Falling Leaves, Biomes, and Ecosystems!

It's November! Time to put on sweaters, throw around footballs, give thanks... and prepare for the elementary schools' annual project on biomes and ecosystems.

Never fear! Your library has a great collection of books on biomes and ecosystems available in-house for you to read and check out! However, these books may become scarce as the season goes on and they begin to get checked out. To help, you can find several reference copies of books at the Children's Desk starting today. These books can be used in the library, scanned, or photocopied, but not checked out.

In addition, the instructors at Children's Services have compiled a list of helpful, free resources for South Brunswick students to use in the library and at home. Library Databases may require you to sign in with your library card number and your PIN (which can be accessed by visiting or calling Borrower Services).

Library Databases: 
Salem Press: Click on "Biomes and Ecosystems" in the lower left corner of the screen. Includes articles and diagrams on a number of specific biomes and ecosystems along with references and citations

Facts on File: A number of excellent, helpful articles and support materials including diagrams, videos, and glossaries.

The World Almanac: Scroll to the bottom of the page for "Biomes". Includes in-depth but easy-to-read articles on each biome and it's geography, geology, wildlife, and future.

TrueFlix: Includes the entire TrueBook for each ecosystem free to read, online. Related videos are linked along with the book for further comprehension.

Other Helpful Resources:
University of California Museum of Palentology: Long-form articles full of information about each biome and ecosystem.

MGB.net: The Missouri Botanical Garden website offers clear, concise information on each ecosystem including reference links to further online resources.

PARCC Resources at Your Library!

Looking for PARCC Resources? South Brunswick Public Library has books and study guides to help you get into tip top shape! 

If you’re looking for more, or if the books are checked out, don’t fret! We have several other resources for practice tests, activities, and sample questions! Our Learning Express database has resources specific to each grade level, just select “School Center” to get started! 

Need more? Check out our list below for even more resources to help you prep for the tests!

 

 

Practice Tests & Questions

• http://practice.parcc.testnav.com (Click the Test Preparations Tab to get started)
• http://lumoslearning.com/llwp/resources/common-core-parcc-practice-tests-and-sample-questions.html
• http://nextgen.apps.sparcc.org/home

 

Educational Games and Activities

• http://parccgames.com/

 

LANGUAGE ARTS:

• http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/menu.html
• http://www.spellingcity.com/

 

MATH:

• http://www.mathchimp.com/
• http://www.ixl.com/

This Week at SBPL I Discovered ... Screen-Free Week!

Beginning today, Monday, April 30 through Sunday, May 6, people of all ages are electing to turn off their screens in recognition of Screen-Free Week (formerly TV-Turnoff Week).  There is a website, an office in Washington, DC and activists all over the world dedicated to this one week in 52!

The Library has numerous books on the topic as well diversions.  For more information on activities and details on the Week, go to http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek/.  For local Library diversions, see our events calendar at http://www.sbpl.info/.

I have been challenging my family with this week for years, so we are quite used to the idea.  However, everytime I mention it to someone for the first time I get a look like I just said I planned to set myself on fire!  I don't know about you but I find it a little scary that anyone would find it so impossible to conceive of not watching television for a week, let alone not using a computer (for entertainment) or other electronic device.  I enjoy television and computers too, but jeez it's just seven days.  I like the challenge!

There is plenty to do, especially this time of year. We are lucky to have a great Library, but there is also the Delaware-Raritan Canal to explore, as well as your own backyard.  Play tennis, croquet, start your tomato garden, dust off the board games and play together, clean out your closets and donate the excess to the Food Pantry and Goodwill, etc.  How about calling up some neighbors to come sit on your deck for tea and a chat?  Teach your child how to jump rope or play hop scotch.  My kids always liked to play Legos and ping pong during the week.  Why not write down a new idea to try each evening? 

After everyone gets home from work there is really just a couple of hours to fill.  Have a family sit-down dinner together and clean up together.  After the dishes are done and homework is finished your night is almost at an end (provided you are not already at any scheduled extra-curricular activities anyway). 

Too tired to want to do anything?  That's OK.  Read a book or just sit back and relax and listen to music.  It's really up to you.  The challenge is yours.  Why not try it?  You have nothing to lose except some time in front of a screen. 

Finding that time is really the challenge these days!  Whether I am shopping at the mall, on the treadmill at the gym, or sitting in the dentist chair, there is an unsolicited television screen thrust in my face.  It's really kind of offensive, as if I can't spend a moment without televised entertainment.   

It's been said that the brain activity is more engaged daydreaming than while watching television. See more about this on the website http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek/.

Screen-Free Week is an annual event where children, families, schools and communities are encouraged to turn off screens and "turn on life." Instead of relying on television programming for entertainment, participants read, daydream, explore, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends.

In 2010, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) became the home of Screen-Free Week at the request of the Board of the Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness (CSTA), which ran the initiative since 1994 (first as TV-Free America). CCFC launched a new website and developed a new Organizer's Kit, fact sheets, and other materials for Screen-Free Week 2011 and beyond.

Although my teenage children complain that no one else but me actually attempts to be screen-free this week, it is estimated that more than 100 million people have taken part in the turnoff, with millions participating each year.  So there! 

If you participate, please comment here about what you did in your new-found free time!

Special Needs Programs at SBPL

As frequently happens when one reaches out to help others, the giver gets something good in return. This has been the experience of the Library beginning in 2009.  Buoyed by a grant from INFOLINK, the Eastern  New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative,  SBPL along with other area libraries committed themselves to developing programs targeting children affected by ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

 

While the money has long since been spent, special needs programming has now become a standard part of each week's agenda at SBPL, giving us an honored place in the lives of many new friends. It is estimated that about one in every 110 children (or 1% of all children in the United States) may have some form of ASD.

That first year really got the ball rolling for us. We connected with local and regional resources to offer parents and kids whatever we could including workshops, as well as fun and educational programs, many also included the siblings of children affected by ASD.  Among the programs was an interactive music concert, Art Therapy, Creative Stacking, Read to a Therapy Dog, and even Yoga for Kids.

Some related program topics addressed other concerns such as diet and ADD/ADHD. In addition, Library staff created a how-to picture book about visiting the library.  Copies were distributed for use in the Library of course, but also to the Township Health Department and to all of the special needs classes in the school district.

Well-attended programs showed that there was a need and desire for this kind of outreach outside of what was offered in schools.  Library programs had the advantage of a community approach that brought the family together. But, enough about what we did. We are doing more today.

Our librarians are now regularly entering the special needs classrooms in the school district offering story times and cementing the Library-School connection. 

The bi-monthly library newsletter The Compass includes a list of activities, usually scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These include the ever-popular Read to a Therapy Dog program, where a live dog trained to listen to young readers with and without special needs, comes into the library. We are also currently offering the Creative Craft program and Stories and Activities for Children with Special Needs and their Families. Efforts are continually made to juggle staffing to provide some evening programming for working parents.

The cherry on top if that these programs are offered free of charge.  Library Registration is required for some of these programs so it is always a good idea to double-check with the Children's Department by calling (732)329-4000, ext. 7285. Special needs programs are now made possible with funds raised by the Friends of the Library. When you make a donation to the Friends, become a member, or make a purchase at a book sale or other Friend event you are helping to support library programming, including special needs. Thanks!

For more information on current special needs programs and on how you can help the Friends of the Library go to http://www.sbpl.info/ or call (732)329-4000, ext. 7286.