Dec 20, 2012

Wonderworks: Engineering with Tubes

http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/12/wonderworks-engineering-with-tubes.html
What can you do with a tube?


Engineering Project:  exploring the properties of tubes 
Supplies:
PVC pipe cut into 6" and 12" lengths, plus elbows and other connectors
marbles
cardboard tubes (paper towel, t.p., wrapping paper, etc.)
magnets
glue dots
toy cars & ballls
extra large cardboard tubes from carpet stores (ask, they'll likely give them to you for free!)
funnels
straws
bristle rollers (I found mine at the dollar store and a beauty supply shop)
foam insulation for pipes (just wander the hardware store looking for inexpensive tubes made from different materials!)

Book:
 cover art Cars galore / Stein, Peter 


Dec 19, 2012

Craft Lab: Gingerbread Zombies

http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/12/craft-lab-gingerbread-zombies.html
So tasty, you'll want to eat their brains!

Project: Create Creepy Cookies
Supplies:
gingerbread and/or sugar cookies shaped like people
frosting
food coloring
icing tips & other cake decorating supplies
candy (mini m&ms, red & white peppermints, red hots, mini chocolate chips, etc.)

Dec 18, 2012

Toddler Art Class: Crayon "Snowflakes"


Snowflakes drawn in white crayon magically appear with watercolor paint!

Art Project:Crayon Snowflakes
Supplies:
white crayons (I also included gray and silver, just for experimenting with)
white watercolor paper (or other heavy-weight paper)
paintbrushes
liquid watercolors (purchased or homemade--see instructions below)
paper towels or rags for catching spills

Book:
 cover art All the world / Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton   
( a book about snowflakes would have also worked well, but I love this book and wanted to share it with the group.  We talked about how their white drawings could be snowflakes or clouds or stars or anything else they wanted it to be!)

 

Dec 13, 2012

WonderWorks: Technology

http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/12/wonderworks-technology.html
Technology for Tots--let's start with the obvious.

Apps for Kids

Supplies:
iPads, iPod touches, iPhones as available (some of the parents and caregivers brought their own devices, the rest were owned by the library)

What we read:

cover art Push button / Aliki

Dec 6, 2012

Dec 5, 2012

Toddler Art Class: Foil Sculpting

http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/12/toddler-art-class-foil-sculpting.html
Shiny silver, squishy, squeaky, scratchy sculptures.

Art Project: 
Supplies:
aluminum foil

Book:   

cover art Stars / Ray, Mary Lyn

Dec 4, 2012

a sneak peek at a new program: WonderWorks!

http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-sneak-peek-at-new-program-wonderworks.html
What happens when solids turn to liquids?

Today's focus-- The Science of Melting
Supplies: 
ice (cubes plus one larger "iceberg" frozen before class in a plastic bag or jug)
water
chocolate chips
birthday candles
wet sand
matches or lighter
salt
sugar
powdered paint OR Kool-aid

What we read:

cover art The snowy day / Keats, Ezra Jack