Learn about Conductivity and Electric Circuits! Students will learn what makes materials conductive and how electricity flows by building their own electric circuits using a Makey...
Read more about "Makey-Makey"si’káániksi~blankets Hali Heavy Shield, Nato’yi’kina’soyi (Holy Light that Shines Bright) Saddletowne Library (2021) In this piece, seven large panels resemble blankets of various geometric designs, thematic colours, and symbols of nature. In contemporary Blackfoot culture, blankets are often gifted as gestures of gratitude, comfort, and protection. These seven blanket panels were designed to celebrate and honour the Indigenous communities within the Treaty 7 area. si’káániksi~blankets was created during the COVID-19 pandemic and began to take on other meanings for the artist. During the onset of colonization, Blackfoot nations survived the smallpox disease as it claimed thousands of lives. The Blackfoot continue to be a strong and spiritual people, who continue to thrive, particularly through education. Public libraries serve to provide a place for all people to gather, access knowledge, and engage in meaningful learning. About the Artist Nato’yi’kina’soyi, Hali Heavy Shield is a multidisciplinary artist and educator and is a member of the Blood Tribe (Kainai) of southern Alberta. Hali’s work is influenced by experiences in her home community, including Blackfoot stories, significant sites, family, and women as sources of strength and goodness. She often uses vibrant colours, text, and symbolism to braid contemporary and traditional Indigenous realities with imagined futurisms. Hali is also a literacy activist who works to engage others in generative discussion and practices of reconciliation and creativity.
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Read more about "Discover the joy of reading with your family"Learn to play a musical instrument at your own pace. Artistworks complements the Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library available at Memorial Park Library.NEW! ArtistWorks has moved to the Libby app. Download the Libby app from the App Store or Google Play . Sign in with your Calgary Public Library card, then scroll to the "Extras" section on the home screen.Or, if you already have the app, click here.
Read more about "Free online music classes from Artistworks on the Libby app"Over four frigid days in December 2017, people gathered in the John Dutton Theatre at Central Library for Creation Lodge, listening as Elders Jerry and Jo-Ann Saddleback warmly shared Cree creation stories.Creation Lodge is about “reclaiming our way of life, one story at a time,” said organizer William Bellegarde, an Assiniboine Cree man from Saskatchewan who lives in Calgary. A small group of people, including Bellegarde, started Creation Lodge in Calgary in the fall of 2016.The events aim to fill a void. Many Indigenous people do not know their creation story, Bellegarde said, or they only know pieces. But such stories are foundational, filled with values and learning.“They’re so important, because those stories have a way of governing family, politics, so many things. But we’re missing them,” Bellegarde said. “We want to bring creation stories back into the fold.”The grassroots events are hosted at various venues and intended for anyone, with special efforts made to reach people who are homeless.At each Creation Lodge, a story keeper tells oral stories over multiple days. The audience members simply listen; there are no videos, sound effects, or distractions. “When you hear the story you create the pictures, you create the imagery based on what you know,” Bellegarde said. “You become actively involved by listening.”At the free drop-in Creation Lodge program at Central Library Dec 27 - 30, 2017, Elder Jerry Saddleback spoke animatedly and at length. Saddleback, a member of the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, recited far-reaching stories to a rapt audience, shared his profound knowledge on Cree history and traditions, and taught Cree words.The rich days of learning were intended to give people a “holistic perspective,” Saddleback said. “I’m hoping and praying that the younger generation will pick up on it, and I’m confident that they are. Many are sitting here today, and I’m very thankful for that,” he told the audience.Creation Lodge has garnered positive feedback, from both the storytellers sharing teachings and the people coming to listen, Bellegarde said.For non-Indigenous people, Creation Lodge offers a powerful opportunity to hear and recognize stories that have long been pushed aside, under past government policies of assimilation. “It’s important for reconciliation, and it’s important for one culture’s religious beliefs not dominating another’s,” Bellegarde said.He’s also heard from Indigenous people who describe Creation Lodge as “like going home.” “That really means a lot to me,” he said. “In terms of my worldview, home is a bigger thing. It means family, it means community, it means connection.”Bellegarde continues to work alongside a small steering committee, aiming to bring Creation Lodge to more people. There’s an appetite, he said, and a growing recognition of the power of story — to root people and connect them.“People are hungry,” Bellegarde said. “They want to hear more.”
Read more about "Stories Creation Lodge Gives Voice to Missing Stories"Did you know that sensory play lays an important foundation for your child’s learning? It encourages brain development, open-ended thinking, fine motor skill building, and even language learning. We’ve rounded up our favourite sensory activities for preschoolers who love to paint — all you need are a few household objects. Besides, who doesn’t love getting a little messy?Sensory Spice Painting This simple activity engages the senses with fragrant spices and encourages your little one’s fine-motor skills as they mix and paint with brushes. What you’ll need:Paper, washable white paint, four small containers, four paint brushes, and four kinds of ground spices like cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, and cardamomWhat to do:Pour washable white paint into four small containers or bowls, then add one spice to each bowl. The more spice you add, the deeper the colour. Use paint brushes to mix the spices into the paint until blended. Watch your preschooler paint with the beautiful and fragrant earth-toned shades. Be mindful that spice paints have the potential to stain clothes. Sensory tip: ask them which spice they like the smell of best, and why. Shaving Cream Finger Painting Soft, cool, and fluffy, shaving cream is a sensory delight for little hands to play in — you don’t even need paint brushes for this activity. What you’ll need: Shaving cream, kitchen table or tray, rags for cleaningWhat to do: Spray shaving cream on your kitchen table (or a cookie tray) and let children spread it all over with their hands. They can squish it between their fingers, draw pictures in it, or practice their letters. Give them wet rags to clean it up with after, and you’ll have a sparkling clean table. Snow PaintingIf there’s snow outside, this is a great way to engage in outdoor sensory play with preschoolers. What you’ll need:Spray bottles, food colouring, snow What to do:Fill spray bottles with water and add food colouring to each bottle. Spray the coloured water on the snow to write letters, create pictures, or turn your backyard into a snowy rainbow. Your preschooler’s creativity will shine with these simple but engaging sensory activities. Want even more great early literacy activities you can do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for more resources like these.Not yet a member? Sign up for your free Library card.Sources:Craftulate: Sensory Spice PaintingLittle Rock Family: 6 Sensory-Stimulating Activities using Common Household ItemsFive Minute Fun: Five-minute Sensory Play Ideas
Read more about "Stories Three Sensory Activities for Preschoolers Who Love to Paint"A long-standing volunteer, Library donor Maureen has helped many young readers develop strong reading comprehension skills and discover the magic of reading.
Read more about "Enjoy a good book in the Maureen Proctor Reading Nook."Deciding to apply for citizenship in a new country is a big decision, but it’s also exciting. If your goal is to become a Canadian citizen, you can start preparing for your citizenship test right now from home.Use your free Library card to access these resources from the Digital Library. They make studying simple and stress free!Don’t have a Library card? You can sign up for free online and start using it immediately.Learn about your rightsFind out all you need to know about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens by downloading the official study guide for the citizenship test. This guide is provided by the Government of Canada and contains information about the history of Canada, how our government works, symbols of Canada and its regions, and more.BrainFuseConnect with tutors online to get answers to your questions as you prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test. Tutors are available from 2 pm to 11 pm every day. BrainFuse also has an adult learning centre that includes Canadian Citizenship practice tests and resources to help you excel. Canadian EncyclopediaUse this resource to learn more about Canada’s history and culture through images, maps, videos, timelines, and other media. The Canadian Encyclopedia also provides classroom resources, quizzes, and study guides.Road to IELTSNewcomers to Canada can expand their verbal and written communication skills with this resource. Road to IELTS can help you prepare for the International English Language Testing System exam with Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing courses. You can also use a personalized study planner to stay on track.
Read more about "Stories Preparing for the Canadian Citizenship Test from Home"The value of Intellectual Freedom Calgary Public Library is committed to the principles of intellectual freedom and to ensuring that we provide the widest possible access to information and resources, to encourage informed discussions, diverse opinions, and learning in our communities. Intellectual Freedom is defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The Canadian Federation of Library Associations affirms: That all persons in Canada have a fundamental right, subject only to the Constitution and the law, to have access to the full range of knowledge, imagination, ideas, and opinion, and to express their thought publicly. The availability of an item within our collection does not indicate the Library’s endorsement of its content. Some content in our collection may be seen as controversial, unconventional, or unpopular, and perhaps contrary to the mission and values of the Library, but its presence in our collection reflects our commitment to intellectual freedom. The Library endorses the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Statement on Intellectual Freedom , and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom . The ultimate right and responsibility for the choice and use of Library materials rests with the individual. Responsibility for children's or teens' choice and use of resources rests with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Read the Calgary Public Library Board policy on Intellectual Freedom
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