Quick Pic - Feed Your Mind Book Display

Howdy

Our December book display was all about food focused fiction for juveniles and teens.  As we made the display we realized that there were more books on this topic for kids.  The display was popular possibly due to our attention grabbing sign. As the teen choices were checked out we had to get a little creative about what books we displayed next.  This was definitely an exercise in flexibly. In retrospect I think this could have been extra cute for Thanksgiving. 

Laura
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Five Furry Cats Velcro Glove

Howdy
Often I make felt boards for a specific theme.   I made these cats months ago but I have never used them. I do really like the velcro glove because it is less cumbersome than our velcro board and unless the kids climb me like a tree it is quite hard for them to get ahold of the felt pieces.  The rhyme Five Furry Cats is from The Eensy Weensy Cd of Little Fingerplays by Debbie Carroll.

Five furry cats sitting by a fire
Some meowed low
And some meowed higher
They all sang together in a kitty cat choir
Meow meow meow meow meow
Till they all fell asleep by the warm warm fire

Laura
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Quick Pic - Outer Space Felt Board

Howdy

We try to change out the felt board on the wall montly.  Last month we had the alaphebt cut from felt which was popular but we had to pick up all those pieces quite often.  As a break our felt set this month has many fewer pieces but hopefully just many opporitnies for play. 

Laura
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Random Acts of Kindness - Tear Off Poster

Howdy
I saw a version of this random acts of kindness poster on Pinterest. It wasn't big enough to print and some of the suggestions were better options for adults. I made this tear-off poster for my teen room using suggestions that were mostly free or only required some time or patience. You can find the PDF file at the Download button or publisher file at the link below that.

Publisher File

Laura
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Quick Pic - Emoji Book Display

Howdy
We decorated teen and juvenile fiction with emojis that would correspond with the the content of the books. Its very bright and eye catching. Hopefully this display will outmatch the popularity of October's display of horror titles.

Laura
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Teen Halloween

Howdy
This year my plan for the Teen Halloween was to keep everyone super busy.  Last year I ran out of activities after an hour (the program is 90 minutes) which felt awkward. First we started with the snacks.  Everyone got to make root beer floats.  That was popular and much needed since it seemed to be unusually warm in the room.  I also had some donated Little Debbie cakes shaped like pumpkins and bats.  As an edible craft we made DIY Pocky with giant pretzel rods, three flavors of frosting a variety of sprinkles. Be prepared that just like offering a variety of soda that your teens will inevitably mix, we had ice cream sodas with frosting and sprinkles in them...as you do.

I didn't think to take pictures of the decorations.  I did really enjoy making dangling eyeballs from styrofoam balls and red ribbon.  I hung these right in the doorway to freak out the extra squeamish.  

Once I thought the group was assembled we started with video scary movie quiz called Halloween Movies and TV Show Trivia. Mostly they yelled a lot and got really excited. (Some of that could have been all the sugar) 

Dance Party 2

Read about our first Dance Party.

Opening
I Know New Way to Say Hello from Exercise Party. 
 I used the tune and we added other things beyond the original lyrics. 

I know a new way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I know a new way to say hello all you do is blink your eyes
wiggle your ears
stomp your feet

but I still like the old way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I still like the old way to say hello, all I do is wave my hands

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Far, far, far, we're going to the stars (x 2)
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Far, far, far, we're going to the stars
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!

Fun, fun, fun we're going to the sun....

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re going to the moon.

Preschool Storytime - Pets

Opening

Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
I Don't Like Gloria! by Kaye Umansky
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Is There a Dog in this Book? by Viviane Schwarz.

Music
Goldfish by Laurie Berkner fromThe Best of the Laurie Berkner Band
Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Preschool Storytime - Opposites

Inspired by Jbrary's Opposites at Storytime and Sunflower Storytime's Opposites Storytime.

Opening

Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
Animal Opposites by Petr Horáček
Opposite Zoo by Ila Na
The Three Bears by Byron Barton

Songs
Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Scarves
Reach Up High from Exercise Party

Two Little Black Birds

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.
One named Jack and one named Jill.
Fly away Jack, flay away Jill.
Come back Jack, come back Jill.
Two little blackbirds flying in the sky.
One named Low and one named High...
Two little blackbirds sitting on a pole.
One named Fast and one named Slow...
Two little blackbirds sitting on a gate...
One named Early and one named Late..

Five Clean and Dirty Pigs

Felt Board

Flannel Friday: Clean and Dirty Pigs from Mel's Desk

Sing it to “Five Green and Speckled Frogs”

Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big thud
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs.

Quick Pic - Steampunk Snowflakes

Howdy
I was trolling on Pinterest when I found these  SteamPunk Snowflakes by The Little Red Reviewer. I used three colors of construction paper and two patterns of black and white scrap book paper.  This didn't take very long at all and I didn't need any special supplies.  The only negative now I realize that the other side of the bookcase needs some color as well.



Laura
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Preschool Storytime - Birthday

Opening
Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books

A birthday for Cow! by Jan Thomas
Little Mouse and the big cupcake by Thomas Taylor
How many sleeps 'til my birthday? by Mark Sperring

Songs

Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Dance Freeze Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Micheal from Rockin' Red

Folder Story

One For The Books: Folder Story - The Surprise Party

Preschool Storytime - Books and the Library

Opening

Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
Dinosaur Vs The Library by Bob Shea

Songs

Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Rhythm Sticks
We bought a set of traditional rhythm sticks so I've upgraded my kids from Popsicle sticks. 

We started with one stick each.  We sand the alphabet song and tapped the floor for each letter.  Then everyone got two sticks and we sang the song again.  This went really well so I used the song. 

Tapping On My Sticks by Kathy Reid-Naiman for I Love to Hear the Sounds 

Teen Chess and Checkers Battle

Howdy
Need an inexpensive program that requires few supplies?  Try over sized checkers and chess. You will need access to a printer and a lot of paper plates.  I used two  different  colors. For chess you need 32 plates for the 32 pieces.  For checkers you need at least 24 to start plus extras for if people get kinged or crowned. You will need a way to mark the floor.  If your room has tile squares or carpet squares that are easy to see you might not need to mark the game boards.  I used a lot of scrap paper.  These yellow papers had been 11x17 posters with printing on the back that we had hoarded from summer reading a long, long time ago. Tape would also work to mark the floor but I was fresh out. Each board needs to be an 8x8 grid of 64 squares that are large enough for one paper plate. For checkers you just need two different color plates, I choose yellow and orange.  For chess you will need to print the chess symbols in the file below.  I also cut and pasted the rules for each piece on the bottom of the plate so that new players could have some help.  Those rules are in the Chess Pieces file.  Be careful not to mix up your art and rules.  For extra clarification of the rules I used a graphic on the projector that reiterated how the pieces move.  You can find that below as Chess Rules. 

Teen Anime Club - Miyzaki Twister

Howdy
I had a pin on my Young Adult / Teen Anime Manga Club Pinterest board for Anime Twister.  I made my own version for anime club tonight.  You can print the base for the spinner at the link below.  You will want to print the spinner on one page and then for each of the four characters, you will want to print 6-8 pages to mimic the original Twister game.  If you expect a larger group you could print lots more.  I made the spinner by taping the printed spinner onto a piece of cardstock.  I cut a long triangle or arrow from another piece of card stock.  I didn't measure, I just eyeballed something that was long enough to reach the characters' faces. Using scissors I poked a hole through the arrow, the paper, and the cardstock. I made the hole larger than the brad (brass fastener) that I was using to hold it all together.  I found the trick was to not bend the brad too tightly. If you fold the brad totally flat to the spinner, the arrow won't move.  It was a little flimsy but this way if I want to change the characters it would be easy enough to take the whole thing apart again.  

Get a Life Tear Off Poster

Howdy
I saw this Get a Life poster at Top 10 Take one (Tear-Off) Paper Street Flyers. I couldn't find a clean copy, so I made my own. Save and print your own PDF copy 

Laura

Disclaimer

ARSL - Tough Topics For Teens - Crafting Easy To Grab Materials for Teens Tough Questions

Howdy
If you made your own Tough Topics for Teens poster and bookmarks or if you used the printable versions (pdf and publisher files available) on my blog at Tough Topics for Teens Bookmarks and Poster Printables; now you can read the whole story behind those materials.  Check out my article in the Association for Small and Rural Libraries Spring 2016 newsletter. My article is on page 3 of the PDF.

Tough Topics For Teens - 
Crafting Easy To Grab Materials for Teens Tough Questions


Laura

Disclaimer

Park Outreach Storytime - Water

This program was held at a local park.  They have a building for educational programs that has electricity so some of the activities were indoors and some of them were outdoors. For the music I used songs on my phone played over a homemade pringle can speaker.  We walked outside to a tree with benches around it for some of the program.  The rest of it was held indoors so we do a craft the park services provide without things blowing away. The program is for children ages 4-7 and their parents. 

Preschool Storytime - Beach Reboot

Check out another Beach Storytime.

Opening
Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books

Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark Ken Geist - I didn't make a felt for this story but Library Lena made a felt board if you'd like an idea of how it could look.

Fidgety Fish by Ruth Galloway

Preschool Storytime - Reptiles

Opening
Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM

Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett
The Splendid Spotted Snake by Betty Ann Schwartz
The Snake Who Said Shhh by Jodie Parachini

Pokemon Thaumatrope

Howdy
Have you seen that old game where two images on separate discs are spun to make it look like they are together?  It's called a Thaumatrope.

 

A thaumatrope is a toy that was popular in the 19th century. A disk with a picture on each side is attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one due to the persistence of vision.[1] (wikipedia)

Now you can make your own Thaumatrope (my teens just call them spinners) and use it to catch Pokemon.  To make this toy you will need the print out this PDF or Publisher file, along with scissors, a single hole punch, string or yarn, a way to color your pictures using crayons, colored pencils or markers, and also glue or tape. 

Catch your Pokémon by coloring and pasting the circles together so that each image is upright no matter what side you look at. Next, you need to punch two holes across the diameter of the circle and attach strings from each side.  Spin the strings to see the optical illusion. 

Laura

Disclaimer

It's Dangerous to Go Alone - Pokemon Go Tear Off Poster

Howdy
I didn't know which pokemon to feature since different areas have a different smattering of monsters to catch.  I decided to support our gamers with gear since I know I could always use a few more pokeballs in my stash of items.  Enjoy this new poster for PokemonGo featuring Professor Willow. Find links to the PDF and Publisher files below.  

Laura

Disclaimer

It's Dangerous to Go Alone - Pokemon Tear Off Poster

Howdy
Is your library a gym or pokestop?  Add some flair to your kids or teen department with this free printable PDF or Publisher file of a retro Pokemon poster featuring Professor Oak of Pallet Town.  Let me know if you'd like to see a Professor Willow poster. 

Laura

Disclaimer

Preschool Storytime - Camping

Opening

Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM

Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books

Camping in Green by Christianne C Jones 

Good Night, Animals by Lena Arro

Music
Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Sleeping Bag Chant by Carole Peterson Stephenson from H.U.M. - Highly Usable Music - Here the tune so you can sing it yourself and see lyrics on Macaroni Soup.

Scarves
Borrowed from Scarf Songs and Rhymes for Storytime on Jbrary.
One Bright scarf - (adapted from 10 Little Fingers at Storytime Rocks)

One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow (hold in hand)
Wiggle it high (wiggle scarf above head)
Wiggle it low (wiggle scarf by knees)
Shake it fast (wiggle scarf quickly)
Shake it slow (wiggle scarf slowly)
Put it behind your back
Where did it go? (bring out empty hands)

Reach Up High from Exercise Party

Felt
Colorful Butterflies from Caterpillars and Butterflies Storytime by Miss Meg's Storytime. 

Colorful Butterflies

The first to come to the garden bed
is a lovely butterfly of brilliant RED

Then in comes another and that makes two
Fly right in, my friend of BLUE

This garden is fine, the best I’ve seen
says the butterfly of the softest GREEN

Our garden needs a sunny fellow
Fly in butterfly, with wings of YELLOW

Little friend of PURPLE, fly in too
the garden is waiting for a color like you

Hello ORANGE, we’ve waited so long
fly in, right where you belong

Butterflies, Butterflies, you’re such a sight
Flying together with such delight!

Quick Pic - Felt Tetris

Howdy
We made the kids a giant felt Tetris game to play on our carpet wall. I think it will be a game for 52 pick up for staff but hopefully the kids enjoy it too.

Laura
Disclaimer

Preschool Storytime - July 4th Reboot

See my first July 4th Storytime for Preschool. 

Opening
Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM

Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
Fourth of July Mice by Bethany Roberts
Biscuits's Picnic by Alyssa Capucilli

Music
Can't Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Folder Story
I used the Grand Old Flag folder story that made back in December to teach patterns to a different group. 

Teen Black Butler Picnic

Howdy
Last fall I read this great idea for a Black Butler High Tea. Sarah Stumpf Teen Librarian, posted in Teen Services Underground about her program. Her group had hot tea with biscuits.  For my Black Butler Picnic I served iced tea, cookies and orange sherbet.  In addition to Sarah's  inspiration for the program she also provided  templates  for Sebastian's  tattoo and a Black Butler Trivia Power Point. To find both files simply join Teen Services Underground and search for Black Butler. Or under the files listing at the top of the page you will find files downloadable for Black Butler Tattoo step by step.pub and Black Butler.pptx

I did a lot of decorating with doilies because I had them from previous crafts and they made everything look fancy.  I also copied a lot of Black Butler art from the internet and cropped them with clip art frames that looked old or gilded. I hung these in groups around the room and at the end of the night I let the teens take them home. Next time I would make more posters but since I didn't expect over 20 teens not everyone got a poster. I am kicking myself a little for not thinking to make some cool faux candelabras with all the paper towel rolls I have squirreled away. Hopefully I can do this for Halloween and go a little goth. 

First we made our tattoos using liquid eyeliner pens.  A few kids couldn't wait and used their own makers which I don't suggest since their parents aren't likely to be amused.  This activity gave people time to wander in, meet and greet a little before we chose teams for trivia.  My tattoo is the bottom left one that's about the size of a postage stamp. 

My teens divided into two teams; The Butlers and The Chainsaws.  Each team them chose someone to keep score.  Since I didn't want them to get too loud we made up a few rules.  Anyone who knew the answer had to confer with their team, then either raise their hand or stand up.  Last time we did trivia everyone got really excited and there was a lot of yelling.  The winning team got a selection of Pocky, Yan Yans and Panda snacks from the supermarket's international aisle to share. 

Tattoos and trivia took about 20-30 minutes.  After everyone got more snacks we settled in to watch the first three episodes of Black Butler on Netflix.  I think everyone went home happy.  I don't know how I will top this for next year.  I will definitely provide more food because they were like locusts tonight. 

Thank you Sarah Stumpf and Teen Services Underground!

Laura

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Preschool Storytime - Zoo

Opening
Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM

Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling
Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
Snappy Little Zoo by Dugald Steer
What's for Lunch by Ann Garrett

Songs
Bananas by Jim Gill for Music Play for Folks of All Stripes
Monkey Dance by Wiggles for Yummy Yummy
Kangaroos Hopping by Exercise Party

Felt animals pilfered from our
 Little Engine That Could set. 

Felt
Zoo Hide and Seek - repeat the chant and hide one of the characters, letting the children guess who is missing. 

Zoo keeper zoo keeper

What can we do

An animal is missing from the zoo

This cute rhyme that also works with my zoo animals set is from This Storytime's a Zoo by Abby the Librarian. 

I went to visit the zoo one day
Saw an elephant along the way! 
And what do you think I heard him say? [elephant noise]  

Teen Animanga Fortune Teller

Howdy
I liked the Book Fortune Teller so much I just knew I had to make a version for my Teen Animanga Club. Just click the link to print an editable Publisher file with my cute text and a blank copy for your teens to write on. For a quick printable PDF click here. 

Laura

Disclaimer

Preschool Storytime - Father's Day

Opening

Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed by Carole Peterson HUM
Hello to your toes yes indeed yes indeed yes indeed
Hello to your toes yes indeed my darling

Knees – shoulders - friends

Books
Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney
I Want My Daddy by Tracey Corderoy

Song
Grandma Mose was sick in bed
She called for the doctor and the doctor said,
"Grandma Mose, you're not sick
All you need is a cinnamon stick"
Get up, shake, shake, shake, shake
Get down shake, shake, shake, shake
Turn Around shake, shake, shake, shake
Get out of town shake, shake, shake, shake

Egg Shakers
Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms (with egg shakers)

Both songs are from Give Your Storytime a Shake on JBrary.

if you’re happy and you know it give a shake
if you’re happy and you know it give a shake
if you’re happy and you know it give a shake
if you’re happy you know it and you really want to show it
if you’re happy and you it give a shake

clap – tap

Dance Party

Opening

I Know New Way to Say Hello - from Exercise Party.  I used the tune and we added other things beyond the original lyrics. 

I know a new way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I know a new way to say hello all you do is blink your eyes
wiggle your ears
stomp your feet

but i still like the old way to say hello, say hello, say hello
i still like the old way to say hello, all I do is wave my hands

Stand Up Sit Down Song by Rick Goldin
Everybody stand up
Everybody sit down
now stand up again, and turn around
you can keep standing up, but not for long
cause this is the stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down song

stand up if you're ___ years old
and sit back down again

stand up if you're ___ years old

and sit back down with your friends
(repeat until I get everyone)

Eggs Shakers 
Shaky Shaky by the Wiggles from Yummy Yummy

Mango Tree – call and answer song you can repeat with lots of other fruits

Shake, shake, the mango tree.
Shake, shake, the mango tree.

Mango yellow, mango green
Mango yellow, mango green

One for you, and one for me.
One for you, and one for me.

Book Break - If You're Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Far, far, far, we're going to the stars (x 2)
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Far, far, far, we're going to the stars
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!

Fun, fun, fun we're going to the sun....

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re going to the moon.

Bean Bags
Dance Freeze Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Micheal from Rockin' Red

Drive the Fire Truck - see the video version by the Toronto Public Library. 

Book Break - Wiggle by Doreen Cronin. Every time the book used the word wiggle the kids had to shake their bean bags. 

Jumping and Counting by Jim Gill from The Irrational Album


Closing - scarves

Wind, Oh Wind - King County Library System
wind oh wind oh wind oh wind I say
what are you blowing away today?
Scarves scarves scarves I say
I’m blowing the scarves away today

Reach Up High from Exercise Party


Laura

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