#MLA13AC Highlights- James Kane's: Loyalty

How do make make librarians loyal to you for at least the duration of your speech? Show them a video about a little kid obsessing over their profession. Hysterical.

Investing in Children, an investment in community

As we all know, children grow into adults. And what kind of adults they turn into, oftentimes has a lot to do with how they were raised. Children that are neglected often act out, and find other less than stellar ways to occupy their time. However, in our pleasure and pressure driven world, parents are often spend more time at the office making money, or worse, seeking out their own pleasure to the detriment of their children. I get it. I work. I go to school. I have a kid. But you can bet that I try my damnedest when I am home, to spend time with my child and instill values in him. Things as simple as respect and courtesy go miles! But parents aren't teaching respect and courtesy any more, and I can only assume that it's because they are just too busy. Because I just can't conceive the alternative--that they just don't care. Horrifying.

The Heidelberg Project: "Obstruction of Justice" Fall 2012

We're seeing the repercussions of children left to their own devices, in a world losing respect, more and more often. The Boston Bombings for example, where are the parents of these kids (using "kids" loosely), oh yeah, over in Russia. Sandy Hook? Mommy was too busy at the gun range or wherever, not to realize that her child was crazy. Then, there's the crime rate that is skyrocketing in my neighborhood, most crimes committed by teens, or early twenties. Where the hell are their parents? Why aren't they at home in the middle of the night? I'm SURE they aren't living on their own. Then this morning, one of my favorite local artist's work "Obstruction of Justice" of the Heidelberg Project was burned to the ground by arson (insert irony here). In variably by a kid that wasn't being watched or a scorned adult. Why otherwise, would someone demolish a project dedicated to the re-birth of the blighted Detroit? That hundreds of volunteers give of their time to try and make a gem, in an otherwise decaying city, giving back to the community.

I just don't understand. The only solution I can see is to start investing in our children. Teach your children to "love others as themselves" and have a general respect for those and the world around them. Stop worrying about high-tax rates, and whining about teachers getting paid too much, and start caring about the education of our children. There are TONS of statistics correlating the more educated the community, the lower the crime rate. The higher performing the schools, the lower the crime rate. And it's no secret that to achieve that, money is needed, and spent. It's time we start asking our lawmakers to invest in our children, before we start investing in non-essentials and overseas. Our children here at home need to come first, and sadly, they are being forgotten. It's time for change. Now. Otherwise, we're going to continue to see the deterioration of society.

Dollar Store Finds- Bingo Dotters.

If you homeschool, or teach preschool, you may have heard of Do-A-Dot Markers. These markers are great for dot art and little hands that are developing gross motor skills. However, they can be pretty expensive.

Recently, at the suggestion of another mom, I decided to check my local dollar store for Bingo daubers. And guess what? They had them! I was able pick up 4 dotters for $4.24! Granted, the color range wasn't nearly a wonderful as the Do-A-Dot, but to be honest, the colors really don't matter to a 2 to 3 year old. They just love the fun!

If you've never used the dotters before, you may be wondering just what the heck you do with them! There are several great sites that offer print-out bingo dauber coloring pages. Two of my favorites are:

DLTK kids - Dauber Pages 
Making Learning Fun - Bingo Marker Pages



So check your local dollar store for Bingo daubers, your child will have a blast using them!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Let me ask you a few questions...

Do you know where your local library is?

Do you have a library card?

But most importantly, 

Do you use it?

It's a well known fact that the best way to encourage early literacy in children is to read to them. One of the best resources for parents and caregivers encouraging early literacy is their local library. And the best part, the library is FREE! Well, you pay for it with your tax dollars, so you might as well use it! :) So this month, I challenge you to stop by your local library, apply for a library card, and chat-up your local librarians. I guarantee you'll be surprised by how much your library has to offer. From books, music, DVDs, computers, toys and puppets, to story times - there is something for everyone in your family!

Check out this slideshow demonstrating 60 ways your library card can work for you! 

List of Educational Free Apps!

I'm not very app savvy--I don't own an iPhone or an iPad (Apple, if you're listening, I'd be happy to test-drive one for you. Hehe! :)), but for those of you that are, here's a great listing of educational apps!

Free apps list from Gary Toews

Fingerplay Fridays-The Watermelon Song/Fingerplay

Image from Wikipedia

Summer's right around the corner, I can tell by the amount of watermelons at my local fruit market (There's a TON!)! In honor of buying my first of the season, and just in time for your Memorial Day cookout, here's the Watermelon Song! Enjoy!

(To the tune of Are You Sleeping?)

Watermelon,  Watermelon, (Make a circle with your arms)
On the vine, On the vine, (Cure hands and arms beside body)
Sweet, red, and juicy, Sweet, red, and juicy, (Rub your tummy)

Image from maine.gov

Please be mine! Please be mine! (Palms together as though pleading)

Watermelon, Watermelon,  (Make a circle with your arms)
Thump, Thump, Thump, (Make a knocking motion with your hand)
Thump, Thump, Thump, " "
I think you are ready, I think you are ready, (Point, resting finger on temple)
Big and Plump! Big and Plump! (Make a circle with your arms)

Wordless Wednesday- I Must REALLY Want To Be A Librarian

Yesterday I showed up to work, and without warning was dressed darn near the same as one of the librarians. Apparently, I want to be a librarian so badly, I subconsciously dress like them. Oh, and I started work on my grad school application last night--for Library Science.

I apologize for the camera phone graininess...