Fun with Science and Ezra Jack Keats

Brought to you through funding from
the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
Our library received a great response to this program series! Parents have voiced their appreciation, and given us many compliments! The children were very attentive to the stories, and enjoyed the activities. Despite the frigid temperatures and snow, our attendance for these programs exceeded our planned expectations.
 

 




Fun with Gravity & Ezra Jack Keats 


During our first program, "Fun with Gravity and Ezra Jack Keats", children received foam goggles and experienced the imaginary world of Keats. They listened to a simple explanation of gravity, heard "Peter's Chair" and saw a demonstration of falling blocks. We also read "The Snow Day". The science experiment, the "Spinning Ball", showed the children how to pick a ball up off a table, without touching it, or tipping the jar. After reading the story "Louie", we invited the children to join us in the "Balloon Challenge", trying to keep a balloon in the air by blowing through a straw. The story "Dreams" was read, then the children created shadow puppets and put on a shadow puppet play. They were invited to wear a groundhog hat and  crawl through "groundhog" tunnels.

"Looking at the imaginary world of Keats!"

Using his foam goggles, this little boy is able to see the imaginary world of Keats!

"Spinning Ball" experiment!

The "Balloon Challenge"

Crawling through the "groundhog" tunnel!

Shadow puppet play!

Fun with Sound and Ezra Jack Keats 

Our second  program "Fun with Sound and Ezra Jack Keats", we read "Louie's Search"  and "Apartment 3". The children listened to an audio recording of twelve  sounds, including crickets, a music box, and a harmonica. They also got  to see and hear an actual harmonica. We made Chinese gongs from tin pie  pans and mallets from corks stuck on the end of a a pencil. We also  read "Maggie and the Pirate" and made our own telescopes. After that we  read "Whistle for Willie" which tied in well with the sound theme.

Looking through their telescopes

This little boy has fun making his telescope

Tin pie pan gong

This little girl plays her Chinese gong

Fun with Living Things and Ezra Jack Keats 

Our last program "Fun with Living Things and Ezra Jack Keats" we read "Jennie's Hat" and sang "Over in the Meadow". Local veterinarian, Dr. Alexandra Coon, brought in her guinea pig, "Roxy" for the children to see and pet. She also read "Pet Show" to the audience. We were able to incorporate the story "The Trip" into the program as well. We showed the children a shoe box diorama like Louie made, so they could make one at home. Dog and cat crafts were made from recycled materials and felt scraps. Everyone then shared punch, and a beautifully decorated birthday cake for Ezra Jack Keats.
The kids to get pet "Roxy' the guinea pig

Dr. Alexandra Coon introduces "Roxy" the guinea pig

Showing the kids a shoebox diorama

Cat and dog craft

Birthday cake for Ezra Jack Keats!