Best Storytime Practices Webinar Series continues with Story Be Told’s Jenifer Strauss <– Register now, for each recording. Recordings + handouts will be sent to registered attendees! Details are as follows:

Storytime is Your Time to Shine! The Impact of Youth Librarians on Children and Families

Tuesday, January 22, 2019
2:00 pm (ET)

The healthy brain development of children 0-6 is experience dependent. Narrative Consultant Jenifer Strauss will explain why children need a variety of stimulating and diverse activities to grow and learn. Parenting in a media-saturated society is a challenge. Youth Librarians are role models for healthy language experiences that build literacy skills in children and confidence in parents. Join Jen for this lively webinar and learn why #STORYTIMESMATTER!

In this webinar you will

• Understand the “Brain Power” in a well-orchestrated storytime

• Hear true stories of how librarians save lives!

• Learn theme-based storytime basics for all season

• Review and Use the Every Child Ready to Read Five Practices

Touch the Brightest Star: Ready-To-Read Michigan’s 2019 Children’s Book

Thursday, February 21, 2019

2:00 pm (ET)

In 2019, the Library of Michigan Ready to Read Program will feature the book, Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson. This book is perfect for the 2019 Summer Reading Program theme; Space: A Universe of Stories In this informative and interactive webinar, Storyteller and Narrative Consultant, Jenifer Strauss will feature Touch the Brightest Star and then give a plethora of ideas for building a storytime for your youngest patrons using this book and the 2019 SRP theme.

In this webinar you will

· Be introduced to the book; Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson with several examples for how to share with young audiences.

· Learn songs about The Sun, The Stars and The Moon.

· See and Tell interactive stories that coincide with the theme.

· Lean how to add “Act it Out and Play Options” to the theme.

· Watch demonstrations for two STEM Activities perfect for young ones!

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away: Fact, Fiction & Folklore for SRP 2019 Family Programs
Thursday, March 21, 2019
2:00 pm (ET)

Combining her years as a science teacher and storyteller, Jenifer Strauss will help you build programs for families using the 2019 Summer Reading Theme; Space: A Universe of Stories. Jen will be sharing factual and fictional stories and songs and then demonstrating cool STEM activities for families to engage in together including some rocket launching and moon rock making!

In this webinar you will

· Learn the brain-powering reasons for sharing fiction before fact

· Watch and participate in the telling of several factual and fictional stories about SPACE

· Learn songs with call and response, sign language and movement that will have you orbiting the moon and spinning through the stars.

· See demonstrations of really cool STEM activities that you can share with families next summer.

Act It Out and Play! Stories Just Made for Participation
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
2:00 pm (ET)

Every Child Ready to Read states, “Play is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. They learn about language through playing as the activities help them put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing”. In this highly active webinar, Storyteller and Narrative Consultant, Jenifer Strauss will be presenting books that lend themselves to PLAY!

In this webinar you will

· Learn fun facts from current research about the Power of Play!

· Be introduced to authors and books that lend themselves to creative expression and encourage silly improvisation.

· Learn four traditional and literary stories that are perfect for adaptation and group participation (titles, props and costume lists will be provided)

· Learn some easy group games to add cooperation to storytime programs.

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan