One of the stories I read to the kindergarten children is ANGUS LOST by Marjorie Flack.
Well, I could have written a story yesterday called MISS VIVIAN IS LOST!!!!
I usually print out the school’s directions from MapQuest and then several days before my scheduled visit, I take a ride over to make sure I know how to get there. So far, I have been to 5 different elementary schools in District 11. For some reason, my printer refused to print out the directions, so I wrote them down by hand. And, because life just got in the way, I wasn’t able to take the dry run to Bates Elementary.
BIG MISTAKE!!!!
Misreading my directions, I took a right on Austin Bluffs instead of a left. After going several miles, looking for the next street to turn on, I realized that something was wrong. I called the school and was given the bad news…I had gone in completely the opposite direction. I turned around and headed back and was able to find the general vicinity of the school…but this particular building is set back in a maze of winding streets, some of which are one way. After calling the school office again and receiving additional instructions, I finally made it there…half an hour late. 😦
I felt really badly as I hate to be late for things…especially when others are waiting on me. However, we were able to arrange it so that I could read the story…KATY AND THE BIG SNOW by Virginia Lee Burton. I then took a break in the teachers’ lounge for 45 minutes while the children went to their next scheduled activity. And, as my daughter says, “Everything happens for a reason.” In the lounge, I met the school librarian and we began to talk about the SHOW ME HOW Story-time Program. She wondered whether an evening presentation might be of value to the parents of the Pre-K students and told me she would speak to the Pre-K teachers about it.
At 10:20am, I made my way back to the kindergarten classroom and was able to help the children do the craft project…a snow-covered road way picture. Again I was impressed with the creativity of the children…each made the picture from their own perspective.
Leaving the children finishing up their pictures, I headed over to the other kindergarten class to again read the story and work with them on the craft project. I know both classes had a wonderful time…as I put on my coat to leave, one little girl came up and hugged me…and another said, “I love your hair, and your eyes, and your glasses. 🙂
This program is so very valuable, especially because these days, kindergarteners are the “new 1st graders”…they have set curriculums and are expected to reach various goals in reading and writing…so there is less time for listening to picture book stories and doing arts and crafts.
To me this is quite sad…so much learning takes place when young children listen to and discuss a picture book story….so many skills are acquired when they participate in arts and crafts activities. I hope parents and teachers will head over to my website to check out my book that makes reading, crafting and cooking with young children a snap!
And please don’t forget…TWO VERY IMPORTANT UP-COMING EVENTS!!!
- Sunday, April 10th…I will be at the Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument, CO from 2-3:30pm…talking about reading, crafting and cooking with young children and signing copies of my book. For more details go to www.coveredtreasures.com. The Book Fair benefits the Tri-Lakes Community Preschool Tuition Assistance Program. If you are local to Monument, Colorado Springs or Denver, please head on over to say hello and do your part to support early childhood education!
- Tuesday, April 12th…I will be hosting Max the Dog as he continues his 36 day book blog tour. For more details about the on-going contest and to see where he has been and where he is going, please visit: http://readwithmax.com/blogbooktour.html