Robots!

Children have to check in four times to complete our summer reading program. At the first one, they each get to color a robot. It then goes up on our bulletin board. We are getting a very colorful board!

Summer 2014

Last week was extremely busy. This week so far, not so much. What a difference an upcoming holiday weekend makes. Storytimes begin Monday so this lull will not last.

We have decorated for the CSLP program, "Fizz, Boom, Read."

Like many other libraries we have laminated "green slime."

Like many other libraries we have a "robot."

Not as many libraries have a robot dog.

Participants get to add their own robot figure.

Two talented members of our circulation staff, Dena and Lori, created the "slime" bulletin board. I made the robot and his dog. I managed to get him up while doing battle with the stapler. He's over 5 feet tall so it was a long battle. He is still up there so I guess I won.

This will be my last summer reading program. I am retiring at the end of August. I definitely have mixed feelings about it. I enjoy working with children but I am looking forward to freedom from schedules. I plan to ease my way into retirement by continuing to be active in Flannel Friday, keeping up this blog, and doing some volunteer work.

Springy Arms to the Rescue!

One of my family storytime programs this summer will be about robots. There are plenty of books about robots but I try to have a variety of stories to keep the interest of this multi-age group. The following is the story I came up with to tell using our magnet board. It will work well with a felt/flannel board too.

Springy Arms to the Rescue!

by Linda Meuse

Notes from the Story Room 

LR1 was a bored little bot. The big robots were always busy running back and forth all day long. Not one had time for him. He wanted to help but no one would stop to tell him what to do.

One day LR1 had an idea. He noticed that the big robots had to slow down to get around him, but he was the only little bot so they quickly sped up again. He thought, "If there were lots of little bots then the big robots would have to slow down even more. Then I could talk to them." LR1 needed to get into the "Robot Production Room" so he could make more little bots. He looked around and saw three doors. One door had the letters RRR on it. That must be the "Robot Repair Room." That was where the robots who broke down went to get fixed. The second door had the letters RLR on it. That was the "Robot Lubrication Room." Once a week each robot went in there to get a bath of fresh oil to keep all parts running smoothly. The third door had the letters RPR on it. "Yes!" said LR1, "That's the "Robot Production Room." Now since LR1 was a very small bot, the door handle was out of reach. For a second LR1 was worried but then he remembered, "I have springy arms. Springy arms to the rescue!" His arm uncurled and easily reached the door handle. He quickly opened the door and slipped into the "Robot Production Room," closing the door behind him. The big robots were too busy to notice. LR1 went to the control panel and punched in all the information needed to make little bots. He made sure that they all had springy arms. Then he pressed the start button. The conveyor belt began to roll. Pieces were assembled. It did not take long to make more little bots. "Now we can slow down the big bots," said LR1. "Follow me!" The little bots followed LR1 into the other room. Almost immediately the big robots started slowing down. They didn't want to trip over the little bots. If they did, they would end up in the "Robot Repair Room." "Where did all these little bots come from?" asked BR1. "We're here to help!" said LR1. "What do you want us to do?" BR1 thought for a moment and said, "It's difficult for us to bend down. Perhaps you can pick things up for us. You can use your springy arms to reach under things for us too." "Great!" said LR1. "Springy arms to the rescue!"

Each little bot was paired with a big robot. LR1 was no longer bored. Not only did he have a job to do but he also now had lots of little robot friends.

LR1 and BR1

 

Doors and Control Panel

 

LR1's arm uncoiled

 





Notes: Since my library has a magnet board, I made my robots out of card stock and colored them with marker. Each "springy" arm is made by cutting a spiral. Then glue the outer end to the back of the robot. Since I am using paper, it will be easy for me to make more robots. I will run a master through the copy machine. I will probably make 10 of each. Five would be fine if you don't want to make that many. The children will get the point. I drew my own robots which is easy to do but you can also use clip art which is also easy to reproduce. The robots can also be made of felt. Some of you may already have ones you can use if you've done the "Five Little Robots" rhyme. I would still make the arms from paper since it coils and uncoils so well. My additional figures will all have numbers. For the little robots it will be LR2, LR3, LR4 etc. and for the big robots it will be BR2, BR3, BR4 etc. LR stands for Little Robot and BR stands for Big Robot. Numbering the robots is optional.

I am hosting this week's (small) Flannel Friday round-up. Click here for the direct link.

Getting Ready to "Dig Into Reading"

Judging by the Tweets I've been reading, it seems as if most of the libraries in the country have started their summer reading programs. In New Jersey most public schools don't get out until mid-June. Many will get out even later thanks to power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy. However, we are getting ready. I came to work Tuesday to find the bulletin boards decorated and the fliers out. (I work part-time so I missed all the prep.) Our boards were created by another part-timer who is a school librarian. She creates most of our bulletin boards and I love her attention to detail.

Registration for our summer programs begins June 17 and our Kick-off event is the evening of June 25. (The DJ will be back!) The reading program runs June 24 to August 17. Scheduled library programs include storytimes, craft programs and entertainers. New this year is a "Kids Cook" program (the first program features "dirt cake" complete with gummy worms), as well as free movies and a craft program just for tweens.  It's going to be a very busy summer!

Small Bulletin Board for Program Announcements:

Large Board for Participants:

Mole's New Hole

This week's Flannel Friday post was written to go along with this summer's CSLP theme, "Dig Into Reading." The story was inspired by the folktale "The Big Turnip" and Elephant in a Well by Marie Hall Ets.

Mole’s New Hole

Linda Meuse

3/1/13

Notes from the Story Room

Mole popped out the ground. He had just made a new entrance to his underground home. He had a nice new mole-sized hole. Just then Possum came ambling by and saw Mole. “Hello, Mole,” said Possum. “How are you today?” “Fine, thank you,” replied Mole. “I just made a brand new hole for my underground home.” “Oh, may I take a look?” asked Possum. “Certainly,” said Mole, “but be careful. It’s a mole-sized hole not a possum-sized hole.” Possum had never seen Mole’s underground home so he was very curious. He stuck his head in the hole but couldn’t see much. “I’ll just go down a little further,” thought Possum, pushing his front into the hole. “Be careful!” said Mole but it was too late. Possum was stuck. He couldn’t get himself out of the hole. “Help!” yelled Possum. “My feet are up and my head is down. I have nothing to grab on to. Please pull me out!”

Mole tried to pull Possum out. He pulled and pulled but he could not get Possum out. “I’ll get help,” said Mole. Mole found Raccoon who came to help. Raccoon pulled on Mole and Mole pulled on Possum. They pulled and they pulled but Possum did not come out. Rabbit came over to help. Rabbit pulled on Raccoon and Raccoon pulled on Mole and Mole pulled on Possum. They pulled and they pulled but Possum stayed stuck. Squirrel saw what was happening and offered to help. Squirrel pulled on Rabbit and Rabbit pulled on Raccoon and Raccoon pulled on Mole and Mole pulled on Possum. They pulled and pulled but Possum did not move an inch. Skunk came to help. Skunk pulled on Squirrel and Squirrel pulled on Rabbit and Rabbit pulled on Raccoon and Raccoon pulled on Mole and Mole pulled on Possum but Possum was still stuck in the hole. “What are we going to do?” asked Mole. “We can’t pull Possum out.” “I think we are going to have to dig Possum out,” said Raccoon. “But that will ruin my hole and my home below!” wailed Mole. “Let me help too,” said a teeny, tiny voice. It was Mouse who was so small she could barely be seen above the grass. “I would like to help pull Possum out of Mole’s hole,” said Mouse. “We already tried. One little mouse won’t make a difference,” said Raccoon. Mole really didn’t want his nice new hole ruined so he said, “Let’s give it one more try.” Mouse pulled on Skunk and Skunk pulled on Squirrel and Squirrel pulled on Rabbit and Rabbit pulled on Raccoon and Raccoon pulled on Mole and Mole pulled on Possum. They pulled and pulled and Possum finally came up out of the hole. “Thank you,” said Possum. “I am really happy to be out of that hole.” “Not nearly as happy as I am,” replied Mole looking at his nice new mole-sized hole.

Note: This story was written to be told with flannel/magnet board figures. When making the figures make sure that Possum's back half is bigger than the front so that he gets "stuck" in the hole.

The cast of characters ready to be laminated:

Squirrel, Rabbit, Mouse

Raccoon and Skunk

Hole, Mole and Possum

This week's Flannel Friday is hosted by Lisa of Libraryland.

Survived!

Our summer reading program officially ended August 18. The final program was August 20. We still had numerous check-ins last week but this week has been extremely quiet.

We had our most successful Kick-off party ever June 25. Though there were downpours earlier, it turned out to be a great night for a party. For the first time we had a DJ and it was a big success. The parents enjoyed the music just as much as the kids. Another big hit and a first for us was the bounce inflatable. We also had several crafts for children and plenty of food. Again, another first for us was a cotton candy machine which turned out to be the most popular food item. In order to keep the program manageable we gave out free tickets to the event. In addition we gave out tickets for cotton candy and Italian ice to those attending. In previous years we had food and crafts prior to having a performer inside. Since this year's program received such positive feedback from parents and kids, we plan to repeat the format next year. Let's hope Mother Nature continues to cooperate.

The library had numerous performers and activities in July and August. They were all well attended including programs that weren't in previous years. It was nice to see families using the library so much.

My favorite part of the summer was watching the children who completed the summer reading program choose their prize from our "treasure chest." Even the older children were quite serious about their selections. Popular items were whistles, dream catcher key chains, small inflatable balls and notepads shaped like flip flops.

Children who completed the reading program were eligible to get tickets to our closing program, Summer Reading Fun Night, which was held August 20. Activities included games and crafts. Thanks to the generosity of Hamilton area merchants we had numerous door prizes as well.

Our wonderful Friends of the Library donated gift cards to Barnes & Noble. Every child who completed the reading program was entered into a drawing. There were 50 lucky winners.

Overall it was a great summer at the library. It's hard to believe that school starts next week. So does storytime registration. Not only are we planning our fall programs but are also already filing away ideas for next summer's reading program.

Inspiration for Summer Storytimes

Flannel Friday is probably my main source of storytime ideas now. I finally got to use the "Alphabet Soup" idea. I used the rhyme from In the Children's Room. Thank you Lucy and all the other Flannel Friday bloggers who showed how versatile this activity is. It was a great hit with at my latest Family Story Time and I will definitely be using it again.

I found clip art in Microsoft Publisher that I liked, enlarged it, added the letters, printed it and had it laminated, and then cut the pieces out. Since we use a magnet board, I added magnets to the back of each piece. I used a black plastic pot for the "soup." For very little time and effort, I had an activity enjoyed by all ages. (I think I will use this concept as a "letter scramble" game for future class visits.)

While I was looking for ideas in the CSLP manual, I came across a small section that mentioned two games I could adapt for the current theme. "Find the Moon" and "Finish the Pattern" (Dream Big Read! 2012 Collaborative Summer Library Program Manual, Chapter 4 - "Night, Night," pp. 126 - 126). I have used variations of both before but this reminded me that I could do them for this summer's theme.

I used "Find the Moon" for a recent Family Story Time but did not have time for "Finish the Pattern." I plan to use it in my upcoming Pajama Story Time.

"Find the Moon"

(Of course I added glitter glue to my moon.)

"Finish the Pattern"

(I used a highlighter to make the stars glow and a metallic marker to make the moons shine.)

This week's Flannel Friday is being hosted by Katie of Storytime Katie.

Let the Craziness Begin!

Our summer reading program officially starts on Monday. Schools in New Jersey seem to get out much later than most of the country. I've been reading other librarians' blogs and it seems as if they are well into their summer reading programs and activities.

Registration for summer reading started this week and it's been very busy. I have a feeling that we will continue to be busy all summer. Over the years I have noticed that participation in library summer programs increases during difficult economic times. That will probably be the case this year. I've already overheard one mom mention that they wouldn't be going away this summer.

Fortunately we have a very generous Friends of the Library group so we will be able to offer some nice programs for families this year starting with our kick-off party Monday evening. Tickets went quickly. We hope to have the activities outside but if it rains we are limited to how many we can have in our meeting room. (We always give out free tickets to events that are being held in the meeting room.) Instead of a performer, this year we will be having a DJ. We will also have food and activities outside. (Cotton candy! Italian ice!)

I will be handling children's room desk duties while the rest of the staff works the party. They will have the help of teen/tween volunteers. Although I will busy with registrations, check-ins and readers' advisory questions, I will probably not be nearly as busy as everyone else. It's a crazy evening for us but our families love it.

Above is a photo of our bulletin board awaiting its stars. For the first check-in each child gets to put his/her name on a star which we will then staple onto the bulletin board. (To give an idea of the size of the board, the bed is about 5 feet long.)

The Bat: Cut and Tell

Following the owl draw and tell story, I have come up with a bat cut and tell rhyme for this summer's family story time featuring nocturnal animals.  Although I made up a rhyme, I might also just state the facts about bats.  It shall be interesting to see how quickly the children guess because, as I cut it out, I'm actually turning it upside down.

I am a creature of the night,  (Cut from 1 to 2)

Waiting until dark before I take flight.  (Cut from 2 to 3)

I eat mostly bugs but also fruit (Cut from 3 to 4) or the nectar 
     of flowers just like the bees (Cut from 4 to 5)
I live in caves but also burrows, flowers or leaves. 
     (Cut from 5 to 6)

What am I?

Below is a photo of the pattern along with the cutting sequence.  I have also scanned the pattern and put it up as a Google document here.  I simply traced the outline of a bat from clip art.  If you make your own template, always put it on the fold.  You are only tracing half of the bat.

Pattern

Normally I just place a piece of copy paper over the pattern and trace over the black lines.  Since I am using construction paper and textured paper this time, I had to make a template.

Template



Since I am just doing this for a single program, I purchased some craft paper to cut.  (This was suggested in the comments for this post.  Thanks Kristine.)  If I were to do this several times, I would just use black, gray or brown construction paper.  I also added some sticker eyes.  If you do, make sure to place them carefully.  It's a bit tricky placing them correctly on the inside of the folded paper because the cutting lines are on the outside.  Another much easier way to add eyes is to punch a hole in the folded paper.  The hole can be made beforehand. 

Pattern has been traced onto black construction paper.

(I used white paint so it would show in the photo.)

The back of the textured paper was white so it was easy to trace the pattern.

Below are photos of the cut out bats showing the fancy and plain versions.

Plain

Fancy

I am hosting this week's Flannel Friday Round-Up here.  Complete Flannel Friday information can be found here.

Flannel Friday Follow-Up

Last week I posted about how I use the magnet board to promote summer reading to classes that visit in the spring.  One of my colleagues, Gina, made this year's set of pieces for the memory game for me and she did such a nice job that I wanted to share it with you. 

She not only used fancy scissors to cut the colorful paper but laminated the pieces as well.  Since I only work part-time, Gina has been a tremendous help to me. 

The group I had today enjoyed playing the memory game.  They remembered all but one.  I also put up the pieces about upcoming programs that I posted about last week.  They cheered when they found out we are having a DJ for our kick-off party.  I will post the program that I am doing for this spring's class visits soon.

Cate of Storytiming is hosting this week's Flannel Friday round-up.

A Way to Promote Library Programs

I don't just use our magnet board for storytelling.  Every spring I use it to promote our summer reading program to visiting school groups.  During April and May second grade students visit the library.  I play a memory game with them using the board and figures from the Collaborative Summer Library Program manual.  Usually I focus on the reading program and just mention the other programs and activities that take place in the library during the summer.  This year I have decided to talk about these other programs a bit more.  I made visuals to go with the various programs and will be placing them up on the board as I briefly describe what is scheduled.  I made the visuals using Microsoft Publisher and then glued them onto construction paper. 

I deliberately avoided straight lines when I cut out the pieces.  This keeps the pieces from looking crooked since there are no straight lines - quick and easy.

With magnets on the back, the pieces are ready to promote our summer programs.  When the class visits are finished, we can remove the magnets and glue to pieces onto poster board for a more permanent display next to our handouts for summer programs.

So don't just use your flannel/magnet board just for rhymes and storytelling.  Use it to tell your library's "story" as well. 

This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Library Quine of Loons and Quines at Librarytime.  Complete information about Flannel Friday can be found at So Tomorrow's Flannel Friday page.

Just a Note

The first Flannel Friday Roundup for 2012 can be found at What Happens in Storytime.  Thank you Mollie Kay.  Go here to find the schedule through March.  Next week is our "Mushy, Gushy Valentine's Day Extravaganza."  March 30 will focus on the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme "Dream Big Read!" for those participating states.  New Jersey participates so I'm looking forward to finding ideas for my family story times.

Summer 2011

Summer reading program participants put their names on a piece of construction paper and decorate it if desired.  The pieces are then stapled to the bulletin board.  We are almost out of land but have plenty of ocean.