Stroll through a Story this Fall – Story Walk comes to Creek View and Meadow View Elementary Schools
Thanks to generous support from State Representatives Russell Bedsole and Kenneth Paschal, the Albert L. Scott Library is creating a Story Walk at Alabaster’s two elementary schools. What is a Story Walk you might ask? “A Story Walk is where several panels are installed along a walking path or trail,” says Library Director Kim Roberts. “Within the panels are pages of a deconstructed picture book so as you walk along the path the story unfolds.”
The walk will reveal reading prompts, questions, and activities. At the end, there will be extra activities that kids and their families can do at home like a link to author interviews, writing prompts, art projects, and more. “We plan to work with the schools to pull out themes and elements they are already working on to make the walk more dynamic,” Roberts continues. “Both walks will have the same story so that the community has the opportunity to share each experience together.”
Story walks have been popping up in communities all around the U.S. and the world. The concept of a StoryWalk® was originally created in 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and is a registered service mark of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® promotes early literacy, physical activity, and family time together in nature. It’s a wonderfully fun and educational activity to bring to Alabaster!
Go see the story walks for yourself! The story walk at Creek View Elementary School is located along the walking track surrounding the big playground to the right of the school. While Meadow View’s story walk surrounds the large playground in front of the school. Library staff will change out the story every month throughout the year, so be sure to come back often to catch each free story.
A Note from Michelle Brakefield, Principal, Meadow View Elementary School
“Thank you to the Alabaster Library and Representatives Bedsole and Paschal for bringing stories to life for our students through a captivating Story Walk. I know this will ignite imaginations and underscore the joy of reading in our school community. Meadow View is enthusiastic about collaborating with families and the community to foster a passion for learning in every child. Learning improves significantly when physical activity is integrated with reading instruction. This approach, often referred to as kinesthetic learning, enhances cognitive function, increases engagement, and improves memory retention. By being physically active, students can better connect with the material, as movement stimulates brain activity and improves focus. Additionally, this method helps in reducing stress and anxiety, creating a more positive and effective learning environment. Combining physical activity with reading also caters to different learning styles, making education more inclusive and dynamic. We can’t wait for our students to benefit from this learning experience!”
A Note from Charissa Cole, Principal, Creek View Elementary School
“Our students, teachers, parents, and community are excited to have a new Story walk at Creek View Elementary. As a school, we want to encourage the love of reading in every aspect of the instructional day and students’ lives. We love that our students are able to be outside and physically active while engaging in literacy. A huge THANK YOU to the Alabaster Library and Representative Bedsole and Representative Paschal for funding this project. We appreciate their continuous support of Creek View Elementary School and our community.”
This fall we will have several opportunities for all ages to enjoy enrichment activities through the performing arts at the library. Starting in September through April, 4H will conduct a monthly drama club for aspiring actors 9 to 18 years old. Drama club will meet once a month and cover stage fighting, make up, the auditioning process, and so much more. Sign up at v2.4honline.com and click ‘alabaster club.’
If you’re looking for something to do after your kids have completed their e-day assignments for October 11, come catch a theatrical performance at the library. There will be two performances on this day—Birmingham Children’s Theatre will perform Teddy Bears Picnic at 10 a.m. for our preschoolers, and UAB’s Theatre Department’s Touring Group will perform Sidekicks, which celebrates the friends of your favorite heroes. Get ready to sing along with songs from Beauty and the Beast, Mean Girls, Little Mermaid, and more at 1 p.m.
Adults and teens will be welcome at our Monster Movie Fest on October 18-20th. We’ll show a favorite classic monster flick each day. We’ll have popcorn and light snacks to share.