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
Tanka Tanka Skunk by Steve Webb
I had never heard of “Tanka Tanka” before coming to my new library and I feel as if I’ve been cheated for my whole librarian life. It’s a great, rhythmic book and I love using it to teach phonetic awareness! I had all of the kids clap along with me for this one. It worked really well, but I left a mark on my arm from clapping my arm since I couldn’t use both hands to clap because of the book.
Props
Activity Scarves!
The Playlist
Hello & How Are You? — Old Town School of Folk Music
Loud and Quiet — Caspar Babypants
List of Dances — Jim Gill
Get the Sillies Out — Yo Gabba Gabba
Round & Round — Georgiana Stewart
Scarves Up, Down, & Around — Johnette Downing
Rainbow Dancers — Pam Schiller
Shake Hands With Friends — Ella Jenkins
How It Went
I made the biggest of big mistakes today — I spread the scarves out on the tables prior to the kids coming in the room. Needless to say, I did not have their attention and their eyes were squarely focused on the scarves and what was to come. And I think it was for that reason that the song “Loud and Quiet” flopped so badly. The kids were not making animal noises, even with the verbal instructions that I prepped them with. I promised to try the song again later on in the summer. And I vowed to keep the props hidden until it was time for props.
(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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