ATLAS - At the Library After School

Submitted by Stephani Lindsey

School has started for our young patrons which means the return of ATLAS (At the Library After School). This large-scale engagement program was created by the Sharon Forks Youth Services team to give our elementary-aged patrons the opportunity to explore and learn about different topics any time they were in the library.

Last year we traveled across the globe through all of the continents. This year we will be traveling through 6 different time periods in history, Magic Tree House style! Each month will take us to a new time period starting with the Middle Ages. We will explore each time period through scavenger hunts, craft projects, and educational activities. 

We are traveling to each time period via our very own magic tree house created by the amazing Steph Gardner, and a magic book that will change each month and is our anchor at the Ask Us desk. We will keep track of our travels on a timeline that will be added to each month.

 

We typically install decorative, interactive, and educational pieces that serve multiple purposes including being eye-catching to draw their attention and set the scene, highlighting the library collections, and encouraging patrons to learn more about the topic of the month. This month included a large cardboard castle to learn about the different parts and who lived there. Crocodiles were even added to the moat at the suggestion of one of our young regulars. She was delighted to see the new additions the next time she came into the library!

Each month we will have three different activities that will be installed in the first three weeks and stay for the duration of the month. This month, we explored the history of the time period through a scavenger hunt, creating Viking rune necklaces, and creating our own Coats of Arms. All of these activities have been well received by patrons of all ages. There have been excellent interactions between children and their caregivers. Children have checked out books on knights, Vikings, and even Make a Castle Your Way! to learn how to make a castle like ours.

Week 1 Scavenger Hunt - Stained Glass

   Week 1 Scavenger Hunt - Spinning Wheel

  Week 2 Viking Rune Necklaces

Week 3 Coat of Arms

More ATLAS - Middle Ages photos can be found here.

We find that most of our patrons really appreciate the chance to interact and learn when it is convenient for them. However, we have also added a once-a-month in-person program, the Magic Treehouse Books Club.

Grab a Magic Tree House and travel on over to Sharon Forks this school year to check out where ours has taken us!