DYNAMIC STORYTIMESPresented by Darla CasellaChildren’s Librarian

Mockingbird Branch Library

Dynamic Children’s Programming WorkshopAbilene Public Library – www.abilenetx.com/apl March 17, 2014

STORYTIMES ARE ESSENTIAL!

Attract children and adults Create relationships between children and the

library Allow parents and caregivers to interact

Get children excited about books and reading

Encourage the development of essential pre-reading skills

DYNAMIC STORYTIMES: DEFINITION

Imaginative storytimes that captivate audiences using practical, yet creative ideas.

KEYWORD FOR DYNAMIC STORYTIMES

FLEXIBILITY

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR DYNAMIC STORYTIMES

Logistics Elements Structure Literacy

STORYTIME LOGISTICS

Who? What? When? Where?

STORYTIME ELEMENTS

Books Music Fingerplays Rhymes Puppets Props Crafts Activities

STORYTIME STRUCTURE (EXAMPLE)1. Opening Songs/Fingerplays/Rhymes

Generally the same every time2. Story

3. Short Story

4. Movement

5. Story

6. Song or Game or Activity

7. Story

8. Ending Stand Up Songs Generally the same every time

*Should last about 30 minutes

LITERACY IN STORYTIMES

PurposeComponents Implementation

PURPOSE OF LITERACY IN STORYTIMES

Provide literacy support for parents, caregivers, and schools

Provide a foundation of the English language

Provide pre-literacy skills before children go to school

Provide parents/caregivers confidence and skills necessary for teaching their children

COMPONENTS OF PRE-LITERACYVocabulary Building (I know words)

Phonological Awareness (I hear words)

Letter Knowledge (I know my ABCs)

Print Motivation (I love books)

Print Awareness (I see words)

Narrative Skills (I tell stories)

IMPLEMENTING LITERACY INTO STORYTIMES

BooksMusicRhymesFingerplaysInitial soundsClappingRhythm

WHAT WORKS WELL:RHYMES AND FINGERPLAYS

Tell-A-Story Nursery Rhyme KitFive Monkeys Glove Puppet SetThree Little Speckled FrogsWhoops, Johnny!

WHAT WORKS WELL:INITIAL SOUNDS

Letter of the WeekAlphabet signsFish cutouts

Phonics books

WHAT WORKS WELL:PROPS AND BOOKS

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Storytelling Kit Caterpillar/Butterfly Puppet

Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley Storytelling Puppet Storytelling Kit

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell Felt Board Storytelling Kit

The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner Puppet

WHAT WORKS WELL:SONGS AND MUSIC

The Wheels on the Bus and propsCows in the Kitchen and CDFive Fat Turkeys Are WeBells and songs (in handout)Homemade CD

RESOURCES

Cobb, Jane. I’m A Little Teapot! Presenting Preschool Storytime. Vancouver: Black Sheep Press, 1996.

Ghoting, Saroj Nadkarni and Pamela Martin-Diaz. Early Literacy Storytime @ Your library: partnering with caregivers for success. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006.

Lincycomb, Kay. Storytime…Plus! New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 2004.

Totten, Kathryn. Family Literacy Storytimes: readymade storytimes suitable for the whole family. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 2004.