Catch the Possibilities

We've all experienced that moment where everything seems to be working so well, and chalk it up to luck. Which, it could be; a happy happenstance. But is there a way to be more intentional to work toward those positive, cohesive programs?

Ms. Miller says there is. She uses a lesson design tool which asks her to consider the following questions for each lesson:

• What is the focus of the lesson? What do I want students to learn?
• Why is this important? How will it help students?
• How do I use this skill or strategy myself?
• What connections can I help students make?

Then she thinks about how to do this in a group setting:

• What books and/or materials will I need?
• Are there structures or formats that I need to show students how to do?
• How will I release responsibility to students during the lesson?
• Will students and I co-construct an anchor chart? What is its focus?

Then students have guided or independent practice:

• What books and/or materials will students need?
• What do I want the students to do? Individually, and/or in pairs, and/or in small groups
• What will I do? confer, listen in, observe, meet with students in small groups

And lastly, reflect, share, and teach:

• What did you learn (content)? How will you teach us?
• What did you learn about yourself as a reader today that you didn't know before (process)? How will you teach us? 

Then you reflect from an educator perspective:

• What did I learn from my students during the workshop?
• Where do I/we need to go next with our learning?

So. We're not classroom teachers. We might see a group of kids for 60 minutes and never have that same combination of kids again. We almost always have wide age ranges of kids in our programs, which means that we might have some kids who can read, some who can't, some who have learning disabilities we don't know about, or who will need 59 minutes to feel safe and comfortable expressing their thoughts. Is it still possible to be intentional about our program design?

I think it is. Hopefully Ms. Miller doesn't mind me borrowing some of her ideas!

Here's my first attempt at drafting a document that I could imagine myself realistically using to plan programs, but also reflects intentionality. What do you think?

In her section on creating classroom culture, she makes the point that, "when we want to cultivate dispositions for thinking in our students, we want to show them what good thinking sounds like, why it's important, and where it can lead us. Yes, we can tell them the importance of being curious or reflective, or even explicitly teach lessons focusing on attributes like these, but unless we also share our literate lives with children and think aloud to make our dispositions for thinking visible in authentic ways across the day and over time, it's unlikely to make a real difference." (pg 51).

I've been consciously using phrases like "good thinking!" or "I never thought of this in that way, that's an interesting choice!" when interacting with kids making projects or answering my questions in storytimes, but I'm reflecting now on how to take that a step further.

In the mixed-ages environment that we often see in storytimes, is is possible to incorporate authentic moments of transparent thinking without losing the group?

Here's where the librarian in me started jumping up and down while reading this chapter. When learning about comprehension strategies of proficient readers, Ms. Miller had an "ah!" moment. As she reports, Pearson, Roehler, Dole, and Duffy (1992) learned that active, thoughtful readers use just a handful of comprehension strategies, like:

• activating their prior knowledge and making connections between what they know and new information they encounter in the texts they read
• drawing inferences from the texts they read to form conclusions, make critical judgements, and create unique interpretations
• asking questions of themselves, the authors they encounter, and the texts they read
• determining the most important ideas and themes in texts they read
• summerizing and synthesizing information within and across texts
• monitoring the adequacy of their understanding
• creating visual and other sensory images during and after reading (pgs 52-53)

Sound familiar to anyone? Librarians who are familiar with Every Child Ready to Read and Every Child Ready to Read 2 skills and activities are likely already incorporating practices in their storytimes building skills that address these strategies, albeit in a developmentally appropriate way.

But have we transferred those skills into our other programming? STEAM programs are easy to put your thinking on display, since those types of programs are naturally curious, questioning,  and problem solving based. But a Ninjago program? Star Wars Reads Day? Gingerbread houses? I'm challenging myself to work at engaging the learners in my programs by putting my thinking on display. We're a WiFi library; why not take a moment in a program to say, "you know what, I don't know what a fox sounds like, but I would like to. I wonder if it sounds like a dog or more like a wolf? I bet I could find a video of a fox on YouTube. Let me get an iPad and we can look it up and listen together." How would that change the culture of the program, or the relationship I have with the kids in the program?

Do you put your thinking on display? What challenges do you find in finding places for authentic thinking with multi-aged groups? Why do you keep doing it?

This fall, I've been fielding an unprecedented amount of reader's advisory requests for science experiment books for young children. I have many families who are just starting their homeschool journey, so I think between that and the ever-increasing awareness of STEAM skills in the general public, more caregivers and parents are desiring to try some science exploration in the home.

Problem is, in my library at least, the bulk of the books in the science experiments area were geared towards upper elementary, science fair type projects. Not only are many of the concepts going to be beyond 3-6 year olds, but the skills required to design, implement, and analyze the results are beyond the scope of developmentally appropriate practice for most in that age range.

So I set out on a mission to request as many books as I could that seemed, from their catalog records at least, to be appropriate for a 3-7 year old audience.

For librarians, these 9 books/series I'd recommend as general purchases for your library or system.

Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments from Around the House by Liz Heinecke
Written by a Minnesota mom and author of the popular Kitchen Pantry Scientist site, this book emerged from her experience searching for experiments that would be safe enough for her youngest, engaging enough for her oldest, and completed with items already found around the house. That's a tall order! Heinecke's suggestion of a science journal will integrate easily into homeschool study, and the color photographs and clear writing make following the experiments easy.

The Curious Kid's Science Book: 100+ Creative Hands-On Activities for Ages 4-8 by Asia Citro
"[Science is] about asking your own questions and making your own investigations--two things young children are very good at!" says Citro. She goes on to say, "Babies and toddlers learn about their world by forming questions and experimenting to find the answers...Young children are curious, observant, and determined problem solvers." Therefore, this book doesn't offer prescribed, step-by-step experiments. This book will engage children (and their adults) in critical thinking skills at every step of the scientific process. Because of the format, this book will offer science experiences that provide rich, flexible, and easily differentiated learning. I see a natural progression from Kitchen Science Lab for Kids to The Curious Kid's Science Book for homeschooling families or families with serious STEAMy interests.

The Kid's Book of Simple Everyday Science by Kelly Doudna
40 simple experiments covering physics, chemistry, and biology are presented in easy to follow directions with colorful photographs. Pictographs indicate which experiments require safety glasses, adult help, heat, or sharp objects. A great collection for general home use.

More Super Simple Science series, ABDO publishing
Experiments are presented with simple instructions and large color photos, along with a differentiated version of the scientific method suitable for young children. Titles in the series include: Light, Food, Gravity & Motion, Liquid, Magnets, and Sight & Sound.

First Science Library series, Armadillo (Anness Publishing)
Each titles includes many simple experiments that require mostly household items and very little time. Pages at the back offer "hints for helpers," with more detailed information about what is happening in each experiment. Books are published in the UK, so some conversions will need to be made. Titles in the series include: Water Play, Magnets & Sparks, Light & Dark, Sound Magic, On the Move, Animals & Plants, and Up in the Air

Janice VanCleave's Big Book of Play and Find Out Science Projects by Janice VanCleave
Inspired by questions asked by real kids, the book offers science activities that involve playful, hands-on experiences designed for use for 4-7 year olds. The book includes section summaries, a glossary, and a teacher's guide to preparing and presenting the lessons, A good supplement for development science process skills, curiosity about scientific concepts, and exploration, but not a good fit for families wanting step-by-step experiments following the scientific method.

Science Play! by Jill Frankel Hauser
Subtitled "Beginning Discoveries for 2- to 6-year olds," this boo has been the recipient of the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award, Early Childhood News Directors' Award, and the Parents' Choice Approved Award. The book's introductory material stressed the role of scientist for the child and lab assistant for the caregiver, a scientific methods for little learners, as well as a shopping list for common items used in the discoveries featured in the book. Best suited for informal learning than fulfilling specific standards or objectives.

Whiz Kid Science series, Raintree (Capstone Publishing)
Rather than separating the background and explanatory science information from the experiments as I observed in many of the other books, all the relevant info for each experiment is presented together. A bonus "Troubleshooter!" tip box offers suggestions on how to adjust or change the expeirement of environment in order to achieve success. In terms of preschool appropriate, step-by-step experiments, this series offered the presentation I preferred the most. Titles in the series include: Make it Boom!, Make it Zoom!, Make it Glow!, Make it Change!, Make it Grow!, and Make it Splash!

BONUS: Science Around Us series, The Child's World
The titles in this series would pair well with experiments illustrating the concepts presented in the books. Using illustrations and photography, the books simplify concepts to a more understandable level for young learners. Back matter provides suggestions to parents and caregivers of more resources to consult for those looking for more in-depth study. Titles in the series include: Air, Dirt, Electricity, Energy, Magnets, Shadows, Sound, and Water.

Additional books and series:
For librarians looking to expand their collections, I'd consider these supplementary purchases for this age group.
Junior Scientists series, Cherry Lake Publishing
Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series, Lerner Publishing Group
The Giant Science Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3-6 edited by Kathy Charner
150 Amazing Science Experiments by Chis Oxlade
Everyday Science Experiments series, Windmill Books (Rosen Publishing)
First Facts Fun Science series, Capstone Publishing
I'm a Scientist: In the Kitchen by Lisa Burke
Science Explorer Junior series, Cherry Lake Publishing
Six-Minute Nature Experiments by Faith Hickman Brynie
Six-Minute Science Experiments by Faith Hickman Brynie
Show-Me-How: I Can Experiment by Steve and Jane Parker

Future Releases to Watch for:
I can't guarantee these will be suitable for preschool aged science experimentation. But they've caught my eye so far, and I'll look for reviews closer to their publication dates.
A Little Bit of Dirt: 55+ Science and Art Activities to Reconnect Children with Nature by Asia Citro
My First Book of Science Experiments by Thomas Canavan
Outdoor Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family Friendly Experiments for the Yard, Garden, Playground, and Park by Liz Heinecke
Whatever the Weather: Science Activities and Art Activities that Explore the Wonders of Weather by Annie Riechmann
Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science: a Family Guide to Fun Experiments in the Kitchen by Andrew Schloss
Show Me How I Can Do Science by Steve and Jane Parker
FUN-damental Experiments series, Bearport Publishing (new titles: Heat, Plants, and Weather)
One-Stop Science series, Smart Apple Media

Um... developmentally appropriate practice would be the norm? Policies and standards would be written and evaluated by experts in the field, instead of legislators and stakeholders with little knowledge on the subject? Librarians would be included in the pool of experts?

I'm not sure exactly what would happen if everybody understood child development, but I'm glad people like Rae Pica, and the guests she interacts with through the BAM! Radio Network are asking big questions and engaging in discussion.

If you haven't heard of the book, What if Everybody Understood Child Development, put it on your to-read list. It's a slim book, weighing in at just 137 pages, divided into 29 short essays on a variety of topics-- from standardized testing, teaching handwriting, to so called "gun play." Each essay includes a list of resources, and some ideas of how to implement change right away.

This book will keep me thinking for a long time, and I keep asking myself new questions. I've purposely archived Scott's thoughts on Brick by Brick from his book study to read now that I've finished the book. And the Early Childhood department at DCTC is in the middle of a book study of this, too.

One of the things I remember learning/hearing/saying a lot when I was in graduate school and first practicing was public librarians saying, "I'm not a teacher," which, in one sense is true of many of us. Many of us have not had the educational coursework that would prepare us to take the teacher licensing tests for whichever area we live. Funnily enough, at the same time I was hearing that message, I was also hearing the same pool of professionals urging us to remind parents that they are their child's first teachers. Now, surely, some parents are trained teachers, but we weren't just speaking to them. We were speaking to each parent in the room, because we understood, from the research that culminated in Every Child Ready to Read, that how parents interacted with their children mattered to their child's readiness for formal learning.

Would the world stop turning if public librarians learned to first characterize themselves as educators, and secondly, include themselves in educator community?

Last week, The Atlantic published an article about what kindergarten is like in Finland. I was prepared for the usual "kids in Finland actually have time to play-- inside and outside!" and "nary a worksheet to be seen!" comments.

 "There's an old Finnish saying,” Holappa said. “Those things you learn without joy you will forget easily.”

The rest of the article focuses on literacy, and in particular how the Common Core State Standards expect kindergartners to be reading basic texts by the end of the school year. Again, this is not news to people who've been paying attention to the education world.

The author says:

Researchers at the University of Virginia, led by the education-policy researcher Daphna Bassok, analyzed survey responses from American kindergarten teachers between 1998 and 2010. “Almost every dimension that we examined,” noted Bassok, “had major shifts over this period towards a heightened focus on academics, and particularly a heightened focus on literacy, and within literacy, a focus on more advanced skills than what had been taught before.”

Reading that, I couldn't help but make the connection that the time period of that research coincides with when the Public Library Association's Early Literacy Project (what birthed ECRR in 2004 and the revised ECRR2 in 2010) was released into the wild, shall we say.

I sat at my desk wondering, "Am I part of the problem?" What I meant was, being someone who recognized the importance of the research findings related to literacy and pre-literacy skills, geeked out learning about early brain and childhood development, and found it easy to incorporate all I learned into how I chose to interact with and present material in library programs, in doing that, was I (and my profession) part of the culture that has created unrealistic expectations for learners?

I know that disadvantaged kids and their caregivers NEED to be exposed to techniques like dialogic reading because it encourages them to question, predict, and express comprehension of texts, which all provides opportunities to talk together and decrease the 30 million word gap. Library and library outreach programs services are great vehicles for this exposure because of the fact that we offer free, unbiased (theoretically) services and support to anyone in our community. But are we really reaching those children and caregivers who benefit the most or are we oversaturating (is that even a thing?) kids who are already well on their way to school readiness?

I have long used the phrase "choose joy today," as a sort of personal motto. I know it isn't possible to create a joyful learning moment for each child and caregiver I interact with, but I know I will be reflecting on how I might provide more opportunities for them to find or choose joy at the library. After all, what is the benefit in a perfect demonstration of phonological awareness through a singing activity accompanied with the best caregiver aside if everyone forgets it as soon as the moment passes because it brought them no joy?

So there I was, wondering how to get the enthusiastic group of boys that was, unintentionally, intimidating others at the 6-12 year old program from visiting the shuriken target practice station, to step away for a moment to redirect their energies. 

Anyone else choose a program in time for a publication deadline (say 4-6 months in advance) and by the time the program actually rolls around you're not excited for it?

Yeah. That was totally the Sing Along program I had scheduled for this morning. We're spending some time highlighting each of the five early literacy practices and this month's is SING, so it seemed like a fun way to create a program tie-in and stretch myself beyond a dance party.

And then I lost the key for the magical closet with all my musical instruments, ribbons, scarves, parachute, etc. Since this closet is in the original part of the library, from 1927, the key was a skeleton key. So not one you can just head over to the local hardware store to replace. When I inquired of our maintenance man how we could get another I learned that the locksmith "found" the key we had had. So after spending several days looking everywhere I could think of, and 45 minutes of trying to MacGyver my way into my own closet, I was feeling rather defeated about the probable success of a sing-along program for 2-5 year olds composed of only singing.

I thought about scrapping the whole thing, but I decided that would be too easy. So instead, I improvised like a good musician/librarian (and MacGyver. Without explosives.)


Here's what we did:

1. 5 Practices Song with ASL
2. ABC song. In regular and robot voices.
3. Down by the Bay (call and response) from the Learning Groove
4. Song Cube-- we rolled Itsy Bitsy Spider (and sang with the mommy and baby spider verses)
5. Song Cube-- we rolled Wheels on the Bus (I let the kids tell me which verses we were going to do)
6. You are Clapping from the Learning Groove
7. Shaker making! So I knew I wanted to have some other ways incoporate music making and movement to break up the flow and encourage kids who may not wish to sing to participate. So from my craft stash I grabbed: small paper cups, beans & small pasta noodles, and duct tape. Kids filled up one of their cups as much as they wanted with whatever they wanted, and then we taped the second cup on the top. Instant shaker things that were very easy to make.
8. I Can Shake My Shaker Egg from the Learning Groove
9. The Crazy Shakedown by Razzamatazz for Kids
10. Song Cube-- We rolled If You're Happy and You Know It (we clapped, stomped, shook our shakers, and said "whoo hoo!")
11. Song Cube-- We rolled Mary Had a Little Lamb (we sang and then talked about what fleece was, and then sang it again with fleece as red as an apple, purple as a bunch of grapes, as colorful as a rainbow)
12. Since I didn't have scarves or ribbons, I grabbed some crepe paper we had and cut ~1.5 ft. lengths. We listened to Roll With the Waves by the Learning Groove and played with the streamers.
13. I read the Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort.
14. Song Cube-- Row Row Row Your Boat (normal, then a little faster, faster still, through the rapids, calm again but I sing "gently down the waterfall! AHHHHHHHH! as the last part of the song)
15. I grabbed matching pairs of some of the different styles of wooden floor blocks we have for "rhythm sticks." We practiced tapping them together in different ways. Then I played Clap Your Hands by They Might Be Giants. We just used the blocks for all three verses, tapping slow and then fast.
15. Song Cube-- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in regular and underwater voices.
16. Book Baby.

In the end, most of the kids stayed engaged for the entire 45 minutes. I was definitely expecting to loose them earlier, especially without the aid of my magical closet.


It was a good lesson for me that well chosen material, a genuine, authentic enjoyment of participating in the activities, and some spontaneous creativity can go a long way. I realized I rely more heavily on props and instruments to compensate for the pizzazz? I assume I am lacking as a presenter. I trend toward the reserved, quiet end of the spectrum, enviously eyeing librarians who have 75 different character voices, confident puppet abilities that even adults enjoy, and facial expressions you can see across the room. But even with a scratchy, tired voice, homemade "instruments" and props, I really, really love to sing, dance, and hang out with kids. In the end, I think that was worth more than if I had emptied my entire magical closet.

(Speaking of, anyone have tips for picking the lock?) :)