storytime katie

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Bubble Bath Pirates by Jarrett Krosoczka*
Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy
It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon by Jarrett Krosoczka
Perfectly Percy by Paul Schmid*

Early Literacy Tip
Help your children see shapes all around them, even if they are not standard shapes like circles, triangles, and squares. Even babies can see shapes! Shapes are the precursors to letters!

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: Yo Gabba Gabba Music Is Awesome!*

Featured Track: #13 Bubbles*

Flannelboard: “Five Bubbles”

Flannelboard: “The Great Hot Air Balloon Race”

Props: Bubble Machine

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go*
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

How It Went

I was pretty terrified to let the large group of kids each have a turn to roll the dice for “The Great Hot Air Balloon Race”, but they were amazing and patient and all took their turns. I did have a few very small toddlers who loved to pick up the dice and bring it to me, but since we do so much passing in/out at our storytimes they are always prepared to give it back to Miss Katie. Our music CD started skipping at the beginning of class, but thankfully our track was working fine. The favorite book of the day was definitely Bubble Bath Pirates!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Clarabella’s Teeth by An Vrombaut*
I Will Chomp You! by Jory John & Bob Shea*
Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth by Lucy Cousins

Early Literacy Tip
Using music during every-day routines makes them more enjoyable. If your child does not like brushing their teeth, sing a song to help pass the time! Try “The Goldfish” like we sang in class today.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: Best of the Laurie Berkner Band*

Featured Track: #13 The Goldfish*

Flannelboard: “Go Away Big Green Monster”

Flannelboard: “Tooth Fairy”*

Props: “Five Little Monkeys Swinging”*

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It*
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

How It Went

This was an awesome week of stories. “Five Little Monkeys Swinging from a Tree” is a magical, magical rhyme. I showed the monkeys afterwards (since I’m doing all ages and we have some toddlers and younger kids in the audience) to make sure the little kids were good. Both books were really well-received, but the best part of storytime was singing along and dancing to the “The Goldfish”. I’ve done that song so often with the kids in “Shake, Shimmy, & Dance” that they know exactly what to do when they hear it start up!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Crybaby by Karen Beaumont*
It Is Night by Phyllis Rowand
Let’s Sing a Lullaby With the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas
Sleepyheads by Sandra J. Howatt*

Early Literacy Tip
Singing a lullaby while holding your child and rocking together is a great way to help them relax. Knowing how to take time out and relax is very important. Next time your child has a temper tantrum, try rocking them to a lullaby to help calm them.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: ABCs & 123s by Twin Sisters Productions*

Featured Track: #12 Ten in the Bed*

Flannelboard: Four Little Stars

Flannelboard: Ten Teddy Bears*

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake*
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear*
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree*

How It Went

Time change storytime alert: the kids were feeling it today! We got up and moved around a lot and did several fingerplays. It’s a great thing that “Ten Teddy Bears” has such great motions for the kids to act out. Crybaby was the most successful book since the kids could cry along with the baby. I also walked around the room during the dog spreads to let the kids see the toy in Roy’s mouth. Many of the older kids kept insisting that the baby wanted the toy. I was very proud of them!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Mine! by Sue Heap*
Monster, Be Good! by Natalie Marshall
Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony*
Share by Sally Anne Garland

Early Literacy Tip
As children mature, they realize that certain behaviors cause certain responses. Having good manners means responding politely to people when they address you. Rhymes like “Where Is Thumbkin?” can help teach that.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: “Juice Box Heroes”*

Featured Track: #6 Please & Thank You*

Flannelboard: All the Little Germs*

Flannelboard: Thanks a Lot*

Prop Story: Be Polite, Applesauce* (Flannel Friday forthcoming!)

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go*
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

How It Went

This was an okay storytime, I’ll be honest. I had a set of toddlers that wound up getting really cranky (and eventually leaving) and it threw off the whole group. Luckily, our saving grace were the flannelboards and dancing to the music — loads of kids came up and requested a twirl or spin from me and it was pretty darn adorable. Our “Be Polite, Applesauce” was probably the most successful part of storytime — they love seeing puppets!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Bear Counts by Karma Wilson*
Bears in the Bath by Shirley Parenteau
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Welcome Home, Bear by Il Sung Na*

Early Literacy Tip
Imagination plays a critical role in problem solving and learning. You can nurture your child’s imagination by playing games like “Sleepy Bear”.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: “The Apple Tree and the Honey Bee”*

Featured Track: #1 Dancing Bear*

Flannelboard: All Kinds of Bears*

Flannelboard: Polar Bear!*

Fingerplay & Puppets: “Two Little Bears”*
Two little bears sat on a hill, (hold up two fingers)
One named Jack and one named Jill. (wiggle each finger)
Run away, Jack; run away, Jill, (put fingers behind your back)
Come back, Jack; come back, Jill. (bring fingers back)
Credit: Childhood

Song & Puppet: “Sleepy Bear” (Tune: “Thumbkin”)*
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
(Have kids shout “WAKE UP BEAR” to do the song again.)
Credit: Preschool Education Music & Songs : Animals > Winter

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

*

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

How It Went

Future Flannel Friday coming to show the flannelboards I made for this program!

This was a very rambunctious storytime. I had kids moving around every which way and really not wanting to sit still. I was so happy I had a bunch of puppets and flannelboards to catch their attention. Their favorite book was Welcome Home, Bear. I think the newer Bear books by Karma Wilson might work better as one-on-one reads. And “Dancing Bear” off Bari Koral Family Rock Band’s new album was an awesome song to dance to!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Book, Book, Book by Deborah Bruss*
Elephant’s Story by Tracey Campbell Pearson
My Book Box by Will Hillenbrand*
Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi*

Early Literacy Tip
It’s important for children to have a good feeling for book-sharing time. Remember that you don’t need to finish a book in one sitting. If your child’s not in the mood, close the book and come back to it.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: “The Bossy E”*

Featured Track: #5 More Books for Me*

Flannelboard: Five Little Books*

Folder Story: Alpha-Gator*

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

*

How It Went

What a great storytime! The kids REALLY enjoyed today’s music selection, so I recommend that you add THE BOSSY E to your list of storytime music. They also really loved Alpha-Gator which I got from Flannel Friday’s Nik! I pushed my group today and read three books — I probably should have skipped My Book Box since we were starting to get antsy, but they still did fine. “Five Little Books” with puppets is another sure-fire crowd pleaser!

For more information on how I plan and prepare my family storytimes, check out this introduction post. I starred the materials used in the plan. Some activities go unstarred because I only do this program once a week.

The Plan

Books

Dot the Fire Dog by Lisa Desimini*
Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin*
Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty and Pascal Lemaitre
Firehouse! by Mark Teague

Early Literacy Tip
Young children are able to absorb an amazing amount of information on topics of interest to them. They become experts, often knowing more than we do on some subjects. By taking advantage of their eagerness to learn, you can build their scientific knowledge.

Theme Extension Activities

Featured CD: “Ladybug Music”*

Featured Track: #10 Big Fire Truck*

Flannelboard: One Brave Firefighter*

Flannelboard: Calling All Firetrucks*

Action Song: “Hurry, Hurry Drive the Fire Truck”*
Action Rhyme: “Hurry, Hurry”
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (pretend to turn wheel)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (pretend to turn wheel)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (pretend to turn wheel)
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (ring bell)
(Turn the corner (lean over to one side, then the other), climb the ladder (pretend to climb), spray the water (pretend to spray a hose).)
Credit: Childhood

Repeating Extension Activities

I had lots of back-up activities in case I needed them for time. I starred which ones I used in this storytime:

• Ants Go Marching
• Five Little Monkeys Swinging From a Tree
• Green Says Go
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Pat-a-Cake
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Way Up High in the Apple Tree

How It Went

This was my first Family Storytime since springtime! So many of my families have new siblings or friends and it was great to see new faces. I also had a fair amount of new families which was also wonderful. This was such an engaging storytime. I highly recommend that you add “Fire Engine No. 9” to your storytime shelves. A great book with vivid images and chances to make all the amazing fire sounds had my kids mesmerized.