I do love Pinterest, and often I see things that make me say “Why didn’t I think of that?” or “I could use that in the library!” So this week I bring you a round-up of fun, cheap, and easy ideas that might make life just a little easier.
Tag Archives: Think Outside the Stacks
Think Outside the Stacks: Music and Movement
We know that singing helps build phonological awareness and that building motor skills helps children manipulate books and learn to write. Music and Movement programs are a great way to incorporate both. I know this series is about non-library resources but I have to make sure you know about Bibliobop. You can read the details from the creator over at Storytiming.
Now for the non-library based resources:
Train Up a Child has a great post on ways to use rhythm sticks.
PreKinders has a great list of props for music and movement time and some songs to go with them and some fun ways to incorporate classical music into movement activities.
The Learning Groove, co-founded by Pete the Cat author Eric Litwin has lots of songs and ways to add actions and instruments.
Pre-K+K Sharing has a great post on the hows and whys of Parachute Play
Songs for Teaching has a good selection of Action and Movement Songs
Think Outside the Stacks: Getting Crafty
I love doing craft programs, and they’ve always been some of my most successful programs for both kids and teens. They may seem frivolous but don’t underestimate the value of letting young people express themselves, teaching them to follow directions, and promoting those parts of the non-fiction collection. For those of you who aren’t crafty by nature I’d like to offer you some resources for finding fresh and engaging craft projects.
Mostly Teen
Cut Out + Keep has tons of photo tutorials for lots of projects.
Craftgawker visually displays links to all sorts of DIY projects, similar to Pinterest except it’s all crafts and there is no re-pinning so you go right to the source.
One Pretty Thing does round-ups of DIY tutorials from around the web. While most are more advanced and better for teen programs they often do roundups of projects for younger crafters as well.
Mostly Children’s
The Crafty Crow has a huge collection of craft projects, mostly appropriate for elementary age kids.
For the younger set check out The Artful Parent’s directory of projects. These are special because they emphasize art and creativity rather than copying an example.
Spoonful, formerly Family Fun, has some cute ideas under the create category. They are owned by Disney now, but there are lots of non-commercial ideas as well.
I know you know about Pinterest, but here are some boards to get you started:
Collaborative Teen Programming in Libraries Pinterest Board
DIY Projects from How About Orange
Craft It Board from The 36th Avenue
The Artful Child Boards
Think Outside the Stacks: Youth Ministry Resources
This week’s installment of Think Outside the Stacks might not be for everyone, because this week I’m going to share some resources aimed at Youth Pastors. I heard some of you gasp but don’t worry, we’re talking more concept than content here. Still, if faith bothers you and you can’t read past the mention of God in these sites come back next week and we’ll talk about craft resources for teen programming.
I’ve long believed that youth librarians have a lot in common with youth ministry:
Think Outside the Stacks: Early Childhood Blogs for Librarians Part 2
Deborah Stewart has worked in the early childhood field as a teacher, director, curriculum writer, music director, and consultant for staff training and professional development for over 20 years.
Sample Posts:
Storing Flannel Board
Great idea. Better than stuffing them in envelopes and tossing them in ones desk, not that I know anyone who does that.
Exploring Dr. Seuss Stripes in Preschool
Great lesson for using a book to introduce an age appropriate math activity
Tools for Play Inspire Desire to Write
Great dramatic play possibility that encourages writing, one of the five ECRR practices.
