Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program gets under way this week to help keep students engaged in education through their summer vacation.
“At best, students showed little or no academic growth over summer. At worst, students lost one to three months of learning,” according to research by Duke University professor Harris Cooper and his colleagues.
Libraries across Oregon, including Sweet Home, are offering free summer programs aimed at making summer learning fun, while ensuring children still get a break from the rigors of school. The theme this year is “On your mark, get set, read.”
“The idea is to keep the kids reading but also to keep them active,” said Sweet Home Library Director Rose Peda. “In our challenge packets, they’re encouraged to read 30 minutes a day, but they’re also encouraged to go outside and play.”
The program includes reading challenges, with prizes awarded for achieving milestones and for drawing The Oregon State Fair has provided children’s tickets as prizes, with two-for-one adult admission.
The program will include performers this year for toddlers and preschoolers for the first time, Peda said.
“I think this year, we’re getting really good community support,” Peda said. The Boys and Girls Club junior high students will go to the library to assist during the elementary school program, and local businesses have provided items to be used as prizes.
Among teen activities, participants will play “Breakout EDU,” a game kit that contains multiple boxes and locks. Similar to “escape rooms,” participants use clues to solve problems and complete challenges to open locks and boxes. Challenges are typically based around educational content areas and require teamwork, communication, problem solving, collaboration and critical thinking.
Registration is ongoing this week, with the first elementary school program scheduled for Wednesday. Call (541) 367-5007 for more information or stop by the Public Library, located at the intersection of 13th and Kalmia streets, to register.
Children receive a free library card and book when registered. The card is good for use through August. At registration, parents can fill out an entry form for a chance to win a $529 savings account for their children. The account is provided by the Oregon College Savings Plan.
Schedules
Programs are at the Sweet Home Public Library except where noted.
July 27 will be Awards Day for all ages.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
9:30 a.m. on Fridays
– Dance, Move and Sing Along, June 24. Anahid Bertrand, who is fluent in musical fun and six languages, will lead the program
– Good Thing You’re Not an Octopus, July 1. Explore and compare how big you are.
– Dancing with No Shoes On, July 8. Chuck Cheesman’s “Dancing with No Shoes On” music program will have have families laughing, singing, dancing and probably making strange noises. When parents tell Cheesman they can’t sing, he replies, “Even Cookie Monster has had hit records. Everybody can sing.”
– Mr. Tiger goes Wild, July 15. Go on an animal hunt.
– Active Music Children Love, July 22. Jory Aronson will engage young children through songs, skits, puppets and more. From “The Howling Song” to “The Zoo Skit,” children will actively help create the show as musicians, dancers and puppeteers.
Elementary School Students
10 a.m. on Wednesdays
– Morgan Acrobatics, June 22. Morgan, AKA Mo Mo the Clown, combines physical comedy, juggling, balance, illusion and acrobatics to create an awe-inspiring and hilarious show. For 2016, Mo Mo plays a bookworm clown who was recently informed that to balance all of her strenuous mind exercise, she should make sure to exercise her body as well.
– Obstacle Course, June 29, Boys and Girls Club, 880 18th Ave. Keep moving as you make your way through the obstacle course. Challenge yourself and friends to complete the challenges.
– Music in Action, July 6. Rich Glauber will perform a high-energy, interactive mix of songs, movement and comedy focused on building community spirit and fun through music. The performance is sponsored by the Oregon College Savings Plan.
– Jumping Makes You Smarter. I Can Prove It, July 13. Leapin’ Louie will leap about with lassos, juggling, a 6-foot unicycle, puppetry and audience participation to prove jumping makes you smarter.
– Move Like a Mammoth, July 20. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History will present an exhibit comparing ancient animals to those living in Oregon today through exploration of fossils, bones and teeth.
Teens, 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays
– Get Together, June 23.
– Breakout EDU, June 30.
– Minute to Win It Challenges, July 7.
– Breakout EDU, July 14.