Change Diapers by Melinda Long ƒ Pirates, Ho! by Sarah L. Thomson Suggested Music: ƒ Muppet Treasure Island soundtrack ƒ Disney Pirates of the Caribbean: Swashbuckling Sea Songs soundtrack ƒ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest soundtrack Tongue Twisters: On a large paper write out some tongue twisters and have children try to say them fast three times! You can find more tongue twisters as well as jokes on p.102. ƒ

She sells seashells on the seashore. The shells she sells are surely seashells. So if she sells shells on the seashore, I’m sure she sells seashore shells.

ƒ

Arnold wore armor for the army (Another fun thing to do with this tongue twister, when you hear the /ar/ sound, put your fist in the air like you are a pirate holding a sword; and drag out the /ar/ sound in the words that have the letter R in them.)

ƒ

Black bug’s blood

ƒ

Billions of blue blistering barnacles

TD Summer Reading Club

74

Jokes: Place jokes in a jar or treasure box and have children take turns reading them out. You can find many jokes about pirates by using Google to search, “Pirate Jokes for Kids.” Here are just a few: Q: How much does it cost a pirate to get earrings? A: A buccaneer! Q: What is a pirate’s favorite kind of cookie? A: Ships Ahoy! Q: How much did the pirate pay for his peg leg and hook? A: An arm and a leg! Q: What is a pirate’s favourite letter in the alphabet? A: “RRRRRRRR!” Activity: Fishing for Words/Buried Treasure (See “The Big Catch” on p.47 in Big Fish in the Pond for instructions.) You can adjust this game by adding gold coins, a treasure chest, skull and bones, sharks, jewelry, etc., to the pond/sea. Craft: Easy Catapult Courtesy of Busy Bee Crafts at www.busybeecrafts.com For this craft, the glue needs to be dried completely before using the catapult. Detailed instructions with pictures can be found here: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Easy-Catapult.html

Activity: Treasure Map Scavenger Hunt (Preparation before program required) Materials: • Brown paper • Crayons, markers • Scissors • Optional: Mylar (can be purchased at dollar stores) • Lighter or tea bag to make paper look old

TD Summer Reading Club

75

Instructions: 1. Depending on the location of the program, you can have multiple pieces of the treasure map hidden around the program room or children’s department. These clues could also be a way to identify different sections in the library (Non- fiction books on animals, space, fiction, computers, library catalogue, etc). 2. Each piece of the map leads you to the next and on the back of each piece is a word. These words must be arranged once all the pieces are found and will ultimately guide the children to their buried treasure! (You can make (or buy) a treasure box and fill it with prizes or chocolate gold coins). 3. Children need to work together to find clues. 4. Prepare a letter written by a pirate as the children’s first clue, remember to use your best pirate voice (or get a volunteer to read the letter): “Ahoy matey! Me ship has sunk and me booty lost somewhere inside the ______ Library. Follow me riddles to find pieces of me torn treasure map. Once all the pieces are brought together the location of me gold will be yours for the taking! Fair winds landlubbers! Pirates carry swords and hooks, but not guns, This clue is hidden under something that has legs but can’t run.” Answer: Table (Hide the next clue under a table) Other Possible Riddles/Clues: Pirates rarely tire, but when they do, They rest on these things, where you’ll find your next clue. Answer: Chair Pirates have beards, eye-patches and hooks, Another piece of your map is hidden behind books. Answer: Books Pirates did not like to read upon the stormy seas, but when they did they loved the sound of their favourite letter in the ABC’s. Answer: Letter R Mat Pirates didn’t have these, but they wish they did, To have fun, they were left catching squid Answer: Laptop/Ipod/Computer Watch your step as you search for this clue, It’s hidden up high, where some birds flew. Answer: Ceiling/Window

TD Summer Reading Club

76

Pirates are never scared and love a good fight, but when these eight-legged creatures appear they give them such a fright! Answer: Spiders/Octopus You found the last piece of the map which should join, And help you find the buried treasure of gold coins. Final Clue Map Reads: “The treasure can be found somewhere in the closet” Have the buried treasure somewhere the kids cannot directly access, like a locked closet, cabinet, or desk drawer. Have them line up to collect their prize.

TD Summer Reading Club

77

Fit to Travel (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction: A large number of families make trips of different sorts during the summer. Some travel on extensive vacations while others visit family members. A trip to the beach or the park can also supply travel experience. No matter where we go or how long we’re gone there is always some preparation necessary. Have the group practise for real or imaginary trips. Suggested Books: ƒ The Bag I’m Taking to Grandma’s by Shirley Neitzel ƒ Maebelle’s Suitcase by Tricia Tusa ƒ Cooking in a Can: More Campfire Recipes for Kids by Katherine L. White Icebreaker: In My Suitcase Read a story about packing for a trip like The Bag I’m taking to Grandma’s. This will get them thinking about the good and crazy things people pack. Instructions: 1. Have the children sit in a circle. 2. Have the group go around and list one thing that starts with the same letter as their name that they would put in the suitcase for travelling. For smaller groups or advanced groups have them repeat everything that has gone in before them. Activity: What Should I Bring? Materials: • Chart paper or blackboard • Markers/chalk • Blank paper • Pencils Instructions: 1. On the chart paper or blackboard brainstorm with the group possible places they could go on holidays. This could be day outings, long vacations or a combination. Alternatively have a pre-made list of destinations for them to choose from. 2. Choose a destination from the list

TD Summer Reading Club

78

3. In groups or individually, create a list of things that are needed for the chosen trip. 4. Share lists with big group. Who’s taking the most stuff? Who’s taking the least? Who’s taking the weirdest stuff? Activity: Will It Fit? This can be a stand-alone activity or a follow up to What Should I Bring? Materials: ƒ Two or more containers of the same size and shape ƒ One set of identical items for each container (3 containers = 3 sets of items) Have the items be a variety of shapes and sizes. ƒ One scarf/blanket per container. Must be big enough to cover container and pile of items. Instructions: 1. Separate the group into teams to match the number of containers. 2. Challenge participants to see how many of their items they can fit into the container without damaging the items. 3. Give participants a set amount of time to fill the container. 4. Uncover the items 5. At the end of the allotted time, count the number of items in each container. Add a difficulty factor Challenge the participants to do it a second time. This time assign points to each item. Give large items high points and small items low points. The container with the most points wins.

TD Summer Reading Club

79

Fun Paper (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction: Get folding with these fun paper activities! Start with a story, and then make a boat, or a crane, or even a paper airplane! Suggested Books: ƒ Sadako by Eleanor Coerr ƒ Paper John by David Small ƒ The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch ƒ Paper Crane by Molly Bang ƒ The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey ƒ Tree of Cranes by Allen Say Craft: Paper Crane Origami If you choose to read a book about Sadako, you may want to follow up by making some cranes yourself! You should practise making some cranes yourself before the program; it can be a bit tricky! There’s an excellent Youtube instructional video on making paper cranes at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSijU52XJ7w Materials: • Squares of paper • Needle and thread • Markers, stickers and other craft supplies • Paper crane origami instructions (see below) lnstructions: 1. Prepare enough paper squares for your group. If you have the budget, you can buy packs of origami paper at craft stores. Otherwise, cut squares of paper from whatever you have on hand; printer paper, scrap paper, even magazine pages will all work. 2. Give each program participant a square of paper, and a copy of the crane instructions. 3. As a group, practise making a crane together. Demonstrate each step, and then have your program participants copy you. Only do one step at a time! Get children having trouble to hold up their hand until everyone is in the right place. 4. Once the group has made a practise crane together, participants can make a crane on their own, and/or decorate the crane they’ve made with the craft supplies provided.

TD Summer Reading Club

80

5. Staff in charge of program should go around and with needle and thread, and carefully make a loop through each crane’s back. Participants can take their crane ornament home, or the cranes can be used as a display in the library! Craft: Paper Boat Origami An easier origami craft (and one that fits well with the “Splash!” theme) is a paper boat. Materials: • Printer paper (letter size) • Paper boat Instructions (see below) • Markers, stickers and other craft supplies Instructions: 1. Give each child a sheet of paper, and the paper boat instructions 2. As a group, practise making a boat together. Demonstrate each step, and then have your program participants copy you. Only do one step at a time! Get children having trouble to hold up their hand until everyone is in the right place. 3. Once the group has made a practise boat together, participants can make a boat on their own, and/or decorate the boat they’ve made with the craft supplies provided. 4. Participants can take their boat home, or they can be used to make an attractive display in the library! Activity: Paper Airplane Distance Contest Wrap up your program with a paper airplane contest! Participants can make a paper airplane, and then see whose goes the furthest! Materials: • Lots of scrap paper • Scissors • Markers, stickers and other craft supplies • Books on folding paper airplanes (filed under the dewey decimal call number 745.592) • A large open space for throwing paper airplanes Instructions: 1. Each child is given a piece of scrap paper 2. As a group, make a simple dart paper airplane (see instructions below) 3. Participants can then use the books to choose a paper airplane design that they would like, or can design their very own paper plane. Participants should be given about 10 minutes to make their planes

TD Summer Reading Club

81

4. Everyone should label their plane with their name and/or decorate their plane to make it distinguishable 5. Finally, everyone gets to test their planes! Have participants throw their planes in an open space to see whose goes the furthest.

TD Summer Reading Club

82

TD Summer Reading Club

83

Origami crane instructions courtesy of http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/Page.aspx?cid=6265 Paper dart instructions courtesy of http://www.paperairplanes.co.uk/peteplan.php Origami boat instructions courtesy of http://www.kobodesign.com/open-source/origami-boat/

TD Summer Reading Club

84

Loads of Fun: Activity Day (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Introduction: Minor alterations can be made to many traditional games to fit a water theme. Activity: True or False Game Instructions: 1. Set aside a number of non-fiction books on a variety of topics. 2. Divide the children into teams of three or four members. 3. Have the children select books on a specific topic. 4. Based on the information they read in their books, they will come up with three statements to present to the other teams. 5. Two of these statements are to be false. 6. After approximately 20 minutes, each group will be given the opportunity to present their statements and the other teams will decide which statements are true, and which are false. Activity: Guessing Game Before beginning the game, have the children name different types of sea creatures so that they have some ideas in mind. (For example: shark, jellyfish, octopus, eel, whale, dolphin, and turtle). You may also want to give the children some sample questions to ask each other. (For example: Do I have fins? Am I a mammal? Am I gray?) Materials: • Pictures of aquatic animals (one per participant) • Magic Marker • Scissors • Tape Instructions: 1. Find and cut out pictures of different sea creatures. Write the name of the animal underneath each picture. 2. Tape a picture to each child's back without letting them see the picture they've been assigned. 3. Ask the children to get into pairs (or divide them into teams) and tell them that they have to guess the names of the animals taped to their backs by asking their partner questions with “yes” or “no” answers. If you are playing with teams, one child at a time will ask the group questions about their animal.

TD Summer Reading Club

85

Activity: Crab Races Instructions: 1. Divide the children into two teams. 2. Have the kids “crab walk” on all fours, with their stomach facing upwards from the starting line to a turnaround point and back again. 3. After completing this task, each child will sit down and the next child will go. If this is too difficult, children turn over and have their stomach facing the ground. 4. The winning team is the team that has all of their team mates sitting first. Activity: Sammy Shark says This is similar to the game “Simon Says.” You may wish to substitute standard commands (touch your head) to water based commands such as “swim like a fish.” Instructions: 1. Tell the children that you are going to give them a variety of commands and that they are to obey only if your sentence begins with “Sammy shark says.” 2. Tell them that they are out of the game if they follow an order that doesn't begin with "Sammy shark says," or if they fail to do what Sammy shark says to do. 3. Play until one person is left. This person is the winner. 4. Let the winner give the commands to the group for the next round. 5. You can make it more difficult by giving the orders fast and in rapid succession.

TD Summer Reading Club

86

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Programs for All Ages

TD Summer Reading Club

Did you know… Libraries can submit the number of books read by kids at their location throughout the summer to the TD Kids National Web Site at http://tdsrc.torontopubliclibrary.ca/? You’ll add to the public tally and see yourself appear in the Kids are Reading …newsfeed.

A River Runs Through It (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 30-45 minutes Introduction: Rivers are a great source of summer splashes. This program is all about these important waterways, and will result in a beautiful display your participants can keep adding to all summer! Start off your program with some songs and stories about rivers. Suggested Books: ƒ Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile by Tomie dePaola ƒ Mike Fink: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg ƒ Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Robin Muller ƒ The Monkey and the Crocodile: A Jataka Tale from India by Paul Galdone ƒ The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen Suggested Music: Here are some river (or water) themed songs that you can sing with your group as a part of your program. These will be especially good if you have a lot of younger kids! “Row, Row, Row your Boat” “Five Little Ducks” “Five Green and Speckled Frogs” “Down By the Bay” “There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” Craft & Display: Reading River Create a beautiful river display that your group can decorate, and keep decorating throughout the summer! Materials: • A large display board • Large pieces of green, yellow and blue paper • Smaller pieces of construction paper in many different colors

TD Summer Reading Club

87

• • •

Scissors Tape and thumb tacks Markers, glitter, glue, stickers, and other decorative craft supplies

Instructions: 1. Before participants arrive, prepare the display board to look like a river. Use the blue paper for the water, the yellow for the river bank, and the green for the shore. 2. Cut out a number of fish and lily pads from the construction paper ahead of time. Fish should be approximately 15-20 cm long. (see fish and lily pad templates that follow). 3. If you don’t want to use fish, or you’d like a bit of variety, look for other animal templates (frogs, turtles, etc) on the Internet. 4. Give each participant a fish. They can write their names on each fish, and decorate them with the craft supplies provided. 5. Once they are finished decorating their fish, they can add it to the river display, using tape or a thumb tack. They can also write the name of a book they enjoyed reading on a lily pad. 6. Over the summer, participants can continue adding the names of books they like to the river.

TD Summer Reading Club

88

TD Summer Reading Club

89

Splish, Splash! (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 45 minutes Introduction: Summertime usually means fun in the water. Whether in a pool or ocean or lake or river or sprinkler, even a water balloon toss, someone or something is splashing. Suggested Books: ƒ Camping by Nancy Hundal ƒ Come On, Baby Duck! by Nick Ward ƒ Going Swimming by Sarah Garland ƒ Sergio Makes a Splash! by Edel Rodriguez ƒ Swimmy by Leo Lionni ƒ Stella, Star of the Sea by Marie-Louise Gay ƒ Water Dance by Thomas Locker Riddles: Water Dance by Thomas Locker Instructions: 1. Each page of Water Dance is a riddle in first person where the answer is some form of water. 2. Read each page out loud and have the children figure out who Locker is speaking of. After you finish reading the clues say, “I am…” and have them shout out the answer. 3. You could speak briefly of the water cycle, which is outlined at the end of the book. 4. The same activity could be done using any riddle book about water, the summer or the beach. 5. You can view some of the pages online through Google Books. Activity: Where Do You Splash? Ask the children where they like to splash. Using a whiteboard or flipchart write down every answer that they give. Urge them to be creative. This could include the bathtub, puddles or the kitchen sink when they are helping wash the dishes. Story: Read Swimmy by Leo Lionni After reading the story, point out the illustrations to the children. Ask them how they think Lionni did them.

TD Summer Reading Club

90

Craft: Fish Potato Prints Materials: • Potatoes • Paint • Construction paper • Sponges • Paper plates • Sand • Glitter • Glue Instructions: Prior to the program you will have to prepare the potatoes. 1. Cut raw potatoes in half. Draw a fish shape on the end of the potato with a pencil. Using a knife cut away the potato around the fish so that it is raised. 2. Do this for a few potatoes so that a number of children will be able to use them at the same time. 3. Pour different coloured paint onto paper plates. Children can use the potato fish stamps, sponges, sand and glitter to create an ocean scene on a piece of construction paper. Don’t forget to lay down newspaper or plastic on the tables before the activity! Craft: Tie-Dyed Fish Materials: • Coffee filters • Washable markers • Large googly eyes • Glue/glue sticks • Scissors • Pencils • Hair dryer • Spray bottle filled with water Instructions: 1. Give each child a coffee filter and markers. They can use all different colour markers to colour on the coffee filter. It works best if they cover the entire filter with different colours sporadically or running into each other. Have a “spraying” and “drying” station set up.

TD Summer Reading Club

91

2. Once the filters are coloured draw a fish shape on the filter with the pencil. Make sure it is almost as large as the filter. 3. Cut out the fish shape. 4. Bring the fish to the “spraying” station. You will spray the entire coffee filter with water. The different colours will run into each other creating a tie-dye effect. 5. The children will then bring the filters to the “drying” station. Either you or a helper/volunteer uses the hair dryer to dry the coffee filters. 6. Once it is dry the child can glue a large googly eye on the fish.

TD Summer Reading Club

92

Take a Hike! (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes (depending on how many activities you do) Introduction: It’s great to wander outdoors and explore. Whether you’re walking on the sidewalk, in the park or in the woods there are always things to learn about our environment. But you don’t need to actually be outside – you can just pretend you are. Suggested Books: ƒ Willy Takes a Hike by Gloria Rand ƒ Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw ƒ Sarah’s Surprise by Sally Hobart Alexander ƒ We’ll All Go Exploring by Maggee Spicer Activity: Obstacle Course Have some fun preparing for an afternoon outdoors. Teams race to see who can get everyone outfitted. Materials: (one set of each for each team) • Adult-sized shoes • Large, long sleeved shirt • Sunglasses • Hat • “Sunscreen” bottle • Pretend paddle • Tape to mark the start/finish lines and location of props on the floor Instructions: 1. Mark the start line and place the objects at even distances across the floor. 2. Place items on floor at marked spot. 3. Break group into teams. 4. Everyone on the team must “get dressed” and then “canoe” to predetermined spot and then return clothes to their stations. 5. First team to have all members complete the course wins. Activity: Make GORP To Eat On Your Hike These days with nut allergies, its not really GORP (grains, oatmeal, raisins, and peanuts) but the name works for easy identification. Possibilities with this snack are endless, make what you like but here’s a place to start. Materials: • Large bowl

TD Summer Reading Club

93

• • • • • • •

Wooden spoon Measuring cups 2 parts sunflower seeds or roasted pumpkin seeds, pretzel sticks work well too. 2 parts raisins 2 parts nut-free cereal (Cheerios, shreddies, cornflakes) 2 parts dried fruit of your choice (e.g., apricots, cherries, or dates) 1 part chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions: 1. Mix everything in a large bowl. 2. Measure mix into bags. (sandwich or freezer size) Activity: Identify Nature Have groups compete to see who knows their surroundings the best. Have books on identification placed around the room so that the children can get ideas as to what the names might be. They can also use the books to “solve” harder objects. Suggested Books: ƒ Follow the Trail: A Young Person’s Guide to the Great Outdoors by Jessica Loy ƒ Looking Closely by Frank Serafini ƒ Kids Outdoors: Skills and Knowledge for Outdoor Adventurers by Victoria Logue ƒ Wild tracks! A Guide to Nature’s Footprints by Jim Arnosky ƒ In My Backyard by Margriet Ruurs Have a series of objects for the group to identify. These should be things that they might see while walking in the neighbourhood. Bonus points can be given for things from outside the zone. Ideas for objects include samples or pictures of: - animal tracks - leaves - bark Urban areas could include distorted views of city objects - garbage - street sign

TD Summer Reading Club

94

Under the Sea (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 30-45 minutes Introduction: This program incorporates underwater animals and can be easily adjusted depending on the age group. Display books on all underwater sea creatures. Suggested Books: ƒ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss ƒ Animal Pants! by Brian Moses ƒ Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle ƒ I Swim an Ocean in My Sleep by Norma Farber ƒ Fish, Swish! Splash, Dash! Counting Round and Round by Suse MacDonald Action Songs: “The Alligator is My Friend” There are multiple versions of this song, go to www.youtube.com and type in “Alligator Camp Song” “5 Little Fishies” (p. 49) (In Shark Attack) “Shark Attack!” (p. 50) (in Shark Attack) “Five Green and Speckled Frogs” (p. 45) (in A Day at the Pond) “Slippery Fish” (p. 52) (in Big Fish in the Pond) “The Sharks in the Sea” (Tune: “Wheels on the Bus”) “The sharks in the sea go chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp! chomp, chomp, chomp! The sharks in the sea go chomp, chomp, chomp! All through the day!” Different verses and actions: The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim... The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch... The octopus in the sea go wiggle wiggle wiggle... The sea horse in the sea rocks back and forth... The whale in the sea goes squirt squirt squirt... The clam in the sea goes open and shut... The crabs in the sea go click click click... The jellyfish in the sea go "bloop bloop bloop"!

TD Summer Reading Club

95

Felt Stories: Action Song: “Five Little Lobsters” (Tune: “5 Little Pumpkins”) Five little lobsters sitting on a rock. The first one says, "I don't have time to talk" The second one says, "There are fishies over there." The third one says, "But we don't care" The fourth one says, "Let's swim and swim and swim" The fifth one says, "We don't have any fins!" Then swish went their tails and snap went their claws. The five little lobsters strolled out of sight. Action Song: Starfish, Starfish (Same rhythm as Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle) “Starfish, starfish, who do you see? I see a lobster swimming with me.” You can use other aquatic animals; shark, dolphin, octopus, hermit crab, whale, and end with ...”lots of fish swimming with me!” Suggested Music: (These can be played as background music) “Baby Beluga” by Raffi “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin “Listen to the Water” by Bob Schneider (multiple versions) “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John Craft: Fishing Pole (This craft is geared for older children) Materials: ƒ Bendy straws ƒ Different coloured paper/construction paper ƒ String ƒ Paperclips ƒ Fish template ƒ Glue ƒ Scissors ƒ Markers/crayons Instructions: 1. Cut out 6 fish on different coloured paper (or more if you want to make a bigger mobile). 2. Decorate each fish on one side only (make sure to make half on one side, half on the other) 3. Put the string through the straw, it is best to start at the bottom end of the straw. 4. Once this is done tie a paper clip at the end of the string so it won't go through the straw (or you'll have to start all over....).

TD Summer Reading Club

96

5. Place string in between two fish and glue together. 6. Kids can make the fish move up and down by pulling on the paper clip. Fish Bowl (This craft is for younger children) Materials: • Blue or white construction paper for each child • Bright coloured paper for each child • Bag of beans • Crayons, markers, pencils • Sparkles and other decorative craft items Instructions: 1. You can trace the shape of the fishbowl for younger children, or have the older ones try it themselves on the blue or white paper. 2. Cut out fishbowl. 3. On the bright coloured paper children will trace their hand and cut it out. 4. Glue handprint in the middle of the bowl. 5. Decorate hand into fish. 6. Decorate fish bowl with sparkles and crayons. 7. Glue beans on the bottom to make it look like rocks or pebbles.

TD Summer Reading Club

97

Yellow Submarine (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 45-60 minutes Recommended Group Size: 15-20 Introduction: Submarines are a fun and interesting topic to discuss for the Splash! theme. They are water vehicles that are meant to view the ocean from underneath, which provides a unique and thrilling experience to the riders. Books for display include any non-fiction books about submarines and ships. Suggested Books: ƒ Super Submarines by Tony Mitton ƒ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne ƒ Dolphins at Daybreak by Mary Pope Osborne ƒ The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snickett Suggested Music: Yellow Submarine album by the Beatles Pirates of the Caribbean Swashbuckling Sea Songs soundtrack by Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire soundtrack by Disney Getting Started Start your program by leading a discussion about submarines. You can present your material as a power point presentation or you could ask the group a series of questions. Sample questions to lead the discussion include: ƒ Who knows what a submarine is? ƒ Do you drive a submarine on the water or underneath the water? ƒ Will you get wet when you are inside the submarine? You can then share some fun facts about submarines or any other deep sea machines. Examples: ƒ The Canadian Navy was established in 1910. ƒ The toilet on a ship is called a head ƒ Canada just bought four new submarines ƒ Submarines eventually have to resurface for air for the people on board More facts from: http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms/5/5-a_eng.asp?id=701 Bringing a Focus Brainstorm together and discuss what you might see underneath the water if you were inside a submarine. Write the answers on a chart paper.

TD Summer Reading Club

98

Craft: A Submarine’s Window Kids can create their own submarine window and incorporate the animals and plants that they would like to see. You can play the CDs listed above as they complete their craft. Materials: • Paper Plates (two sets: ones with holes in the middle, ones without) • Blue tissue paper OR blue cellophane • Construction paper, shiny paper and/or markers • Glue • Scissors • Dried pasta (optional) Instructions: 1. Prepare enough paper plates for the group. Make sure each participant gets 1 paper plate with a hole in it and one without. 2. Ask the children to pick up the paper plate without the holes. The children are to draw or cut out the animals they would like to see from their window. 3. Glue the cellophane or tissue paper on the back of the plate with the holes in it. 4. Glue the two plates together. 5. Decorate the outside of the window with dried pasta Closing the Program If you choose, you can close the program by teaching the children the chorus of the Beatles song “Yellow Submarine.” It is a catchy song that was initially written for children.

TD Summer Reading Club

99

Bricks and Brains A LEGO Building Contest (Target Audience: All Ages) Approximate Time: 60-75 minutes Introduction: It’s always fun to build with LEGO, especially during the lazy days of summer. Bring LEGO to your library by sponsoring a building contest. Children design and construct a LEGO creation at home with their own bricks and bring it to the library on contest day. Instructions: Pre- Event 1. Devise short contest guidelines that work for your location and make them available to the public early in the summer. Post them on your library’s website and/or make up lots of flyers.

2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

7.

Suggested guidelines: A. Participants must use their own LEGO and their design should be no more than 20.5 x 35.6 cm and 5 cm high. B. Projects must be designed by the participant and may not come from a kit or a LEGO project found in a magazine or on-line. C. Group building submissions are acceptable; however, the finished design will be judged in the age category of the oldest team member. Choose between a themed or free-build style contest. To highlight the theme of this year’s summer reading club, a design requirement could be that submissions must have something to do with water. Choose contestant categories that work for you. Divide by age or grade level. Possible categories could be Preschool; 5-8 years; 9-12 years and over 12 years or Preschool; Grades K-2; Grades 3-4 and Grades 6-8. Decide how many children your library can register. Consider the size of your biggest programming space and the number of utility tables you have for displaying submissions on contest day. When choosing a day for the event, consider holding it toward the end of the summer so excitement can build. This program will be very popular if it’s promoted enough! Consider using it as your wrap-up event for the summer. Choose competition categories for the submissions. Some suggestions could be: First Place; Runner Up; Honourable Mention; Coolest Robot; Best Vehicle; Most Creative; Best Book or Movie Inspired Project; Best Architectural or Engineering Project; Funniest. Choose judges who will appreciate the high energy and exuberance this program will generate and who relate well to children. Compile a set of simple questions for the judges to ask each child, such as the child’s age; what their creation is called and if they built it by themselves.

TD Summer Reading Club

100

8. Choose simple prizes. The contest is mostly for fun, so prizes should be small. You may want to give all contestants a certificate or a ribbon. Books, dollars store toys or gift cards/certificates are some possible prizes. Instructions: Event Day 1. Have enough display tables available to accommodate the number of participants you’ve registered in each category. Make table signs for each of the age/grade levels in you competition so contestants know where to set up their creations. Consider having name tags for each of the competitors. 2. Display books from areas of your collection that would be inspiring to LEGO builders, such as architecture, machines, inventions, robots, vehicles, and any from the lists at the back of this manual if your contest is water themed. Don’t forget to highlight any books you might have about LEGO, such as Cool Cars and Trucks by Sean Kenney or Standing Small: A Celebration of 30 years of the LEGO Minifigure by Nevin Martell. 3. Once participants arrive and their creations have been set-up, welcome the contestants and spectators, introduce the judges and let your crowd view each other’s work as the judges go round the room. Keep it informal and fun. LEGO tends to bring out everyone’s enthusiasm and high spirits, so expect lots of explaining, demonstrating and discussion. 4. Approximately 15 minutes before the program is to end, begin announcing the winners of each of categories in each of the age divisions you have chosen.

TD Summer Reading Club

101

Silly Stuff To Use With Programs Or Outreach Silly Summer Time Best-Sellers ƒ The Campfire Cookbook by Burntu A. Crisp ƒ How To Plan Your Beach Vacation by Yul B. Sandy ƒ Insects No One Likes by Amos Keeta ƒ Noises in The Forest by Izzy Nervous ƒ Our Summer Time Romance by Luv E. Duvey ƒ The Poison Ivy Book by I.M. Scratchy ƒ Swim Like a Pro in 5 Easy Steps by Bea A. Fish Jokes Q: What’s a duck’s favourite food? A: Quackers Q: Why do ducks fly south for the winter? A: Because it is too far to walk Q: Where do fish keep their money? A: In the river bank Q: What do you call a fish with no eyes? A: Fsh Q: What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus? A: I wanna hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand Q: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? A: Open-toad Q: What does a frog do with paper? A: Rip-it Q: Why did the frog go to the hospital? A: Because he needed a hop-eration Q: What does a turtle use to talk to his friends? A: A shell-phone Q: What’s the worst kind of food to eat at the beach? A: A sand-wich Q: How did the escargot cross the ocean? A: By snail boat

TD Summer Reading Club

102

Q: Who do fish get to clean their rooms? A: Mermaids Q: What dessert do fish serve at parties? A: Crab cakes Q: Why don’t fish go away for the summer? A: Because they are always in school Q: What did the washer say to the drier? A: “Let’s go for a spin” Q: How do card sharks walk? A: They shuffle Q: How did the little goat stay dry in the rainstorm? A: He put on his raincoat Q: What do you call an umbrella that marches in a band? A.: A Drum-brella Q: Why does Duck’s roof leak when it rains? A: Because of all the Quacks in the roof Q: How do oceans make popcorn? A: By microwave Q: How does the ocean pay its water bill? A: With sand dollars Q: What did the waterfall say to the water fountain? A: ”You’re just a little squirt” Q: What’s the best farm animal for boxing? A: Duck Q: What do you call a male duck that floats? A: Buoyant Q: What do surfers do when the tide goes out? A: Wave goodbye Q: What did the river say to the ocean? A: “It’s been nice running into you” Q: Where does Santa go swimming?

TD Summer Reading Club

103

A: At the North pole Q: What comes after Thirsty? A: Friday, Saturday and Sunday! That’s a WEEK joke! Q: When should you wear your bathing suit to go horseback riding? A: When you’re riding a seahorse Q: What do you call a fish with two knees? A: A two-knee fish Q: What gets wetter the more it dries? A: A towel Q: What’s brown, hairy and wears sunglasses? A: A coconut on vacation Q: What does a shark eat with peanut butter? A: Jellyfish Q: Which are the strongest creatures in the ocean? A: Mussels A little turtle kept climbing a tall tree and jumping out, waving his arms before crashing to the ground. Two birds watched him do this over and over, before one turned to the other and said “Honey, I think its time to tell our son he’s adopted”! A duck walked into a drugstore, and asked the clerk for a chapstick. When the clerk asked “Cash or credit”? The duck said “Neither! put it on my bill.” Knock-Knock Jokes ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Canoe Canoe who? Canoe believe I’m back again?

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Cod Cod who? Cod your cold, and now my nose is running!

TD Summer Reading Club

104

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Kelp Kelp who? Kelp me! I can’t swim!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Shellfish Shellfish who? Shellfish of you to forget my name!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Water Water who? Water you doing wearing my favourite sweater?

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Whale Whale who? Whale never get there if you just stand around asking questions!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Lux Lux who? Lux like rain. Let me in!

ƒ

Knock-knock Who’s there? Saul T Salt T. who? Saul T. food makes me thirsty!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? ANITA Anita who? ANITA cold glass of water!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who's there! Water

TD Summer Reading Club

105

Water who? Water way to answer the door! ƒ

Knock, knock Who's there? Dishes Dishes who? Dishes a very bad joke!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who's there? Water. Water who? Water you doing in my house?

ƒ

Knock, knock Who's there? Yacht Yacht who? Yacht-a know me by now!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Anita Beth Anita Beth who? Anita Beth or a shower!

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Bubba Bubba who? Bubba bath.

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Claude Claude who? Not a Claude in the sky.

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Claudia Claudia who? Skies are getting Claudia.

TD Summer Reading Club

106

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Claudio Claudio who? Skies are now even Claudio.

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Michelle Michelle who? Michelle seashells by the seashore.

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Rose Rose who? Rose, rose, rose your boat gently down the stream.

ƒ

Knock, knock Who’s there? Marilee Marilee who? Marilee, Marilee, Marilee, Marilee, life is but a dream.

Tongue Twisters ƒ

There was a young fisher named Fischer, who fished for a fish in a fissure. The fish with a grin pulled the fisherman in. Now they’re fishing the fissure for Fischer.

ƒ

A noisy noise annoys an oyster.

ƒ

Five fat frogs fled from fifty fierce fish.

ƒ

Six smart sharp sharks.

ƒ

Wet Weather or Not. Would you rather wet weather or would you rather weather that wasn’t wet?

ƒ

Austin’s Awesome Oysters. Austin ate out and ordered eight oysters. It was odd for Austin to order oysters, although all eight oysters Austin ordered were awesome.

TD Summer Reading Club

107

ƒ

A selfish shellfish smelt a stale fish. If the stale fish was a smelt, Then the selfish shellfish smelt a smelt.

ƒ

Should a shad, shelling shrimps for a shark, Cease to shuck the shamed shrimps, who remark, “Serve us not without dressing! “Tis really distressing!”

ƒ

No shark shares swordfish steak.

ƒ

Swim Sam, swim, Show them you’re a swimmer! Six sharp sharks seek small snacks, So swim, Sam, Swim!

ƒ

Swan swam over the sea; Swim, swan, swim! Swan swam back again; Well swum, Swan!

ƒ

Sally’s selfish selling shellfish, so Sally’s shellfish seldom sell.

ƒ

Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

ƒ

If neither he sells seashells Nor she sells seashells, Who shall sell seashells? Shall seashells be sold?

ƒ

She sells sea shells on the sea shore; The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure. So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore, I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells.

ƒ

Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore. But if Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore then where are the sea shells Sally sells?

ƒ

She stood by Burgess's fish sauce shop welcoming him in.

ƒ

There are two minutes differences from four to two to two to two, from two to two to two, too.

ƒ

She saw a fish on the seashore and I'm sure The fish she saw on the seashore was a saw-fish.

TD Summer Reading Club

108

ƒ

A sailor went to sea To see, what he could see. And all he could see Was sea, sea, sea.

ƒ

Draw drowsy ducks and drakes.

ƒ

Fat frogs flying past fast.

ƒ

Six twin-screwed steel steam cruisers.

ƒ

Sure the ship's shipshape, sir.

ƒ

Fresh fish flash fried.

ƒ

Treacherous Trevor tracked trout.

ƒ

What got caught got canned, What escaped still swam!

ƒ

We walruses won’t wear winter Wool in warm weather.

TD Summer Reading Club

109

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Contests, Displays and Outreach Ideas

TD Summer Reading Club

Funny Caption Contest: Colour the picture and write a funny caption!

________________________________________________________________

TD Summer Reading Club

110

Water Words How many things can you use water for? List every usage of water that you can think of. 1._______________________

21.___________________________

2._______________________

22.___________________________

3._______________________

23.___________________________

4._______________________

24.___________________________

5._______________________

25.___________________________

6._______________________

26.___________________________

7._______________________

27.___________________________

8._______________________

28.___________________________

9._______________________

29.___________________________

10.______________________

30.___________________________

11._________________________

31.___________________________

12.______________________

32.___________________________

13.______________________

33.___________________________

14.______________________

34.___________________________

15._______________________

35.___________________________

16._______________________

36.___________________________

17._______________________

37.___________________________

18._______________________

38.___________________________

19._______________________

39. __________________________

20.________________________

40.___________________________

TD Summer Reading Club

111

TD Summer Reading Club

112

Contests Contests are great ways to keep kids engaged. You don’t need big prizes or even any at all, in some cases. Hidden Words How many hidden words can you find by rearranging the letters in the following words? __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

RAINDROP __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

LILYPAD __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Guess the Number of ______in the Jar Your library may choose this contest as an incentive to attract members. For little expense, you can fill a container with jelly beans, or jokes, or something else of your choosing that complements the summer theme. (Candy does seem to work well.) Every child that signs up for the summer reading club gets a ballot to guess the number of jelly beans in the jar. At the end of the summer, the child with the guess closest to the correct answer wins the jar.

TD Summer Reading Club

113

Display Ideas Aquarium Display: Transform A Display Case Into An Aquarium If you have a display case in the library create an eye catching aquarium. • • • • • •

Cover the bottom of the case with small rocks or sand. If you are using sand line the bottom with something first for an easy clean-up. Cover the back of the display case with blue tissue paper or blue cellophane. Tape different underwater creatures to the blue paper. Place plastic plants or trees on the bottom. Place different fish tank decorations around the case. Display books all about the sea and aquatic animals. Look for some ideas in the booklists at the end of this manual.

Adding Names To The Wall Of Fame Whether you put up names as children read 9 or more books, or you put up something every time a book is read, kids enjoying seeing their name up at the library. There are lots of ideas you can use as templates: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fish Beach ball A Splash of water Sailboat Life guard safety ring Starfish Seahorse Sailor's hat Seashell Lily pad Sun Beach Umbrella Tent Palm Tree Frog

Book Reporting – Name Game Children can collect Splash! themed “book reports.” This is how it works: each child receives a cut out shape, on which they complete their book report, write their first name, and post on the display board. Splash themed book reports should include the title of the book and reasons why he/she likes or dislikes the book.

TD Summer Reading Club

114

The items listed below are suggestions: • • • • • • • •

Clams Coral reef Dolphins Fish (tropical colourful fishes) Mermaid Scuba diver Shark Submarine

Reading River See A River Runs Through It (p.87) for an activity that results in a river in your library.

TD Summer Reading Club

115

Extend Your Programs Introduction: Sometimes you need extra activities in your programs to fill the time. Here are some suggestions. Craft: Gone Fishing Materials: • Cut out fishes from coloured construction paper • String or yarn • Straws • Crayons or markers • Tape Instructions: 1. Ask kids to decorate their coloured fish (use glitter, pompoms, stickers etc.) 2. Punch hole near mouth of fish 3. String fish 4. Take the other end of the yarn and tape onto straw Craft: Crab Materials: • Crab cut outs and pieces • Print image onto orange paper • Glue Instructions: 1. Ask kids to glue the appropriate body parts (arms, legs, eyes) onto the crab’s body 2. Optional: glue onto popsicle stick Craft: Fish Bowl Materials: • Templates for bowl and (coloured) fishes • Crayons or markers Instructions: 1. Ask the kids to identify the object – fish bowl 2. Ask the kids to identify the number of fishes and the colours

TD Summer Reading Club

116

3. Have the kids colour the fish bowl 4. Have the kids glue the fishes in sequence order Craft: Paper Plate Fishbowl Materials: • Googly Eyes • Tissue paper • Yarn • Paint • Glitter • Paper Plates • Plastic Wrap

Instructions: 1. Cut the paper plate, so that it looks like a fishbowl. 2. Have kids create an aquarium scene on the bottom of the plate. Then have them cut out fish shapes and attach to the bowl.

Our Earth (Target Audience: Ages 9-12) Instructions: 1. In this activity, explain to kids what the difference between endangered animals (animals that are becoming rare in the world, i.e., hawksbill turtle) and extinct animals (animals that no longer exist in the world). 2. Try to list endangered and extinct animals that live or used to live in water, near water, and animals that depend primarily on water for their survival. 3. Ask kids what sort of activities we could do to help our earth. 4. Give them a few ideas such as recycling, composting, making sure to throw out litter in the garbage, planting a tree. Other Ideas for Older Kids: Explore the different types of ocean careers. • Marine biologist: one who studies ocean life; organisms and their environment • Oceanographer: studies the geography of the ocean • Ocean engineer: develops tools to help study the ocean

TD Summer Reading Club

117

Eco Quiz Taken from, Oceans by Heather C. Hudak (Weigl Publishers Inc., 2006.) 1. How many oceans does the Earth have? List them. Show a map of the ocean 2. What are three things that make water move? 3. In which zones are the ocean’s deepest trenches located? 4. What is the world ocean’s average surface temperature? 5. All ocean animals belong to one of three groups. Name them. 6. What type of fish are sharks? 7. What three body parts do all crustaceans have? 8. How many sea turtles species live on Earth today? 9. Name three ways that ocean species can become endangered. Answers: 1. Five: Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Southern (Antarctic) 2. Waves, currents, tides 3. The Hadal zone 4. 63 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius 5. Plankton, nekton, benthos 6. Cartilaginous fish 7. Head, abdomen, and thorax 8. Seven 9. pollution, destruction, overharvesting, fishing net

TD Summer Reading Club

118

Participation Stories These work well with class visits, promoting the summer reading club, or as part of a regular program. For similar participation stories visit www.scoutingbear.com or http://macscouter.com/Stories/Participation.asp Participation Story: A Pirate Story Instructions: 1. Divide the group into seven teams 2. Assign each team one of the action words listed below. 3. Read the story. 4. After each of the action words are read, pause for the appropriate team to make their response. 5. You may wish to explain that “bosun” is an officer who looks after a ship's boats, ropes, sails, etc. Action Words: 1. Old Sea Pirate: Look out! 2. Bosun: Snore, snore 3. Black Cloud: Blow wind blow 4. Sea Gulls: Caw, caw (flapping arms) 5. Long John Silver: Aharrr maties 6. Polly Parrot: Polly wants a cracker 7. Croaky Crocodile: Tic Toc, Tic Toc (shake head) The Story: Once upon a time, there was an Old Sea Pirate___ and his Bosun___ who sailed out on the ocean blue in their sturdy ship the Black Cloud___. Far off in the distance he could hear the Sea Gulls____ cry. The Old Sea Pirate ____ and his Bosun ____ dropped anchor and fell fast asleep, after making sure all the hatches were secured on the Black Cloud____. Creeping up the side of the ship came Long John Silver____ and his pet, Polly Parrot____, looking for the treasure of the Old Sea Pirate____ and his Bosun____. Croaky Crocodile____, who had mistakenly swallowed a ticking clock, was searching for Long John Silver____. Just as Long John Silver_____ and Polly Parrot_____ discovered the treasure chest, Croaky Crocodile's____ ticking clock woke up the Old Sea Pirate____

TD Summer Reading Club

119

and his Bosun____ who thought it was Sea Gulls____ landing on the deck of the Black Cloud____. Long John Silver_____ grabbed a hold of Polly Parrot____ and turned to run. In his haste he tripped overboard, much to the glee of Croaky Crocodile____. The Old Sea Pirate_____ and his Bosun____ chased after them, but the Black Cloud____ rolled in the waves, clearing the deck of Sea Gulls____, the Old Sea Pirate____ and his Bosun____. I am told that the last anyone heard of all these characters were strange sounds in the night as the Sea Gulls____ flew overhead, followed by Long John Silver_____ and Polly Parrot____, chased by the Old Sea Pirate____ and his Bosun____, all frantically swimming away from Croaky Crocodile_____ with his ticking clock. To this very day, the Black Cloud____ is anchored far out at sea with its treasure chest still aboard. Participation Story: The Pirate Voyage Instructions: 1. Divide the group into six teams 2. Assign each team one of the action words listed below. 3. Read the story. 4. After each of the action words are read, pause for the appropriate team to make their response. Action Words: 1. Pirate(s) "Brave and daring" 2. Bluebeard Stroke beard and say, "Walk the plank!" 3. Fort Royal Stand up and say, "Land HO" 4. Ship or ships "Jolly roger" 5. Spanish Galleon(s) "Watch out!" 6. Sails or Sailing "Oh... my aching back!" Long, long ago before any of you were born, on a distant island called Tortuga, there lived a brave and daring group of people known as Pirates___. These Pirates___ were known for being skilled Seamen___ and for Sailing___ their Ships___. One day, the Pirates___ led by Bluebeard___, decided to set out on a perilous journey to find a new home in Fort Royal___. The Pirates___ loaded up their Ship___ with supplies and started Sailing___ towards Fort Royal___. For many days and nights, the Ship___ rolled and pitched through the stormy waters. Great Spanish Galleons___ sailed dangerously close to the Pirate___

TD Summer Reading Club

120

Ship___. Each time, Bluebeard ___ daringly steered his little band of pirates past the lumbering Spanish Galleons___. Working the sails____ fast and furiously, they managed to keep the Pirate___ Ship___ upright. Finally, after weeks of Sailing___ through the stormy seas and past all those treacherous Spanish Galleons___, the daring pirates___ led by Bluebeard___, in their Pirate___ Ship___ sighted Fort Royal___. With great joy, the Pirates___ continued Sailing___ until they heaved on to the shores of Fort Royal___. "No more Spanish Galleons___!" cheered Bluebeard ___. "No more Sailing___!" cheered the Pirates___. "No more Pirates___!" cheered the Ship___." Everyone was happy to be in Fort Royal___. And that is the story of how Bluebeard ___ and the Pirates___ settled Fort Royal___.

TD Summer Reading Club

121

TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Answers to Activities in Booklet

TD Summer Reading Club

Answers to Activities in Booklet Missing Letters (p. 3) Rain or shine it has you covered. Answer: Umbrella Shark Scramble! (p. 4) Answers: STARFISH WHALE SEAHORSE FISH STINGRAY BLUE CRAB GIANT SQUID Mystery shark: GREAT WHITE Hidden Word (p. 5) Answer: CANOE Summer Scrambles (p. 5) Some of these creatures are found in schools but what is the ocean’s smartest animal? CDO C (O D) ACPR CAR(P) ELSO SO(L)E EGHINRR (H)ERR(IN)G Answer: ODPLHIN DOLPHIN What is a really yummy summer treat?

TD Summer Reading Club

122

BEEIRSR BE(R)R(I)ES CEILOPPS POPSI(C)L(E) CNOR (C)ORN ADEELMNO LE(M)ON(A)D(E) Answer: RIC ECMAE ICE CREAM Hidden Word (p. 6) Answer: TADPOLE Crossword (p. 6) Across 2. SAND 3. RAIN 4. POOL Down 1. POND 2. SEAHORSE Missing Letters (p. 6) What kind of horse can swim underwater without coming up for air? Answer: seahorse

TD Summer Reading Club

123

Crossword (p. 7) Across: 1. MERMAID 3. FIREFLIES 6. TENT 7. PALM 8. WIND Down: 2. MARSHMALLOWS 4. FISHING 5. SUNSCREEN Mix and Match (p. 8) Famous bodies of water Answers: A-8, B – 1, C – 6, D – 2, E – 5, F – 10, G – 3, H – 4, I – 7, J – 9, Morse Code Message (p. 8) Answer: Help! I’m trapped in the library! A Fishy Mystery (p. 9) Q. What is the fish’s favourite game in the park? Scramble answers: 1. (S)AILING 2. SEAWE(E)D 3. BO(A)T 4. JELLYFI(S)H 5. AQU(A)RIUM 6. (W)ATER Answer: The SEASAW

TD Summer Reading Club

124

Sudoku (p. 9) Answer:

A Fishing Tale (p. 10) Sample answer: It was dark and stormy on the high seas. The little fishing boat was out so far that it would take days to get back to shore. But there was a mission at hand. Legend has it that the biggest fish in the whole world lived in these seas. The crew worked day and night, barely sleeping, searching the waters for this legendary fish. When the big storm hit, they were prepared, but it wasn’t enough. Three of the crew members were thrown overboard, never to be heard from again. And then they saw it. It was ten metres long and eight metres wide. It jumped over the little fishing boat, right over the remaining crew members’ heads. That was the last and only time they saw it. The storm calmed, and when the crew docked, no one believed their story. Hidden Animal (p. 10) Answer: Turtle

TD Summer Reading Club

125

Water Works Scramble (p. 10) Answers: FISHE(R)MAN SAIL(O)R CA(P)TAIN LIF(E)GUARD (S)URFER A very important tool on any boat or ship: ROPES

A Nautical Crossword (p. 11) Across: 1. COMPASS 3. AFT 5. FISHING 7. ERIE 9 . ANCHORS 11. SEAWEED 13 . SHARK 15. DECK 17. VESSEL 19. MAST Down: 2. 4. 6. 8. 11. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20.

SEAGULL MESSAGE LIFEJACKET ATLANTIC ISLAND OCTOPUS SHELLS WAVES RAFT OARS

TD Summer Reading Club

126