Babble, Scribble, Read

It’s never too early to start reading to kids!

Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read or write.

Reading or sharing books with children is one way to talk with them. It also introduces them to the world. Even if they have not seen an actual cow, children can learn that there is such an animal by seeing a picture of one in a book.

Not only do children who are exposed to books early in life have better language skills than those who wait until later, but they also have better success in learning to read.

There are so many things you can do with young children to help them enjoy language, books and reading. You, their parents/caregivers, are in the best position to help them get ready to learn to read. Why is this?

•     Children begin to get ready to read long before they start school.
•     You know your children best, and can help them learn in the ways that are easiest for them.
•     Children learn best by doing things, and love to do things with YOU.
•     Young children often have short attention spans, and enjoy repeating favorite activities. Parents and caregivers can share these activities often and for short amounts of time throughout the day.
•     YOU know your children well, and can take advantage of times when your children are “in the mood,” and ready to learn.
•     When children see their parents read they are more likely to become readers themselves. Seeing you read is very powerful!

October is Teen Read Month in Oklahoma

Why is it important to celebrate? For a lot of reasons! Teens have so many options for entertainment, so it’s important to remind them to spend time reading for pleasure: it’s free, fun, and can be done anywhere! Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce. Also, it’s a great chance to let teens know the possibilities that exist within the covers of books. Reading is not just a means of escaping the real world but a chance to learn more about it and how to deal with the many issues of the world. Books with Beat is this year’s theme and Wister Library will hold Teen Programs every Saturday in October at 2:00 pm. For more information, please contact Sheila at reid@oklibrary.net or 918-655-7654. Check wisterteens.wordpress.com/  for Teen program information.

Sequoyah Book Awards

Do you know about the Oklahoma Library Association’s Sequoyah Award? The Sequoyah Award honors the Native American leader Sequoyah for his unique achievement in creating the Cherokee syllabary, some-times called the Cherokee alphabet. He created a way to preserve his people’s language and culture. The Sequoyah Award is a children’s choice award. That means that the kids of Oklahoma read from a special list called a masterlist and then choose and vote for their favorite title. The books on the Sequoyah Masterlists are selected by the Sequoyah Reading Teams. There are 3 separate lists. The Children‟s list is for grades 3rd-5th. The Intermediate list is for grades 6th-8th. The High School list is for grades 9th-12th. Each list has about 12-15 books on it BUT students only have to read a minimum of 3 books to vote. Voting takes place annually in February and March. You can vote at the library and the winners are announced in April at the Oklahoma Library Association Conference. Go to http://www.oklibs.org/modx/Organization/Committees/Sequoyah.htm for more information!

Wister Library is now on Facebook!

Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=161744660199#/pages/Wister-OK/Wister-Public-Library/161744660199 and check us out.

Summer Reading

Go to

http://wisterkids.wordpress.com/

&

http://wisterteens.wordpress.com/

For more information about the Summer Programs!

Song of the week: Muffin Man

Oh, do you know the muffin man?

The muffin man, the muffin man

Oh, do you know the muffin man?

Who lives on Drury Lane?

Oh yes, I know the muffin man,

the muffin man, the muffin man,

Oh yes, I know the muffin man,

Who lives on Drury Lane.

Now we all know the muffin man

the muffin man, the muffin man

Now we all know the muffin man

Who lives on Drury Lane.

Rhyme of the week: Pease porridge hot

Pease porridge hot!
Pease porridge cold!
Pease porridge in the pot
Nine days old.

Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
I like it in the pot
Nine days old!

Fingerplay of the week: Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumkin?  (Hide hands behind back)

Here I am! Here I am! (Show L thumb, then R thumb)

How are you today, sir?  (Wiggle L thumb)

Very well, I thank you. (Wiggle R thumb)

Run away, run away.  (Hide LH behind back, then RH)

(Repeat with rest of fingers)

Where is Pointer?…. (Use index finger)

Tall man?…. (Use middle finger)

Ring man?…. (Use next to last or ring finger)

Pinkie?…. (Use little finger)

Where is family? Where is family?…. (Hide hands behind back)

Here we are! Here we are! (Show LH, fingers erect, then RH)

How are you today, sirs? (Wiggle fingers of LH)

Very well, we thank you, (Wiggle fingers of RH)

Run away, run away. (Hide LH behind back, then RH)

Book of the week: The Single Mother’s Book

More than 14 million women in American are single mothers, facing the headaches and heartaches of their challenging role as sole head of the household. This comprehensive guide features practical solutions for surviving and succeeding as a single mother. Anderson offers real answers to real problems, from financial planning to coping with divorce. Drawing on her own experience as a single parent, Anderson inspires confidence and offers comfort and hope.

Picture book of the week: The Tickly Monster

The Tickly Monster is a funny, furry little fellow with many pairs of hands. His story is told in verse. “He tickles your tummy and knows you will giggle…. Then he tickles some more…. And you start to wiggle!” This gentle little story finally ends when Mom and Dad tuck baby into bed with all his friendly stuffed animals.

Recipe of the week: Homemade Potato Chips

Here’s what you will need:

* a potato

* some vegetable oil

* a baking sheet

* some salt

Here’s what you  do:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Wash and peel your potato.

Now very carefully cut the potato into very thin slices.

Now take a paper towel and rub some oil on your cookie sheet.

Place the slices on the cookie sheet and sprinkle them with salt.

Put them into the oven for 30 minutes.

When they look golden brown and crispy, flip them over and sprinkle salt on the other side.

Now put them back in the oven for another 20 minutes.

When they’re done, remove them from the cookie sheet right away, let cool and eat!

Activity of the week: Shadow Animals

What you need:
* wall
* powerful flashlight

What you do:

Point your flashlight at the wall. Put your hand between the light and the wall so that your hand makes a shadow on the wall. Move the flashlight around until you get the sharpest, clearest shadow possible.

Dog:
Put your hands by your sides.
Bring your hands together and bring your arms up so your hands are out if front of you.
Stand sideways so you can see the shadow of your hands on the wall.
Move your pinkies up and down while trying to keep the rest of your fingers together. That will be the dog’s mouth.
To make the eye, bend the index finger on your left hand in half on top of your right hand.
Cross your thumbs, making a V for the dog’s ears.

Ostrich:
You only need your left hand for this one!
Put your hands by your sides.
Bring your left arm up to shoulder height in front of you.
Stand sideways so you can see the shadow of your hand on the wall.
To make the Ostrich’s eye, curve your middle finger so it’s tip rests on the knuckle of your index finger. Bend down your ring finger and pinky.

Bird:
Hold both hands in front of you with your palms facing up. Cross your wrists and link your thumbs. Bend your wrists so your thumbs point up towards the ceiling. Flap your fingers to make the bird fly.

Swan:
Roll up the sleeve on your right arm and bend your arm.
Make a beak with your right hand by bringing your fingers together to your thumb.
For the swan’s feathers, rest your left wrist in the crook of your right arm, so the fingers on your right hand are pointing up towards the ceiling.
Spread the fingers on your right hand apart.

Rabbit:
Hold your right hand out in front of you so you are looking at the palm of your hand.
Make a peace sign with your index and middle fingers. These are the rabbit’s ears.
Put your pinky and your ring finger on top of your thumb.
Turn your wrist away from you and you should be able to see the rabbit’s eye on the wall.

Website of the week: Dr. Toy’s Guide on the Internet

Information on hundreds of recommended toys and products for children.

http://www.drtoy.com/main/index.html

Craft of the week: Cool colorful crayons

Materials:
Broken crayons
Thick paper cups
Candy molds

Directions:

Take all the paper off the crayon pieces you have and put them in a thick heavy paper cup. Put the cup into the microwave for 4 to 6 minutes or until the crayon mixture is completely melted. Pour the mixture- very carefully- into the candy molds you have chosen. Next place the molds into the freezer for 20 minutes or until the crayon mixture is solid. Remove the crayons from the candy molds and start coloring!

Recipe of the week: Pizza pockets

Ingredients:
* 1 6½” whole-wheat pita (cut in half to make 2 pockets)
* ¼ c. of pizza sauce
* ½ c. shredded mozzarella cheese
* small amount of meat filling (Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, etc.)

Directions:
1. Place each pita half (2 pockets) on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Spoon 2 tbsp. pizza sauce into each half and spread around with spoon.
3. Add meat filling.
4. Measure ¼ cup of cheese and sprinkle into 1 pocket. Repeat for other pocket.
5. Lay pocket flat on plate and place in microwave for about 30 seconds. Check to see if cheese is melted. If not, try another 15 seconds and recheck. You don’t want it to be too hot or it can burn your tongue.
6. Remove and enjoy!

Website of the week: MedlinePlus – Parenting

According to the Parenting section of  Medline Plus

There is more than one “right” way to be a good parent. Good parenting includes
* Keeping your child safe
* Showing affection and listening to your child
* Providing order and consistency
* Setting and enforcing limits
* Spending time with your child
* Monitoring your child’s friendships and activities
* Leading by example

For many helpful articles that will assist you through this wonderful journey of parenthood go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parenting.html

Song of the week: Where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Oh where, oh where can he be?

With his tail cut short,

And his ears cut long,

Oh where, oh where can he be?

Fingerplay of the week: Little puppies and kittens

One little, two little, three little kittens (count up to 3 fingers)

Were napping in the sun (bend fingers down)

One little, two little, three little puppies said (count up to 3 fingers)

“Come, let us all have fun.”

Up to the kittens the puppies went creeping (move puppy fingers slowly toward kitten fingers)

As quiet, as quiet could be

One little, two little, three little kittens

Went scampering up a tall tree (move kitten fingers quickly into the air)

Rhyme of the week: Hey diddle diddle

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Picture book of the week: Clifford the big red dog

Emily Elizabeth has a big red dog–the biggest, reddest dog on her street, and his name is Clifford. How big is he? He’s so big that when he runs after cars, he catches them in his mouth, and his doghouse is bigger than Emily Elizabeth’s house.