Volume 3 Issue 04
February 14, 2005
The Library
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some
ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new
twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like
most of activities I suggest.
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Shelves
and shelves of books! The library is an “exploratorium”-- a place to explore facts,
feelings, and fun found on the pages of books! Whether your students regularly visit a public library,
a school library, or a classroom library, they are beginning to understand the value and enjoyment
of books. With your help and encouragement, they will also develop a lifelong love of books and
of reading. We hope our suggestions for sharing books with your children will spark their interest
and encourage their imaginations. Happy Reading!
Just a reminder: Each year on March 2 (Dr. Seuss’s birthday), schools everywhere celebrate
Read Across America Day. To learn more about this special day, see an Education World article, Special
Reading Fun for Read Across America Day.
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
INVITE A GUEST
Remember that the library offers more than books. Invite a children’s librarian to talk about
children’s books, invite a storyteller to visit your class and share his or her talents and
knowledge, or invite a special member of the community to read his or her favorite book.
ORGANIZE IT
Change the books in your classroom library regularly. Try placing strips of different colored tape
on bookbindings to organize books by theme or season.
FOLLOW THE THEME
Coordinate your book or reading center with the theme you are teaching. If your unit is Bears, your
reading center could be called the “Reading Den.” Students could settle in with a few
pillows and a book. Be sure to have plenty of teddy bears in the den for children “to read
to.”
READ AND DO
Try these hands-on activities after sharing books with children.
-- Read a book about COLORS, and set up a simple experiment. Using muffin tins,
fill half the cups with primary colors of food coloring and water. Fill the remaining cups with
just water. Invite children to use plastic eyedroppers to mix and discover secondary colors.
-- Read a book about FEELINGS, and create or collect a variety of feeling picture
cards. Encourage children to identify each feeling and to sort the cards into different feeling
groups: scared, happy, lonely, excited.
-- Read a book about TRANSPORTATION, and invite a trucker to bring a “big
rig” to school for children to tour.
-- Read a book about FOOD, and help children create food collages by cutting out
pictures from magazines and newspaper ads.
Check out the following Web sites for more
background and activities.
Reading Fun http://www.educationworld.com/a_special/reading.shtml
A broad collection of articles and ideas to help teachers bring reading to life.
Lessons from the Library http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson261.shtml
You’ll find activities organized by grade level as well as additional library Web sites to
visit
Helping Your Child Use the
Library http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Library/index.html
The U.S. Department of Education offers some helpful tips on inviting even very young children to
learn about and use the library.
StoryPlace Pre-school Library http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/other.asp
Visit this site for activities, online stories, and suggested reading lists -- all organized by
theme.
Association
for Library Services to Children
Recommended Resources and Web Sites on Children’s Literature and Reading http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/childrenslit/childrensliteratu...
Find links to online children’s libraries, booklists, great web sites for kids, and a host
of other resources.
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