THE ART OF SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMS

Programming after Storytime . . .

Created by Kiomaris N. Fuller, MLIS

kiomaris@gmail.com

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

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.”

THE BEGINNING

• The Importance of School Age Programs• Create Interest• Life long relationship/interest with library• Literacy

• Your Role• Link• Creator• Motivator• Educator

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

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

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!

CHARACTERISTICS/PROGRAMS FOR EARLY ELEMENTARY

MotivatedEnthusiasticCuriousStill ForgivingHappy

Energetic but a little more structured

ChattyQuestioning

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

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

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

WHAT IS IT?

Field Trips

• Any program where a class, preschool or elementary school, comes into your library and you implement a planned activity

Themed Programs

• Any special program that you develop around a specific subject

• A book• A character• A subject

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!

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.

D. I. Y.

KEY POINTS FOR EACH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

1. The Idea!2. The Ultimate Agenda3. Development4. Implementing

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?

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

THE DEVELOPMENT

• Physical Setting Options

• Activity Selection

• Equipment/Materials

• Resources Available

• Length of Programs

• Guests

• Partnerships/Donations

IMPLEMENTING

• Schedule of Events

• Prep the Event

• Advertising and Marketing

• Guests• Back-Up Plan

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

BOOK RELATED

PROGRAMS

Book Groups

Book Circle

Book Talks

Storytime

Storytelling

Storybook Theater

Author Celebrations

Poetry Readings/Writing

Creative Writing

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

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 (ie

Candyland)• Hoop it Program• Readers Theater w/

Participation• Dress up with Photo Booth

• Make Props

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!

THINGS TO CONSIDER

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

FIND VOLUNTEERS!

• Ask You Staff/Co-Workers

• Make Announcements for Parents or Teen Volunteers with Skills

• Pick Up the Phones and make Calls

Plan Your Year!

HOLIDAY/SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMS

January – It’s OK To Be Different MonthFebruary – Potato Lovers MonthMarch – Youth Art MonthApril – Earth Day (22)May – Get Caught Reading Month -

http://www.getcaughtreading.org/June – National Safety MonthJuly – National Picnic MonthAugust – Back To SchoolSeptember – Banned Books WeekOctober – Computer Learning MonthNovember – National Native American Heritage MonthDecember – National Chocolate Day (28)