Tree Planting at Bellevue Public Library!

On September 17, 2014 about 20 people gathered at the Bellevue Public Library for the purpose of enhancing the library grounds through the planting of 10 trees.  Members of Green Bellevue, along with local citizens and library patrons, rolled up their sleeves, put on gloves and took up shovels for this 90 minute project.  Joining the planters was Justin Evertson, Green Infrastructure Coordinator for the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum since 2010. 



Justin oversees programs that provide funding, technical assistance and educational outreach for sustainable landscape enhancements in communities across the state.  Before joining NFS, he coordinated community programs for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum for nearly twenty years. In 2010, NSA and NFS staff combined to form the Community Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes unit of NFS. Justin has authored many publications including “The Guide to Woody Landscape Plants for Nebraska” (1998). He earned his architecture and community and regional planning degrees from UNL (1988/92). Justin is passionate about trees, the native landscape, biodiversity and sustainable landscape development.  He lives in Waverly where he plants many trees and works to enhance landscapes throughout the community.

Green Bellevue volunteers secured a grant from the Nebraska Community Forestry Council and Nebraska Environmental Trust, as a part of the ReTree Nebraska initiative.  The project is titled ”Cool Parking” because the shade of a tree can reduce the temperature of a parking lot by as much as 15 degrees.  The challenge was to select trees that 1) would not grow so high that they would interfere with the overhead power lines, 2) would be tolerant of the heat rising from the parking lot, and 3) would add species diversity and provide wildlife habitat.  The selected trees include skyline locust, Japanese tree lilac, and two varieties of serviceberry.

Below are photos and videos taken during the planting event on the library grounds:

Asher (in green shirt and white pants) came with his grandparents to 

offer his help in planting the new trees.

State Senator Sue Crawford lent a hand during the tree planting.

Green Bellevue members Tom Mruz and Kathryn Ewing work together to secure the supports which will help keep the tree growing straight and tall.

City Councilman Don Preister provided some muscle as he worked to 

drive the support stakes into the ground.

Justin Evertson explained the steps that were followed to get the trees successfully planted on the library grounds.

Pruning branches from a tree that was planted a year or two ago.

Getting the mulch from the giant pile in the parking lot...

...to the newly-planted trees!

Celebrating Green Bellevue's 5th anniversary and the
completion of the "Cool Parking" project with some cool treats!

For those of you who think it would be interesting and fun to plant trees, you might like to join Green Bellevue members in planting trees at Haworth Park on Tuesday, September 30.  The park lost more than 600 trees during last year's flood.  The public is welcome to come to Haworth Park anytime between 9 AM and noon to lend a hand.  If possible, bring gloves, a garden rake, and water (The water is for you. Water for the trees will be available at the park!)  This can be a wonderful, educational experience for children and entire families!  Take a look at two families who took part in last year's tree planting event! Link 1 and Link 2
If you and your children are thinking of helping with this event, please contact me, as I would love to see you out at the park.  I will also have some freebies for children who attend and lend a hand!

I hope to see some of you out at Haworth Park on Tuesday morning, September 30!

     ~ Mrs. B.

Baby & Me Storytime ~ September 16 & 18, 2014

This Baby & Me Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on September 16 & 18, 2014.

Book:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle

Songs:

Hello, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

Clap Your Hands

(tune: “This Old Man”)

Clap your hands, one, two, three.

Play a clapping game with me.

Now your hands have gone away.

(help your little one hide hands behind his back, under his shirt or bib, etc.)

Bring them back so we can play!

(last time: “We’ll play this game another day!”)

(Help your child clap hands - or clap your own hands where baby can see them - on the underlined words or syllables.)

This Is The Way We Take a Bath

This is the way we take a bath, 

take a bath, take a bath.

This is the way we take a bath 

so early in the morning”.

Additional verses:

rub our legs, pat our heads, give a hug, blow a kiss, take a nap, peek-a-boo, shake our bells, read a book, splash around, tickle you, wave goodbye, etc.

Skinnamarink

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-doo
I love you!
Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-doo
I love you!

I love you in the morning
And in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
And underneath the moon, oh,

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink
Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-doo
I love you!

Here is a Youtube video of this song! 
I love ending Baby & Me Storytime with this song!  It is such a simple, beautiful way to bond with your child and remind your child how much he/she is loved.


Rhymes:

Bounce, Tickle and Kiss!

I bounce you here, (rest) (rest)

I bounce you there, (rest) (rest)

I bounce you, bounce you everywhere!

I tickle you here, (rest) (rest)

I tickle you there,(rest) (rest) 

I tickle you, tickle you everywhere!

I kiss you here, (rest) (rest) 

I kiss you there, (rest) (rest)

I kiss you, kiss you everywhere!

Cuckoo Clock

Tick, tock, tick, tock,
I'm a li...ttle cu-ckoo clock
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
Now I'm stri-king one o-clock.
Cu-ckoo!


(This rhyme can be said quite slowly, which makes for a gentle rocking motion.  When we slow down our speech we lengthen some of the words, which helps your child hear syllables as well as the cadence of our language.  When speaking, put the emphasis on the underlined words or parts of words.  Cradle baby in your arms or hold him up with your hands under his underarms.    Gently rock child from side to side in rhythm with your words.  When you say "CUCKOO", gently lift your child into the air.  For older children: have child stand and gently rock from side to side in rhythm with the chant.   Invite your child to raise hands above his/her head and/or jump one time for each "CUCKOO" they hear.  Continue this chant, changing the verse to "two o'clock...CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!, three o'clock...CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!  CUCKOO!, etc.)

Our activity this week was Scarves!

Each Baby & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Jump! Jump! Jumping!

This Toddler Storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on September 17, 2014.

Books:

Jumping Day by Barbara Juster Esbensen, illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Hop, Hop, Jump! by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Songs:

Everybody Say Hello!
(tune: "London Bridge")

Everybody say hello, say hello, say hello,
Everybody say hello, hello Wesley!

(Wesley is my turtle puppet who pops out of my apron pocket whenever we sing this song.  Then he sits quietly on his rock and listens to the stories and sings along with us.  At the end of storytime he says goodbye to the children, gives them high fives, eats pretend food from their hands, blows kisses, and plays hide and seek!)



We're Jumping Up and Down
(tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We're jumping up and down.
We're jumping up and down.
We're getting lots of exercise.
We're jumping up and down.

Let's bend and touch our toes...
Let's reach and touch the sky...
Let's kick our legs up high...


Rhyme:

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys...
Three little monkeys...
Two little monkeys...
One little monkey...


Popcorn!

Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Pour the corn into the pot.
(rub palms of hands together briskly)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Take and shake it 'til it's hot.
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Lift the lid. What have you got?
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop... pop... pop...
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
POPCORN!
(raise arms and jump into the air!)


Enrichment Activities:

I started a new weekly activity this year, borrowing from a similar practice developed by Tammy Henry, my former assistant.  (Thanks Tammy!!)

Since Toddler Storytime ends at 9:45 AM, and Preschool Storytime begins at 10:00 AM - in the same room! - I need to watch the clock carefully so that I have time to say goodbye to the toddlers, then help Michelle set up for her storytime.
As a way to extend the toddlers' experience at storytime, I have begun offering several enrichment activities in the Children's Area (and outside, weather permitting) for those who want to stay a little longer.

At the end of Storytime I bring out my Green Box... 

and we sing this song:

What's in the Green Box?
(tune: "Sally Wore a Red Dress")

What's in the green box,
The green box, the green box?
What's in the green box
For us to play?

In keeping with this week's "Jumping" theme, I offered these activities:

Coloring sheets: In support of Every Child Ready to Read I have added several conversation starters along the bottom of each page. I hope these will help remind adults of the importance of talking with their little ones and will also encourage them to provide a rich language environment for their children.

Hula Hoops: Children could head out to the library lawn and enjoy the challenge of jumping through hoops scattered on the grass.

Sack Races: Toddlers can begin to experience the sensation of hopping, rather than taking off running across the grass.  For many of them...a skill not yet tried or mastered!

Felt Board Stories: 

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
(words are provided above)

Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five green and speckled frogs sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs -- YUM YUM! (rub tummy)
One jumped into the pool 
where it was nice and cool
Then there were four green speckled frogs. (ribbit, tibbit, ribbit, ribbit!)

Four green and speckled frogs sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs -- YUM YUM! (rub tummy)
One jumped into the pool 
where it was nice and cool
Then there were three green speckled frogs. (ribbit, tibbit, ribbit!)

Three green and speckled frogs sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs -- YUM YUM!  (rub tummy)
One jumped into the pool where it was nice and cool
Then there were two green speckled frogs. (ribbit, tibbit!)

Two green and speckled frogs sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs -- YUM YUM! (rub tummy)
One jumped into the pool where it was nice and cool
Then there was one green speckled frogs. (ribbit!)

One green and speckled frogs sat on a speckled log 
Eating some most delicious bugs -- YUM YUM! (rub tummy)   
One jumped into the pool where it was nice and cool 
Then there were no green speckled frogs. (silence!)

Five Little Bunnies

One little bunny, wondering what to do,
Another bunny came along, and then there were TWO.

Two little bunnies, hopping with glee,
Another bunny came along and then there were THREE.

Three little bunnies, jumping by my door,
Another bunny came along and then there were FOUR.

Four little bunnies, so fluffy and alive,
Another bunny came along and then there were FIVE.

Five little bunnies, ready for some fun,
Hopped away in the warm Spring sun.



Closing Rhyme: 

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap!

Open, shut them,

Open, shut them,

Lay them in your lap, lap, lap!

Waving, waving, waving, waving,

High up in the sky, sky, sky.

Wave to me...I'll wave to you.

Now let's all say goodbye, bye, bye.

We always say this rhyme at least twice, increasing the speed with each repetition!

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Welcome to Toddler Storytime 2014-2015!

As we get settled in for a new school year, and a new year of storytime programs at the Bellevue Public Library, I want to welcome back those children and parents who are returning for another season of activities, as well as those who are joining us for the first time this fall!  I am looking forward to planning and presenting storytimes for babies and toddlers that will hopefully be entertaining and enriching for children and adults.  I am always anxious to hear feedback from parents - both the good and the not-so-good!  Input from parents help me to continue honing my skills while searching out the very best stories, songs, rhymes, and activities to share with you and your child.

Below is the Parent Letter which is handed out at Toddler Storytimes.  It was written to give parents a sense of what goes on during storytime and how they can get the most out of the program by being actively involved and engaged with their little ones.

Welcome to Toddler Storytime

at the

Bellevue Public Library!

I am pleased you have joined us for storytime.  Whether you attend every week or sporadically, I hope you will come away having enjoyed sharing stories, songs and activities with me, and with your child! 

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read.  The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing – were developed for Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Here are a few tips to help ensure that storytime is fun and beneficial for everyone:

* Whenever possible please sit with your child.  Your child will see you listening and participating and will be more likely to follow your example.

* Please leave snacks, drinks and toys at home or tucked away during storytime.  This will cut down on distractions.

* We are all aware that the toddler years are a very busy, active time, so please feel free to step out of the room if there are tears or your child needs to get settled.  Then hurry back in and rejoin us!

* Your child will benefit from your active participation and attention, so please do not hold personal conversations with other adults during storytime.  Also, if you must take a phone call, please step out of the room to do so.  

* I encourage your participation and enthusiasm during storytime.  So join us in singing along on songs, joining in on rhymes, doing the actions to fingerplays and other activities, and responding to the stories being read!

I invite you to visit my blog (www.StoriesRhymesAndSingalongTimes.blogspot.com) to see an overview of each week’s storytime, including the words to all our songs, poems, fingerplays and rhyming activities.

 

                                                       Mrs. B. (Alice Boeckman)

             Children’s Services Librarian

                          alice.boeckman@bellevue.ne                      

                          402-293-3158