ROCKIN’ YOUR

STORYTIMEPresenters: Nancy Devlin

Tiffany Lewis

Mary Ryan

Eisenhower Public Library District 

Wiki http://eisenhowerstorytime.pbworks.com

PROGRAM

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Warm-up: Mary riffs on Scheduling, Structure and

Security

Opening Act: Tiffany covers Themes, Books, Props and

Crafts

Main Event:Nancy brings it home with Music and

Movement

CONCERT DATES/VENUE (SCHEDULING)

Know your community’s schedule! Make schedule available early –

newsletter Make changes clear and gradual Be flexible and take breaks! Check schedules of other departments Budget in time for evaluations

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SET LIST(STRUCTURE)

Baby 6-18 mths

Toddler 18 mths – 3 yrs

Junior3 – 5 years

Big KidsK – 2nd grade

STICKERSHello SongTick Tock SongDANCINGBaby YogaNumbers & FeltFingerplays/SongsMother GooseJack the PuppetBoard BooksGOOD-BYE SONGPlaytime

STICKERSTick Tock SongDANCINGToddlerobicsStoryFelt StoryCraftJack the PuppetGOOD-BYE SONGPlaytime

STICKERSTick-Tock SongDANCINGStretchesStoryFelt StoryCraftStory (if time)GOOD-BYE SONG

STICKERSWelcomeDANCINGStretchesStory-our choiceCraftPoemStory-voteGOOD-BYE SONG

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STORYTIME ROOM

SECURITY

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Clear rules, consistently enforced Control access to space No bullies allowed – kids or parents Know your photography policy Know the fire code for your space Stay calm

THEMES, BOOKS, PROPS,

AND CRAFTS

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VIBES AND STYLES(THEMES)

Themes chosen 3-4 months in advance Some theme sources:

Calendar - major & minor holidays & eventsAuthor birthdaysCool crafts/New books - build theme around

itFall-back ideas not tied to anything specific

Ex: animals, foods, emotions

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BOOKS

Elements of a strong storytime book:Rhyming/repeating text large, bright images steady pacing – not too slowlength (can be modified if too long?)questions and actions from the text (or you create them!)

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NOW SHOWING:"FELT CRAFTING FOR FUN"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7pOqELkpGg

FELT STORIES

Everyone gets a felt piece Extra pieces ready for late-comers

Detail is important Story is made from theme, but can

made into simple “I Spy” story Quick Version: laminate image and glue

felt to the back

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PROPS AND PLAYTIME

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Props keep things fresh & fun Also lets kids know what comes next Playtime allows for socialization

Toys encourage motor skillsSharingNew Experiences

JACK THE PUPPET

Jack makes a COW MOO

Jack makes a PIG

YouTube LinkYouTube Link

SOUVENIERS (CRAFTS …)

Hooray for the Volunteers!Volunteers do most of the “grunt

work”- preparing pieces/kits for each craft

AccuCut and Ellison dies are lifesaversUsed both, prefer rolling die-cutterCan punch out multiple pieces

efficientlyAllows creativity (parts of one can be

used to create parts for something totally different)

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MORE CRAFTS

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SOUVENIERS (…AND HANDOUTS)

Handouts:Baby class gets the fingerplays from that day’s session for parents to use at homeBig Kids get a handout featuring poetry, crosswords, games, questions and book lists related to that week’s themeSpecial Programs: give out the eventslineup

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MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

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RESEARCH We learn best when we are having fun. Interpersonal/social skills, ranging from communication to

cooperation, develop in play. Bruce Duncan Perry, M.D., Ph.D. Importance of Pleasure Play

When a concept or a song is learned, if movement accompanies it, it will be absorbed more easily and integrated into the brain.

… studies have also shown that movement creating an accelerated heart rate appears to correlate with increased attention level.

Coordinated, balanced movements create a sense of pleasure activating the limbic system and creating an emotional tone in which memory works more efficiently Diamant-Cohen, et al. “Make Way for Dendrites: how brain

research can impact children’s programming,” Children & Libraries. V2 Spring 2004. 12-20

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MUSIC

Tips for choosing music:Listen first! It avoids surprisesIs content age appropriate? Length– can you adjust?Is the tempo engaging and

danceable?Think outside kid’s music: oldies,

pop, and some other adult music will totally work for children

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MUSICA Year of Music: our storytime

favoritesWe listed some of our best songs on the Wiki Choose a different song for each weekSuggested themes/ages available

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WIKI LINK

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CHOREOGRAPHY (MOVEMENT)

What you do depends on body count

Break it down by Rule of 3’s Example: room limit = 35 people

SMALL (1-12 bodies): Moving circle, with or without holding hands, adult/child partners

MEDIUM (13-24 bodies): Moving or stationary circle (if bottlenecks occur); dancing in place with limited lateral movement

LARGE (25+ bodies) - Dance in place – use restricted movement (only extends as far as their arm reach)

Expand Rule of 3’s as needed Wiki

CHOREOGRAPHY (MOVEMENT)

Watch for understanding: timing can be “hotdog or mac ‘n cheese?” Props to PLA 2010, Portland, “Groove ‘n Move: Making Music Meaningful”

(Michelle Minerd & Trish Reid, Kent District Library)

Passion is more important than ability Show it slow, then regular time Exaggerate the motion Repeat the simple stuff

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AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Song: “Thinkin’ About Something”(guess the artist)

Let’s Dance …

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STRETCH BREAK!

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YouTube Link

STRETCHING Important for all age groups Calms group, helps get the “sillies” out Maintain eye contact, especially if there is a

language barrier Give permission:

Gentle movements – it should not hurtSkirts: OK to face wall, or do alternative

motion Include a noisy/quiet breath at end

(preparation: quiet breath, “now we’re ready for Storytime)

Itsy bitsy yoga/ Helen GarabedianWiki

FINALERock stars get noticed

out in the community

Check out what

some parents have to say…

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SURVEY SAYS…

“…the best part is the excitement the kids have about what they did, showing the crafts and being with their friends.”

“I and my baby love everything during storytime!”

“Time flies, kids are engaged-wide variety of skills from social to fine motor are addressed. Love you guys!”

“Fun, educational, not too long, kept kids attention”

ENCORE

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Storytime Presentation Wiki:http://eisenhowerstorytime.pbworks.com

YOUR GOODY BAG

Storytime Top 40 bookmark

Jack the Puppet eyes

Pieces for a Wild Thing Craft

THANK YOU!