LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear Netters,
Here are a few more responses about creating story hour routines/rituals.
Thanks to everyone who shared.
Loretta Johnson, LMS
Seymour Magnet Elementary School (K-6)
Syracuse, New York
LorettaLJ@aol.com
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I have cushions that I bought for storytime, and the
kids select a cushion and sit down in front of the
story chair and wait for me.I always do several
fingerplays that the kids know, and I let them suggest
the ones they would like to do. The last one before
the story is always 'Open, Shut them', and the last
'lay them in your lap' is always done in a whisper.
After I read the stories, I pass out the shelf markers
that I've made for each student. The classes are
color-coordinated, K = green, 1st = red and 2nd =
purple. (Small school!) Kids who brought their books
back go to the shelves and start selection, and the
kids who forgot go to a table OR can look at books
from a pile I have selected for the non-checkout kids.
It's worked so well, I'm a little bored with the
routine myself, but the kids know what to do, and
that's more important than my boredom!
I am a media specialist in Quito, Ecuador. Yesterday a Playgroup teacher
asked me if there was a chant to close the stories. The children (all
Spanish speakers) wanted her to say "y colorin colorado, este cuento se ha
acabado"( Red, and red again, this story is over". I grew up in Chile, and
we said "y paso por un zapatito roto para que manana te cuente otro" (it
went through and old shoe, so tomorrow I'll tell you another story). These
are Spanish chants to end a story. I can't find anything quite like that in
your posting.
I use a rebus form of listening rules. I go over the
rules before I read the story every time with first
and Kin. Here goes
"Hands" are still.
"feet" are quiet.
"lips" are silent.
"eyes" are watching.
"ears" are listening.
The words in quotes are displayed as pictures on the
chart. The chart is hung right over my rocking chair
so students have a constant reminder. If I forget to
go over this the children remind me--I think they want
everyone to quiet down so they can hear. I start
whispering the rules about halfway through and this
really stops the talking and the wiggling. Good luck.
K - Alphabet song at beginning
1 - Hi Ho Librario song beginning in January
2 - I haven't done this lately, but have used Shel Silverstein's
'Invitation': "If you are a dreamer, come in...", putting it up on an
overhead so kids can read along.
I use a rebus form of listening rules. I go over the
rules before I read the story every time with first
and Kin. Here goes
"Hands" are still.
"feet" are quiet.
"lips" are silent.
"eyes" are watching.
"ears" are listening.
The words in quotes are displayed as pictures on the
chart. The chart is hung right over my rocking chair
so students have a constant reminder. If I forget to
go over this the children remind me--I think they want
everyone to quiet down so they can hear. I start
whispering the rules about halfway through and this
really stops the talking and the wiggling. Good luck.
One
thing I have used is a standard review of "I will know you are ready for
the story when I see your eyes [looking at me sitting in the reader's
chair] and hear your quiet." It works pretty well to quiet and focus the
kids.
At the end of their time, the kids learn that I am "looking for
the date card [in the back pocket of their book(s); they know to open
their book(s) and lay them on their laps so that they can see the date
card] and listening for the quiet" before they get a touch on their
shoulder to go get in line. The kids sit in the story pit and read/look
at their books while others finish their checkout. Again, it works pretty
well, but I'm interested in others' ideas for this. Hope you get some
good suggestions.
I light an imaginary candle. I tell them that I will pick a good
listener to blow it out. Sometimes I have the whole class "blow" it out
Children become familiar with rituals so I usually develop a certain
progression. I open with the finger game "Open, Shut Them" (if you need
directions, please let me know). This gets their attention and gets them
ready to listen to the story. By the 2nd week, they are saying and doing
the finger game with me.
There are whole books of finger plays - a great one from a library in
Minnesota or Michigan (I have the book at school). You can find one that
works for you.
Hi, I use this rhyme at the beginning of story time for pre-k through 2nd
grade.
Let's get ready to listen!
Let your hands go clap, clap, clap.
Let your fingers snap, snap, snap.
Let your lips go big and round.
Fold your hands and close your eyes.
Take a breath and softly sigh.
Now open your eyes.
Keep your hands in your lap.
And you're ready to listen.
I say the words and the kids and I both do the actions. If they say the
words too they only get more wound up. You may have a little trouble
teaching some how to snap their fingers. Just allow time to teach that the
first time you do this. Most will get it fairly quickly, even the pre-K
kids.
I really don't have anything in particular to end the story time. I just
usually do the traditonal ...if you have on purple you may line up first
and so on or if you have on tie shoes, etc.
Over the years I have learned that the kids really do need to be carefully
taught how to do just what you expect. Like for lining up I have a piece
of yellow tape on the floor to indicate where they are to start the line.
I have also used the marbles in the jar idea. The class gets a marble in
the jar for each thing they do right. Like come in and sit down quietly,
listen politely, line up correctly, what ever is important to you. I also
suggest you talk this over with the classes and get their suggestions as to
what is important behavior. Also probably no more that only 4-5 things
would be a good idea. I used baby food jars and when the jar was full the
class got to have "free" time in the computer lab. You could use what ever
you think would be a good reward.
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