Leprechauns Can’t Take My Gold!

             Math is one of the trickiest subjects. A lot of people get confused or frustrated when they can’t figure out an answer to a problem. At the Calhoun County Library, we want to start teaching children when they are young!

            STEM, Jr. is a hands-on learning program with project-based activities that focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for our little geniuses in grades K5 - 2. STEM, Jr. is taught by our very own Janice Baskins on the 3rd Wednesday, October through May. It starts at 4 PM, at same time as the twice-monthly STEM program for older children, and wraps up at 4:30 PM. It is a shorter duration than the regular STEM program as we do not want to confuse our little learners with information overload.

            On March 16 at the Calhoun County Library, we had a great program full of laughs and excitement. Janice pulled out some of our new equipment from the Save the Children grant we received, and the children in attendance were so intrigued. They were amazed that they could put the colorful circles on their individual whiteboards and they wouldn’t fall off! They also had some blocks to engineer and design a tower entirely.

            The main part of the STEM Jr. program was a game called “Leprechaun Can’t Take My Gold.” What did we use for pots of gold, and how did our smarty pants earn them?

            Easy.

            We painted little glass pots with black paint and used shiny ROLO candy as our gold nuggets. By following directions and answering questions, the children got to defeat the sneaky leprechaun one step at a time. In that, each correct answer took a piece of chocolate away from the leprechaun.

            “Hold up two yellow circles!” Janice instructed.

            Our little scientists did.

            “Great! Now hold up one blue circle!”

            Our little engineers did.

            “Wonderful! Finally, hold up three green circles!”

            Our little mathematicians did.

            “How did you all get so smart? We’re not going to have that leprechaun get any gold this year!”

            It was so adorable hearing the cute little laughs when the kids would get the answers right and get to collect another gold nugget. Positive reinforcement definitely had a very positive and fun effect on that class. Not only were the students happy when they got to take a piece of candy from the leprechaun, but they were also quick to ask for help when they needed it which was great to witness. This makes children aware that they can ask questions and learn at their own pace. 

            Mark your calendars! It will soon be time to explore and learn with Janice again. Our next STEM, Jr. program takes place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 4 PM. We will be dissolving Peeps, the bunny and chick-shaped marshmallow candy. We hope they will be excited to see some magic tricks and discover how we can make these disappear before our eyes.

            At the Calhoun County Library, we can’t wait to see our favorite little ‘peeps’ here for a fun STEM Jr. program on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 4 PM!

Calhoun County Library to Host Community Baby Shower

             You may have seen the Calhoun County Library van around town lately; that’s because staff members have been busy distributing Welcome Baby bags to local health clinics, baby sitters, hospitals, pediatrician’s offices, doctor’s offices, and pharmacies.

            The library is hosting a Community Baby Shower on Sunday, March 27, from 3 PM – 5 PM for Calhoun County residents who are expecting, adopting, or who have a baby under 12 months of age. You can pick up a Welcome Baby bag at one of the above-mentioned locations or come by the library to get one. These bags contain useful baby items, a board book, and an invitation to the shower. All attendees must register in advance for the baby shower and must be a Calhoun County resident.

            While at the shower, you can get valuable information from healthcare professionals including a pediatrician, a lactation specialist, representatives from Safe Kids and Safe Sitter, Calhoun County First Steps, Head Start O.C.A.B., Family Health Center, and Regional Medical Center.

            The library will also be introducing a new program for little ones called Music & Movement, which will be instructed by members of the South Carolina State University’s early childhood education department.

            Take part in question and answer sessions with knowledgeable professionals from the healthcare industry while you enjoy a boxed lunch and make a unique fleece baby blanket to take home for your baby. You’ll also be taking home free goodies including five FREE books to start your home library for your little one and FREE diapers and wipes.

            That’s a big deal!

            Please join us on Sunday, March 27, and go home showered with great gifts for your child and filled with new ideas! Call the library at 803-874-3389 to sign up today!

            This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.

Crafter Bees at the Calhoun County Library

            Being among a group of people who work together towards a project can be really nice and very rewarding. Asking questions, getting a quick answer, and having a helping hand can give anyone the motivation to finish a difficult task. That is exactly what Linda Coleman does and why she leads a program named Bee Creative at the Calhoun County Library.

            This is a safe space to come together to learn new crafting skills, make beautiful works of art, bond with fellow crafters, and have fun! The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 5 to 7 PM. It is also free to participate. Participants typically bring their own materials, but Linda will explain what is required for each project in advance so everyone can be prepared.

            Below is a short interview with crafter bee, Linda Coleman.

What project is the group currently working on?

At our next meeting on March 22, we will be working on individual projects. This is an opportunity to bring anything you may be working on. Right now we’re helping one participant with a quilt and another who is knitting an afghan. It is fun to share ideas and receive advice from different people doing different projects.

What is on the itinerary for the next few weeks?

Starting the 2nd quarter of 2022 on April 12, we will kick off with our pillowcase projects that incorporate basic sewing skills. The following class on April 26, we will finish up our pillowcases. On May 10th and 24th and June 14th and 28th, we will make charm quilts with a fun finish. Charm quilts are made from 5” squares which are provided to the participants free of charge.

            So, if you would like to craft and learn in a group setting, don’t be afraid to join. We have found that the more participants, the more we learn and accomplish! You will have a blast, get some beautiful projects completed, and count the days until the next Bee Creative get-together!

Flex & Stretch with Strong & Limber

            Do you suffer from chronic pain or want to tone your muscles without going to the gym? Running miles or weightlifting isn’t always an option, so we have created a program that anyone can attend right here in the heart of St. Matthews.

            Strong & Limber, taught by Summer Johnson, helps build strength, flexibility, balance, and durability. As you awaken your muscles, you’re training them to assist you in reducing stress and pain. When people hear about Strong & Limber, most people automatically think about physical movement. While movement is involved in this class, there is more to it than that. While we do get physical, there won’t be any handstands or cartwheels! This class focuses on meditation and breathing. To gain full control of yourself, you have to know your body and mind, and that is the goal for each Strong & Limber class here at the library.

            Strong & Limber meets twice a week on Tuesdays from 11 AM - 12 PM and Fridays from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. The cost is $2 a class or $14 for the month which gives you access to all Tuesday and Friday classes for that month. We have tried to make it affordable so that everyone has a chance to participate and learn exercises that will enhance their flexibility.

            The calming environment of the class is enhanced by dimly lighting with sunlight peeking through. Soft music plays as Summer provides guidance in stretching, touching toes, and building a strong core. The movements are slow and deliberate which results in a soothing atmosphere for self-care.

            If you are interested in connecting your soul and body, we would love for you to join a class!

Calhoun County Library Awarded Grant from Save the Children to Support Early Childhood Literacy Program in St. Matthews

The $5,000.00 grant provided by the global humanitarian organization will help fund STEM and STEM, Jr. Programs

St. Matthews, SC (January 2022) – Calhoun County Library today was awarded a $5,000.00 grant from global humanitarian organization Save the Children to support the STEM and STEM, Jr. programs, which will allow children to engage in hands-on learning with project-based activities in science, technology, engineering, and math. 

Calhoun County Library was selected by Save the Children to support innovative approaches to early childhood literacy. The grant will fund community-wide initiatives that support Kindergarten readiness and early childhood literacy.

“On behalf of Calhoun County Library, I want to express our gratitude to Save the Children for funding our innovative STEM and STEM, Jr. programs,” said Janice Baskin, patron services and STEM instructor. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our county’s young students may face widening academic achievement gaps, especially in the science, math, and technology areas. It has been difficult for our teachers, parents, and students to do hands-on learning during virtual school these past years. Due to this generous funding, our STEM and STEM, Jr. programs aim to meet the academic, as well as nonacademic, needs of our students. Our STEM and STEM, Jr. programs will offer an innovative, hands-on approach to learning using equipment, such as microscopes, iPads with Osmo software, fraction kits, coding kits, and many other manipulatives, which are funded by Save the Children. Calhoun County Library will connect with the local schools to supplement and support a shared mission for improving academic achievement for our students. We made plans to began the STEM, Jr. program with little equipment but with this funding, we are excited to implement so many fun, new concepts. Using the equipment provided by Save the Children, we plan to offer a stimulating program that encourages critical thinking and improves the academic success of Calhoun County’s students.”

Calhoun County Library hosts STEM activities September through May on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month from 4 PM – 4:45 PM. These programs are for children in Grades 3 - 6 and offer a student-centered learning environment where children can investigate and develop problem-solving skills while they produce evidence-based explanations for real problems. We also provide STEM, Jr. activities for students in Grades K5 - 2nd on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4 PM – 4:30 PM. These programs inspire younger children to create, discover, and explore. STEM, Jr. introduces science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to empower little learners.

“Save the Children is grateful to our early learning partners who participated in the grant program,” said Lesley Graham, Senior Director of Community Impact at Save the Children. “We are looking forward to supporting all of these innovative projects and seeing them up and running to help young learners grow and develop across rural America.”   

Save the Children believes child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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