homeschooling help

February is Love Your Library month! We’ve got lots of online programs to love in February, sign up for as many as you like!

February Teen Volunteering Challenges

Earn community service hours by submitting a photo, video, or other content that may be added to CPL’s social media pages! Each submission will be awarded 2 community service hours. February’s challenges include:

Art: Make art with heart- design a Valentine’s Day card for someone, or create a masterpiece made out of hearts.
Writing: Write a story, poem, or essay about something you love. It could be a person, a book or movie, or food- fact or fiction.
Food: February is Great American Pie Month, so bake your favorite pie and share that flaky goodness with someone special.
Reading: Re-read a book you fell in love with as a kid.
More Reading: For Black History Month, read a Coretta Scott King Award-winning book. (Named for Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife, this award is given to the most distinguished children’s and teen’s books about the African American experience. You can find a list of all the winners since 1970 here.)
Even More Reading: Close your eyes and run your hands along a book shelf (either yours, or in the library). Choose any book at random and read it!

If you participate in the challenges, earn community service credit by submitting your creations so we can share them on our social media pages!

Tips and Tricks for Remote Learners from a Homeschool Veteran

Monday, February 1, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Schooling at home and homeschooling are different, but there’s also a lot of overlap. Get some tips and tricks for remote learning from 20 year homeschool veteran, Linda Hincks. We’ll talk about how to relieve stress for kids and adults alike and revive energy for learning. Bring your questions and concerns. Please forward your questions to aallen@cheshirelibrary.org ahead of time so Linda can include the answers in her presentation. Registration is required, registered participants will receive a Zoom link via email on the day of the program

What Can We Learn From the Census?

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 2:00 – 3:00pm

Carol Ansel, Director at the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, will discuss the history of the United States Census, how the questions changed to reflect what was happening in the nation at that time, and how you can use it to learn about your ancestors. There are stories hidden in all those facts and figures–you just have to know how to find them! Registration is required, registered participants will receive a Zoom link via email on the day of the program.

Musical Journey with Liz McNicholl

Saturday, February 6, 2021, 10:00 – 10:45am

We can’t celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day in person, however we can still have fun together, virtually! Join Liz McNicholl from Musical Folk for a wonderful, interactive virtual music making program with your little one! Grab some items from around the house to use as instruments (shakers, scarves etc.). Best for children ages 2-5, however everyone is welcome to attend. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.

Food Explorers

Chocolate Cheesecake Egg Rolls: Monday, February 8, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Loaded Veggie Tot Nachos: Monday, February 22, 6:00 – 7:00pm

Join a Registered Dietitian from Food Explorers to make Chocolate Cheesecake Egg Rolls and Loaded Veggie Tot Nachos! Ingredients are listed on our Event Calender. For kids ages 6-12. Please register for these virtual events and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.

Take + Read: Blind Date with a Book

Pick up February 8-13, 2021

Blind Date with a Book is a “mystery” book, wrapped in brown paper, tagged with clues, and is yours to keep! This can be a fun way to discover something new or read outside your comfort zone. Registration is required to reserve and pick up a kit, and kits are limited to one kit per teen per week. register to pick up your kit in the Children’s Room any time the library is open during the week of February 8, or arrange for contactless pickup. For grades 6-12.

Virtual Paint Time (Adult Take & Make )

Pick up kit Tuesday, February 5, 2021, from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Painting Program Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 2:45 – 4:45pm

Learn how to paint a real work of art at home! Follow instructor Pamela Halligan of Pam’s Picassos online as she walks you through the steps of creating your own masterpiece and you will create a beautiful completed painting. You must be registered for the program in order to pick up a paint kit, which will be available for pickup on February 5, 10-4. There are limited spots for this program. Please make sure you can attend (and pick up kit) BEFORE you register.

Adult Cooking Program – Chocolate!

Thursday, February 11, 2021, 3:30 – 4:30pm

Join Food Explorers to learn how to make two chocolate recipes with a Registered Dietitian! Perfect for Valentine’s Day, we’ll be making Chocolate Bark and Chocolate Avocado Truffles, and while we’re cooking you’ll have the chance to ask any food or nutrition related questions you may have. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.

Cartooning Workshop for Beginners

Thursday, February 11, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00pm

Award winning cartoonist and humorous illustrator, Rick Stromoski, will teach you how to create your own cartoon characters, draw facial expressions and animals! All you will need is a stack of paper and something to draw with. For children and teens in grades 3-8. Please register once per family and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program start time.

Pajama Storytime

Monday, February 15, 2021, 7:00 – 7:30pm

Put on your pajamas and fuzzy slippers and tune in for a fun-filled evening of stories, songs, and adventures! Best for ages 2-5. Registration is required for this virtual event. You will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the event start time.

Homeschooling: What’s Next?

Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm

You’ve decided to homeschool. What’s next? Join Linda Hincks of Wren Homeschool Consulting to find out not only what to do, but how! Please forward your questions to aallen@cheshirelibrary.org ahead of time so Linda can include the answers in the her presentation. Please register for this virtual event, and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program.

Looking for Owls

Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm

Through field experiences and knowledge about the life histories of owls, we will embark on a continuing expedition in search of owls and in the process reveal strategies for finding owls in your backyard, your local patch, and beyond. Please register for this virtual event, and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program.

Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic

Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00pm

Join us for this free, one-hour virtual workshop to take part in the global Hour of Code movement. Using the power of code, students will explore aquatic worlds and uncover hidden treasure with the 2018 Minecraft Voyage Aquatic tutorial. For children and teens ages 8-16. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a Teams Meeting Link 1 hour prior to the program start.

Genealogy Research Tips & Tricks

Wednesday, February 24, 2:00 – 3:30pm

Carol Ansel, Director at the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, will share a number of hints to make your online genealogy searching easier and more effective. Please register for this virtual event, and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program.

Teen Take & Make: Book Hedgehogs

Wednesday, February 24, 202, 6:00 – 6:45pm

Learn how to fold discarded books into adorable hedgehogs and personalize them with a variety of craft supplies. Pick up a Take + Make kit with supplies for the craft any time the library is open during the week of February 15, 2021. (Arrangements can also be made for contactless pickup.) Registration required to reserve supplies to be picked up and to attend this virtual program.

Facing War: CT in WWI

Thursday, February 25, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30pm

What was life like on the homefront during WW1? Learn about this dramatic time during which CT confronted women’s demand for the vote, a deadly flu epidemic and the mass immigration- all while sending thousands of men and women to the front. Please register for this virtual event, and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program.

Macramé Earrings & Necklace (Adult Take & Make )

Pick up kit Tuesday, February 23, 2021, from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Macrame Workshop Saturday, February 27, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30pm

Join macramé artist Linda and learn to make macramé earrings & necklace using basic knots. We will make a set of jewelry using 2 mm cotton or jute cord, and working on a small scale, so average manual skills in tying knots are needed. You must be registered for the program in order to pick up a supply kit, which will be available for pickup on February 23, 10-4. There are limited spots for this program. Please make sure you can attend (and pick up kit) BEFORE you register.

Hey, parents and teachers at home- we see you. You’re working hard to educate remotely, and most likely dealing with your own kids at the same time. We’re committed to helping you, whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or both. We have some great resources for distance learning and homeschooling, and we have lots of information that can make your life a little easier right now.

We’ve scheduled timely and informative virtual programs about homeschooling coming up in January and February:

So You’re Thinking about Homeschooling?

Monday, January 11, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Join Linda Hincks, East Hampton homeschool mom and owner of Wren Homeschool Consulting, to learn the basics of homeschooling and the laws in Connecticut. She will provide information to help you decide if it is right for your family.

Tips and Tricks for Remote Learners from a Homeschool Veteran

Monday, February 1, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Homeschooling: What’s Next?

Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm

You’ve decided to homeschool. What’s next? Join Linda Hincks of Wren Homeschool Consulting to find out not only what to do, but how!

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We also offer virtual Toddler and Preschool Storytimes featuring interactive songs, stories, and other fun learning activities.

What about books? Or access to e-books? We’ve got a variety of materials for at-home reading and studying needs for all ages!

Homeschooling Books. If you’re unsure where to begin, these books are a good starting point! Get tips and resources from people in the know.

Lit Kits are a great way to take storytime and learning home with you! Each kit contains 3-4 books on a theme, toys or manipulatives, and a caregiver guide with suggested songs and activities. Our Lit Kits are designed for children 3-5 years old, but they can be adapted or modified for use with almost any age group.

Audiobooks (both digital and on CD) offer many benefits for children. As a child hears an audio book, they enter a journey where reading seems friendlier and more approachable. A young reader listening to an audio book is more apt to establish a pattern of concentrating on the sounds of words without being interrupted by personal reading obstacles.

Playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook that gives kids the portability and freedom to listen to audiobooks anytime, anywhere. It promotes literacy, bridges the digital divide, and makes technology accessible to everyone, with high-quality audio productions of titles from the industry’s best publishers.

VOX™ Books combine outstanding picture books and non-fiction with audio recordings that capture children’s attention and make learning and literacy development fun. The permanently attached VOX™ Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. There’s no need for computers, tablets or CDs. Children simply push a button to listen and read.

Books on DVD – audiovisual adaptations bring outstanding children’s picture books to life and help children fall in love with books and reading. Our DVDs are word-for-word adaptations of the books they are based on, and help all readers improve their fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

NEW! Launchpad Reading Academy, a fun and focused way to help kids improve their reading skills. This multi-media tablet contains interactive storybooks, videos, and apps that help kids learn to read, progress through reading levels, and fall in love with reading. This 5-level guided reading system helps kids master verbal, reading, and writing skills — starting at any level. Every app, storybook, and video has been hand-selected to help kids gain the knowledge they need to transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn.

Mango offers over 70 world language courses expertly designed to adapt to a diverse range of learning needs, styles, and backgrounds. Mango prepares learners for realistic conversations and communication and the confidence needed to communicate in a new language.

researchIT CT online reference databases: newspapers, magazines, journals, genealogy & more. researchIT CT provides all students, faculty and residents with online access to essential library and information resources. Through researchIT CT, a core level of information resources including secured access to licensed databases is available to every citizen in Connecticut.

Many families are pursuing distance learning – at least part-time, and while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience for families to learn together, we know it can also feel overwhelming to find the right tools and resources that will help your child succeed. Libraries are here to help!