For many the beginning of school is less than a month away. This is a lesson plan for welcoming your young patrons to the library media center.
You can create a friendly atmosphere in your school library that sets the tone for a great school year. A simple bulletin board can be created featuring a doorway with the silhouette of a student coming in the door. Post covers of books around the doorway. The caption should be something simple, such as "Come Read!" or "Welcome Readers!"
Welcome each student you comes the first day, calling them by name if possible. You may request that the teachers have the students wear name tags the first day of library class to assist you. Encourage the children to great each other in a friendly manner, using their "quiet voices." You may need to demonstrate your definition of a "quiet voice."
Have prepared a box with a removable lid, wrapped in colorful gift paper. Wrap the box and lid separately. Copy paper boxes work well. Place inside it the book you will read that day. Gather your students in your story circle (or where ever you have decided to have them sit for story time). Explain that the box contains something special that they will all share together. Take the lid off the box and hold up the book. Explain how this is a story that they will all share by listening to you. You will learn together from the story. This is a good time to go over any story time rules you have. Share the title of the book and show the students how you will gently turn the pages from the upper right hand corner of each page.
Don't try and overload your first meeting with young students. Decide what you will accomplish at that first meeting. You may want to concentrate on story time and not check out books at all. Decide what will work best in your situation.
Book Recommendations:
A Weekend with Wendell, by Kevin Henkes
Wendell was spending the weekend at Sophie's house. Playing house, Wendell was the mother, the father, and the children; Sophie was the dog. Playing bakery, Wendell was the baker; Sophie got to be the sweet roll. Wendell shone his flashlight in Sophie's eyes when she tried to sleep. But when he gave her a new hairdo with shaving cream, it was the last straw, and Sophie made up a game that left Wendell speechless for a time --and won the day for friendship.
Ira Sleeps Over, by Bernard Waber
Ira is thrilled to spend the night at Reggie's, until his sister raises the question of whether he should take his teddy bear.
Miss Spider's Tea Party, by David Kirk
When lonely Miss Spider tries to host a tea party, the other bugs refuse to come for fear of being eaten!
Helping Young Patrons Check-Out Books
Are you tired of kindergartners crying because they are lost in the check out process? Try these tips for beginning weeks in the library.
