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From: heather mcneil <heatherm_at_dpls.lib.or.us>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:52:10 +0000
I have begun looking for opportunities to add a "Science Spot" at storytime , taking the theme of the day and enhancing a book or topic with a discuss ion focused on science. This is NOT a full blown science program, with exp eriments and hands on activities, but rather just a few moments to increase scientific awareness. I do the toddler storytime at our library, so the S cience Spot has to be brief and conversational, and then it's time to move on. Here are some examples.
The theme of the day was ducks, and I read Just Ducky Kathy Mallat. Before the story I introduced the word "reflection," and we talked ever so briefl y about what it is and where they might see their reflection. Mirror, pond , puddle. I had a mirror with me, too, and walked among them to let them s ee themselves. Then we read the story, and after it was over I asked, "So, who was Ducky's new friend?" With some encouragement from parents and me, they understood the connection to reflection.
Another theme was animals of the pond, and I had stories about frogs, allig ators and snakes. I read Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson, did a felt board of Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh, and had lots of participation with Do wn By the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton, One of the activities was my so ng of "Here's My Bag," and in the bag were various toy stuffed reptiles and amphibians. We talked about the difference (gills), and as I pulled each one out they guessed whether it was a reptile or amphibian. I admit, I had to research turtles!!
Then there's Math Minute. That is simply a rhyme or song or flannel board that gives them the opportunity to play with numbers. With Mouse Count I t old the story, and made sure the snake called out, "Mouse count!" each time he added mice, and then everyone counted. I try to write rhymes that add and subtract, rather than always counting 5-4-3-2-1. For instance:
1 little cloud, sailing in the blue. Along comes another one, now there are 2. 2 clouds coming, now there's more. Help me count, 1, 2, 3, 4. 1 cloud floats away, happily. How many left? 1, 2, 3. Here come 3 to join the mix. How many now? 1-2-3-4-5-6. 5 float away, to visit the sun. Now all we have is little cloud ONE!
I introduce each of these just as I would introduce a book. "Now it's time for Math Minute." "Are you ready for Science Spot?" Afterwards, I congra tulate them on being so smart, and emphasize that they just did math. None of this is elaborate or complicated. The whole idea is to make science an d math a comfortable inclusion, and to role model to parents and care provi ders opportunities to use books, songs and rhymes as a beginning for discus sion about scientific and mathematical concepts.
Heather McNeil Youth Services Manager Deschutes Public Library (541) 617-7099 http://www.deschuteslibrary.org
Received on Wed 13 Mar 2013 09:52:10 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:52:10 +0000
I have begun looking for opportunities to add a "Science Spot" at storytime , taking the theme of the day and enhancing a book or topic with a discuss ion focused on science. This is NOT a full blown science program, with exp eriments and hands on activities, but rather just a few moments to increase scientific awareness. I do the toddler storytime at our library, so the S cience Spot has to be brief and conversational, and then it's time to move on. Here are some examples.
The theme of the day was ducks, and I read Just Ducky Kathy Mallat. Before the story I introduced the word "reflection," and we talked ever so briefl y about what it is and where they might see their reflection. Mirror, pond , puddle. I had a mirror with me, too, and walked among them to let them s ee themselves. Then we read the story, and after it was over I asked, "So, who was Ducky's new friend?" With some encouragement from parents and me, they understood the connection to reflection.
Another theme was animals of the pond, and I had stories about frogs, allig ators and snakes. I read Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson, did a felt board of Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh, and had lots of participation with Do wn By the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton, One of the activities was my so ng of "Here's My Bag," and in the bag were various toy stuffed reptiles and amphibians. We talked about the difference (gills), and as I pulled each one out they guessed whether it was a reptile or amphibian. I admit, I had to research turtles!!
Then there's Math Minute. That is simply a rhyme or song or flannel board that gives them the opportunity to play with numbers. With Mouse Count I t old the story, and made sure the snake called out, "Mouse count!" each time he added mice, and then everyone counted. I try to write rhymes that add and subtract, rather than always counting 5-4-3-2-1. For instance:
1 little cloud, sailing in the blue. Along comes another one, now there are 2. 2 clouds coming, now there's more. Help me count, 1, 2, 3, 4. 1 cloud floats away, happily. How many left? 1, 2, 3. Here come 3 to join the mix. How many now? 1-2-3-4-5-6. 5 float away, to visit the sun. Now all we have is little cloud ONE!
I introduce each of these just as I would introduce a book. "Now it's time for Math Minute." "Are you ready for Science Spot?" Afterwards, I congra tulate them on being so smart, and emphasize that they just did math. None of this is elaborate or complicated. The whole idea is to make science an d math a comfortable inclusion, and to role model to parents and care provi ders opportunities to use books, songs and rhymes as a beginning for discus sion about scientific and mathematical concepts.
Heather McNeil Youth Services Manager Deschutes Public Library (541) 617-7099 http://www.deschuteslibrary.org
Received on Wed 13 Mar 2013 09:52:10 PM CDT
