Cedar Lake Branch Library

Talking to Teach Early Literacy Skills

2012-01-29T06:41:00.000-08:00

Talking is an important way to build early literacy skillsand help your child get ready to learn to read! Every Child Ready to Read 2emphasizes this important and fun activity. Talking with your child seems easyand it is. It takes time and energy, though. Just remember that it is anessential activity to help your child develop early literacy skills he or sheneeds to have.

I love your snow picture!
Tell me about it!

Share a simple and short personal story about aneveryday or relatable experience. Then ask your child to share a story of herown. After he tells his story, repeat the events in sequence (for example,“Wow. What an exciting story. It sounds like it started to snow. Then you puton your coat, boots, hat and mittens and went outside to play. Then you pickedup some of the snow and rolled it into balls. Your brother and sister helpedyou make a snowman!”). Not only will repeating your child’s story help him orher understand the narrative structure, but also it will make him or her feellistened to and understood.
Talking is a simple way to build vocabularyskills. Introduce a new word and talk about what it means and when/where wemight say it or when/where we might hear it being said. Try introducing a newword that connects to a book you will read or an activity the children will do.

Colors, shapes, numbers, and other concepts areall vocabulary that children must learn. Don’t take for granted this importantstep in a child’s pre-reading process. Ask about colors, shapes, and numberswhenever the occasion arises—during a program or activity or when engaging anyyoung library user in conversation. Encourage caregivers to talk with theirchildren about colors, shapes, and numbers wherever they are: on the bus, inthe library, playing with toys, or standing in line at the grocery store.

"This chair is yellow! Let's find something else that is yellow."

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T12:46:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner! And that the schools are already on break!

This time of year is made for stories! I'm guessing that most of you have a story behind at least one ornament on your Christmas tree. And most families have stories that have been passed down for years about holidays past. Be sure to share those stories with your children. And encourage them to share their own stories as well. Developing those storytelling skills (also known as narrative skills) is an important part of learning to read and succeeding in school.

I'd like to share a couple of fun websites I came across recently that you can use to help your children tell stories.

The first is Kerpoof. While the activities are rated for Kindergarten and up, a preschooler could use the site with help. Have fun drawing a picture... maybe you'd like to draw your tree or a favorite ornament. One nice thing about this site is that you can save the pictures to your computer if you like, and you don't have to create an account. This can save some time and relieve concerns about privacy.

Another is Zooburst. On Zooburst, your child can create a digital pop up book. This is a good way to tell a favorite family story or make up your own. You can enter the text and even give voices to the characters in the story. You do have to register for this one.

Of course, there's no reason not to pull out paper, crayons, markers and... whatever else you'd like to use and create your own masterpiece at home! However you choose to do it, make sure to share some stories over this holiday season!

Children's Book Week @ LCPL

2011-11-16T10:58:00.001-08:00

This week we're celebrating children's books at the Cedar Lake Branch Library!

At our programs this week, we asked children to show us their favorite book. The library staff members have also shared their favorites. Take a look in this slide show!

Do you have a favorite that you don't see? Leave us a comment and we'll put it into the show. Or come into the library and show us!

We have one more program this week. Babies from infants to age 3 years and their caregivers can join us Friday, Nov. 18th at 10:30 for Mother Goose on the Loose!

Every Child Ready to Read--Just Talk!

2011-09-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

This month's library programs for children are concentrating on teaching children Narrative Skills, which is being able to describe things and events and tell stories. When children are learning to read, this essential early literacy skill will help them remember what they read.

The first step in helping your child develop this skill is to talk with him. Narrate your day. "First we will do this, then we will go here." and so on. Ask your child about her day, too.
Ask your child questions--engage in a two way conversation, even with a very young child. Always allow time for your child to answer--count to 5 before you answer for him. You may not understand all your child is saying, but he is using words to express what is happening!
Use the pictures in a book to encourage conversation, too. Ask a young child to point to various objects on a page. But ask open ended questions, too. "How do you think the boy in the picture is feeling? Do you remember feeling that way? What happened?"
All this talk helps your child develop more vocabulary words, too! She is also learning that things happen in a certain sequence--first, middle, and last.
Encourage your child to act out some of the books you read to him She might use stuffed animals or puppets. Or maybe the two of you can make props such as stick puppets to help tell stories.
In Storytime the children made some stand up farm animals. In the picture she is wearing hers. But first she talked a little about them--and made their animals sounds too! She will also be able to use them to retell parts of farm animal stories. You can do something like this at home. And as always, have fun!!! A child who enjoys reading and related activities will want to learn to read!
Click here for the types of books to look for that will help you teach Narrative Skills and also for a list of recommended books.

Every Child Ready to Read: Print Motivation

2011-07-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

This month we are concentrating on Print Motivation which is encouraging a love of reading in your child. It's especially easy during the summer when the library has so many fun programs and when children receive prizes for reading or being read to.

Check out all the fun programs at the library by clicking here! Learn more about the summer reading program for all ages--including adults by clicking here.

This week enjoy Preschool Storyhour on Tues. July 5 @ 10:30 or 1; Let's Eat! for school age children on Wed. July 6 @ 2; and a Puppet Extravaganza for all ages--with a visit from the famous Maisy--on Fri. July 8 @ 1!

Summer Program Fun!

2011-06-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Great fun @ the library this summer--dogs visited, teens created art from around the world, school age children learned about schools in other countries, & more!
Join us for programs every week!
Preschool Storyhour for 3-5-year-olds every Tues. at 10:30 or 1
School Age Programs every Wed. at 1
Toddler Time every 2nd & 4th Thursday at 10:30
Mother Goose on the Loose for babies through age 3 every 1st & 3rd Fri. at 10:30
Teen programs every 2nd Tues., 3rd Thurs. & last Wed. @ 4.
This week school agers will enjoy water fun, rain or shine!
Teens will compete in the 4th annual Battle of the Sexes with Fear Factor type & minute to win it games, guy & girl trivia & more.

Fun @ the Library!

2011-05-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Summer reading fun starts on Monday, June 6. EVERYONE can win prizes for reading! For more info or to sign up, click here! From there learn about all the great programs by clicking on 'Library Calendar'.

Thursday, June 2 at 3 or 4:30. Prospective volunteers, ages 11-17, should plan on attending the Volunteer Meeting. There are lots of fun volunteer opportunities available!

Friday, June 3 at 10:30. Mother Goose on the Loose,for infants-age 3 and a caregiver.

Check out events for the first week of summer reading. Read, have fun, & start winning prizes!:

Monday, June 6 at 5pm. Snack & Plan Members of the library's Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) and those wishing to join (ages 12 & older) will meet to plan, eat, play games and earn volunteer time!

Tuesday, June 7 at 10:30 OR 1pm. Preschool Storyhour for independent 3's, 4's, & 5's.

Wednesday, June 8 at 4:30. School Age Fun!: Hungry to Learn, celebrating schools around the world!

Thursday, June 9 at 10:30. Toddler Time for 2's & 3's & a caregiver.

Friday, June 10 at 1pm. Summer Reading Kickoff. We'll celebrate with a World's Fair of fun games & crafts and a special visit from Biscuit the Dog!

Every Child Ready to Read: Phonological Awareness

2011-05-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Phonological Awareness is the ability to hear the individual sounds in letters and words. Most children who struggle learning to read have trouble with this important skill. Rhyming is part of Phonological Awareness and is sometimes difficult to master. You can help:

Sing songs! Songs break words into smaller parts so children can hear the different sounds in words.

Sing or say nursery rhymes.

Play a rhyming game like this one:

I spy with my little eye,

Something that rhymes with _________

(Help your child as needed. Keep it fun!)

Read a book with rhyming words—many books for children use rhyme. Then go back and point out some of the words that rhyme. When your child is ready, encourage her to do the same and then make up other words that rhyme, too.

The library has many books and music CDs with fun rhymes. Ask your librarian for suggestions. One rhyme that’s fun and can go on and on is “Down by the Bay.” Raffi has a book and CDs with the music. There are others, also, all available at the library! You can make up your own, too. Try this one to get started:

Wiggle your toes, one, two, three.

Wiggle your toes like me.

Now tell the wiggles to go away.

(shake your index finger)

And please “Sit still,” I say.

(Repeat, using different parts of the body.)

(Try singing this rhyme to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”!)

In the picture above, children are playing with a 'Jack in the Box' craft they made in Toddler Time. It's a fun rhyme that children can do by pretending to be the 'Jack' in the box, getting down in a ball on the floor and then jumping up at the end. This type of rhyme also helps reinforce the rhyme and the sequence of it by encouraging a physical reaction to the rhyme.

Jack in the box,

You sit so still.

Won't you come out?

Yes! I will!

Keep it fun and rhyme, rhyme, rhyme!

Every Child Ready to Read: Books That Help Teach Phonological Awareness

2011-05-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

A Was Once an Apple Pie by Edward Lear
A collection of twenty-six nonsense rhymes, one for each letter of the alphabet.
Aunt Lucy Went to Buy a Hat by Alice Low
Rhyming tale of a woman who sets out to replace her lost hat, but ends up with a cat and a succession of other items instead.
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont
It's nap time at the farm, but one un-sleepy baby has a different plan ... Baby wants to dance.
Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming
All the farm animals are where they should be, clucking and mucking, mewing and cooing, except for the missing goose.
Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker
Big Fat Hen counts to ten with her friends and all her chicks.
Bob by Tracy Pearson
While looking for someone to teach him how to crow, a rooster learns to sound like many different animals and finds that his new skills come in handy.
Charlie's Superhero Underpant s by Paul Bright
When a gusting wind blows the laundry off the clothesline, Charlie travels the world searching for his favorite scarlet superhero underpants.
Clang, Clang, Beep, Beep: Listen to the City by Robert Burleigh
From morning until night, a city is filled with such sounds as the roars and snores of a subway ride, the flutters and coos of pigeons, and the shouts and beeps of drivers in traffic.
Cool Daddy Rat by Kristyn Crow
A young rat hides in his father's bass case and tags along as he plays and scats around the big city.
Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig
Easy-to-read, rhyming text depicts diffent animals dancing.
Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Color and Counting by Emma Dodd
In this colorful story of a sloppy dog, you can count on a happy ending.
Down by the Station by Will Hillenbrand
In this version of a familiar song, baby animals ride to the children's zoo on the zoo train.
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allen Ahlberg
Rhymed text and illustrations invite the reader to play "I Spy" with a variety of Mother Goose and other folklore characters.
Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
To rescue Rapunzel from her tower, a prince yells for her to throw down her hair; but being too far away to hear clearly, she tosses out various items from her room, including her maid.
Fora's Surprise by Debbi Gliori
Flora, a youong rabbit, tries to grow a house by planting a brick.
A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson
A frog in the bog grows larger and larger as he eats more and more bugs, until he attracts the attention of an alligator who puts an end to his eating.
Grandpappy Snippy Snappies by Lynn Plourde
When things go wrong around his farm Grandpappy sets them right with a snap of his suspenders, but Grandmammy is in trouble a
nd the suspenders are all worn out.
Hello Baby! by Mem Fox
A baby encounters a variety of young animals, including a clever monkey, a hairy warthog, and a dusty lion cub, before discovering the most precious creature of all.
Hello Day by Anita Lobel
Various animals greet the sunrise in their own unique voices, except for the owl who welcomes the night.
Hello Toes! Hello Feet! by Ann Paul
A girl takes delight in all the things she and her feet do throughout the day.
How Do You Wokka Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
A young boy who likes to "wokka-wokka, shimmy-shake, and shocka-shocka" gathers his neighbors together for a surprise celebration.
Jump by Scott Fischer
From bugs and frogs to alligators and whales, frightened animals always move out of the way of a larger opponent.
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont
In the rhythm of a familiar folk song, a child cannot resist adding one more dab of paint in surprising places.
I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book by Judi Barrett
Rhyming lines feature the numbers 1 to 10.
I Love Bugs by Emma Dodd
Easy to read text celebrates the many kinds of bugs that can be found in a backyard.
I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis
A boy takes the moon for a walk through his neighborhood
I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith
A youngster plans all the things he will teach his puppy.
Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler
Baby and his family make some jazzy music.
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
At bedtime, a little llama worries after his mother puts him to bed and goes downstairs. Three sequels offer more delightful rhyming stories.
LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
Busy little peas introduce their favorite occupations, from astronaut to zoologist.
Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier
Circular shapes are spotted in familiar objects and everyday situations. Buttons are dots. Wheels are dots. Stars are dots. Ladybugs have dots....and so do the fried eggs on your plate. Lots of dots!
Little Bunny Foo Foo by Paul Brett Johnson
In an adaptation of the children's song, the good fairy tells of her efforts to make the naughty bunny behave and what happens when these efforts fail. Includes the song's words and music and instructions for finger play to accompany song
Mother Goose Numbers on the Loose by Leo and Diane Dillon
Presents an illustrated collection of twenty-four counting rhymes, from "Baa, baa black sheep" to "Wash the dishes, wipe the dishes."
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman
Little sister has no problem eating one hare, two snakes, and three ants, but when she gets to ten peas, she throws up quite a mess.
The Magic Hat by Mem Fox
A wizard's hat blows into town, changing people into different animals when it lands on their heads.
My Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
This rhyming story describes each day in terms of a particular color which in turn is associated with specific emotions.
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines
A child learns to count with the help of a classic nursery rhyme.
The Prince Won't Go to Bed! by Dayle Ann Dodds
When the young prince refuses to go to bed, assorted members of the royal household offer their ideas on exactly what he needs, but it is his sister, Princess Kate, who learns the truth.
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
As three dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, and Ted, are demonstrating how much they love to rhyme, a fourth, Bob, is trying to warn them of approaching danger.
Rub A Dub Sub by Linda Ashman
A young boy meets many friendly sea animals as he travels underwater in his bright orange submarine.
Silly Sally by Audrey Wood
A rhyming story of Silly Sally, who makes many friends as she travels to town--backward and upside down.
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
Wanting to sail beyond its rock, a tiny snail hitches a ride on a big humpback whale and then is able to help the whale when it gets stuck in the sand.
The Sounds Around Town by Maria Carluccio
Reveals many things a child might hear during the day, from the singing of birds at dawn to the soft sounds of sleep.
Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clark
In this cumulative, rhyming story, a little chick needs help from all his farmyard friends to get out of the mud.
Ten on the Sled by Kimberly Norman
Animals fall off a speeding sled one by one until only a lonely caribou is left, chasing a giant snowball that has engulfed the falling animals.
Thelonius Monster's Sky High Fly Pie by Judy Sierra
A good-natured monster thinks a pie made out of flies would be a good dessert, and invites all his friends and relatives over to try it.
This Little Chick by John Lawrence
A little chick shows that he can make the sounds of the animals in his neighborhood.
Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman
Little by little, can by can, Mr. Gillie, the trash man, cleans up his town.
What's for Lunch? by John Schindel
A series of animals almost interrupt Sidney the mouse's plans for lunch.
Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont
Kanga and her friends try to discover who ate all of her cookie dough.
Who Is Driving? by Leo Timmers
Easy-to-read text invites the reader to guess which animal is driving each of seven vehicles based on how they are dressed, then reveals their destinations and the vehicles' sounds.
Yip, Snap, Yap by Charles Fuge
Different dogs make a variety of doggy sounds and the reader is encouraged to join in.
Zoo Looking by Mem Fox
While Flora visits the zoo with her father, not only does she look at the animals but some of them turn to look at her.

Every Child Ready to Read: Teaching Phonological Awareness to Your Baby and Toddler

2011-04-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Phonological Awareness is the ability to break words down into parts, to hear that words are made up of smaller parts. Most children who have trouble learning to read have trouble with Phonological Awareness. You can help your child learn this important skill:

· Having your child hear and make the sounds of the animals is one enjoyable way to help develop phonological awareness, to eventually be able to hear the smaller sounds in words.

· Reading rhyming books and sharing rhymes help your child hear parts of words. You can play an “I Spy” game using the pictures in a book. First talk about some of the things in a picture, naming them and allowing your child time to repeat them. For example, if you are reading a book with pictures of farm animals, you might say, “I spy with my little eye something on this page that rhymes with or sounds like wig. What could it be?...Right! Pig! You can play games like this with any book or picture, or even as you are walking or driving around.

Songs have different notes for different syllables. This is one way we help children hear the parts of words.

Every Child Ready to Read: Phonological Awareness for 4 & 5-Year-Olds

2011-04-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Phonological Awareness is the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. Being able to hear the beginning and ending sounds that make up words will help children sound out words when they begin to read. This helps children break the code between written language (letters) and spoken language (sounds).

Most children who have difficulty reading have trouble with phonological awareness, so it’s important to help your child develop this skill so he is ready to learn to read when she begins school.

Phonological Awareness includes:

· The ability to say whether or not two words rhyme (cat and bat; dog and cat)

· The ability to say words with sound or word chunks left out (ti-ger without the

ti = ger)

· The ability to put two word chunks together to make a word (tie + ger = tiger)

· The ability to say one-syllable words without the first sound (bat – buh = at)

You can help teach your child this important early literacy skill:

· Sing and say nursery rhymes and sing songs. Repeat rhymes, say tongue twisters and play word games. Hearing words that rhyme helps your child learn that words are made up of smaller parts. Most songs have a different note for each syllable. This helps children break down words into separate parts.

· Play the Say It Slow, Say It Fast Game.

o Choose pictures of objects with 2 or 3 syllables. Cut the pictures out of magazines or make them out of playdough. Make 2 or 3 piece puzzles out of each word, depending on the number of syllables it has. For example, find a picture of a monkey and cut it in half.

o Now play the game. Show the first half and say, “mon” then show the second half and say, “key.” Ask your child to repeat with you. Say the two syllables slowly, showing the appropriate picture and then put the pieces together and say, “monkey.” Repeat the game, but this time say the syllables more quickly.

o Try mixing up the pieces—“key” “mon” is a silly word, but your child is still hearing the separate syllables.

o Add another picture, for example, a turtle. Repeat the game with the word turtle. Mix up the monkey and turtle pieces and ask your child to put them together again, saying each syllable that the puzzle piece represents.

o Keep it fun—as soon as your child grows tired or frustrated, stop and move on to something else.

Every Child Ready to Read: Letter Knowledge

2011-03-03T04:47:00.000-08:00

This month we will be stressing the essential early literacy skill, Letter Knowledge.

Letter Knowledge is a skill your child needs to have in order to learn to read. Letter Knowledge is knowing letters are different from each other, that the same letter can look different and that each letter has a name and a specific sound. Young children first learn to tell one shape from another, the names of shapes, recognizing the differences between letters, and, finally letter names and sounds. You can help teach your child at home, too:

· When you begin exposing your child to letters, start with what is most important to him—like her name or things that interest her.

· Help your child notice letters all around. He can use his body or fingers to make shapes and letters. She can use magnetic letters and make letters out of playdough.

· Cut out pictures from catalogs, magazines, and newspapers that start with the letter you are learning.

· Play games with letters:

o Start every word in a sentence with the sound of your letter. If you are working on ‘n’, for example, say, “Net’s no,” for Let’s go.”

o Play and sing “Rhyming Basket” (Sing to the tune of “A Tisket, a Tasket”) (Using the letter ‘b’ as an example, look around for things that start with ‘b’.)

A tisket a tasket

We’ll make a ‘b’ basket.

Help me as we look around.

Look at the ‘b’ sounds we found!

The ‘b’ sound!

Here are the words we found!

Children need to know both the letter and the letter sound as they get ready to learn how to read. Keep it fun. If either of you becomes frustrated or tired, stop or try another day. Children learn best at their own pace.

Up & Coming for Adults @ the Cedar Lake Branch

2011-02-13T17:12:00.000-08:00

Sign up for basic computer classes during February and early March. Call the library at 374-7121 to sign up or sign up online at www.lcplin.org. Click on 'Library Events' in the upper right of the page.

Navigating the Net Mon. Feb. 14 @ 1 or 6:30 OR Fri. Feb. 25 @ 1

Participants will explore the library’s home page & learn about web addresses, links, search engines, & other aspects of the World Wide Web.

Basics of Email Thurs. Feb. 24 @ 1 OR Wed. March 2 @ 6:30

Participants will learn the basics of using email, including setting up an account, sending and receiving mail, and using attachments.

Genealogy Basics Wed. Feb. 23 @ 6:30 OR Thurs. March 3 @ 1

Participants will discover the amount of information available on the Internet for tracing their ancestors, and will also learn how to use the library's Ancestry Library, Heritage Quest, and Pro-Quest Obituaries databases. Every participant will have a computer available; you will have time to do some online research, so bring your information.

Using the Library Online Tues. March 1 @ 1

Learn how to use the library’s web page to find the information you need. Participants will learn how to use the online catalog to locate materials, request items, and renew what is checked out. Explore the various databases, too, and learn the wealth of material that is available @ your library—from home!

History on Film: the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 2pm. Next movie: March 8: Pilgrim's Route

Books & Chat: Book discussion fun: 3rd Wed. of every month at 6:30. Next discussion Feb. 16: The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff

Travel the World Without Leaving Home via the library's big screen. 4th Tuesday of every month at 2pm. Next movie Feb. 22: Scotland

Knitting: receive instruction, build your skills. Bring your own needles & yarn. Next class: Mondays, Feb. 14 & 21 at 7pm.

Up & Coming for Children & Teens @ the Cedar Lake Branch

2011-02-13T16:40:00.000-08:00

Toddlers & Infants:

MOTHER GOOSE ON THE LOOSE

The 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month--next on Friday, Feb. 18 at 10:30am

Babies & toddlers to age 3, accompanied by a caregiver, will enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, & other activities designed to enhance pre-reading skills.

TODDLER TIME

The 2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month--next on Thursday, 24 at 10:30

Toddlers, ages 2-3, accompanied by a caregiver, will participate in stories, music activities, rhymes, crafts, & more!

Preschoolers, ages 3-5:

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME

The 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month--next on Tuesday,Feb. 15 at 10:30 or 1pm

Preschoolers, ages 3-5, will enjoy stories, fingerplays, music activities, a short film & more! February 8 will be a special, extra program to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

GAMES GALORE: CHESS & MORE:
Tuesday, Feb. 15 @ 4

Play chess, checkers, card games, & a variety of other board games. All games--& snacks--will be provided.

School Age Programs the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month--next program:

Grimm and Glittery: Fairies for All! Thursday, Feb. 24 @ 4:30

Children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade will enjoy stories, games and a craft about fairies - both the sparkly, beautiful kind and the more dangerous ones!

Programs for All Ages:

Feathered Friends Feb.28, Mon. at 6:30

All ages will hear & participate in stories and other activities about birds. They will also make bird feeders, special bird food, & paint with feathers.

Programs for Teens:

SNACK & PLAN: First Monday of every month @ 5pm Next meeting; March 7

Members of T.A.B., Teen Advisory Board, & those wishing to join (12 to 17 years of age) will eat, play games, & plan programs for teens and younger kids. Earn volunteer hours.

Craft program 2nd Tues. & Wed. of every Month (Teens 11 & older): next program March 8 & 9: Computer Art

Teen Program for ages 11 & older 3rd Thursday of every month. Next Program:

Love Stinks Chocolate Game Fest

Teens 11 & older Thurs. Feb. 17 @ 4

Celebrate 'Unvalentine's Day" with less romantic activities, including fear factor games, creating chocolate plastic, and making your own candy & other treats to eat & take home.

GAMEFEST Last Wed. of every month for teens 11 & older Next program:

Feb. 23, Wed. @ 3

Play PlayStation & Wii games. Compete in tournaments for prizes.

Upcoming Events @ the Library

2011-01-22T09:45:00.001-08:00

The library will observe No Name Calling Week Jan 24-29 with a variety of ongoing activities. Children & teens can make friendship bracelets, a library kindness chain, and go on a secret message hunt. Check out books that deal with bullying and choose a bookmark with a pledge against bullying to sign.
*Tues. Jan. 25 @ 2: Travel the World Without Leaving Home: Fiji on the big screen
*Tues. Jan. 25 @ 4: Amazing Legos--Create with library legos--school agers and teens
*Wed. Jan. 26 @ 3: GameFest--gaming with the Wii & PlayStation 2. Teens 11 & older
*Thurs. Jan. 27 @ 10:30: Toddler Time--storytime fun for 2's and 3's and their caregivers
*Thurs. Jan. 27 @ 4:30: Popcorn Polka--popcorn fun for school agers, K & older
*Mon. Jan. 31 @ 6:30: It's Groundhog's Day Family Storytime Fun--all ages activities & stories about Groundhog's Day, winter & an early spring. Make your own groundhog & an edible snowflake, too!

Every Child Ready to Read: Teaching Narrative Skills

2011-01-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

This month we have been concentrating on teaching Narrative Skills, which is the ability to describe things and events and tell stories. It is also knowing sequence--the order in which things happen. Children need Narrative Skills in order to learn to read and you can help teach them!:
*Let your child tell you about a picture he has drawn. Ask questions, such as "What's happening here?"
*Even with your baby talk about your day and the order in which things happened. Ask your baby questions and then answer for her. Ask your older child to tell you about his day. Talk about what she did first, next, and so on.
*Reading to your child in the traditional way is important, but research shows that encouraging your child to talk about the pictures and what is happening makes a significant difference in the development of her language and vocabulary skills. For 2 & 3-year-olds you might use the pictures in the book to ask questions that concentrate on naming objects--"What's this?" or to talk about the action--"What's happening here?" The adult can then add to the child's responses--"Yes, that's a truck, a big red fire truck." As your child gains more vocabulary, the questions can become more open ended, "How do you think the boy is feeling?" or ""When have you felt scared?" You might use the story and pictures to encourage your child to talk about experiences in his own life. For example, when you are sharing a book about animals, you might ask questions to encourage your child to talk about his last trip to the zoo. Ask open ended questions that encourage a longer response. Try not to ask questions that only require pointing or that can be answered with "yes" or "no." This type of reading is called Dialogic Reading and is done best one on one with your child. It's a great way to have fun with a book!
There are many good books at the library to help you teach Narrative Skills. Click here for a list of suggested books. Hennepin County Library has a great site for finding books that emphasize a particular skill. Our library has most of the suggested books. Ask your librarian for more ideas.

Warm Up With Fun @ the Library!

2010-12-03T09:58:00.000-08:00

December for All:
Toddlers & Infants:
MOTHER GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Fridays, Dec. 3 & 11 at 10:30
TODDLER TIME
Thursday, Dec. 9 9 AT 10:30
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 or 1pm
SCHOOL AGE: NOT EVEN A MOUSE
Thursday, Dec. 9 @ 4pm Holiday fun for children in Kindergarten & older
ALL AGES: MERRY UNBIRTHDAYS PARTY
Mon. Dec. 27 at 6:30 Celebrate the New Year along with everyone's birthdays & unbirthdays!
TEENS (11 & older):
SNACK & PLAN T.A.B. (Teen Advisory Board) Earn volunteer time!
Monday, Dec. 6 @ 5pm
CHOCOLATE GALORE & MORE!
Wed. Dec. 8 & Tues. Dec. 14 @ 4pm Make lots of chocolate candy for programs, gifts, and you! Earn volunteer time, too!
GAMEFEST, HOLIDAY STYLE
Thurs. Dec. 16 @ 4pm Eat, play a variety of games, and make & win prizes & gifts.
GAMEFEST
Play PlayStation & Wii games. Compete in tournaments for prizes.
ADULTS:
History on Film
Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 2pm Mark Twain
Travel the World Without Leaving Home
Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 2pm Travel to Arizona
Books & Chat
Wed. Dec. 15 at 6:30 Discuss A Perfect Day by Richard Evans

Every Child Ready to Read: Teaching Print Awareness

2010-11-24T17:42:00.000-08:00

During November's storytimes Print Awareness was stressed. Print awareness is knowing how to handle books and noticing print in books and all around us. You are your child's first and most important teacher. You can help teach this important skill at home, too:
*Be silly. Hold the book upside down or sideways and see if your child notices. If not, show him and talk about it.
*When sharing books, point to the words on the page. Run your finger under phrases that repeat.
*Show your child that a book has a cover with a title and an author's name.
*Look at the cover of the book and ask, "What do you think this book will be about?"
*Let your child hold the book and turn the pages as you read.
*Point out and read words in the home and out in the community--such as on grocery lists, signs, labels, menus and so on.
*Write your child's name on pictures she draws. Run your finger under the name as you say it. She will begin to make the connection between the printed and spoken word.
Books that help teach Print Awareness:
*Books with few words, large text and wide margins help your toddler see the words on the page.
*Look for books with great pictures that help tell the story.
*Look for books with simple text that your child can memorize.

Books to Help Teach Print Awareness

2010-11-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Research says that children who connect print to the spoken word will have an easier time learning to read. Help your child recognize what print means by sharing books like these. Ask your librarian for more suggestions. Click on a title to read more about it.

The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo by Jonathan Allen

Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet by Joe Berger

A Bear and His Boy by Sean Bryan

Hurry Hurry by Eve Bunting

But Excuse Me, That Is My Book by Lauren Child

Truck by Donald Crews

Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Orange Pear, Apple Bear by Emily Gravett

Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton

All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin

Night of the Veggie Monster by George McClements

I Stink by Kate McMullan

Call Me Gorgeous by Giles Milton

I Want My Light On by Tony Ross

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Rosenthal

Don’t Spill the Beans by Ian Schoenherr

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

New Socks by Bob Shea

Clip Clop by Nicola Smee

Rain by Manya Stojic

Snow by Manya Stojic

A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas

Can You Make a Scary Face? By Jan Thomas

Who Is Driving? by Leo Timmers

Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

If You’re Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition by James Warhola

Chester by Melanie Watt

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

Fall Fun @ the Library!

2010-08-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

INFANTS & TODDLERS TO AGE 3
Mother Goose on the Loose
Sept. 3 & 17, Fridays, at 10:30
Babies and toddlers, along with a caregiver, will participate in stories, nursery rhymes, finger plays and music activities.
Toddlers 2 & 3 year olds
TODDLER TIME
Sept. 9 & 23, Thursdays at 10:30
Toddlers, accompanied by a caregiver, will participate in stories, music activities, rhymes, crafts, & more!
PRESCHOOLERS AGES 4-5:
Preschool Storyhour
Sept. 7 & 21,Tuesdays at 10:30 OR 1pm
Preschoolers, ages 4-5 & independent 3-year-olds will enjoy stories, a craft, a film, & more!
SCHOOL AGE (K-6TH GRADE)
Photo Fun!
Sept. 23, Thurs. at 4:30
Have fun with photography and other art forms with stories & activities. Make your own framed sun print to take home. Children who show their library card or who sign up for a new one will win a prize, too!
PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES:
Dinosaur Days
Aug. 30, Mon. at 6:30
All ages will travel back in time with stories of dinosaurs, activities with fossils, a dinosaur egg hunt, & more.
Pajamarama: Welcome to Library Land!
Sept. 27, Mon. at 6:30
Celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month by listening to & participating in fun and silly stories about libraries and books. Make a book to take home--and one to eat! Wear your pjs if you wish and join us for storytime fun. Sign up for a library card or show the one you have and win a prize, too!
Cool Kids Community Fun
Sept. 29, Thurs. at 3:30-5:30
The Lion’s Club, PATH (Parents As Teachers, Hanover) & the library will offer vision & hearing screenings to preschoolers. All ages enjoy fun crafts, & more! Show your library card & win a prize!
PROGRAMS FOR TEENS:
T-Shirt Mania
Sept. 14 @ 4
Teens, 11 & older--Turn an old t-shirt into a pillow. No sewing required! Bring your own t-shirt. All other supplies--and snacks--will be provided.
Who's Sorry Now? Bored Game Fest
Sept. 16, Thurs. @ 4
Teens 11 & older
Compete in Sorry and/or Uno tournaments for prizes; enjoy a variety of other games just for play. Online board game play will be available, also. Pizza & snacks, too!
GameFest
Teens 11 & older
Wed. Sept. 22 @ 3
Play a variety of PlayStation & Wii games. Those who wish may compete in tournaments for prizes. Food & pop will be provided. Join the fun!!

Programs for Adults @ the Cedar Lake Library!

Computer Classes Aug. 23 –Sept. 20 Call the library at 374-7121 or check the online calendar at www.lcplin.org for more information & to register.

Travel & History Film Programs 2^nd & 4^th Tuesdays, 2pm

Monday, 9/14 America’s Stone Age Explorers

Monday, 9/28 Rome

Books & Chat Book Discussion 3^rd Wednesdays, 6:30pm

09/15 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Exercise @ the Library Tuesdays Sept. 21- Oct. 26, 10:30am

Enjoy gentle exercise activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion and maintain muscle strength. The official exercise program of the American Arthritis Association, this 6 week program will be conducted by instructor Annette Farrell, RN.

Knitting Mondays @ 7pm Sept. 13 & 20

Check the online calendar, www.lcplin.org to learn more about programs and to register. Or call the library at 374-7121

Helping Your Child Get Ready to Read @ the Library

2010-08-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

The library offers a variety of programs for many ages that promote the six essential early literacy skills identified by Every Child Ready to Read*. During August we emphasized Narrative Skills, Vocabulary and Phonological Skills:

Every Child Ready to Read: Phonological Awareness & Vocabulary

Sharing nursery rhymes and songs with your child helps them develop Phonological Awareness, another essential pre-reading skill identified in the Every Child Ready to Read research.

Enjoy some of the songs and rhymes from library storytime at home and sing others. Make some up! The melody and your skill don’t matter. Songs tend to give each syllable in a word its own note. That helps your child hear the smaller parts of the words and gets them ready to recognize those parts when learning to read. Also, hearing the rhyme helps your child get used to rhyming. Your child needs to know how to rhyme by the time he or she is four. Hearing and recognizing rhyme are the first steps in learning how to rhyme. Try these. If you're not sure what tune to use, try the tune to "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." It's actually an old folk melody and it works with most nursery rhymes. Or make up your own melody! But sing! And share rhymes with your child. You are helping them be ready to learn to read!

Little Bo Peep

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them.

Leave them alone and they’ll come home,

Wagging their tales behind them.

Two Little Blackbirds

Two little blackbirds

Sitting on a hill

One named Jack and one named Jill

Fly away Jack. Fly away Jill

Come back Jack. Come back Jill.

Six Little Ducks

Six little ducks
That I once knew
Fat ones, skinny ones,
Fair ones, too
But the one little duck
With the feather on his back
He led the others
With a quack, quack, quack

Quack, quack, quack,
Quack, quack, quack
He led the others
With a quack, quack, quack

Down to the river
They would go
Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble,
To and fro
But the one little duck
With the feather on his back
He led the others
With a quack, quack, quack

Quack, quack, quack,
Quack, quack, quack
He led the others
With a quack, quack, quack

Nursery rhymes expose children to a variety of words that are not used in everyday conversation. They expand a child’s vocabulary. Children also hear rhyming words, which helps develop phonological awareness. Research shows that children who know rhymes find it easier to learn to read.

Every Child Ready to Read: Narrative Skills

Narrative Skills: Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.

· Retell some of the stories your child hears at library storytimes. After you have read a story a few times, have fun encouraging your child to retell it.

· Check out a book to read at home and then talk about what happens first, next and last in the story.

· Talk with your child using open-ended questions, not questions that can be answered by pointing or by yes or no. Give your child time to answer. Count to five before answering for her, if necessary; then ask the question again in another way.

Click here to check out the library recommended list of books to help you teach your child the 6 essential early literacy skills identified by Every Child Ready to Read. Ask your librarian for help to find these titles and more to help you get your child ready to learn to read. You are your child's first teacher and we are here to help!

*Based on information developed for “Every Child Ready to Read” a joint project of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr/index.cfm

Summer Fun @ the Library!

2010-07-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun & More to Come!!

2010-07-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

As another season of summer reading fun draws to a close, we know that more children than ever before participated in the Summer Reading Program at the Cedar Lake Branch. Congratulations to all the kids who read at least one book this summer and to all the parents who brought their children to the library and who read to them.
And there's still fun to come in August:
*Laugh Out Loud @ Your Library--Mon. Aug. 2, 6:30
The hilariously funny comedy troupe, Tom Foolery, will perform. They've perfomed at the library before, to rave reviews! LOL @ the library!
*Enviromobile Presents: Oobleck!--Thurs., Aug. 12, 2pm
Children will investigate, experiment with, and analyze a mysterious green substance while they learn about household hazardous waste in our environment. Preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult.
Preschool Storyhour--Tues. Aug. 17, 10:30 OR 1pm
Preschoolers, ages 4-5, and independent 3-year-olds, will enjoy stories, a craft, a film & more!
*Books & Chat--Wed. Aug. 18, 6:30
Join the discussion of The Book Thief aby Markus Zusak. Pick up your copy today!
*Basic computer classes begin Mon. Aug. 23. Pick up a schedule at the library or check online at http://www.lcpl.org/. Click on 'Programs' and then search for computer classes at the Cedar Lake Branch. Or call the library at 374-7121. Space is limited, so be sure to register for the classes you want to take.
*Balloon Blast, teens 11 & older--Thurs. Aug. 19, 4pm
Make a ball, creatures, and more from balloons. Learn basic balloon twisting to create even more. Play games with balloons, including water balloons.
*Mother Goose on the Loose--Fri. Aug. 20, 10:30
Babies and toddlers, along with a caregiver, will participate in stories, nursery rhymes, finger plays and music activities.
*GameFest--teens 11 & older--Wed. Aug. 25, 3pm
Play a variety of PlayStation & Wii games. Those who wish maby compete in tournaments for prizes. Food & pop will be provided.
*Toddler Time--Thurs. Aug. 26, 10:30
Toddlers, ages 2-3, & a caregiver, will partipate in stories, music activities, rhymes, crafts, & more!
*Colorama: A T-Shirt Event!--Thurs. Aug. 26, 4:30
Enjoy stories & activities about colors. Bring a white t-shirt to tie dye with sharpie markers, or tie dye with materials the libraqry will provide.
*Dinosaur Days Family Fun--Mon. Aug. 30, 6:30
All ages will travel back in time with stories of dinosaurs, activities with fossils, a dinosaur egg hunt, & more!

Summer Reading Fun @ the Library!

2010-07-02T10:50:00.001-07:00

So far this summer we've had fun with bubbles, boats, sand, water, and more! And more children than ever before are participating in the Summer Reading Program--reading books & winning prizes!

July brings lots of library fun, too!:

*Froggy Visit & Puppet Show All Ages! Tuesday July 6, 1pm

Froggy will visit!

*Octopus Garden K & older Wed. July 7, 2pm

Explore the undersea world with stories, games & crafts!

*Toddler Time 2's & 3's and caregiver Thursdays, July 8 & 22

*Preschool Storyhour 4's & 5's Tuesdays, July 13, 20, & 27

*Water Weather K & older Wed. July 14 2pm

Make a rainstorm & enjoy other wet weather fun!

*Mother Goose on the Loose Infants-age 3 & caregiver Friday, July 16, 10:30

*Wet 'n Wild! K & older Wed. July 21, 2pm

Enjoy watery stories & activities, then go outside for real water fun with a variety of games. Come prepared to get wet!

*Humor on the High Seas All Ages Monday, July 26, 6:30

Families will enjoy hilarious stories, games music, food, & more!

*Craft Fair All Ages Wed. July 28, 2pm

Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a splash! Make a variety of craft creations, many with a water theme. Don't forget to return books for prizes!

And for teens, 11 & older:

*GameFest Mon. July 12 @ 3pm

PlayStation and Wii gaming--snacks too!

*Phenomenal Photography Tues. July 13 @ 2pm

Create amazing photos with & without a camera. Play a photo scavenger hunt for prizes!

*Library Fear Factor: The 3rd Annual Battle of the Sexes Thurs. July 15 @ 4pm

Genders will compete in fear factor games & other challenges. Some will be outside so come prepared to get wet. The guys were victorious last year. Who will claim the trophy this year?

And for adults:

*History on Film: George Washington: Founding Father Mon. July 12, 2pm

*Books & Chat Wed. July 21, 6:30

Discuss Agatha Christie's groundbeaking mystery, The Murder of Roger Akroyd. Pick up your copy at the library today!

*Travel the World without Leaving Home: Korea Mon. July 26, 2pm

Summer Reading Fun @ the Library!

2010-06-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

Mark's Ark visited on Thursday with some fascinating & amazing animals!

See more pictures on our Facebook page and the Teen Blog. Join us for lots of fun programs all summer! Sign up on the online calendar on the library's homepage. Read and win prizes, too!
Join us next week:
*Monday, June 14 2pm, History on the Big Screen: Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise
*Tuesday, June 15, 10:30 OR 1pm Preschool Storyhour
*Wednesday, June 16, 2pm School Age Fun: What Do You Know about H2O?
*Wednesday June 16 , 6:30, Books and Chat. Discuss Holy Fools by Joanne Harris
*Thursday, June 17, 4pm Mystery Dinner Theater, Teens 11 & older play the parts, solve the crime, win prizes, and eat!
*Friday, June 18, 10:30, Mother Goose on the Loose, Stories, music, rhymes and more for babies & toddlers

Summer Reading Fun!

2010-05-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Read for fun and prizes beginning June 7. This year you can register online and keep track of what you are reading. Teens and adults can write reviews, too! Just go to the library's homepage and sign up!
We have terrific programs during June and July, too. Check them out on the online calendar on the library's homepage! Start signing up for programs today!

Snack & Plan Mon. June 7 @ 5pm Teens 12 & older, members of the library's Teen Advisory Board & those wishing to join will participate in volunteer activities, games, and snacking. Earn volunteer time!

Preschool Storyhour--Tues. June 8 at 10:30 Or 1pm

Cool Fun Crafting Mania, teens 11 & older--Tues. June 8 @ 2--make sidewalk chalk and paint, decorate the library sidewalks with your creations, make & eat your own ice cream sundaes & floats, too!

Pirate Party--Wed. June 9 at 2--school age children who have completed Kindergarten will have high seas adventures with stories, games, crafts & more!

Summer Reading Kickoff--Thursday, June 10 at 1--Mark's Ark will bring animals for a wild, hands on program for all ages!

Storytime Fun & Every Child Ready to Read: Print Awareness

2010-05-28T04:46:00.001-07:00

Your child will learn to read more easily if he or she already connects print with meaningful words. Help your child become aware of print. It’s easy! Print is everywhere!

In story time today we played a game with a stop sign and a go sign. Point out signs—stop signs, the sign for the grocery store, McDonald’s, and so on. He will learn to associate the words with meaning.

When you are reading to her, occasionally run your finger under the words, especially words that are repeated throughout the story.

Your child can help you make a grocery list. As you find the items at the store, your child can put a line through that word on the list.

Encourage your child to retell a story you have read to him. She can ‘read’ the book to favorite stuffed animals.

Have fun! You are helping your child learn that print has meaning and teaching him or her an essential early literacy skill.

Preschool Storyhour in May

2010-05-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

May's storytime helped teach children Vocabulary, which is knowing the names of things. This pre-reading skill is essential because the more words children hear and understand, the more ready they will be to read on their own. A child has a much easier time learning to read a word he already knows. Books offer words that children will not hear in everyday conversation or on television.
Slowly, Slowly, slowly, Said the Sloth by Eric Carle introduces children to animals they may not already know along with a variety of options for the word, "slow."
A few tips for working on vocabulary with your child:
*When you are at the gorcery store and other places, point out new things and explain what they are used for. Use words like 'grocery cart' and 'plastic bag' as you shop.
*Call things what they are. If you know a flower by its name, such as 'rose' or 'daffadil', use that word.
For a list of books that help teach vocabulary, click here or go to the library's website at http://www.lcplin.org/ and click on 'Kids" and then on 'Every Child Ready to Read'.
Ask your librarian for more suggestions. We can all help 'get your child ready to read'!

Toddler Time

2010-05-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Print Motivation was the Every Child Ready to Read skill stressed in storytime in April. Print Motivation is enjoying books and reading. When you make reading with your child fun, they will want to learn to read, which will make it mush easier for them to learn to read!
In Toddler Time we shared the book, Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino. One phrase that is repeated throughout the book is, "Is your mama a llama? The children practiced saying this phrase and then we said it together throughout the book.
You can do the same thing when you read to your child by encouraging her to say a repeated phrase with you. Look for other ways to involve him in the story, such as guessing what will come next in the story or making animal sounds, and so on. When children are involved in the reading of a story, they enjoy the book more. Children who enjoy being read to will want to learn how to read on their own. Research has shown that this positive attitude toward reading helps children learn to read more easily.

Preschool Storyhour in April

2010-04-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

Preschool storytimes focused on two early literacy skills this month. Narrative Skills are the ability to describe things and events as well as stories. These skills help children understand what they read. Some simple ways to work on Narrative Skills at home are:
*Encourage sentence completion. When you ask a 'why' question, encourage your child to answer in a full sentence.
*Talk to your child about what you are doing. Tell him the steps you are taking.
Some of the books shared during storytime lend themselves to being retold:
Possum and the Peeper by Anne Hunter
Rainy Day Slug by Mary Colburn
Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson
Click on each title to find out more about the book. Check these or other books that help teach this important skill. Ask your librarian for suggestions and check out the list of recommended books in this blog.

Letter Knowledge is another important skill that was stressed this month. Letter Knowledge is learning that each letter has its own name and unique sound. Having this skill helps children figure out how to sound out written words. Here are a few tips for working on letter knowledge at home:
*Use your child's finger to trace the shapes of the letters.
*Help your child write words that interest hime, like 'dinosaur' or 'truck'.
Alison's Zinnia by Anita Lobel and
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
are two great alphabet books. They introduce flowers and foods that start with each letter. There are many alphabet books at the library. Ask your librarian for suggestions and check out the recommended list of books on the library's website, http://www.lcplin.org/, or just click here.

Programs every month for all ages! Check us out!

2010-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Infants through age 3:
Mother Goose on the Loose--1st & 3rd Fridays @ 10:30

Toddlers, 2-3 years old:
Toddler Time--2nd & 4th Thursdays @ 10:30

Preschoolers, 3-5 years old:
Preschool Storyhour-- 1st & 3rd Tues @ 10:30 OR 1pm

School Age programs for K & older:
2nd & 4th Thursdays @ 4:30

All Ages:
Family Storytime Last Monday of every month @ 6:30

Teens, 11 & older:
Crafting Mania--2nd Tues. & Wed. @ 4
Teen Program--3rd Thursdays @ 4
GameFest--last Wed. each month, 3-5
12& older:
Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.)--1st Mon. of each month @ 5

For more info about teens @ the library, check out the Teen Blog!

Adults:
History Video 2nd Tuesdays @ 2
Travel the World Without Leaving Home (on the library's big screen) 4th Tuesdays @ 2
Books & Chat book discussion fun 3rd Wed. each month @ 6:30

Various additional programs are also offered every month, including Knitting, Dance, Exercise, Computer Classes, & programs about health, diet, budget, gardening, and other consumer issues.

Call the library at 374-7121 for more information or check out the library's online calendar .

The Library Helps You Help Your Child Get Ready to Read!

2010-04-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Research has identified 6 pre-reading skills that children must have in order to learn to read:

Print Motivation: A child's interest in & enjoyment of books.
Letter Knowledge: Knowing that letters are different from each other & that they have different names & sounds.
Phonological Awareness: The ability to hear & play with the smaller sounds in words.
Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.
Narrative Skills: The ability to describe things & events & tell stories.
Print Awareness: Noticing print everywhere, knowing how to hold a book & knowing how to follow the words on a page.

The library and you can help your child develop these skills. The Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service for Children have developed an early literacy program that is based on research: Every Child Ready to Read. The library stresses at least one of these skills during every storytime. Librarians also teach parents and caregivers about the skills and fun ways they can help their children become successful readers.

We will post storytime activities and books that stressed certain skills and also offer suggestions for activities you and your child can enjoy together that teaches these skills. Just click on the label, Every Child Ready to Read, to go to a grouping of these posts.

April Programs for Adults

2010-04-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

*Stretch Your Food Dollar
Wed. 4/7 at 1pm
Learn strategies to make great & nutritious meals at home for lest. Enjoy hands-on activities, along with several low-cost and tasty recipes to make. Taste test a sample recipe!

*Knitting
Mondays, 4/12 & 4/19
Bring #7 knitting needles and yarn

*Travel & History Film Programs, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 2
4/13 Mystic Iran
4/27 Travel Illinois

*Eating Healthy for Less
Wed. April 14 at 1
Learn how to make your food dollars last, how to select and buy food to meet your family's needs, how to prepare quick, tasty and healthy meals, & more.

Steppin' Out Basic Dance
Monday 4/19 at 3
Learn & practice basic steps for a variety of dances, including line dancing, cha cha and more!

*Exercise @ the Library
Tuesdays, April 20-May 25 at 10:30
Enjoy gentle exercise activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion and maintain muscle strength. The official exercise program of the American ARthritis Association, this 6 week program will be conducted by instructor, Annette Farrell, RN.

*Books & Chat Discussion 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30
4/21 Eragon by Christopher Paoline

Recommended CDs for Toddlers

2010-04-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Bean Bag Rock and Roll by Georgiana Stewart
Hap Palmer Sings Classic Nursery Rhymes by Hap Palmer
So Big: Activity Songs for Little Ones by Hap Palmer
Tickles and Tunes by Kathy Reid-Naiman
Toddler Trio from Music for Little People
Toddlerific
Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett
Tony Chestnut and Fun Time Action Songs by Learning Station
And many other CDs by Hap Palmer, Carol Hammet, Georgiana Stewart, Jim Gill and others. Ask your librarian for suggestions!

Toddler Time

2010-04-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Toddler Time in March focused on helping children learn Phonological Awareness, which is being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.
Songs are a wonderful way to help children hear the sounds in words. Each syllable gets its own note in song, making it easier to hear the sounds. Books such Old MacDonald Had A Farm encourage the enjoyment of a popular children's song as well as promoting the skill of Phonological Awareness.
You can work on this skill at home, too:
Check out children's music CDs at your library. Many songs have rhymes, which is part of Phonological Awareness. Songs also help children hear the syllables in words because most tunes give a different note to each syllable. So listen, move, sing, and dance to the music and help your child develop Phonological Awareness.

Every Child Ready To Read : Books That Help Teach Narrative Skills

2010-03-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

Baby Happy Baby Sad by Leslie Patricelli
Benny Bakes a Cake by Eve Rice
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis
Cows in the Citchen by June Crebbin
Curious George Rides a Bike by H. A. Rey
Fran's Flower by Lisa Bruce
Good Dog, Daisy by Lisa Kopper
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
I Went Walking by Sue Williams
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw
Jesse Bear books by Nancy Carlstrom
Jump Frog Jump by Robert Kalan
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
Trucks by Anne Rockwell
The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern
Ask your librarian for more suggestions. Remember that the best books for teaching narrative skills have:
*Clear pictures
*A Simple Story
*Are not too long
*Have pictures of things that are familiar to your child
*Show action and detail in the pictures
*Are interesting to your child
*Have refrains, repeated words, animal sounds that the child can join in on

Check out the library webpage for more book suggestions for preshoolers!

Mother Goose on the Loose

2010-03-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

Mother Goose on the Loose helps very young children develop the essential early literacy skills described in Every Child Ready to Read. Through music, rhyme, books, and interactive activities, children begin to learn the six skills research has identified that children must have in order to learn to read successfully.
Last week we read the book, Mouse Shapes by Ellen Walsh. Becoming familiar with shapes helps children recognize and learn letters when they are older.
At home you can:
*Identify the shapes you see and talk about them with your child. Circles and triangles, especially, are often parts of letters. Help your child see these shapes by pointing them out. When he is older, ask him to find the shapes and name them.

Every Child Ready To Read: Books That Help Teach Sequencing

2010-03-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Children who understand that events happen in order will have an easier time remembering and understanding what they read. Sequencing is part of Narrative Skills, essential early literacy skills. Singing songs and reading books about the order in which things take place also helps children develop the mathematical concept of sequencing.
Books that help teach sequencing:

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson (and others by this author)
Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Deep in the Swamp by Donna Bateman
Five Little Ducks by Ivan Bates
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff (and others by this author)
Lunch by Denise Fleming
Mouse Count by Ellen Walsh
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
One Frog Sang by Shirley Parenteau
Ten Little Animals by Laura Coats
Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood
Turtle Splash: Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (and others by this author)
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Ask your librarian for more suggestions!
The library webpage also has recommended lists for preschoolers.

Toddler Time

2010-03-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Storyhour this week emphasized Narrative Skills, especially sequencing. This is an essential pre-reading skill because children who understand that events happen in a certain order will be better able to remember what they have read. We sang songs, "5 Green & Speckled Frogs" and I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a One (from a Dr. Jean book adapted by Dr. Holly Karapetkova) and "The Count of Five" (from the CD, Sally the Swinging Snake by Hap Palmer). Singing songs about the order in which things take place helps children develop the mathematical and narrative concept of sequencing.
You can help your child learn sequencing at home, too:

*Talk with your child about the things you do together in order. Talk about your child's activities in the order that they occurred--what he or she did this morning, afternoon, and evening. Talk about yesterday's activities. Your child will become familiar with the idea that activities, like stories, have a sequence.

Olympic Fun @ the Library!

2010-03-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

In February preschoolers and school agers enjoyed programs about the Olympics. They made and carried their own Olympic torches, played a library version of curling and made their own figure skaters and skiers.

Programs for preshoolers, ages 3-5, are on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of every month at 10:30 OR 1

School age programs are on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 4:30. Enjoy the Wild Wild West on Thursday March 11!

Library Luau

2010-03-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

On Monday, Feb. 22 families enjoyed a Library Luau, complete with fruit kabobs, tapa printing, and leis. They danced the Limbo and the Conga, too! Check out the pictures and join us every month on the last Monday at 6:30 for family fun. Moon Madness is our March Family Storytime--March 29 at 6:30! Enjoy and participate in stories about the moon. Create a moon to take home--and one to eat, too!

Computer Classes @ the Library!

2010-03-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

Basic computer classes begin at the Cedar Lake Branch on Monday, March 8 and will be offered through April 1. Go to the Library Events Calendar to register or call the library at 374-7121 X4. Classes include Meet the Mouse--participants learn to use the mouse and keyboard; Using the Library Online--using the library webpage, databases and catalog; Email Basics--setting up and using email; Genealogy Basics--using the library databases and free email sites in your genealogy research; and Sharpen Your Skills--practicing what you have learned in previous classes. Space is limited. Call or register online today!

Toddler Time

2010-02-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Today we shared the story, The Mitten by Jan Brett. This story help teach Narrative Skills, which is the ability to describe things and events and to tell stories. It also names more unusual animals, which help develop Vocabulary. Children hear more unusual words in books than they do in conversation or on TV. A child who knows many words has an easier time learning to read. So enjoy reading together, discuss unfamiliar words in the story with your child, and have fun retelling stories together!
Jan Brett's website has many activities that relate to her books. A fun one for The Mitten is Put the Animals in the Mitten. Just click on the link and have fun helping your child talk about the story and retell it.
For more books that will help you teach your child Narrative Skills, click on the link, 'Recommended Books for Preschoolers' and, of course, ask your librarian, too!

Preschool Storyhour

2010-02-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

This week's storytime stressed Letter Knowledge. Letter Knowledge is learning that each letter has its own name and unique sound. Knowing this will help children figure out how to sound out written words.
Alligator Alphabet shows both the uppercase and lowercase letters.

Here are a few tips for working on letterknowledge at home:
*Show your child that the same letter can look different, such as uppercase A and lowercase a.
*Help your child write her name, especially the first letter.

Preschool Storyhour

2010-02-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

This week's storytime stressed Print Motivation. Print Motivation is a child's interest in and enjoyment of books. Children who enjoy books will want to learn how to read. Today's stories were picked for the sake of having fun with books. Froggy Gets Dressed is filled with silly dialogue. Curious George is a favorite with many children.

A few tips for building Print Motivation at home:

1. Make book sharing time special--a time for just you and your child.

2. Let your child see you reading books, magazines or newspapers that you enjoy.

3. Remember that the enjoyment of reading is what's important. If your child is tired or uninterested, don't force the book time. Keep it fun! You don't have to finish the book. Even a few minutes is fine.

Stories today were about winter and snow in celebration of the Winter Olympics. Check out the official Olympics web page for additional activites for children: Vancouver 2010.