I know, I should have put my two cents in before you published the HIT... so
sorry.... but I had to pipe in and say that IKEA has tons of inexpensive
things to add to the library. My favorite was something I just purchased
recently. It is a cloth treasure chest with a plush lock. It can hold lots
of things, but I am currently using it to store "props" for reader's
theater. It cost 12.99. It can be found under the Children's Ikea link
below under storage>small storage>page 2.
They also have a hanging toy holder decorated as a dragon. It would be
great for puppets! They have lots of plush toys, although I must say they
are of several "unattractive" things (spiders, rats, bats, snakes). Still,
they could be used in many ways. The link to the website is www.ikea.com,
but the link to Children's Ikea is below (it's a long one, you may have to
cut and paste it):
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&langId=-1&categoryId=10106&cattype=top&parentCats=10106
These are things you would expect to find in Demco or Brodart, but they are
so much cheaper at Ikea. Good Luck! Happy Decorating!
Carrie R. Higgins, Library Media Specialist
Wissahickon Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
carriergreen@hotmail.com
----Original Message Follows----
From: Janet Anderson <kelmegter@WIDEOPENWEST.COM>
Reply-To: Janet Anderson <kelmegter@WIDEOPENWEST.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: [LM_NET] HIT: Results of decorating ideas
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 14:45:22 -0500
Thank you to all who were so generous with their ideas for decorating the
library with characters! (And decorating in general)
Here are the responses.
Additionally, if anyone thinks that they have a really imaginative idea for
any diplays within their library, or if they love how their library is
organized and decorated, or if they have color ideas for an ideal color for
the walls to be painted that isn't too dark, but isn't too "cold", I'll
gladly take all ideas! Pictures are welcome too if that is allowed!
Here's the ideas from the first posting!
Janet Anderson
LRC Director
Highlands Elementary
Naperville, IL
kelmegter@wideopenwest.com
* Watch copyright and trademark issues with those things. Some of the owners
of the properties have been known to "raid" schools, painting out murals,
etc. with buckets of paint!
* Does your copy machine make transparencies? You could make one of each of
the characters you want, project them on a wall with paper, and trace and
finish.
I had an aide who was going to art school who drew a few free hand on foam
board. Then we added a support piece to the back. They worked great. (This
idea actually isn't legal, but I thought I'd post it since I got it!)
* I made hanging shelf tags for popular series such as Berenstain Bears,
Clifford, Junie B, Curious George, etc., getting some pictures of characters
from the authors' or publishers' websites and some cut from discarded
damaged books (interesting that the
most popular ones are always the most handled and damaged). I put them on
different color construction paper and laminated them, then taped them to
the shelves. My PK and K students can find NO, DAVID! in a flash.
* For my popular chapter books, I place the books in a clear plastic
shoebox, book covers facing the front, then slide the box onto the shelf
(still in order by the author's name). I create a 3X5 index card label on
the computer and then laminate and attach it to the front of the box. I
suppose you could copy and paste a graphic from the internet to use on your
label.
* About two years ago, when I was at Walmart, I found a Harry Potter crib
size panel of fabric. We purchased several others (books, etc.) with cute
prints and created wall hangings. They are pretty and we put velcro on the
back so they can be easily changed. We get lots of compliments (even though
I'm in a high school, I like it to be visually appealing). I haven't looked
recently, but it was inexpensive compared to buying Demco's stuff. Good
luck! Debbie
* I sew a plastic ring onto the top of the stuffed toy and use a
pushpin to attach it to a bulletin board along with a laminated
scanned book jacket cover. My title for the bulletin board is: Can
you find us in the LMC?
It works really well! I have an extensive supply of characters so I
rotate them whenever I have the energy. I'll attempt to send you a
picture if you like.
* Cut pictures out of the book catalogs. Laminate them
and tape them to the shelf.
Also, use these cut-outs for bookmarks. I don't think
I've ever done a more popular activity. I pre-cut
construction paper to bookmark size, put out pages
from the book catalogs with scissors and gluesticks.
* I purchased several book character dolls/plushes for my library. Most of
them were through eBay and were used so weren't very expensive. I put them
on the top of the shelves to help students find particular books - i.e.
Captain Underpants, Junie B. Jones, Berenstain Bears, Arthur, Clifford,
Franklin, The Snowman, duck and cow from Click Clack Moo, Madeline, Babar,
George and Martha, the Wild Things, etc. I did this little by little over
time so it wasn't too expensive at any given time but probably spent between
$100-250 total all told. Hope this helps!
* Never having grown up myself, I like stuffed dolls or animals. For the
major characters in elementary books there are wonderful dolls and animals
you can purchase (Kohl's care for kids comes too mind and then toy stores
etc.) The only problem I have is having students not move them to another
section. However, you can use that as a learning device as well--Who knows
where Clifford should stay etc.
* I bought Clifford stick ons and clifford material to decorate my
library.
* I made hanging shelf tags for popular series such as Berenstain Bears,
Clifford, Junie B, Curious George, etc., getting some pictures of characters
from the authors' or publishers' websites and some cut from discarded
damaged books (interesting that the most popular ones are always the most
handled and damaged). I put them on different color construction paper and
laminated them, then taped them to the shelves. My PK and K students can
find NO, DAVID! in a flash.
* This year I plan to have my 6th graders (I'm in a PreK - school) make
posters for each of the dewey classifications as a culminating activity for
our Dewey unit. I will suspend the posters from the ceiling near each of
the corresponding sections.
* You can print out color pictures of the characters on their appropriate
website and use them on the shelves. It is legal in an educational setting.
Might have the website address listed (very small) under the character cb
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home