Welcome to the Stratford Library Children’s Department.
Summer Reading Suggestions 2022
As you are making your plans for summer, don’t forget to make time to READ! Reading can take you around the world without leaving your cozy chair. And reading makes you ready for school and ready for success. Here are some suggestions for reading – as you know, every child is different – please reach out to us to select books specifically for your child’s interests and abilities.
Ages 0-5 | See suggestionsFor this age group, focus on reading aloud, practicing the alphabet, and perhaps working on a few sight words of one syllable. Preschoolers can join our Read to Me Club starting June 1.
Grades K-2 | See suggestionsFor this age group, work on decoding, sight words, and reading proficiency. Keep reading out loud to kids to enjoy longer stories or stories with challenging words or use our Wonderbooks that read out loud to you!
Grades 3-4 | See suggestionsFor this age group, it’s great if they can start to read or keep reading chapter books. Check out our Bridge Book area with series like Magic Tree House and Bad Guys. Don’t forget nonfiction to explore topics of interest to your child. Reading aloud to children in this age group can build wonderful memories. We also have great audiobooks for car trips.
Grades 5-6 | See suggestionsFor children in this age group, it’s great if they can read or keep reading chapter books, perhaps ones with characters their own age or that share their interests. It’s also great to introduce children to new topics and settings so they can apply their knowledge to new areas. Think about nonfiction, books set in the past, other cultures, and biographies. We have tons of audiobooks – on Playaway (add your headphones and go!) or on our Hoopla app (available from your device’s app store) that you can listen to on the go. Remember, listening to books is just as great for your brain as reading with your eyes!
Questions? The Stratford Library is here for you!
Call 203-385-4165 or email childrens [at] stratfordlibrary.org
Continue reading →What’s Going On April 27-May 3, 2022
Well, this week’s weather is not good, but Library fun is! Check out these upcoming offerings.Wednesday, 4/27 Ramadan Grab ‘n’ Go. Learn about this special holiday and enjoy some activities. Register.
Thursday, 4/28 Seed Library Grab ‘n’ Go – Coreopsis. We provide seeds and instructions – you do the gardening magic! Register.
Friday, 4/29 Cats Book Scientists Grab ‘n’ Go – Enjoy some cat books (chosen by age) and some treats to enjoy. Register.
Monday, 5/1 Make a Mother’s Day Card Grab ‘n’ Go – Sign up for supplies to celebrate your mother. Register.
Tuesday, 5/2 Star Wars Grab ‘n’ Go – May the 4th Be with You – Check out Star Wars books and enjoy activities! Register.
Continue reading →Science Sunday – Genetics
Science Sunday: Genetics
Why do living creatures look like their parents? It’s genetics! Genes get passed down from parents to children. Some of those genes are stronger, more “dominant”, than others. (Dark hair is dominant over blonde or red hair; curly hair is dominant over straight hair; freckles are dominant over non-freckles.) Genes also make people closely related to some animals. For example, humans and chimpanzees share 98.8% of our DNA.
See if you can answer these questions using the resources linked below:
Name the scientist who studied vegetables and determined how traits are inherited.
DNA is stored in which special area of each cell?
Some genes are called “Dominant” and get expressed more often; what are the genes that are expressed less often called?
The two-strand chemical structure of DNA is referred to as a “Double ________”.
If both of your parents have dark hair, is it possible for you to have red hair?
What percentage of your genes do you get from your father?
How many pairs of chromosomes do most humans have?
Which parent provides the “Y” chromosome to their male children?
Read About It
What Is Genetics? From the American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics/what-is-genetics
What Is a Gene? https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/what-is-gene.html
Biology for Kids: Genetics: https://www.ducksters.com/science/biology/genetics.php
DNA Fact Sheet: https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Deoxyribonucleic-Acid-Fact-Sheet
Observable Human Characteristics: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/observable/
10 Neat Facts about the X Chromosome: https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/X-Chromosome-facts
12 Neat Facts about the Y Chromosome: https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Y-Chromosome-facts
What Are Dominant and Recessive Alleles? https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-are-dominant-and-recessive-alleles
Punnett Square: Dominant and Recessive Traits: https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/biology_it-takes/View & Learn
Heredity: Who Are You? https://cptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/heredity-who-are-you-science-trek/heredity-who-are-you-science-trek/
(Video en Espanol): Qué son cromosomas y genes? https://southeastgenetics.org/what-are-chromosomes-and-genes-video-in-spanish/
Play & LearnBuilding, Crafts & Food
Make a DNA Model: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics#hands-on
Make a Candy DNA Model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC9uuHoIgXk
Hands On Lessons for Learning About Heredity and Genetics: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/genetics-heredity-lessonsGames
The Gene Scene from The American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics#gamesFun Activities (coloring pages, word searches, etc.)
Coloring pages
Helix: http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/gene-0
Twins: http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/its-a-twins-boys
Take the Nature vs. Nurture Quiz: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics/nature-or-nurture-quiz
Genetics Word Search: https://www.ducksters.com/games/word_search/genetics.php
Continue reading →