Joanna Axelrod Youth Services Librarian Escondido Public Library [email protected] Anna Hartman Children's Librarian San Diego County Library - La.

Joanna AxelrodYouth Services LibrarianEscondido Public [email protected]

Anna Hartman Children's Librarian

San Diego County Library - La Mesa [email protected]

Betwixt, BeTWEEN, and Befuddled

Who are They and Why Should I Care?

• Very ambiguous definition! – 9-14 years old (4th – 9th grade)

• “too old for toys…too young for boys” • Tweens are searching for a place where

they belong and libraries can provide it

Challenges – Programming and Scheduling

• Distinguishing unique programs for tweens - not just lumping them into a group with your kids or teens

• Since the age definition is so ambiguous, finding a balance between age and developmental appropriateness for all tweens

Scheduling Considerations

• After school or summer school (afternoon is best to avoid these times)

• Still rely on parents for ride

Running the Program

• Sign Up in advance if limited supplies or space.

• No Parents Allowed

• Divide the group if there are not enough supplies for all to use at one time

• Reminder Call!!!!

Book Clubs

• Escondido Public Library’s In BeT(w)een Book Club

• La Mesa Library Tween Book Club for 3-5 graders

Not Just a Book Club

• Add an activity related to book

• List of Books and Activities on Summer Reading Wiki

Selecting Tween Activities

•Activities for Tweens are those that are too hard for young elementary and too babyish for Teens.

•Sometimes the directions need to be adapted to make it easier for large groups.

Hydro Bracelets

Hydro Bracelets and WandSupplies• 1 ft ¼ inch diameter clear plastic tubing • 1 inch 3/8 inch diameter clear plastic tubing • Glitter, small confetti, etc. to fit inside ¼ inch diameter tubing• 2- ½ screw protectors (hardware department) • Super Glue• Water• Food Coloring (optional)

BraceletTotal Cost: $8.60 (with super glue) Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.43WandTotal Cost: $11.40 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.58

Snow Globe

Snow Globe

Supplies

Baby Food Jars, Plastic Ocean Animal, Glitter, Food Coloring, Water, Super Glue

Total Cost: $20-30

Total Cost per 20 Tweens:

$1-1.50

Water Bottle Holder

Water Bottle Holder

SuppliesCotton or polypropylene belt webbing, 1 rubber O-

ring, 2 no-sew dungaree buttons, fabric paint

Total Cost: $60-95Total Cost per 20 kids: $3-4.75

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/water-bottle-holder-667806

Seashell Creatures

Seashell Creatures

Supplies• Seashells (variety of sizes, shapes, and colors)• Google Eyes• Craft Glue• Other embellishments

Total Cost: $14.00 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.70

From: http://crafts.kaboose.com/seashell-critters.html

Message in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle

Supplies• Used Water Bottles• Glitter Glue• Stickers (Rhinestone Skickers)• Paper• Crayons/Markers

Total Cost: $10-30Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $1-1.50

Water Creature Eraser

Supplies

Sculpey Amazing Eraser Clay

Total Cost: $26

Total Cost per 20 Tween: $1.30

Crystal Rock Garden

Crystal Rock Garden

Supplies• Alum • Jar (size may vary depending on how many rocks you

put in)• Water• Microwave (dissolving alum in water)

Total Cost: $20Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $1.00

From http://fun.familyeducation.com/childrens-science-activities/after-school-activities/29585.html

Water Science • Cauldron Bubbles Test which materials will make the cauldron bubbleclear glasses, water, oil, salt, sugar, sand

• Dancing Raisins Make raisins and other objects dance or floattall clear glass, club soda that has a lot of bubbles, raisins, beans,

chocolate chips, etc.

• Water Filter Make a filter that will clean water2-liter soda bottle cut in half, napkins or paper towels, gravel, sand and

cotton balls for your filter, dirty water

From: http://pbskids.org/zoom/

Save the Date!!• SERRA Tween Workshop

Wednesday, March 10, 2010East Valley Community Center, Escondido$20 full day program includes lunch

• Featuring Teri Lesesne– Sam Houston State Univ. Prof and Self-proclaimed “Goddess of

YA Literature”– Author of Naked Reading: Uncovering what tweens need to

become lifelong readers– www.professornana.livejournal.com