[Michlib-l] Input on 9/11 and storytime

[Cari Fry]

This is difficult.  I would not broach this topic and here's why...

For me, storytime is about developing reading skills and a love of reading.  While the topic of a storytime may be anything from simple (colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet, animals, etc.) to complex (adoption, types of families, conservation, habitats, etc.) it must also lend itself to the critical elements in your storytime, whatever those might be.  If your library's main mission falls in line with ECRR2 practices then your 30 minute storytime needs talking, singing, reading, writing, & playing.  Even after nearly 30 years teaching children I don't think I could talk in simple words about 9/11, sing something related with the kids, read a text simple enough, choose a focus word to write, and play a game related to it. The "theme" is a tool to allow you share your chosen core litracy goals.  I like to keep it simple, at least for our youngest kids.  The theme of 9/11 could be considered for use with bigger kids, however, as Pam did.

Best,
Cari Fry


________________________________
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of Pam Ballett via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 2, 2021 9:36 PM
To: nnowak at uproc.lib.mi.us <nnowak at uproc.lib.mi.us>
Cc: michlib-l at mcls.org <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Input on 9/11 and storytime

We used Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes for Battle of the Books but that was 4th through 6th grade. The parents appreciated the conversations that came out of it because the kids were too young to understand what happened and they hadn’t talked about it much at school. If you are thinking of discussing with younger kids I think the parents should probably know beforehand. Some kids handle those subjects better than others.

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, Natalie Nowak via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l at mcls.org>> wrote:
Good evening,

I wanted to ask fellow storytime readers whether you have ever broached
the topic of 9/11 and/or grief for storytime and whether you would
recommend that. Personally, I'm conflicted about it because, on one hand,
I assume schools teach about it so most kids probably at least know about
it, but on the other hand, there is a large homeschool population where
I'm located and I don't want to bring up a topic with the children if
their parents don't feel comfortable talking to them about it yet. Any
guidance is very much appreciated!

Thank you,
Natalie Nowak
Bayliss Public Library
Pickford Community Library

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