For the first time in our library’s history, we ran our own summer reading program — Make Some Noise! What better opportunity to do a bi-weekly music and movement dance party? This program was advertised for ages 0-7 and their families.
The Plan
Book
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson
I love Hilda. I love that the book talks about different kinds of dancing. I love inviting the kids to get up and join me as we romp around the room. I love that Hilda figures out how to keep doing what she loves to do when her friends/fellow animals try to stop her. I think the book worked amazingly as a Shake, Shimmy read.
Props
Parachute! (WARNING: Measure your room before you buy a chute!! This one just fits in our large meeting space, but I almost bought the next size up based on the handles…)
The Playlist
Hello & How Are You? — Old Town School of Folk Music
Hands Are for Clapping — Jim Gill
Dance, Freeze, Melt — Eric Litwin & Michael Levine
Jump, Jump — Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights
Round in a Circle — Greg & Steve
Hot Poppin’ Popcorn — The Wiggles
Under the Shady Tree — Laurie Berkner Band
Shake Hands With Friends — Ella Jenkins
How It Went
This was the very first session with the parachute. I had purchased a larger one for this program and I’m glad that I did! When I shook it out, delighted screeching ensued. The kids played with the parachute with such enthusiasm and they absolutely went mad for “Under the Shady Tree” when I let them go under and had the adults lift up and down with me. Parents definitely grew more tired as we went along, doing the bulk of the parachute lifting, but I made jokes about skipping the gym that day and got a lot of laughs.
(For an example of the Powerpoint and handouts that I made for each Shake, Shimmy please visit the original post.)
storytime katie 
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