Dinosaurs (and Food) -- 6/16/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

I'm Hungry! Tengo Hambre! by Angela Dominguez
Cookiesaurus Rex by Amy Fellner Dominy

Books:
Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin
How Do Dinosaurs Their Food? by Jane Yolen
Regina Is Not a Little Dinosaur by Andrea Zuill
T. Rex Time Machine by Jared Chapman
Tea Rex by Molly Idle
When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth by Sean Taylor

Craft: Folded Dinosaur Puppet

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (dinosaur, tongue)

- Color pieces

- Glue tongue inside mouth

- Fold mouth in half

- Fold back above dinosaur's top teeth

- Fold back below dinosaur's bottom teeth

Extension Activities:

- Make and decorate dinosaur cookies.  What is the perfect decoration for dinosaurs in cookie form?

- Discuss the difference between herbivore and carnivore dinosaurs and what they eat.  Ask your child to plan a menu for both types of dinosaurs.

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Dinosaurs (In the Library) -- 6/9/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea
Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher

Books (Library):
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss 
The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Stanley's Library by William Bee

Craft: Dinosaur Magnetic Bookmark

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out bookmark

- Color bookmark

- Fold bookmark in half

- Place two magnets onto bottom inside of bookmark

Extension Activities:

- Talk about expected behavior in a library -- inside voices, no running, etc.

- Ask your child to lead a story time for the family.  Let them pick the books to read and an activity to go along with it.

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Dinosaurs (Week 1) -- 6/2/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Dinosaur Countdown by Nicholas Oldland
How Many Dinosaurs Is Too Many? by Lou Peacock

Books:
Rex by Simon James
Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald
Some Dinosaurs Are Small by Charlotte Voake
T Is for Terrible by Peter McCarty

Craft: Name Dinosaur

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (dinosaur, spikes)

- Color pieces

- Write name on spike -- one letter on each spike

- Glue spikes to dinosaur's back so spells out name

Extension Activities:

- Practice counting at the library.  Visit the Arnold Branch and count the number of dinosaurs hanging up in the Kids Area.  For extra practice, count how many of each type of dinosaur or color of dinosaur.

- Practice letter recognition by asking your child to find the letters of their name in the book you are reading.

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Virtual Story Time: Unearth a Story -- June 2026

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.)

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon
Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus

Books:
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap
Dinosaurs Are Extinct: Real Facts About Real Dinosaurs by Drew Sheneman
Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett
Surprise Dinosaur! by Lucas Klauss
That's What Dinosaurs Do by Jory John
Three Little Dinosaurs by Charles Fuge


Extension Activities:

- Learn about the different sizes of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.  Compare them to see which was the tallest?  Shortest?  Which ones were your size?

- Make some invisible dinosaur chalk art (either on paper or outside on the sidewalk).  Print and cut out various dinosaur templates.  Then place the template onto paper/sidewalk.  Then color over the template making sure to go past the sides with chalk.  Remove the template to see your invisible dinosaur.

- Go on a dinosaur hunt.  Hide a stuffed dinosaur or picture of a dinosaur and ask your child(ren) to find it.

Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party -- 5/26/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party by Erin Barker
The Nuts: Sing and Dance in Your Polka-Dot Pants by Eric Litwin

Books:
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats
Never Let a Unicorn Crash a Party! by Diane Alber
PAR-TAY! Dance of the Veggies (and Their Friends) by Eloise Greenfield
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore by David McPhail
Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin
Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman

Craft: Paper Tea Cup

- Print template at Krokotak.com onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (saucer, spoon, cup, handle)

- Color pieces

- Glue cup into cylinder 

- Fold down and glue bottom strips to make cup

- Fold and glue handle to side of cup

Extension Activities:

- Plan and hold a tea party with your child(ren).  Let them help with preparing the food and decorations.

- Play some party games such as Pin the Tail, Hot Potato, etc.

Dance Party Countdown -- 5/19/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown by Eric Litwin
Cake by Sue Hendra

Books:
Bear Can't Wait by Karma Wilson
Duck, Duck, Moose! by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Froggy's Sleepover by Jonathan London
Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore by David McPhail
Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman

Craft: Birthday Cake

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (cake layers, candles)

- Color pieces

- Glue layers on top of each other from largest at bottom to smallest at top

- Glue candles to top of cake

- Optional: Glue on sequence for sprinkles

Extension Activities:

- Have a dance party.  Learn different types of dances (ex - twist, polka, line, etc.).

- Make a cake with your child(ren).  Let them help with the measuring, mixing, and decorating.

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Do I Have to Go to a Party? -- 5/12/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Do I Have to Go to a Party? by Jonathan Fenske
No Pants! by Jacob Grant

Books:
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
How to Party Like a Snail by Nassem Hrab
If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff
Maisy's Surprise Birthday Party by Lucy Cousins
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Jane Cabrera
She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain by Philemon Sturges

Craft: Puffer Fish
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (top half of fish, mouth, fins)

- Color pieces

- Glue top half of fish to a recycled cd-rom

- Glue mouth to center of cd-rom covering the point on the top half of the fish

- Glue fins to sides of cd-rom

Extension Activities:

- Ask your child to pick out the perfect party outfit.  Does it change depending on the type of party you are attending?

- Try coming up with additional "ways" to wear pants other than those listed in "No Pants!".

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I Am Invited to a Party! -- 5/5/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems
Wolf's Coming! by Joe Kulka

Books:
Ant Party by Ross Montgomery
Dragon Noodle Party by Ying Chang Compestine
Knock Knock! by Tammi Sauer
Party for Everyone by Francesca Pirrone
Party Pigs! by Eric Seltzer
Party Rex by Molly Idle

Craft: Party Crown
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color and cut out PARTY image

- Glue paper strips to sides to make into crown

- Optional: Glue on sequins for extra bling

Extension Activities:

- Talk about different types of parties.  Ask your child to come up with the perfect outfit for the different types of parties.
- Have your child "plan" their perfect party.  What activities would there be?  What food would be served?  Where would it be held?  Try to do some of the party activities/foods if possible.

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Virtual Story Time: The Duck Never Blinks -- May 2026

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.)

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Duck Never Blinks by Alex Latimer

Books:

5 Little Ducks by Denise Fleming 

Ducks by Deborah Underwood

Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek

Duck's Vacation by Gilad Soffer

Grumpy Duck by Joyce Dunbar

Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach

Extension Activities:

- Hold a Staring/Blink Contest. Who can go the longest without blinking?

- Play a game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

- Decorate a Rubber Duck.  Let your child(ren) color with markers or paint the duck.  Glue on sequins, feathers, pompoms, etc.

Mermaids -- 4/28/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace
Five Little Mermaids by Sunny Scribens

Books:
The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime by Eija Sumner
How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen
Mermaid Lullaby by Kenneth Kraegel
Mermaids Are the Worst by Alex Willan
Mermaids' Song to the Sea by Dianna Hutts Aston

Craft: Mermaid

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (person, tail, hair)

- Color pieces

- Glue tail over legs

- Glue hair to top of head

- Optional:  Glue on sparkles if you like

Extension Activities:

- Mermaids love sparkly jems and jewelry.  Make a mermaid crown and add sequins to it for extra sparkle.

- Watch one of the movie versions of The Little Mermaid.

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Ocean Animals -- 4/14/26 & 4/21/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

(There are so many great Ocean Animal books that we did two weeks of this theme.)

I Spy Under the Sea by Edward Gibbs
Secret Seahorse by Stella Blackstone
Plankton Is Pushy by Jonathan Fenske

Books:
Chomp: A Shark Romp by Michael Paul
Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
How to Put an Octopus to Bed by Sherri Dusky Rinker
I Need Pants! by Susan Sweet
I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
Milo Is Missing Something by Vern Kousky
Ocean Animals from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick
Sharky McShark by Alison Murray
Tropical Terry by Jarvis

Craft: Squid
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out squid's head

- Color squid's head

- Cut 5 strips of crepe paper (about 4-5" long)

- cut each crepe paper strip in half longways

- Glue strips to bottom of squid's head

Craft: Shark

- Color paper plate and fold in half

- Draw on mouth and eye

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Color and cut out pieces (fin, tail)

- Glue fin to top of shark along fold

- Glue tail to back of shark


Extension Activities:

- Go on an ocean animal scavenger hunt.  Hide ocean animal stuffies or print out pictures of various ocean animals to hide.

- Have fun with a parachute or a sheet as the ocean creating waves.  Alternate between gentle, soft waves and stormy, crashing waves.  Add ocean animal stuffies or a toy boat to the top of the "ocean" if you have them.

Squid Template --

Shark Template --

Beach -- 4/7/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Just One Wave by Travis Jonker
Crabby Crab by Chris Raschka
Barnacle Is Bored by Jonathan Fenske

Books:
Beach by Elisha Cooper
Big Family Beach Day by Nina Crews
Chu's Day at the Beach by Neil Gaiman
Duck & Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills
Here Comes the Ocean by Meg Fleming
Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? Footprints at the Shore by Susan Wood
Six Sandy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle

Craft: Starfish

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out starfish

- Color starfish

- Fold starfish so lap over each other and smile is one line and glue into place

- Fold legs along dotted lines so starfish will sit a little flat

- Optional: Glue on sparkles

Extension Activities:

- Have fun making waves in either a small kids play pool, bathtub, etc.  Try dropping different items to see how they make different types of waves.

- Try to walk like crabs.  Sit on the floor with legs bent and hand behind you on the floor.  Lift up onto your hands and legs.  Try walking sideways like a crab.  Maybe try racing each other.

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Virtual Story Time: Ocean -- April 2026

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Ocean Animals from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick

Books:
The Blobfish Book by Jessica Olien
Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill by Matt Lilley
I Am the Shark by Joan Holub
Ocean Counting by Janet Lawler





Extension Activities:
- Learn more about different ocean animals by checking out one of the informational books at the library.
- Visit the St. Louis Aquarium to view and learn more about various ocean animals.
- Get active by moving like different ocean animals (ex - crab walk, dolphin jump, octopus wave, fish wiggle, etc).

Celebrating Authors: Mo Willems -- 3/31/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Books:
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

Craft: Pigeon

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out and color head

- Color a craft stick as Pigeon's neck and legs

- Color a mini cupcake liner that is folded in half as Pigeon's wing

- Glue head to top of craft stick

- Glue wing near bottom of craft stick leaving room for legs

Extension Activities:

- Which kind of pet would be best for Pigeon?  Investigate different types of pets.  Check out pet books from the library or visit the local pet store for more information.

- Learn simple drawing skills from Mo Willems by watching his Lunch Doodles video series on YouTube.

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Celebrating Authors: Morag Hood -- 3/24/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

I Am Bat by Morag Hood
Carrot & Pea by Morag Hood

Books:
Aalfred and Aalbert by Morag Hood
Brenda Is A Sheep by Morag Hood
Dig Dig Digger by Morag Hood
Goodnight Sun by Morag Hood
Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert by Morag Hood
Spaghetti Hunters by Morag Hood

Craft: Carrot & Peas

- Print template (at left) onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (carrot, peas)

- Color pieces

- Cut three strips of green paper for carrot tops

- Glue green strips to top of carrot

- Glue peas where you like

Extension Activities:

- After reading the book Spaghetti Hunters, make spaghetti with your children.  Feel free to use pre-made pasta and sauce or to make them from scratch.

- After reading Carrot & Pea, discuss with your child what characteristics would make various vegetables/foods be good friends.

Celebrating Authors: Eric Carle -- 3/17/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Books:
1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Hello, Red Fox by Eric Carle
Little Cloud by Eric Carle
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

Craft: Very Hungry Catepillar
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (leaf, head)

- Cut five small strips of green paper

- Glue paper strips into paper chain

- Color head and glue to one of paper chain to make caterpillar

- Color leaf

- Glue caterpillar to leaf

Extension Activities:

- Extend the book From Head to Toe by coming up with more animals and movement to imitate.

- Visit the Eric Carle website for a lot of activities, downloadables, and printables to go along with his books.

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Celebrating Authors: Alison Murray -- 3/10/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
One Two That's My Shoe! by Alison Murray

Books:
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
Dino Duckling by Alison Murray
Hare and Tortoise by Alison Murray
The House That Zach Built by Alison Murray
The Little Green Hen by Alison Murray
Little Mouse by Alison Murray

Craft: Triangle Folded Dog

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (head, body)

- Color pieces

- Fold down along lines to make ears on head

- Fold along inner lines toward center and then along the outer lines to the outside so dog will stand

- Glue head to body

Extension Activities:

- Alison Murray likes to write and illustrate new versions of familiar rhymes and stories.  Read the traditional nursery rhymes and folk tales to compare them with her versions.  Which do you like better?  Why?

- Today's books all include dogs in the stories.  Visit a local animal shelter to volunteer with the dogs.  Different activities to volunteer for include reading with the dogs or petting them for socialization.

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Celebrating Authors: Dr. Seuss -- 3/3/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss

Books:
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss

Craft: Cat in the Hat

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (cat, hat)

- Color pieces

- Glue cat into a tube so stands

- Glue hat to cat's head

Extension Activities:

- Extend Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by coming up with more sound effects.  Ask your child(ren) what different things might sound like.  Do the sounds effects in a pattern and then ask your child(ren) to repeat them back in that order.

- A lot of Dr. Seuss books incorporate rhyming.  Play a rhyming game by coming up with rhyming pair word pairs.

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Virtual Story Time: Kelly DiPucchio -- March 2026

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio

Books:

Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPucchio

Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

Oona by Kelly DiPucchio

We're Going on a Treasure Hunt by Kelly DiPucchio

Extension Activities:

- Try to read as many Kelly DiPucchio books as you can find.  Which ones were your favorites?  Why did you like them over the other books?

- Have a feast of bacon by trying as many different bacon-inspired foods as possible.  (ex - BLT sandwiches, bacon maple doughnuts, candied bacon, etc.)

- Make a Dragon Flyer craft.  Visit www.scribd.com/document/399219038/flying-dragon-airplane-final-pdf for the template.

Transportation: Little Tug -- 2/24/26

Story Times are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. A monthly virtual Story Time is posted the first Tuesday of the month on the library's Facebook page.  It is available to view for one month before the next video is posted.

Click HERE for the February virtual Story Time.

Little Tug by Stephen Savage
Down by the Barn by Will Hillenbrand

Books:
Bears in the Snow by Shirley Parenteau
Canteloupe and HoneyDo Ride a Bike by Mike Boldt
The Little School Bus by Carol Roth
One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova
Two Dogs on a Trike by Gabi Snyder

Craft: Airplane
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, wing, tailwing)

- Color pieces

- Pinch ends of large strip and glue together to make plane's body

- Glue one smaller strip about halfway across top of plane's body for wings

- Fold second smaller strip in half.  Then fold ends of strip up in opposite direction to make tailwing.  Glue to back top of plane.

Extension Activities:

- Extend the book/song Down by the Barn by adding more verses featuring different animals.  Ask your child for what the baby animal is called as well as the sound they make.

- Make different types of paper airplanes.  Which ones fly the best?  

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