Breakout Block 2 Sessions

Sunday, March 9, 2024 - 3:00 – 3:50pm

  • Growing Readers at the Library: a Reading Tutoring Program
    • Presenter(s): Allison McLean & Sonya Overman

    • Description: Elkhart Public Library's reading tutoring program has directly impacted over one hundred struggling readers in the past three years. Former teachers work one-on-one with kids from age three to the start of third grade to bring them up to reading on grade level. Learn what we have done to make the program successful and let us help you envision a way to make this possible at your library.

  • Thematic Programming for DEIJA Celebrations

    • Presenter(s): Justine Carlotta

    • Description: What is Thematic Programming?Focus on an overarching theme, then plug and play by featuring a prolific person, group, event, or folktale from that culture. What are examples of themes?MusicArtDanceSTEMCodingBakingFoodGardeningFolktalesWhat are examples of features?Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Black History MonthWomen’s History MonthAsian American & Pacific Islander Heritage MonthArab American Heritage MonthMental Health Awareness MonthJuneteenthHispanic Heritage MonthNative American Heritage MonthBy starting with a thematic programming formula, (THEME + FEATURE = PLAY), plug in your ideas based on your comfort zone, or branch out of your comfort zone to learn new skills alongside the kiddos. Celebrate the culture and noble achievements by researching outside the boxSuggested Professional Reading:Let’s Talk About Race in Storytimes by Jessica Anne Bratt“At its core, Let’s Talk About Race in Storytimes is about realizing how the ‘dominant culture’ influences the storytime space and providing tools to help disrupt biases and promote healthy dialogue about race and diversity.”Beyond February: Teaching Black History All Day, Every Day, and All Year Long, K-3 by Dawnavyn M. James“I wanted to immerse them [kids] in rich Black histories. I wanted to introduce them to Black scientists, inventors, writers, athletes, artists, and so much more. I wanted my students to ask their own questions about this country’s history. And, as their teacher, I wanted to feel prepared to help my students seek out the answers to these questions, to be a learner beside them, and to make sense of history and how it has shaped the world we live in today.”Folktales Aloud: Practical Advice for Playful Storytelling by Janice M. Del Negro“Reading motivation is the holy grail of youth services librarianship [...] Storytelling is a community builder: a group with nothing in common listens to the same story and suddenly they have a shared experience.” Now, what are examples of Play?Sensory play does not have to end with toddlerhood. Integrate an immersive experience with an awakening of senses, movement, and creativity for all youth ages.Music & Arts Social Club (THEME)Introduce kids to an artist or art form (FEATURE), and listen to music from that era or country (FEATURE)(...and PLAY):Juneteenth: the 80s – Basquiat and the music that united an era: hip hop and punkUse spray tie dye and canvas for the kids to make their own graffiti artAAPI: Anime & Manga ConBoba PartyYayoi KusamaPRIDE:Frida Kahlo and self-portraitsTalk about identity: draw how you see yourself on the inside instead of how others see you (metaphorical – beautiful examples stem from this)Fun fact: Frida loved listening to Beehtoven’s sonatasBlack History Month:Partner with a local dance studio to celebrate 50+ years of hip hop with a Hip Hop Dance ClassNative American Heritage Month:Wendy Red Star and the scenic transcendence in her creative printmakingBaking History (THEME)Introduce kids to a dough (FEATURE) they can mix, knead, and make (PLAY) at the Library that they can take home to bake Soul FoodBread - The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina QuinteroCoders Unite (THEME)Introduce kids to leaders in the tech industry (FEATURE) by learning how to code (PLAY)Hispanic Heritage Month: NASA EditionWomen’s History Month: talk about girls in tech using: Python, Roblox Studio, Hour of CodeSeeds for Thought (THEME)Celebrate and learn about our country’s Hispanic farmers (FEATURE) by planting vegetable seeds (PLAY)And my storytime, Little Explorers, for ages 4-6 in 4-6 week sessionsEach session is a different theme:Folktales (we visit a different continent each week)How Things Work (STEM)Poetry LabMindfulness & MovementMath Rocks!

  • STEM Programming for Everyone

    • Presenter(s): Kelli Debikey & Jessica McKinney

    • Description: We will discuss and expand what you think of as STEM programming. You will walk away from this session with STEM program ideas and curriculum that are ready to go. We will discuss how to implement STEM into programming that you are already doing for pre-K through upper elementary. You will be given opportunities to brainstorm with peers and to "play" with science.

  • The Read Aloud Indiana Book Awards: What We Do, How We Do It, and Why It Matters for You

    • Presenter(s): Malissa Hostetler

    • Description: The Read Aloud Indiana committee will share how they curate their five age level lists, Primary, Upper Elementary, Middle Grade, High School, and Ageless, and how you can use them in your school or library. We'll share favorites from the 2025 lists and give examples of ways to use read alouds at every age and listening level. And, as always, we'll make sure to save time to read to you and to answer any questions you have for us! This session is geared toward public youth services librarians, school librarians, teachers, and anyone with the opportunity to bring people together with read alouds.