The University of Illinois Extension Ford-Iroquois Master Gardeners have developed a resource program for K-5 students called "Master Gardener in a Bag" as a new way to reach communities. These kits are free and available to the public by request. They have developed three topics of interest, and each topic is contained in a take home kit, which will include all the materials needed for a child (with a parent) to complete the activity. The kits are:
Seed Starting: an introduction to seed starting and how seeds grow. Materials include: directions for homemade paper pots, seed starting mix, seeds, zipper bags, activity sheets, and instructions.
Leaf Books: an introduction to tree identification by their leaves. Materials include: a "Leaf Keeper" booklet, paper, instructions page, and online resources for tree identification.
Pollinators: an introduction to pollinators and their importance. Materials include: a packet of information about various forms of pollinators, including Monarch Butterflies, and an activity booklet for older students and hands-on activity for younger students.
If you are interested in any of these kits or have any questions, please contact the library by phone (217-386-2783) or email (lodalibrary@gmail.com).
Listen to this book, "Unicorn Day" by Diana Murray. Then make a unicorn mask.
Make this easy origami dog face.
Listen to this book, "Not Your Typical Dragon" by Dan Bar-el. Then make this dragon craft.
Read about more interesting sandwich ideas for kids here.
Read by Mindy Sterling
Try this Easy Lion Paper Plate Craft
Read by Reid Scott
Try some of these rock activities
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Then make these super simple doughnuts with only 3 ingredients
Read by Sarah Silverman
Then try this simple idea for understanding point of view in a story.
Child safe learning activities for ages 2-8. Free right now with this code School7771
Math plus Games for Elementary and High School kids!
Funbrain offers hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that made learning fun.
Children enjoy learning with educational games - try some of these!
Just like the print magazine, but with online activities and games.
Everything you'd ever want to know about the earth, sky and world around you.
The Regional Office of Education has these resources to recommend for homeschoolers
TumbleBooks’ databases are easy to use, and feature unlimited access from home! You can read as many books as you want, when you want, and on any device. There are no check-outs, holds, or bulky downloads. Books are available instantly.
Khan Academy a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.
Virtual School Day: Nearly 200 free, live K-12 classes available all day long intended to help parents fill their children's day with enriched learning. Some popular classes are "Intro to Spanish for Kids", "Coolest Women in History", "Java Programming Basics", and "The Story of Your Favorite Fairy Tales". We have received exceptional ratings from thousands of parents and students.
Adaptive Diagnostic Assessments: Measure a student's proficiency and identify strengths and weaknesses in hundreds of subjects. Get an effective learning plan along with free tools to improve.
Varsity Learning Tools: More than 250,000 free practice problems in over 200 subjects. Also available as mobile applications.
A list of the best bedtime reading stories for children, broken it down by age groups.
Monthly Guide to School Readiness
Help your young child prepare for kindergarten with the Library's FREE month-by-month guide to kindergarten readiness. Tips and ideas include skills development, getting ready to read, health and wellness and lots of book recommendations!
Safe and fun social reading community. The safe alternative "Goodreads" for kids. Parents and teachers can set up groups, assign books and track student progress.
Fun and challenging website that helps feed the hungry. As you play Freerice and answer questions right, advertisements appear on your screen. When you see one of these advertisements, you trigger a financial payment to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support its work saving and changing lives around the world.
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