Don't Let the Pigeon Touch the Books!
This is a wildly funny and appropriate video about book care featuring Mo Willems' Pigeon! Students love it and you are able to lead a great discussion about book care after viewing it!
Kudos to these librarians for creating such a clever video! Check out the BES Library Blog too to find out more about their program!
Here is the link to the Prezi created for Book Care. I use the Pigeon video posted above after I do this activity with them!
https://prezi.com/zkrsne5ronon/how-to-care-for-a-library-book/?res_nr=1&sis=3287015008#
This is a wildly funny and appropriate video about book care featuring Mo Willems' Pigeon! Students love it and you are able to lead a great discussion about book care after viewing it!
Kudos to these librarians for creating such a clever video! Check out the BES Library Blog too to find out more about their program!
Here is the link to the Prezi created for Book Care. I use the Pigeon video posted above after I do this activity with them!
https://prezi.com/zkrsne5ronon/how-to-care-for-a-library-book/?res_nr=1&sis=3287015008#
Mr. Wiggles
For kindergarten, I read Mr. Wiggle's Book by Paula M. Craig and Carol L. Thompson. I have a stick puppet that resembles Mr. Wiggle that I let students hold while I'm reading the story. When they see me turn the page they need to pass the puppet on to the next person. After reading the story, I show students examples of damaged books that illustrate the story's concepts. At the end of class, I give students Mr. Wiggle bookmarks (Demco has bulletin board and bookmark supplies to support this theme - Google: Demco + Mr. Wiggle). Mr Wiggles
Pre-K, Kindergarten
"Maybe a Bear Ate It"
I read the book, Maybe a Bear Ate it by Robie Harris and Michael Emberly. This story can be used to make sure students remember to put their books in a safe place such as their backpacks every day.
This book is a fun story with great (giggle-inducing) illustrations that make the kids laugh, applaud, and exclaim, “read it again!”
Not only that, but it’s got a great message about taking care of books! Wow! The creature on the front cover (is it a cat? or a dog?) loses his book in his messy room and wonders what might have happened to it. Maybe a bear ate it! Maybe an elephant fell asleep on it! Many possibilities, all silly.
After we read this story together, we sing to the tune of, “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands.” It goes like this:
“I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).
I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).
I put my book in my backpack so it won’t get lost.
I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).”
I teach our students to put their library books in their backpack every time they finish reading. If they can develop this habit in preK and kindergarten, it will help them keep up with their school materials for years.
For kindergarten, I read Mr. Wiggle's Book by Paula M. Craig and Carol L. Thompson. I have a stick puppet that resembles Mr. Wiggle that I let students hold while I'm reading the story. When they see me turn the page they need to pass the puppet on to the next person. After reading the story, I show students examples of damaged books that illustrate the story's concepts. At the end of class, I give students Mr. Wiggle bookmarks (Demco has bulletin board and bookmark supplies to support this theme - Google: Demco + Mr. Wiggle). Mr Wiggles
Pre-K, Kindergarten
"Maybe a Bear Ate It"
I read the book, Maybe a Bear Ate it by Robie Harris and Michael Emberly. This story can be used to make sure students remember to put their books in a safe place such as their backpacks every day.
This book is a fun story with great (giggle-inducing) illustrations that make the kids laugh, applaud, and exclaim, “read it again!”
Not only that, but it’s got a great message about taking care of books! Wow! The creature on the front cover (is it a cat? or a dog?) loses his book in his messy room and wonders what might have happened to it. Maybe a bear ate it! Maybe an elephant fell asleep on it! Many possibilities, all silly.
After we read this story together, we sing to the tune of, “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands.” It goes like this:
“I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).
I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).
I put my book in my backpack so it won’t get lost.
I put my book in my backpack every day (clap, clap).”
I teach our students to put their library books in their backpack every time they finish reading. If they can develop this habit in preK and kindergarten, it will help them keep up with their school materials for years.
No-Never, Yes, Always
I use this at the beginning of the year. My K-2 kids love it. In fact, many of my 4th and 5th graderswill ask to see the box at the beginning of each year long after their primary years! It's a quick, fun review for them.
I.Q. Goes to the Library
Students love this book- I.Q Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser. It's about a mouse who learns about all the resources in the library when he visits every day during National Library Week. I ask my students to raise their hands if they spot one of Mrs. Binder's Reminders in the illustration. Mrs. Binder is the librarian in the story, and she has posted book care reminders (many are rhyming) all over her library. The end papers also have the reminders (plus a few more) and provide a nice way to follow up the story.
I use this at the beginning of the year. My K-2 kids love it. In fact, many of my 4th and 5th graderswill ask to see the box at the beginning of each year long after their primary years! It's a quick, fun review for them.
- Wrap a box and lid from a Xerox paper box with kraft paper or wrapping paper of your choice.
- On the sides and top, write or make a sign that reads "No-No-Never-Never Box"
- Inside, place items that represent things that can damage books such as liquids, food, writing utensils, pets etc. Some examples I have: crayon/pencil/marker, a pop can/juice box/water bottle, candy bar/ plastic food, a stuffed dog (pets), a baby doll (baby brothers and sisters), a shoe (reminding kids books should not be stepped on), scissors, stickers, etc.
- Each time you pull out an item, ask students why this is something that should not be around a book. After each item, hold it up and say something like, "Should your dog be able to get your library book?" The kids respond with "No, no! Never, never!"
- Finish by reviewing about how we DO take care of books - keeping them in a safe place (on a specific counter or shelf, on your desk), using a bookmark, using a book bag or plastic bag as protection, even in a backpack (How many books have you gotten back where a kid's thermos leaked or juice box wasn't empty from lunch? I've had plenty!), turning pages carefully by the corner. Just as with the box, I try to have examples there to show them.
I.Q. Goes to the Library
Students love this book- I.Q Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser. It's about a mouse who learns about all the resources in the library when he visits every day during National Library Week. I ask my students to raise their hands if they spot one of Mrs. Binder's Reminders in the illustration. Mrs. Binder is the librarian in the story, and she has posted book care reminders (many are rhyming) all over her library. The end papers also have the reminders (plus a few more) and provide a nice way to follow up the story.
The Shelf Elf
The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins is another good story for teaching book care. Upstart offers a kit which includes a 12 page lesson plan booklet, the book, and posters. Shelf Elf bookmarks with book care rules are also available.
Book Doctor
I dress in a lab coat and stethoscope for my book care lessons, and tell the students I am the "Book Doctor." use some really damaged books from our collection to show students what happens when books get wet or a pet gets a hold of them. My "doctor bag" of repair supplies, like tape and glue, is usually a big hit.
Rip Roar Read Report
Students fill out the form and put the book in the "book hospital" box. I clip these little slips to a small box in my library. I tell the students to fill out the form if they have an "accident" with their book at home. If the damaged book is self-reported, I don't charge students for the books. If I discover the book has been damaged later (in the cart for shelving or on the shelf), I charge the student for the book. I want them to learn about being assertive, honest, and responsible without continuing the punitive system I've had in place for so many years. Feel free to use these in your library.
The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins is another good story for teaching book care. Upstart offers a kit which includes a 12 page lesson plan booklet, the book, and posters. Shelf Elf bookmarks with book care rules are also available.
Book Doctor
I dress in a lab coat and stethoscope for my book care lessons, and tell the students I am the "Book Doctor." use some really damaged books from our collection to show students what happens when books get wet or a pet gets a hold of them. My "doctor bag" of repair supplies, like tape and glue, is usually a big hit.
Rip Roar Read Report
Students fill out the form and put the book in the "book hospital" box. I clip these little slips to a small box in my library. I tell the students to fill out the form if they have an "accident" with their book at home. If the damaged book is self-reported, I don't charge students for the books. If I discover the book has been damaged later (in the cart for shelving or on the shelf), I charge the student for the book. I want them to learn about being assertive, honest, and responsible without continuing the punitive system I've had in place for so many years. Feel free to use these in your library.
If You Give a Kid a Book
Second Grade started the school year learning about circular stories, like those written by Laura Numeroff. Side note - when did she drop Joffe from the middle? I talk about the idea of a circular story ending up right where it began and talked about how a library is like that. We check out books, enjoy them, have adventures, and then the books (fingers crossed) end up in the library, right where they began. Students will then create a class book pages for a book titled "If You Give a Kid a Book" to review book care and library manners. We will use Google Docs presentation to create each page and I will type the student's words using a wireless keyboard connected to a smartboard computer. Similar to the Language Experience Approach, typing student's word on the big screen gives them an opportunity to see their words recorded and keeps students engaged in what is happening with whole group instruction.
Second Grade started the school year learning about circular stories, like those written by Laura Numeroff. Side note - when did she drop Joffe from the middle? I talk about the idea of a circular story ending up right where it began and talked about how a library is like that. We check out books, enjoy them, have adventures, and then the books (fingers crossed) end up in the library, right where they began. Students will then create a class book pages for a book titled "If You Give a Kid a Book" to review book care and library manners. We will use Google Docs presentation to create each page and I will type the student's words using a wireless keyboard connected to a smartboard computer. Similar to the Language Experience Approach, typing student's word on the big screen gives them an opportunity to see their words recorded and keeps students engaged in what is happening with whole group instruction.
Free Book Care Powerpoints
http://reading.pppst.com/bookcare.html
http://reading.pppst.com/bookcare.html