"At the Beach" Storytime

I finally got to get back to the thing I truly love about being a librarian--storytime!!  After weeks of training and trying to figure out a new library (policies, collection, staff, expectations, etc) it felt so good to get back to something I felt totally comfortable with!!

Three times a month I will present an "all ages" storytime at Otis Orchards Library.  I am so excited to get to know the children and families and to share my love of books and the importance of early literacy!

However, in all the stress of a new job, I forgot my camera.

Books

Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Splash!  by Candence Fleming and G. Brian Karas

I loved this book...but it was a little long for this group.  They did really well during the story, but when I was finished one of the children commented, "That was a really long story!"   I'll probably try shorter stories and work my way up to longer ones!

The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water  by Gemma Merino

Songs/Rhymes/Fingerplays/Flannel Board

Repeating songs

Five Little Starfish  (source)
Five little starfish by the shore,
The yellow one got lost and that left four.
Four little starfish in the sea,
The blue one swam far away and that left three.
Three little starfish in the ocean blue,
The red one took a seahorse ride and that left two.
Two little starfish in the sun,
The orange one took a dive and that left one.
One little starfish swimming along,
The green one floated towards home and that left none!

Can't Wait to Celebrate on Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem CD
The children loved the "freeze" part!

Five Little Fishes
Five little fishes swimming in the sea
Teasing Mr. Shark, "You can't catch me!"
Along came Mr. Shark, as quiet as can be
And snap that fish right out of the sea!

Continue counting down to one.

Play and Learn Activities
I love that the new library system I'm working at includes activities at the end of storytime.  They call it "Play and Learn".  It is very similar to my "Enrichment Activities" I did at my old library.  I feel strongly about giving the children (and parents!) the opportunity to play--one of the five practices that build a foundation for reading.  Playing and exploring builds experiences and lends nicely to talking.  In my new position I hope to encourage other storytime presenters to be more "intentional" in their play and learn portion of storytime.  Instead of just putting out a bunch of toys and activities make the experiences meaningful.  And I firmly believe that less is more when it comes to activities.  Four or five choices is sufficient!

• Take a closer look at shells using magnifying glasses
• Octopus "craft" (source)
• Sink and Float "experiment"
• Parachute