A Peek Inside the Classroom: Media Center for Kindergarteners with Mrs. Livingston

As Mrs. Colby’s kindergarten students walk through the doors of the Eastover media center, they weave through the book cases toward the reading rug, which is located in the center of the room under the windows, surrounded by more book cases for a snuggly feel. They sit criss-cross applesauce on the reading rug, and wait quietly but excitedly for Mrs. Livingston to begin. She is holding up the featured book for the day, Pout-Pout Fish: Lucky Leprechaun. “What do you think Pout-Pout is going to do to find his pot of gold?” Mrs. Livingston asks in a whisper with a big smile. The kids eagerly raise their hands to offer suggestions, imitating her soft voice. After a few answers, Mrs. Livingston begins to read.

Although they reposition themselves frequently on the rug, they quietly listen to each word. They want to hear the story, but they also know Mrs. Livingston will continue to ask questions. “Why do they call him Mr. Eight?” she asks. “Yes. Because he has 8 tentacles,” she replies positively. Engaging students to wonder about different parts of the storyline is an integral part of storytime. As she gets closer to the end she asks one last question, reinforcing the moral of the story. “What kind of treasure does Mr. Fish really like? Gold or friends?” “FRIENDS!” they say in chorus. 

Next it’s time for the activity, and today it’s a craft. Mrs. Livingston spends a few minutes focused on explicit directions. “First you’re going to color. Everyone say ‘color.’” “Color,” they say. They have obviously gone through this routine before. “Then you’re going to cut. Everyone say, ‘Cut.’” “Cut,” they say. “Then you’re going to glue and tape. Everyone say it together: color, cut, glue, tape!” “Color, cut, glue, tape!” they echo. Once they understand the craft instructions, they are dismissed from the reading rug.

Coloring is the first direction, and they are free to color their leprechaun paper crowns however they wish. Some draw pictures, while others color it a traditional green. Ramani Anderson (kindergarten) draws a picture of Sonic the Hedgehog on his paper hat. “The blue lines,” he explains, while indicating the dashes that come off the character, “they show how fast he is. I like Sonic!” Some students finish the craft in time, while others stuff the pieces in a ziploc bag that Mrs. Livingston has waiting for them. They can finish at home.

Mrs. Colby is standing by the door, and the students line up in front of their teacher, patiently waiting to go back to their classroom. As they walk out, little voices sing, “Hold your books like a treasure, hold them nice and tight. *Stomp stomp.* Hold your books like a treasure, hold them nice and tight. *Stomp stomp.*” Time for the next adventure of the day!