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Week of June 2 - Let's Start Reading!

Want a fun way to keep up with how much reading you have done this summer? Make a towering castle! 

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MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:

* Masking tape and/or thumb tacks

* A wall

* 2 pieces of standard poster board, any color

* Black and/or yellow construction paper for door and windows

* Red and brown construction paper for bricks

   (You can use other colors if you would like- I love creativity!)

* Tape or putty or glue

* Marker or pen

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using the masking tape or thumb tacks, affix one piece of poster board vertically to your wall.

2. Cut out a door and some windows for your castle. You choose the shape and size, but wait until the

    castle is fully "bricked" before you place them on. You can always rewrite a book name if you cover it.

3. Cut your construction paper into 4" x 6" rectangular "bricks" (Yea, math!). You will also need some

     4" x 3" "half" bricks to place on the beginning or end of each row-to give it that staggered effect.

4. For every book you read (or that is read to you) this summer, use the marker or pen to write the title of

     the book on the brick. If you can't write yet, just draw a picture on each brick.  

5. Use the tape, putty, or glue to affix your brick to the poster board to "build" your castle wall. 

6. Once you fill up the castle (that will be over 20 books-WOW!) then tape on the windows and door.

7. Summer isn't over yet, so keep reading. Fold the other piece of poster board in half the long way. like a

     hot dog, and cut along the fold. Use these two pieces to build towers on both sides of your castle. Fill

     them with bricks too! 

8. I want to see how big your castle is, so be sure to tag Grant Public Library when you share your castle

     pictures on Facebook each week.

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Remember, you can still check books out from the library. Use the "search card catalog" button above to find which books you want. Then reserve them online, call, or email the library with your list. 

Week of June 9 - Epic Adventure: Myths and Legends

Click the "Create" button below to make your own coat of arms! Scroll down until you see "Grab your free coat of arms printable"

COAT OF ARMS FACTS FOR KIDS

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A coat of arms is a unique design painted on a shield. These designs may be inherited, meaning that they pass from a father to his children. In the Middle Ages, these designs were shown on real shields, but today they are usually only drawn or painted on the paper that makes them legal which is called a grant of arms. The grant of arms is usually allowed only when it is given by the government of a country or its agent. In England, this is called the College of Arms and in Scotland is called the Lord Lyon.

Coats of arms are normally issued for real people but nowadays lots of countries and businesses also have coats of arms. Each symbol on the coat of arms will represent something that has an important meaning to that person, country or company.

Background

The ancient Greek hoplites used individual insignia on their shields. The ancient Romans used similar insignia on their shields, but these identified military units. The first evidence of medieval coats of arms has been attributed to the 11th century Bayeux Tapestry in which some of the combatants carry shields painted with crosses. However, that heraldic interpretation remains controversial.

Heraldry

Coats of arms came into general use by feudal lords and knights in battle in the 12th century. By the 13th century, arms had spread beyond their initial battlefield use to become a flag or emblem for families in the higher social classes of Europe, inherited from one generation to the next. Exactly who had a right to use arms, by law or social convention, varied to some degree between countries. In the German-speaking regions both the aristocracy and "burghers" (non-noble free citizens) used arms, while in most of the rest of Europe they were limited to the aristocracy. The use of arms spread to the clergy, to towns as civic identifiers, and to royally chartered organizations such as universities and trading companies. Flags developed from coats of arms, and the arts of vexillology and heraldry are closely related. The coats of arms granted to commercial companies are a major source of the modern logo.

Traditions and usage

In the heraldic traditions of England and Scotland, an individual, rather than a family, had a coat of arms. In those traditions coats of arms are legal property transmitted from father to son; wives and daughters could also bear arms modified to indicate their relation to the current holder of the arms. Undifferenced arms are used only by one person at any given time. Other descendants of the original bearer could bear the ancestral arms only with some difference: usually a colour change or the addition of a distinguishing charge. One such charge is the label, which in British usage (outside the Royal Family) is now always the mark of an heir apparent or (in Scotland) an heir presumptive. Because of their importance in identification, particularly in seals on legal documents, the use of arms was strictly regulated; few countries continue in this today. This has been carried out by heralds and the study of coats of arms is therefore called "heraldry". In time, the use of arms spread from military entities to educational institutes, and other establishments.

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In his book, The Visual Culture of Violence in the Late Middle Ages, Valentin Groebner argues that the images composed on coats of arms are in many cases designed to convey a feeling of power and strength, often in military terms. The author Helen Stuart argues that some coats of arms were a form of corporate logo. Museums on medieval armoury also point out that as emblems they may be viewed as precursors to the corporate logos of modern society, used for group identity formation.

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When knights were encased in armor that no means of identifying them was left, the practice was introduced of painting their insignia of honor on their shield as an easy method of distinguishing them. Originally these were granted only to individuals, but were afterward made hereditary in England by King Richard I, during his crusade to the Holy Land.

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Reprinted from the Kiddle Encyclopedia (https://kids.kiddle.co/Coat_of_arms)

Week of June 16 - Tales to be Told: Under the Sea

Make an ocean in a bottle

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You will need:

* Clear plastic water bottle with cap

* Water

* Cooking oil

* Blue food coloring

* Funnel

* Strong tape or hot glue gun

* Optional: small toys that can fit in bottle

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Instructions:

1. Fill bottle a little less than 1/2 full of water.

2. Add food coloring and shake a little to mix

3. If you are adding optional items, do so now.

4. Using the funnel, fill the remainder of the bottle with oil. Leave about 2 inches at the top - this helps the "waves" roll.

5. Screw the lid on tightly. 

6. Secure the lid with heavy tape or glue. 

7. Move the bottle to watch the waves.

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Because oil and water do not mix, the movement of the two separate liquids within the bottle gives the illusion of waves. Try different colors and make a rainbow of oceans!

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Talk about science!

Why doesn't the oil and water mix together? 

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Water molecules have a positive charged end and a negative charged end. The positive end of one water molecule is attracted to the negative end of another water molecule. So, like a magnet, opposites attract. 

The oil molecule doesn't have the positive and negative ends like the water molecules.

This means that oil molecules are more attracted to each other and the water molecules are more attracted to each other. So the two never mix. This is known as being immiscible

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Bonus question: When you turn the bottle, why does the water always end up on the bottom and the oil always ends up on the top?

Click on the print button to print your bookmarks. If you are using a mobile device, then you can just click on the picture to print.

Week of June 23 - Explore New Worlds: Far Off Places

The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

Many myths and legends surround the Chinese Zodiac.

Here is one version of the story:

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Long ago in China, the Jade Emperor decided that a way of

measuring time should be established. So he ordered that all

of the animals would compete in a swimming race. The first

twelve animals that crossed the finish line would be the winners.

Each animal would have a year of the zodiac named after them. 

All of the animals lined up on the bank of the river. The rat and cat were very good friends but they were not good swimmers. So, they asked the ox if he would carry them. The kind ox agreed and soon he took the lead in the race. When they were very close to the bank the rat pushed the cat into the river and jumped off of the ox's back to win the race. The Jade Emperor congratulated the rat and assigned the first year of the zodiac as The Year of the Rat. The poor, kind ox was assigned the second year of the zodiac - The Year of the Ox.

Next to cross the finish line was the very tired tiger. He had found the river to be very strong and it was difficult for him to swim quickly. The Emperor named the third year of the zodiac The Year of the Tiger.

The rabbit came ashore next. He actually didn't swim across the river. Instead he hopped across on some stones and finally landed on a log which floated to the shore. The Emperor found the rabbit very clever and named the fourth year of the zodiac The Year of the Rabbit.

Just then the dragon fly to the river bank. The Emperor asked him what took him so long, since he could fly after all! The dragon explained that he had stopped to make rain for some animals and people who were thirsty. The Emperor thanked the dragon for his kindness and assigned the fifth year of the zodiac as The Year of the Dragon.

Next in sight was the horse. Just as he almost got to shore, a sneaky snake wriggled past him. The snake took sixth place and the horse came in seventh.

Not long after a raft appeared carrying the goat, monkey, and rooster. They explained to the Emperor that the rooster had found the raft and the goat had worked to clear weeds and the monkey had push it into the river. so they all had shared the raft. The Emperor was very happy that the animals had worked together. He assigned the goat eighth place, the monkey ninth, and the rooster tenth.

The dog arrived on shore next. The Emperor was confused as to why the dog, a very good swimmer indeed, was so late. The dog explained that the enjoyed the clean water in the river so much that he had decided to stop and have a bath! So the eleventh year of the zodiac is The Year of the Dog.

There was only one more place left in the zodiac. After quite a long wait the boar finally came ashore. He explained that he had taken so long because he had stopped to eat and take a nap! The final year of the zodiac was named The Year of the Boar.

What happened to the cat who was pushed into the water by his friend the rat? He finally manged to crawl out of the water, but he was too late. He was very angry with the rat and that is why cats and rats have never been friends since!

Click above for fire-breathing dragon craft

Click below for Chinese Zodiac printable bookmarks

Week of June 30 - The Story of Independence Day

Firework Salt Painting Craft

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You will need:

* Table salt

* Dark paper

* Pencil or marker

* Watercolor

* Paint brush

* White glue

* Newspaper to cover your work surface

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1. Cover your work surface with newspaper

2. Lay the dark paper on the newspaper

3. Draw your fireworks design with the pencil or marker

4. Put a THICK line of glue over your design

5. Sprinkle lots of salt all over the glue

6. Use a lot of water to wet the watercolors

7. Drip the paint onto the salt: don't brush on, it will smear

8. Be sure to watch the colors explode as they bleed across the salt- just like fireworks!

9. Let dry completely

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If you want your artwork to last longer, then try spraying it with a thin layer of hairspray after it has dried completely.

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Want to learn more about Independence Day? Watch this cool video from PBS Kids.

Click on the logo to watch.

Click here to make your own sparklers for the Fourth of July!

Week of July 7 - Tell Your Story

Click on the print button to print your book. If you are using a mobile device, then you can just click on the picture to print.

Tell the story of your family by printing the "My Family's Story" book. Answer the questions and illustrate the pages to make a keepsake book for your family. Put the pages in any order you choose (it is YOUR story after all) and staple together.

Be sure to complete this

family tree craft and add it to your book as well. 

Week of July 14 - Tiny Tales - Learning about germs

BLUE CHALK CHALLENGE

Coat your hands with blue chalk (germs). Hold a ball with your "germy" hands and pass it to your child(ren). It is best if the ball if blue also; this will help show how easily germs can hide on surfaces. Take a look at everyone's hands. Everyone should have some blue chalk on their hands. Talk about how easily germs spread and the importance of washing our hands so we don't spread germs.

HAND WASH CHALLENGE

Sprinkle everyone's hands with turmeric "germs". Have everyone wash their hands in the sink. Give each participant a large clear bowl of water. Ask then to put their clean hands in the bowl and clean them some more. If the water in the bowl turns yellow then your hands weren't actually clean after you washed them in the sink.

Use one of these videos to help teach your kids about proper hand washing.

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REMEMBER: Turmeric can stain skin and clothing

Check out these cool websites for more germ-busting and Coronavirus information!

Week of July 21 - Tooth Fairy Tales

Throughout the years traditions and myths have surrounded lost teeth. Many stories are told about fairies as well. In America, myth and legend have combined to create the story of the Tooth Fairy. Legend says that when children lose a tooth they leave it for the Tooth Fairy to collect. In exchange, the Tooth Fairy will leave the child money. Some people leave the tooth under their pillow. Others leave the tooth in a special pouch or box so it is easy for the tooth fairy to find. Here is a cute, simple way for you to make your own tooth fairy box!

2 + 2 = A great smile!

Brush your teeth 2 times each day

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes each time

(Don't forget to floss!)

Click on the fairy above to find loads of coloring pages, a tooth brushing calendar, and some fun things for adults to print as well.

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 Click on the pictures below for cool tooth-brushing timers and a tooth-brushing song to help with counting 2 minutes of brushing time.

Week of July 28 - Unicorns

Unicorns: Fact or Myth

Here are some "facts" believed about unicorns over the centuries.

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* The unicorn was first described in the fourth century when the Greek physician Ctesias wrote down travelers' tales. He stated, "There are in India certain wild [mules] which are as large as horses, and larger. Their bodies are white, their heads dark red, and their eyes dark blue. They have a horn on the forehead which is about a foot and a half in length." 

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* The unicorn was described in ancient times as a fierce, massive beast who was so fast that none could capture it.

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* The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote in his book Natural History, "the body of a horse, the head of a stag, the feet of an elephant, the tail of a boar, and a single black horn three feet long in the middle of its forehead."

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* Unicorn horns were believed to protect from poison and disease.

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* During the Middle Ages cups were made from unicorn horns for the very wealthy

to protect them from poisoned drinks.

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* If one believes that unicorns really did exist during ancient times, then it is possible that

they may have been hunted to extinction due to the high price unicorn horns fetched.

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* The horns that were sold to people in ancient times

were most likely rhinoceros horns or narwhal tusks.

Summer fun is coming to an end, but before we go we have to make a few more fun crafts! 

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Make a cute keepsake to remember this summer with your little ones.

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Create one more bookmark to make sure we keep reading.

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Last, but certainly not least, we will end the summer with the tradition of making......SLIME!