I'm sure you all are off and running with your summer plans! Hopefully, that includes participating in the Library's Summer Reading Program: Oceans of Possibilities. Welcome to the first full week! Each week in June will feature a different sea creature. This week, it's dolphins! If you check out the St. Johns River early in the morning or can visit our beaches, you will definitely see dolphins out frolicking in the water. All of our programs this week will focus on these highly intelligent mammals—join us and earn tickets for prizes! Also, keep track of your daily reading; you can earn up to FOUR free books this summer. Reading trackers are available at all libraries at the Children's Desk.
#READ: Dolphins by Melissa Stewart
Everyone loves the smile on a dolphin's face. Though smart enough to become theme park tricksters, dolphins are first and foremost wild mammals. Melissa Stewart's lively text outlines our responsibility to conserve their natural environment. This high-interest book also offers an interactive experience to boost awareness of these adorable creatures.
#PLAY: Dolphin Games!
These games will help you learn more about dolphins as you play.
Dolphin Talk
Supplies:
- Whistles (one per participant)
Instructions:
- Dolphins use sounds and whistles to communicate. Have fun inventing your own dolphin language. For example, blowing the whistle once to say "yes" and clapping hands or snapping tongues to say "no."
- Next, players ask each other simple questions and practice using their new dolphin "language" to respond.
Feed the Dolphins
Supplies:
- Two stuffed dolphins OR two inflatable dolphins OR two printouts of dolphins
- Two hula hoops OR string to outline two large circles
- 20 beanbags OR small balls
- Print & cut out pictures of: 4 fish, 4 squid, 4 jellyfish, 2 octopus, 2 hamburgers, 2 salads, and 2 bananas
- Strong tape
- Timer
Instructions:
- Prep for the game: put two hula hoops side-by-side OR outline two circles with string. Put the stuffed/inflatable/printout dolphins in the center of each circle. Use the tape to attach the cutouts of fish, etc. to the beanbags or small balls. Make two sets of 10 beanbags/balls: for each set, there should be seven with cutouts of 2 fish, 2 squid, 2 jellyfish, and 1 octopus attached, and three with 1 hamburger, 1 salad, and 1 banana attached.
- To play, divide players into two teams and give each team a set of 10 beanbags. Depending on the age/skill of players, determine a distance from the hoops (4-6 feet) and tape down a line for players to stand behind. Set a timer for 30 seconds. Team members line up behind the tape mark and take turns grabbing a beanbag/ball and deciding if the picture is of something a dolphin eats. If so, they throw it into the hoop/circle to "feed" the dolphin. Then the next player goes, and so on until time runs out.
- Once time runs out, examine the hoops/circles: is everything in there something a dolphin eats? (There should be no salads, burgers, or bananas!). The team that landed the most correct food in the hoop wins.
#EXPLORE: Make a Dolphin Corner Bookmark
Supplies:
- 6" x 6" piece of blue copier paper or construction paper
- If you don't have blue paper, color white paper with blue crayons, colored pencils, etc.
- Scissors
- Black marker
Instructions:
- Follow directions in this video by Red Ted Art. It only takes a few minutes and is easy to follow along.
- Use your dolphin bookmark for your summer reading books!
#JOIN: Attend a program virtually or in person!
View all school age programs and events offered this week.
For virtual programs, registration is required to receive the Zoom link; use the link in the program information to register.
For in person programs, registration is required; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
