Read Out LOUD

Exploring active learning at the library

Melissa Dragoo - Manager, Youth Services, Fishers Public Library

dragoom@hepl.lib.in.us 317-579-0305.

Molly Mrozowski- Youth Materials Selector, Hamilton East Public

Library System mrozowskim@hepl.lib.in.us 317-579-0304.

Read Out LOUD- Famous Artists Theme

For this unit we study famous works of art and then offer hands-on activities

utilizing a wide variety of techniques. At each circle time, we examine art from a few

different artists and discuss the specific process used to create the art. Don’t be afraid to

use art-specific vocabulary!

We end this month-long unit with an art show. The young artists and their

families are invited. Classical music and hors d’oeuvres helped set the mood!

Circle Time

Opening Song 1: Clap and Sing Hello

Opening Song 2: If You’re Ready for a Story

Book 1: I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

Book 2: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Fingerplay: Two Little Paint Cans

Stretching Rhyme

Movement Song: Did You Ever See an Artist

Movement Song: If You’re Wearing Red

Movement Song: Do You Know this Shape?

Closing Song: Silly Dance

Stations

1. Georges Seurat inspired pointillism painting

What it is: After examining how tiny dots of color can create a larger cohesive painting,

have children use q-tips and paint to make a dot picture.

At home: Use a variety of household items as paintbrushes. This could include Q-tips,

toothbrushes, toilet paper tubes, and many more things. Kids love painting with unorthodox

materials!

2. Sensory Table Cloud Dough

What it is: We filled our sensory table with cloud dough, a mixture of flour, baby oil and

glitter. We provided small pails and shovels, pattern rollers and stampers for the children to

play with as they explore the cloud dough.

At home: There are many items in the home that can be used to provide a sensory

experience. Fill a bowl with rice, dried pasta or even water and hand your child a few

kitchen utensils to help them stir, mix and scoop. This will keep your child entertained for a

long time!

3. Jackson Pollock inspired Splatter painting

What it is: Have children use paint brushes and sticks to make a splatter painting. It is fun

to make one large painting on a giant piece of canvas or paper. Thin paint with water to

make it easier to apply. Have children pretend that they are waving a magic wand to

demonstrate the motion used to ‘splatter’ paint. If the weather is nice, take this activity

outside!

At home: Mix up a batch of mud, lay out an old sheet or large piece of paper and allow your

child to create a muddy masterpiece!

4. Color Mixing

What it is: Fill sandwich bags with shaving cream. Put bowls with liquid water color or

food coloring on the table with droppers. Provide a paper with different color combinations,

have kids put a few drops of color in the bag and mix it all together. Ask your child to predict

what color each combination will make.

At home: Dyeing eggs is a great way to practice color mixing in the home.

5. Symmetry Painting

What it is: Have children paint one half of a piece of paper and then fold it in half. When

they open the painting, point out that the paint transferred to the other side of the paper,

creating a mirror image.

At home: Help expand this concept for your child by standing in front of a mirror with

several objects. Show your child that the mirror is reflecting back the image of the object.

Don’t forget to point out that some objects, such as letters, will look ‘backwards’ in a mirror.

6. Play-Doh Letters

What it is: Provide cards with large letters of the alphabet, one capital and one lower-case

letter per card. Have children use the play-doh to shape the letters.

At home: Write the letters of your child’s name on a large piece of paper. You can re-create

this activity at home with sticks of pasta, pieces of string or you could even have them make

the shapes of the letters with their body.

7. Calder inspired sculptures

What it is: Using a variety of gummy candy, licorice whips, tooth picks and Styrofoam

bases, have children create a colorful candy sculpture.

At home: A sculpture can be anything! Gather an assortment of small objects from around

the home and allow your child to glue, tape, staple and much more as they create their own

sculpture. Items could include buttons, aluminum foil, pipe cleaners, paper clips, bits of

ribbon, cotton balls, q-tips, the sky is the limit!

8. Klimt inspired metallic, shape paintings

What it is: Provide color copies of Klimt paintings and cardboard viewfinders for the

children to use to examine small sections of the painting. Point out all of the shapes and

designs Klimt used in his painting. Have children expand this concept by creating a painting

with metallic paint and black marker designs.

At home: Paint a picture and glue pieces of aluminum foil to it to add a bit of shine!

9. Stamping patterns

What it is: Create patterns using a handful of stampers. Provide kids with ink and the

same stampers and challenge them to recreate the patterns. If that is too simple for a child,

he/she can create a new pattern.

At home: Use dried beans or pasta shapes to practice pattern recognition.

Color Mixing Fun!

Red + Blue =

Red + Yellow =

Yellow + Green =

Yellow + Blue =

Green + Blue =

Red + Green =

Read Out LOUD- All About Me Theme

Circle Time

Opening Song 1: The More we Get Together

Opening Song 2: If You Want to Hear a Story Clap Your Hands

Book 1: All the Things I Love About You by LeUyen Pham

Book 2: I Love you Nose I Love you Toes by Linda Davick

Fingerplay: 10 Little Fingers

Stretching Rhyme

Movement Song: Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Movement Song: Hokey Pokey

Movement Song: Shake Your Sillies Out

Closing Song: If you’re Happy and you Know it

Stations

1. Body Tracing

What it is: Invite children to stretch out on a large roll of paper and have a grown-up trace

around them. Grown-up and child can color it together.

At home: Recreate this activity outdoors! In summer use chalk or in winter make snow

impressions.

2. Sensory Table- Explore with your senses

What it is: Fill your sensory table with cotton balls and a variety of objects in differing

colors and textures. Provide an ‘I-Spy’ like sheet (i.e. Can you find something Yellow and

Soft?) For older children, you can invite them to play with their eyes closed and feel for

textures.

At home: Anything can become a Sensory Table- plastic tubs, cardboard boxes or even the

kitchen sink! Filling your ‘table’ with new objects every so often keeps it fresh. Try dried

pasta, beans, sand, dirt, or even snow. This can be a good activity for dinner prep time- have

it on the kitchen table and keep your child(ren) engaged while you cook dinner.

3. X-Ray station

What it is: Children and grown-ups explore a set of x-rays purchased from an educational

store. They can hold them to the light, compare them to their own bodies- or work to put

together the entire skeleton.

At home: Talk about how bones provide protection and structure for our bodies. You can

demonstrate this using a pair of gloves. Insert popsicle sticks into the fingers of one glove

and leave the other empty. When you hold them up, one will stay straight, the other will

flop. Our bones help us keep our shape!

4. Inside Me Aprons

What it is: Children and grown-ups explore our body’s organs using an interactive apron

purchased from an educational store. Children can wear the apron and place the organs in

their proper place.

At home: Continue the discussion by talking about body functions throughout the day.

After playing energetically, you can talk about how your heart and lungs work harder when

you exercise. Or, after dinner talk about how your body digests food. If you need help

explaining these things, there are plenty of great books available at the library!

5. What do I see in the Mirror?

What it is: Provide safety mirrors and printables that guide exploration (I have _____

eyes; I have ______ freckles.)

At home: Look in a mirror! Encourage your child to hold a stuffed animal or doll. Compare

their eyes, mouths, tummies, etc.

6. In my family

What it is: Grown-ups help their children to draw a family portrait. They can also make a

family-tree style picture.

At home: Use your picture to start a conversation about your family. Maybe you can

compare yourself and your child as infants (“When you were born, you weighed 8lbs. When

mommy was born, she weighed 7lbs”.) This would even be a great time to visit or call

grandparents. Ask them about when they were young. Children love to hear the stories of

their lives!

7. Doll House

What it is: Provide a sturdy wooden dollhouse, lots of furniture and dolls to encourage

dramatic play.

At home: You don’t need to have a doll house. Try paper dolls, stuffed animals, and a

decorated shoe box.

8. Who will I be?

What it is: Dress up! Provide a variety of outfits & accessories (Fireman, Vet, Chef, etc.)

Kids love to dress up and try on the role of various members of society.

At Home: Save your old clothing for a dress up box. Goodwill and other resale shops are a

great place to find dresses, suits, shoes and more.

5 Senses Sensory Table- I Spy Sheets

Something BLACK

and CRINKLY

Something RED

and BUMPY

Something SILVER

and SHINY

Something BLUE

and SOFT

Something BLUE

and HARD

Something RED

and HARD

Something GREEN

and SMOOTH

Something YELLOW

and SMOOTH

Something BROWN

and RUBBERY

Something PURPLE

and SOFT

Something ORANGE

and SOFT

Something BROWN

and SCRATCHY

Something PINK

and SOFT

Something GREEN

and BUMPY

Suggested items to purchase

We received a grant from CICF (Central Indiana Community Fund) to purchase supplies

and materials for Read Out LOUD. Below is a listing of items we purchased, their cost in

2012, and supplier.

From Amazon

Habitats Reusable Sticker Pad $5.83 (1)

Dozen Jumbo Dinosaurs $9.79 (1)

Breyer Wood Corral $13.42 (2)

Breyer Classics Country Stable $39.99 (1)

Schleich North American Foal Set $23.99 (1) Arabian Stallion $7.98 (1) Lippizaner

Boxed Set $24.99 (1) Tennessee Walking Horse $9.21 (1) Hanoverian Stallion $8.07 (1)

Color My Class Ribbon Wand Set $20.33 (3)

Shape, Model and Mold $16.36 (2)

12 Piece Large Assorted Dinosaurs $11.35 (1)

Children's Colorful Canvas Aprons $19.00 (1)

Child-Safe Scissor Set $4.55 (3)

Playchute 10' Parachute $27.95 (1)

MindWare Imaginets $22.71 (2)

Deluxe Role Play Costume Bundle: Fire Chief, Construction Worker and Train Engineer

$79.99 (1)

Chef, Hair Stylist and Veterinarian Role Play Costume Sets $74.99 (1)

Police Officer Costume Deluxe Role Play Set $31.99 (1)

Pretend & Play Doctor Set $26.23 (2)

Wooden Farm Train $18.40 (1)

Curve-a-beam $60.35 (2)

Swivel Bridge Train Set $42.16 (1)

Gears! Gears! Gears! $41.09 (1)

Deluxe Wooden Railway Set $89.76 (1)

From Demco

Fishing for Literacy Carpet $324.00 (1)

ABC Butterfly Fun Carpet $324.00 (1)

From Discount School Supply

Pre-writing motor skills set $33.99 (1)

Shape Sequence Blocks $19.99 (2)

Teacher's Folding Magnifier $8.99 (2)

Riverstones $58.95 (2)

Letter Sorting Box $33.79 (2)

Easy Grip Tweezers $11.57 (1)

Obstacle Course $179.99 (1)

100 Unifix Cubes $12.29 (1)

Jumbo Washable Stamp Pads $51.98 (1)

Liquid Watercolor $72.99 (1)

From LAKESHORE LEARNING

Sand and Water Table $289.00 (2)

Toddler painting center $249.00 (2)

Newsprint easel paper $16.50 (2)

All purpose Teaching Cart $199.00 (2)

Vinyl paint apron-red $4.95 (12)

Vinyl paint apron-yellow $4.95 (12)

Heavy-duty Sand Tools $49.95 (1)

Mini Construction trucks $14.99 (4)

Big Track Sand Rollers $19.95 (1)

Magnetic Vehicle Set $24.95 (1)

Math Counters $139.00 (1)

Tractor $8.97 (2)

Fire Truck $8.97 (2)

See-Inside Bucket Balance $16.95 (2)

Jumbo Specimen Viewers $29.95 (1)

Peel and Stick Magnet Dots $7.99 (1)

Magnetic Wands $21.95 (1)

Stack-n-match Magnet Rings $11.95 (2)

Roll-on Painters $19.95 (4)

Learn the alphabet Rubbing Plates $19.95 (1)

Jumbo Nuts and Bolts $44.95 (1)

People Builders $39.95 (1)

Classic Wild Animal Collection $39.95 (1)

Giant Bug Collection $29.95 (1)

Classic Forest Animal Collection $39.95 (1)

Classic Ocean Animal collection $39.95 (1)

Classic Farm Animal Collection $39.95 (1)

Write-wipe lapboard set of 10 $22.80 (1)

Assorted wipe-off crayons $2.63 (10) Write-wipe lapboard erasers $11.16 (1)

15 Player Rhythm Set $89.95 (1)

Lakeshore Soft & Poseable Family $109.00 (1)

Play-all-around Dollhouse Furniture $89.50 (1)

Best-buy Kitchen Playset $39.95 (1)

Fruit & Veggie Cut-ups $29.95 (1)

Play-all-around Dollhouse $159.00 (1)

Color Changing Touch Board $39.95 (4)

Build-my-skills Puzzle set $99.95 (1)

Log builders set $49.95 (1)

Heavy Duty Drums $39.95 (2)

Boomwackers $24.95 (3)

Turn N Learn Magnetic Gears $24.99 (2)

Giant Pipe Builders $55.96 (2)

Bucket of Beanbags $29.95 (1)

Real-Working Cash Register $36.95 (3)

First Piano $14.95 (2)

From Music Educator Supply

Scarf Mini-pack $18.00 (2)

From West Music

Basic Beat Jumbo Egg $1.90 (30)

Ideas for Planning on a Shoestring Budget

Painting a picture is a project that nearly all kids love. And it tends to be

something that a lot of parents don’t want to do at home because it can be messy.

(DISCLAIMER, We make sure to tell parents that Read out Loud is fun and that

fun is usually messy so be sure to wear play clothes)

You can have your kids paint coffee filters with water colors or even water with

food coloring.

If you don’t have and can’t afford a sensory table, there are alternatives that you

can purchase cheaply or that you might have on hand. An under the bed storage

box is usually a great size/shape for a sensory table. You can use large, aluminum

food service trays. You can even use boxes for non-liquid sensory table activities.

We frequently fill our sensory table with water and the kids love it! Look around

your supply room, you can probably find a lot of things lying around that will

make for an interesting sensory experience. For example, today we put bubble

wrap and trucks in our sensory table. Sand isn’t expensive, ask Starbucks for old

coffee grounds. (You can also use that for art projects)

There are lots of ideas for kitchen science projects. One of our favorites involves

vinegar and baking soda. Kids love to watch the baking soda fizz when the vinegar

is sprayed or dropped onto the baking soda. Adding food coloring to the vinegar

is a cheap way to make this look even more interesting.

Another inexpensive activity is to post signs around the room with a number on it

and an activity. Under the number one, you can write “Hop one time.” Under the

number six, write “spin in a circle six times.”

For more ideas, check out our Pinterest page. We have several boards on this site with

ideas we have used in our Read Out LOUD program. http://www.pinterest.com/heplys/

Read Out LOUD evaluation

How old is your child? ____________________

Does your child attend preschool? ___________

How many times did you attend Read Out LOUD this month? 1 2 3

Do you attend a Read Out LOUD session at least once a month? (Circle one)

Yes No New to the program

What did you like best about the program?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

What would you like to see improved?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Have you used any of the ideas presented at home? Please explain:

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Did you think the materials and activities were suitable for the age range?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Since you have begun participating in the program, have you noticed any changes in

your child? Please, check all that apply.

o My child has a greater interest in listening to stories at home

o My child has a greater interest in looking at books

o My child is more prepared for preschool/kindergarten

o My child is more interested in coming to the library

o My child now has more rapport with adults outside of the family

o My child now has more rapport with other children

o My child repeats rhymes and songs from Read Out LOUD

Other __________________________________________________

Are there any different skills you would like to see covered in Read Out LOUD?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience with Read Out LOUD?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Suggested Reading

Almon, Joan, and Edward Miller. The Crisis in Early Education: A research-based case for

more play and less pressure. Alliance for Childhood, Nov. 2011. Web 12 Aug. 2013.

Bruehl, Mariah. Playful Learning: Develop YOur CHild’s Sense of Joy and Wonder. Boston

: Roost Books, 2011. Print

Darling- Hammond, Linda. The Flat World and Education: How America’s Commitment to

Equity Will Determine Our Future. New York : Teachers College Press, 2010. Print

Fuller, Cheri. School Starts at Home. Colorado Springs, Colo. : Pinon Press, c2004. Print

Galinsky, Ellen. Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.

New York : Harper Studio, 2010. Print

Hirsh-Pasek, Kathy; Golnikoff, Roberta M.; Eyer, Diane E. Einstein Never Used Flashcards:

How Our Children Really Learn- and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less.

Emmaus, PA : Rodale, 2003. Print

Linn, Susan. The Case for Make Believe: Saving play in a commercialized world. New York

: The New Press, 2008. Print

Medina, John. Brain Rules for Baby. Seattle, WA : Pear Press, 2010. Print.

Payne, Rachel G. “Read, Play. Grow!: Enhancing early literacy at Brooklyn Public Library.”

School Library Journal 8 July 2013: 22. Online

Ripley, Amanda. The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way. New York :

Simon & Schuster, 2013. Print

Seldin, Tim. How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way. New York : DK

Publishing, 2006. Print.

Tough, Paul. How Children Succeed. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print.

Wagner, Tony. Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the

World. New York : Scribner, 2012. Print