Today a group of deaf children came for a class visit. I managed to remember to slow down for the ASL interpreters but forgot to tell one of the stories I had planned. Everything else went smoothly until it came time for me to do the draw-and-tell story. I had tested the marker beforehand to make sure it worked but somehow the marker part disappeared into the plastic holder part when I started to use it. I excused myself and ran to the children's room desk and grabbed the biggest marker I could find from the drawer and ran back to tell the story. It never ceases to amaze me what can happen during storytime. I've been doing this for twenty years and this was a first. Fortunately after 20 years I don't get easily rattled any more.
The children were great, the teachers were great and everyone had a good time probably because I selected mostly silly stories. The two books that I used were selected for their visual appeal. Other than being careful about my book selections and working with the ASL interpreter, this storytime was not any different than one I would do for any class visit. I like to use a variety of storytelling formats that have visual appeal (see my previous post). It helps to keep the group's attention if they are wondering what you are going to do next.
The children made turtle paper bag puppets after the storytime. I like to do a simple craft if possible because then the children have something to take with them.
The teachers had me stand with the children for a group photo after the program. The highlight of the day was when the little girl standing next to me slipped her hand into mine as the picture was taken. Moments like that are what make my job so rewarding. Seeing a group of children signing shark as I read them Shark in the Park! is what makes my job so much fun.
I'll post the stories I used later today.
The children were great, the teachers were great and everyone had a good time probably because I selected mostly silly stories. The two books that I used were selected for their visual appeal. Other than being careful about my book selections and working with the ASL interpreter, this storytime was not any different than one I would do for any class visit. I like to use a variety of storytelling formats that have visual appeal (see my previous post). It helps to keep the group's attention if they are wondering what you are going to do next.
The children made turtle paper bag puppets after the storytime. I like to do a simple craft if possible because then the children have something to take with them.
The teachers had me stand with the children for a group photo after the program. The highlight of the day was when the little girl standing next to me slipped her hand into mine as the picture was taken. Moments like that are what make my job so rewarding. Seeing a group of children signing shark as I read them Shark in the Park! is what makes my job so much fun.
I'll post the stories I used later today.
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