Firefly Jar Craft

 

This summer the theme for the reading program was Dream Big, Read!  The library planned thematic programs, one for the preschool set was a cute craft found on Pinterest.  A jar made into a firefly using foam sheets and glow sticks. The difficulty was finding the proper jar for the craft.  Oriental Trading has 4" jars for sale, which was a possibility.  The Pinterest post used glass jars, not really an option for preschoolers.  The solution came after we finished a sand art program, the plastic jars the sand came in were perfect for the firefly craft.  We started the program with Eric Carle's The Very Lonely Firefly and moved right into the craft.

Materials:
4 to 5 inch tall clear jars
Foam sheets in assorted bright colors
Chenille stems
Wiggle eyes approximately 1/2" to 1"
Markers to draw mouth
Assorted shapes and colors foam stickers
Glue dots, glue, two-way tape, tape
4 inch glow sticks (we found 2 for a dollar at the dollar store)

Cut two larger ovals, one for the head and one for the tummy.
Cut two wing shapes.
Cut one or two nose circles.

Assembly:
Put jar lid on before making the firefly.
Decorate the face with one or two circles for the nose, wiggle eyes, draw a mouth.  Tape a chenille stem that has been bent in two and curled at the ends to the back of the head.  Attach to the lid.
Using 2-way tape, glue, and glue dots attached tummy oval and wings.
Decorate the wings and tummy with stickers.
Open and place the glow stick inside, the hard part is to wait to break the stick until it's dark.

It's hard to photograph in a dark room, but here is how the firefly looks with the glow stick.

    Welcome

This inaugural blog will be random thoughts on teaching young children and working as a children's librarian.  It took a long time to come into librarianship, but I have hit the ground running.  I have so many ideas to implement that I hope there is enough time to achieve my goals.  Why Duck, Duck, Juice?  Many years ago we were learning to play the favorite game, Duck, Duck, Goose.  One little girl would go around the circle saying, Duck, Duck, Juice.  I thought she had trouble saying the word Goose.  We were studying barn animals and I found out that the girl didn't know what a goose was, and substituted a word she did know.  I loved the phrase and said many times, that's the name of the book. Since the book may never be written, here is the blog!

Speaking of misunderstanding words, as a small girl, my sister came home from Sunday school.  My mom asked her what she had learned today.  My sister said in a matter of fact tone, "We learned that prayer with all the lettuce in it."  My mom was very confused by this and asked her to explain the prayer.  "Oh you know, mom, the one that goes, God is good, God is great, Let us thank..." 

There are lots of things the kids said over time, some I can write and others I will keep quiet, until they become famous and I'm interviewed on E! or Entertainment Tonight about what was (famous person) like when the were young.  One that I can repeat is about a boy named Andrew.  We were discussing Moms and Dads.  All the children were saying if they wanted to be a mom or dad when they grew up.  Andrew started out wanting to be a dad.  In mid-sentence he changed his mind.  I asked, "Andrew, why don't you want to be a dad?"  Andrew took his pointer finger and circled it over his head and said, "I don't want to be a dad, cause dad's get no hair right here!" 

More about me, I started out as an art teacher.  I worked for three years and took time off to have children.  When my youngest was three I found the preschool position.  I never would have thought it would last for 23 years.  A few years ago I was laid-off for a short period of time, six months.  The question of what do I want to do with the rest of my life popped up as it does when people are out of work.  Why not go back to school, I like to read, I'm always in the library, hey, why not become a librarian!  The ah-ha moment.  Scary to go back to school when you are past middle age, but I am proud to say, I did it, passed with a 4.0, and now so happy to be working as a children's librarian.  Now I know what I want to do with the rest of my life!!

Most of the time you will find ideas for projects on a variety of themes.  Some are for Summer Reading Programs, some are for themed story times, flannel board ideas, and random crafting for children. 

Getting my ducks in a row, thanks for reading, Alicia