Tag: winter 2011

Imagination!

The Plan

Books

Higher, Higher by Leslie Patricelli
I’m Me by Sara Sheridan
Peg Leg Peke by Brie Spangler
Something to Do by David Lucas
That’s How by Christoph Niemann

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “It Looked Like Spilt Milk”

Action Song: “The Pirate Song”
When I was one,
I banged my drum.
The day I went to sea.
I jumped aboard a pirate ship,
And the captain said to me.
We’re going, this way, that way,
Forwards and backwards,
Over the Irish Sea.
A bottle of rum, to warm my tum,
And that’s the life for me.
(When I was two, I buckled my shoe / When I was three, I banged my knee / When I was four, I knocked on the door / When I was five, I learned to dive)
Credit: Early Years Experience
(I changed “rum” to “milk” when I did this one, haha.)

Game: “Applesauce Says”
This was just a version of “Simon Says,” but I had our storytime mascot Applesauce whisper the instructions to me.

Craft

I actually did NOT have a craft for this storytime theme! Instead, I put out paper plates, toilet paper rolls, paper, cotton balls, foam stickers, tissue paper squares, glue, and crayons. And then I let the kids go at it! I had a lot of very creative kids who came up with some great art, but I did have a few that I had to whisper some inspiration to.

How It Went

This was a really funny storytime. I had some of my favorite little boys here and they just loved the “Peg Leg Peke.” Both “That’s How” and “Higher, Higher” were also great choices for this theme and I think the kids really responded to those books! I wasn’t sure how the word “imagination” was going to go, but I think that the kids understand what I meant when I talked about playing pretend. They certainly understood it during “Applesauce Says” when our storytime mascot asked everyone to pretend to be different animals!

February 27, 2012 12 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Sick & Get Well Soon!

The Plan

Books

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson
Boo Hoo Bird by Jeremy Tankard
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
If Beaver Had a Fever by Helen Ketteman
Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney

Extension Activities

Flannelboard Activity: “Bandaids”

Flannelboard: Doctor Bag

Puppets: “Ah-Choo! Ah-Choo!”
Farmer’s nose tingles (point to nose)
Farmer’s nose twitches (wiggle puppet)
And he is going to sneeze!
Ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo!
Ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo!
(Cow, moo-choo / pig, oink-choo / chicken, bawk-choo)
Credit: Modified from SurLaLune Storytime

Action Rhyme: “I’ve Got a Cold”
I’ve got a cold (point to yourself)
My nose can’t smell (point to your nose)
My eyes are red (point to your eyes)
I don’t feel well (hand on forehead)
So I’ll drink my juice (pretend to drink)
And go to bed… (fold hands under head)
My nose feels better (point to nose)
And so does my head! (point to head)
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Craft

How It Went

We had a great time with this theme — lots of good books. The kids told me all about the different times they were sick; I heard a lot of stories about throwing up, so be prepared for those stories! The “Ah-Choo” rhyme that I modified to do with my farm finger puppet set was a really big hit. The kids loved making silly sneeze noises. The craft was a GIANT success. Every kid walked out with band-aids all over their project and a few walked out with band-aids mysteriously on themselves. As for their favorite book, it was definitely “Bear Feels Sick.”

February 13, 2012 18 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Nursery Rhymes!

The Plan

Books

Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker
Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sarah Josepha Hale
1, 2, Buckle My Shoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Ten In the Bed by Jane Cabrera

Extension Activities

(I have known all of these since childhood, so I don’t have a source.)

Flannelboard: “Hey Diddle Diddle”
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle / The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such sport / And the dish ran away with the spoon

Flannelboard: “Twinkle Twinkle”
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?

Puppets: “Hey Diddle Diddle”

Puppets: “Hickory Dickory Dock”
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one, the mouse ran down, hickory dickory dock

Action Rhyme: “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”
One, two, buckle my shoe / Three, four, shut the door
Five, six, pick up sticks / Seven, eight, open the gate
Nine, ten, a big fat hen!

Fingerplay: “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again

Prop Song: “Baa Baa Black Sheep”
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full
One for the farmer and one for the dame
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full

Craft

I got the idea for this craft from DLTK and I did modify it a bit (using a spider cut-out instead of an egg carton spider). My families had a lot of fun gluing cotton balls and tissue paper squares on the waterspout — I saw a lot of families singing the rhyme afterwards, so it definitely helped reinforce the theme. (Even though Itsy Bitsy isn’t a classic nursery rhyme, I went with it!)

How It Went

I was thrilled to have this storytime — my community definitely does not have a large grasp of nursery rhymes and being able to introduce them to the kids was a memorable experience. I did a lot of repetition (ie, we read “1, 2, Buckle My Shoe” and then did the rhyme with the motions) and I made sure to also add that repetition helps children learn and that hearing nursery rhymes helps with hearing how words are made and will help when their children begin to read. I think I made a lasting impression because all of our nursery rhyme books were checked out after this storytime. I think the most successful book was “Ten In the Bed” by Jane Cabrera. The one nursery rhyme that the kids knew, prior to storytime, was “Twinkle Twinkle.”

February 2, 2012 7 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Snow!

The Plan

Books

One Mitten by Kristine O’Connell George
Snow by Manya Stojic
Snow Happy! By Patricia Hubbell
Snow! Snow! Snow! By Lee Harper
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Flannelboards

Flannel Activity: “Matching Mittens”

Flannelboard: “Five Little Snowflakes”
One little snowflake with nothing to do,
Along came another and then there were…two!
Two little snowflakes laughing with me,
Along came another and then there were…three!
Three little snowflakes looking for some more,
Along came another and then there were…four!
Four little snowflakes dancing a jive,
Along came another and then there were…five!
Five little snowflakes, having so much fun!
Out came the sun, and then there were none!
Credit: DLTK

Extension Activities

Fingerplay: “Here’s a Hill”
Here’s a hill (tilt left arm so that it forms a hill)
And here’s a hill (tilt right arm so that it forms a hill)
All covered with snow (raise hands up, bring down in slow motion)
I’ll put on my coat (put coat on)
And jump on my sled (hold the rope of a sled)
And ZOOM, down the hill I will go! (clap hands, slid hands down)
Credit: The Holiday Zone

Action Song: “Winter Hokey Pokey”
You put your mittens in, you take your mittens out
You put your boots in, you take your boots out
You put your hat in, you put your hat out
You put your coat in, you put your coat out
Credit: Step By Step — Winter Theme

Craft

This was a craft that I got from KidsSoup. The kids had a ton of fun putting stickers all over their paper plates!

How It Went

This was a great storytime! I had a giant group since this was during Winter Break — so lots of siblings attended as well as a lot of families whose kids are now in preschool during my storytime! It was great to see a full rug; over forty people in attendance! (That is A LOT for my library.) The craft led to a lot of creativity and I was glad that I didn’t make an example so that parents forced their kids to make it “like Miss Katie’s!” Their favorite book was probably “Snow Happy!”

January 31, 2012 28 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Boxes!

The Plan

Books

Magic Box by Katie Cleminson
Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastien Braun
My Book Box by Will Hillenbrand
Not a Box by Antoniette Portis
Sitting In My Box by Dee Lillegard

Flannelboards

Flannel Activity: Boxes

Flannel: Dear Zoo

Extension Activities

Puppets: “Here Is a Box”
Here is a box where something is hid
I wonder whatever is under there
Could it be? Why, yes!
Without any doubt, it is a _______
Let it come out!
Credit: Perry Public Library

Action Rhyme: “I Like to Be a Jumping Jack”
I like to be a jumping jack
And jump out from a box
I like to be a rocking horse
And rock and rock and rock.
I like to be a spinning top
And spring around and round
I like to be a rubber ball
And bounce right to the ground
Credit: Perry Public Library

Fingerplay: “Little Turtle”
I had a little turtle (hands on top of each other, move thumbs)
Who lived in a box (make box)
He swam in the puddles and climbed on the rocks (with hands swim, climb)
He snapped at a mosquito (clap), he snapped at a flea (clap)
He snapped at a minnow (clap), and he snapped at me (clap)
He caught the mosquito (cup hands), he caught the flea (cup hands),
He caught the minnow (cup hands), but he didn’t catch me! (wag finger)
Credit: Childhood/Library School

Craft

This idea came from Sarah at Awesome Storytime. She did it for her tools storytime. I tried to stick with mostly box shapes, but I threw in some half-circles and triangles so that the kids could really get creative! The kids made castles, boats, spaceships, and houses.

How It Went

This was a great storytime to have — the kids loved the interactive flannelboard and as always, “Dear Zoo” was a smash hit. Their favorite book was probably “Magic Box.” The kids were just fascinated by the different things that were conjured up (and of course, the polar bear pet is a great wish for every child!) and the colorful spreads. They especially had fun pointing out all of the food in the birthday party food spread.

January 16, 2012 15 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Winter Animals!

The Plan

Books

I Am Small by Emma Dodd
In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow
No Two Alike by Keith Baker
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Red Sled by Lita Judge

Extension Activities

Action Rhyme: “Marco the Polar Bear”
Marco the Polar Bear, (make circle in front of body with arms)
White as the snow, (extend out arms proudly)
Sat down on the ice (sit down)
Near the cold water’s flow (shiver)
“Lunch! I need lunch,” he said (rub stomach)
“I’ll make a wish.” (rub hands together)
He stuck in his paw (put right hand down)
And came up with a fish! (hold up right hand and smile)
Credit: KidsSoup

Rhyme & Puppets: “There’s Something In the Snow”
There’s something in the snow, now what can it be?
There’s something in the snow that I can’t really see.
Hear its funny sound…HOWL HOWL HOWL
A wolf is what I found! HOWL HOWL HOWL
(CAW CAW CAW, A cardinal is what I found! / GRR GRR GRR, A bear is what I found! / WADDLE WADDLE WADDLE, A penguin is what I found!)
Credit: Modified from “There’s Something In My Garden” originally found at SurLaLune Storytime

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

Craft

This came from KidsSoup, which does have a membership requirement to view.

How It Went

We had a great time with this theme — the kids loved the extension activities and variety of puppets that I used! Their favorite book of the day was “Red Sled” and they had the best time talking about what was happening on the page. My storytime moms loved “I Am Small,” which came as no surprise to me — the ending is definitely geared for the mom “awww.” Our craft was a big success; we had a lot of creative hibernation caves!

January 10, 2012 8 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Tools!

The Plan

Books

I Love Tools! by Philemon Sturges
The Magic Toolbox by Mie Araki
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman
Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia
Whose Tools Are These? by Sharon Katz Cooper

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Toolbox Match-Up”

Song: “Construction Worker Song”
This is the way we pound our nails, pound our nails, pound our nails
This is the way we pound our nails, so early in the morning
(Saw the wood, turn the screwdriver, drill a hole, stack the bricks, stir the paint, paint the walls)
Credit: Everything Preschool

Action Rhyme: “Dump Truck”
Dump truck, dump truck, bumpin’ down the road (bounce throughout)
Spillin’ gravel as you travel with your heavy load
Bumpety bumpety bump
Dump truck, dump truck, dump truck, DUMP! (tip)
Credit: Perry Public Library

Action Rhyme: “Johnny Works With One Hammer”
Johnny works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer
Johnny works with one hammer, and then he works with two
(Two hammers – both fists on legs; Three hammers – both fists on legs and one foot on the floor; Four hammers – both fists on legs and both feet on the floor; Five hammers – both fists on legs, both feet on floor and nod head up and down; “And then he goes to sleep!”)
Credit: Mrs. Hegna’s Storyroom

Fingerplay: “Noisy Nails”
I use my hammer and five nails (hold up five fingers)
That’s too noisy, my neighbor yells (yell)
I’ll hammer them now before it’s night (pretend to hammer)
And to my neighbor, I’ll be polite! (bow)
Credit: Everything Preschool

Craft

This idea came from Mrs. Hegna’s Storyroom and the pattern came from the book: “Ready-To-Go Storytimes.” My teens cut out the tools and tool belts; kids decorated with crayons and foam stickers.

How It Went

This was a very funny storytime. I picked the theme after several friends had done it because I’m still a mostly boys storytime group (though the demographics are changing a bit as of very recent storytimes!). I knew that the kids would really respond to this theme and I was right. Their favorite book was “I Love Tools,” although the parents thought “Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop” was hysterical — mostly because I sung it and somehow remembered all the sounds for all the tools correctly while they kept tripping up. Craft went over just as well and many of the kids walked out wearing their tool belts!

December 21, 2011 7 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime

Emotions!

The Plan

Books

Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
I Feel Happy & Sad & Angry & Glad by Mary Murphy
If You’re Happy and You Know It! by Jane Cabrera
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: Feelings by Kristen Balouch

Fingerplay: “Frogs”
One, two, three, four, five (hold up hand and count fingers)
Five little frogs standing in a row
This little frog stubbed his toe (point to each finger, following the rhyme)
This little frog said, “Oh, Oh, Oh!”
This little frog laughed and was glad
This little frog cried and was sad
This little frog, so thoughtful and good,
Ran for the doctor as fast as he could
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Rhyme: “If You Chance to Meet a Frown”
If you chance to meet a frown
Do not let it stay
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away!
Credit: SurLaLune Storytime

Song: “Skinnamarink”
Skinnamarinky, dinky, dink
Skinnamarinky, doo, I love you!
Skinnamarinky, dinky, dink
Skinnamarinky, doo, I love you!
I love you in the morning and in the afternoon
I love you in the evening, underneath the moon
Oh, skinnamarinky, dinky, dink
Skinnamarinky, doo, I love you!
Credit: Childhood

Craft

How It Went

Well, I’m back to only doing one storytime a week right now. I’m planning on doing daycare outreach after the month of December since my library is closed on two of the Fridays; I was on vacation for the first two; and it seems silly to just do one storytime out of the whole session.

So, Thursday morning’s group — they had a great time with this theme. I had some great participation, and two brothers just STOLE my heart. During “Llama Llama Mad at Mama,” one of the page spreads has a picture of Llama Llama throwing a tantrum. When I got to that page, I asked, “What is Llama Llama doing?” One of the brothers answered, “Eating the toilet paper.” (And indeed, it does look like Llama Llama was eating the toilet paper!) Then, during “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” they both stopped to give their mom kisses when one of the animals blew kisses. So sweet!

This group’s favorite book was definitely “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” though all of the books were huge successes anyways!

December 13, 2011 4 Comments Short URL, Family Storytime