I Am A Historian

Over the last year we've had the wonderful opportunity to work in partnership with some of the brilliant students at Seaton Elementary School. One of the most amazing projects that we did was build a local history page on Wikipedia for the Shiloh Baptist Church. After the students built the page we had them sit down for a Skype teleconference to talk about their experience on the project with teachers around the country.

Take a minute to meet Katherine, Norma, Jackson and Ibrahim, and learn about the work they did for this project. We're all so incredibly proud of them.

In The News: Farewell To Reading Rainbow

You know it's an end of an era when something that you cherished as a child finally ends. Today is the final day of Reading Rainbow on PBS. The show ran for 26 years, and due to financial problems and a change in the philosophy behind PBS children's programming Reading Rainbow will fade into history.

I grew up a PBS kid. I remember watching Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow, probably in its very first years on television. One of the episodes I remember vividly was where they read "Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears." The distinctive African cover art from that book was emblazoned in my mind and I've never forgotten it.

One of the things that I loved about Reading Rainbow, and part of the reason why Rainbow has fallen out of favor with PBS is because it instills kids (and adults alike) with something that no other show can, the joy and love of reading. Recently I attended a training workshop on early childhood literacy and one of the primary categories relevant to early literacy skill building is "print motivation." When we read stories to children that they love it increases the likelihood that they'll want to read more and more. That's why children love to read the same book over and over, and why they crave series with characters that they recognize. Reading Rainbow took that extra step by including book reviews by children for children sharing the titles of books that they loved. I can't tell you how many times I picked up a book because someone else told me it was good (I still do that). And when it comes from someone your own age, even better.

But don't take my word for it... We have a huge selection of the Reading Rainbow video series here at Watha T. Daniel Library. Get the video that goes along with one of the books you're reading with your child and read along with the show. Or get a copy of one that you may remember from your younger days and relive your childhood.

Now to find LeVar Burton and ask him where he found the fountain of youth.

Under the Sea

It's been a busy Summer, here at Watha T. (over nine thousand, indeed!), and since we've had an influx of summer supplies, we've gone full tilt into our Saturday morning story-time crafts. Last week, we finally replaced our butterfly mobile with an aquatic counterpart, made from Rainbow Fish and paper-plate jellyfish. Now, when we go to the Children's room we really have to fight the urge to hold our breath! Refreshing...

Other projects this summer have included catapults, sun-catchers and Project Runway style t-shirt redecorating with Eric. Last Saturday, we made pinwheels, and this Saturday after story time we'll be making fun monster-face sun-visors to keep off the August heat.

Can you believe it's August already?

New Facebook Group

I've created a new facebook group for parents, teachers and librarians of children who have a taste for scary, strange or horrifying stories. It's called Spooky Books for Strange Children. If you have an account on FB, head over and check it out.

(If there's enough interest, I may make a separate blog here on Blogger - thoughts?)

This week at Watha T. May 4-10

Good Morning Neighbors!

We've got all kinds of good stuff going on this week at Watha T. You may notice that our regular lineup has changed a little bit. Let us know if there was a program cut that you just absolutely can't live without, and we'll work it back into the schedule.

Here's what we've got going on this week at Watha T.

Monday, May 4

3:30: Homework Help with Capitol Letters Writing Center
6:00: Making Paper Flowers (children's activity)
6:00: The Basics of Recording Your Own Music

Tuesday, May 5

10:00: Story Time
3:30: Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Come sign up for summer reading, get free books, and have a sweet treat
6:30: Public Meeting: Friends of the Watha T. Daniel Library
This meeting will be to discuss the installation of a vegetative roof at the new Watha T. Daniel Library at 7th and Rhode Island.

Wednesday, May 6

6:00: Comic Book Discussion Group with Eric

Thursday, May 7

10:00: Mother Goose on the Loose

Friday, May 8

10:00: Rock Along with Casey
4:00: Anime Club Presents: Deathnote

Saturday, May 9

10:00: Story Time
12:00: Magic the Gathering for Teens
3:00: Documentary Film Series presents: Brothers and Others

Sunday, May 10

3:00: Folktales with Nick

This is getting outta hand!

So, today my improvisational music program for the wee little ones got totally out of hand. In a good way, thankfully :)
The Rockalong-with-Casey program starts at 10:00am, but our regulars tend to show up exactly at ten, and often a little late (slackers!) For this reason I tend to lag a bit on my start time, so everyone can get seated before we start to play. In the past I've teased my co-workers here at WTD because my Rockalong group (I don't use the word audience, because the kids are as much a part of the music as I am) has been surprisingly large, the biggest being 35 people. Thirty Five! I thought. That's more than the number of people who came to see my REAL band's first show, EEK!
But that was nothing. I know that now.

There were so many folks at Rockalong this morning that Nick had no way of fitting all EIGHTY in his camera! This photo shows a little glimpse...


If you're interested in the program, please feel free to contact us at 202.671.0267
ROCK ON!!!

Casey

Ground Breaking Ceremony

This morning we had the ground breaking ceremony to kick-start the construction of the new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library. There were news media personalities, community activists, local politicians Jack Evans and Alex Padro, folks from library administration including Director Ginnie Cooper and President of the Board of Trustees John Hill and even Mayor Adrian Fenty.

In addition to the big names there were a whole bunch of little names as well, Ms. Smith's fourth grade class from Seaton Elementary School came to the ceremony and with their little hard hats and big gold shovels they dug the first few holes for the new building. Towanda Gravitt and I came over from the interim library and I got some pictures of the kids digging. Way to go guys!

This Week at Watha T. Oct. 6-13

Good Morning Neighbors!

We've got a lot of stuff going on this week. In fact, there's so much stuff that this week's calendar is going to wrap around to next monday just to squeeze it all in.

Monday, Oct. 6

3:30 - Homework help from Capitol Letters Writing Center

Tuesday, Oct. 7

10:00 - Rock Along with Casey
4:00 - Tech Tuesday: PC Basics

Wednesday, Oct. 8

10:00 - Story Time for 3-5 year olds with Miss Tracy
6:00 - Chess Club
6:30 - Non-Drive-In Movies: Batman Begins
7:30 - Open Knitting

Thursday, Oct. 9

9:45 - Mother Goose on the Loose for Infants and Toddlers

Saturday, Oct. 11

10:00 - Preschool Breakfast Club

Sunday, Oct. 12

1:00 - Teen Read Week: Book Discussion of the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

Monday, Oct. 13 - Columbus Day

Yes, we are open on Columbus Day

10:30 - America Story Time for 3-5 year olds
12:00 - Picturing America: Depictions of Native Americans
3:30 - Teen Read Week - Movie: Godzilla: Final Wars

This Week at Watha T. July 28 - Aug 3

Good Morning Neighbors!

Here's what we've got going on this week at Watha T.

Monday, July 28

4:00 p.m. Anime Club


Tuesday, July 29

1:30 p.m. Catch the Reading Bug


Wednesday, July 30

10:00 a.m. Story Time for 3-5 year olds with Miss Tracy
6:00 p.m. Youth Chess Club
6:00 p.m. Classic Film Series - Singin' In The Rain


Thursday, July 31

9:45 a.m. Mother Goose On The Loose for Toddlers


Saturday, August 2

10:00 a.m. Youth Chess Club

Mother Goose on the Loose

Mother Goose on the Loose is an early literacy program that uses rhymes and songs to help pre-reading children get ready for reading. It incorporates music, movement, ritual, repetition, positive reinforcement, developmental tips, nursery rhymes, illustrations, puppets, musical instruments, colored scarves, and book reading into a fun-filled thirty minute session for children with their parent or caregiver.

Ages Newborn to 24 months

9:45 a.m. Thursdays
Starting July 24th 2008

Shadows, anyone?

Have you ever heard of a shadow-puppet-master? A puppeteer? Ever met one? Today, children at the Watha T. Daniel Library had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Barash, professional puppeteer and all-around nice guy. Mr. Barash wheeled his gear through the branch while Eric and I turned off lights and moved furniture in order to build a "stage". I'd never seen a professional puppeteer in action, but I can tell you it's worlds more effective than those flying birds we all learned to make in kindergarten. Please check out these photos and check out some of our upcoming programs like chess club and more!!!

Mr. Barash (above) starting simple

"FLEE, FROG, FLEE!"

Mr. Barash and a young helper (above).

The artists "backstage" (above)

Mr. Derby Nursery Jam and Show

Today we hosted a packed crowd of over 70 kids for the Mr. Derby Nursery Jam and Show, and WOW was it great! Mr. Derby has a great selection of jamming versions of well known children's songs like "Under the Sea" and "Row Your Boat." He also did some great TV theme songs like "Elmo's World" and "Dora the Explorer." Even better than these were some of his amazing original pieces like the jamming alphabet song, the bunny hop, and some awesome dance tracks.

This program is part of the children's summer reading program, "Catch the Reading Bug." After the show the kids got to go on the extreme mobile and get books and prizes!

We've got more awesome shows coming this summer, so stay tuned!

James and the Giant Peach

Big Kid Movie Night
James and the Giant Peach
Tonight, 6:00 p.m.

James is a typical british lad, raised by two horrible, nasty, mean old ladies. One day the peach tree in their front yard grows a massive, huge, enormous, giant peach. James falls inside of it, and he discovers some giant insects. They all become best friends and go on an adventure with the giant peach.

It's a wonderful movie, and a combination of live action and clay-mation. Stop by and check it out!

This Week at Watha T.-June 2-8

Good Morning Neighbors!

We've got some awesome movies this week and our first book talk for teens, and our Saturday is FULL of awesome programs. So, check it out!

Monday, June 2

4:00 p.m.: Doctor Who - Father's Day

Wednesday, June 4

10:00 a.m.: Story Time for 3-5 year olds with Miss Tracy

6:00 p.m.: Big Kid Movie - James and the Giant Peach

Thursday, June 5

4:00 p.m.: Teen Book Talk

Saturday, June 7

10:00 a.m.: Customizing your MySpace page

1:00 p.m.: Big Summer Energy Savings

Catch The Reading Bug

Summer is right around the corner and so is the DCPL Summer Reading Program: Catch the Reading Bug! The kickoff date is next Thursday, May 1st! There are giveaways when you register and prizes for the books you read, listen to or have read to you! Stay tuned for all the programs, presenters, activities and games!