Kids
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Reading aloud to your little one every day not only nurtures your bond; it also increases the likelihood of their future academic success. Exceed this goal in one year by reading just three books a day. You can on paper by picking up a log at the library, or track electronically on Beanstack.
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Reading Dragons and Friends is a reading incentive program to encourage kids
to read throughout the school year. For every 300 minutes they spend reading, kids can choose one magical creature collector card. Registration begins September 2, 2023. At registration, each participant will receive their first tracker, a deck box, and three starter cards. Tracking can be done with a paper tracker, as pictured above, or digitally on the Beanstack app or website. Visit mccls.beanstack.org to register.
Rules for Basic Dragon Duel (can be played with starter cards)
To play, you and a friend each choose one card secretly, keeping it hidden so your friend can't see what you chose. Then count to 3 and both of you flip over your cards to see who wins.
Red beats Green
Green beats Blue
Blue beats Red
If you have the same color you tie.
Rules for Advanced Dragon Duel (play this when you have collected some additional cards)
- Mix up both players' cards and divide them evenly between both players.
- Place your stack of cards face down on the table. Do not look at your cards.
- Both players draw the top card on their deck and flip it over at the same time.
- Red beats Green
Green beats Blue
Blue beats Red
- Red beats Green
- If you have the same color, the oldest creature wins (ex. Teen beats Baby, Adult beats Teen).
- If your creatures are the same age then you duel.
- To duel, add two face down cards to the pile, then play one more card face up.
- Red beats Green
Green beats Blue
Blue beats Red
- Red beats Green
- If you have the same color, the oldest creature wins.
- If you tie again, duel until there is a winner.
- The winner adds both cards to their win pile.
- Play until you run out of cards.
- The player with the most cards in their win pile wins.
Ages 0-13
Our annual summer reading program for kids consists of two parts: 1) tracking time spent reading to earn incentives and 2) our summer events. While you can certainly attend our events without tracking reading, we encourage both. Studies have shown that reading during the summer protects kids from summer learning loss. This means that they are more likely to start school in the fall ready to learn new material.
How to Earn Reading Incentives
1. Register and track online at mccls.beanstack.org or pick up a paper tracker at an MCCLS library.
2. Read what you like (being read to, listening to audiobooks, reading graphic novels--everything counts!)
3. Visit an MCCLS library to get your incentive for each level you complete.
4. Read 1500 minutes to collect all 5!
5. You can earn reading incentives from May 13 through July 31.
Click here to view the summer event calendar.
Go to Resource
Basics Insights is a free text messaging program for parents and caregivers of young children that sends science-based tips to boost your child’s development.
Science shows that 80% of brain growth happens by the age of three and 90% by the age of five. Your child’s brain grows like a muscle, getting stronger as they connect with you and explore the world. The Basics Principles are five fun, simple and powerful ways to connect with your child and help them reach their full potential.
The text messages offer ideas for using these five Basics Principles in everyday moments.
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How It Works
Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. Countless parents have shared how excited their child is when their new book arrives each month. Many groups and individuals work hard behind the scenes to make that special moment possible for each child.
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