Behind The Scenes - August

The Summer Reading Program has ended. Our lunch program has concluded. The event calendar is bare for the next couple of weeks. 
So, just what exactly do we do at the library in August?

Professional Development

We strive to offer the best customer service we possibly can. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful community, and our patrons make our jobs and lives a lot easier. Regardless of how awesome and easy-going our patrons may be, it is important to maintain our professional skills. Therefore, we use our down time to take web-based classes, complete training seminars and sharpen our reference skills. We (try to) catch up on reading the fantastic journals that come with our profession as well. Monthly journals such as American Libraries and School Library Journal are wonderful resources for book reviews and cutting library edge programming. As information fanatics, wanting to continue learning comes naturally to most librarians. 

We also have one day every August where the library closes and all staff members assemble (a lot like super heroes) for an entire day of training and engaging activities to help us continue to grow as a team. Below you can see my pile of journals to read, invoices and orders to submit, books to grade, and donated items to sift through. I'd like to say it only looks like this for dramatic photo staging, but that would be a lie.

My messy desk.

Planning

We strive to provide meaningful and interesting programs throughout the year. Our library program calendar is released quarterly, which means we have to complete planning at least four months in advance. Our next calendar will share information about September through December, but in order to meet the calendar deadline, we had to have all of these programs planned in May and June! The next deadline, for January through April, is quickly approaching. We are busy planning the fun activities and services we will offer in 2015, which is hard to believe! Planning also means contracting and scheduling with any outside performers or educators.

Cabinet full of planning materials.

Preparing

Since we have so many wonderful things planned for the fall, we are busy turning our plans into a reality! We usually host about 5 or 6 storytimes a week, in addition to our other special programs. January through July of this year, the children's department has already hosted 176 programs! We love integrating Every Child Ready to Read early learning skills into our programs: reading, singing, playing, talking, and writing. We gather books and music, assemble craft materials, and create lesson plans to guide our classes. We also have to create flyers for all of our programs, upload them to the blog, edit the library website and visit school events to promote all of the cool programs!

Miss Nicole's awesome felt board in progress.

Gettin' It Done

We usually apply for at least one grant to help supplement library funding and hopefully make our dream projects come true. We have been very fortunate to receive funding from The Stocker Foundation for several years in a row. This year we have two very important projects we are working on completing:

1. Grow, Make, Play, and Learn! (GMPL!) is our way of offering hands-on programming at the library that encourages kids to engage in learning, while promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) learning objectives. We have 8 more GMPL! programs planned over the next few months.

2. Our second project focuses on working with incarcerated fathers at the Grafton Correctional Institution and the Grafton Reintegration Center. We are providing learning materials and books for reading rooms so visiting children have access to quality educational activities. We are also working on providing Every Child Ready to Read training to inmates and volunteer readers to share the importance of early literacy. This training will help to prepare them for sharing literacy and reading skills with their children once they are released. To encourage a stronger parental bond, we will be recording the fathers reading a story and sending a copy of the recording, along with a print copy of the book, to their children. Even though they are apart, these children can still enjoy hearing a bedtime story from Dad. The bulk of this project is being conducted this month.

  Bits & Bobs

 Summer Reading was such a successful time for the library. We broke our record for participation, as well as circulation. We are so pumped about this! Due to the popularity of our program and the amount of traffic our books have seen, we have decided to take some time to reorganize our shelves, clean them off, and make sure they are in order. We are working hard this month to provide a clean and welcoming place to be all year long.

We are also doing some re-organization of our staff here at the library since one our children's librarians, Miss Nicole, will be leaving us to take on a new position in the library. She will be the new Emerging Technologies Supervisor! Rest assured, she plans on coordinating with Miss Katie and the rest of the youth services team for fun, tech-oriented programming for our young patrons in the future! You haven't seen the last of her yet!

Cleaning and shelving in progress.

Every Child Ready To Read~ Reading

Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is a national initiative from the American Library Association.  ECRR is a learning model to showcase skills and activities to help build literacy skills for young children.  We follow this model at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and would like to share some  activities and resources with you!  For more information on Every Child Ready to Read, here are some sites for you to peruse:
Ohio Every Child Ready to Read, Early Literacy Crosswalk offers a basic overview of what Every Child Ready to Read is all about.  They also have another site to discover the second edition of ECRR and sample activities for each skill and activity.

This is our final week of exploring ECRR and we hope you have enjoyed the journey.

One of my go-to sites for looking for themes and topics to discuss is SurLaLune.  You can search through for a topic or subject of your choice and find many book suggestions and summaries, along with song ideas to share together.  I appreciate the age suggestions given along with the book recommendations. For answers to your frequently asked questions, check out Read To Me's FAQ page. 

An interesting site to peruse is the Reading Womb.  This site supports that it is truly never too early to begin reading with and to your baby.  The idea behind the Reading Womb is to begin a routine of reading with your child before he or she is even born.  Finding a time to relax, bond, and be close with Baby is going to help get him or her off on the right foot to reading success.  Reading to your baby will help him/her become accustomed to your voice, begin learning language, and it's a soothing activity.  Hopefully this special time will continue for years to come.  Annie Murphy's TED talk on when learning truly begins can be found here (Hint: It's before birth!).

The Hennepin Library has an amazing site that gives book ideas and tips for sharing them.  They include items directly from their catalog, so you are seeing the new releases along with old favorites.  When considering books to read, it's important to think about the differences in development.  A few months of growing can mean a world of difference to our young ones.  For ideas of what to share when, refer to Zero to Three's site. 

Reading is Fundamental shares many great ideas for songs, activities, and even games to explore together that are broken down by age.  These activities complement Every Child Ready to Read very well.  For help with struggling readers, reading lists, and tips, scope out Reading Rockets. 

If you are looking for reading electronically, check out Tumblebooks, a database full of children's books and games that our Library subscribes to.  You can search for books on themes and read along on the screen.

Keep us up to date with what you are reading on Goodreads, an electronic book shelf.  If you want more information on Goodreads you can check out Nicole's past post here. For book suggestions your family can share together, stop into the Grafton-Midview Public Library and check out our Readers' Advisory tools on our web site.  Your Youth Services Librarians will be glad to assist you.  Happy reading!

Every Child Ready To Read~ Talking

Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is a national initiative from the American Library Association.  ECRR is a learning model to showcase skills and activities to help build literacy skills for young children.  We follow this model at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and would like to share some  activities and resources with you!  For more information on Every Child Ready to Read, here are some sites for you to peruse:
Ohio Every Child Ready to Read, Early Literacy Crosswalk offers a basic overview of what Every Child Ready to Read is all about.  They also have another site to discover the second edition of ECRR and sample activities for each skill and activity.

We don't want to overload you with information all at once, so each week we will focus on a new  activity outline in ECRR.  It seems like a no brainer that talking builds literacy skills, but it is a very important factor.  Talking helps children hear the sounds that make up words and sentences.  They can build their vocabulary and learn to use descriptive language.  By pausing for your child to respond you are giving him/her an opportunity to reflect and engage in meaningful interactions.
Reading if Fundamental has a selection of calendars for download so you can share activities with your child.  South Carolina State Library has calendars as well.  These activities are broken down by age group and are meant to be led by a parent or caregiver.  These activities run the gamut of being related to a specific book or even going on a scavenger hunt outside, but all of them can be related back to using language and verbal skills.

The online "Opinionator" section of the New York Times discusses the differing level and type of language used in homes in the article The Power of Talking. Due to parents coming from all different backgrounds and levels of education, comfort levels and access to language vary greatly.  This article discusses a study conducted by Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley at the University of Kansas, who in 1995 published a book, “Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children.”  Their research helped show the impact talking does have on a child's future success:
"Children whose families were on welfare heard about 600 words per hour. Working-class children heard 1,200 words per hour, and children from professional families heard 2,100 words. By age 3, a poor child would have heard 30 million fewer words in his home environment than a child from a professional family."  Arming yourself with this information can help you combat the gap in language early.
The Texas Children's Hospital has a blog post where they speak about creating opportunities to engage your young ones in conversation.   So much of your time parenting young children can be spent redirecting them, it may feel that you don't have a chance to have conversations beyond "Stop that," or "Get down!"  By retraining yourself to narrate your actions and the environment around you, you can build language and dialogue.  Parents magazine also speaks to the power of speaking with your baby in an online article, "Help Your Baby Learn to Talk".   By pausing for your baby to respond, even before they can talk back, you are creating an avenue of sharing and showing your baby that what they have to say is important. 
Another option for opening the doors to two-way communication early if signing with your young ones.  Babycenter.com has a great article on the benefits of signing as a form of talking with your baby or toddler before they can speak.  Building a stronger bond, reducing frustration, and helping to build motor skills are just a few of the ways talking and signing with your child can help.  If you feel that most of what you say goes in one ear and out the other, The Child Development Institute has a list of 20 Ways to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen. 

Some simple ways to begin encouraging talking would be to share books!  Even though readers are typically hearing stories, the way you present and share the content can allow for a back and forth.  Mo Willems does a great job allowing for responses from kids within his stories. Using wordless books, or books with only picture or very minimal text, would allow for children to use their language skills to create their very own stories. Wordless books also teach children how to construct a story using a beginning, middle, and an end.  David Wiesner has many titles that would qualify as wordless books.  One of my favorite wordless books is Chalk by Bill Thomson.  Books with only images and word labels help build language skills when you use adjectives to describe them and discuss when these objects are used or where they are typically found.  Do you have any favorite activities to get your kiddos talking?

Every Child Ready to Read~ Singing

Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is a national initiative from the American Library Association.  ECRR is a learning model to showcase skills and activities to help build literacy skills for young children.  We follow this model at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and would like to share some  activities and resources with you!  For more information on Every Child Ready to Read, here are some sites for you to peruse:
Ohio Every Child Ready to Read, Early Literacy Crosswalk offers a basic overview of what Every Child Ready to Read is all about.  They also have another site to discover the second edition of ECRR and sample activities for each skill and activity.


We don't want to overload you with information all at once, so each week we will focus on a new  activity outline in ECRR.  This week we wanted to share some resources for bringing music alive. Singing is an excellent way for children to hear the sounds that letters make.  When we sing, we naturally break up the words and slow down.  We also hear new words and learn new vocabulary when we sing.

A wonderful resource for songs and rhymes is the StoryBlocks site, a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy.  The site offers an assortment of videos or parents and their children acting out songs and lap bounces, while offering up a literacy tip.  The King County Library System has put together an incredible selection of youtube videos of songs and rhymes to share.  The Association for Library Service to Children has a nice variety of songs and rhymes to share with young children. Kidz in Tune has a ten-page list of songs and activities that are appropriate for different age levels.  New York's Wadsworth Library created a handout for their books and babies program with songs and their movements.  A favorite site of mine is the Idaho Commission for Libraries' Day by Day site.  Each day of the year has a selection of songs, videos, rhymes, and books to share.   

 
Finding books you can set to music is another way to get kids to hear the sounds that words make.  I like to share Lindsey Craig's Farmyard Beat with rhythm sticks.  Sue Williams' I Went Walking lends itself well to being sung.


Jim Gill and Raffi are amazing educators and music men that have a great variety of songs that get the whole family involved.  Check out our collection of music today at GMPL. We also offer a variety of programming for young children that gets participants moving to the music.  Lap bounces and songs are a fantastic way to bond while building literacy skills. Do you have a favorite activity that gets you jammin'?

Every Child Ready to Read ~ Writing

Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is a national initiative from the American Library Association.  ECRR is a learning model to showcase skills and activities to help build literacy skills for young children.  We follow this model at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and would like to share some  activities and resources with you!  For more information on Every Child Ready to Read, here are some sites for you to peruse:
Ohio Every Child Ready to Read, Early Literacy Crosswalk offers a basic overview of what Every Child Ready to Read is all about.  They also have another site to discover the second edition of ECRR and sample activities for each skill and activity.

photo from www.lakeshorelearning.com

We don't want to overload you with information all at once, so each week we will focus on a new  activity outline in ECRR.  This week we will focus on the skill of writing.  Writing at this stage may not actually look like what we would consider writing, but they are grasping the initial skills that words and letters have meaning, or print awareness. Follow The Line books by Laura Ljungkvist each include a continuous line for readers to trace throughout the entire book. 
 

Check out any of the 'Follow The Line' books from GMPL!

Any activity to build fine motor skills is going to help children ease into writing.  Using clothes pins or stickers, learning to turn pages, grasping and sorting objects, bending pipe cleaners, and painting or coloring are all great ways to build fine motor skills.  For a sample of more activities, check out Love, Play, and Learn's list.  Playing with play-doh is another great way to work those little muscles in their hands.  Click here for a quick, easy, and cheap recipe to make your own at home. To practice writing and tracing, Twisty Noodle and the Writing Wizard offer printable pages that you can customize to make a unique writing experience for your child.

Tracing books let kids learn the shapes letters make.

Playing 'I Spy' may seem like a stretch when it comes to building writing skills, but looking for  shapes and pictures isn't much different than seeing letters.  To a beginner letters are just another shape to memorize.  No Time For Flash Cards offers a list of alphabet books and alphabet activities that can help children distinguish letters and their sounds. 

Pick out an 'I Spy' book today to help your child see shapes.

Dare to Dream is a poetry writing contest that happens annually for students in grades 3 through 8.  The poems submitted should be biographical about someone who has made a difference through taking action.  What a neat way to get kids involved with writing!  Book Week Online has provided several different writing prompts, authored by famous writers.  Kids can complete the prompts with their original ideas.  How fun would it be to try them all and make a book?  What activities do you do to build writing skills?  We would love to hear about it!

Every Child Ready to Read ~ Play!

Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is a national initiative from the American Library Association.  ECRR is a learning model to showcase skills and activities to help build literacy skills for young children.  We follow this model at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and would like to share some  activities and resources with you!  For more information on Every Child Ready to Read, here are some sites for you to peruse:
Ohio Every Child Ready to Read, Early Literacy Crosswalk offers a basic overview of what Every Child Ready to Read is all about.  They also have another site to discover the second edition of ECRR and sample activities for each skill and activity.

We don't want to overload you with information all at once, so each week we will focus on a new  activity outlined in ECRR.  Because we recently purchased literacy kits and assorted toys from Lakeshore Learning, we thought it would be a perfect time to showcase the importance of playing to learn.

Books with interactive elements get children involved in reading and make it more like a game.

 When children play they are using many skills that they need to develop literacy skills.  When children play with others they are learning new vocabulary.  Kids are using their imaginations to problem solve and use symbolism, such as when a stick becomes a magic wand.  Symbolism is an important skill because it helps them eventually learn that letters and words can stand for stories and feelings. We currently have 15 literacy kits available for check-out that come with many hands-on manipulatives and activities.  Each kit comes with 5 books on the theme of the box and an activity guide so you can play together with ease.  

photo from www.lakeshorelearning.com

 When children are building with blocks they are learning and practicing spatial skills, balance,  problem solving, and creativity.  

photo from www.lakeshorelearning.com

 When using imaginary and dramatic play, such as with a doll house, children are learning to express themselves.  Dramatic play can help children work out tricky situations or emotions they are dealing with. 

photo from www.lakeshorelearning.com

We have several sites we visit for inspiration for playing with our young friends.  Growing a Jeweled Rose shares a ton of ideas for sensory play, or playing that appeals to your senses.  She showcases scented play-doh, different themed baths, or just bins of goop for kids to touch and feel.  So many of her creations are brightly colored or scented, appealing to many of the senses beyond just sight.  Modern Parents, Messy Kids has an entire make and play vault of ideas!  This site really appeals to us because the ideas get kids outside and involved with nature.  The ideas for play shared on this site are broken down into types of play including, but not limited to, dramatic play, sensory play, and even arts and crafts.  No Time For Flash Cards is another site with tons of ideas for dramatic play, cooking activities, and fine and gross motor play.  If you're unsure of how to play with your baby, check out Today's Parent for ideas on baby games.
Stop by GMPL for the next four Wednesday evenings for our Explore the Floor program.  You'll get a chance to play with our awesome toys and practice these skills together with Miss Kristen!  Email gmplkids@gmail.com to register.