What I Learned at the Library
Lucky am I to have been hired as a Youth Services Library Associate at Winnetka Library! If you live in the area, you’ll know where to find me. That is when the library re-opens. For now, here I am.
Libraries have gone way beyond their original purpose, and now often serve as the community centers for their patrons. For ex. did you know you can borrow ebooks from libraries at any time? Just download FREE apps like hoopla using your library card number. Also, some libraries feed kids after school snacks, register voters, host seminars on biz topics, provide hours of entertaining, educational enrichment for little and big kids alike…ALL FOR FREE! (My library even gives out STEAM kits.)
I’m getting access to all kinds of neat library resources. So when I learn or do something new, I’m gonna share it here with all of you.
For my first share, I’d like to give you all the tools to create ‘STORYTIME’ at home with your kids. (If you are ‘big kids,’ take what I’ve shared here and make a DIY book club kit. I’ll be doing those for older kids later on.) The idea is to get off your screens for a while, and do something in real life. (Though some of the offerings do require a screen.) All of the suggestions here are either free or very inexpensive.
So without further ado, here’s my first Storytime kit using the picture book, I’M BORED by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Seemed like a timely book for these times.
DIY STORYTIME KIT
I’M BORED is a fun, clever story about a little girl rediscovering the power of imagination once she’s called boring by a potato. Yep, a potato. The bold, emotional illustrations bring the text to the next level, while giving kids ideas of what to do next so they’re not bored even after the story ends.
WATCH: Michael Ian Black read the story, and then Debbie Ridpath Ohi (illustrator) offers an art demo and creative challenge at timestamp 5:17.
Other book related activities to extend your learning:
–READ: The Boring Book by Shinsuke Yoshitake (Available on Hoopla) This LOL picture book uses the feeling of boredom as a doorway into an engaging and enriching experience.
-PRINT READY ACTIVITY SHEETS, including how to make finger puppets and coloring pages
https://www.debbieohi.com/im-bored-activity-pages/
-MAKE POTATO ART
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/potato-craft-ideas-for-kids.htm
https://www.fun-stuff-to-do.com/easy-crafts-for-kids-8.html
Potato Sprout People
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/potato-sprout-people
Potato Book Characters:
http://fourcheekymonkeys.com/play-love-learn/read-play-learn-potato-book-characters/
-DANCE AND SING while learning about Flamingos, do they fly, where do they live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsUWR9hkT5M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNrC0VjzMU
ENCOURAGE IMAGINATIVE PLAY
https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/5-easy-ways-to-encourage-imaginative-play
Make an Imagination Prop Box:
-Consider creating a prop box or corner filled with objects to spark your child’s fantasy world. You might include:
Large plastic crates, cardboard blocks, or a large, empty box for creating a “home”
Old clothes, shoes, backpacks, hats
Old telephones, phone books, magazines
Cooking utensils, dishes, plastic food containers, table napkins, silk flowers
Stuffed animals and dolls of all sizes
Fabric pieces, blankets, or old sheets for making costumes or a fort
Theme-appropriate materials such as postcards, used plane tickets, foreign coins, and photos for a pretend vacation trip
Writing materials for taking phone messages, leaving notes, and making shopping lists
IF YOU’VE GOT MORE TIME:
Teacher Guide for kids 5-10 yrs old using book to teach ideas in most subjects including: Math, English, Science, Art etc.
Don’t forget to have fun!
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