Homeschool Group

Are you a local family that has chosen to homeschool? If so, your input is needed! The Fall Creek Public Library will begin a Homeschool Group to meet once a month at 1:30pm, starting in February. We want this to be a group for YOU, your needs, your wants, your ideas.

In our brainstorming, we have come up with the following ideas:
-Each month host a new and unique art experience - make a mess here NOT at home!
-Focus on science experiments and discoveries, using microscopes and other fun equipment
-Adults can have adult time, sharing and learning from each other
-Offer a snack
-Contacting TV 18's weather school for their program at our Library
-Offering technology times - computers and equipment reserved just for YOU, including presentation possibilties. Have your kids work on presentation to give to a group of people!
-And more...

Please contact Jenna at jgilles@fallcreekpubliclibrary.org or 7158773334 as soon as you can. We look foward to hearing from you! Please spread the word and we'll see you soon.

Bubbles & Bath Time

December 7 Storytime was all about getting dirty then being clean!

Introduction: Counting Rope of 12 storytimes! Next week will be the final storytime of 2011.
Welcome Back by Dr. Jean

Bathtub Blues by Kate McMullan



















5 Little Bubbles Song action fingerplay
5 big bubbles floating all around
until one popped when it landed on the ground.
4 big bubbles floating high and free
until one popped when it landed in a tree.
3 big bubbles floating quiet as a mouse
until one popped when it landed on the house.
2 big bubbles floating down to land
until one popped when it landed on my hand.
1 big bubble still floating in the air
until it popped when it landed in my hair.
(clap your hands when you say "popped" and act out movements)

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood
































I'm a Great Big Bathtub (to the tune of I'm a little Teapot)
I'm a great big bathtub,
short and round.
Here is my soap, here is my sponge.
When I am empty I don't make a sound.
Fill me up and splash around!

Bubble Bubble by Mercer Mayer

















The Shaker Song by Debbie DooWop & Dynamite Dan

Beasty Bath by Robert Neubecker









Goodbye Songs: Big Books, Little Books and The Other Day I Read a Book


Next week: Winter! and our Falling for Books party after Storytime

Blankets Storytime

This is what the kids and I did during our November 30 Storytime @ the Library. It was a small group, but we had fun!

"Welcome Back" by Dr. Jean. Today we got our brains moving by wiggling our hands, arms, and head!

The Biggest Bed in the World by Lindsay Camp









"Scarves on Your Laps" by Johnette Downing - Scarves are like mini blankets!

Flora's Blanket by Deb Gliori









We sang "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"

Gordon's Got a Snookie by Lisa Shanahan - One parent giggled throughout this book!






Then we finished by acting out 10 in the bed with puppets. We only had 6 kids, so we started at six. Every time "one fell out," a child sat down. Then we pretended to sleep.

Goodbye songs: "Big Books, Little Books" and "The Other Day I Read a Book"

Next week, December 7: Bubbles and Bathtime! Free activity handout for all families!

A HUGE congratulations to all our families that participated in Falling for Books! You read OVER 100 books! Come celebrate a job well done after storytime on December 14 with snacks and a craft! See you there!

Gratitude

We will not have Storytime next Wednesday, so today's theme was gratitude and Thanksgiving! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome Back song
Counting Rope

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley

"Mama Hug" by Brady Rymer on his CD Every Day is a Birthday We shook, danced with, and hugged our bean bags!

Just so Thankful by Mercer Mayer

"I Wish I had a little red box" by Dr. Jean on her CD Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs

Fox Tale Soup by Tony Bonning











Healthy vs Junk Food picture game

"I'm Gonna Eat on Thanksgiving Day" by Laurie Berkner

Then we made Thank You Puzzles. Line up 10 craft popsicle sticks. Tape them together. Color one side with something you are thankful for. Take the tape off, store in a baggie, and put your puzzle back together :)






Next Storytime will be November 30. The theme is Blankets! It'll be a cozy morning!

Puppet Show

Looking for a great resume builder? Volunteer hours for school? A chance to put on your creative cap and entertain young children and families?

Join the Volunteer Team of the First Annual Winter Puppet Show! There are many tasks to be done, so please contact Jenna if interested. 715.877.3334 jgilles@fallcreekpubliclibrary.org

No lines to memorize!

I LOVE pizza!

Welcome Back song by Dr. Jean (we wiggled different parts of our body today)
Counting Rope: 9 storytimes under our belts!

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig We acted out on our legs what was happening to Pete.

"I am a Pizza" on 10 Carrot Diamond by Charlotte Diamond with felt pieces

Hold the Anchovies: A Book about Pizza

"Hi, Pizza Man" by Virginia Walter The kids helped me say hello to the different pizza delivery creatures.

"Pizza Hut Song"

A pizza hut, a pizza hut

Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut

A Pizza Hut, a pizza Hut

Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut.

McDonald's, McDonald's

Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut.

We repeated it faster...and faster...and FASTER!

Goodbye Songs: Big Books and The Other Day I Read a Book

Next Week: Gratitude (with a craft!)

Monkey C, Monkey Do

So far, this was one of my favorite storytimes!

Welcome Back by Dr. Jean
Counting Rope - EIGHT Storytimes already!
Oh Ah Banana Chant

Monkey's Miserable Monday by Valerie Garfield

Song: "No More Monkeys" from Putumayo Kids Animal Playground

5 Little Monkeys Reading in Bed by Eileen Christelow












Homemade "5 Little Monkeys Swinging on a Vine" felt story

Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman

"5 Monkeys" on Shake It Down Turn Around by Colleen and Uncle Squaty










Goodbye Songs: Big Books and The Other Day I Read a Book
Next Week: I LOVE PIZZA! Don't come hungry...

Pretend Storytime Set-list

Welcome Back by Dr. Jean
Counting Rope
Let's Pretend by Debbie Bailey

"Laurie's Got a Pig on Her Head" by Laurie Berkner. We listened to the song and danced around with puppets on our heads!

Just a Daydream by Mercer Mayer













"5 Elephants Went Out to Play" song and felt pieces
1 Elephant went out to play
on a spider's web one day.
He had such ENOURMOUS fun
that he called for another elephant to come.
"Hey, Elephant!"
(stomp feet like an elephant is running)
Repeat with 2, 3, 4, and 5
Then make the elephants break the spiderweb and fall down laughing.

Just for One Day by Laura Leuck

Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis











"I Wanna Be a Dog" by Charlotte Diamond on CD 10 Carrot Diamond
Goodbye Songs: "Big Books" and "The Other Day I Read a Book"

Next week: Monkey C, Monkey Do!

What Can You Do with a Pumpkin?

I don't know what YOU can do, but these kids sure came up with many ideas! 28 people attended our Fall Family Fun Day on October 15 - thank you for coming out to carve, paint, build, eat, and laugh!

Scooping and carving out the pumpkins

Look at the guts!

Working together

Lots o guts!

Something for everyone to get their fingers into :)

Painting a pumpkin patch

Some of the pumpkins carved by the families

What can you build with a gourd?

Yay building!

One creation!

Another creation!

Protecting the gourd from falling objects

Autumn Storytime Setlist

Storytime October 19: Autumn!

Don't forget about the Falling For Books program! Attend a storytime or LMNOPlaying program for more information.

Counting Rope
Welcome Back by Dr. Jean

Footballs and Falling Leaves by Rebecca Davis








Feltboard: This is Jack-o-Happy
This is Jack-o-happy.
This is Jack-o-sad.
This is Jack-o-sleepy.
This is Jack-o-mad.
This is Jack in pieces small.
But in a pie,
Jack's best of all!

Do Cows Turn Colors in the Fall? by Vicki Woodworth








Feltboard: 5 Little Pumpkins
5 little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "But we don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said, "Isn't Autumn fun?"

Then whooooo went the wind
and OUT went the lights.
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger









Then we went on a leaf hunt in the Village Hall and Library!

Draw and tell Story: Apple Annie

Goodbye Songs: Big Books and The Other Day I Read a Book

Next time: Let's Pretend! on October 26 at 9:30am

Transportation Storytime

Welcome Back song by Dr. Jean

Homemade Vehicle Guessing Game book

Act out and guess the felt vehicles

Away We Go by Rebecca Kai Dotlich










This is the Way We Ride on CD Rumble to the Bottom by Colleen & Uncle Squaty

Go-Go Gorillas by Julie Durango









Rockin' and Rollin' School Bus on CD Rockin' Reading Readiness by Dr. Pam Schiller

What's Inside a Police Car? by Sharon Gordon








Song: John Brown's Pushbike
John Brown's pushbike has a puncture in its tire. (repeat 3 times)
And now it's time to WIGGLE!
Wiggle (sing 17 times)
John Brown's pssht has a puncture in its tire. (repeat 3 times)
And now it's time to WIGGLE!
Wiggle (sing 17 times)
John Brown's pssht has a pssshhh in its tire. (repeat 3 times)
And now it's time to WIGGLE!
Wiggle (sing 17 times)
John Brown pssht has a pssshhh in its woooh! (repeat 3 times)
And now it's time to WIGGLE!
Wiggle (sing 17 times)

Goodbye Songs: Big Books and The Other Day I Read a Book

Next Week: AUTUMN!

Clap, Tap, Drum Storytime Setlist

A day of music and instruments? You betcha!

Song: Welcome Back with scarves by Dr. Jean

Song: Give Me a Clap by Dr. Jean

Hey Diddle Diddle by Eve Bunting










Mama Don't Allow Song with instrument of choice

Zoo Song by Barbara Bottner

Can you do what I do? game with drums

Our Marching Band

I've Got Music in Me song on Fun and Games CD by Greg and Steve

Then we passed out instruments and had a marching band around the Village Hall and in the Library!

Goodbye Songs: Big Books and The Other Day I Read a Book

Newsletter News

Our September newsletter was chock-full of interesting information, we had to leave some out! Please read the articles below that couldn't fit in our latest mailed newsletter!

One World, Many Stories a World-wide Success!

Fall Creek area youth had a banner summer! Over 90 youth participated in this read-for-fun program, reading over 460 hours! A hearty congratulations to our top readers: Sophie Kuehn, Riley Lucken, Olivia Forcier, MiKayla McCann, Alexis Heskett, and Baillee Shellenbarger! After completing 6 Reading passports, 17 youth were invited to a special Ice Cream Party! Area youth participated in numerous programs, including Storytime, performer Ken Lonnquist with Beaver Creek Reserve, musicians The Stoop Singers, and game/craft days.

Stoop Singers

Ken Lonnquist

Chopstick Relay

Trying to solve The Conundrum

The Golden Trunk Players

Making peace hoops at World Community Day

Planting seeds with Gerome the Gnome’s author

Tween/Teen Duct Tape Creations



Opportunities for Youth Volunteers

Is your youth organization or family looking for a service project to benefit your community? Working towards a volunteer award? Consider your local library! The following is a list of former and possible projects: volunteer at a book/bake sale; conduct a major cleaning; plan a program with Jenna; construct a shelf; assist during a fundraiser for the Library; collect cans; purchase materials and supplies; make puppets for Storytime; create artwork out of old books to sell as a fundraiser; alphabetize materials; your opportunities are many! Contact Jenna to discuss your interests.

Youth Programs Wishlist

General Supplies:

AA batteries

Box cutter/x-acto knife

Chalk

Cheap Hairspray (small bottle)

Colored Cardstock

Colorful calendars

Construction paper all colors

Cotton balls

Craft magnets (see Jenna about size)

Felt all colors

New or gently used legos and duplos

Old cake/sheet pans any size (up to 20)

Organizing tote boxes

Paper plates

Plastic silverware

Q-Tips

Quart and gallon storage bags

Rubber Cement

White board markers any color

Fall Programs:

Pumpkins for an October program

Pumpkin carving kits

Clean pizza boxes for November program (20)

Volunteers to participate in our December puppet show

Decorators for our December puppet show

October Calendar:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
3	4  Adult Computer Help 2-4pm	5 Storytime 9:30am	6	7 Adult Computer Help 9-11am	8 Sign up deadline for 10/10 LMNOPlaying
10 LMNO Playing 7pm*	11  Adult Computer Help 2-4pm	12 Storytime 9:30am Doors open at 9:20	13	14  Adult Computer Help 9-11am	15 Family Fun Day 10-1130am
17	18  Adult Computer Help 2-4pm Wii Out 330 – 5pm	19 Storytime 9:30am	20	21  Adult Computer Help 9-11am	22
24 YouTube Ballots available!	25 Adult Computer Help 2-4pm	26 Storytime 9:30am	27	28  Adult Computer Help 9-11am	29  Sign up deadline for 10/31 LMNOPlaying
31 LMNO Playing 7pm*