Hekab Be Library

Hekab Be Library Updates, October 2009

by Eleanor Zucker

Hekab Be is offering an exciting line-up of classes for local children, to help advance their academic skills in various areas. Note that all classes are offered to children COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE. This is why library supporters’ donations are essential to keeping our programs running!

On Monday, Wednesday & Friday, the following classes are being offered:

2:30-3:30 Yum Kin (Sun God) Group: kids ages 2-6, activities focus on book awareness reader, teaching preschool age children how to use books, to inspire a love of reading.
3:30-4:30 Kuche (Tree of God) Group: kids ages 2-6, teaches children who are just beginning to read .
4:30-5:30 K’ancab (Red Earth) Group: kids ages 6-9, reading and expression, building children’s ability to express verbally and in writing what they have learned by reading.
5:30-6:30 Kana Che (Tall Tree) Group: Kids ages 9-15, teaches children to creatively use books for inspiration in doing their own research projects, writing their own stories or plays, and includes a small monthly publication which the children will put together themselves.
6:30-7:30 X-K’aniol (Yellow Flower) Group: Mothers from the community, reading and other group activities about daily life, and helping to orient mothers in problem-solving issues they experience with their children’s education.

On Tuesday & Thursday:

3:30-4:30 Mayan Language Classes for Children Ages 2-12.

On Thursday:

Reading Marathon: Kids are encouraged to come in and read as many books as they can. So far we’ve had some children read as many as 8 stories in one afternoon, or an entire young adult novel!

On Saturday:

9-1: English classes; for children and adults, one hour classes divided by age groups.
9:30-10:30 Science workshop for children ages 6-12, who participate in various experiments to help advance their understanding in a hands-on fashion.
10:30-11:30 Art workshop for children ages 2-5, painting, working with clay/play-doh, and other types of arts and crafts projects.

New Staff at the Library
The library said goodbye to Maggie McCown, who is leaving Hekab Be for personal reasons. Many library visitors have come to know Maggie personally, and she will be missed!

Stop by and meet our new librarian and director of programs, Leo Bermudez, we think you will be impressed with what you find. Leo has a degree in Early Education and is a certified Montessori instructor at both the preschool and primary school levels. Leo brings what she has learned working in Montessori schools to the library, helping to achieve a new organization and system of work that empowers children to embark on their own learning adventures.

New "Points" System for Kids at HB
The new librarian, Leo, has revamped the system for points, which are the rewards or prizes (small toys, school supplies, etc) that children get for the work they do at the library. Under the new system, kids must work all week long to accumulate points, and their prizes are awarded to them based on whether they achieve a minimum, medium, or maximum amount of points. This system was initiated to motivate kids to participate in library activities in a more sustained way, including the afternoon classes.

The rationale behind this new system is to help the children start to realize that learning has its own inherent rewards. Eventually, points will be awarded on a less frequent basis so that the children learn that learning is fun--even when you don't win points, you "win" knowledge!

Every Friday the kids gather around to see who won the most points (inspiring them to be the next one to win the grand prize!), and they receive their prizes. Rewards are selected by the staff for each child based on his/her own preferences and learning needs. Children are awarded toys, but also learning materials such as flashcards or books.

The points program would not be possible without all the generous donations of library supporters who faithfully bring us suitcases full of goodies to give to the kids. A sincere THANK YOU to all who have taken the time, effort and expense to bring us these items!! Check our wishlist blog for the latest library needs: http://hbwishlist.blogspot.com

Library Services
Our services are available to visitors as well as to locals:
FOR ALL – Check out books or magazines! We have:

An English annex that includes a huge variety of fiction (great beach reading!), a National Geographic collection, and children’s books
Books on local ecology, history and culture
Titles in Spanish (for adults and children), French, German and Italian.

For Adults –

We offer language classes (Spanish, English & Mayan), come in and ask for more information.
DVDs/VHS (adult titles in English) available for rental (10 pesos per day).
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (in the evenings, 8:30-10 p.m., Monday-Saturday).

For children –

The library offers a great opportunity for visiting children and teens to have contact and exchanges with the local kids and culture.
We also have a nice jungle gym set for playing on.
For rainy days we have jigsaw puzzles, art supplies and board games.

Stay up to date with the latest library happenings by visiting our main blog: http://hekabbe.blogspot.com

For information on how to contribute, visit our donation site: http://hekab-be-paypal.blogspot.com

For information on our most recent needs, check out our wishlist: http://hbwishlist.blogspot.com

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Hekab Be Library Updates, October 2009

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