Potty-Humor-Themed Sign Language Story Time Lesson Plan

Hello Readers!

It’s time for me to share a lesson plan for a potty-themed sign language story time. Why?

#1 Because I’ve written many books and many blog posts that incorporate sign language.

#2 Because I have two new books coming out this fall that are full of potty humor (Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? and Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?).

As a result, I have started gathering potty-themed story time lesson plans and related resources to support these new books.

But … I have yet to merge the sign language and potty themes together! This post is the maiden voyage for this merger. It’s a mash-up of many different activities you could incorporate into your own potty-themed story time or event. It’s unlikely you will be able to fit all of these activities into any one event, but this way you’ll have lots of ideas to choose from in one handy place.

So let’s get rollin’ (pardon the pun) on this lesson plan:

Potty-Themed Sign Language Story Time:

Welcome Participants, Introduce the Theme, & Introduce the Signs in Preparation for Song #1

Potty/Toilet: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/potty/ (The “T” handshape wiggles)
Dance: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/dance/ (First two fingers dance on palm)

NOTE: The sign for potty/toilet (the noun) and the sign for to use the potty/toilet (the verb) are the same. 

Sing and Sign Song #1:

Invite all participants to sign potty and dance each time these words repeat in the song, OR break the group in half, and have one side of the room sign potty and the other side of the room sign dance each time these words repeat in the song.

Song #1: The Potty Dance (Sung to the Tune of The Hokey Pokey) by Dawn Babb Prochovnic (inspired by songs from Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot by Bruce Lansky and Catherine Blake)

You hold your bladder (belly) left.
You hold your bladder (belly) right.
You wrap your arms like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.

You cross your right foot left.
You cross your left foot right.
You squeeze your knees like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.

You search in this place left.
You search in this place right.
You hoot and hop like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.

Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Story #1:

Where: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WHERE/478/1 (Pointer finger looks/searches)
Pirate: https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=5287 (Boat + Eye Patch)
Potty/Toilet: https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/toilet (The “T” handshape wiggles)

Read: Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?

Invite all participants to sign where,  potty, and pirate each time these words appear in the story, OR break the group into thirds, and assign one section of the room to sign where, potty, and pirate respectively, each time these words appear in the story.

Invite all participants to make the sounds that appear on every other page of the book.

Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Song #2:

Poop: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/POOP/6100/1 (Poop drops down)
Potty/Toilet: https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/toilet (The “T” handshape wiggles)
Where: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WHERE/478/1 (Pointer finger looks/searches)
Hooray/Applause: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/APPLAUSE/7950/1 (Hands celebrate)
Flush: https://youtu.be/Ir9fbZGpexo / https://youtu.be/eIQb8kKBaXo (Flushing gesture)
Wash: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WASH/8247/1 (Washing gesture)
Done/Finished: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/finished/ (Palms in, palms away)

Sing and Sign Song #2:

Invite all participants to sign as many of the words they can (poop, toilet, where, hooray, flush and wash) as they appear in the song. Note: If adding all of the noted signs feels overwhelming to you/your participants, just choose a few of the signs to incorporate.

Song #2: I Can Poop in the Toilet (Sung to the Tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic (inspired by songs from Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot by Bruce Lansky and Catherine Blake)

I can poop in the toilet.
I can poop in the pot.
Just need to find it, I hope it’s near.
Where is that toilet? Hooray, it’s here!

Ahhhhhhhh. (or farting sound)

So I’ll flush, flush, flush, when I’m finished.
Wash up with soap when I’m done.
I pooped once, twice, three times today.
It was so much fun!

Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Story #2:

Where: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WHERE/478/1 (Pointer finger looks/searches)
Cowboy (can be used in place of cowgirl): (Think of a gunslinger)
https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=502
Cowgirl (fingerspelled): https://www.zazzle.com/cowgirl_asl_fingerspelled_sign_t_shirt-235509914240383706
Potty/Toilet: https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/toilet (The “T” handshape wiggles)

Read: Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?

Invite all participants to sign where, potty, and cowgirl each time these words appear in the story, OR break the group into thirds, and assign one section of the room to sign where, potty, and cowgirl respectively, each time these words appear in the story.

Invite all participants to make the sounds that appear on every other page of the book.

Let ‘er Loose with a Potty Party (or a Bathroom Boogie)

Turn on some music and dance.

My personal favorites (Full disclosure: I'm definitely biased!)

Book trailer / animated video that goes along with Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, written by Dawn Babb Prochovnic, composed and performed by AnnieBirdd Music, LLC, animated by Jacob Souva

Book trailer / animated video that goes along with Where Does a Cowgirl Potty? , co-written by Dawn Babb Prochovnic, co-written, composed and performed by singer/songwriter/performer, Marshall Mitchell, animated by Jacob Souva

More fun options:

The Poop Song, by Lori Henriques
It’s Potty Time Theme Song, by Two Little Hands Productions, the makers of Signing Time
The Potty Dance Song, by Two Little Hands Productions, the makers of Signing Time
Spin Again (sample), by Jim Gill
Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot (a variety of songs) by Bruce Lansky and Catherine Blake
Skip to My Loo (incorporate action words like jump/hop/walk/run in addition to Skip to my Loo--the Loo is the bathroom, after all)

If you’re looking for a collection of potty-training related songs, you’ll find a bunch, here and here. 

Finish with a Flush or a Fart: invite participants to use iPads, Computers, or cell phones to:

Make a Toilet Flushing Sound: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/423197696232635506/
Play the Burp and Fart Piano: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/423197696232598700/

Extension Activities (Some of Which Can Be Self-Directed/Open-Ended)


TP Tower Challenge**

Supplies: A couple dozen rolls of toilet paper (if you use toilet paper with the wrapper still intact, it will last for multiple events, or it can be donated to a local charity after the event).

Option #1: Use one set of TP. Take turns seeing who can make the highest stack before the TP tower falls.

Option #2: Use two sets of TP. Two participants play at a time. Have a volunteer time participants to see who can stack all the rolls the fastest without the TP Tower falling.

Option #3: Stack the rolls of TP into a pyramid shape. Place an object such as a stuffed animal or stuffed poo emoji on top of the pyramid. Participants take turns tossing a bean bag or similar object toward the tower. Object is to dislodge the stuffed animal/poo emoji without knocking down any of the rolls of TP.

Option #4: Allow free play “block building” with the rolls of TP.

An Enthusiastic "TP Tower" Participant at a 2019 Event at the West Slope Library 

Undie Fling**

Supplies/Prep: Several pairs of (unworn!) tighty-whitey underwear; Two small baskets or bowls--one to hold the underwear that is going to be “flung,” and one positioned across the room for the target to fling/snap the undies into; Colored tape put on the floor to mark the location for the basket that’s the target and several other pieces of tape at increasing distances to mark the places from which the flinging/snapping should take place--the closest line should be about 4’ away from the target, and each subsequent line should be about 2’ additional feet away.

Activity: Participants take turns flinging/snapping undies into the basket.


Turd Toss** (Yes, that IS a gross name...this is a potty-humor post)

Supplies: Use colored tape to mark the floor to indicate where tossing to and from should take place. For “turds” use brown bean bags, stuffed poo emoji’s, or create your own. To create your own, scrunch up newspaper, cover it with wrinkled brown construction paper, and wrap with packing tape--the end result is durable, but squishy (ewww!). These can be created ahead of time, or participants create as an activity. For “toilets” go simple and just use baskets or bowls similar to the activity above, or go all out and create a toilet contraption using a round waste basket, toilet seat, white duct tape, and poster paper or white laundry basket, foam core, white poster paper, and duct tape.  If you go the “all out” route, creating the toilet(s) could be an activity, or “toilets” could be made ahead of time. Here are links to some examples.

Option #1: Participants take turns tossing “turds” into “toilet” from a specified line. Try five tosses, before your turn ends.

Option #2: Two or more participants race to see who can get all of their “turds” into the “toilet” first (or who can get the most “turds” into the “toilet” before a timer rings.

**These fun activities were inspired by a Captain Underpants event hosted by the Moline County Library. You can find additional info (including photos) about their event here.


Pin the Poo on the Potty

Supplies: Draw a toilet on white poster board. Make or buy poo emojis or poo emoji stickers. Use bandanas (which ties in to cowgirl story’s them) or double pirate patches (which ties into pirate story’s theme) for blindfolds.

Activity: Participants take turns being blind-folded and pinning (actually taping or sticking) the poo on the potty. An example is here.


TP Roll Race

Supplies: Rolls of toilet paper. Tape to mark starting point and finish line.

Activity: Participants get on their hands and knees and race by pushing their TP roll with their nose from the starting point to the finish line. An example is here.


TP Bowling

Supplies: 15 rolls of TP and one ball for every bowling alley.

Activity: Set up TP as a pyramid shape (vs. standard bowling pin set up), with five rolls of TP as the base. Take turns rolling the ball and knocking down the TP. The player who last rolled the ball resets the TP pyramid for the next participant.


Pirate, Pirate, Potty! (Played like Duck, Duck, Goose!)

Activity: All but one player (the “pirate” who is “It”) sit in a circle. The “pirate” goes around the circle and gently taps each player on the shoulder saying “Pirate” each time, until he or she decides to say “Potty!” The person who is tapped for “Potty” must get up and try to tag the “pirate” before the pirate steals their seat. The game continues with a new “pirate” as long as interest holds. (Note: The game can likewise be played with a “cowgirl” who is “It”)


Hot Pototty (Played like Hot Potato) 

Supplies: A selection of music (see above for potty-themed songs) and a small object such as a poo emoji stuffed toy or a roll of toilet paper.

Activity: Participants sit in a circle and the leader turns on the music. Participants pass the small object while the music plays. Whoever is holding the small object when the music stops is out. Play continues until there is only one participant left.


Potty Walk (Organized like a Cake Walk)

Supplies/Prep: Tape numbered pieces of paper in a circle on the floor. To stick with the theme, each piece of paper could be deemed a “toilet paper square” OR decorated with the shape of a toilet seat or poo emoji. Ideally, there will be approximately the same number of pieces of paper as there are participants for each round of play. Fill a basket or bowl (or toilet-shaped prop!) with slips of paper that match the numbers on the floor.

Activity: Participants each stand on a numbered “toilet paper square.” The leader starts the music, and participants proceed around the circle. When the leader stops the music, everyone must be standing on a square. The leader then draws a number from the bowl. The participant who is standing on that number wins a prize. Play continues as long as interest holds (or prizes last). Some ideas for silly prizes that tie into the potty theme can be found here. 


Make (and/or Play With) Poo Play Dough***

Supplies: ½ cup of Nutella and ½ cup plus one tablespoon of powdered sugar per “serving.” Mix until a dough forms, then finish mixing by hand.

This play dough is technically edible, but use your judgement as to whether or not you want to encourage this!

NOTE: Per the manufacturer’s website, Nutella does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients and is not manufactured in a facility that is at risk for peanut cross contamination.

***Recipe originally discovered here.


Potty-Humor Props

I have gone a little nutty finding different props that could be used for a potty-themed event. You can find all the fun on my Pinterest page.

Hands down, my favorite potty-humor prop is a game called Toilet Trouble.

The flushing sound it makes is amazing. You can use it as a real game, filling the bowl with water, and having participants take turns flushing the toilet to see if they will get sprayed with water, but I enjoy using it without any water in it, just for the flushing sound. You can even fill the bowl with little potty treats like this.


More Signs for You Over-Achievers:

Need Signs for More Words That Relate To This Theme? Here goes:
Fart: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/FART/6128/1
Now: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/NOW/361/1
Pee: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/PEE/2078/1
Sink: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/SINK/7026/1
Stinky: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/STINK/4597/1
Toilet Paper: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/TOILET%20PAPER/5520/1
TP: https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/t  / https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/p
Underwear: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/UNDERWEAR/6200/1
Wait: https://www.signingsavvy.com/search/wait
Water: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/water/
Wipe: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WIPE/7161/1

Need Signs for Words that the Diaper-Changing Crowd Might Want? Gotcha Covered:
Change: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/CHANGE/3112/1 / https://www.lifeprint.com/
Clean: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/CLEAN/76/1
Diaper: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/DIAPER/5559/1
Dirty: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/DIRTY/546/1
Dry: https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/DRY/748/1
Wet: https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/wet/

*Don’t feel compelled to introduce every possible potty-related word/sign you can think of. Start with a few general words that fit with the theme and are relevant for your group.

*If you plan to introduce several signs at once, it’s more fun (and easier to learn) if you introduce the signs by singing vs. simply showing the signs and asking participants to sign along/practice with you. You can sing a song such as “This is the way we sign for potty/flush/wash/all done, etc” to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush,” or any other familiar tune that allows for plenty of repetition.

If you’re looking for more potty-themed books, you’ll find a robust list here.

You can find more potty-themed (and cowgirl and pirate-themed) lesson plans and resources here.

Fun fact: Dawn loves to travel, so get in touch if you’d like her to personally present a story time program of this nature (pardon the pun) in your learning community.

Now GO! and have yourself a real good time!

..oh, one more thing… if you share photos of and/or blog about your story time / event, be sure to tag me so I can share in the fun. Even better if it’s something I can link to in my round-up of resources for my readers!

Instagram: @DawnProchovnic
Twitter: @DawnProchovnic
Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

Have Swag Will Travel: MY QUIET SHIP, by Hallee Adelman

by Hallee Adelman and Sonia Sanchez

I'm excited to bring you another post in my blog series, Have Swag, Will Travel: Tips for Planning Book Events.

Today's guest, author Hallee Adelman, shares her school visit experiences related to her picture book, MY QUIET SHIP, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez (Albert Whitman & Company, 2018).


Have Swag, Will Travel
by Hallee Adelman

My debut picture book, My Quiet Ship, launched October 2018. Since I love sharing the book with classrooms, Dawn asked if I could provide a glimpse of my school visits with tips for other authors.  Thanks, Dawn!

For some background, I have taught elementary through university students, so I always think of any book as both the story on the page and the “after-page” reflections, activities, or impact. That’s why when I visit a classroom my goal is not only to reach as many students as possible with the text, but also to go beyond sharing my book. I strive to encourage students and maybe even their teachers to write, read, create, or wonder.

My Quiet Ship touches on a sensitive topic: yelling in the home. While all students might not have heard their parents yelling, all of them understand the feeling of having a sound that they wish they could quiet down.  For this reason, the students and I begin by sharing bothersome sounds: barking dogs, loud siblings, chirping birds (this one surprised me), speeding cars, and even funny snores. Together, we make those sounds in a playful way.*

*School visit tip: Before doing anything with students that requires noise-making or movement, I’d recommend starting by setting the tone with the class.  Often, I start by doing a clap back. I clap a pattern that kids need to repeat. We do lots of patterns which is not only fun, but also useful if the class needs a reminder that we’re going to move on to the next activity.  I also let the students know when we are going to start the sounds by saying something like “When I say 1,2,3,GO we are going to make the sound of a speeding car.” After our cars are roaring loudly, I can then use the clap back technique to get the students’ attention again and allow for us to keep moving forward.

After we’ve honked and zoomed and arff-ed, I share that when I was a little girl, the sound that I wished I could quiet down was the sound of my parents’ yelling. Some kids nod as if they understand and others listen attentively.  I explain that it was my wish, combined with my former students facing their own parents’ yelling, that inspired me to write My Quiet Ship.

Before we read the story, I show the students two random pictures: a penny and a heart. I tell them that by the end of our time together, they will know how these two things can help them select their own topics for writing a story.  Shifting gears, we discuss the parts of the book (front cover, back cover, spine) and the name of the book’s illustrator and its publishing house. Since the amazing illustrator of My Quiet Ship, Sonia Sanchez,  is from Spain, I ask if anyone knows how to say “Thank you” in Spanish so that we can send a loud “Gracias, Sonia,” overseas.*

*School visit tip: If there is a topic like “parts of the book” that ties into student curriculum and is an easy tie-in for me to mention/reinforce, I like to make that  connection. Students who speak other languages are often excited to share their native language’s phrases with their peers.

Then we read as if we were all part of a performance. I have different students play different parts (e.g. Quinn, Pilot, Mom, etc.) and the rest of the class becomes my “crew.” They help to make other sounds from the book--like the rumbling of the rocket ship or the countdown to blast off. When we are finished reading, the students and I make a nice, soft, quiet sound together. This contrasts the beginning sounds we made and also gets the students ready for a calm, reflective discussion.*

*School visit tip: I type out reading parts like a simple script and cue the students before they read. Often, I’ll send this script in advance to the teacher so that he/she/they can select students that will feel most comfortable reading those parts in front of the class. For schools that have projectors, I made a digital/power point version of the book that I can show on screen. 


Post-reading, we talk about the idea of a “Quiet Ship,” a space like a fort or a pillow tower that can help if things feel noisy or uncomfortable or can provide a quiet place for someone to think, color, or imagine. Many students describe what their already constructed “Quiet Ships” look like and how they built theirs. Others report how they use one, perhaps to get homework done or to get away from loud sounds.

Then we get back to those pictures of the penny and the heart. Students make guesses about what the images have to do with picking a topic for their own writing. I remind them about what I said earlier: When I was a little girl I __ __ __ __ ed that I could quiet down the sound of my parents yelling.  Students help fill in the blank. They often realize that a penny reminds them of making a wish. So we discuss the difference between a regular wish that is easy to get (e.g. I wish I had a pencil, I wish I could brush my teeth) vs. a “PENNY WISH”--or a most important wish that if someone had ONLY ONE penny to throw in a fountain, that is what he/she/they would wish for.  In order for a wish to be a “PENNY WISH” it must pass a “HEART CHECK”. These heart check questions are: Would I make this wish from my whole heart? Would I try almost anything to make it come true? Is it hard to get? Does thinking about it make me feel a very strong emotion?  We talk how penny wishes can make good starting points for a story because if they pass a heart check, and someone has so many feelings around it, then most of the time readers will feel something from their hearts too. Together we stand up and take our imaginary pennies and throw them into imaginary fountains as we launch our penny wishes.*

*School visit tip: I like to find moments where kids can stand up or perhaps switch from a carpet area for reading to their desks for additional discussion. I’ve found that these “resetting” or “resettling” moments make nice transitions and allow students to stay engaged or get ready for new information.

After all the launches, from “Quiet Ships” to “Penny Wishes,” I take questions from the students. Questions range from “How old are you?” to “Have you written other books?” to “How long does it take you to write a book?” to  “How does your writing get turned into a book?” Because of some student questions, I’ve created additional slides and images that show how things progress from idea to manuscript to finished product. Depending on the age of the group, I love mentioning my writing group, agent, editor and the other amazing people on the publishing/sales/marketing team so students see 1) that being a writer requires a lot of great minds, and 2) that it’s not just their teachers who say revision is important.*

*School visit warning: If you are older than 19, the kids’ mouths might drop open in full shock/horror at the sound of your actual age.

By the end of our time together, some students will start thinking about their “Penny Wishes” and future writing topics, while some will be drawing or brainstorming their own quiet ships. Others might feel proud that they helped with the reading, or that they asked a question, or that they taught me something new.

In addition to leaving the class with a piece of my heart, I also leave behind a “Penny Wish” brainstorm page for students who like to write; “My Quiet Ship” drawing sheets so students can playfully draw or imagine where their quiet ship would go; and some fun swag that includes a kazoo. Maybe if they make enough noise, and it drives someone else crazy, they’ll be able to share the idea of quiet ship for someone who needs one. 

----------------

This is such an excellent post, Hallee. I learned so much from you. I loved your book before, but now I really, really connect with it. It is so obvious that you have experience teaching learners of all ages, and now everyone who reads this will benefit from your expertise. I especially appreciate how any educator (e.g. a teacher, librarian, community educator, or a parent) could easily lead a lesson around your book just by following your detailed notes and tips in this post. For this reason, I will also add this post to the lesson plans featured in my Start to Finish Story Time series. 

Readers: Hallee is offering a giveaway! Comment on this blog post or share it on social media and tag @DawnProchovnic and @HalleeAdelman by August 7, 2019 to enter the giveaway of a signed copy of My Quiet Ship book and a Pop up Rocket Play Tent.

To make your own quiet ship or to download a free lesson plan, head over to www.myquietship.com. Hallee’s next book, Way Past Mad, steams out in Spring 2020. 

**********
Hallee Adelman is committed to bettering the lives of children and families through education and story. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Learning Technologies, Hallee has taught university and elementary students, having been nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year Award on multiple occasions. Hallee has also served various organizations related to children and/or education such as Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, and Simon’s Heart. My Quiet Ship (2018) was her debut picture book. Her next book, Way Past Mad, is due out Spring 2020. Hallee loves sharing writing tips with educators, children, and teens. She is married with two children and two dogs.

Random fact: Hallee does work in film and is the producer/director of an upcoming documentary (Our American Family, 2020).




**********
Have Swag Will Travel is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? (forthcoming, 2019), and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to Oregon Reads Aloud and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.

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. 

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!) 

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.

Start to Finish Story Time: RICE FROM HEAVEN, by Tina Cho

One of the most popular features on my blog is the Start to Finish Story Time series, where I share lesson plans for story time programs related to my sign language books. I also have a series of lesson plans for alphabet-related story time programs, and I'm in the process of developing and gathering story time lesson plans related to pirates, cowgirls, and potty-humor to align with my forthcoming humorous picture books, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? and Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? (NOTE: I'm still seeking contributors for this series, so please reach out to me via email, social media or the contact form at the left if you are interested in participating as a contributor).

Rice from Heaven, by Tina Cho and Keum Jin Song

This week's post expands on the Start to Finish Story Time series, providing a story time lesson plan by guest author, Tina Cho, for her book, RICE FROM HEAVEN: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (illustrated by Keum Jin Song, little bee books, 2018).

RICE FROM HEAVEN is a beautiful book about compassion and kindness. If you are a classroom teacher, youth librarian, after school activities coordinator, parent that home schools, or a parent or caregiver looking for opportunities to extend and enrich learning experiences through books, then this post is for you. This would be an ideal book to share in observance of "Good Deeds Day," which falls on April 7th this year.

Start to Finish Story Time: Rice From Heaven
by Tina Cho

Thank you, Dawn, for inviting me to your blog. You have some interesting series here.

My picture book Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans came out last August 2018 published by little bee books/Bonnier Publishing. Since then, I’ve been able to do some school visits and Skype/Google Hangout visits with classes around the world. My picture book is based on a true event which I helped with; however, I fictionalized the story to protect North Korean refugees involved and to adapt it more for kids. Rice from Heaven can be used with many age levels. One mom told me she read it to her two-year-old son who loved the unique balloons. Middle school teachers have told me they have read it to their classes. And of course, elementary aged children have read and interacted with the book. Throughout this post, I’ll share how you can differentiate the book and activities for different age groups.

Props/Supplies:

-map of North and South Korea
-large clear plastic bags (NOT Ziploc)
-yarn precut, about 18 inches long for each child
-note cards with a hole punched in the corner for each child
-pencils/pens
-an item that weighs 6 pounds, preferably rice
*Optional:
-black construction paper, one for each child
-photo of a rice field

Background:

Before reading the book, it’s helpful to share the book’s back story plus information on North Korea. I like to begin by showing the kids a close-up photo of a rice field. You can google one. I’m lucky as we have rice fields right across the street from my school. Many kids don’t know what this rice plant is and will more likely say wheat. Then I tell them that in South Korea and other countries of Asia, the main crop or staple food is rice. Share the map of North and South Korea. Have them locate each. Depending on the age level, I briefly state that long ago there was a war that separated the two countries. North Korea is communist with a mean leader, and South Korea is a free country like the U.S. and has a president. Again, depending on the age group, you can go into more detail of some atrocities of North Korea. It might be suffice to say that people, children, in North Korea are starving because of famine, their poor living conditions, and a communist state of government. I show them the river that separates North Korea from China. I tell them some North Koreans hear about freedom in the rest of the world. They want food. They want freedom and cross the river into China and then on to safe places. If they are caught, they are returned to North Korea where they will be put into a prison camp/concentration camp.

In the city of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a church for North Korean refugees. The pastor is North Korean and escaped many years ago. These refugees still have family living in North Korea. They save money and buy rice to send up in huge hydrogen balloons. They wait for a rainy day because a stormy day brings winds to carry the balloons over the mountains to North Korea. They hope families will find the rice and eat it. If soldiers shoot the balloons down, they will most likely keep the rice for themselves.

On May 2, 2016, I participated in this rice balloon event. A week later I wrote the first draft of Rice from Heaven. Two years later, it was published.

Read the book Rice from Heaven:

Author, Tina Cho

At the end or throughout the book, you can take questions and answers from the kids.
I also like to demonstrate how heavy six pounds of rice feels. I tell them it’s equivalent to a six-pound bowling ball. I bring a six-pound bag of rice and let them feel it. If you have an Asian grocery store, you might be able to do the same or just find something that weighs six pounds.

Craft:

The following craft was developed by my good friend Laura Baker Moon. Children can make a little model of the balloon and write their wish or prayer for North Korean children.

I pass out the bags, yarn, and paper to each child. Then I show them how to “swish” the bag in the air and close it tightly real fast to “catch the air.” We twist the end and tie it with the yarn. (I feel this is safer to do than having them blow into the bag.) Kindergartners through 5th graders have done this activity with me.

Next you can have them write a wish or prayer for North Korean children. After reading the book, children usually feel compassion as they learn some North Korean children eat once a day, have eaten grass and bark, or nothing at all. For those who can’t write, they can draw and color a picture of something they wish to send to North Korean children. I also give a prompt on the board like “I wish … or I pray…” Then using the same yarn, tie the card onto the balloon. If you want to be creative, you can prepare heart-shaped note cards or pretty stationery/cutouts.

Two schools I spoke at hung these balloons from the hallway ceiling. It’s an awesome reminder to think about North Korean children and others less fortunate.

Author, Tina Cho

If you don’t want to hang them from the ceiling, you can tape the balloons to a black piece of construction paper. Have the kids draw white clouds and rain to show the rainy night. At the bottom of the paper, they can write the title of the book, or you can print labels and attach. You can hang these up in the room or send them home to share with parents.


Snack:

If you want a snack to go with the book, how about something made from rice? Rice Krispy bars, rice cakes, Korean kimbap (looks like sushi rolls but no fish), or simply steamed rice?

Reflection:

Students and parents have told me they loved my book and couldn’t stop talking about what they learned about North Korea. Teachers said it really opened their students’ eyes. I tell students that they, too, can write about their experiences of being kind and caring for others. If I can do it, so can they. I also have two different teacher guides on my website. If you’d like me to do a Google Hangout with your class, please email me. I show slides and a short clip of the real event and tell real stories from North Korean refugees I’ve met.

Thank you, Tina! This is a such a helpful resource for parents, teachers, librarians and other community educators who want to enrich the learning experience when they share your meaningful book with the children in their lives.

Readers, you can find more Start to Finish Story Time lesson plans at this link. 

********

Author, Tina Cho

Tina Cho is the author of four picture books-- Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (little bee books/Bonnier Publishing August 2018), Korean Celebrations (forthcoming Tuttle August 2019), Breakfast with Jesus (forthcoming Harvest House 2020), and The Ocean Calls: A Mermaid Haenyeo Story (forthcoming from Kokila summer 2020). Although she grew up and taught in the United States, she currently lives in South Korea with her husband and two children while teaching at an international school.


*********
Start to Finish Story Time and Start to Finish Story Time, Expanded are occasional features of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? (forthcoming, 2019), and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to Oregon Reads Aloud and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.

Enrich Your Learning Environment with Sign Language: Post #5

Click Here for Image Credit

One of the benefits of using sign language in your learning environment is that it engages multiple senses. I envision taking in new information as a process of dropping little nuggets of knowledge into different bins in our brain. I picture these bins looking a lot like old-style card catalog drawers. When we need to call upon our stored knowledge, I imagine little critters rifling through the file drawers in our brain until they find what we are looking for. I realize that's a crazy image, but that's how I see it! Suffice it to say, sign language gives young learners the opportunity to drop their little nuggets of knowledge into more than one file bin.

Image Credit: ABDO Publishing Group 

Think about the letters b, d, and p. They are all similar in shape and sound, but they are very different signs. When you teach a child to see, say and sign the letter "b," they can clearly distinguish it from the letter "d," and they can store that knowledge in the visual, auditory and kinesthetic bins in their brain.

Those of us who are trained as teachers and/or adult educators are familiar with Kolb's Experiential Learning Model and the importance of designing instructional activities that reach learners with different learning styles. Sign language stimulates multiple senses. When we incorporate signing into classroom routines, we can reach our visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners.

Auditory learners are just fine with all of our blah-blah-blahing, but our visual and kinesthetic learners need their other senses stimulated! That's why we usual visual aides and give our learners opportunities to touch, feel and practice. Signing incorporates all of these elements.

This past week I visited a local preschool as part of their annual Dr. Seuss Celebration. One of the stories I read was "Wear a Silly Hat."



Children made hats prior to my visit.


They heard me talk about hats.


They saw me model different hats.

They listened to me read my story about hats. And they learned and practiced the sign for hat. 

  

During the story time, I read, said, and signed the word hat, multiple times. Children heard the word and the melody (because we sang parts of the story), they saw the object, the word and the sign, and they could move their bodies to make the signs themselves. Multiple senses were engaged, and learning occurred. (Oh, and P.S. It was FUN!)

I'm working on getting video footage from this most recent school visit posted up to YouTube, but in the meantime, here is a clip from a previous school visit.  I'll post new video footage here as soon as it's ready.

And, for those of you who would like to lead your own silly hat story time, here are my "Start to Finish Story Time" notes for "Wear a Silly Hat." Happy Signing!

Start to Finish Story Time: Opposites Everywhere

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This week I continue with my "Start to Finish Story Time," series, where I provide a "start to finish" lesson plan for a sign language story time program for each of the themes covered in my "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" books. This week's post provides a lesson plan for the theme, "Opposites," using the book, "Opposites Everywhere."

I love the theme of opposites, because it involves math skills and language/literacy skills (supporting Common Core curriculum goals). And, just like the classic lap sit game, "SO BIG" that we often play with infants and toddlers, it's so much fun, we don't even realize we're building math skills along the way!

As I explained previously, my aim with this series of blog posts is to build each lesson plan in a pick-and-choose/modular format, meaning that you can apply the elements that work for your environment, age group(s) and personal interests, and skip the rest.

Each lesson plan incorporates ideas that are suitable for infant/toddler, preschool and/or school age audiences, and each program incorporates activities that promote literacy/early literacy and one or more of the six keys skills recommended by the National Research Council for preparing children to become readers when they enter school. Programs can last from 20 - 45 minutes, depending on what you include and who your audience is.

I continue to welcome your feedback on these posts, as I will consider and apply your suggestions and ideas into future lesson plans and posts. I hope you will share your additional ideas/experiences after trying out the lesson plans, allowing others to benefit from your input. Here is this week's offering:

OPPOSITES EVERYWHERE: Sign Language for Opposites

Props/Supplies:

*Include one or more of the following to enrich the learning environment:

-Large and small balls (or an expandable ball, like this one I found at OMSI several years ago)
-Pairs of large and small stuffed animals (and/or a toy elephant and a smaller toy mouse)
-Toys that fit together and come apart, like these eggs, or cookies
-Books such as Tails by Matthew Van Fleet, that have opposite touch and feel elements, (like rough and smooth), or a collection of supplies that offer this experience
-A blanket and/or a bag for hide and find games
-Different sizes of balls/blocks/scarves for activity props and/or free play
-Black paper and white crayons as well as white paper and art supplies

Sing an Opening Song to Practice/Introduce Signs:

*I Often Sing, "This is the Way We Sign for Small/(Big), Slow/(Fast), Smooth/(Rough), Etc" to the tune of "Here We Go "Round the Mulberry Bush," but any opening song that incorporates words/signs for the opposite words introduced in the book will work.

*I find that it is more fun to introduce the signs by singing vs. simply showing the signs and asking participants to sign along/practice with you. (Click here for links to a series of past posts where I delve into the topic of singing and signing).

*Don't feel obligated to introduce/incorporate all of the opposites signs included in the book the first time you share it for a story time. Let your comfort level be your guide. At a minimum, introduce a few key words that tie into the props and/or extension activities you plan to add. There is a signing glossary at the back of "Opposites Everywhere," or you can download the glossary from my publisher by clicking here (scroll down past the Star Wars Event info and choose the glossary for Set 2). You can also refer to online resources such as ASL University/Lifeprint or Signing Savvy.

Read the "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" Story: "Opposites Everywhere" by Dawn Babb Prochovnic, Illustrated by Stephanie Bauer.

*Before you begin reading, invite children (and/or their grown ups) to listen for the words in the story that match the words you practiced in the opening song, and to show the sign when they hear the word.  It's also helpful to point out that many of the signs are two-handed signs, and that you will be holding the book, so you will really need helpers to sign two-handed (even if you are signing one-handed).

This YouTube video provides an example of the type of introduction I offer to kids before I start reading.

Sing, Dance, and Sign Along with Some Music:

*Play music that incorporates words for opposites. I like the song, "Opposites," from the Baby Signing Time Songs Volume 4 CD, and another good one is So Big, by Hap Palmer, but any song/music that incorporates some of the opposites words that you've featured in your story time will work. (Click here for a post all about music made for signers.)

*Invite kids and their grown-ups to get up and dance to the music and do the signs for the opposite words they hear in the lyrics (and when they see you signing).

Round Out the Remainder of Your Story Time by Adding Some Quieter/Listening Activities and Some Active/Movement Activities: 

*Choose one or several of the options below to fit your participant age/attention span and program time available.

*In classroom or homeschool settings, these learning activities can be incorporated at different times during the day or even over several days.

*In library settings, different activities can be incorporated for different age groups of participants (i.e. All groups start with the basics above, but for the infant/toddler group, add another song or two and wrap it up; for the preschool group, add another story, some songs and/or music, and a game or a craft; for the school aged group, add a couple more stories, some songs and/or music, a game or two, some fun facts, and a craft).

Invite a Retelling of "Opposites Everywhere":

*Retell "Opposites Everywhere" using a toy elephant and a smaller toy mouse.  I let the kids help me retell the story (and I encourage the addition of opposites that are not in the original story, such as "inside" / "outside" /// "up" / "down" and "yes" / "no"). To encourage signing, if kids want a turn handling the toys I'm using as props (or if they want a turn suggesting a set of opposite ideas that I will "enact" with the props), my rule is that helpers have to be signers!

Read and Sign Along with Additional Stories:

*Two good (and very familiar) stories for incorporating the opposites signs are:

Opposites, by Sandra Boynton and The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss.

Sing Songs:

*"If You're Hungry and You Know Ask for More" sung to tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It." (i.e. "If you're hungry and you know it ask for more. If you're hungry and you know it ask for more. If you're hungry and you know it, make the sign for more to show it. If you're hungry and you know it ask for more.). This song can be paired with words such as hungry/full, more/all done, hurt/fine, awake/asleep, happy/sad, hot/cold.

*"Do You Know the Sign For Smooth?" sung to the tune of "London Bridge." (i.e. "Do you know the sign for smooth, sign for smooth, sign for smooth? Do you know the sign for smooth? Show me smooth."). Sing this song, alternating between different opposites such as smooth/rough, sweet/sour, slow/fast, old/new, tall/short, open/closed, inside/outside, up/down, etc. You can enrich this activity  with pictures or props (such as a smooth block (or rock) paired with a rough rock or a piece of sandpaper) or with books that have opposite touch and feel elements, (like rough and smooth), such as Tails by Matthew Van Fleet.

*"The Blocks are in the Bag" sung to the tune of "the Farmer and the Dell." For this song you'll need a  bag of props such as blocks, balls, scarves or even board books. Begin the activity with the props inside the bag. Sing, "The blocks are in the bag. The blocks are in the bag. Hi Ho the Derry-O. The blocks are in the bag."  Now sing, "Now we'll dump them out.   Now we'll dump them out. Hi Ho the Derry-O. Now we'll dump them out."

Play Signing Games:

*Pass the BIG/small expandable ball, (I found mine at my local Science Museum Store several years ago). Have participants sit in a circle. Start the ball moving around the circle and say, "Make the ball BIG" (and show the sign for "big"). Then say, "Make the ball small" (and show the sign for "small"). Encourage the ball to move around the circle until everyone has had at least one chance to touch the ball. Some fun variations include encouraging children to make their bodies and voices BIG or small to go along with the sign and the size of the ball. If you want to incorporate a name game into this activity, you can change the words and process a bit (for example, start by saying, "It's Maddie's turn to make the ball BIG," and then allow Maddie to choose the next participant until all participants have had a turn and had their name called out).

*Sign Language Wiggle Buster: Have participants stand up. Call out for participants to engage in different opposite movements. For example, "Stomp like a BIG elephant" / "Tip-toe like a small mouse" /// "Stand tall like a giraffe" / "Be short like a little mouse" /// "Walk-walk-walk" / "Run-run-run" ///  "Move" (I use the sign for "dance" for this one) / "Stop"/// "Be loud!" / "Be quiet" /// "Stand up" / "Sit down."  Once the wiggles are out, you can read another story about opposites!

*Together/Apart. For this game I use toy eggs and/or cookies. Allow every child to have a matching pair, then say and sign together / apart. After several rounds of success you can say and sign other opposites such as high/low, over/under, inside/outside (and model for children how to interact with their props to demonstrate the words you are saying/signing. After children have completed several rounds of together/apart with their original prop, you can instruct them to pass their prop to the right / left and play some more!

NOTE: Instructions for a wide variety signing games are included in each book in the "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" series. Instructions for "Opposites Attract," and "Sign Language Concentration" are offered on page 31 of "Opposites Everywhere."

Fun Facts:

*There are fun facts about ASL included on page 30 in each "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" book.   Older kids particularly enjoy the fun facts, but even preschoolers, and the parents of infants/toddlers enjoy learning about ASL and/or Deaf Culture in addition to learning key signs.

*A fun fact I like to point out during the "opposites" theme is that signs to convey the degree of something are often not used. For example, to communicate that you want someone to walk slowly, you do not need to sign "walk" and 'slow." Most signers would simply sign "walk," but they would sign it more slowly than usual.

Craft Activities:

*One craft activity I enjoy for this theme is to hand out black construction paper and white crayons. The youngest of participants can use the white crayon to draw pictures and words on the black paper.  Encourage older participants to write the words for opposites included in the books you've read or activities you've facilitated, and the oldest participants can be encouraged to add illustrations or word art to convey the opposites. For example, the word "BIG" can written in big letters and the word "small" can be written in small letters; the word "fast" can be written with lines coming out of it, to imply speed, and the word "slow" can be written with the letters spaced farther apart to imply lethargy.

*Another fun activity is for participants to make their own page of opposites. Give each participant a piece of paper and art supplies and provide instructions to create drawings or collages to illustrate five different types of opposites.

Free Play Activities:

*Put out different sizes of blocks or balls or put out a selection of rocks with different textures, and allow children to do what they do best; play. Encourage parents/caregivers to engage children with questions that invite the use of opposite signs in the conversation (i.e. "Can you roll me the big ball?" "Let's put all the smooth rocks together." "Which stack of blocks is taller? Which stack of blocks is shorter?")

Closing Song:

*I typically close each story time with a song that reviews the opposites we've learned during the program. I usually sing this song AFTER I've given instructions for the craft and/or free play activities (if I have these elements planned for the program), but BEFORE I let participants transition to the craft and/or free play activities. I often sing the same song that I opened the program with (for example, "This is the Way We Sign for Small/(Big), Slow/(Fast), Smooth/(Rough), Etc" to the tune of "Here We Go "Round the Mulberry Bush," but any closing song that incorporates words/signs for the opposite words introduced in the book will work.

That wraps up this week's "Start to Finish Story Time." I hope this has been helpful, and I look forward to your input and ideas, which I will incorporate into future posts. If you are planning your own Sign Language Story Time event, be sure to check out the great resources my publisher has developed to help you plan your own event (scroll down past the Star Wars Event Info).

If you love the ideas I've shared, but would prefer that I deliver the Sign Language Story Time to your students or patrons, invite me to your school or library, or ask me about Skype visits!

Happy Signing! Dawn