Grown-Ups
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Free Programs for Children and Families
The Children's Dept offers free programs year round including:
* Storytimes for families (no registration needed)
*Cool Salsa Spanish/English monthly evening programs
*Preschool "Flings" - one time special events perfect for preschoolers and parents/caregivers
*Winter Reading Encouragement Program - for ages 3-11 - January/February
*Summer Reading Encouragement Program - for ages 3-11- June/July
*Theater and drama workshops for school aged children
*Parties and events celebrating books and book characters
*Movie Nights
*Free-quent Reader Program - earn rewards in the fall by visiting the library often
*1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program - debuting in fall 2007
*Special events with singers, storytellers, clowns, jugglers and magicians
For a detailed list of Current Programs, please go to the Events part of our webpage
Homeschoolers
We invite homeschooling families to use the wonderful resources of our library. Of special interest are teacher cards and our Parent Teacher Collection which houses a number of helpful homeschooling resources.
Read Aloud Tips
"Kids Who Read Succeed" is more than just a slogan -- it's a fact! Studies have shown that reading and library use are key factors in a child's intellectual development. Those who read as children are more likely to enjoy the success and pleasure that come from making reading a lifelong activity. Getting an early start by reading aloud to young children is especially important.
*Half of a child's intellectual development occurs between birth and four years of age.
*Children who are read to from an early age tend to learn new sounds, increase their vocabularies and stretch their imaginations more than other children.
*According to the U.S. Department of Education study Becoming a Nation of Readers, "...reading to children is the most important thing parents can do to build the knowledge and skills eventually required for learning to read."
*Research by the National Academy on Education has shown that children who have been exposed to reading and other cultural experiences before they begin school have an overall better chance at success in formal learning.
Are you ready? Then here's how to have fun reading aloud to your child:
Read something you enjoy!
Start with shorter pieces and build to longer ones as your child's attention span increases.
Vary the length and subject matter of your readings.
Use sound effects and lots of expression. Don't be afraid to have fun.
Stop reading and do something else if your child is restless. Reading isn't always the preferred activity.
Have a back-up selection if your choice isn't appealing to your listener.
Keep good reading material on hand to encourage your child to read alone also.
Schedule a regular time for sharing books (after dinner, before bed), yet be flexible. Read as often as you and your child have time.
Visit us regularly to check out new books to read aloud. Talk to the children's librarian for suggestions on new and noteworthy books to share with your child.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Resources
West Bloomfield Library in Michigan is a national leader in early childhood support of literacy through libraries. Browse through their tips on year-round ideas for preparing your child for school! read more »
Parents, we love to make your job easier and more fun! Check out the great resources, websites and information on special collections for you!
Parent/Teacher Collection
The Children's Dept. has hundreds of books to help you with your work. General curriculum guides, clip art, bulletin board ideas; Mailbox magazines and Mailbox resource books; literature and writing guides; math, science and other subject guides for teaching all ages; storytelling resources are included. All materials are available for check-out. Come in and browse today.
Caldecott/Newbery Award Collection
The Children's Dept has a copy of all Caldecott and Newbery award winners available for check-out.
Kinder Kits
Kinder Kits contain educational and literacy games and materials for use with groups of preschoolers. The materials are perfect for early childhood teachers and caregivers to share with young children. Themes include: Dinosaurs; Transportation; ABC's; Farms; Animals; Bears; Bugs; Cats; Numbers; Folk and Fairy Tales. You can use your teacher card to check out these materials.
Storystarters
A complete storytime in a bag includes: three books perfect for reading aloud; fingerplays and a flannelboard story. Popular themes include: ABC's; Transportation; Space; Big & Little, Circus; Families; Five Senses; Friends; Pets and Weather. You can use your teacher card to check out these materials.
24/7 Homework Help
Use our web catalog and databases to access information from magazines, encyclopedias, biographical references and much more. Our databases help you find just the accurate homework information you need fast, free and easily!
Tours and Class Visits
The Children's Department is a great destination to bring your class. Children's Room and library-wide tours are geared to the specific grade and interest level of the children. Preschool-Grade 2 kids are provided with a themed tour based on a children's book character and features great stories; fun-filled information on how a library and library card works and a basic walk around the collections most used by these age groups. Kids in Gr. 3-5 are given a more extensive tour, focusing on fiction and non-fiction and teaching tips on how to use the online catalog and databases to find information fast. We also provide tours for scouting and homeschooling groups.
To book a tour, call us at 967-3760 or email lochwouters@menashalibrary.org
Outreach
The friendly children's librarians love to step out of the Children's Dept and visit the kids where you are teaching or caregiving in Menasha. Visits by the library staff are booked 1-3 times throughout the school year and feature fun book talks; stories and encouragement to the kids to visit the library.
To schedule an outreach visit, call us at 967-3760 or email lochwouters@menashalibrary.org
Cooperative Programs
The Children's Dept works cooperatively with the schools and community organizations to develop and present fun, literacy-based programs for children. Winter reading programs; special book buying clubs; drama workshops; holiday parties; bilingual programs - these are just a few of the many projects and programs we have partnered with groups to accomplish. If you have an idea that you would like the Children's Dept to partner with you on, please call us at 967-3760 or email lochwouters@menashalibrary.org.
The staff children's literature specialists gather deposit collections of great books for Menasha students once every six weeks. They are a handy way to provide students and children in care with additional reading material related to the curriculum or just for fun. We will gather packs of material in subject areas and by specific authors for Menasha school classrooms and daycares. To register or order a pack, please stop at the Children's or Adult Information Desk or email us at MPL-Childrens@menashalibrary.org.
You can register for your own individual teacher card and select and reserve your own materials anytime we're open. These fine-free cards can be used at libraries throughout the Winnefox Library System (Menasha. Neenah, Oshkosh and other libraries in Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Waushara, Marquette and Green Lake counties) to help you with your curriculum needs. Stop at the Children's or Adult Information Desk to apply or email us at lochwouters@menashalibrary.org.
Check out the great resources we have available for teachers: services, collections, special teacher cards and much more!