Drop-In Story Time, 9/4/12

There really is nothing better than a three-day weekend. I finally caught up with both my blogs (mostly), and I didn't think about library work at all on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. I came back to work this morning refreshed and ready to go. As far as story time, I stuck with the same routine that I established on Friday - no chairs, room locked until ten minutes before, highly interactive books - and again, it was a success. I have to admit that I think part of the success can also be attributed to my attitude. Only doing one story time a day is so much more manageable than two or three, so I can once again get excited about it and really include all the materials I want to use. Before, I really held back on what I would use in a single story time because my voice wouldn't make it through all the sessions, otherwise. Now I'm actually including what I want to include and that makes me feel more confident in my presentation.

Opening Song (with ukulele): Hello, how are you?

Book: Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jeff Mack (2007)
I asked the grown-ups to repeat each statement on each page after me. I paused to point out some of what was happening in the pictures before reading the text. 

Song (with puppets): Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big
I have stopped saying, "Now let's do a rhyme. It's called Big, Big, Big." Now I say, "Show me realllly big" and I stretch out my arms, then jump right into the rest of the rhyme. It works so much better because the adults don't know what's coming so they can't decide right up front not to participate.

Rhyme: Wiggle Fingers
I take the same approach to this rhyme. I say, "Show me how you wiggle your fingers!" Then I start saying the rhyme.

Book: Meeow and the Pots and Pans by Sebastien Braun (2010)
This book isn't especially interactive, but I made it work by having the audience repeat certain phrases such as, "Be careful, Baa!" I wouldn't say this call and response format is doing anything for the overall story - but it keeps the adults engaged enough that they don't prevent the kids from paying attention.

Letter of the Day: Letter C

• Clock - Hickory Dickory Dock (with motions)
• Four Red Cherries
• Royal Crowns (Flannel board based on Grandpa's Ties)
• Chickadee 

Songs (with ukulele):  ABCs / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / Baa Baa Black Sheep

Song: Sing a Happy Song

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: If You're Happy and You Know It

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This