This Chinese new year is the year of the rat.  Meanings dealing with this animal of the Chinese zodiac include:

• Industriousness

• Ingenuity

• Necessity

• Resourceful

• Production

• Foresight

• Luck

Rats cycle an appearance every 12 years.  Rats also occur on even-numbered years (1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, etc.). 

 

This year is about structure, and completion only for us to turn around and see something new pop out and surprise us.

 

This is exactly what Mrs. Miller from Castleton Library, Mrs. Golden from Maple Hill Middle School and Barb Kelp had in mind.  Put together creative, unique events that will get kids interested in reading and/or increase reading skills.  These creative women have hit a HOME RUN!!  These reading events began at Maple Hill Middle school with Mrs. Golden's 4th Grade Class. This program has surprised all three women with the increased interest of the rats,  not only from the kids but also other Teachers and Parents! (The Year of the Rat shines through!!!) The kids get excited to see and play with the rats and they join in freely about the books they have read during book discussions! Our Parents and Teachers are very excited to see the interest in reading has increased.

 

Some of the stars of the Reading Rat Club are Molly and Despereaux who resided with Mrs. Golden's Classroom and Tanzanite who was featured with Sean Rafferty in the June 20th Issue of The Independent newspaper, Rensselaer Edition. This program has been expanded to include local Girl Scout Troops as well.

 

To see a complete Summer 2008 schedule for the Reading Rat Club at Castleton Library, please click on the News Page.

 

So Come and be Surprised with the fun reading activities at the Reading Rat Club!