After School Read-Aloud and Craft: Eyes, 5/31/12

The theme for this week's after school program came to my mind when I was shelving easy readers and put Fancy Nancy: Spectacular Spectacles on the shelf across from The Eye Book. I had seen a template for paper eyeglasses a while back, and figured it would be a simple but fun activity that would require minimal planning. As it turned out, this was one of the most well-attended and most successful after school activities we've had all year.

The Read-Alouds: Books About Eyes and Eyeglasses

Book One: The Eye Book by Dr. Seuss (1968)
I read this one mostly to set the tone and get us going. Most of the kids who came were in kindergarten, and they enjoyed pointing out each instance of rhyme they noticed.

Book Two: Fancy Nancy: Spectacular Spectacles by Jane O'Connor (2010)
I had this on display and didn't plan to read it, but with 6 girls and only one boy in the room, I decided to give in when the girls pleaded with me to read it. As it turned out, everybody liked it, even though one page was missing. 

Book Three: The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon (2010)
I chose this one because it doesn't get a lot of love from our customers, and it's a great story! This group enjoyed it a lot, and they all thought it was neat that the main character gets to wear a patch.

Song: These Are My Glasses by Laurie Berkner Band
I only do songs during the after school sessions when I have a really good one that complements the books. This was a good example, and they seemed to enjoy doing the motions.

The Craft: Silly Glasses!

I. Supplies 

• Copies of a template from First Palette (we used the star shape)
• Markers
• Crayons
• Scissors
• White glue 
• Yarn
• Hole punch

II. Prep

I colored my silly glasses with a fun colorful pattern, then glued it together. It was somewhat floppy since I didn't have cardstock, so I worried the kids would have trouble keeping them on their faces. To solve that problem, I punched holes in the arms of the glasses and ran a string through them so they could be worn around the kids' necks.

 III. Process
The kids loved this. Every one of them colored a different design, and some of them got so intensely involved, they wound up working right up until we closed. They all loved the idea of wearing the glasses around  their neck, and each one of them came up to me to show me how they looked on their eyes.

The Display: More Sight-Related Books

I had some trouble finding a good number of really good books on this subject, aside from the ones I read, but I raided the non-fiction section and put together a decent display - which the kids actually spent time looking at! - nonetheless. 

• Pearl and Wagner: Four Eyes by Kate McMullan
• Seeing by Rebecca Rissman
• Seeing by Helen Frost
• Eyes by Carole Ballard
• Meet Molly by Valerie Tripp (because she wears glasses!)

I have really enjoyed these last few after school programs. It's something I definitely want to continue in the Fall, and that I will start planning for this summer so I can be prepared with some more great crafts.

Baby/Toddler Lap Time, 6/1/12

I have to say it's a little bit discouraging to have an adult approach me after story time to say, "That was a tough one, huh?" But she was right. I had the attention of most of the kids, but some of the adults just would not sit quietly no matter what I did. We did our "quiet signal" at least three times, and that helped some, but it was just a restless morning. Thank goodness, we're moving to the larger meeting room on the second floor beginning next week. I think people will feel more included in the story time, and therefore more interested in participating, when they're not all crowded in the doorway. In any case, here it is - the first Baby/Toddler Lap Time of summer reading!

Opening Song: Hello, how are you? 

Rhyme: Blue is the Lake

Book: Max's Starry Night by Ken Wilson-Max (2001)
I have been trying to read one longer book and two shorter ones with my groups lately, but this was clearly not the morning for a book like this one, with dialogue and lots of really similar-looking illustrations. I think it went over well with the few preschoolers in the front of the room, but the babies and toddlers lost interest, along with their grown-ups, very quickly.

Song with Stick Puppets: Stars Shining Bright
This song went over very very well, thanks in part to threes and fours knowing their colors. I will do this again, as a flannel board, and with puppets, once I make permanent flannel board pieces. (I only had time to put together paper puppets yesterday.)

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Book: The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood (1984)

Song: Five Little Monkeys

Song: Head and Shoulders

Song: Moon Moon Moon 

Flannel Board Song: Five Astronauts Went Up in Space 

Book: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague
This had the right amount of text, and would have been just fine, I think, if the group hadn't totally lost interest by this point. I'll try it again later in the summer in a session with a different format.

Song with Puppets: Goodnight by the Laurie Berkner Band
The Tuesday group loved this song; the Friday group seemed perplexed. We'll try again next time.

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This

Get Out the Map: 6 Travel Novels for Kids & Teens

	13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson After her eccentric aunt passes away unexpectedly, Ginny receives a set of clues which send her on a scavenger hunt through Europe.
	Journey to an 800 Number  by E.L. Konigsburg While his mother honeymoons with her new husband, Rainbow Maximillian "Bo" Stubbs travels the country with his dad and a camel named Ahmed.
	Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger Kendra Kaye and Frank Lee get to know one another as they explore New York City via a scavenger hunt created by their parents.
	Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Salamanca Tree Hiddle and her grandparents travel across the country to find her mother, sharing stories of the past along the way.
	Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger After learning that her boyfriend won't be able to spend their last summer before college with her after all, Robin ends up taking a road trip with her aunt and cousins instead.
	The Miles Between   by Mary E. Pearson On Destiny's birthday, finding that a car has been made available to her, she takes three classmates with her on a road trip in search of one day where everything works out fairly.

2012 Picture Book Challenge: May Wrap-Up Post

This year I'm participating in the Read To Me Picture Book Challenge hosted by There's a Book. My goal is to read 700 qualifying books. (The challenge focuses on not just picture books, but board books and easy readers as well. Read more about the challenge, and my goal, here.)

Each month, I'll be posting a list of the picture books I've read, with links* to related reviews and story time posts. Below are the books I read for this challenge in May.

	Rabbits and Raindrops by Jim Arnosky
	Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
	Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks
	Henry and Mudge and the Tumbling Trip by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Carolyn Bracken
	Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
	Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure by Daniel Kirk
	A is for Autumn by Robert Maass
	Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen
	Ballerina Swan by Allegra Kent, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
	The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
	Faster! Faster! by Leslie Patricelli
	Martin on the Moon by Martine Audet
	Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All by Peter Catalanotto
	Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, illustrated by David Diaz
	Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee
	You Are What You Eat: and Other Mealtime Hazards by Serge Bloch
	Meet My Neighbor, the Police Officer by Marc Crabtree
	Meet My Neighbor, the News Camera Operator by Marc Crabtree
	Meet My Neighbor, the Hip Hop Dancer by Marc Crabtree
	Meet My Neighbor, the Librarian by Marc Crabtree
	Ninety-Three in the Family by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Mike Lester
	Hen Hears Gossip by Megan McDonald, by Joung Un Kim
	I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
	Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
	I Know a Rhino by Charles Fuge
	Do Donkeys Dance? by Melanie Walsh
	What Shall We Do with the Boo Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Ingrid Godon
	Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams
	Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack
	Summer Treasure by Margaret McNamara
	Nosy Rosie by Holly Keller
	Matthew A.B.C. by Peter Catalanotto
	Monster Musical Chairs by Stuart J. Murphy, illustrated by Scott Nash
	Fancy Day in Room 1-A by Jane O'Connor
	Elliot Drives Away by Matt Curtis, illustrated by Jenny Williams
	Dudley and the Monster by Peter Cross, illustrated by Judy Taylor
	Dudley Goes Flying by Peter Cross, illustrated by Judy Taylor
	Dudley in a Jam by Peter Cross, illustrated by Judy Taylor
	The Tale of Frog by Helen Cooper
	The Tale of Pig by Helen Cooper
	The Tale of Bear by Helen Cooper
	The Tale of Duck by Helen Cooper
	Naughty Nancy by John S. Goodall
	Shrewbettina's Birthday by John S. Goodall
	Creepy Castle by John S. Goodall
	The Surprise Picnic by John S. Goodall
	Sluggy Slug by Chris Raschka
	Doggy Dog by Chris Raschka
	Goosey Goose by Chris Raschka
	Lamby Lamb by Chris Raschka
	The Case of the Scaredy Cats by Crosby Bonsall
	The Case of the Cat's Meow by Crosby Bonsall
	What Spot? by Crosby Bonsall
	Oliver the Mighty Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Amanda Pig, Schoolgirl by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Tales of Oliver Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Arnold Lobel
	More Tales of Oliver Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Arnold Lobel
	Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Oliver, Amanda, and Grandmother Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Oliver and Albert, Friends Forever by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Amanda Pig and her Best Friend Lollipop by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Oliver and Amanda and the Big Snow by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Benny's Boxcar Sleepover by Gertrude Chandler Warner
	Keys and Clues for Benny by Gertrude Chandler Warner
	A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban
	A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban
	Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	Angelina and the Princess by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	Angelina's Birthday by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	Angelina on Stage by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	Angelina and Alice by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	Angelina's Baby Sister by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
	The Baby by John Burningham
	The Dog by John Burningham
	The Friend by John Burningham
	Sleep Tight by B.G. Hennessey
	Whoo Goes There? by Jennifer A. Ericsson
	Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
	Oliver and Amanda's Christmas by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	Oliver and Amanda's Halloween by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
	So You Want to be President? by Judith St. George, illustrated by David Small
	Fly High, Fly Low by Don Freeman
	My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
	Snow by Uri Shulevitz
	The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
	The Stray Dog by Marc Simont
	Sam, Bangs, and Moonshine by Evaline Ness
	Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney

*Some reviews for these books may post in June. I will update this page with those links when they are available.