Archive for the 'programming' Category
For a simple program, make a few loads of playdough, and let the kids get creative.
We covered the tables with newspapers and gave the kids a small sheet of foil for their playdough. I made red, yellow, and blue playdough. We also put out pipecleaner and toothpicks. The toothpicks were a hit! I had modeling clay/playdough books out for inspiration. The kids got to take home their baggies of playdough at the end. Here is the recipe I used that I felt worked best:
1 c flour
1 c warm water
2 t cream of tartar
1 t oil
1/4 c salt
Mix together over medium heat. When the mix has a consitency of mashed potatoes, put out onto foil. Add food coloring and knead. Store in a sealed plastic bag.
I love finding games to add to my programs. Here are some fun links:
PBS Zoom activities - I especially like the cottom ball fun game
I love Zany Rainy Day Activities by Hallie Warshaw – especially the bug dice and the tabletop football
I also like the “feel the corpse game” in Ann McGovern’s Squeals & Squiggles Ghostly Giggles – it would be good for Halloween
25 Latino craft projects by Ana-Elba Pavon.
Wish Charms on Crayola
Colorful Cut-Paper Banners on Crayola
Mexican Yarn Card on Crayola
I read how one library was doing a program around Webkinz – having the kids make collars and ponchos for their pets. This is something for me to keep in mind.
When I attended CLA, I went to a great workshop that featured activities libraries can do with Ruff Ruffman (the PBS show). The science guide is online, and we did the Canine House of Cards activity. The kids had a blast. Take a look at some of the pictures of the kids’ creations.
Today we had our Valentine Craft. I read Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine by Sarah Weeks. The kids really got into the rhyming guesses. Next, we did our craft – loveable yarn creatures. Earlier in the month, I had some volunteers make the yarn pom poms. The also cut three different size hearts from fun foam (one big one for the feet, one small one for the nose, and two of the same size for the eyes). The volunteers also cut apart egg cartons into single cells. Today, the kids assembled the creatures. We used glue for everything except for gluing on the nose and eyes. We used zots for those, and it worked very well. Kids sometimes have a hard time using glue, so I may try using the zots more often. It is the expense I worry about…
We had a craft program for Black History Month. We made some kazoos out of paper towel rolls, wax paper, and rubber bands. Why a kazoo? African American inventor, Alabama Vest, influenced today’s kazoo. We also decorated Popsicle sticks for rhythm sticks. Then, we did a few musical activities. We read Mama Don’t Allow by Thacher Hurd. Then, we sang the song and tooted our kazoos. We used Ella Jenkins Call-and-response : rhythmic group singing CD and we used our rhythm sticks to beat out “Moon Don’t Go” found on track 3. The kids were reluctant to make noise in the library (can you believe that?). I had to tell them it was okay for this program. Usually kids that attend my programs have no problem making noise!
Some nice ideas from the Texas State Library for programs for all ages.
Due to the fact that Groundhog Day is coming up, we had a shadow fun program today. I made a shadow puppet theater and did The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Then, I had some books with samples of Shadow graphs they could make with their hands. Finally, they made their own shadow puppet theaters from tissue paper and construction paper. I had different animals for the song Old MacDonald had a farm that they could cut and put on Popsicle sticks for their puppets.
Here are some of the books/inspirations:
Activity Ideas
Mother Mother I Feel Sick, Send for the Doctor, Quick, Quick, Quickyby Remy Charlip and Burton Surpee.
Shadowplayby George Mendoza – great shadowgraph ideas
Shadowgraphs Anyone Can Makeby Phila Webb
Shadow Play: Making Pictures with Light and Lensesby Bernie Zubrowski
Stories:
Alexander and the Dragonby Katharine Holabird
Papa Lucky’s Shadowby NIki Daly
Quentin Fenton Herter III by Amy MacDonald
Shadow Playby Paul Fleischman
Darkness Slipped Inby Ella Burfoot
Some Helpful Links:
Shadow Puppetry Cutouts
Three Billy Goats patterns I used
