Ch-ch-changes!

I meant to write this post a month ago but what a whirlwind this last month and a half has been! 

I applied for a promotion as a Youth Services manager within the same library system and was offered the position! So, in the last month, I stopped teleworking, became a library supervisor, and moved to a different library. While my community branch was one of the busier small branches, I have moved to the busiest regional branch in my library system. 

The return from teleworking has been challenging (Mostly on my body! Wow, did my body forget how much collection work can build arm muscles!) it has also been fun and rewarding. I missed working with patrons and other staff. 

The branch I am at now was actually the first library I ever *officially* worked at, so it was a homecoming of sorts. We are not quite working with patrons in the traditional sense, but we are providing virtual and curbside service. Both of which are keeping us just as busy, if not more so, than before! 

My posts may be slightly more sporadic going forward, especially as we continue to adjust to serving our community during COVID, but I am excited for this next step in my library career!

Flannel Project: Polar Friends and Monkeys

I love this versatile flannel I have used for many years about penguins and polar bears. It is called "Polar Friends" and the rhyme is another one that has been in my flannel drawer so I do not know the original source.

It can be used for storytimes about polar bears, penguins, the arctic, winter, and more!

Polar Friends:

North Pole is UP. South Pole is DOWN.

Snow and ice cover the groun.

At the North Pole you'll see polar bears.

At the South Pole there are penguins everywhere.

North Pole is UP. South Pole is DOWN.

That is where our polar friends are found!

I also worked on making flannel monkeys and an alligator. This flannel is great for storytimes about monkeys, jungle animals, zoo, and more!

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys sitting in a tree, 

Teasing Mr. Crocodile, "You can't catch me!"

Along comes Mr. Crocodile, as quiet as can be, "SNAP!"

But that monkey got away to another tree.

Count down...4, 3, 2, 1

Flannel Project: Toot Toot Beep Beep

Using inspiration from a peer librarian's storytime on cars, I decided to make a flannel of Emma Garcia's "Toot Toot Beep Beep".

There were so many different cars/trucks to choose from but I chose five for my flannel project. I chose a yellow taxi, a blue convertible, a pink limo, a red Jeep, and a green van. 

The flannel will be versatile to be used for a flannel version of the book, counting, colors, and types of vehicles.

 

Flannel Project: Snowmen

This week I finished working on a flannel of Snowmen. I know what you're thinking - snowmen in Summer?! - but who knows when we will return to programming and I want to revamp all of the flannels I use often while I have the time.

Five Little Snowmen Rhyme:

Five little snowmen standing in a row,

Each with a hat and a carrot nose.

Out came the sun and it shone all day, (make a big sun with your arms over your head)

And one little snowman melted away.

Count down...4, 3, 2, 1...

Source: A library assistant? This flannel rhyme was one that was in my flannel drawer when I started as a librarian six years ago.

Flannel Project: Picnic/Ants

Last week I finished an unexpectedly time-consuming flannel to make. It is a flannel about a picnic that several ants find themselves at. 

The rhyme goes:

Five hungry ants, marching in a line,

Came upon a picnic where they could dine.

They marched into the salad,

They marched into the cake,

They marched into the pepper,

UH-OH! That was a mistake!

Count down...4, 3, 2, 1

Here are my five hungry ants: 

My salad: 

My cake: 

And, because you can't make one without the other, my salt & pepper shakers: 

Flannel Project: Storytime Visual Schedule

Several years ago I made a Very Hungry Caterpillar visual schedule for storytimes. While I love it, I have not used it in awhile since it has been harder to incorporate and for kids to see in large crowds. A peer librarian at one of the other libraries in my system does a flannel visual schedule. He adds the flannels to the schedule as he does the activity. I brainstormed some ideas we could turn into a flannel visual schedule with my programming library assistants and we decided that a 'bookshelf' would be a fun concept to try out.

To start, I used a flannel-backed poster-board that I already had on-hand from my Rocketship Run project from last year. I added a layer of backing to the back-side of the Rocketship Run poster-board. 

The next step was blowing up images of floating shelves via Powerpoint. I don't even have flannel that was the length I needed so I had to be careful with the templates to piece them together so it would be difficult for people to see that they were two separate pieces.

I think the second layer, on the top of the shelves, made it come together.

And the final step was adding books and other items to the shelf without crowding it, to leave room for our flannels as we add them. I decided to add a small plant, a handful of books, and a couple bookends. 

Flannel Project: More Baby Storytime Songs!

I made a few more flannels specifically for baby storytimes!

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

I think nursery rhymes and songs are a great tool to use, especially at baby storytimes. So, one of my favorites is Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. It teaches animal sounds and language, and it is a favorite sing-along for my toddler son.

Babies! 

I made a flannel of baby hands/feet as well as a flannel of a sleeping baby. Since I use a lot of songs/rhymes that encourage naming baby's body parts as well as interaction between parent-infant, these will be used all the time! One of my favorite songs is Wake Up Feet. I also love Well Hello Everybody, Can You Touch Your Nose? Both of these are great options for welcome songs or just regular movement songs at baby storytimes. Another song that I enjoy using for naming body parts, and also as a useful song for parents to use for diaper and clothing changes, is Lift One Foot and Then the Other. Obviously, Jbrary is a HUGELY helpful resource for tunes and lyrics, as well as demonstrating how to use them at storytime presentations.

 

Flannel Project: Button Shirt

I am planning on doing a storytime about buttons whenever we get back to programming post-pandemic. I made a flannel shirt with buttons to use at the storytime.

Button Shirt:

The rhyme I found about buttons for the shirt was created by Briony from Librionyian. 

Five little buttons on my shirt,

One popped off and rolled away.

count down...4, 3, 2, 1

No more buttons on my shirt!

Source: Librionyian

I blew up a picture of a shirt using a powerpoint presentation. I was able to fit different parts of the picture into slides to make an even bigger template than an 8.5x11 sheet of printer paper. For the buttons, I used round circles of heavy-duty flannel. 

Then I put circle Velcro hooks glued down on the flannel circles. 

Then I attached hook Velcro on the back of buttons to attach them to the flannel shirt.

It turned out pretty great and I can't wait to use it at storytime!

Flannel Project: Raindrops & Umbrellas

These two flannel projects, raindrops and umbrellas, seem appropriate since we are getting loads of rain and super early tropical storms this year! 

Five Little Raindrops:

Five little raindrops,

Dancing on the walk.

Pitter patter, pitter patter, (pat legs)

That's the way they talk.

Out comes the yellow sun, 

Shining in the sky. (make sun over your head with your arms)

And away goes one raindrop,

Bye! Bye! Bye!

Source: Unknown (listed online on several sources with no original source listed)

Umbrellas:

In past storytimes, we have done an umbrella hiding game with printed umbrellas stuck to felt. I decided to upgrade our umbrellas with a set of actual flannels!

Flannel Project: Baby Storytime Songs

One project that I have been interested in undertaking for awhile is creating more flannels for baby storytime. In the past I have not been as focused on providing visual cues because many young infants are developmentally only able to see their immediate surroundings. But, as I have had many parents continue to bring their older babies and toddlers to baby storytime since they prefer the quieter storytime, I felt it was time to create an inventory of flannels for many of the baby storytime songs we use regularly.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star:

Itsy, Bitsy Spider:

Bumping Up and Down:

Flannel Project: Apples and Bananas

I actually borrowed this sign language song from one of my peer librarians. The first verse is the familiar "I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas" song. But, for following verses, you change it up. Instead of changing vowel sounds, you change some of the words out so the little ones can learn a few more American Sign Language signs. I typically use this at my baby storytimes to teach the parents some common first ASL signs to use with their infant.

Using the ASL sign for EAT, APPLES, and BANANAS, I sing this familiar song using the signs.

I like to EAT, EAT, EAT, APPLES and BANANAS,

I like to EAT, EAT, EAT, APPLES and BANANAS.

I like to EAT, EAT, EAT, APPLES and BANANAS,

I like to EAT, EAT, EAT, APPLES and BANANAS.

Then, I sing the song using the ASL signs for DRINK, MILK, and WATER.

I like to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, MILK and WATER.

I like to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, MILK and WATER.

I like to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, MILK and WATER.

I like to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, MILK and WATER.

For the last verse, we use the ASL signs for MORE, PLEASE, and THANK YOU.

I like MORE, MORE, MORE, PLEASE and THANK YOU.

I like MORE, MORE, MORE, PLEASE and THANK YOU.

I like MORE, MORE, MORE, PLEASE and THANK YOU.

I like MORE, MORE, MORE, PLEASE and THANK YOU.

Flannel Project: Crab and Leafy Tree

I had a couple projects I finished up last week for my virtual storytime (and to use for storytimes when we return to performing in-person).

Crab (and ocean-themed song):

Since my virtual storytime theme was about the Ocean, I created a crab for a song I found via Jbrary, and borrowed a seashell and a whale for the rest of the ocean animals. I focused on sign language, so I found the ASL signs for "crab", "whale", and "clam". The song is called The Waves at the Beach and is sung to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus".

The words I used:

The crabs at the beach go pinch, pinch, pinch,

Pinch, pinch, pinch.

Pinch, pinch, pinch.

The crabs at the beach go pinch, pinch, pinch,

All day long.

Additional verses:

The clams at the beach go open and shut...

The whales at the beach go up and down...

Source: Jbrary

Leafy Tree:

One of my favorite weekly movement songs is "Shakin' Like a Leafy Tree" by The Wiggles. I have used the song at every aged storytime. I can ask parents with really little ones to get super involved and lift their kids up/down for high and low. In the instrumental parts I have the kids move different body parts. It is upbeat and a great song to use regularly. Since I am keeping it in my storytimes for the next session, I thought it was about time to make a flannel to go along with it!

Flannel Projects: Bees and Hearts

I worked on flannel hearts and flannel bees for my latest projects. It has been a great creative outlet for me (and a major de-stressor) while watching webinars and attending virtual staff meetings!


Bees:
This rhyme is a variant of a few others I saw online, I just need to make a beehive!:

Where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Let's look inside the hive!
Count them together: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

Hearts:
This rhyme you can put family member's, friends, puppets, etc. in the blank. Or, if you have a smaller group, you could even give out hearts if you wanted:

Five hearts to give away for Valentine's Day.
"I Love You" is what they say.
I'll give one to ______ today.
Countdown 4, 3, 2, 1

Flannel Projects: Ocean Creatures and Row Boat

I put a few other flannel projects on hold to complete these two projects in a hurry! I have been invited to do one of the virtual storytimes for my library system next week and am planning on doing an ocean-themed storytime. 

SO, without further ado, here are the two flannels I worked on this week.

Slippery Fish is a song I learned about via Jbrary. It is one of my favorite storytime songs to use because it incorporates movement with easy-to-use American Sign Language. I usually cut it down to only three ocean creatures: a fish, an octopus, and a shark!

I also was planning on making a row boat for my baby storytimes to use with Rob Newhouse's recorded "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". What a perfect movement song to add to a storytime about water!

 

Flannel Projects: Organization!

I have discovered very quickly that the organization (or lack-thereof) I have at my home "office" is not working for the long-term. I have flannels and other materials I brought home with me from the library I work at all over the place. Plus, there were baggies of flannel already at home that had been donated from a friend. All of the colors were in various bags throughout my dining room office. I cannot think straight in chaos especially if it is visible!

So, today, I devoted an hour or so just to organizing my flannel! I found some gallon-sized baggies I already had on-hand. I separated scraps by color. 

And then I moved them into a crate I had at my home. I organized them alphabetically, not by rainbow, which will be easier for me to keep in order.

Then, I organized the full-sheets of flannels by color and found a cardboard box to keep them in.

All while having lots of help to do all of this!

All-in-all, a fairly successful project. And I have space for the printer that my dad gave me for the duration of this telework situation. Now I have a clean (and less overwhelming!) work space, however temporary it stays that way! You can see what it looked like before HERE. 

Flannel Projects: Rabbits & Unicorns (and more webinars!)

This past week, I have focused on quite a few webinars about self-care and mindfulness to keep mentally/emotionally healthy during this pandemic. It is so important to take care of ourselves and I am finding it especially important as I try to balance telework and taking care of my toddler. My husband works in emergency services so many days are me doing both without help. That being said, on the days he is home I am able to work mostly uninterrupted...

1. Idaho Commission for Libraries Info2Go! session on Self-Care During a Pandemic.
This webinar I found especially helpful in truly explaining why we are all experiencing stress and anxiety, as well as giving an analogy as to why it is important to take care of ourselves. The tips are wonderful to refer back to and share with coworkers, family, and friends.

2. Ohio State University is presenting weekly webinars about reducing stress, maintaining mindfulness, and staying calm. 
I watched the first week about cognitive behavioral tools to keep anxiety/depression at bay. It was a reminder to me, back to my undergrad years when I majored in psychology, about how important of a muscle our brain is. I appreciated her reminder about trying to see the silver lining, even in the midst of stress, to this. I have gotten to spend so much time home with my son and I want to be able to appreciate it. 

3. The Effectiveness Institute has been regularly adding free webinars to their site in response to COVID-19. 
You do have to check their site regularly, to keep up with new upcoming webinars, and they are only offered live. But I watched one about thriving in chaos. They gave a ton of great tips and led a really wonderful discussion about ways to handle stress during the pandemic.



One big picture theme throughout? EXERCISE!!! Every single webinar I have watched has reminded viewers that, to alleviate our stress response and keep depression at bay, it is so important to exercise. Walking, yoga, running, etc. Focus less on the news/social media, and more on you and your immediate surroundings. So here's to adding more exercise and mindfulness to my daily activities!



Flannel Projects:
This past week, I have been working on flannel rabbits and flannel unicorns. 

For rabbits, I have usually done a variant of Elephants in the Bathtub, and just used rabbits instead.

For unicorns, I have done a variant of Elephants on a Spider's Web.
One unicorn went out to play,
On a bright and sunny day.
He had such enormous fun,
He called for another unicorn to come! "HEY, Unicorn!!!"
Count up...2, 3, 4, 5

Flannel Projects: Owls and Butterflies

This week it seems that my projects have leaned toward things that fly! In the midst of webinars and planning for the next storytime session, I have made flannel butterflies and owls.


Flannel Butterflies:
One rhyme that one of my LA's came up with for Five Butterflies is:
Five butterflies in the garden, oh what a sight!
Now the purple butterfly has taken flight.
First she flies up high, then she flies down low,
Then she flies round and round, before she has to go.
Count down...4, 3, 2, 1 while changing the color of the butterfly

Flannel Owls:
For five owls we have used this rhyme:
Five hoot owls, sitting in a tree.
One flew away! Now how many do you see?
1, 2, 3, 4...
Count down...

Flannel Projects: Seashells and Whales (AND professional development)

As I mentioned in my last post, my county (and then my state) announced a Stay-at-Home order. I was not sure how it was going to affect my work since we are considered essential. 

For now, we have been approved to telework unless they need additional help at the Emergency Operations Center. So, I am spending the time planning for my next storytime session, making flannels, and watching webinars for professional development. 

For the time being, this is my messy work-from-home station with flannels all over the place and my computer up-and-running with webinars!

Flannels:
This week I have focused on some ocean-themed flannels. I made flannel seashells and whales.

With my seashells, I usually use the rhyme:
Five little seashells, lying in the sun.
____ picked it up and took this one home.
You can use puppets or use names of people/characters.

For my whales, I reused a flannel rhyme that can be repeated each line:
One little whale went out to play,
On a bright and sunny day.
He had such enormous fun,
He called for another whale to come.
Count up 2, 3, 4, 5...

Webinars:

1. One of my library assistants shared a link from Infopeople of archived webinars specifically geared toward Children's Librarians. Infopeople has tons of other archived webinars, as well!

2. You can also find hundreds of library-related archived webinars via WebJunction. They separate them based on a variety of categories like collections management, programming, children's services, and advocacy. 

3. Booklist has online archived webinars from the past few months. They also have upcoming webinars listed as well, so you can learn about upcoming and new children's (and adult) releases.

4. School Library Journal has online events and professional development. Some are even all-day-long!

As I learn about new professional development and webinars, I will share along with my flannel projects that I am working on!

Flannel Projects: Acorns and Elephants

My next flannel projects this week are flannel nuts and flannel elephants. I'm enjoying using the embroidery thread to add some details so both of these ones have a little added detail!

I regularly use the elephants for the Five Elephants in the Bathtub chant from Jbrary. It's one of our favorites!

One elephant in the bathtub,
Going for a swim.
KNOCK, KNOCK (clap, clap)
SPLASH, SPLASH (slap your thighs)
Come on in!
Count up...2, 3, 4, 5

We use nuts for a rhyme about a squirrel:

Down around the corner by the big oak tree,
Sat five little acorns as tasty as can be.
Along came Mr. Squirrel with his big bushy tail,
He took one acorn and ran off down the trail.
Count down...4, 3, 2, 1

My county just announced it will soon issue a stay-at-home order. So we shall see how that will affect my continuing to come to work and my future projects...

Flannel Projects: Fish and Dinosaurs

The next two flannel projects that have been completed are fish and dinosaurs. I have plans to do several storytimes over this summer that will use fish. And, whenever we reopen, I also plan to do a storytime about dinosaurs since that is always a favorite!

For some fish themed activities, check out this ocean storytime or Slippery Fish from Jbrary. 

For some dinosaur themed activities, check out this dinosaur storytime.