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Monday, Mar 1, 2021 | View in browser
Celebrate Women's History Month with a great book. This Women's History Month booklist has great reads about celebrating the role women played in history to share with your kids.
Meet Claudette Colvin in this 2013 Democracy Now! video. She began to change the world on March 2, 1955 (66 years ago tomorrow) at 15 years old. She was arrested 9 months before Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white woman. Reserve a book about her to learn more or read this Women's History Museum article. Just think of all the role models our kids have yet to meet!
Looking for an activity to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8? Reach out to an older woman you know -- a teacher, a family friend, or grandmother. Ask them about their childhood:
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- Who was your childhood heroine?
- What do you remember about most about being a little child?
Pi is the circumference of any circle divided by the diameter of that circle. In decimal form, the value of pi is approximately 3.14, so Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th! You can celebrate too:
Make pie with Ms. Kim! Her video takes you through two kinds of pie and two pi/pie wonderful books!
Enjoy a play dough or felt pie activity for sharing fractions with your kids.
To celebrate all things circles, you can watch the Cade Museum's tambourine craft and song and follow along with little ones.
You might have heard of Wassily Kandinsky's famous circle painting. As a pioneer of abstract art, Kandinsky often used unique color and shape combinations. For a simple activity using materials you may already have at home, see this Kandinsky Circles Craft.
Check out these fun and educational experiences:
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March Zoom Time for Two's! Calling all 2-year-old kids and their caregivers for this 4-week class of joyous song and stories! Tuesdays, beginning March 2, 10:30 am. Register.
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March Zoom All by Myself! Ages 3-5. Come listen to books and make a craft with Ms. Kim in this fun 4-week storytime. Wednesdays, beginning March 3, 11 am Register or 1:30 pm. Register.
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Fridaypalooza! Cuentos bilingües: Infants to age 5.This weekly storytime is bilingual English/Spanish. Join Miss Rosie for music, interesting stories, and fun rhymes for younger audiences. Friday, March 5, 10:30 am Register and Friday, March 12, 10:30 am. Register.
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Hola Friends! Cuenta Cuentos: Bilingual Storytime for all levels of Spanish. Ages 8 and up. Monday, March 8, 4 pm Register and Monday, March 15, 4 pm. Register.
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Seed Ball Kit: Helping Mother Nature Spread Love: As part of our Climate Resilient Communities Series, we are creating a kit to teach how and where to use seed balls and the importance of native plants. Kits available for pickup while supplies last at the Main Library or Robert Crown Branch Library. More details here. Saturday, March 13, and Monday, March 22.
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Nature Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around Evanston searching for various natural items. Once you've learned about plants, trees, pollinators and local fauna, come to the Main Library or the Robert Crown Branch Library to collect a nature-related prize. More details here. March 27-April 5.
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Virtual Board Games: Kids in grades 3-5 can join us for a night of virtual board games using Discord and Board Game Arena. Saturday, March 27, 4 pm. Register.
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Locomotion Book Discussion: 4th-6th graders. Register now for this discussion of Jacqueline Woodson's award winning, fast-paced verse novel Locomotion. Woodson is the winner of the Children's Literature Legacy Award. Pick up a copy of the book at the library starting March 8 (free paperback copies while supplies last) or place a hold on the book here. Monday, March 29, 3 pm. Register.
- More Spring Break programs! The Kids Newsletter on March 15 will feature all the fun things we have planned for your kids over Spring Break (including a Preposterous Pilkey Party). Don't miss it!
In honor of National Respect Your Cat Day on March 28, grab a good cat book! Here are some great children's books starring cats! You can also sing a silly cat song with Mr. Brian.
Want to share your cat with us? Fill out this form. We'll make a compilation video and post it to the library's YouTube page!
Make your own cat! In honor of our furry friends, learn to fold an origami cat face. Or learn how to draw a cat, regardless of your art skills, following this easy guide.
We are about to mark a full year now of change, disruption, sorrow, and growth that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. Help kids to notice this anniversary and share some feelings about it. In the next year we can continue coping by:
- keeping a sense of humor and perspective
- looking for the good things
- connecting with others, safely
- going outside every day for some nature time
- acknowledging how hard it has been. Honor yourself, too, for what you've been doing to support your kids. Learn more:
Mental Health is Essential: Childhood Grief and Trauma: Join us for the third installment in this yearlong series of monthly programs aimed at supporting community mental health. Learn about adverse childhood experiences, how kids grieve, and coping techniques that can help relieve stress. Tuesday, March 9, 7 pm. Register.
Everyone can benefit from some Monster Meditation from Sesame Street!
Evanston Covid Remembrance Day. Volunteers for the Floral Heart Project will be laying floral hearts across America in recognition of those lost to COVID-19 and in loving support for everyone suffering. These floral hearts are a tribute to those who have died, and a message of hope and love for those grieving in this moment. They also speak to our deep gratitude for all healthcare workers who have given so much this past year. Floral Heart Project displays can be seen at NorthShore Evanston Hospital and AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital from March 1 at 4 p.m. through March 3.
Although Black History Month formally draws to a close on March 1, it is important to recognize and celebrate Black history all year long. Check out this video from City of Evanston Staff about what Black history means to us, for inspiration.
Want to learn about Black Changemakers? Here's a collection of 8 terrific podcasts for kids, gathered by School Library Journal.
Want to read books year round that feature diverse authors and diverse voices? Check out We Read Too, a new app that connects young readers of all ages and levels to books written by and about diverse Americans.
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