Start to Finish Story Time (Expanded), Summary Post

One of my most popular series of blog posts is the "Start to Finish Story Time” series that provides ”start to finish" lesson plans for sign language story time programs incorporating themes from my "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" books.

Here is an expanded version of this series that provides links to lesson plans and resources for my latest books and to provide links to story time/event plans written by other authors who have contributed guest posts to my blog. 

Over time, I will develop a variety of themed story time lesson plans and resources that tie into my latest books and interests. The first place you might like to stop is my virtual author visit, created for World Read Aloud Day. It's a WRAD resource! You can find it here.  

You’ll want to bookmark this post, as new lesson plans and resources will be added regularly. 

(NOTE: Newsletter subscribers are typically the first to know about new resources and event opportunities. Subscribe here and never miss an update.)  

Lesson Plans / Activities / Other Resources 

Printable coloring sheet

Printable matching card game (to come!)

Printable tear-off calendar countdown (to come!)

Animated book trailer (to come!)

Welcome Baby, Welcome Book Baby Story Time Lesson Plan (to come!) 

Ten Tips for Welcoming Home a New Sibling (to come!)

Lesson Plans / Resources 

Pinterest Boards with Themes Related to Lucy's Blooms

Blog post with a planting-themed activity that can be completed indoors with supplies you likely have at home. {NOTE: The host for this post is currently unavailable online, so the previous link is inactive. If you'd like access to this resource, please reach out to Dawn directly, and she will provide.} 

Planting activity that enables you to visualize what seeds do under the soil. 

Blog post that includes a dandelion-themed activity.

Five Little Flowers Flannelboard Activity by Kathy MacMillan for Lucy's Blooms, on StoriesByHand.com

Sign Language Story Time Lesson Plan for Lucy's Blooms (a guest post on StoriesByHand.com)

Study/Activity Guide for Educators, With Curriculum-Aligned Discussion Questions and Activities for Multiple Disciplines

Lucy's Blooms Animated Book Trailer, with Original Song Composed and Performed by Maiah Wynne.

Lucy's Blooms Animated Book Trailer, with personalized intro from musician Maiah Wynne. 

Dawn reading Lucy's Blooms, for virtual book launch event hosted by Green Bean Books .

Lora Heller, founding director at Baby Fingers, LLC signing the first two pages of Lucy's Blooms.

Lora Heller, founding director at Baby Fingers, LLC reading, and team interpreter/teacher Deanna providing a full reading of Lucy's Blooms with ASL interpretation.

Book Trailer for Lucy's Blooms, with Sign Language Interpretation from the Team at Baby Fingers, LLC: Founding Director, Lora Heller  |  Susan  |  Deanna  |  Erik and Adriana (coming soon!)

Recent interviews with Dawn here. 

Available Here

Cowgirl-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources

From Dawn:

Cowgirl-Themed Pinterest Page

Cowgirl-Themed Sign Language Story Time Lesson Plan

Sign Language Story Time: Cowgirls Don't Wear Diapers (a guest post on the Rain City Librarian's Blog)

Study/Activity Guide for Educators, With Curriculum-Aligned Discussion Questions and Activities for Multiple Disciplines

Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? Song and Book Trailer

Sign Language Sing-Along Resources for Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? Song (a guest post on Kathy MacMillan's Stories By Hand blog)

Cowgirl-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources, From Others:

Giddy-up Cowboy! Story Time Lesson Plan from Sunflower Storytime Blog

One Little Librarian's Cowboy (Cowgirl) Lesson Plan

Available for Here

Pirate-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources

From Dawn:

Pirate-Themed Sign Language Story Time Lesson Plan

Pirate-Themed Pinterest Page (includes pirate-themed novelty items, games, and activity ideas)

Study/Activity Guide for Educators, With Curriculum-Aligned Discussion Questions and Activities for Multiple Disciplines

Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? Song and Book Trailer (PLUS, Interview with Author Dawn Prochovnic and Musician Annie Lynn on Tara Lazar's blog )

Sing-and-Sign- Along Resources for Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? Song



Pirate-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources, From Others:

Jane McManus's Pirate-Themed Story Time Pinterest Page (includes pirate-themed flannel boards, songs, rhymes, and craft ideas)

Pirate-Themed Story Time Lesson Plan, from the Biblio Files Blog

Pirate-Themed Story Time Lesson Plan, from Lady Librarian Life Blog (includes book ideas, songs, rhymes, and flannelboards)

Pirate-Themed Story Time Lesson Plans from One Little Librarian Blog

Shiver Me Timbers Story Time Resources, from the Monroe County Library System's Wiki (includes many songs, fingerplays, jokes, activities and craft ideas compiled by Amber Creger)

Talk Like a Pirate Day Story Time Event Plan, by Danielle Gowen, Library Assistant, Haverford Township Free Library

Potty-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources

From Dawn:

Potty-Humor-Themed Sign Language Story Time Lesson Plan

Potty-Themed Book List (Brief)

Potty/Underwear Themed Book List (Expanded)

Potty-Themed Pinterest Page

Fascinating Potty Science-Themed YouTube Video Playlist

Sign Language Story Time: Cowgirls Don't Wear Diapers (a guest post on the Rain City Librarian's Blog)

Potty Training Awareness Month (June) 

World Toilet Day Resources #1

World Toilet Day Resources #2

World Toilet Day Resource Roundup 

Potty-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources, From Others:

"Potty Power" Story Time Event Plan Interview with Ivy Coleman, Youth Librarian, Tippecanoe County Public Library

Potty Storytime, by Keren Joshi, Youth Librarian

Potty-Themed Event (Open-Ended/Self-Directed Event and/or Party Activities), Marta, Moline Public Library

Potty-Training "Parenting Pack/Book Bundle" Resources, from Storytime Katie's Blog

Underwear-Themed Story Time Lesson Plan, from the Storytime Station Blog

Start to Finish Story Time Guest Posts:

Up and Adam, by Debbie Zapata (Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang, Kids Can Press)

Rice From Heaven, by Tina Cho (Illustrated by Keum Jin Song, little bee books, 2018)

My Quiet Ship, by Hallee Adelman (Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, Albert Whitman & Company, 2018)








If you like this series, you might also like the Ideas for Incorporating Alphabet Signs into Your Story Time series, and the original Start to Finish Story Time series (an oldie, but a goodie).

And, if you’d like to contribute a post to this series, or a link to a cowgirl, pirate, or potty-themed post from another blog, please get in touch via the comments or the contact form.

*Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission from books purchased through links on this post. 

Dawn Pro Five Oh!

Get the candles and cookies ready, because May is my birthday month, and this year is my Big Five-Oh. Ready to celebrate?

Please Join Me in Supporting the Children's Book Bank!

Choose One or More Options Below to Participate

*Spend 50 seconds exploring the Children's Book Bank's website and learning about their mission

*Spend another 50 seconds reading about the Children's Book Bank's Story Like Mine Campaign

*Bring new or gently used books to my house on or before Tuesday, May 23rd (see below for donation guidelines)

* Purchase a book from my inventory, and both the book and the net proceeds will be donated to the Children's Book Bank (purchase from my online store on or before May 23, 2017 and reference #DawnPro50 in the notes . . . or stop by my house on or before Tuesday, May 23rd to make your purchase--send me a direct email/message and we'll coordinate.)

*Spend 50 minutes helping me sort and organize books on Tuesday, May 23rd (comment below, use the contact form to the left, or send me a direct email/message so we can coordinate schedules)

*Donate new or used books directly to the Children's Book Bank (here is a link to their Multicultural Books Wish List)

*Make a monetary donation to the Children's Book Bank:

• Fun Fact: 50 cents multiplied by my 50 years = $25
• Fun Fact: 50 dollars multiplied by 1 for my one and only 50th birthday = $50
• Fun Fact: 50 cents a day multiplied by 365 for each day I'll be 50 = $182.50

*Spend 50 minutes reading to or with a child or grown-up of your choosing, then spread the word by sharing a selfie on social media to celebrate my Big Five-Oh (#DawnPro50, @DawnProchovnic, FB / @PDXBookBank, FB, Instagram)

Here are My Goals for My 50th Birthday Book Drive (Click Here to See How I'm Doing on Reaching My Goals):

*50 books collected and delivered to the Children's Book Bank

*50 empty book bags funded (each $25 donation supplies 25 ready-to-fill bags)

*50 filled book bags funded (each $25 donation fills one book bag for a child who participates in Head Start)

*50 "50-minutes of reading with a child or grown-up" photos posted to social media and tagged: #DawnPro50 @dawnprochovnic @PDXbookbank

*50 shares of this post

*50 friends, family members, and/or fans who participate in this celebration in some fashion

*One friend, family member, or fan inspired to coordinate a book drive (or other service project of their choosing) for their next special occasion.

*****

Here are Some Book Donation Guidelines from the Children's Book Bank:

We Need:
Books for babies
Board books
Books about letters, numbers, shapes and colors
Picture books--in hard cover and soft cover
Books about animals
Chapter books for readers from grade K-8

We can't use:
Coloring Books
Text Books
Books from school library collections
Teacher "sets" that have been pulled from the classroom
Encyclopedias
Activity Books
Books for Adults
Musty/damaged Books

In terms of what is meant by "gently used," we say that folks can ask themselves if the book is one that they would think of buying for their own child or one that could be passed on to a friend.

Here is a link to a Children's Book Bank Flyer

*****

So, are you in??

If you need more information to participate, please comment below or send a message via the contact form to the left (or send me a direct email/message), and additional information will be supplied.

Feel encouraged to use the comment section below to share how you've participated or plan to participate, or just to wish me a happy birthday!

Thanks for helping me celebrate the Big 5-0!

#DawnPro50

Thankful for Books. Thankful for Libraries. Thankful for Family and Friends.

If you know me at all, you know that I love reading. I was thinking the other day, that of all of the many, many gifts in my life (and I have many), the gift of reading is one of the gifts I treasure most. I read every single day. I read to learn. I read to escape. I read to grow as a human. I read to understand.  I read to listen.

Image Source: School Libraries Matter: Beaverton

This Thanksgiving Break I will hunker down with my family and read by a fire. One of the books I will read is Amber Keyser's Back from Broken. Here is a beautiful article written by Amber that tells the tender story behind the story.

What will you and/or your children be reading over the Thanksgiving Break? School Library Advocates are collecting input on the School Libraries Matter: Beaverton Facebook Page. Please visit the site, "like" the site, and share what you're reading.

Speaking of libraries, if you know me at all, you know I also love libraries. I recently authored a guest post for the SchoolLibraryAdvocacy.org blog. I hope you will pop on over to their site to give it a read.

Image Source: L. Monfils

Our family has a tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving early. This past weekend we had 32 family members sharing food, stories, and laughter around our plentiful table. I am so blessed.

I am also grateful for you, dear reader. Thank you for giving me a space to share my thoughts, share my ideas, and share my passion for learning and life.

Book Notes: "What Color is Monday?" by Carrie Cariello

Image from carriecariello.com

I recently finished reading, "What Color is Monday?" a book by fellow blogger and author, Carrie Cariello. It's about the colorful experience of raising a child with autism.

Prior to reading the book, I enjoyed Carrie Cariello's blog, especially this post (about grand-parenting a child with autism) and more recently, this post (about looking for the rainbow in the darker moments of parenthood).

I was originally drawn to Cariello's book because I thought it might be good preparation for Autism Awareness Month coming up in April, and that it might be helpful for some of my clients and readers. Given that sign language is a common therapy prescribed for children on the autism spectrum (and for many other children with special learning and developmental needs), I interact regularly with parents and educators who love and work with children with special needs. Although Cariello's point of view is certainly influenced by her experiences parenting a child with autism,  I was pleased to discover that her book offers perspectives that are relevant to a broad range of parents. I have found her thoughtful essays applicable to my own parenting journey.

Although the challenges of parenting a child with identified special needs are far beyond anything I've experienced, I too struggle with the particular challenges I do encounter (sometimes daily!) in parenting the unique and special needs of each of my typically developing children. As Dr. Stephen Cowan said in this essay, "Pushing your buttons is a spiritual practice, and children are our spiritual teachers." Suffice it to say, my children are quite devout in their spiritual practice. I've been brought to my knees with frustration, cried myself to sleep, and asked the universe, "Why this?!" Cariello's book helped me remember why: Because I am just the right mama for these particular children. They hold what I need to learn, and they need what I have to offer.

I most appreciated Cariello's chapter entitled, "The Autism in All of Us." It is here where Cariello points out that we all have special needs (challenges, quirks . . . ). Indeed, these special needs/challenges/quirks are greatly amplified for people on the autism spectrum, and yet, each of us has a unique blend of special needs that is the secret sauce that makes us who we are. We are each uniquely lovable because of our special needs/challenges/quirks . . . not in spite of them. I must especially remember this perspective on the days when it is harder to find the rainbow.

I encourage you to get your hands on a copy of Cariello's book (it should be noted that she donates a portion of the proceeds from her book sales to autismspeaks.org). At a minimum, I hope you will visit her blog (I've added it to my blog roll on the right side of this page).

Oh, and here is a fun tidbit: Cariello lists her favorite books here. "Where the Red Fern Grows" (one of my childhood favorites), by Wilson Rawls, is on her list of honorable mentions. We also share several adult favorites, including "The Red Tent," by Anita Diament, and One True Thing, by Anna Quindlen.  I will encourage Cariello to read, "Bird by Bird," by Anne Lamott, my all time favorite.

Sing and Sign When You Read (More Ideas for Getting Started with Signing)

Story Time with Signs & Rhymes

One of my favorite things to do is sing and sign when I read to kids. I routinely model this for teachers, librarians and parents when I facilitate in-service training sessions and literacy programs at community education events. After a guest appearance at a conference facilitated by one of my heroes, Nellie Edge, I was encouraged to capture a video of me singing and signing my stories with children. For logistical reasons, this still hasn't happened (lining up cameras and the necessary parental permissions during the same timeframe I've managed to fit in a fresh haircut and wardrobe check has not worked out quite yet).

However, after many gentle nudges from Nellie, I did finally film myself reading my book SEE THE COLORS. Nellie references  the book and video clip in her annual list of favorite new books (you have to scroll down a bit on her page to find it).

The video, (here is the YouTube link), is not nearly as fun or inspiring as it would be if I had a group of engaged kids surrounding me, but it does provide an opportunity to illustrate some of the ideas I encourage you to try at home or in your own classrooms. It provides an example of how the story might be signed if I were reading to a group of children, for example in a classroom or library story time session.

For family story times, cuddle your child(ren) on your lap.  Hold the book in front of you.  You can make some of the signs like "blue" or "green" in front of the pages of the book (instead of near your shoulder, where these signs are typically made). You can also make some of the signs on your child's body (for example, tug on your child's tee shirt for the sign "white," or move your pointer finger across your child's eyebrow for the sign "black").  If you prop your child more sideways (vs. forward) on your lap, you can make the signs on your own body, and you will notice that your child will look up from the book to watch your hands and face, where the signing action is taking place.

For some kids, you can also use their hands to make the signs. For example, I use the sign for "baby"(or for older kids, "child") to convey the repeating phrase "little one."  Try cuddling your child's arms into the "baby" motion to make this sign.  For the sign "brown," you can move your child's open hand down their cheek to approximate the motion.  Some kids really like having their hands manipulated in this way; others don't.  My daughter used to hold her hands out to me and say "help" when she was having trouble articulating a more complicated new word (such as "helicopter"). My son, on the other hand, would arch his back and aggressively move his arms and hands away from me saying, "by myself!" if I tried to manipulate his hands to make a sign.  Let your baby be your guide!

And be relaxed about it.  Don't be afraid to put the book down from time to time.  You can set it on your lap, or you can set it down next to you. You might find that you and your child(ren) get sidetracked talking back and forth about different signs.  That's fine.  The whole point is to interact and to explore language and literacy together!

I also encourage you to use books that you are really familiar with, books that you and your child really enjoy, and books that feel rhythmic and musical to you. For example, children's classics like "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" aren't officially singable, but they have a rhythmic quality to them.  Chant and sign along with those stories!

Many of my books from the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes Series can be sung, not just read. In my next post, I'll provide a summary of the familiar tunes that match up with my singable stories. In the meantime, please feel free to share other books you like to sing and sign along with in the comments section below!
    

Dishonesty is Distracting (aka Imagine, Part 2)

My last post was an ode to Imagine, by Jonah Lehrer.  I found it to be a stimulating and thought-provoking read (but recently discovered that it had been recalled by the publisher due to the disappointing revelation that the author made up some of the quotes referenced in the book).  I ended my last post with plans to revisit the many passages I had marked during my first read of the book, to reflect on what those words could (still) inspire in my own creative life.

Newsflash: Dishonesty is distracting. I turned to page after page of marked text, rereading the passages and reflecting on the wisdom in the words.  I found that the wisdom did not grab at me as it had the first time I read the words.  Maybe this is because I was no longer lounging on the beaches of Greece, as I had been when I first read the book.  Maybe the ideas simply lost their freshness upon review.  What I can say for certain is that over and over again, I found myself wondering if other quotes were true or fabricated.  I found myself wondering if the research presented was accurate and fairly portrayed.  I found myself wondering if the examples given were full of half truths, or made up altogether.  I did not find myself swirling in the excitement of my own creative energy as I had the first time I read the book.

As I recognized the significance of my doubts about the validity of the data, I shifted my attention to direct statements by the author.  I figured I could at least trust that he wouldn't make up his own quotes.  Sadly, even his own voice had lost its luster for me.  I wasn't as excited by his research summaries or his observations.  The author had lost my trust, and as a result, his words became less meaningful.

So, what is my (new) takeaway?  How can these revelations connect to my own creative life? I think it comes down to the words truth and honesty.  Trust and authenticity.  When I write my own stories (and teach my own classes), I want to do so in a way that honors the implied contract I have with my readers (and students).  I want my readers to get lost in the magic of the words on the page. I want my students to get lost in the magic of learning. I want my readers and students to know that my facts are accurate and my examples are real. I want my rhyme patterns to be dependable and trustworthy.  I want my characters to ring true and my voice to be authentic.   I want my standards to remain high, no matter what markets I am writing for, no matter what venues I am teaching in.  My readers and my students deserve my best work, always.

Imagine: By Jonah Lehrer

It's been several weeks since my last post (actually, it's been more than a month, but since I only have two official "followers," I doubt anyone but me is counting!).

This summer has been filled with lots of living. Happy living.  Sad living.  Ecstatic living. Dark night of the soul living.  Reading. Thinking. Journaling.

Blogging...not so much.  The experiences I've been living this summer do not have close ties to the themes I have set out to address in my blog.  I'm sure there are connections, but I haven't discovered them yet (or I haven't chosen to introspect closely enough to recognize the connections).

In the past weeks and months, I've traveled to Greece with my family (a beyond-incredible experience).  I've juggled the emotional and physical challenges of all FIVE of my (living) parents experiencing dramatic medical events (this after helping to care for one of my six parents before she lost her fierce battle with cancer last year).  I've mourned the changes in my family now that my SMom is no longer with us to bridge the relationship between two quarreling family members that I love.  I've engaged in a stress-induced spat with one of my sisters, then found myself flooded with forgiveness as we've tightly held each others' hands through the journey of supporting the parents we share.

I've been filled with mixed emotions watching my own children grow and mature in amazing ways as our family has taken in the highs and lows of this unforgettable summer, and I've found strength and solace in their laughter and hugs. I've lashed out at my husband for sharing (spot-on) perspectives I wasn't yet ready to hear, and I've marveled at the life I've shared with this wonderful man for 27 years (24 of those in marriage, come the 19th of this month--yes, we married when I was five). I've eaten more chocolate than I care to recount, and I've read some glorious books.  One of those books, IMAGINE, by Jonah Lehrer, is what I'd like to write about today (and maybe longer).

I heard Jonah Lehrer interviewed on NPR about his latest book when I was driving my daughter to gymnastics one evening last school year.  I was fascinated and hooked, and immediately put the book on hold at my public library.  A copy became available just before our family left for our summer vacation, and so I packed a (hardcover) library copy of IMAGINE to Greece.  I LOVED this book. I DEVOURED this book.  I was COMPELLED to highlight, underline, and dog ear passage after passage in this book.  But, alas, it belonged to the library, so I could not mark it up.  Instead, I marked hundreds of beloved, thought-provoking passages with torn strips of sticky notes.

I read passages out loud to my (patient) husband and children (and possibly a few strangers).  I insisted that my husband read the book after I was finished (AND I suggested that he pass it along to his boss and team of fellow administrators).   I went to the bookstore after my return from Greece and bought my own copy of the book (and diligently transferred all of the sticky note strips from the borrowed library copy to my new, personally owned copy).  I bought a copy for my sister, and I talked it up at my writing group.  Chapter by chapter I was inspired and motivated.  I was even moved by the final acknowledgement on the last page of the book (to Rosie, the author's young daughter, who arrived in his life toward the end of the writing process): "Rosie! . . . I can't wait to see what you become, although I'm already certain that you're the best thing I'll ever help create."

Imagine my surprise when I learned (from my husband and children, no less) that NPR recently reported that Jonah Lehrer admitted to fabricating some quotes (amongst other journalistic transgressions), and the book was being recalled by his publisher.  Like contaminated food.  Another hero bites the dust.  I fell in love with a fraud.

I lamented to one of my writing partners, Sara T. Behrman, that I was glad I'd been too busy to write a review of the book, as I'd intended (procrastination finally pays off!).  She encouraged me to reconsider.  To go ahead and write a review.  To start a conversation.

I'm glad for her suggestion.  Here is the deal: The quotes in that book may not be authentic.  The author may well have repurposed his earlier writings without requesting appropriate permissions from his previous employers.  The stories he told may have been exaggerated or fabricated.  But gosh darn it, the words in that book awakened something inside of me. The stories inspired me.  The ideas intrigued me.

I'm gravely disappointed that Jonah Lehrer cut corners. I'm sad that he lied. I'm deeply bummed that someone that I looked up to for about a month turned out to be a cheater.  But I'm not going to let that stop me from growing.  I will re-read those delicious words I highlighted with scraps of sticky notes, and I will reflect (albeit with a grain of salt) on what those words, however true or false, might mean for my own creative life.  I will look for connections and meaning.  I will look for insights and opportunities.  I will look for good in the midst of disappointment.