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
Brontorina by James Howe
I love the story of Brontorina. The kids and I did our very best ballet dancer impersonations today and pliéd and relevéd to the best of my teaching ability. (I took two years of ballet when I was a child. I remember first, third, and fifth position. That’s it.) But despite our nowhere near perfect ballet steps, they had a great time dancing and hearing Brontorina’s story.
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
Walkin’ Shoes — Carole Peterson
The Airplane Song — Laurie Berkner Band
Rolling Ball — Eric Litwin and Michael Levine
Fast & Slow — Laurie Berkner Band
Take the Sun — Caspar Babypants
Very, Very Tall — Old Town School of Folk Music
Shake Hands With Friends — Ella Jenkins
How It Went
The families are officially pros at the parachute. When I ask the kids to touch the wall, they run to it and stay there until I’ve shaken out the chute. I got more than a little teary-eyed during “The Airplane Song” this week — partially because of Angie (who once mentioned that the thought of the kids sitting down in their hometown made her tear up), partially because the kids are so darn cute I can’t even, and partially because I think the new library finally feels like home to me.
(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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