WSSD Elementary Library
Week 8
WSSD Elementary Library
Hello WSSD Families,
As we approach the 8th week of SMORE library activities, we find ourselves contemplating life around the world. Young people everywhere have the same fears, hopes, and desires, to stay productive and safe during this time. These challenges occurred in the middle ages and before as well, yet at that time answers were crafted by non-scientific hypothesis, created to appeal to the imagination. Mythology emerged during a time unquestioned by science, attempting to make more acceptable, the painful realities of the existence of danger, disease, and misfortune, around the world. Through storytelling in those days, calamities were explained as a natural part of the sacred order of the universe. Imaginary beings, and their otherworldly adventures, prevailed in complex intriguing myths, for older readers. This genre is so popular, that we’re celebrating mythology, through selected myths and folk tales from cultures around the world. These resources and activities are selected to attract a wide range of ages and reading levels, so pick your favorites to share with your family.
Librarians’ TumbleBooks recommendations for our favorite author, and title will appear weekly too.
If you have any questions about the page, or resources please contact one of us. Our office hours are from 8AM-10AM. If you need to contact us at another time please email us, and we’ll set up an alternative time that works for you. Our email information is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
2nd and 3rd Grade
Bonus Activity!
Activity
Create a family tree for Hermes, beginning with Zeus, the god of thunder, and the nymph Maia. One of the templates found at the following website may be helpful: familytreetemplates.net/category/kids
At the end of the book, the gods retire and find new careers. Select two of the gods and write a one- page paper that discusses their qualifications for their new lines of work.
Click on this link to get a Meet the Olympians Downloadable poster
4th and 5th Grade
Tales from the Arabian Nights: Stories of Adventure, Magic, Love, and Betrayal by Donna Jo Napoli
With your Epic! classroom account, read the National Geographic version of Tales from the Arabian Nights: Stories of Adventure, Magic, Love, and Betrayal, by Donna Jo Napoli, with breathtaking illustrations by Christina Balit. While reading, keep in mind that Scheherazade, the wife and storyteller, tells her husband an exciting tale nightly, to spare her life for one more day. Favorite tales, Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves, The Ebony Horse, and Aladdin have accompanying questions you might want to check out first, before reading. Do scan the fascinating non-fiction factoids sprinkled in the margins.
Tracey Baptiste author of the award winning Jumbies series shares a short comparative mythology lesson about mythological creatures from different cultures.
Author Spotlight of the week! Martha Hamilton!
Literature Activities
Deborah Underwood author of the popular reads her STEAM oriented version of Cinderella, Intersellar Cinderella, and gives kids a mini-lesson on how to write your own fractured fairy tales.
Author illustrator Tony Di Terlizzi shares virtual fantasy activities for imaginative minds. You can even make puppets with his exquisite downloads.
Fun & Games
Build Your Own Spacecraft! A NASA STEM activity
Dav Pilkey at Home
Highlight Kids
Ready for fun, Highlights Kids offers interactive learning through; Jokes, Games, Explore, etc. This site provides lots of interactive activities for all ages.
DK Find Out!
Star Wars Visual Digital Escape Room
Stars Wars Visual Digital Escape Room
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgQSe3coQ5ga8wY3MYZ9zdKs6ESXo5OjDk9aYfRhrvoAN0OA/viewform
Virtual Field Trips
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Visit the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History & Culture
https://nmaahc.si.edu/ Check out the NMAAHC Honors African Americans in the Military exhibit and stories.
Hidden Details of the New York Public Library
Hidden Details of the New York Public Library tells the history of the library from the beginning. Kids who love history, and architecture will find a lot to explore in this virtual field trip.
WSSD Librarians Contact Information
egoldman@wssd.org Epic Code:ktk0981
WES Elementary Librarian Media Specialist: Martha Lambertsen
SRS Elementary Librarian Media Specialist: Courtney Aaron
caaron@wssd.org Epic Code: hsm6761