Have a great week!
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| Five Little Monkeys by Laura |
My Colorful Toothbrush by Laura
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| Song Cube 2.0 by Keith |
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| Five Hungry Ants by Sarah |
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
Flannel Friday Roundup for May 12, 2017
Have a great week!
Friday, April 28, 2017
Library Mini-Golf!
This year, we decided to host a small, indoor mini-golf (AKA putt putt golf) course at work for National Library Week! Our program ran from 4-5:30 and we had people register for 30 minute tee time blocks at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, or 5:00 pm. Next time we will try 15 or 20 minute blocks to spread everyone out a little better.
Adult size golf clubs were located by the teen department for their mini-golf after hours event previously. I believe most of them were thrift store finds. We borrowed those clubs from the storage area. We also had a some small plastic toddler size clubs which we used for decorations for last year's sports-themed summer reading program. I bought 2 more sets for this program as well. The sets each came with plastic "holes" which I used masking tape to secure to the library's carpet. We were short a few of these, so I substituted plastic reusable drinking cups on a few holes.
Some of the materials I used to build holes: pool noodles, cardboard blocks, construction cones, stuffed zebra, cushioned blocks for the tunnel. A co-worker made speed bumps out of foam core board. We used pipe insulation, more pool noodles, and poles we already had for hole borders. The hole flags are made out of craft foam, chopsticks, and styrofoam containers. We plan to re-use them for similar programs in the future.
I found a scorecard online and cropped it for my purposes. I only had enough prep time (about 2 hours) to make 6 holes but I had originally hoped for 9. Instead, I allowed kids to repeat 3 holes for a total of 9 holes. The library was open while I was prepping so I started with the last three holes, in our separated program room. As the time grew nearer to the program, I completed the first three holes in the nonfiction stacks nearest the program room doors.
When families arrived, they checked in at a table in the program room, picked out a club, ball, scorecard and golf pencil and then proceeded to hole 1. If a number of people arrived at the same time, I had them start at a later hole and circle back.
We all had a great time and I would love to do this program again! Here are some pictures:
Adult size golf clubs were located by the teen department for their mini-golf after hours event previously. I believe most of them were thrift store finds. We borrowed those clubs from the storage area. We also had a some small plastic toddler size clubs which we used for decorations for last year's sports-themed summer reading program. I bought 2 more sets for this program as well. The sets each came with plastic "holes" which I used masking tape to secure to the library's carpet. We were short a few of these, so I substituted plastic reusable drinking cups on a few holes.
Some of the materials I used to build holes: pool noodles, cardboard blocks, construction cones, stuffed zebra, cushioned blocks for the tunnel. A co-worker made speed bumps out of foam core board. We used pipe insulation, more pool noodles, and poles we already had for hole borders. The hole flags are made out of craft foam, chopsticks, and styrofoam containers. We plan to re-use them for similar programs in the future.
I found a scorecard online and cropped it for my purposes. I only had enough prep time (about 2 hours) to make 6 holes but I had originally hoped for 9. Instead, I allowed kids to repeat 3 holes for a total of 9 holes. The library was open while I was prepping so I started with the last three holes, in our separated program room. As the time grew nearer to the program, I completed the first three holes in the nonfiction stacks nearest the program room doors.
When families arrived, they checked in at a table in the program room, picked out a club, ball, scorecard and golf pencil and then proceeded to hole 1. If a number of people arrived at the same time, I had them start at a later hole and circle back.
We all had a great time and I would love to do this program again! Here are some pictures:
Friday, April 21, 2017
Shapes Poem
Today for Flannel Friday, I'm sharing a poem I did during my STEM playgroup on shapes! I found it in 1-2-3 Math by Jean Warren. Instead of making it a felt board, I used some snack containers I found at Dollar Tree a while ago. The kids had fun taking off the lids and putting them back on so there was a bonus small motor skill element to this task.
Shapes Poem
The circle is a shape
That's easy to be found.
It has no corners on it.
And is completely round.
The triangle is a simple shape,
I think you will agree.
Count its sides and corners
And you will find just three.
Here's a shape that you should know,
A square has its name.
It has four corners and four sides
That measure all the same.
This shape is called a rectangle,
It's found most everyhwere.
It has four corners and four sides,
Sort of like a square.
But if you call this shape a square,
You would be very wrong.
Since two of its sides are short
And two of them are long.
--Author Unknown
Shapes Poem
The circle is a shapeThat's easy to be found.
It has no corners on it.
And is completely round.
The triangle is a simple shape,
I think you will agree.
Count its sides and corners
And you will find just three.
Here's a shape that you should know,
A square has its name.
It has four corners and four sides
That measure all the same.
This shape is called a rectangle,
It's found most everyhwere.
It has four corners and four sides,
Sort of like a square.
But if you call this shape a square,
You would be very wrong.
Since two of its sides are short
And two of them are long.
--Author Unknown
Friday, February 24, 2017
Announcing MI KidLib 2017!
Just wanted to let everyone know that registration is open for MI KidLib 2017, Michigan's unconference for youth services staff (and library school students are also welcome!). This a free professional development event with lunch on your own.
The event will be held Friday, May 5th at my library, the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library in Bay City, Michigan. I'm very excited to have many colleagues come and see our space.
The event will be held Friday, May 5th at my library, the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library in Bay City, Michigan. I'm very excited to have many colleagues come and see our space.
Monday, January 09, 2017
Flannel Friday Roundup for Friday, January 13, 2017
I'm hosting Flannel Friday this week! Please leave a comment below with the link to your post and I will combine all the posts entered into the roundup. Deadline is 10pm Eastern on Friday night.
First up is Storytime Ukelele with the traditional song Aiken Drum.
Mr. Keith has Five Enormous Dinosaurs.
Lisa wants to Build a Snowman with her participatory flannelboard.
Jessica is serving up two heaping posts about vegetables: The Veggies in the Soup and Veggie Riddles.
And Kathryn is representing Pandas!
Kate is sharing her version of one of my favorite rhymes "Way Up High in the Apple Tree"
And Wendy shared her version of one of my favorite folk tales, The Enormous Turnip!
First up is Storytime Ukelele with the traditional song Aiken Drum.
Mr. Keith has Five Enormous Dinosaurs.
Lisa wants to Build a Snowman with her participatory flannelboard.
Jessica is serving up two heaping posts about vegetables: The Veggies in the Soup and Veggie Riddles.
And Kathryn is representing Pandas!
Kate is sharing her version of one of my favorite rhymes "Way Up High in the Apple Tree"
And Wendy shared her version of one of my favorite folk tales, The Enormous Turnip!
Monday, December 19, 2016
Tea Party
We recently had a stuffed animal tea party. We invited kids to bring their favorite animals and dress for a party. We served mini-cupcakes and drank juice, read stories, and had a photo booth. The kids also designed and decorated teapots from Oriental Trading. It was a simple but fun party! Both boys and girls came and they were adorable. :)
Books:
Tea Rex by Molly Idle
Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer
Books:
Tea Rex by Molly Idle
Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer
Thursday, December 08, 2016
Emoji Bulletin Board
I put up a new bulletin board in the children's department today. :)
I used stuffed emoji ornaments (guessing here--they came on a string) that were a Happy Meal toy at McDonald's a while back. Printed emoji pictures would also work if you want to replicate it on your own.
I cut the letters out on the library's Cricut. Hope you like it!
I used stuffed emoji ornaments (guessing here--they came on a string) that were a Happy Meal toy at McDonald's a while back. Printed emoji pictures would also work if you want to replicate it on your own.
I cut the letters out on the library's Cricut. Hope you like it!
Monday, November 21, 2016
Sunflower Story and a Craft
A few weeks ago, I held a Sunflower Story and Craft program for kids aged 2-5.
I read:
I read:
- Sunflower by Miela Ford
- See it Grow: Sunflower by Joyce Markovics
- Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
We sang along to Raffi's version of "Mr. Sun" and danced with scarves.
I borrowed my daughter's flower builders play set and the kids were also able to play with the pieces from my 5 Little Flowers flannel board.
We made foam sunflowers and crows from an Oriental Trading craft kit they appear to no longer sell, but there is an even cuter idea in from Artsy Toddler Storytimes for a more homemade one.
Fingerplays and Action Rhymes:
One Little Seed*
One little seed is all I've got
Watch me plant it in my pot.
With sunlight and a rainshower,
Watch me plant it in my pot.
With sunlight and a rainshower,
What do you know?
Up pops a sunflower.
Five Little Flowers (from PreschoolEducation.com)
One little flower had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were ________.
Two little flowers were smiling at the bee,
Out popped another one, then there were _________.
Three little flowers were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were __________.
Four little flowers were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were __________.
Little Flower Open Up (from Artsy Toddler Storytimes)
Little flower open up (Start crouched down and then begin to stand)
Open up your petals bright (Open up arms to the side)
Swaying in the sunshine light (Sway side to side)
Little flower in the night, (Put arms back to sides)
Closing up your petals tight (Bring arms back in and hug self)
Little flower open up (Start crouched down and then begin to stand)
Open up your petals bright (Open up arms to the side)
Swaying in the sunshine light (Sway side to side)
Little flower in the night, (Put arms back to sides)
Closing up your petals tight (Bring arms back in and hug self)
*I adapted this from a rhyme accompanying pop-up counting puppets from Discount School Supply. I wanted it to make it more about sunflowers. I didn't actually use the puppet.
Monday, November 07, 2016
Flannel Friday Roundup for November 11, 2016
I'm taking over the hosting of this week's Flannel Friday roundup due to a technological problem over on Sharon's blog. If you're participating in this week's roundup, please leave a comment below and I will compile all the entries. I will delete your comment after I get your link in the roundup. :)
Thanks!
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Keith has Jelly in a Bowl and I adore his Kawaii-style felt characters. So distinctive and beautiful!
Jennifer has Five Nervous Turkeys wearing costumes to avoid being Thanksgiving dinner.
Kate has 5 Rubber Ducks and it's good clean fun!
Kathryn blew me away with her original rhyme called Giraffe Has a Snack.
Thanks!
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Keith has Jelly in a Bowl and I adore his Kawaii-style felt characters. So distinctive and beautiful!
Jennifer has Five Nervous Turkeys wearing costumes to avoid being Thanksgiving dinner.
Kate has 5 Rubber Ducks and it's good clean fun!
Kathryn blew me away with her original rhyme called Giraffe Has a Snack.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Family Fort Night!
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| A fort built by one our patron families! |
We started our program at 5:45pm, 45 minutes after we closed for the day. Another co-worker let attendees into the building and I greeted them in the Community Room with gift bags. Our gift bags included walking s'mores (Teddy Grahams, mini-marshmallows, and chocolate chips), a mini-flashlight, and a map of our town on the outside. The design was inspired by an Oriental Trading idea.
At about 6:00 pm, I read Creepy Carrots to the group as they finished off their snacks in our community room. Then we wandered over to the children's department where they had free reign to build forts using the stacks, tables, chairs, etc. It was really amazing to see what they came up with. We provided clothespins (traditional and metal) and masking tape, as well as 5-6 extra sheets for anyone who forgot to bring their own. We gave the families 5 minutes to pick out some books to read together in their forts before the official building began, figuring it would be easier to navigate the stacks without tents and forts in the way. Then everyone had about 30 minutes to build before the program ended at 7:00 pm.
