Does your family have any stories that you tell every Christmas? Maybe it's a story about someone in your family. Or maybe it's a tale that your family has enjoyed every year since your grandparents were little?
I'd love to hear some of those stories. I found a really fun website called Zooburst that will let you create your own book. It even has pop up pictures! You do have to register for this one, but it's free. Have Mom or Dad help you think of a name that will be safe. Mom and Dad will have to answer an email saying that it's ok for you to have an account.
When your story is finished, share it here: Christmas Stories.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Deck the Halls with Ornaments - Library Style!
Chances are, you have an ornament on your tree that you love. Maybe it's one you got when you were a baby. Or may it's one that has your favorite character on it. Maybe there's an ornament you made for Mom or Dad that you just couldn't stand to not see on the tree. I'd like to know about that ornament.
You have some choices here. You can take a picture of the ornament and share it on the Wiki. Or you can tell us about the ornament on the Wiki. OR (and I'm hoping you choose this option) you can visit Kerpoof and draw a picture of an ornament or even your whole tree. This is so fun! You can make an account if you want, but you don't have to. So the website never has to know who you are.
Post your ornaments here: Christmas Ornaments and Trees.
You have some choices here. You can take a picture of the ornament and share it on the Wiki. Or you can tell us about the ornament on the Wiki. OR (and I'm hoping you choose this option) you can visit Kerpoof and draw a picture of an ornament or even your whole tree. This is so fun! You can make an account if you want, but you don't have to. So the website never has to know who you are.
Post your ornaments here: Christmas Ornaments and Trees.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Deck the Halls - Library Style!
Merry Christmas! Can you believe that Christmas will be here soon? We're getting ready and the library and having all sorts of programs! Come join the fun!
I'd like to know about how you celebrate Christmas with your family. This week, I'll be showing you some activities that will work on your Narrative Skills. That means your ability to tell a story. Some of you older kids will be able to do the projects on your own. The younger kids will need some help from a grown up, like Mom or Dad. And since I'd like to see what you do, I've created a wiki for us to share on: Deck the Halls - Library Style.
You will have to ask me to add you to the group before you can share anything. But since anyone can see it, I suggest only using your first name and last initial when you share something. Remember safe internet use: Don't share any information that would tell someone who you are or where you live, ok? We want to keep everybody safe!
Ok... We're going to start off easy today to give you a chance to practice using the Wiki.
Can you tell me your favorite book about Christmas?
Go here to share: Favorite Christmas Books.
To add your book, click on the edit button. Go to the bottom of the page and type in your information.
I can't wait to see what you enjoy!
I'd like to know about how you celebrate Christmas with your family. This week, I'll be showing you some activities that will work on your Narrative Skills. That means your ability to tell a story. Some of you older kids will be able to do the projects on your own. The younger kids will need some help from a grown up, like Mom or Dad. And since I'd like to see what you do, I've created a wiki for us to share on: Deck the Halls - Library Style.
You will have to ask me to add you to the group before you can share anything. But since anyone can see it, I suggest only using your first name and last initial when you share something. Remember safe internet use: Don't share any information that would tell someone who you are or where you live, ok? We want to keep everybody safe!
Ok... We're going to start off easy today to give you a chance to practice using the Wiki.
Can you tell me your favorite book about Christmas?
Go here to share: Favorite Christmas Books.
To add your book, click on the edit button. Go to the bottom of the page and type in your information.
I can't wait to see what you enjoy!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sounds like... for Preschoolers and their Parents
Did you know that there are simple ways you can help your child get ready to read? The American Library Association has identified 6 essential skills that children need to learn before entering Kindergarten.
Now, before you panic, these skills can be taught without any special training and without tears! Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be giving you some tips for working on these.
Let's start with Phonological Awareness. I know, it sounds scary, but it really isn't. As I tell the preschoolers during story time, phonological awareness is mostly knowing that all letters have their own sounds. This can be beginning sounds or ending sounds, like rhyming. It also includes hearing the rhythm of language.
First of all, songs and nursery rhymes are fabulous for teaching phonological awareness. Children enjoy them and the rhythms and rhymes are exactly what phonological awareness is about!
Most books can be used for teaching any of the six skills. Honest! There is no right of wrong way to do this! But here are a few books that I have found work very well:
Bit Fat Hen by Keith Baker
Cowlick by Christin Ditchfield
Dinosaur Roar by Paul Stickland
Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit by Catherine Rayner
Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks
Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm by Joy Cowley
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Rrralph by Lois Ehlert
There are many games on the internet that you can play with your child to work on recognizing letter sounds. Here are few that I've found:
ABC Match from ReadWriteThink.
Sassy Seals from Paw Park
If you have any questions or need more ideas, come see me @ your library!
Now, before you panic, these skills can be taught without any special training and without tears! Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be giving you some tips for working on these.
Let's start with Phonological Awareness. I know, it sounds scary, but it really isn't. As I tell the preschoolers during story time, phonological awareness is mostly knowing that all letters have their own sounds. This can be beginning sounds or ending sounds, like rhyming. It also includes hearing the rhythm of language.
First of all, songs and nursery rhymes are fabulous for teaching phonological awareness. Children enjoy them and the rhythms and rhymes are exactly what phonological awareness is about!
Most books can be used for teaching any of the six skills. Honest! There is no right of wrong way to do this! But here are a few books that I have found work very well:
Bit Fat Hen by Keith Baker
Cowlick by Christin Ditchfield
Dinosaur Roar by Paul Stickland
Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit by Catherine Rayner
Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks
Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm by Joy Cowley
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
Rrralph by Lois Ehlert
There are many games on the internet that you can play with your child to work on recognizing letter sounds. Here are few that I've found:
ABC Match from ReadWriteThink.
Sassy Seals from Paw Park
If you have any questions or need more ideas, come see me @ your library!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Books, Books, Books!
Today, I want to share a few books with you. We have more apple books than this at the library, but these are some that I thought would be good for you. :)
My Apple has all sorts of good information about apples and even a few experiments to try... Do you think an apple will sink or float in the water?
Johnny Appleseed tells the story about the man who planted hundreds (or maybe thousands!) of apple trees!
Ten Red Apples is a fun story. Will there be any apples left on the tree for the farmer?
Apple Farmer Annie is all about the apples that Annie grows. What wonderful treats will she make?
In That Apple is Mine, the animals fight over who should get the last apple. Can Bear find a solution to make everyone happy?
The Mouse and the Apple tells about the apple Mouse finds on the tree and how all the animals try to make it fall down. Who will have the best idea?
This curious librarian wants to know which of these books you read! Let me know which ones you enjoy... or if you find other good apple books, please share them with me!
Next week... Pumpkins!
My Apple has all sorts of good information about apples and even a few experiments to try... Do you think an apple will sink or float in the water?Johnny Appleseed tells the story about the man who planted hundreds (or maybe thousands!) of apple trees!
Ten Red Apples is a fun story. Will there be any apples left on the tree for the farmer?Apple Farmer Annie is all about the apples that Annie grows. What wonderful treats will she make?
In That Apple is Mine, the animals fight over who should get the last apple. Can Bear find a solution to make everyone happy?The Mouse and the Apple tells about the apple Mouse finds on the tree and how all the animals try to make it fall down. Who will have the best idea?
This curious librarian wants to know which of these books you read! Let me know which ones you enjoy... or if you find other good apple books, please share them with me!
Next week... Pumpkins!
Time to Play!
Today I have a little activity for you to do. You'll need a grown up to help you and you may want to wear some old clothes!
We're going to make apple prints. They're simple, but lots of fun!
First, pick out one or two nice apples. Next, have a grown up cut them in half. It's fun to cut one up and down and one across. You'll get different pictures when you do the prints!
Next, have that grown up put some paint on a paper plate for you... use 2 or 3 different colors to make it bright and cheery.
Finally, dip your apple in paint and use it like a stamp on some blank paper.
I'm curious about what your project looks like! When it's dry, can you bring it to the library to show me next time you're here?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Time for a Treat!
You've done so good learning about apples this week... let's share some ideas for apple treats!
There are some super easy recipes, like cutting up an apple and dipping it into caramel... YUM!!! I'm going to share a family recipe that's really easy to make. You'll need a grown up to cut the apples and put everything in the oven for you, but you can help mix everything up!
Apple Crisp
You'll need:
7 or 8 medium size tart apples
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp orange juice (I've left this out and it still tastes fabulous!)
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
8 Tbsp. soft butter
Preheat oven to 375. Peel, core and slice apples into a 9-inch buttered baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apples. Add lemon and orange juice.
In small bowl, mix together flour, salt and remaining brown sugar. Cut in butter and sprinkle mixture over apples. Bake 45 minutes or until apples are tender and top is brown. Makes 6 servings.
Thanks, Aunt Miriam, for this recipe!
It's amazing warm with vanilla ice cream!
Ok... time for the curious librarian question! What is your favorite way to eat apples? Come on... make me want to go buy more apples!
There are some super easy recipes, like cutting up an apple and dipping it into caramel... YUM!!! I'm going to share a family recipe that's really easy to make. You'll need a grown up to cut the apples and put everything in the oven for you, but you can help mix everything up!
Apple Crisp
You'll need:
7 or 8 medium size tart apples
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp orange juice (I've left this out and it still tastes fabulous!)
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
8 Tbsp. soft butter
Preheat oven to 375. Peel, core and slice apples into a 9-inch buttered baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apples. Add lemon and orange juice.
In small bowl, mix together flour, salt and remaining brown sugar. Cut in butter and sprinkle mixture over apples. Bake 45 minutes or until apples are tender and top is brown. Makes 6 servings.
Thanks, Aunt Miriam, for this recipe!It's amazing warm with vanilla ice cream!
Ok... time for the curious librarian question! What is your favorite way to eat apples? Come on... make me want to go buy more apples!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Apple Picking
I took my girls apple picking over the weekend. I should have gone a couple of weeks ago. The apples are almost all gone! But at least we're having good weather for it.
Did you know that there is a right at wrong way to pick an apple? If you do it wrong, the apple doesn't come off the tree nicely... and you could hurt the tree!
Let's let Alicia tell us how to pick an apple...
So, the curious librarian wants to know... Have you ever gone apple picking? If so, where did you go?
Did you know that there is a right at wrong way to pick an apple? If you do it wrong, the apple doesn't come off the tree nicely... and you could hurt the tree!
Let's let Alicia tell us how to pick an apple...
So, the curious librarian wants to know... Have you ever gone apple picking? If so, where did you go?
Friday, October 7, 2011
Bee-autiful!
What do you think when you see bees? Do they scare you? Do you think that they are interesting? Bees can be a bit scary, but they're also very important.Without bees, we wouldn't have any apples! When bees are gathering their nectar to make honey, they're also spreading pollen from one apple tree to the next. And if they didn't do that, the apples would not grow!
In this video, Alicia explains how bees make their honey.
So, tell this curious librarian what bees are good for and how they make you feel. (I'll be honest... I get very nervous around bees!)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Apples of My Eye!
Welcome to the Children's blog @ the library. This week we'll be talking about apples. We'll have some activities and recipes for you to enjoy at home. So sit back, kids, and enjoy some time with your parents!
There are so many different kinds of apples. Some are sweet. Some are tart. Some are crispy and some are more soft.
Today we're going to look at how apples grow.
Apples grow on trees like this one, but you probably already knew that. Newer trees, like this one don't have a lot of branches. As the tree gets older, it will spread out and have more branches... and grow lots more apples!
In the spring, apple trees are covered in blossoms. Those blossoms are where the apples will grow. Soon the blossoms will fall off and the apple will start growing.
Then, in the fall, the apples will get to their full size and be ripe. That's when we can pick and eat them!
So, I'm curious.... what's your favorite kind of apple?
There are so many different kinds of apples. Some are sweet. Some are tart. Some are crispy and some are more soft.Today we're going to look at how apples grow.
Apples grow on trees like this one, but you probably already knew that. Newer trees, like this one don't have a lot of branches. As the tree gets older, it will spread out and have more branches... and grow lots more apples!
In the spring, apple trees are covered in blossoms. Those blossoms are where the apples will grow. Soon the blossoms will fall off and the apple will start growing.
Then, in the fall, the apples will get to their full size and be ripe. That's when we can pick and eat them!So, I'm curious.... what's your favorite kind of apple?
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