Children gather at the front of the cheerful all-purpose room inside the Brundage Community Branch Library. Today, they are fully engrossed in the story Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Staff member Ms. Morrison holds the book open facing the children, sharing the beautiful illustrations as she reads aloud. Meanwhile, an app called Novel Effect provides sound effects. Chirping birds, buzzing insects, and whooshing wind provide extra stimulation for these young readers’ imaginations.

As she closes the book, Ms. Morrison opens a discussion about the story.
“Did you know there was so much going on at night and underground?”
“Do you have a garden at home?”
Children raise their hands and share what they’re growing in their gardens. Ms. Morrison guides the conversation to an earlier lesson about pollinators, and students eagerly identify pollinators and talk about the ways they pollinate.

When it’s time for activities, the students split into groups. Some fill out pollinator worksheets with Ms. Morrison. The rest play “Roll a Story,” with the other staff members.

Throughout the morning, the staff shifts and regroups to make sure that all students complete all the activities. One child takes turns reading with an instructor. Another child reads questions on a worksheet, sounding out new words and trying out each answer to determine the best one. A third student practices phonics with the program director. Students who finish their tasks early assemble in a corner of the room and play hangman. Finally, all the children go upstairs to the library and select books of their choice, play games, and listen to stories. This time, they’re listening specifically for new words to use in hangman.