Junior Scholars: Follow Your Dreams

We all have dreams: dreams about what careers we'd like, dreams of our ultimate vacation, and dreams of projects we want to accomplish. Achieving these dreams requires some planning, but every step you take gets you closer to your goal. It's our dream to see you at a program this week, so please join us as we explore what it takes to follow and achieve your dreams!

#READ: Never Too Young: 50 Unstoppable Kids Who Made a Difference by Aileen Weintraub

Meet 50 super-inspiring kids! It's never too early--and you're never too young-- to make a difference in the world! The amazing musicians, writers, scientists, athletes, activists, and other fascinating kids in this book accomplished great feats by the age of eighteen. They impacted people's lives by coming up with new inventions, making art and music, competing in sports, and speaking out about important issues. Let their incredible stories inspire you to follow your dreams, achieve your goals, and strive for greatness now!

Questions to think about while you read:

• What do you see yourself accomplishing by the time you're 18?
• What is your plan to achieve that goal?
• What are obstacles you might encounter and how would you overcome them?

#PLAY: Three Stars and a Wish

For this game, players choose a topic, such as a school subject, sport, or anything in their life they’d like to share. Then, they name three skills about that topic that they are confident doing (stars) and identify one area where they'd like to improve (wish). Then they discuss strategies they can employ to fulfill their "wish."

Examples:

1. Topic: Math
   1. Star: good at addition
   2. Star: good at subtraction
   3. Star: like problem solving
   4. Wish: want to be better at learning multiplication tables
      • Practice with flashcards
      • Practice on worksheets
      • Play math games on computer
2. Topic: drama production
   1. Star: enjoy being in costume
   2. Star: like rehearsing
   3. Star: enjoy performing
   4. Wish: want to know lines more confidently
      • Practice lines with other actors
      • Practice lines with family member
      • Practice memorizing lines, one at a time, adding another line each time

#EXPLORE:  Create & Keep a Dream Journal

Supplies:

• Composition book or spiral notebook
• Watercolor paper or cardstock, 8.5 x 11-inch piece
• Adhesive letters
• Shaving cream
• Shallow pan or baking sheet
• Liquid watercolors or food coloring
• Butter knife
• Liquid glue or decorative Washi tape
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Arrange adhesive letters on watercolor paper or cardstock; you could spell "DREAM" or your name. At the end of the project, you'll be removing the letters.
2. Spray a thick layer of shaving cream into a shallow pan or baking sheet. Dot the top with liquid watercolors or food coloring. Use a butter knife to swirl the colors into the shaving cream.
3. Lay the watercolor paper or cardstock on top of the shaving cream mixture. Press it flat and let it sit for a minute or two.
4. Carefully remove the paper from the shaving cream. Use the butter knife to scrape off and discard the shaving cream. Allow paper to dry fully.
5. When the paper is dry, carefully remove the adhesive letters.
6. Open the notebook and lay it cover side up. Place the marbled paper on top. You can secure the paper to the notebook in two ways:
   • Use liquid glue OR
   • Use decorative Washi tape

Whichever way you decide, you'll need to use scissors to trim the paper to fit the notebook.

7. Once the cover is finished, the journal is ready for you to start writing about your dreams and how you can achieve them! Here are some ideas for journal prompts:
   • What is something you really want to do?
   • How do you define success?
   • I am the happiest when I...
   • What is one goal you'd like to achieve and what will it mean if you achieve it?
   • What is your dream career?
   • Where would you go if you could travel anywhere?
   • What is one fear you'd like to overcome?

Create a plan for achieving a goal or dream: what steps will it take to get there?

Inspired by Scholastic

#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.

#KEEP READING: Check these out for dreamy stories or inspiration to follow your own dreams: