Art Story Time: August 29-30, 2016

Books:
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson *
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Go, Shapes, Go! by Denise Fleming *
I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger
I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry *
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Craft: Whale
This week's craft goes with the book I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean.  The kids drew pictures on a whale cutout and then colored it.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice color and shape recognition by playing I Spy.
- Tangrams are a great way to play with shapes.  Tangram patterns can be found online.


Notes:
Last week's story times focused on science.  They were covered by another staff member as I was on vacation.

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Math Story Time: August 15-16, 2016

Books:
Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
Let's Count Goats! by Mem Fox *
One More Bunny: Adding from One to Ten by Rick Walton
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin *
Ten Eggs in a Nest by Marilyn Sadler *

Craft: Color by Numbers Sheet
The children practiced their number recognition by completing a color by numbers sheet.  Template below.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice number recognition.  Look for numbers around you and see if your child can identify them.  (i.e. clock, signs, etc.)
- Count while you eat.  Count the number of chips you have or the number of bites it takes to eat your sandwich.

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Reading Story Time: August 8-9, 2016

Books:
A Is for Salad by Mike Lester
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak *
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. *
Jeepers Creepers: A Monstrous ABC by Laura Leuck *
Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth

Craft: Monster Bookmark
Kids colored a monster-shaped bookmark and glued on horns and sequins.


Literacy Extensions:
- Play the alphabet game while in the car.  Take turns finding the various letters of the alphabet on signs or license plates.
- There are a lot of fun foods that incoporate letters that you can have kids identify while they eat (i.e. Scrabble Cheezits, Alphabet Soup, M&Ms, etc.)

School Story Time: August 1-2, 2016

Books:
Bear's School Day by Stella Blackstone
Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka
Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea *
Kindergarten Countdown by Anna Jane Hays *
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin Jr.
Minerva Louise at School by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Ollie's School Day: A Yes-and-No Book by Stephanie Calmenson *

Craft: Paper Bag Backpack
This week's craft is based on the picture at left.  A paper lunch bag was cut so it stood 8" tall.  Then the template was used to cut out paper pouches and clasps.  1" x 8-1/2" strips were cut from paper.  All the pieces were colored before gluing together.  The bag was opened before gluing the clasp onto both sides of the bag at the top.

Literacy Extensions:
- Talk with your child about what they will be doing at school.  Try to list all the different activities they might do during the day (i.e. nap time, music, story time, recess, etc.)
- Review the various learning concepts before the start of school (i.e. alphabet, counting, shapes, etc.)

Notes:
I am also doing a Chick-Fil-A story time this week that will use the school books I did not read at the library's story time.

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