Library class is not only a fun time to read and enjoy a child’s favorite books, but a time to teach important lessons on quiet time, what libraries are used for (fun, research, etc), and how to use/respect books. The lessons learned in the library early on in a child’s education will follow them throughout their student career. Children in the preschool, pre-kindergarten, and Montessori classes have been exploring the library and the books that inhabit it. Below are the lessons the children have learned in library class. The library books used in our lessons are under the tab “Library Books” on my webpage. 

Lesson Eleven: 

The book How the Grinch Stole Christmas was read to the classes. After the book, the children created their own Grinch book. 

Lesson Ten: 

I read the books The Gingerbread Girl and Gingerbread Friends. The children and I discussed the similarities and differences between the two books. The children were then able to color their own gingerbread person. 

Lesson Nine: 

The children made Pilgrim and Native American hats. We discussed the differences between the two types of hats and read the book The Very First Thanksgiving. 

Lesson Eight: 

The children made Pilgrim and Native American finger puppets. After making the puppets, I read the book The Littlest Pilgrim. 

Lesson Seven: 

The children designed monster Halloween mask. We then read the book Boris and Bella. The book is about two totally different monsters who, at first, don’t quite care for one another, then discover that they have a lot in common. 

Lesson Six: 

I read the book Frankencrayon. The children were able to create their own monster crayon after the book. Halloween books were out to explore also. 

Lesson Five:

I read the book 10 Little Pumpkins. After the book, the children colored their own Jack O’Lantern. They were able to explore other Halloween or pumpkin related books when finished. 

Lesson Four: 

The children worked together to create a book with their classmates. The classes had to agree on a title/idea for their book and then each color a page to go into the book. Preschool’s book was about Firefighting Butterflies, Pre-K’s book was about Pre-K’s Favorite Things, and M2’s book was about 14 Pumpkins. I binded the cover page and their individual pages together to create a book each class was able to display in their classroom. 

Lesson Three: 

I read the book Splat the Cat Say Thank You. In the book, Splat makes his mouse, Seymour, a book to say thank you since Seymour is sick. After reading the book we reviewed the parts of the book and the children made their own mini books. 

Lesson Two: 

The children and I explored books to discover what make a book. I explained to the children that every book has a cover page with a title, an author/illustrator, and usually a picture. We explored that each book has a spine, like we do, that holds it together. We also discovered that books have pages and words, but not always pictures. The children then did a coloring page about the parts of a book and what an author/illustrator is. 

*Book Read: Splat the Cat

Lesson One:

The children and I talked about how to use the library respectfully. We talked about voice level, how to care for our books and other library materials, and came up with rules for our library class.

*Book Read: Skippyjon Jones