Storytime and Beyond

Join the world of balloons pancakes and musical instrumentsjust a few items to help improve early literacy in the library the classroom and at home. Literacy-builders covered range from music and instruments to magnetic letters alphabet beads and food.Literacy is a popular topic of discussion among librarians. Especially important is early literacy what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. In this book experienced librarians Kathy Barco and Melanie Borski-Howard share hands-on techniques that they have used to successfully promote early literacy and encourage family involvement. Storytime and Beyond teaches readers how to use literacy doodadsinexpensive props that add excitement to storytimes and can be used outside the library or classroomto enhance the basic components of any early literacy program: talking singing reading writing and playing. Many of the doodads can be created as family do-it-yourself projects and some can be adapted to work with non-readers of any age. Instruments can also be a great way to get children''s attention and teach literacy skills whether it''s a drum to beat while reading a story or a maraca for children to shake during a song and lesson plans for musical storytimes address how to use rhythm singing and dancing to make early literacy fun.