Pilot Project Journal Entry
Sing With Our Kids  EVENT JOURNAL
     June 6, 2012

EVENT TITLE: “Best Ever Books to Read and Sing”
 

EVENT DESCRIPTION 2 hour event to inform about and demonstrate “books that sing”

I set up piles of books in categories, and demonstrated reading and singing some from each group
We provided wine and cheese, and played a trivia game and offered prizes of CD’s and books the book store provided

TARGET GROUP:
Mostly teachers, although there were also some parents

LOCATION:
 Island Books, on Mercer Island / Independent book store

HOW ADVERTISED

Through community college early childhood program, SWOK website, and book store fliers
Word of mouth outside the community as I did concerts and workshops in recent weeks.

PREPARATION AND MATERIALS USED

4 Category Signs : Books Based on Traditional Songs, Original Songs, Picture Books with a Song in a Story,
                                    and Books with a Beat.
CD’s and books to give away
HANDOUTS: Information and book list
Collection of books that sing; about 15 in each category
Trivia questions
Vertical sign with early literacy skills

PROJECT GOALS

To educate teachers about the variety of picture books available, and let them see and hear how much fun they are!
To teach or review early literacy and singing connection and how these books play a role
To give tips on how to use finding and using these books at both the public library, and retail book store
To inform attendees about extensive website resources and book lists of these books on the SWOK website.
*Find this information here.

EVALUATION

WHAT WORKED
The event itself was a huge success. Many teachers purchased books the book store had ordered for the event,
and the response was enthusiastic

WHAT DIDN’T WORK OR COULD BE IMPROVED
We held this event in the last week of the school year, and although it was a great turnout, it would have been
better if held between January and April, keeping in mind the times that work best for teachers.

PERSONAL STORY / IMPACT

I wanted to do a whole event on books that sing, because this has consistently been the topic that has generated
the most excitement at my parent and grandparent gatherings. Teachers LOVED this event, and even
seasoned teachers were excited to see books they hadn’t seen, and know about the free resources on the website. The majority of the attendees were from outside the community, since I had advertised by word of mouth during my local concert tours.

If you demonstrate these books, teachers will use them! You can’t just provide a list, or hold them up.