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Monday, January 19, 2015

Guest blog on Martin Luther King Day -- How Your Kids Can Make a Difference

 

 

This post from kateywrites (a wonderful blog on raising kids who read) arrived after yesterday’s blog was posted. 

THOUGHTS ON MOTHERHOOD, WRITING FOR KIDS, AND RAISING READERS.

RaisingReaders Monday: Martin Luther King, Junior Edition   

My daughters came home from school on Friday full of excitement for a long weekend. I asked my youngest if she knew why she had the day off on Monday. “It’s Martin Luther King Day,” she answered.

“Right,” I told her. Did you learn anything about Martin Luther King at school?”

“Yep,” said my kindergarten girl. “But I don’t remember everything. He was very nice. He wanted everyone to get along and be fair. And he had a very long speech.”

Not bad for a 5 year-old.

My eldest reminded her sisters that we had visited the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial during a trip to Washington D.C. last fall. Even at only 9 years old, she had been struck by the quotes carved in stone there – especially this one from Dr. King’s 1963 Strength to Love:

Panel C

courtesy of the National Park Service photo gallery

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

Listening to her try to explain that quote to her sisters, I was struck by the amazing ability of children to grasp big concepts, to feel big emotions, and to see deeper truth. We don’t give kids enough credit for those abilities.

And for too many kids, the resources needed to grow those abilities just aren’t there.

A new study by the Southern Education Foundation (widely publicized by an article in The Huffington Post) shows that over half of American public schoolchildren are living in poverty. According to FirstBook.org, “Most of these children have no age-appropriate books at home, and the classrooms and programs they attend are woefully under-resourced. Approximately two-thirds of these schools and programs cannot afford to buy books at retail prices.”

How do we fight the darkness of ignorance and illiteracy? What light do we have to shine for the 51% of American schoolchildren living in poverty, without adequate access to books?

This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I hope you will consider these words:

I said to my children, ‘I’m going to work and do everything that I can do to see that you get a good education. I don’t ever want you to forget that there are millions of God’s children who will not and cannot get a good education, and I don’t want you feeling that you are better than they are. For you will never be what you ought to be until they are what they ought to be.’
Martin Luther King, Jr. , 7th January, 1968

There are so many ways that you can help!

  1. Support literacy organizations like those on my Links to Like page.
  2. Donate books, money or time to your local library – or a library in a distressed/impoverished neighborhood.
  3. Contact school librarians to find out what help they need – is it books? money? time?
  4. Build or donate a Little Free Library in a community that needs books.
  5. Volunteer to read with students in an after-school program.
  6. Connect with classroom teachers through DonorsChoose.org – where you can find a classroom in need and donate money or supplies to help.
  7. Contact your government representatives to let them know that poverty, and literacy are important issues to you.

Enjoy your holiday, read a book with your children (here’s a great list of MLK Day books from Reading Rockets) and please share with us how you celebrate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in your home or community.

POSTED IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR, RAISING READERS, READ AND WRITE, VOLUNTEER

From: https://kateywrites.wordpress.com (check out her other posts).

Notes from Bridgewater Librarians:

More than 200 libraries in New Jersey collect books for kids in need every fall.  Collection boxes are in the Bridgewater Library lobby from November 1st – early December.

If you are looking for more great read-alouds for Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month – check out the books in these storytimes: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/search/label/Martin%20Luther%20King and these: http://www.smartbooksforsmartkids.com/happy-birthday-mlk-jr/ (another great website for book suggestions and author interviews)

Bridgewater Library Youth Services Blog–Martin Luther King Day Edition

 

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The Bridgewater Library will be open Martin Luther King Day 9-5 (unless opening is delayed due to weather)

Upcoming Programs for Kids at Bridgewater Library:

image_thumb16_thumb_thumbStorytime (For Ages 3-6, siblings welcome) Tuesdays  10:00 a.m. Second session at 1:30pm.
  
Toddler Time (For Ages 18 months-36 months) Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m., repeats at 11:00 a.m.  Also Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
 
Baby Time (For ages birth - 18 months) Thursdays  9:30 a.m. No Registration Required for any of these.  Join us for stories, songs, movement and fun!  Please come to the program most age-appropriate for your child.

image_thumb8Rocket Readers (for grades 1 – 2)  Tuesday, January 20  From 4:30 – 5:30.  Henry and Mudge and the Snowman Plan By Cynthia Rylant  Join Henry, his dog Mudge, and his father as they enter a snowman building contest at the local park. Will they be able to build a snowman worthy of winning a prize? Registration required. 

Lego Club  (For grades K - 6) Thursday January 22nd from 4:30-5:30 Registration is required. Get together with other LEGO-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time!Library LEGOS will be available for building, so you do not need to bring your own.  Please Note: We are sorry, but no siblings between 6 months and 5 years are allowed to join us. Parents should plan to stay in the Lego room if their child is 5 years old.



image_thumb5Music & Movement (Ages birth-3 years) Monday January 26th 9:45 am. Repeats at 10:30. Registration required and begins January 12. Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and feel the beat of a fun, lively music class!  Led by Beth Stone of Kids' MusicRound.


Toddler Art Class (ages 2-6) Monday, January 26th 4:30-5:15 PM
Enjoy the tactile wonders of paint, glitter, glue and more! Registration is required and begins on January 12.


Mock Caldecott Committee: "You Be the Judge!" (Grades K-6)Tuesday, January 27th 4:30 PM-5:30 PM Registration is required and begins January 13th. Become a member of our 2015 Mock Caldecott Committee -- vote for which book you think should win the Caldecott Award for the most notable illustrations. When the official Caldecott Award selections are released on February 2nd, we'll see if ours won!

Groundhog Day & Shadowplay Singalong (all ages) Monday February 2nd, 10:00-11:00 am. We'll share seasonal songs in honor of that fuzzy fugitive. No registration required.



Family Night Storytime (All Ages) Monday, February 2nd 6 pm. Wear your PJs to our all ages storytime! No registration required.

Sensory-Friendly Art Class (Ages 5-12) Wednesday, February 4, 4:30 pm-5:00 pm. Registration is required and begins January 21.  This sensory-friendly art class is designed for kids who do better in smaller, slow-paced programs. Children will explore art through creative activities at various stations.

Tail Waggin' Tutors (Ages 4+) Children Reading to Dogs. Thursday, February 19th   4-5pm. Registration in-person or by phone only. Registration begins January 29th. Repeats on Tuesday February 24th. Come to the Bridgewater Library for Tail Waggin’ Tutors, where children will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading a story to Xena the Therapy Dog, a friendly, eight-year-old chocolate labradoodle.  Each child will have 10 minutes to read a favorite story to his or her new, canine friend.

Play Group (Birth to 3 years) Monday February 9th.  10am. No registration required. Come and play with toys, dance to music, and make new friends!

Baby Loves to Boogie! (Ages birth to 18 months) Monday, February 9 at 4:00 pm. Registration required and begins on January 26. Babies get your groove on! Join us for this new program that unites creative movement and storytime songs. Caregivers please wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be moving just as much as your child!


Matisse at MOMA: Valentine's Day Craft (ages 4-10) February 11th, 4:30-5:30 PM. Learn about this artist and make Valentine's Day cards for your family and friends inspired by his wonderful collages. Registration is required and begins January 28th.


Upcoming Programs for Tweens & Teens at Bridgewater Library:

image_thumb14Melted Crayon Art: An Expression of You Thursday, January 22, 7pm-8pm, grades 7-12. Registration is required. Make dazzling, colorful art by melting crayons. The theme is ‘all about me,’ so make sure your picture represents you!

image_thumb16Filmmaking: News Clips on the New Year Saturday, January 24, 12pm-4:30pm, ages 13-18. Registration is required and begins on January 2. Learn the basics of filmmaking and editing video. Ask patrons about their new year’s resolutions for the year 2015. After shooting video, we’ll compile the video clips! Community service hours will be awarded for your time helping the library. We will break midway, so bring a snack!

Tween Book Club: Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (Grades 4-6) Monday, January 26  7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Registration is required. Come to our very first Tween Book Club! This month we’ll discuss: Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis. Stop by the Youth Services desk beginning December 15 to pick up a copy!


Teen Advisory Board (For students in grades 7-12) Tuesday January 27th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Registration required. Teens, your opinion matters! Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? If so, then come to one of our TAB meetings. Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!

image_thumb18Tween Craft: Puffy Paint Friendship Bracelets (Grades 4-6)Wednesday, January 28 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Registration is required and begins January 7. What do you get when you mix friendship bracelets and puffy paint? The coolest bracelets ever! Come make some for you and your friends! All supplies will be provided by the library.


Teen Lock-In: Summer in the Winter Friday, January 30, 7pm-10pm, grades 7-12. Registration is required and begins on January 9.  Get locked in the library after hours! We’ll watch movies, play games, eat snacks, make crafts, and much more! Wear your pajamas (if you’d like) and be prepared to experience the library like never before! PLEASE NOTE: No admittance after 7:15pm, Advance notice required if a teen must leave program early (please call us at 908-526-4016 x126).

Tween Volunteers (Grades 4-6) Monday, February 2
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration is required and begins January 5. 
Make a difference by volunteering at the library! Help out with special projects and earn community service hours.

Movie and a Sundae: The Maze Runner Tuesday, February 3, 6pm-8:30pm, grades 7-12. Registration is required and begins January 6.   Stop by Bridgewater Library to catch a showing of The Maze Runner and eat an ice cream sundae! Run time: 113 minutes  MPAA: PG-13. MPAA explanation: thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-maze-runner

Sensory-Friendly Art Class (Ages 13-18) Wednesday, February 4, 5:15 pm-5:45 pm. Registration is required and begins January 21. This sensory-friendly art class is designed for teens who do better in smaller, slow-paced programs. Teens will explore art through creative activities at various stations.

Tween Harry Potter Party (Grades 4-6) Friday, February 6th 6:00-8:00 PM. Expecto Patronum! Did you know that February 5th is Harry Potter Book Night? To join in the fun, we'll be celebrating all things wizardly at our Tween Party! Whether you're a new or lifelong Harry Potter fan, join us for games, crafts, movies and snacks! Costumes are encouraged!
No admittance after 6:15 PM. Advance notice required if tween must leave the program early. Registration is required and begins on January 16th.

Practice SAT- Presented by Kaplan (Students in Grades 7-12)Saturday, February 7, 9am-2pm. Registration is required and begins on January 16. Are you taking the SAT this spring? A free practice test is one of the best ways to get ready for the real thing! By taking this practice test, you will learn exactly what to expect on test day receive a complete individual analysis of your results, which will be mailed to you in 7-10 business days following the test.Don’t forget a #2 pencil and calculator!PLEASE NOTE: No admittance after 9:15am.

Tween Advisory Board (Grades 4-6) Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm.Registration is required and begins January 13. Earn community service hours by making the library a better place for you and your fellow Tweens! Come tell us what books, movies, video games, and programs you’d like at the library!


AROUND THE COMMUNITY:

Things to Do on MLK Day

MLK Day is an official day of service. Get the family involved and make a difference in your own community by spending this January 19 volunteering.

CELEBRATE MLK JR. DAY @ THE NEWARK MUSEUM

For schedule of events, click here. Enter to win two tickets courtesy of Jet Blue Airways.

12 Fun Winter Activities for Kids

It's cold out there, but that doesn't mean the kids should be lumps on the couch. Show them these fun activities and they'll be running for their coats!


How to Keep Kids From Losing Mittens & Gloves

Winter means you probably spend 20 minutes in the morning searching for the left mitten that's lost in a snowdrift. Here are tips to keep them from getting separated.


BRING THE FAMILY TO GO MAPLE SUGARING IN THE GREAT SWAMP!

www.morrisparks.net

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The Children's Museumprograms in the Cafeteria at the PeopleCare Center 120 Finderne Ave.Bridgewater, NJ 08807  908-725-4677

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Morris Museum Logo

VISIT SUPPORT EXHIBITIONS THEATRE ART CLASSES

Children's Theatre   view all>

apple circus

Dikki's Circus Circus Show
Monday, January 19, 11:00am and 1:30pm

Join Dikki Ellis for a day of magic, music, and mayhem.


Alice in Wonderland

Saturday, February 7, 11:00am and 1:30pm. Pushcart Players

Part of the Chocolate Family Festival

Filled with Lewis Carroll's brilliant nonsense, madcap characters and Pushcart's whimsical music, design and direction, this production offers a precious theatre experience that young viewers will long remember. 

Herb Gardner's Ground Hog Day Jam

Monday, February 2, 8:00pm

It's time for the annual Ground Hog Day Jam at the Bickford Theatre!  For the 13th year, join Herb Gardner with his bouncing Swing and Dixieland style.  By popular request, this year's jam will once again bring more Gardners to the Bickford stage as both Abbie and Sarah Gardner add their vocal and guitar talents to the mix. Randy Reinhart, Joe Licari, James Chirillo, Mike Weatherly, and Robbie Scott will also be featured. 

http://www.morrismuseum.org

Morris Museum | 6 Normandy Heights Road | Morristown | NJ | 07960

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE THEATER (from Ruth Ross njartsmaven.com)

 

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http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/pdfs/4h-2015-Train-Show-Winter.pdf


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http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/pdfs/4h-2015-Astronomy-Adventure.pdf

UP NEXT AT McCARTER: LAURIE BERKNER BAND AND SID THE SCIENCE KID ONSTAGE

Laurie Berkner Band2_photo credit Jayme ThorntonLAURIE BERKNER BAND
WHEN: SATURDAY, JAN. 24 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM

WHERE: Matthews Stage, 91 University Pl., Princeton
TICKETS: $25.00 - $35.00
Through her six albums, her status as a longtime fixture of TV’s Noggin (now Nick Jr.), numerous DVDs, music videos and more, Laurie Berkner has led the vanguard of the progressive “kindie rock” revolution. Berker’s energetic and family-friendly sounds speak to kids without talking down to them, charming  kids of all ages (parents too). Berkner, a Princeton native, will be joined  by her longtime collaborators Adam Bernstein, Susie Lampert, and Bob Golden in old and new hits, including songs from her Rocketship CD and her DVD, Party Day. (Photo: Jayme Thornton)

Sid_29JIM HENSON’S SID THE SCIENCE KID. SID THE SCIENCE KID LIVE!
WHEN: SATURDAY, FEB. 7 – 3:00 PM
WHERE: Matthews Stage
TICKETS: $20.00 - $30.00
With wonders to discover, Sid the Science Kid and his friends set off on a day of excitement and adventure, as they explore their five senses through fun games and experiments and by asking curious questions and finding fascinating answers. Teacher Susie is also along to keep the music flowing as the kids explore the world around them with audience interactive activities, cooperative problem solving and plenty of laughs to go around SID THE SCIENCE KID LIVE! will have the whole family exploring, dancing, and excited to figure out more about the great unknown together

For more information, call the Ticket Office at 609.258.2787; email sales@mccarter.org, or visit our website at www.mccarter.org.


"When I walked into the room on the first day of the EACH program, I was nervous about possibly being the youngest and least professional among a group of teenagers who excelled in art. However, it took just a few minutes for me to realize that neither the age nor the amount of artistic experience we had mattered. All of us immediately became friends, seeing that we all shared a common love for a variety of art." Rachel Greenberg, EACH Alumni.  Visit EACH at http://www.yanj-yaep.og/emerging-artists-creativity-hub/

LET YOUR FINGERS DO MORE WALKING:

Infants Too Young For Vaccines Catch Measles From Unvaccinated Children At Disneyland IFLSCIENCE.COM

Nine cases of measles have so far been recorded in an outbreak in California and Utah, and the number is expected to rise. It is thought that many of the infections...

HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG
Why to Avoid TV Before Age 2

The problem lies not only with what toddlers are doing while they’re watching TV; it’s what they aren’t doing. Specifically, children are programmed to learn from interacting with other people.  Read More.

Southwest: The Magazine

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Interesting article from Southwest Airlines Magazine on the dangers of too much flattery for kids.  Read More. 


Please, Stop Calling Students Lazy.

IMG_1712I hate it when teachers call their students lazy. Or when they refer to having the class from “Hell”. When teachers say that do they really know what they’re saying? I’m offended when I hear that. I think a student’s parents would be offended to hear it. What about the students themselves?  If a teacher thinks that poorly of their student or class, do we think that can be easily hidden?

I’ve actually never met a lazy student. Bored? Yep. Disengaged? Yep. Unmotivated by irrelevant academic hoops? Yep. But lazy? No.  Read More.

Ivy League’s meritocracy lie: How Harvard and Yale cook the books for the 1 percent

Ivy League's meritocracy lie: How Harvard and Yale cook the books for the 1 percentMinnie Driver and Matt Damon in "Good Will Hunting" (Credit: Miramax Pictures)

Excerpted from "The Tyranny of the Meritocracy: Democratizing Higher Education in America"

A special lottery is to be held to select the student who will live in the only deluxe room in a dormitory. There are 100 seniors, 150 juniors, and 200 sophomores who applied. Each senior’s name is placed in the lottery 3 times; each junior’s name, 2 times; and each sophomore’s name, 1 time. What is the probability that a senior’s name will be chosen?

Does this kind of question look familiar? For most of you, it probably does: it represents just one of the nearly two hundred questions that presently make up the SAT. (The answer, by the way, is 3/8, or 37.5 percent, for those among us who prefer percentages to fractions.) For nearly a century, universities across the country have used SAT scores and other quantifiable metrics to make decisions about admitting one candidate versus another—decisions that can have far-reaching impact on both the admitted and declined candidates’ educational, social, professional, and financial futures. On the basis of what? we might ask.  Read more.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR TEACHERS OF THE HOLOCAUST

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The Holocaust film that was too shocking to show

In 1945, overseen by by Alfred Hitchcock, a crack team of British film-makers went to Germany to document the full horror of the concentration camps. Despite being hailed as a masterpiece, the film was never released. Now, after 70 years, the...

THEGUARDIAN.COM|BY STUART JEFFRIES

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/09/holocaust-film-too-shocking-to-show-night-will-fall-alfred-hitchcock

"[the film] will be broadcast globally on Jan. 27, the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Intl. Holocaust Remembrance Day. The film, produced by Sally Angel and Brett Ratner, will air on HBO in the U.S." at the Variety website:http://variety.com/.../holocaust-doc-night-will-fall.../     Holocaust Doc 'Night Will Fall' Gets Global Broadcast