Summer free-time can sometimes make it seem like children are turning into wild animals. The Ohio University Zanesville Campus Library had the perfect answer for exhausted parents -- the 3rd Annual Literacy and Creativity Workshop, featuring a visit with animals from the Columbus Zoo.
"The workshop was a big hit," said Megan Kalb, a library student worker and a Zanesville campus education major. "The Columbus Zoo was awesome. They brought several exotic animals that the children don't normally see. The experience really enhanced the children's creativity and thinking skills."
Students in grades 4 through 7 interacted with and learned facts about the animals while stretching their imaginations. Each student used the facts they learned to write a story about an animal, create a collage shadow box illustration and craft an animal mask. The students then presented this information in a PowerPoint "Safari Log" account of their entire adventure.
"I am very excited about the response," Library Director Shana Fair said. "The students designed some very creative collages to illustrate the jungle stories that they wrote. It is amazing how kids can turn paper, twigs, dried grasses, stones, pinecones, and various other types of "found" objects into jungle scenes."
The first one-day workshop was held July 18. The next session will be Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Preregistration and prepayment are required. The $30 activity fee includes lunch and is nonrefundable. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Childcare is available from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. for an additional $10. Younger siblings, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can register to attend the zoo presentation and have lunch for $5.
Deadline for preregistration is one week prior to workshop date or when the 20-student limit is reached. Online registration is available at www.zanesville.ohiou.edu/library/workshops/literacyandcreativity/2003/.
"The library staff did a wonderful job on this year's workshop," Fair explained. "They are willing to give 150 percent so that we can provide library services as well as develop and teach the Literacy and Creativity Workshop. Without the extra effort of the staff the workshop would not have become a reality."
Charles Savage also donated his time and talent and composed the "Zoo Song" especially for the workshop.
"My children have attended all three years. They have enjoyed it greatly," said Tracey Humphrey, senior library assistant. "As a mother, I appreciate the creative thinking skills that we try to teach the students. This type of program is exactly what we need in the Muskingum County area. And to be truthful the staff has as much fun as the students, if not more."
Humphrey added, "Having the students on campus for the workshops can also show them what it is like to be on campus and that it is possible for them to attend. The first workshop is when my oldest son realized that he wanted to go to college. I see our workshops as showing the students a future."
Support for the Literacy and Creativity Workshop is provided by the Muskingum County Community Foundation. The Zanesville Campus Library serves Ohio University Zanesville and Muskingum Tech. For more information about the event, contact Humphrey at (740) 588-1405 or by e-mail at humphret@ohio.edu.
