Sunday, December 18, 2011

Story Box

My final assignment for my Children's Programming class was to build a story box.  A story box is a story time in a box, including lists of recommended books, finger plays, songs and everything one needs to perform prop stories.  My story box is an apple-themed one geared towards preschoolers.  The story box is not only an organized way for librarians to have themed story times on hand, but are also convenient because they enable other library staff to perform a story time on the fly by having everything they need on hand. 

The second part of this assignment was to perform a classmate's story time.  The story box is helpful in the way that it has all the essentials one needs for story time. However, it does take some practice to try and memorize the songs, etc.  It does help to have some time to prepare the story time performance.  The storytime that I illustrated to the class was "In the Woods through the Seasons," which I was able to modify to a fall/winter theme.  The great thing about the story box is that it can be customized by the user to be presented differently by age group or even by what's simple or easy to learn quickly.  Here is my apple storytime for preschoolers and my customized fall/winter "In the Woods through the Seasons" story time for preschoolers.  Give them a try at your library!


Amy's Preschool Apple Storytime Program

Read-a-loud Books
Davies, K & Oldfield, W.  (1994). My apple.  WI: Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Dubosarsky, U. (2009). The terrible plop. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Garland, M.  (2002). The President and Mom’s apple pie.  NY: Dutton Children’s Books.
Gibbons, G. (1984).  The seasons of Arnold’s apple tree.  FL: Harcourt, Inc.
Hall, Z. (1996).  The apple pie tree. NY: The Blue Sky Press.
Hutchins, P. (2000). Ten red apples.  NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Keller, K. Thoennes.  (2005). From apples to applesauce.  MN: Capstone Press.
Kroll, S.  (2011). The biggest apple ever.  NY: Scholastic Inc.
Mayr, D.  (2003).  Out and about at the apple orchard.  MN: Picture Window Books.
Powell, C.  (2003).  Amazing apples.  IL: Albert Whitman & Co.
Priceman, M.  (1994).  How to make apple pie and see the world.  NY: Alfred A. Knopf
Purmell, A.  (2002).  Apple cider making days. CT: The Millbrook Press.
Robbins, K.  (2002).  Apples.  NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Fingerplays, Clapping and Full-Body Movement Rhymes/Stories
Ten Red Apples



Here I have five apples. (hold up five fingers)
And here are five again. (hold up other hands)
How many apples altogether? (shrug)
Why, five and five make ten! (clap)

Apple Tree High In The Sky



Way up high in an apple tree (point)
two big apples smiled down at me (put fingers on cheeks make smile)
I shook that tree as hard as (shake body)
I could and Down (shout) came the apples
Mm-mm, they were Good (say like Campbell's soup ad).

Eat An Apple


Eat an apple (pretend to eat fist)
Save the core (put one hand in the other)
Plant the seeds (pretend to plant seeds)
And grow some more (make tree shape over head)


Here Is An Apple

Here is an apple (make circle with thumb and index)
And here is an apple (make circle with other thumb and index)
And a great big apple I see (make a circle with arms)
Now let's count the apples we've made (shrug)
One, Two, Three (count on hands)

Climbing Up The Apple Tree



Climbing up the apple tree, (climb in place)
Swinging on a limb (pretend to swing with arms above head)
If I hear a robin, I may (cup hand over ear)
Sing along with him! (whistle)
'And Robin, if you fly away, (wave)
Here's what I think I'll do (Point with one finger)
I'll wish a pair of sparrow wings (flap arms)
And fly away with you (pretend to fly)

Songs
Falling Apples


(Sung to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down")

See The Apples Falling Down (Use Arm Motions, Raise hands in air)
Falling down, Falling Down
See The Apples Falling Down
Down To The Ground
Pick The Apples And Throw Them Up
Throw Them Up, Throw Them Up
Pick The Apples And Throw Them Up
Up To The Sky

Do you know the apple man?

(Sung to the tune of: “The Muffin Man”)
Oh, do you know the apple man,
the apple man, the apple man?
Oh, do you know the apple man
who likes to play with me?

Oh, he has a great big smile,
a great big smile, a great big smile,
Oh; he has a great big smile
and likes to play with me.

Apples


(Sung to the tune of: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
Apple, apple tree so tall, I can hardly wait till fall!
When your apples I can pick, Fill my basket, eat them quick.
Apple, apple tree so tall, I can hardly wait till fall!

Apple, apple tree so fair, What do I see growing there!
Green and round and plump and sweet, Soon they will be good to eat.
Apple, apple tree so fair, What do I see growing there!

A Little Apple Seed


(Sung to the tune of: “Itsy, Bitsy Spider”)
Once a little apple seed was planted in the ground
Down came the raindrops, falling all around.
Out came the big sun, bright as bright could be
And that little apple seed grew to be an apple tree!

Farmer Had An Apple Tree
Retrieved from: http://www.preschoolexpress.com/music_station04/music_station_sep04.shtml
(Sung to the tune of: "Bingo")
 Was a farmer had a tree.
With apples big and red.
A-P-P-L-E, A-P-P-L-E, A-P-P-L-E
With apples on his tree!

Music CD’s
Music for Little People Choir.  (2006). Way up high in the apple tree.  On Toddler Favorites Too! [CD]. Los Angeles, CA: Kid Rhino.

Sharon, Lois and Bram.  (1984). Five green apples.  On Mainly Mother Goose.  Toronto, ON: Elephant Records.

Prop Story- Apple Worms
Retrieved From:
Can also be used as a craft for kids to make their own.
Use with apple-on-a-stick prop.  The prop has pre-cut holes to use when the worms’ (your fingers) stick their heads out.
See instructions on website to make prop.  I used felt with a large apple pattern and glued it to a large glue stirrer. 


One little worm, crawled up the apple tree. (Poke out one finger and wiggle)
Bit into an apple, it was might tast-y.
She called to her friend to join her in the fun
Now two worms are munching apples one by one. (Poke out a second finger and wiggle)
Two little worms, in the apple tree.
Called to another, now there are three. (Poke out a third finger and wiggle)

Three little worms, eating more and more,
Called to another, now there are four. (Poke out a fourth finger and wiggle)

Four little worms, as happy as can be,
Munching all day, in the apple tree.

Felt Board Song/Story- My Apple Tree
Use with 6 felt apples.  Put 6 felt apples on felt board before you begin the story.  Pick them off as the story dictates.  Sing to the tune of “Skip to my Lou” or just recite as a story.
Pick an apple off my tree (pick an apple off the felt board)
Pick an apple off my tree
Pick an apple off my tree
Pick it for both you and me
Pick two apples off my tree (pick 2 apples off felt board)
Pick two apples off my tree
Pick two apples off my tree
Pick them both for you and me
Pick three apples off my tree (pick 3 apples off felt board)
Pick three apples off my tree
Pick three apples off my tree
Pick them all for you and me
Pick some apples off my tree (hold up the apples)
Pick some apples off my tree
Pick some apples off my tree
Pick them all for you and me

For apple coloring sheets go to:
DLTK’s Printable Crafts for Kids


Amy’s Storytime Plan for “In the Woods through the Seasons”



Activity: Prop Story or Fingerplay: 5 Little Chickadees
(Put five Velcro chickadees on glove and fold down a finger with each verse or just use your hand as a fingerplay)
Five little chickadees sitting on the floor
(hold up hand )
One flew away and then there were four.
Four little chickadees sitting in a tree
One flew away and then there were three.
Three little chickadees looking at you
One flew away and then there were two.
Two little chickadees sitting in the sun
One flew away and then there was one.
One little chickadee sitting all alone
He flew away and then there was none.
No little chickadees, with caps so black,
Then the cat went away and they all flew back!
(open hand to show all five birds).

Book: Birdsongs by Betsy Franco

Activity: Fingerplay: Falling Leaves
All the leaves are falling down
(flutter fingers downward)
Orange, green, red and brown
(Flutter fingers in four different directions)
If you listen, you’ll hear them say,
(cup hands around ears)
“Wintertime is on its way.”
(whispering, finger near lips.)

Book: Snow by Manya Stojic

Activity: Felt Board: Hibernating Bear (Need felt board, felt bear, felt cave, felt tree, felt snowballs and felt blanket of snow)
Here is a cave.
(Put cave on board)
Inside is a bear.
(Put bear inside)
Now he comes out,
(move bear out of cave)
To get some fresh air.
He stays out all summer
In sunshine and heat.
He hunts in the forest
(place tree next to bear)
For berries to eat.
When snow starts to fall
(place snowballs on board)
He hurries inside
His warm little cave
(move bear back in cave)
And there he will hide.
Snow covers the cave
Like a fluffy white rug
(place snow over cave)
Inside bear sleeps
All cozy and snug.

Book: The Mitten by Jan Brett

Activity: Song: The Bear went Over the Mountain (to the tune of “For he’s a jolly good fellow”)

The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
To see what he could see
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see
Was all that he could see,
Was all that he could see,
The other side of the mountain,
Was all that he could see!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Donate new toys and books to My Brother's Keeper at the Ames Free Library in Easton

Season's Greetings! Let's extend that holiday spirit of giving to those in need! Bring new toys and books to the Ames Free Library and drop them in the My Brother's Keeper box at the circulation desk.  My Brother's Keeper is located in Easton and they help local families in need have a happy holiday.  Donate today!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Donate Books for the Holidays

Give the gift of reading to kids in need! Recently I read about Globalliteracyproject.org.  It's a nonprofit organization, "conceptualized for the purpose of fostering community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world."   Donate new or gently used books and they will distribute them to kids in need to promote literacy and cognitive development.  Click on "donations" at the top of the page for book donation guidelines and spread some holiday cheer through the gift of a good book.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Information Organization a.k.a Cataloging: Retrieval Tools

I haven't written too much about the Cataloging class I'm taking.  This is because much of  what I'm learning is very detailed and time consuming.  Cataloging is a very involved subject area and we've covered so much so fast this semester that I'm still trying to catch my breath! I've come to have a totally new respect for librarians that do original cataloging! Library users (including staff) don't always realize all that goes into cataloging library materials so that users and staff can easily search and access the materials they need.  I'm going to do my next few posts illustrating the assignments we've done so far so that non-catalogers can have an idea of what current library students are learning and what current catalogers encounter on a day to day basis.  Our first assignment deals with Retrieval Tools and how library catalogs, cataloging of items, and the way people search can either make or break a search request in the library catalog.  Here is a great synopsis of retrieval tools provided by ibiblio.org:


Retrieval Tools



Retrieval Tools
Systems created for retrieval of information. Retrieval tools are essential as basic building blocks for a system that will organize recorded information that is collected by libraries, archives, museums, etc.

Basic Retrieval Tools

§  Bibliographies
§  Catalogs
§  Indexes
§  Finding Aids
§  Registers
§  Online Databases


Bibliographies

§  A list of information-bearing items. Bibliographies bring together lists of sources based on subject matter, on authors, by time periods, etc.
§  Bibliographies can be a part of a scholarly work and consist of the information sources that were consulted to by the author or compiler, or they can be completely separate entities--an individual list of lists.
§  Some bibliographies include annotations, brief notes or abstracts that offer additional comment or summary of a particular work.
§  Each information-bearing item has a unique description that will include: author(s), title, edition, publisher, place, and date of publication, etc.
§  Bibliographies have a particular focus and/or arrangement: subject, author, language, time period, locale, publisher, form. Oftentimes, bibliographies have a combination of focuses.

Catalogs

§  Catalogs provide access to individual items within collections of information sources (books, videocassettes, computer files, etc.
§  Each information source is represented by a physical description, classification, and subject analysis. Access points are determined, subject headings are assigned, and authority control terms are applied.
§  The description is constructed according to a predetermined standard.
            AACR2 - library, archives, and some museum collections.
            GILS - for some government information.
            Dublin Core - for some internet information sources.
§  Catalogs are used by librarians, museum personnel, and patrons of libraries and archives. 
§  Online catalogs are beneficial when searching for known-item searching or browsing by patrons.

§  Practically speaking catalogs should be able to:
1.    Enable a person to find an information-bearing item(s) of which either the author, title, and/or subject is known.
2.    Show what a collection has by a given author, on a given subject, in a given kind of literature.
3.    Assist in the choice of material(s) as to the edition (bibliographically) and as to its character (literary or topical).
4.    Provide an inventory of the collection.

Forms of Catalogs

§  Book
§  Card
§  COM (Computer Output Microform)
§  OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)

Arrangements of Catalogs

§  Alphabetically
            Authors
            Titles
            Subject

§  Numerically
            An internal accession numerical sequence.

§  Classification
            Subject analysis.
Classification Scheme (i.e. Dewey Decimal Classification System of the Library of Congress Classification System.

Indexes

§  Provide access to the analyzed contents of "bibliographic entities" (i.e. articles in a journal, short stories in a collection, etc.)
§  Indexes are not limited to what is available in a local setting, and they do not usually give location information as.
§  Indexes are available in print, CD-ROM, or on-line.
§  Indexes are arranged in alphabetical order with entries offered for authors, titles, and subjects.
§  There is not a standard of arrangement, organization, or online searching.


Finding Aids

§  Long descriptions of archival collections. Also referred to as an inventory.
§  Finding aids are often cataloged, that is an alternative record that provides the name, title, and subject points to the item(s).





Registers

§  The primary control tools for museums, also referred to as an accession log.
§  Registers function like catalogs, although they have additional kinds of access points, such as the identification of the object, the donor, a history of association  (i.e. where or with whom previously owned the item), any insurance related information.
§  An identification number (accession number) is assigned. The accession record becomes one or more files that help to provide organization to a museum's collection.

Online Databases

§  Electronic catalogs, where records are encoded for computer display and are stored in computer memory or on CD-ROM disks.
§  Online databases are built on the technical logic supported by relational database theories. Databases that have records that are all stored within the same file.
§  Records are link by a unique identifier and are linked to related databases that share this unique identifier.
§  Online databases conserves storage space, allows for faster searching, and allows for easier modification o records.

       Home to one of the largest “collections of collections” on the Internet, ibiblio.org is an online public library with freely available software and information, for topics such as music, literature, art, history, science, politics, and cultural studies.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Resources for Children's Programming


As part of my children's programming and services class, the students had to make a wiki page reviewing 3 resources for children.  Everyone chose one print resource and had to find 2 electronic resources.  The class now has an extensive list to use to help us find books, activities, finger plays, felt board stories, songs and more! This is extremely helpful because our final project is a story box, which is basically a storytime in a box! These boxes are usually based around a theme and contain lists of books, related songs with words and instructions for felt board stories and other activities.  These boxes are handy in case you need someone to do a story hour on the fly because they will have everything they need.  These books and sites are also especially helpful for parents, teachers, new librarians looking for programming ideas and seasoned librarians looking for new programming ideas.  Here are some great resources that our class has found to be helpful:

Print Resources

Resources for Infant and Baby Storytimes

Lapsit Services for the Very Young Child: A How-to-do-it Manual, by Linda Ernst

Mother Goose Time: Library Programs for Babies and Their Caregivers, by Jane Marino and Dorothy Houlihan

Babies in the Library!, by Jane Marino

101 Fingerplays, Stories, and Songs to Use with Finger Puppets, by Diane Briggs

Literate Beginnings: Programs for Babies and Toddlers, by Debby Ann Jeffery

Mother Goose on the loose! by Betsy Diamant-Cohen

Books, Babies, and Libraries: Serving Infants, Toddlers, their Parents and Caregivers, by Ellin Greene

Beginning with Books: Library Programming for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, by Nancy DeSalvo

Resources for Toddler and Preschool Storytimes

A Storytime Year: A Month-to-Month Kit for Preschool Programming, by Susan Dailey

Toddler Storytime Programs, by Diane Briggs

Storytimes for Two-year-olds, by Judy Nichols

Low-Cost, High-Interest Programming: Seasonal Events for Preschoolers, by Gail Benton and Trisha Waichulaitis

Story hour: 55 Preschool Programs for Public Libraries, by Jeri Kladder

Booksharing: 101 Programs to Use with Preschoolers, by Margaret Read MacDonald

52 Programs For Preschoolers: The Librarian's Year-round Planner, by Diane Briggs

Resources for School-aged Children and Family Storytimes

Cool Story Programs for the School-aged Crowd, by Rob Reid

Premiere Events: Library Programs That Inspire Elementary School Patrons, by Patricia J. Wilson

Connecting Fathers, Children, and Reading: A How-to-do-it Manual, by Steven Herb

Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids and Families, by Rita Soltan

More family storytimes: Twenty-four creative programs for all ages, by Rob Reid

General Programming Resources

A box full of tales: Easy ways to share library resources through story boxes, by Kathy MacMillan

Ready-to-go Storytimes: Fingerplays, Scripts, Patterns, Music, and More, by Gail Benton

Summer Reading Clubs: Complete Plans for 50 Theme-based Library Programs, by Martha Self Simpson

Storytime Action! 2000+ Ideas for Making 500 Picture Books Interactive, by Jennifer Broman

The Storytime Sourcebook: A Compendium of Ideas and Resources for Storytellers, by Carolyn Cullum

Fiore's Summer Library Reading Program Handbook, by Carol Fiore

Early Literacy Storytimes at Your Library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success, by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting

Storytimes PLUS!, by Kay Lincycomb

Online Resources

Worthington (OH) Public Library's "Programs to Go: Audio and Video"

Brooklyn Public Library First Five Years

Early Literacy Storytime Ideas Exchange

The Best Kids Book Site

HCPL Story Time Database

 Youth Services Organization Program Page

Story Kits

Making Learning Fun

King County Library System Tell Me A Story

StoryPlace: The Children's Digital Library

KCLS Tell Me A Story

Grow_Up_Reading!

Mid-Hudson Library System's "Story Hour Resources"

Bay News Storytime Ideas

Mojo's Song Lyrics

The Activity Place

Storytime Standouts: Raising Children Who Love to Read

SurLaLune Storytime

Storytime Songs

StoryBlocks

Reading Rockets

Silly Librarian Storytime: fun with stories, rhymes and songs

Perry Public Library Storytime Themes

The Idea Box

Step by Step Child Care Online

Legends and Lore: Puppet Resource Center

Kididdles: The Best in Children's Music

Family FUNdamentals

Reading Is Fundamental

Preschool Express

The 2005 Texas Reading Club Manual

Leading to Read

Story Lovers World

Dígame un cuento / Tell me a story: Bilingual library programs for children and families

¡Es divertido hablar dos idiomas! : A place to share books, music, techniques, and all things related to bilingual storytime!

Perry Public Library Storytime

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Library Policies

Many people don't realize that libraries deal with many sensitive situations while working with the public, especially children and their safety.  Most libraries have created policies and procedures to handle these types of situations.  What are these issues that may arise? Here are a few of the top areas where policies are needed:

  • Unattended children
  • Codes of Conduct
  • The Internet
  • The Library Collection/Censorship
Because more issues arise each day, it's critical for libraries to constantly evaluate, modify and add to their existing policies to reflect new problems they encounter.  This way, the library staff can know and uphold the policies to create a safe environment for all library patrons.  It's also a way to protect library staff.  It's critical to be informed as to what your library's policies are as a patron and a staff member.  The American Library Association, or ALA, is the basis for library "Best Practices."  These are guidelines that as librarians and library staff, we are supposed to follow as far as services we offer.

Click here for ALA's Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Policies, Regulations and Procedures Affecting Access to Library Materials, Services and Facilities.

Library Staff should also be aware of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' "General Laws of Massachusetts" and "Code of Massachusetts Regulations"  (click on public libraries).

Many times, as individuals we may not agree with these policies, but as librarians we must follow these guidelines to provide the best possible service.  For example, we are absolutely not supposed to censor what anyone, including children, check out of the library.  This can be controversial, but we are not to make ANY judgement on patron's selections regardless of age.  It's also important to note that we are supposed to enforce existing policies without making any personal judgements about the patron. The best way to enforce policies is by merely stating what the policy is and why it exists without making the patron feel like we are condemning their actions.

My first assignment for my Children's Programming and Services Class is to compare two different libraries policies, specifically regarding children.   I chose the Ames Free Library as one of them and we have our policies prominently displayed on our website:
http://amesfreelibrary.org/About_policiesx.htm

Surprisingly, many libraries do not have detailed policies on there websites.  Because of this, I ended up choosing New Bedford Public Library as my second choice because they have a detailed list of policies on their website:
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/Library/

I thought the two libraries would be a good comparison since the Easton is a small community and New Bedford is a large city.  I'll let you know my findings when I complete my research!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Fall Update

Hi blog friends and followers! It's time for a new semester and that means exciting new installments of my library blog! As a quick wrap-up, I finished my summer class (with an A!) and took a vacation in August.  The fall semester starts this week and I'm enrolled in Library Programming and Services for Children and Information Organization (aka Cataloging).  From the looks of the syllabi, it's going to be quite a tough semester with lots of work but very interesting, engaging and fun.  Look for new blog entries discussing these subject areas coming soon!

Summer Reading

Hi all! Remember how each fall, your English teachers would ask what you've read over the summer? I've been trying to do some fun reading in my time off.  Here are some of the books I've enjoyed:


Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer- A young widow with two small children must figure out how to keep her home on Nantucket so she opens a bed and breakfast.

The Sixes by Kate White-A gripping mystery where an investigative writer tries to find out if a secret society exists at the small private college where she teaches.  As she digs further, she places herself and others in danger trying to find the truth.  A real page turner!

Groundswell by Katie Lee-One of my favorite cookbook authors (and ex-wife of Billy Joel) tries her hand at fiction.  A young woman falls in love with an older a-list actor and marries.  His fame allows her to become a successful screenwriter, but when she finds out he's cheating on her with her best friend she sets off to find herself in Mexico.  She learns how to surf and begins to accept that her marriage has failed.  Sound vaguely familiar? A fun, quick read.



Silvergirl by Elin Hilderbrand-After finding out her husband was the mastermind behind a huge Ponzi scheme, Meredith must retreat until the investigation is finalized.  What's worse, she and her son are also being investigated as accomplices.  She calls an old friend whom she hasn't spoken to in years. She agrees to let Meredith stay with her at her summer house on Nantucket.  The two rebuild a struggling friendship over an eventful summer and begin to accept the loss and love they've each experienced while trying to forgive one another.


Let me know what you've read over the summer! I'd appreciate any comments, thoughts and recommended titles!