Happy Summer! To see what OWL has in store for your family this year, check out the following pages:
12 for 12 reading Challenge: Read 12 books in 12 months
Beginning September 1
For Grades K-12
Registration Is Required. Click Here
"The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them." --Neil Gaiman
Come read with us this year! We are challenging all children in grades K through 12 to read 12 books in 12 months. 1 book of your choice, 1 book that you are dying to read, 1 book that is totally and completely JUST FOR FUN for each month of the year! Reading should be a joyous, empathy-building, eye-opening experience which is why we are challenging you to read for pleasure.
Once you register, you will receive a copy of a reading log with your welcome email. There will also be printed copies available at OWL and through Curbside Service.
We would love to see the books you choose, so all participants will have access to a special message board where you can post pics of your your book choices, submit one-sentence book reviews, and share recommendations with your fellow readers.
Click here to register.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Beginning September 1
Children Ages Birth - 5 Years
Click Here To Register
The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten.
Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just one book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).
The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. That’s where OWL can help, check out as many books as you can carry to keep your reading choices fresh and fun - although we know you will also be repeating a lot of favorites with your little one which is wonderful in its own way.
When your child reaches a milestone - every 100 books - come to OWL for a book-based reward and a reading log for your next 100 books. Are you ready to get started?
Registration is Required to receive your welcome kit.
Click here to register.
Questions? Email Patrica Moore (aka Mrs. Tricia) at [email protected]
Animal Explorer's Club! Birds of Prey Presented by Horizon Wings
Wednesday, September 23 at 2:00 pm For Grades K - 6
What are the features all raptors have in common? Meet and learn about four raptors. Learn their individual stories as well as the characteristics and behaviors of each species.
Horizon Wings was formed in 2001 by Mary-Beth Kaeser as a non-profit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center specializing in birds of prey located in Ashford, Connecticut. The organization has several raptors that cannot be released back into the wild due to their injuries. Fortunately they are able to keep these birds at their center and, with a special permit, use them for educational programs. All of their funding is provided by educational programs, donations and grants.
Registration is Required to receive the Zoom link to this program.
Click here to register.
Questions? Email Patrica Moore (aka Mrs. Tricia) at [email protected]
Animals Explorer's Club is generously sponsored by Litchfield Education Foundation.
Letters are Characters Literacy Kits
For Parents/Caregivers & Children ages 3 - 7
Beginning October 4
Parents are children’s first and most important teachers, and reading is a child’s first and most important subject. The goal of this program is to provide essential information for you, the parents and caregivers, while at the same time providing you the tools that you need to help your child understand the letter/sound (grapheme/phoneme) relationship, an essential step for reading acquisition for all readers.
It is play-based and fun - a curriculum for both you and your child! The letters are characters (with personalities) that you and your child can play with. Every parent and caregiver needs to understand some important things about reading to ensure that children read to their highest potential and are protected in the event of reading acquisition struggles. This program will provide all the information that you need. The first 25 patrons to register (using eventbrite) will receive a free kit that includes hands-on multisensory activities to do at home. Each week you will receive an email to guide you in the process.
You will receive:
- A Copy of Letters Are Characters (to check-out and return upon program completion)
- Educational Companion Coloring Sheets (yours to keep)
- Letter Dough Power - just add water to make your letter dough that you will use for multisensory education activities - kids love this activity! (yours to keep)
Registration is required to receive a kit. To register click here.
Questions? Email Caroline Ugurlu (aka Dr. Caroline) at [email protected]
OWL Friendly Bibliotherapy Program with Dr. Caroline Ugurlu
Beginning October 4
Although geared towards families with a focus on the parent-child relationship, this program is open to everyone who wants to participate and is helpful to all adults (and interested teens).
Our bodies, minds and hearts react to the demands of change and we have had to change a lot about our lives and fast. To help us adjust as a community, we hope that you will opt in to our bibliotherapy program. The program has been developed based on the MindUp program.
Each week, you will receive an email from Dr. Caroline that includes links to articles and/or videos that connect to our topic of the week, an aligned activity, and a curated therapeutic book list.
Week 1: How Our Brains Work
Week 2: Mindful Awareness
Week 3: Mindful Listening
Week 4: Expressing Gratitude
Week 5: A Zoom Sharing Session: Tuesday, November 3 at 7 pm
MindUP is an organization that empowers children through mindful practice based in neuroscience.Visit their website at mindup.org Perhaps there is no better antidote for that which ails us than beautiful thoughts grown from carefully chosen words. The intention of this program is to help us find the space within ourselves to grow and nurture strength and beauty from within using words and books.
Click here to sign up for weekly MindUp emails.
Questions? Email Caroline Ugurlu (aka Dr. Caroline) at [email protected]
Bibliotherapy Mind Up Finale with Dr. Caroline Ugurlu
Live Zoom Event
Tuesday, November 3 at 7:00 pm
After the four week Bibliotherapy/MindUp Program is completed, we'll have a Zoom session talk about what we learned, what we thought worked best, and maybe even what didn't work as well. During this last session, adults and kids are invited to share poems, songs, skits, and/or art of any kind to demonstrate how the content felt to them. Sometimes things are best expressed through creation be it with words, movements, colors, pictures, drama, art and the like!
MindUP is an organization that empowers children through mindful practice based in neuroscience. Visit their website at mindup.org
Animal Explorer's Club! What's That Wild Neighbor? Presented by White Memorial Conservation Center
Monday, October 19 at 4:00 pm For Grades K - 6
Get to know the wild animals that live in our midst by playing a fun, interactive guessing game. Carrie Szwed, Education Director at White Memorial Conservation Center, will present clues in the form of videos, riddles, and props to help you figure out the identities of many animals that inhabit northwest Connecticut.
We’ll learn fun facts while having a fun time! Plus, it wouldn’t be an animal program without a few live animal appearances! Throughout the program, you’ll get to meet some of our resident animal ambassadors, including a reptile, an amphibian, and a bird of prey.
Registration is Required to receive the Zoom link to this program.
Click here to register.
Questions? Email Patrica Moore (aka Mrs. Tricia) at [email protected]
Animals Explorer's Club is generously sponsored by Litchfield Education Foundation.
Halloween Zoom Costume Dance Party!
Live Zoom Event- Click Here To Register
Friday, October 30 at 10:30 am For All Ages
Join Mrs. Tricia and friends for this extra special Halloween party! Get into the Halloween spirit a day early! Put on your costume, join the zoom meeting, and get ready to dance! At this fun, family-friendly party all ages are welcome. We will take turns showing off our costumes in a Halloween Fashion Show.
Then it's time for a spooky scavenger hunt where you will be tasked with finding Halloween and fall-themed items in your own home! FInally it's time to dance! And feel free to bring your own Halloween snack to "share" with the group--we'd love to see any creepy treats you're enjoying. Here's to a safe and spooky Halloween!
Registration is Required to receive the Zoom link to this program.
Click here to register.
MORE Information about Zoom:
All of our Virtual Zoom Events are live. They are not recorded. To participate/join the event, you need to use the exact link connected to the event. Once you click on the link at the specified date and time, you will be prompted to open Zoom, the virtual meeting program we are using. All you need is an internet connection and a device or computer with a webcam and audio. Most computers have built-in webcams. No passwords or confirmation codes, just click the link and follow the prompts.
Still having difficulty understanding how to access Zoom: email [email protected] to set-up a virtual Book-a-Librarian and we will go over it with you.
More security, more privacy: In response to concerns about privacy in a virtual meeting space, we have enabled additional security features in Zoom and updated our meeting links to be protected, private, and secure. These new, unique links can be accessed solely through our e-newsletters.To receive secure information regarding these events, please subscribe to our e-newsletter! Click here to subscribe If you misplace the email and need the link again, email [email protected]