It’s circle time at Brundage Community Library READy for the Grade, and Ms. Jody is leading the children in a discussion about what they can learn by reading a book’s title. Ms. Jody also introduces the idea of comparison. To illustrate the concept, she reads short excerpts from multiple books and invites the children to identify the characters’ similarities, plus the different ways each character shows patience, cooperation, friendship and harmony.

After circle time, the students rotate through four centers:

1) working on a collaborative mural about friendship,

2) playing sight-word bingo,

3) visiting the library upstairs, and

4) journaling.

Some children also visit tutors for one-on-one assistance.

At the end of the day, Hamden’s new program coordinator Ms. Nancy invites everyone back to the carpet for a rousing game of “Grown-ups Vs. Kids.” The children are on the edge of their seats, screaming answers as they read tricky sight words (history, finger, enemy), find rhyming words, and demonstrate comprehension. Stakes are high, as kids get points for each correct answer, but adults only get points if the kids miss. Ultimately, the children claim victory, and Miss Nancy laments she needs to find harder words.