Multiliteracy Project

Emporia State University

LeeAnne Neilson
 Multiliteracy Project

Demographics of West Valley City

The programming events for this multiliteracy final project have been designed for

patrons seeking services at the Hunter Library in West Valley City, Utah, which is part of the Salt

Lake County Library System. West Valley City has a population of 134,609. The median age is

30, with an equal ratio of males and females. Married individuals ages 15 and older comprise

54% of the population. The ethnicity of the population is 60% white, 38% Hispanic, and 5%

Asian. The two highest age populations are children between the ages of 5-14 and adults ages

25-44. The teen population is only 7%, and senior citizens comprise 8% of the population.

English is the dominant language spoken at 60%, followed by 30% who speak Spanish. The

owner-occupied housing rate is 69%, with about 4 people per household. Seventy-eight percent

of the population have high school diplomas, but only 13% have bachelor or higher degrees.

One shocking statistic is that 24% of people under the age of 65 do not have health insurance.

The median household income is $56,000. Sixteen percent of the population is experiencing

poverty.

Multiliteracy Library Programs

Considering the demographics, the following literacies will be addressed: digital, visual,

health, financial, and early. Partnerships will be formed with local businesses for some

programming events. Promotion of preexisting collection materials will also be a focus because

they support multiple literacies. Heavy emphasis will be placed on programming for young

children.
Digital Literacy

Digital literacy involves finding, evaluating, and communicating information through

digital platforms using written words and visual images and requires the use of both cognitive

and technical skills. Because the 21st century is dominantly technology oriented, digital literacy

is a necessary skill for success in the workplace and interactions with peers and others.

Digital literacy will be addressed on a monthly basis to help adults increase technology

skills which will lead to better employment opportunities. Since the main education level of the

population is completion of high school, many residents might not have sufficient digital literacy

and programs will be designed to help with gaining skills and exposure to important online

resources available through the county library system.

To help market an already existing online resource called Biblioteca Digital designed for

Spanish speakers, the adult librarian who speaks Spanish will develop a one-hour presentation

and teach patrons how to access and navigate the site. Laptops will be provided to give hands-on

experience. Patrons will also be tutored on how to use their handheld devices for checking out or

reserving materials from Biblioteca Digital. Before the event, the adult librarian will use

LibraryAware to create signs promoting the activity. The signs will be placed in the Spanish

collection area. A book display will be created to showcase Spanish materials in the main

entrance area, and a sign will also be placed with that display (below is an example of what the

sign could look like). The time for the event will be 1 p.m., and the target audience will be

adults. The justification for this event and age group is because many of the Spanish speaking

adults in the community do not have strong English skills, and educating them about this

resource will encourage them to engage in reading. Awareness of this resource can also aid
parents in dual-language immersion in the home environment since many children born in the

United States are losing their parents’ native tongue and literacy skills.
 Another program designed to increase usage of one of the library’s existing online

resources will be a one-hour event centered on Lynda.com. Lynda.com is an online learning

platform created to teach professional skills through the medium of videos and taught by experts

in the field. Hunter Library already subscribes to this service but the majority of patrons are

probably unaware of this service and how beneficial it could be to them. To advertise this event,

an entry will be made on the library calendar, signs placed in the computer area, and library staff

will wear buttons with the phrase: “Ask me about Lynda.com.” The adult librarian will also be

responsible for creating a 30-minute presentation about Lynda.com. Patrons attending the class

will then be allowed 30 minutes to explore this online resource on library provided laptops. The

goal for the program is to increase usage of Lynda.com because one aspect of the demographics

shows that the majority of the residents only have a high school education and might benefit

from the classes offered on Lynda.com to improve their earning capacity.

Another beneficial skill that many employers desire is a working knowledge of Excel,

and a library program will be designed to teach the fundamentals of Excel. Many patrons of this

library might not have this skill due to their education level and would appreciate an opportunity

to learn about it. Excel acts as a visual tool to keep information organized and makes it easier to

absorb information. The individual teaching this class will be a representative from America

First Credit Union who will teach how to create an Excel spreadsheet to manage personal

finances. The adult librarian will also attend the event, introduce the presenter, create a display

table filled with books about Excel from the library collection, and give brief closing remarks

letting attendees know about Lynda.com and Excel tutorials offered through this subscription.

Two additional activities for digital literacy will be makerspace oriented. Makerspaces

are valuable in libraries because they expose individuals to emerging technologies and provide
avenues for creativity. Hunter Library recently acquired a 3D printer and now has the capability

of hosting an event centered on 3D printing. This is a new technology that is now connected to

many emerging careers and would be beneficial for tweens and teens to be exposed to.

Knowledge of 3D printing has many practical applications and provides an opportunity to use

technology for solving problems in a unique manner. This activity would be geared for tweens

and teens and taught by the circulation supervisor and library manager who have been trained on

the 3D printer. The activity would involve a lesson about using the software and time for

participants to create a simple bookmark. Creations will be stored on the library account and

printed at a later date. Participants will be notified through electronic means when their creation

is available for pick up. A likely outcome is that 3D printing requests would increase, and

tweens/teens will be interested in future programming events.

The second makerspace activity involves purchasing a Cricut machine for the library

collection. Utah has greatly embraced the do it yourself (DIY) mentality, and libraries are a

place for providing information relating to technology along with creating programming events

using such technology. This would be a drop-in event from 1-3 p.m. in which patrons will

design a vinyl sticker. This will allow patrons to engage in visual literacy and have a hands-on

experience as they explore their own creative abilities. Children as well as adults will benefit

from this new technological additional to our library collection. The youth services librarian will

be trained on the Cricut and responsible for the drop-in activity, along with help from a

community volunteer. One additional benefit of adding a Cricut to the collection is that

librarians can use this technology for preparing materials for storytimes and other events, which

will greatly reduce preparation time.

Below is the schedule of the digital literacy library activities.

Visual Literacy

Visual literacy involves being able to interpret, evaluate, create, and use images to portray

meaning and communicate with others. This form of literacy is so widespread and the societal

assumption is that everyone recognizes images and is capable of interpreting them. This,

however, is a falsehood. Visual literacy may appear simple but can be complicated. Educators

are expecting students to incorporate elements of visual literacy within many projects. Thus, the

Hunter Library will add to its collection the Digital Collections Images Guide. Adding this to the

collection supports education and would aid students in finding quality images for class

assignments. Other patrons could also use this collection for personal or business purposes. This

new acquisition will initially be advertised on the electronic bulletin board and possibly turned

into a teen activity in the future.

Another form of visual literacy involves the physical use of hands. One great community

resource that promotes this type of visual literacy is a nonprofit organization called Clever

Octopus. The mission of Clever Octopus is to promote environmental awareness and foster

creativity through art, math, engineering, and technology using recycled materials. On the third

Friday of each month, Clever Octopus will visit the library and provide materials and

instructions to three different age groups. This will be a hands-on learning experience. Research

has shown that there are many benefits from this type of learning. Engaging in art projects is

known to enhance brain function, relieve stress, promote creative thinking, increase self-esteem,

develop tolerance and empathy, increase feelings of love, and reduce the burden sometimes

associated with chronic health conditions.

The targeted groups were chosen because two of them fall within the highest

demographic population (children and senior citizens) and the third (teens) is the lowest
population entity in West Valley City. The youth services or adult librarian will assist with

setting up the room and briefly introducing the presenters. To promote the event, the Clever

Octopus logo will be hung up around the library. Flyers with a catchy phrase such as “see what

the octopus has in store for you” along with the days and times for the activity will be near the

logo.

Although this activity is visual, it also correlates to health literacy. One benefit of hosting

this event is that it could potentially be a creative outlet which would help troubled teens deal

with negative emotions. Additionally, by hosting this event we are increasing awareness of this

local community resource. Below is the schedule of events along with a brief description.
Health Literacy

Everyone is affected by health literacy. This type of literacy involves obtaining needed

medical services, articulating symptoms to healthcare professionals, understanding explanations

rendered by medical personnel, and implementing good health practices in personal life. To

address this literacy, library programs will focus on nutrition and general wellness activities.

Nutritionists from Utah State University Extension program will teach Food Sense classes on a

monthly basis for adults or teens, and the microgreens class will be taught by the owner of the

Wealthy Earth. The goal of the programs is to encourage healthier eating habits because a

current trend for many working families is to eat out or consume frozen or boxed meals which

can be purchased at the grocery store instead of making meals from scratch, which are healthier

and cheaper. It is also hoped that patrons will check out materials about ways to eat healthier

from our current collection.

An element of fun and uniqueness will be incorporated into our wellness activities, and

activities have been created for multiple age groups. Families can participate in goat yoga—the

latest trend in yoga. Jennie Stone Carlson will be the instructor and bring live baby goats.

Patrons are sure to laugh and enjoy interacting with the goats. Prior to this activity, the adult

librarian will purchase the following books: A Beginner's Guide to Goat Yoga: Yes, It Is Actually

a Thing by Sarah Jackson, The Little Book of Goat Yoga: Poses and Wisdom to Inspire Your

Practice by Lainey Morse, and Goat Yoga: The Light in Me Honors the Goat in You by Yoga

Shenanigoats. Plastic tarps will be purchased and used to cover the floor, and yoga mats will be

borrowed from another library for use for the event. The adult librarian will do all this

preparation.
 An opportunity to make a memory box to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one will

be available to teens and children. An art therapist and grieving counselor from Primary

Children’s Hospital will conduct the class. To advertise the event, the youth services librarian

will make a memory box and have it exhibited on a book display about coping with grief, along

with a flyer about the activity. The youth services librarian will either purchase or gather

together the following supplies for the activity: boxes, decorative paper, double-sided tape,

scissors, craft glue, hot glue guns, hot glue sticks, various trinkets, and set up the Cricut machine.

Connecting with nature is therapeutic and teens and adults will have the opportunity to

mediate underneath a full moon. The adult librarian will arrange for an instructor from the Salt

Lake Community College Health Department to come and teach the class. This librarian will

also introduce the instructor. Senior citizens will also get to experience the “Recess for Adults”

program sponsored by the owners of DrumBus. The adult librarian will contact the owner of

DrumBus to organize the event. These activities have been created as a means of exposing

patrons to healthy resources within the community, which is an important function of the library.

On the following page is a flyer outlining these health-related library events, along with a brief

description about each activity.

Financial Literacy

Financial literaccy involves money management and understanding financial concepts

such as managing debt, investing, insurance, budgeting, retirement planning, mortgages, and tax

liabilities. Lack of knoweldge in this area may result in an individual making poor financial

choices and negatively impacting financial well-being. This is such a crictial literacy that the

library will host a four-week course addressing some aspects of finanical literacy geared for

teenagers and adults.

The first activity will involve playing the card game Net Worth: The FUN Money Game.

This game is similar to Crazy Eights but designed to teach real-world financial concepts as

players strategically think about eliminating debt and gathering assets. In preparation for the

event, the adult librarian will purchase five copies of the game. The librarian will also contact a

representative from America First Credit Union and invite them to give a 15-minute presentation

at the activity on ways to save money. The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate ways

parents can engage their teenages in financial conversations.

The class on staycations will be taught by Naomi Brower, a certified family life educator,

who will teach ways to stretch the dollar and create long-lasting staycation memories. Carolyn

Washburn, a family and consumer sciences professor, will teach the class on love and money.

Patty Clifford, assistant director of financial aid at Salt Lake Community College, will outline

the process for applying for financial aid and explain the SLCC Promise. The adult librarian will

set up the projector and chairs in preparation for these classes. The focus of these classes is on

managing money and addressing emotions connected to financial decisions. On the next page is

the list of financial literacy library events.

Early/Visual Literacy

Early literacy is exposing young children to language and builds a foundation for the

development of reading skills. Reading is essential for success in school and life. Successful

storytimes will include aspects of talking, reading, singing, writing, and playing. Youth

services librarians conducting storytimes also have a role in educating caregivers on how to

incorporate these five aspects in their daily interactions with their child. This can occur through

handouts or electronically sharing resources used in storytimes with caregivers.

Studies suggest that 90% of a child’s brain growth occurs by the age of five, and since

14% of the population in West Valley City is five or younger, heavy emphasis will be placed on

storytime programs, which will occur on a weekly basis. Storytimes also include aspects of

visual literacy through crafts, videos, illustrations in picture books, actions used in finger plays

or rhyming poems, and props. Visual literacy as it connects to storytelling will allow children to

observe, recognize, interpret, perceive, and engage in self-expression.

The reason I created 13 early literacy programs (see appendix) is to illustrate the

importance of choosing a theme and how to incorporate songs, rhymes, movement activities,

crafts, and stories into that theme. I chose themes that children could relate to or connected with

the current season. The outlines include a visual of what the craft will be and supplies needed.

Storytimes will be held on a weekly basis to help sustain attendance. The storytimes will be

conducted by the youth services librarian, and library volunteers will help prepare materials for

the craft projects or flannel boards. Most books used for storytimes are already part of the

Hunter Library children’s collection and will be placed on hold by the youth services librarian

prior to the scheduled storytimes. The following two books will be added to the collection:

Peekaboo! In the Snow! by Cocoretto and A Day at the Police Station by Richard Scarry. The
hope is that the children will want to check out the books used in the storytimes or find books

with similar themes. Below is the list of dates and themes.

Evaluation of Multiliteracy Programs
 Program evaluation strongly correlates to creating and sustaining effective library events

that meet patrons’ needs, disseminates information, supports development and learning, and

creates a healthy community. Much time and effort goes into programming and thus it is

important to evaluate the success or failure of any given program. Evaluating will help improve

delivery methods, identify if a program has run its course, produce data for justification or

discontinuation of a program, verify that you are meeting original goals, and recognize if

programs are being duplicated.

The most obvious way to evaluate a program is by counting participants. This will be

discreetly done for all events. For storytime programs, a signup sheet will also be available for

caregivers to sign if they desire electronic storytime outlines be sent to them. Response to this

invitation is one way of evaluating how effective the content of the storytime is. Once a quarter,

paper surveys will be distributed to caregivers seeking their input on how effective the program

is, things they would like added or discontinued, and any other suggestions.

At the conclusion of the one-time events, the librarian will encourage participants to fill

out an electronic survey concerning the presentation style and materials covered. The survey

will also ask if the event should be repeated or built upon. Another method for tracking success

of a program is to observe if items are being checked out from the themed book displays related

to the library programs.

Conclusion

Librarians play an important role in addressing multiliteracies and must be aware of ways

of including these literacies in programming events or marketing strategies in order to meet the

needs of the patrons and create a healthy community.

 Additional Resources

Brower, N. (2018). Creating staycation memories. Retrieved from https://livewellutah.org/

2018/07/23/creating-staycation-memories-2/

Cherry, M. (2016). 3D printed bookmarks. Retrieved from http://www.libraryasincubator

project.org/?p=18494

Cleaver, S. (2018). Hands-on is minds-on. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/

browse/article.jsp?id=3751901

Clinton-essex-franklin library system research: Learning tools. (2018). Financial literacy: Credit

and debt. Retrieved from https://cefls.libguides.com/financial-literacy

Dube, R. (2017). Make a personal budget on Excel in 4 easy steps. Retrieved from

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/excel-spreadsheet-techniques-to-make-a-personal-

budget/

Family prosperity initiative: Finaical literacy for all. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.slcolibrary.org/smartInvesting/aboutUs.htm

GCF global (2018). Retrieved from https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/moneybasics/

The Idaho librarian. (n.d.). Visual literacy for librarians: Learning skills and

promoting best practices. Retrieved from https://theidaholibrarian.wordpress.com/

2014/05/27/visual-literacy-for-librarians-learning-skills-and-promoting-best-practices/

Jbary.com. (2018). Retrieved from jbrary.com

Kids create. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://kidscreatesite.wordpress.com/home/

Makerspaces: The benefits. (2010). Retrieved from https://curiositycommons.wordpress.com

/makerspaces-the-benefits/

Medical news today. (2017). Health benefits of microgreens. Retrieved from

 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316075.php

Middleearthnj. (2014). The impact of the arts on troubled teens. Retrieved from

https://middleearthnj.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/the-impact-of-the-arts-on-troubled-

teens/

My money(2018). Retrieved from https://www.mymoney.gov/tools/Pages/tools.aspx

Murphy, S. J. (2013). The power of visual learning and storytelling in early childhood education.

Retrieved from http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/ECSIMarch2013/PDFs/

Murphy_Power%20of%20Visual%20Learning%20handout.pdf

Public library association. (2018). Financial literacy. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/

pla/resources/tools/programming-instruction/financial-literacy

Resources for an art themed storytime. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/kits/

Documents/Preschool/Art%20for%20Kids/Art%20Resource%20Guide.pdf

Ryan’s heart. (2009). Just for me! Healing activities for grieving children and teens. Retrieved

from https://highland.slcschools.org/academics/counseling-

center/documents/HealingActivitiesforGrievingChildrenandTeens.pdf

Scott, S. H. (2012). Making the case for a public library Makerspace. Retrieved from

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/making-the-case-for-a-public-library-

makerspace/

SLCC promise. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.slcc.edu/promise/

Torabi, F. (2018). How to talk about money in a relationship. Retrieved from

https://www.hermoney.com/connect/love/how-to-talk-about-money-in-a-relationship/

USU Extension. (n.d.). Food sense at home. Retrieved from https://usucourses.instructure.com/

courses/40
USU Extension. (n.d.). Live well Utah. Retrieved from https://livewellutah.org/

Warren buffett’s secret millionaires club. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.smckids.com

 Appendix

Snow
BOOK: First Snow by Peter McCarty

SONG: “Snowflake Song” (Sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

Snowflake, snowflake in the sky (open, shut fingers)
I love to watch you floating by (move hands back and forth)
Down you fall upon the ground (hands moving down)
Down you fall without a sound
Snowflake, snowflake in the sky
I love to watch you floating by.

BOOK: Peekaboo! In the Snow! by Cocoretto

SONG: “Dance Like Snowflakes” (sung to “Frere Jacques”). Supplies needed: Scarves for
children)
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes.
Here and there,
Here and there.

BOOK: Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

SONG: “Ten Little Snowflakes” (sung to “Ten Little Indians”)

One little, two little, three little snowflakes,
Four little, five little, six little snowflakes,
Seven little, eight little, nine little snowflakes,
Ten little snowflakes on my tongue! (stick tongue out)

One little, two little, three little snowflakes,

Four little, five little, six little snowflakes,
Seven little, eight little, nine little snowflakes,
Ten little snowflakes on my hat! (pat head)

One little, two little, three little snowflakes,

Four little, five little, six little snowflakes,
Seven little, eight little, nine little snowflakes,
Ten little snowflakes on my mittens! (wiggle hands)
One little, two little, three little snowflakes,
Four little, five little, six little snowflakes,
Seven little, eight little, nine little snowflakes,
Ten little snowflakes on my boots! (point to feet)
CRAFT: Styrofoam snowmen

Supplies needed: Styrofoam cups, pompoms, felt for scarf, pipe cleaners for ear muffs, orange
foam for carrot nose, and black marker for making eyes. Library volunteers will help do prep
work.
 Police Officers
In celebration of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a local police officer will be
reading a story with the children.

BOOK: I’m Afraid Your Teddy Is in Trouble Today by Jancee Dunn (read by police officer)

SONG: “Irk! Stopped the Speeder” (sung to “Pop! Goes the Weasel!”)
All around the busy town.
The police officer chased the speeder.
The siren sounded "woo, woo, woo."
And IRK! (brake sound), stopped the speeder.

BOOK: A Day at the Police Station by Richard Scarry (purchase for collection)

MOVEMENT ACTIVITY: Follow the Officer: The children play this much like follow the
leader. The officer tells them when to cross the street, or to hop across the room. They do what
the officer says rather than follow the officer around.

BOOK: Busy People: Police Officer by Lucy George

SONG “Traffic Cop Song” (sung to “Do Your Ears Hang Low”)
Do you drive a car
With a flashing light on top?
When you hold up your hand,
Does the traffic have to stop?
Do you blow a whistle loud,
Standing straight and tall and proud?
You're our friend, the traffic cop!

CRAFT: Paper plate police car

Supplies needed: Paper plates, black paper, yellow paper, red paper, white paper, and blue paint.
Library volunteers will do prep work.
 Toast
BOOK: Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo

RHYME: Toast in the Toaster (video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reLKm7K5Ya8)

I’m toast in the toaster (bend as squatting. Clap hands on knees)
I’m getting very hot
(turn head from side to side and say) tick, tock, tick, tock
(jump up and say) Up I pop.
*Can repeat and increase speed.

BOOK: Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk

ACTION RHYME: Bread and Butter (each child is given two wooden sticks for the song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe_we4upmQM)
Bread and butter,
Marmalade and jam,
Let’s play our sticks as:
Slow as you can
Fast as you can
Quiet as you can
Loud as we can
On the bumpy land (up and down)

BOOK: Toads on Toast by Linda Bailey

RHYME: Fresh Baked Bread

Fresh baked bread is a yummy treat,
Filled with love and warmth and wheat.
Knead the dough and let it rise,
And soon you’ll have a big surprise.
From the water, flour, and yeast,
Grows a golden, delicious feast.

ACTIVITY: Painted Toast--Satisfy the artist in your child!

Materials: Individual small containers for the “paint” (milk mixed with food coloring), new
paintbrushes for each color, four toasters, slices of white bread, butter.
Instructions: Pour the milk in each cup and let children add a tiny bit of food coloring to each
one to create “paint.” Set out the paints and a piece or two of bread for each child. Allow them
to paint as they desire and then toast lightly. Spread with a little butter for fun toast.
*Food Sense representative with a food handler’s permit will do activity.

Supplies: Milk, small plastic containers, food coloring, paintbrushes, white bread, four toasters,
butter, and butter knives.
 Silly Mistakes
BOOK: Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg

SONG: “I’m Sorry, Excuse Me” (https://getlink.pro/youtube/im-sorryexcuse-me-song-

cocomelon-abckidtv-nursery-rhymes-kids-songs). Download prior to activity and project on
screen.

BOOK: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

NURSERY RHYME: Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses
And all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty
Together again.

BOOK: The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

CRAFT: Precut flowers using Cricut for children to past and create. Add a pompom for flower
center. Print out blank sheets of paper with heading prior to activity.

Handout for parents about books: Article from KidsHealth by Nemours about reading to
children and how it creates literacy skills (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reading-
preschool.html).
 Winter
CIRCLE TIME: Make this giant masking tape hat prior to storytime.

ORAL TELLING/INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: The Mitten, an old story or folktale. Begin by

asking children to think of an animal they’d like to be. As they respond, they move into the
mitten. Adapted from “Mittens Storytime” by Miss Jacki (https://storytimehooligans.wordpress.
com/2012/12/20/mittens-storytime/).

Once upon a time there was a librarian named Miss LeeAnne. One day, she went out for a walk.
She had her mittens in her coat pocket, and while she walked, one of them fell out. She didn’t
notice. She just kept walking, and the mitten was left behind. Pretty soon, along came a ______.
Pause and ask first child what animal he/she wants to be. According to his/her response,
improvise such as “along came a hippity hoppity rabbit, and she wriggled into the snuggly warm
mitten.” Ask each child for the name of an animal and add a sentence or two to get that animal
(or child) into the mitten. The ending of story is as follows: It was getting dark, and Miss
LeeAnne noticed her hands were getting cold. She reached for her mittens, but one was gone!
She ran back the way she came, looking for the missing mitten. “Oh!,” she said. “There’s my
mitten! But . . . why is it so big now? And why is it so lumpy now? And . . . why do I hear a
(name of outlandish animal) inside it?” And she shook the mitten as hard as she could and all the
animals came flying out! “Oh, dear!” she said. “All those animals were in my mitten. They
must have been cold. Well, they can’t go inside a house and warm up, and they can’t buy their
own mittens. Here, animals! You can keep this mitten so you’ll stay warm, and I’ll get new
mittens.” And all the animals climbed back into the mitten, where they were snuggly and warm,
all winter long!”

BOOK: One Mitten by Kristine O’Connell George

ACTION SONG: “Winter Hokey Pokey” (sung to “Hokey Pokey”)
You put your right mitten in,
You take your right mitten out.
You put your right mitten in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the winter pokey (shiver) and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
*Other verses: boots, scarf, hat, snowsuit
BOOK: Read Hat by Lita Judge

RHYME:
Boots and parka, scarf and hat, scarf and hat
Boots and parks, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
In wintertime we dress like that!
Boots and parka, scarf and hat, scarf and hat!

CRAFT: Cardstock pair of mittens

Supplies: Cardstock, hole puncher, string, markers, and stickers.

 Teeth
Storytime with a dental hygienist in honor of National Children’s Dental Health month. Children
will go home with an oral health goodie bag containing a toothbrush, coloring book, and
toothpaste.

BOOK: Clarabella’s Teeth by An Vrombaut, read by dental hygienist

ACTION SONG: “This Is the Way”

This is the way we brush our teeth,
Brush our teeth, brush our teeth.
This is the way we brush our teeth
So early in the morning.
*Additional verses: floss our teeth, rinse our teeth

BOOK: Brush, Brush, Brush! Illustrations by Alicia Padron

ACTION SONG: “Brush Your Teeth” (sung to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Brush, brush, brush your teeth, at least two times a day.
Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning,
Fighting tooth decay.

Floss, floss, floss your teeth, every single day.

Gently, gently, gently, gently,
Whisking plaque away.

Rinse, rinse, rinse your teeth every single day.

Swishing, swishing, swishing, swishing,
Fighting tooth decay.

BOOK: Going to the Dentist by Anne Civardi

FLOSSING ACTIVITY: CRAFT: Marshmallow teeth

Supplies: Giant Lego blocks and cord for flossing, cardstock, red markers, mini marshmallows,
and glue. Oral health goodie bag containing a toothbrush, coloring book, and toothpaste
 Valentines
BOOK: Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr

ACTION VERSE: My Valentine Heart

When I say I love you (point to lips)
It comes from my heart (hand on heart)
You hear it in your ear (point to ear)
And it sounds very smart (point to head)
I love it when you’re proud of me (stand very tall)
You say it all day long (stretch arms wide)
And when I hear you say it (point to ear)
My heart sings a merry song (hand on heart)
BOOK: The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh

SONG: “Valentines Say I Love You” (sung to “London Bridges”)

Valentines say I love you,
I love you, I love you.
Valentines say I love you
Yes, I really do.
BOOK: Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

SONG: “Be My Valentine” (sung to “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)

You’re a special
Friend of mine
Friend of mine
Friend of mine
You’re a special
Friend of mine
Be my valentine!

CRAFT: Heart butterfly

Supplies: Colored cardstock, Popsicle sticks, google eyes, pipe cleaner, and glue.
 Bathtime
BOOK: Wild! Bathtime by Courtney Dicmas

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: One Elephant in the Bathtub (video showing actions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqisEJScw-A)
One elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in!
Two elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in!
Three elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in!
Four elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
Come on in!
Five elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim,
Knock-knock (clap twice), splash-splash (slap knees twice),
And they all FELL IN!

BOOK: Bathtime Piggywiggy by Christyan Fox

SONG: “There’s a Hippo in My Tub” (Bathtime Magic [CD] by Joanie Bartels). Reserve CD
and have a CD player in room.

BOOK: I Dig Bathtime! By Brooke Jorden

ACTION RHYME: Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in the tube (hold up one finger)
Tell me what you see. (point to body parts)
One foot with toes, (point to toes)
A hand, a nose, as clean as they can be. (rub hands together)
Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in the tube (hold up one finger)
Tell me what you see (point to eyes)
Leg, and arms (shake legs and arms)
So clean and warm. Do they have a hug for me? (hug yourself)

ACTIVITY: Making bath bubbles with bubble mitts

Library volunteers will make Bubble mitts prior to activity. Make bubble mitts by folding over a
rectangular length of bubble wrap and stapling the edges together – leaving an opening on one
end of the mitt for a hand to fit through. Children put mitt on hand. Caregivers will paint
colored paint on bubbles. Child then turns painted side over and presses hand on paper bathtub
handout to make bubbles in the tube.
Templates for bathtub and rubber duckie:

Supplies: Bubble wrap mitts, paintbrushes, paint, preprinted bathtubs, precut yellow rubber
duckie from cardstock, and glue.
 Houses
BOOK: Too Tall Houses by Giana Marino

FINGERPLAY: Tap at the Door

Tap at the door (tap one hand with fingers of other).
Peep in (form fingers into rings around eyes).
Turn the knob make turning motion with other hand).
Walk in (walk fingers of one hand on palm of other).
And – shut the door! (clap loudly)

FLANNEL BOARD ACTIVITY: Whose House? Guessing Game

What animal lives in a pond? A tree? A nest? A barn? A cave? Cover each animal with it’s
house, and let children guess! If they need extra help, make the noise of the animal (moooo!) or
give them a clue. Printable template at https://sunflowerstorytime.com/2014/03/20/a-house-is-a-
home/

FINGERPLAY: Houses
Here is a nest for a robin (cup both hands)
Here is a hive for a bee (fists together)
Here is a hole for bunny (make a circle)
And here is a house for me! (make a roof)

BOOK: A House Is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman using slide share
https://www.slideshare.net/ewhites/language-lesson-a-house-is-a-house

SONG: “House Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUNTMKpoLAI. Download video

on iPad prior to activity and project on screen during activity.
BOOK: Once There Was a House, a House That Was a Home by Lex T. Smith

FINGERPLAY: Here Is a House

Here is a house built up high (hands over head to make a roof)
With two big chimneys reaching for the sky (raise arms up high)
Here is a window (draw a square)
Here is a door (pretend to open a door)
If we look inside (peek through fingers)
There’s a mouse on the floor! (scamper fingers away)
CRAFT: Paper bag house. Prefill paper bag with crumpled newspaper or paper towels so when
adding parts of house it does not smash down.

Supplies: Multiple colors of felt and flannel board. Library volunteers will make all pieces
before activity. Paper lunch bags, crumpled newspaper, colored cardstock, and glue.
 Colors
BOOK: Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

FLANNEL BOARD: Dog’s Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting by Emma
Dodd

ACTION SONG: “Driving Round in My Car” (sung to “Ten Little Indians”)

Driving round in my little red car
Driving round in my little red car
Driving round in my little red car
Zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom.
(Sing again letting children choose next color)

BOOK: Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horáček

ACTION RHYME: Red, Red

Red, red is the color I see
If you’re wearing red, then show it to me.
Stand up, take a bow, turn around
Show me your red and sit back on the ground.
*Do rhyme again using different colors.

BOOK: Freight Train by Donald Crews

SONG: “Colors We Know” (sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

Red and orange, green and blue, shiny yellow, purple too.
These are the colors that we know, way up high in the great rainbow.
Red and orange, green and blue, shiny yellow, purple too.

CRAFT: Rainbow

Supplies: Printed rainbow lines on cardstock, colored tissue paper, scissors, and glue.
 Movement

BOOK: Swing! Like a Monkey by Harriet Ziefert

DISCUSSION: How many ways can you jump, walk, spin, and reach. Let’s move three
different ways: Walk, hop, turn

ACTIVITY: Bean bag tight rope balance. Make a masking tape line on the floor to act as a
tight rope. Give children beanbags and instruction them to balance their beanbags on their
heads as they walk across. If they drop them, encourage them to pick them up and keep trying!
With my beanbag on my head,
I stand so very tall.
I walk along my own tightrope
And will not let it fall.

BOOK: How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure

ACTIVITY: “Froggie’s Hopping On . . .” Give each child a beanbag. Have children stand.
Children will place beanbag on body part.

Froggy’s hopping on my toes, on my toes, on my toes (balance bean bag on toes)

RIBBIT! (move bean bag to shoulder)
Froggy’s hopping on my shoulder, on my shoulder, on my shoulder (balance bean bag on
shoulder)
RIBBIT! (move bean bag to head)
Froggy’s hopping on my head, on my head, on my head (balance bean bag on head)
RIBBIT! (make bean bag jump to floor)
He hopped away!

BOOK: Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia

SONG: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I'm a little teapot short and stout
Here is my handle (one hand on hip)
Here is my spout (other arm out straight)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout
“Tip me over and pour me out!” (lean over toward spout)

I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true

Here let me show you what I can do
I can change my handle and my spout (switch arm positions)
Just tip me over and pour me out! (lean over toward spout)
CRAFT: Moving dump truck

Supplies: Dump truck printed on cardstock, metal brads, crayons, and scissors for cutting.
 Airplanes
BOOK: My First Airplane Ride by Patricia Hubbell

FLANNEL BOARD RHYME: Six Little Airplanes

Six little airplanes flying around
Zoom…zoom…zoom
One decided to touch down …zoom
Leaving 5 little airplanes flying around.
Continue song with 5…4…3…2…1…

Airplane template. Library volunteers will make five planes out of flannel before the event.

BOOK: I Love Planes! By Philemon Sturges

SONG: “I’m a Little Airplane” (sung to “I'm a Little Teapot”)

I'm a little airplane (children raise arms at sides to shoulder height).
Now watch me fly! (children they spin one of their arms in front of them as if it were a propeller)
Here are my instruments from down low to up high (with their other arm, children reach from the
ground to above their heads).
First I get revved up (children make engine-like noises while still spinning their arms),
Then I can fly (children raise arms to shoulder height).
Lifting off the runway (children start walking forward)
Up into the sky! (Children go up on their tiptoes and continue to move forward. Let them circle a
while before returning to their original positions.)

BOOK: The Boy and the Airplane by Mark Pett (wordless picture book)

ACTION RHYME: The Airplane

The airplane has great big wings (arms out at sides).
Its propeller spins around and sings (move arms in circle).
The airplane goes up (raise arms).
The airplane goes down (lower arms).
The airplane flies high (arms out at sides)
Over our town (turn in a circle with arms out at sides).
CRAFT: Cereal box airplanes

Supplies: Traced plane pieces on cereal box. A slit will already be precut in the body by library
volunteers prior to the activity. Crayons for coloring.

HANDOUT FOR PARENTS: Airplane Snacks

Celery Airplanes: Spread peanut butter on a piece of celery. Insert the toothpick into the celery
where the airplane wheels would be. Add one grape to each side of the toothpick to give the
appearance of wheels on the sides of the airplane. Place a half graham cracker on top for wings.

Banana Airplanes: Let children create an airplane using one-half of a banana for the body, 2
pretzel sticks for the wings 4 mini marshmallows for the windows.
 Dogs
BOOK: Name That Dog! Puppy Poems From A to Z by Peggy Archer

ACTION RHYME: Rags

My little puppy, his name is Rags, he eats so much that his tummy drags.
Big floppy ears and a tail that wags, and when he walks, he zig zag zags.
Flip, flop, wiggle, waggle, zig zag.
When I whistle he never obeys, he always runs the other way.
He doesn't have a pedigree, but I love him and he loves me.
Flip, flop, wiggle, waggle, zig zag!
BOOK: Pugs in a Bug by Carolyn Crimi
SONG: “The Paws on the Dog” (sung to “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The paws on the dog go trot, trot, trot.
Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot.
The paws on the dog go trot, trot, trot.
All through the town.
The ears on the dog go flop, flop, flop...
The nose on the dog goes sniff, sniff, sniff...
The tongue on the dog goes lick, lick, lick...
The bark on the dog goes woof, woof, woof...
The tail on the dog goes wag, wag, wag...
The people with the dogs go, "SIT!"
BOOK: Dream Dog by Lou Berger
ACTION RHYME: Five Little Hot Dogs
Five little hot dogs frying in a pan
The grease got hot
And one went bam!
How many are left?
One, two, three, four.

Four little hot dogs frying in a pan

The grease got hot
And one went bam!
How many are left?
One, two, three.

Three little hot dogs frying in a pan

The grease got hot
And one went bam!
How many are left?
One, two.
Two little hot dogs frying in a pan
The grease got hot
And one went bam!
How many are left?
One.

One little hot dogs frying in a pan

The grease got hot
And one went bam!
How many are left?
None.

No little hot dogs frying in a pan

The grease got hot
And the pan went bam!

CRAFT: Dog Stick Puppets

Supplies: Different types of dogs printed on cardstock and cut out in circle shape for children to
choose from. Glue or tape for securing dogs to craft sticks. After making the craft, children can
move the sticks while walking around the room and barking.
Template patterns below.