The Art of School Age Programs

1. The Art of School Age Programs Created by Kiomaris N. Fuller, MLIS kiomaris@gmail.com Programming after Storytime . . .

2. Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Guess the Headline • Friendless Waif Adopted by Group of Miners • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs • Youngster Vanishes in a Freak Wild Storm • The Wizard of Oz • Remote Country Home Vandalized by Blonde • Goldilocks and the Three Bears • Rural Homemaker Terrorized by Sightless Rodents • Three Blind Mice

3. Why Program? “Public Libraries are a Natural Community Learning Center.” “Programming is a great way to show your community that the library is a dynamic and active place.”

4. THE BEGINNING • The Importance of School Age Programs • Create Interest • Life long relationship/interest with library • Literacy • Your Role • Link • Creator • Motivator • Educator

5. THE GRADE/AGE BREAKDOWN • The Grade Breakdown • Preschools • K-2 • 3-4 • 5-6 • The Age Breakdown • 4-5 • 5-7 • 7-8 • 9-11/12

6. TYPES OF PROGRAMS • IN-HOUSE • Who? • Preschool • Elementary School • By grade • By age • What? • Field Trips • Themed Programs • Literature-Specific Programs • OUTREACH • Who? • Preschool • Elementary School • K-2 • 3-5 • Types of Programs • Themed Programs • Literature-Specific Programs

7. Characteristics/Programs for Preschoolers • Motivated • Enthusiastic • Curious • Happy • Very Forgiving • Energetic • Chatty • Questioning • Unstructured • Types of Programs: • All three types • Focus on Storytimes and Simple Projects • 25-35 minutes • Longer if you change it up • Go for fun!

8. Characteristics/Programs for Early Elementary • Motivated • Enthusiastic • Curious • Still Forgiving • Happy • Energetic but a little more structured • Chatty • Questioning • Types of Programs: • All three types • Focused on Storytime, Storytelling and Simple Projects • A little more involved than preschools • 30-35 minutes • Longer if you change it up • Go for fun and interesting

9. Characteristics/Programs for Late Elementary • Curious, but conflicted • Structured • Can be enthusiastic • High level of understanding – freedom to make things more complicated • Not forgiving • Beginning to be skeptical • Types of Programs: • All three • Must be interesting; have a plan and stick to it • Up to 1 hour • Make it good

10. Characteristics/Programs for Tweeners • Capable • Freedom to do whatever you want • Challenging • Not forgiving • Skeptical • Types of Programs • All three • Must make it interesting • Sell it in your advertising • Freedom to do what you want/need • Must do what you advertise/sell

11. What is it? Field Trips Themed Programs Any special program that you develop around a specific subject A book A character A subject • Any program where a class, preschool or elementary school, comes into your library and you implement a planned activity

12. Field Trips • How to Schedule? • Wait for School to Calls • Make Invites and send to schools – email or snail mail • Call the schools and invite them in person • What do you do with them? • Tour of the library or children’s department • Storytime or Storytelling • Scavenger Hunt • Reference Program • Make them WANT to come back!

13. Outreach • How to Schedule? • Best Bet – Contact the librarian at the school. Tell them who you are, what you would like to do and schedule a date that is good for you. • Beware. • What do you do with them? • Storytime and/or Storytelling • Booktalk and/or Bookgroupcircle • Activities • Depends on your audience – age and size.

14. D. I. Y.

15. KEY POINTS FOR EACH PROGRAM Development • The Idea! • The Ultimate Agenda • Development • Implementing

16. The IDEA • Coming up with your Concept/Idea : • Needs Assessment • Interest Assessment • Resources Assessment – equipment & people • What is Popular? • What is in Style? • What applies to your town?

17. THE ultimate PROGRAM AGENDA • What would you do if you could do anything? • Brainstorm • Research • Free Write • Talk to Everyone • Write Down Everything • Do not Censor yourself

18. The Development • Physical Setting Options • Activity Selection • Equipment/Materials • Resources Available • Length of Programs • Guests • Partnerships/Donations

19. IMPLEMENTING • Schedule of Events • Prep the Event • Advertising and Marketing • Guests • Back-Up Plan

20. Programming Categories • Book Related Programs • Service Programs • Art Programs • Drama Programs • Food Programs • TV Show Inspired Programs • Gaming Programs • Guest Programs • Science Programs • Tech Inspired Programs • Impromptu Programs • Seasonal/Holidays Programs • Miscellaneous Programs

21. Book Groups • Book Circle • Book Talks • Storytime • Storytelling • Storybook Theater • Author Celebrations • Poetry Readings/Writing • Creative Writing Book Related Programs

22. Programs for the Preschool Set • Food Programs • Decorate cookie, cupcake, donut, etc • Candy Sushi • Princess & Pirate Party • Happy Un-Birthday Party • Teddy Bear Sleepover • Construction Zone • Science Explorers • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten • Dirty Play or Dirty Art • Dirt Dough • Painting • Fancy Nancy Dress Up • Dress Up and Show • We Are Going On A Bear Hunt • Book Theater and Obstacle Course • Nursery Rhyme Olympics • Bubble Painting

23. Programming for Early Elementary • Cinderella Around the World • Pass the Glass Slipper • DIY Day • Simple Projects (ie. Fruit Loop Necklaces or Bracelets) • Lego Camp • Dance ‘Til You Drop • Snakes Alive • Talk Like A Pirate Workshop • Elephant and Piggie party • Tongue Twister Contest • Hands On Science • Gross Me Out At the Library • Angry Bird Hands On Party • Family Game Time • Life Sized Games (ieCandyland) • Hoop it Program • Readers Theater w/ Participation • Dress up with Photo Booth • Make Props

24. Programs For the Late Elementary Set • Murder Mystery at the Library • Linked with Forensic Science • What a Disaster! • DIY Day (series) • More Challenging Projects (i.e. Jewelry making) • Improv Comedy Workshop • Kids Karaoke • Magic Class • Superhero Yourself • Scintillating Science • Puzzles and Popcorn • Science Rangers • Paper Airplane and Competition • Talent Project • Explore different programs • Photo Projects & Sharing • Pizza & Pages Book Club • Tell Me Your Story Writing Club • Create Your Masterpiece • Snakes Alive!

25. Things to Consider • Space Available • Talent Search • Age limits • Resources Available • Series Programming • Marketing • How to Make it Worthwhile

26. Find Volunteers! • Ask You Staff/Co-Workers • Make Announcements for Parents or Teen Volunteers with Skills • Pick Up the Phones and make Calls

27. Plan Your Year!

28. Holiday/Special Event Programs • January – It’s OK To Be Different Month • February – Potato Lovers Month • March – Youth Art Month • April – Earth Day (22) • May – Get Caught Reading Month - http://www.getcaughtreading.org/ • June – National Safety Month • July – National Picnic Month • August – Back To School • September – Banned Books Week • October – Computer Learning Month • November – National Native American Heritage Month • December – National Chocolate Day (28)