Community Reading Project: The Colors of Us (in person)

How Will Your (Community) Garden Grow?

The activity will start with a read aloud of The Colors of Us in the Elementary library followed by a group crafting project in the maker space. For this interactive activity, geared towards K-3, the library will provide large rolls of butcher paper, colored construction paper in an assortment of colors, colored tissue paper, glue-sticks and safety scissors. The proposed budget for this activity is around $25 as there are already existing safety scissors and glue sticks in the maker space. There will be three members of library staff present to manage the crafting and to facilitate. Parents are strongly encouraged to stay for this event. The project can take place in the maker-space adjacent to the elementary library and will be advertised a month in advance on Kobe Public Library's website. There will be an online rsvp sign-up as the capacity for the maker space is 20, so this event is capped at 20. The read aloud, creative project, and community share will last approximately 60 minutes.

The children can sit at long tables with their caretakers while they craft their flowers, stems and grass. Once they are finished, everyone can glue their creations on the large sheet of butcher paper making a collective "garden". Children will create their own flower patterns and will choose their color schemes. There are no templates or prescribed ways to craft your garden space.

Post-crafting Conversation:

After everyone has glued their artwork to the butcher paper, the group can move back into the Elementary library seated comfortably on the carpet with the large community garden affixed to the white board wall visible in front of the group. Each child is invited to say something about their plant or flower that makes it remarkable. Also, can they tell us what makes them special? Commend the children for their bravery for speaking in front of a group. Notice how each and every plant and flower is unique and exceptional in its own way. There are no two that are alike. You might also pay special attention to the differences between the flowers. Just as no two flowers are alike, no two people are exactly alike. Proudly displaying similarities and differences is an excellent way to teach students to value diversity. Each person is beautiful and special in their own way, just like their flower. Just like all of the different flowers come together to create a beautiful garden, all of you came together to form a community of special