Busy Bee Bulletin January – April 2013
Calendar Buzz Inside this issue:
FARMINGTON READS! EVENTS
Books for Busy Bees
2
FCL Busy Bees on Pinterest
2
Head, Shoulders, Bees and Toes
3
Bee Crafty!
4
2013 Preschool and Daycare Fair
11
Baby Bees
11
Read-Aloud Tips for Developing Oral Language
12
FARMINGTON READS! KICK-OFF PARTIES Main Library Children’s Program Room Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:30 a.m. Farmington Branch Meeting Room Saturday, January 26, 2013 11:00 a.m. WATCH ME GROW FAMILY STORYTIME Main Library Children’s Program Room Saturday, February 2, 2013 11:00-11:45 a.m.
PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE FAIR Saturday, February 2, 2013 “Selecting a Preschool or Daycare” presented by the Oakland Child Care Council Main Library Children’s Program Room 10:30-10:45 a.m. Preschool and Daycare Fair Main Library Auditorium 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. See page 11 for more details!
Visit
www.farmlibkids.org or call us at (248) 848-4315 for more program information.
DITCH THE DIAPERS! Potty Training Workshop and Diaper Drive Bring opened or unopened packs of diapers labeled with the diaper size to the Main Library April 1-14, 2013 to benefit the Detroit Area Diaper Bank.
TOILET TRAINING BASICS presented by Oakland Early On. Call the Library at (248) 848-4315 to register. Main Library Children’s Program Room. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Farmington Reads DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES WILL GROW? gift from the Farmington Friends of the Library. Please join us in our goal to read this book to every preschool-aged child in our community this winter. With its bold colors, fun flaps, and thoughtprovoking concept, this book embodies all the qualities a book should have to convey to kids the joy of reading. This year’s title is also noteworthy for its focus on scientific thought.
We love DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES WILL GROW? by Susan A. Shea and we hope you will too! This winter, every preschool and child care facility in Farmington and Farmington Hills will receive a copy of this engaging picture book, a In addition to a copy of the
book, each facility will receive an extension packet containing preschool science activities, book lists, crafts, and tips to expand on the concepts developed in DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES WILL GROW? Preschoolers have a natural curiosity about the world around them and so these years are the perfect time to inspire a lifelong love of science. Furthermore, children who learn to label and classify the world around them
have improved verbal skills that are a foundation for literacy. Licensed preschools and child care facilities operating in Farmington or Farmington Hills are invited to enter our Farmington Reads! drawing to win a 1-year subscription to Mailbox magazine or classroom science equipment from Lakeshore Learning. Check your Farmington Reads! packet for details or visit us online at www.farmlib.org/ wiki/Busy_Bee_Web.
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
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Books for Busy Bees Here is a sampling of baby-friendly board books and engaging picture books at the Library. We are always happy to help you find books you’ll enjoy sharing with little ones. Board Books
Picture Books EGGS 1, 2, 3: WHO WILL THE BABIES BE? by Janet Halfman. Count the eggs, then lift the flap and you will see which babies come from inside the eggs. Can you guess?
WELCOME SPRING by Jill Ackerman PERFECT PIGGIES! A BOOK! A SONG! A CELEBRATION! by Sandra Boynton
WHERE’S MY MOMMY? by Carol Roth. When little kitty can’t find her mommy, the other farm animals try to help her out. This is “Are You My Mother?” for the younger set. YOU ARE A LION! AND OTHER FUN YOGA POSES by Taeeun Yoo. Enjoy beginning yoga poses with your students with this simple, playful book. THE BIGGEST KISS by Joanna Walsh and Judi Abbot. Everyone and everything kisses. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any day) than with a BIG KISS? Find out who has the biggest kiss of all!
SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE by Emily Jenkins. Compare pictures of normal, bigger and smaller sizes, from ittybitty to COLOSSAL! WHO’S HIDING IN THE HOUSE? by Christiane Gunzi HOW TO BUILD A SNOWMAN by Jo Moon
THE CONSTRUCTION CREW by Lynn Meltzer. Which big rig or tool will do the job? Find out with help from the construction crew!
FCL Busy Bees on Pinterest Find us on Pinterest!
program every Monday. Here are some of the ideas you’ll find there now: Marshmallow Snowman Cupcakes
The Farmington Community Library is now on Pinterest. Check out our Busy Bee Pinterest boards for more great ideas for circle time, crafts, activity stations and more. During January, February, and March, we will be adding a new activity related to our Farmington Reads!
Green Pepper Shamrock Prints Homemade Moon Sand Rainbow Rice Garden Sensory Tub 25 Alphabet Activities Happy pinning!
pinterest.com/farmlib/ Busy Bee Bulletin
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Head, Shoulders, Bees and Toes I’m a Little Snowperson (To the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”) I’m a little snowperson, Short and fat. (squat and hold hands at sides) Here are my buttons (pat from chest to stomach) And here is my hat. (hold hands straight up over head) When the sun comes out, (make arms into circle over head) I cannot stay. Slowly I just melt away. (sink down to floor) Frost Song (To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”) The frost is on the roof, (point up) The frost is on the ground, (point down) The frost is on the window, (make a window with your hands) The frost is all around. (spin) A Hug from You (To the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) It’s nice to get a hug from you, (hug self and sway) Hug from you, hug from you. It’s nice to get a hug from you, So let’s give one right now. (hug a friend) Five Little Hearts (Hold up five fingers and wiggle each finger as it is counted) Five little hearts, all in a row. The first one said, "I love you so."
The second one said, "Will you be my Valentine?" The third one said, "I will, if you'll be mine." The fourth one said, "I'll always be your friend." The fifth one said, "We'll all be friends until the very end." There's a Little Wheel a-Turnin' in My Heart There's a little wheel a-turnin’ in my heart. (spin hands in circle) There's a little wheel a-turnin’ in my heart, In my heart, in my heart. There's a little wheel a-turnin’ in my heart. Other verses: There are two hands clapping in my heart ... There are two feet stomping... There's a little dog barking ... There are two eyes blinking... There are some kids sleeping... There's a big truck honking... There's a little wheel a-turning in my heart... From BUZZ BUZZ by Laurie Berkner Two Little Birdies Two little birdies, sitting on a hill, (hold up one finger on each hand) One named Jack, (wiggle one finger) The other named Jill. (wiggle other finger) Fly away Jack. (hide one finger behind back) Fly away Jill. (hide other finger behind back) Come back Jack. (bring first finger back out)
Come back Jill. (bring second finger back out) St. Patrick’s Day Song (To the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”) If you're wearing green today, Dance a jig, (dance) If you're wearing green today, Dance a jig, If you're wearing green today, Dance a jig, then smile and say, "Have a very Happy Saint Patrick's Day!" Other verses: If you're wearing green today, clap your hands... If you're wearing green today, spin around... If you're wearing green today, shout "Hurray!"... If you're wearing green today, stamp your feet… Did You Ever See a Bunny? (To the tune of “Did You Ever See a Lassie?”) Did you ever see a bunny, (hold fingers up like bunny ears) A bunny, a bunny, Did you ever see a bunny, That hops—so slow? (hop slowly) He hops, and hops, And hops, and hops, Did you ever see a bunny, That hops so slow? Other verses: ...that hops so fast… ...that hops backwards… ...that hops on one foot...
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
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Bee Crafty! Q-Tip Snowflakes SUPPLIES: Blue construction paper Q-tips Glue Scissors DIRECTIONS: Before presenting this craft, cut the Q-tips in various sizes, or leave them whole for younger children. Let children create their own unique snowflake designs by gluing the Q-tips to the blue paper. For inspiration, read ZOO FLAKES ABC by Will C. Howell. Idea and image from www.busybeekidscrafts.com
Easy Pretzel Birdfeeder SUPPLIES: Large pretzel for each child Peanut butter Plastic knife, spoon or spatula for each child Sunflower seeds Yarn Paper plates DIRECTIONS: Read FEATHERS FOR LUNCH by Lois Ehlert. Then present this easy craft. Give each child a paper plate, a pretzel, and a spoon or something to spread the peanut butter with. Set out some bowls of peanut butter and then ask the children to cover their pretzels with peanut butter. Pour the seeds into a paper plate and have the children dip their pretzels into the seeds to coat them. Thread the yarn through the pretzel to make a hanger. For more feathery fun, present the FEATHERS FOR LUNCH craft on page 5.
Busy Bee Bulletin
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Bee Crafty! Feathers for Lunch Here is another activity to present after reading Lois Ehlert’s FEATHERS FOR LUNCH. Photocopy the image below for each child. Provide crayons or markers, feathers, and glue. After coloring in a kitty, have the children glue some feathers around the mouths of their disappointed felines.
Image source unknown.
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
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Bee Crafty! My Heart Is Like a Zoo
SUPPLIES: Construction paper hearts in various colors White paper Glue Markers or construction paper shapes DIRECTIONS: Read MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO by Michael Hall. Choose an animal from the book that you would like to create with the children. Use the heart templates to cut heart shapes from construction paper in the appropriate colors. Ask the children to glue the hearts to a piece of paper to make the animal. Use markers or other shapes cut from construction paper to complete the creature. Templates from FamilyFun.com
Busy Bee Bulletin
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Bee Crafty! Snowman Sequencing Cards
Image from The Mailbox (Dec./Jan. 2012-2013)
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
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Bee Crafty!
Snowman Sippers INGREDIENTS: Marshmallows Straws Mini chocolate chips White icing Craft sticks Mugs of hot chocolate DIRECTIONS: Read WINTER IS THE WARMEST SEASON by Lauren Stringer. Then share this fun and tasty edible craft activity. Give each child a straw and three marshmallows. Starting at the bottom of the straw, slide the straw through the marshmallows up to the other end to make a snowman at the top. (By starting at the bottom, the part of the straw that is covered in marshmallow goo will be inside the hot chocolate.) Set out some bowls of white icing. Have the children use a craft stick to dab icing where they would like the snowman’s eyes, mouth, and buttons to go. Then stick the chocolate chips into the icing. Serve with mugs of not-too-hot hot chocolate. Idea from BusyBeeCrafts.com
Lucky Leprechaun Headband SUPPLIES: Photocopy of hat pattern on page 9 and shamrock pattern on cardstock for each child 3” paper headbands Green pipe cleaners cut to 6” Crayons or markers Scissors Hole puncher Tape or stapler DIRECTIONS: Ask the children to color and cut out a hat shape and a shamrock. Punch holes on the circles in the hat shape. Weave a pipe cleaner through the holes. Tape or staple the shamrock to the pipe cleaner stem. Then fit a paper headband to each child’s head and attach the leprechaun hats. Idea and template from MakingLearningFun.com Busy Bee Bulletin
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Bee Crafty!
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
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Bee Crafty! Easter Egg Alphabet Match SUPPLIES:
A
26 plastic Easter eggs Permanent marker DIRECTIONS: Take advantage of the spring holiday sales and stock up on some inexpensive plastic Easter eggs to make this easy alphabet matching game. Using a permanent marker, write the upper case letter on one half of an egg and its lower case version on the other half of the egg. Repeat for all 26 letters of the alphabet. Then separate the halves and set them out on a table for the youngsters to put together.
a
Idea from TheBusy-Teacher.com
Easter Egg Maracas SUPPLIES: One plastic Easter egg per child Two plastic spoons per child Popcorn kernels, dried beans, dried pasta, or rice Masking tape Markers DIRECTIONS: Instruct the children to place a spoonful of popcorn kernels inside each plastic egg and snap it closed. Then place the egg between the two spoons as if trying to pick up the egg with the spoons. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the spoons and egg a few times to attach the spoons and keep the egg sealed tightly. Wrap some tape around the handles of the spoons as well to keep the handles together. Use brightly-colored markers to decorate the masking tape with patterns or dots. Idea and image from DanaMadeIt.com Busy Bee Bulletin
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Read-Aloud Tips for Developing Oral Language
We hope that you and the children in your care will enjoy the bold, beautiful pictures and the fun-filled ways in which living creatures and inanimate things are portrayed in the 2013 Farmington Reads! book, DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES WILL GROW? This book’s rhyming text and lift-the-flap answers will help young children learn the names of many animals and things in their world, and build a bridge between concrete and abstract thought. But the book can’t do this alone with a child. You, a caring adult, will accomplish this as you read the text and talk about different aspects of the book in order to achieve this purpose.
The book LITERACY AND THE YOUNGEST LEARNER, BEST PRACTICES FOR EDUCATORS OF CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 5 by V. Susan Bennett-Armistead (Scholastic, 2005) has a wealth of tips for early literacy including these suggestions for developing oral language:
Talk to children at every opportunity.
Make sure that you are close enough to children so they can read your lips and facial expressions – have each child in the group face the speaker rather than sit in a circle.
Minimize background noise and distractions so that children can hear your voice.
Respond to children’s comments and the questions they ask.
Expand on a child’s comments to
provide further information and additional vocabulary.
Talk about events that happened in the past, or discuss plans for the future.
Have fun!
The Michigan Department of Education is adopting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) curriculum in the 2012-2013 school year. The goals of CCSS are to prepare students to be independent readers; acquire strong knowledge across all disciplines; respond to the demands of various audiences in speech, writing, or technology; and understand the perspectives of others. As you have meaningful conversations with your young children about books and other aspects of the day, you are creating the foundation for their personal and academic success. The Farmington Community Library is always ready to assist you in your important work.
Baby Bees: The Magic of Reading In her book, READING MAGIC: WHY READING ALOUD TO OUR CHILDREN WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER, Mem Fox encourages and entreats parents and caregivers to read to their children daily. Fox, a noted picture book author and educator, believes and states, “if every parent reads aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in our lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy in one generation.”
Fox writes: research shows brains are 25% developed at birth; the other 75% develops with stimulation reading aloud helps develop speaking skills words are essential in making connections in the brain Reading should never be stressful. Read what you love. Read with excitement. Read every day. The child in your care will benefit forever. What could be a better gift than that?
Come to the Farmington Community Library for reading materials for yourself and the children you care for, including books by Mem Fox. We would love to help you gift a child with reading.
Great Ideas for Child Care Providers from the Farmington Community Library
Busy Bee Bulletin Main Library 32737 W. Twelve Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (248) 848-4315 Farmington Branch 23500 Liberty Street Farmington, MI 48335 (248) 553-0300 x220 Find Us Online at: farmlib.org/wiki/Busy_Bee_Web facebook.com/fclbusybees pinterest.com/farmlib/
Children’s Outreach Librarian (248) 553-6881
2013 Preschool and Daycare Fair Due to demand from families, we are expanding our annual open house event to include both preschools and child care facilities at this year’s Preschool and Daycare Fair. This event will offer parents an opportunity to meet staff from local preschools and child care facilities, compare options, and discuss enrollment. Prior to the Fair, staff from the Oakland Child Care Council will offer a presentation for parents on selecting a preschool or child care facility. For those families with a second caregiver present, we will also offer our Watch Me Grow Family Storytime during the Fair, where we will share our Farmington Reads! picture book,
DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES WILL GROW? by Susan A. Shea. Participating preschools and child care facilities will receive a table in our Main Library auditorium to display brochures, photos, and student artwork samples, as well as greet attendees. There is no fee for participation. Contact Jayne Damron at (248) 553-6881 to reserve your space.
Want to showcase your preschool or child care program? Call (248) 553-6881 to register and request attendee guidelines. Space is limited!
Preschool and Daycare Fair Saturday, February 2, 2013 Main Library Auditorium 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. Set up: 10:00-10:45 a.m. Selecting a Preschool or Daycare Children’s Program Room 10:30-10:45 a.m. Watch Me Grow Family Storytime Children’s Program Room 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Busy Bee Bulletin