Nourishing Food For The Young Brain
Early Literacy Includes Reading, Singing, Playing
By Becky Corning
Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Research is constantly showing us fascinating new insight into how babies and children learn to read and how we can support that process.
Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) is an initiative designed to give parents and librarians easy ways to implement findings from recent research. The initiative, which was established by the Association of Library Service to Children and the American Library Association, includes six early literacy skills and five early literacy practices.
The six skills are: letter knowledge, print awareness, phonological awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills and print motivation.
The five practices are: read, write, talk, sing and play.
The practices support the skills. For example, singing helps children with phonological awareness by slowing down language and breaking up sounds that make up the words. Syllables can be easier to hear in songs than in spoken language, because songs often have a different note for every syllable.
Each year, Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) selects new books that lend themselves to activities incorporating the five practices.
Here are the 2015 CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards:
• Read: Books Always Everywhere by Jane Blatt, illustrated by Sarah Massini
• Write: The Crayon by Simon Rickerty
• Talk: Froodle by Antoinette Portis
• Sing: I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
• Play: Tea with Grandpa by Barney Saltzberg
For descriptions and suggested activities for these books, and for more information about CLEL, the five practices, and the six skills, check out www.clel.org. To see Every Child Ready to Read principles in action, attend a storytime at Pauline Robinson or Park Hill Branch Library.
November Library Events at Pauline Robinson Branch
Computer Basics: Microsoft Word |Monday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.
Learn how to create and edit a document with Word. We will look at basic formatting tools like how to bold text and change the page alignment.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Computer Basics: Microsoft Word | Monday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
Learn how to create and edit a document with Word. We will look at basic formatting tools like how to bold text and change the page alignment.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Delectable Sides for Thanksgiving | Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.
Old and new side dish recipes perfect for your holiday table.
Computer Basics: Practice Lab |Monday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
Come practice what you’ve been taught in the computer basics classes so far and get your questions answered.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday Nov. 25, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, Nov. 28, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: Obsession in Death, by J.D. Robb; drop-ins are welcome.
November Events at Park Hill Branch Library
Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 12 p.m.
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Book Babies: Early Walkers | Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.
Tales for Twos | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Book Babies: Pre-Walkers | Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Park Hill Antiquarian Roadshow | Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Arrive with those old “rare” books that Grandma told you were valuable. Denver booksellers Linda Lebsack, Nancy Stevens, and Lyman Rhoades will be on hand to discuss your special adult or children’s books.
No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.
You are invited to this non-traditional take on book clubs. Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can, no strings attached.
For Keeps: Meaningful Patchwork for Everyday Living, with Author Amy Gibson | Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.
Amy Gibson is a lifelong crafter and her quilts have been featured in numerous publications; she is also the creative force behind the blog and original pattern store StitcheryDickeryDock.com. Learn more about the beautiful art of creating a quilt that tells a story and deepens our relationships with our families.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count. Join us for twice monthly meetings.
Holiday Traditions Unwrapped| Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.
Why do we have Christmas trees? Or for that matter holiday lights, eggnog, holly and mistletoe? Join us as we seek to explain the origins of a wide variety of holiday traditions and examine how they have evolved and changed over time. Bring your own fruitcake.
Coloring for Grown Ups| Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.
Come for a nostalgic hour of coloring – in or out of the lines. Use our supplies to unplug and color your way to serenity.
After Hours Beatnik Party for Teens! | Saturday, Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m.
An After Hours shindig for Teens aged 13 and up. Join us for FREE coffee from Copper Door, a photo booth, bongos, poetry, mustaches and berets, and other things Beatnik. Only the heppest of cats will be there, man. Registration and a permission slip are required.
Magic Club | Monday, Nov. 16 and Monday, Nov. 30, 4:30 p.m.
Are you a teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us two Mondays a month to play and meet other Teens who are also Magic-Minded.
Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, Nov. 17, 3:30 p.m.
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Activity: Tunnel relay race
MoonDance Botanicals for Teens | Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Discover the enchanting world of herbs and aromatherapy. We will learn about 10 essential oils to inspire the mind and heal the body and create a custom spritzer plus a luscious sugar scrub filled with beautiful botanicals to pamper your skin. *For Tweens and Teens aged 12 and up. Limited to 15 seats, so arrive early.
Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Activity: TBA
Origami for Seniors | Friday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m.
Benefit from the tranquil yet challenging art of paper folding and take away some beautiful items perfect for your holiday celebrations.
Sewing Lounge | Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.
Enjoy distraction-free sewing at our open sewing lab where you can bring any project to work on.
International Games Week Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 21, 3 p.m.
On Nov. 21, more than 1,000 libraries around the world will join together for the 8th annual celebration of all games. Join us for “Win It In A Minute” family game challenges.