Ms. Hegna's Storyroom

Hiatus

2011-07-18T14:51:00.000-04:00

My apologies to any followers I may have, but my blog will be pretty quiet for awhile. My husband's passion is in an obscure area of academia and somehow he landed a job (in this economy nonetheless). As a bonus the move will bring us within 4 hours' travel from family, as opposed to the current 17. So, I sacrificed my amazing ::sob, sob:: job for the good of all. I'm looking forward to spending some quality snuggle time with my 2-year-old son.

I still hope to keep current with what's going on in library land, so I hopefully won't be completely absent. And if anyone has any job leads for west central Illinois, send them my way! I'm also open to creating a multiple-author blog on storytimes, ideas and staying technologically fresh with kids.

Storytime: Tools

2011-06-15T14:44:00.000-04:00

Storytime for ages 3-8 and their families, with a craft.

I was inspired by Sarah at Awesome Storytime!

Books:

Toolbox Twins

by Lola M. Schaefer and pictures by Melissa Iwai

Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop

by Lisa Shulman and pictures by Ashely Wolff

Highlight of the whole storytime!

Whose Tools Are These?

by Sharon Katz Cooper and pictures by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt

I simplified this book significantly and just turned it into a guessing game.

I Love Tools!

by Philemon Sturges and pictures by Shari Halpern

Monkey with a Tool Belt

by Chris Monroe

The Toolbox by Anne and Harlow Rockwell

Tools by Taro Miura

Tools by Ann Morris and pictures by Ken Heyman

Songs:

Construction Worker Song

from Everything Preschool

This is the way we pound our nails,

Pound our nails, pound our nails.

This the way we pound our nails,

So early in the morning.

Verses:

Saw the wood.

Turn the screwdriver.

Drill a hole.

Stack the bricks.

Stir the paint.

Paint the walls.

Johnny Works With One Hammer

Traditional, but I got my lyrics from Songs for Teaching

Johnny works with one hammer,

(Hammer one fist lightly on leg)

One hammer, one hammer.

Johnny works with one hammer,

And then he works with two.

Verses:

Two hammers

(Hammer both fists on legs)

Three hammers

(Hammer both fists on legs and one foot on the floor)

Four hammers

(Hammer both fists on legs and both feet on the floor)

Final verse:

Johnny works with five hammers,

(Hammer both fists on legs, both feet on floor, and nod head down and up)

Five hammers, five hammers.

Johnny works with five hammers,

And then he goes to sleep.

(Rest head on joined palms, pretending to sleep)

Craft:

Tool Belt Craft

from Ready-To-Go Storytimes

by Gail Benton and Trisha Waichulaitis

Similar to this, but with a copy-ready pattern.

I had teen volunteers cut out the pieces ahead of time and let kids cut out the belt portion and color their tools.

Storytime: Princes and Princesses

2011-05-04T16:59:00.000-04:00

Storytime for children ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Snoring Beauty

by Bruce Hale and pictures by Howard Fine

Paper Bag Princess

by Robert Munsch and pictures by Mchael Martchenko

The Prince Won't Go to Bed

by Dayle Ann Dodds and pictures by Kyrsten Brooker

Princess Baby

by Karen Katz

Not All Princesses Dress in Pink

by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple and pictures by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

Craft:

Crowns

From Enchanted Learning

variation on Flower Crown

Storytime: Tea Party

2011-04-20T14:37:00.000-04:00

Special storytime program for ages 3-8.

Books:

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf

by Judy Sierra and pictures by Jotto Seibold

Miss Spider's Tea Party

by David Kirk

Sheep Out to Eat

by Nancy Shaw and pictures by Margot Apple

Tea for Ruby

by Sarah Ferguson and pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor and pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser

Additional Books:

Hattie Hippo by Christine Loomis and pictures by Robert Neubecker

I Know a Rhino by Charles Fuge

Just Like Mama by Leslea Newman and pictures by Julia Gorton

Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli and pictures by Glin Dibley

The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

Idea Books:

Come to Tea by Stephanie Dunnewind and pictures by Capucine Mazille

Fancy Nancy Tea Parties by Jane O'Connor and pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser

Songs and Fingerplays

I'm a Little Teapot

Fingerplays and Rhymes "Sippety-Sup" and "Yeeow! Tea!"

from HCPL Kidsite

Sippety-Sup, Sippety-Sup (Chant)

"Sippety-Sup, Sippety-Sup,

I drink juice from a sippy-cup.

Sippety-Sup, Sippety-Sup,

Mom drinks tea from a pretty cup.

Sippety-Sup, Sippety-Sup,

Dad drinks coffee from a big-big cup."

(Pretend to slurp tea after each pair of verses getting louder each time.)

This was adapted from a version on the Children Only ESL-EFL Website

(http://www.childrenonlyesl-efl.com/)

From HCPL Kidsite

Yeeeeoooouchhheee Tea! (Chant)

Teabag in and teabag out,

Don't burn your fingers or you'll have to shout:

Yeeeeoooouchhheee! Yeeeeoooouchhheee Tea!

Pour some sugar, Pour some cream,

Don't burn your fingers or you'll have to scream:

Yeeeeoooouchhheee! Yeeeeoooouchhheee Tea!

(Pretend one hand is a teacup and the other is a teabag being dunked. Then hold up and wiggle fingers for the second verse, and finally wave arms and hands wildly for the third verse. Do the same for the next set, only substitute a pouring motion for the first verse)

From HCPL Kidsite

Simon Says

We played the traditional game, "Simon Says". But instead of saying "Simon says", I said "please". If I didn't say please they weren't supposed to do what I asked. I asked for curtseying, bowing, twirling, golf claps, waving like royalty, etc.

Craft

Bud Vase

My coworker saves Ramune bottles from her Anime Club.

So, I had the kids make them into flower vases. Each child had a cup of glue diluted with water. They painted the glue onto the bottle with a paint brush and then placed squares of tissue paper on the glue. A final coat of glue on top when they were finished and then we left them to dry.

Other crafts I considered:
Paper Placemat Weaving
Muffin Cup Flowers

Refreshments:

We served pink lemonade and cookies, and had hot tea available for the adults.

Storytime: Too Many in the Bed

2011-04-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

The Squeaky Door

by Margaret Read MacDonald and pictures by Mary Newell DePalma

I have a few other versions listed in "Additional Books" but this is my favorite to read to a group. The repetition is a real crowd-pleaser. Be sure to add big SMACKs and long, loud squeaks. I also throw in a motor activity and have them click off the light with me.

Creak! Said the Bed

by Phyllis Root and pictures by Regan Dunnick

The clever, hanging ending and jabs at Dad's snoring keep this a little more entertaining for the parents. Wouldn't be my first pick for outreach, though.

The Napping House

by Audrey Wood and pictures by Don Wood

An all-time favorite of mine-- even holds the interest of the very youngest audience members. I wanted to make a magnet board out of this story but our laminator was out of commission. Check out this great color pattern pdf from kizclub.com. Search their website if you would prefer the black and white.

Additional Books:

Nathaniel Willy, Scared Silly by Judith Mathews and Fay Robinson and pictures by Alexi Natchev

Race You to Bed by Bob Shea

The Squeaky, Creaky Bed by Pat Thomson and pictures by Niki Daly

Songs:

Ten in the Bed

Traditional

I love this version I found on YouTube. But, I don't think I'd have time to get the kids and chairs set up. We just rolled our arms for "roll over".

Five Little Monkeys

Traditional

Using these darling finger puppets always seems to hold their attention.

Or learn the sign language version.

Craft:

Mouse Paper Craft

from DLTK Kids

We copied the mouse onto white paper and had teen volunteers cut out the pieces. I told the kids they could draw pajamas on their mice if they wanted, since we're "quiet as a mouse" when we go to bed. A bit of a stretch, but nobody noticed.

Storytime: Eggs

2011-04-04T12:01:00.000-04:00

Family storytime for kids ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Egg Drop

by Mini Grey

The first group I read this to was horrified by the ending. So, I warned the second group that it wasn't a happy ending, and said "Humpty Dumpty" with them afterwards; which worked much better.

The Odd Egg

by Emily Gravett

Very fun with quirky drawings. Simple enough story to hold the attention of the younger ones, and the illustrations kept the older ones interested.

Additional books:

Cluck, Cluck Who's There? by Caroline Jayne Church and James Mayhew

An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Aston and Pictures by Sylvia Long

Eggbert: The Slightly Cracked Egg by Tom Ross and pictures by Rex Barron

An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni

Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss

What's In That Egg? by Becky Baines

Songs:

"I Know a Chicken" from Laurie Berkner's Whaddaya Think of That

With shaky eggs, of course. To get the adults involved, I told the kids to give an to the adult they came with. Always a hit!

Activity:

"So Many Eggs" from "Liven Up Your Storytimes", a 2010 ALA Presentation by Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirkner, www.storytimemagic.net

Prepare a nest of plastic eggs. Inside each egg place pictures or figures of animals that come from eggs. Have the child pick out an egg and open it for the group when you say the rhyme.

I found a nest while walking one day.

"Look at all the eggs!" I had to say.

I waited and waited and what did I see?

Craaack! Who hatched? A baby _______ was looking at me.

Craft:

Hatching Egg

I had a volunteer cut out a duck and two "eggs" (just ovals) from the Ellison. Then she cut one of the eggs to appear cracked. The kids glued down torn paper "nests", and the whole egg. Next, they pasted on the chicks. And finally, the adults helped attach the cracked egg with a paper fastener.

Storytime: Snow (2011)

2011-03-04T14:27:00.000-05:00

Storytime for children ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Sneezy the Snowman

by Maureen Wright and pictures by Stephen Gilpin

Ten on the Sled

by Kim Norman and pictures by Liza Woodruff

Songs and Activities:

"Snowball: A Scarf Rhyme"
Hand out scarves to each child and demonstrate how to use them throughout the rhyme.

I pull on my mittens.
(pull scarf over each hand in turn)
On my head I put my hat.
(put scarf on head)
I toss on my scarf,
(fling scarf over shoulder)
And I'm out the door like that!

The snow is drifting down,
(let scarf drift down to the floor in front of you)
To the ground just so.
I gather up a bunch of it,
(ball up scarf between hands)
And here's the snowball that I THROW!
(throw the balled scarf)

MacMillan, Kathy and Christine Kirker. storytimestuff @ gmail.com.
"Storytime Stuff Winter Newsletter." www.storytimestuff.net

"Shake Your Scarves" from Johnette Downing's, The Second Line: Scarf Activity Songs

Pet Snowball Poem

I made myself a snowball,
Just as perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I gave it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head.
Then, last night it ran away,
But first... it wet the bed!

Craft:

Winter Wonderland Art

The children all had a cut-out of a snowman to paste onto blue paper. Then I gave them torn white paper and chalk to make a snowstorm for the snowmen.

My Montessori Journey has a similar craft.
Torn Paper Snow Scene Art Project

Storytime: Kisses

2011-02-11T13:24:00.000-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Kisses = A Mom favorite.

Books:

How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?

by Varsha Bajaj and pictures by Ivan Bates

(I had the kids make kissing smacks for the number of kisses the animal wanted.)

No More Kissing

by Emma Chichester Clark

How About a Kiss For Me?

by Todd Tarpley and pictures by Liza Woodruff

Additional Books:
I Lost My Kisses by Trudie Trewin and pictures by Nick Bland
If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul and pictures by David Walker
The Kiss That Missed by David Melling
Mama's Kiss by Jane Yolen and pictures by Daniel Baxter

Songs and Fingerplays

A Kiss

There's something in my pocket.

Could it be a moose?

Could it be a train with a bell and a caboose?

Could it be a snake?

Or some sticky glue?

Right here in my pocket is a KISS from me to you.

(blow kiss)

www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

I'm Making You a Pretty Valentine

(Sung to: I'm Squishing Up a Baby Bumblebee)

I'm making you a pretty valentine.

(Act out coloring and cutting, etc.)

Won't you say that you will be mine?

I'm making you a pretty valentine.

It's so special!

I'm giving you my pretty valentine.

(Make a heart with hands and hold it out to adult)

Won't you say that you will be mine?

I'm giving you my pretty valentine.

It's so special!

You said that you will be my valentine!

(Hug adult)

I'm so glad you said you will be mine.

You said that you will be my valentine!

Oh, I love you!

Modified from Perpetual Preschool

Originally by D. Brackbill

"Tony Chestnut" from Tony Chestnut and Fun Time Action Songs

"Skinnamarink"

Craft

Valentines

Cut-out Ellison hearts decorated with tissue paper squares, doilies, heart stickers and crayons.

Storytime: Valentine's Day

2011-01-31T10:15:00.000-05:00

Storytime for ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Froggy's First Kiss

by Jonathan London and pictures by Frank Remkiewicz

Trucktown: Melvin's Valentine

by Jon Scieszka

Valentine Surprise

by Corinne Demas and pictures by R.W. Alley

I Love You Because You're You

by Liza Baker and pictures by David McPhail

Craft:

Valentines

I used our big big heart Ellison die to cut out hearts for the kids to decorate with stickers and write on.

Storytime: Birthdays

2011-01-21T13:19:00.000-05:00

Storytime for children ages 3-8 and their families, with a craft.

Books:

Don't Spill the Beans
by Ian Schoenherr

Froggy Bakes a Cake
by Jonathan London and pictures by Frank Remkiewicz

A Birthday for Cow!
by Jan Thomas

Additional Books:

The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

Birthday Zoo by Deborah Lee Rose and pictures by Lynn Munsinger

Going Up! by Peter Sis

It's My Birthday by Helen Oxenbury

Mouse's Birthday by Jane Yolen and pictures by Bruce Degen

Tell-A-Bunny by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

What's Cookin'? by Nancy Coffelt

Songs and Fingerplays:

Birthday Cake

Ten candles on a birthday cake

(hold up hands with palms facing out and fingers extended)
All lit up for me
(wiggle fingers)
I'll make a wish and blow them out
Watch and you will see.
(blow and bend fingers down)

from www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

Five Candles

Five candles on a birthday cake
Five, and not one more.
You may blow one candle out,
[make blowing sound and motion]
And that leaves four!

Four candles on a birthday cake
There for all to see.
You may blow one candle out,
[make blowing sound and motion]
And that makes three!

Three candles on a birthday cake
Standing straight and true.
You may blow one candle out,
[make blowing sound and motion]
And that leaves two!

Two candles on a birthday cake
Helping us have fun.
You may blow one candle out,
[make blowing sound and motion]
And that leaves one!

One candle on a birthday cake
We know its task is done.
You may blow this candle out,
[make blowing sound and motion]
And that leaves none!

from earlylit.net

Print out this Cake and Candle and make a magnet or flannel board for the above rhyme.

Since it was a party we danced to Jim Gill's "Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes.

I also recommend Mickey's Party Songs for background music.

Craft:

Birthday Cake

Draw and copy a cake or use the template here. Instead of using the candles that come with the pattern, I simply cut out strips of colored paper to use instead. I also gave the children yellow dot stickers to "light" their candles. A little bit of crayon coloring on the cakes, and I had happy kids on my hands.

Storytime: Jungle Animals

2011-01-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

Storytime for kids ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Cha-Cha Chimps

by Julia Durango and pictures by Elinor Taylor

If You're Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition

by James Warhola

Safari Animals

by Simms Taback

Opposnakes

by Salina Yoon

Additional Books:
How Loud Is A Lion? by Clare Beaton
Over In the Jungle by Marianne Berkes
Snuggle Up Sleepy Ones by Claire Freedman
Where's My Mom? by Julia Donaldson

Craft:

Magic Nuudle Snakes

All you need is water and these little styrofoam guys.

Storytime: Happy Holidays

2010-12-20T11:41:00.000-05:00

Storytime for kids ages 3-8 and their families, with a craft.

Books:

Merry Christmas, Splat

by Rob Scotton

It's Christmas, David!

by David Shannon

Christmas for 10

by Cathryn Falwell

Minerva Louise on Christmas Eve

by Janet Morgan Stoeke

This Is the Dreidel

by Abby Levine and pictures by Paige Billin-Frye

Hoppy Hanukkah

by Linda Glaser and pictures by Daniel Howarth

Craft:

Candy Cane Mouse Craft

From Amazingmoms.com

Storytime: Hot Chocolate and Cocoa

2010-12-13T15:36:00.004-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 and their families, with craft.

Books:

Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate

by Carol Diggory Shields and pictures by Hiroe Nakata

Winter Is the Warmest Season

by Lauren Stringer

Snowmen at Night

by Caroline Buehner and pictures by Mark Buehner

Additional Books:
The Bears We Know by Brenda Silsbe and pictures by Vlasta van Kampen

Chocolatina by Erik Kraft and pictures by Denise Brunkus

First Snow by Bernette Ford and pictures by Sebastien Braun
Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee (no hot chocolate, but a festive non-holiday specific story)

Snow Day! by Lester L. Laminack and pictures by Adam Gustavson
added 3/4/11 There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog by Jennifer Ward

Songs:

"Hot Chocolate" from John McCutcheon's Wintersongs

We also sang along to "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland".

Craft:

Gingerbread Fun

Nice and simple before the holidays we decorated gingerbread people, pre-cut from an Ellison die.

Storytime: Soup

2010-12-03T12:16:00.001-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with craft

Books:

Martha Blah Blah

By Susan Meddaugh

Soup Day

By Melissa Iwai

Additional Books:

Carrot Soup by John Segal

Chicken Soup by Jean Van Leeuwen and pictures by David Gavril

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

Surprise Soup by Mary Ann Rodman and pictures by G. Brian Karas

Interactive Story:

Stone Soup

I printed pictures from DLTK and laminated them. You could also use plastic vegetables if you have them available. I let the children put the food into a pot one by one, and then let them stir with a spoon.

Songs:

Not soup related but I love "Tooty Ta" from Dr. Jean and Friends

Vegetable Soup

(to the tune of: "London Bridge")

We are making vegetable soup,

vegetable soup, vegetable soup.

We are making vegetable soup.

Now put in the ______.

Take the _______ and stir it up,

stir it up, stir it up.

Take the ______ and stir it up.

We are making vegetable soup.

From www.childfun.com

Craft:

Savory Alphabet Soup

Print out the bowl from www.thebestkidsbooksite.com. I had the kids cut them out and paste them onto paper and add tissue paper "seasoning" and sticky letters.

Storytime: Big Appetites

2010-11-20T16:28:00.001-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft. So hungry! You'll want to eat this storytime up when Thanksgiving rolls around.

Books:

Not quite a book, but I used a story prop for There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

by Alison Jackson and pictures by Judith Byron Schachner

Bark, George

by Jules Feiffer

Additional Books:

Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza

"Eat" Cried Little Pig by Jonathan London and pictures by Delphine Durand

Gobble It Up!: A Fun Song About Eating by Jim Arnosky

Harry Hungry! by Steven Salerno

Hungry Hen by Richard Waring and pictures by Caroline Jayne Church

Lunch by Denise Fleming

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

The Super Hungry Dinosaur by Martin Waddell and pictures by Leonie Lord

Songs:

Flip-Flap Jack Flannel Board

from Ready-To-Go Storytimes by Gail Benton and Trisha Waichulaitis

See more song ideas

Tiffany Erickson. "Big Appetites Storytime Compliation-Long." 11 Jun 2009. (13 Jun 2009) Pubyac website is here.

Craft:

Turkey Hat

from http://familyfun.go.com

Storytime: Cars and Trucks

2010-11-15T14:03:00.001-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8

Books:

Rattletrap Car

by Phyllis Root and pictures by Jill Barton

My Truck is Stuck!

By Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk

Truckery Rhymes

By Jon Scieszka and pictures by David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon

Seals on the Bus

By Lenny Hort and pictures by G. Brian Karas

Additional Books:

Alphabeep by Debora Pearson ad pictures by Edward Miller

Big Wheels by Anne Rockwell

Choo Choo Clickety-Clack! by Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe

I Love Trucks! by Philemon Sturges and pictures by Shari Halpern

This Car by Paul Collicutt

A Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa by Jonathan London and pictures by Denis Roche

Songs:

Car Song

Sung to: "Bingo"

Before the song, practice putting on your seatbelts, and turning the ignition. "Drive" your car while you sing.

Look at my bright shiny car
I'm driving it today.
C - A - R (BEEP! BEEP!)
C - A - R (BEEP! BEEP!)
C - A - R (BEEP! BEEP!)

I'm driving it today!

Wheels on the Bus (of course)

Craft:

Tire Track Painting

Put out a bunch of toy cars and stamp pads. Let the kids roll the cars over the stamp pads and "drive" them over the paper. When they are done put out buckets of soapy water and little sponges and let the kids have a "car wash". My kids liked the soapy water better than the craft. The second time I did this craft I put leftover tops of deli trays (see left) under the bins of soapy water. Easy craft and very fun.

Storytime: Owls

2010-11-10T10:46:00.001-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft

Books:

Owl Babies

By Martin Waddell and pictures by Patrick Benson

Cock-A-Doodle Hooooooo!

By Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom

I'm Not Cute!

By Jonathan Allen

A Book of Sleep

By Il Sung Na

Additional Books:

Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace

The Littlest Owl by Caroline Pitcher and Tina Macnaughton

Owliver by Robert Kraus and pictures by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Songs:

Owl in the Tree

(Sung to: Skip to My Lou)

(G) Owl in the tree says "Who, who, who."

(G) "Who, who, who (C) are you?"

Point to a child and ask their name. I had more success asking for volunteers first so I didn't put the shy ones on the spot. And, when the shy ones did volunteer they had time to compose themselves. I also let them hold a stuffed owl after they said their name, and pass it on to the next child. From www.preschooleducation.com, ukulele/guitar chords are mine.

Owl Hokey Pokey

You put your right wing in.

You put your right wing out.

You put your right wing in.

And you flap it all about.

You do the owl hokey pokey and you fly yourself around.

That's what it's all about. Hoo, hoo!

Verses:

Left wing

Right claw

Left claw

Beak

Whole, feathered self

Song ©Megan Hegna 2010

Craft:

Paper Bag Owl Craft

from www.dltk-kids.com

Storytime: Llamas

2010-11-08T23:57:00.001-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft

Books:

Is Your Mama a Llama?

By Deborah Guarino

and pictures by Steven Kellogg

The Littlest Llama

by Jane Buxton and pictures by Jenny Cooper

Llama Llama Red Pajama

by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Mad at Mama

by Anna Dewdney

Songs:

Happy Llama, Sad Llama Chant

Happy llama

Sad llama

Totally rad llama

Super llama

Drama llama

Big fat mama llama

Moose

Camel

Fish

Follow the actions in the song, except I did "moose" by making antlers with my hands by touching my thumbs to my head and leaving my hands extended. "Camel" turn the antlers into fists for ears. And "fish" you put your hands flat on either side of your mouth and make fish "lips".

Craft:

L is for Llama

Copy or trace the attached pattern onto the paper of your choice. Cut out the pieces, and paste onto another sheet of paper. Let the children add llama "hair" by gluing on pieces of yarn.

Original craft- PDF pattern here

Storytime: Bats

2010-10-15T10:50:00.001-04:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

Bats at the Library

by Brian Lies

Hello, Bumblebee Bat

By Darrin Lunde and pictures by Patricia J. Wynne

Excerpts from

Batty Riddles

By Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg with pictures by Nicole Rubel

Baby Bat's Lullaby

by Jacquelyn Mitchard and pictures by Julia Noonan

Other Books:

Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies and pictures by Sarah Fox-Davies

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Songs:

Bats Are Sleeping

(Sung to: Frere Jacques)

Bats are sleeping

Upside down

Sleeping in the morning sun

Waiting for the night to come

Then they'll fly all around

From www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

Black Bat

Black bat, black bat fly around

Black bat, black bat touch the ground

Black bat, black bat fly up high

Black bat, black bat touch the sky

From www.earthkids.com/halloween.htm

Children can pretend to be bats with scarves and "fly".

For calm evening bats try:

"What Fall in the Fall?" from Laurie Berkner's

Whaddaya Think of That

For playful, silly bats try:

"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill's

The Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes

Magnet or Flannel Board:

Five Little Bats (pdf)

Craft:

Adorable Bat

From www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

Storytime: My Body

2010-10-09T16:34:00.001-04:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft. Hands, feet, eyes, and nose. Lots of full-body fun!

Books

All of Me: A Book of Thanks

By Molly Bang

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

By Karen Beaumont with pictures by David Catrow

Parts

By Tedd Arnold

Piggies

By Audrey and Don Wood

Additional Books:

The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements

Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault and pictures by Ted Rand

My Two Hands: My Two Feet by Rick Walton and pictures by Julia Gorton

Songs:

Hello, My Name Is Joe

(chant)

Hello, my name is Joe.

And I work in a button factory.

I have a home and a job and a family.

One day my boss says to me,

"Hey Joe, are you busy?"

I said, "No".

"Okay, turn the button with your right hand."

Rhythmically turn right hand while chanting rhyme and add cumulative movements.

Turn the button with your left hand.

Push the button with your right foot.

Push the button with your left foot.

Push the button with your head.

Push the button with your tongue.

"Tony Chestnut" from Tony Chestnut & Fun Time Action Songs

"Hokey Pokey" from Songs for Wiggleworms

Craft:

Fall Fingerprint Tree Craft
www.allkidsnetwork.com

Storytime: Cats

2010-09-24T10:02:00.002-04:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books

Cat Count

By Betsy Lewin

I Don't Want a Cool Cat

by Emma Dodd

Nini Here and There

by Anita Lobel

What Will Fat Cat Sit On?

By Jan Thomas

Additional Books:

Guess Who Purrs by Dana Meacham Rau

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Kitty Up! by Elizabeth Wojtusik and pictures by Sachiko Yoshikawa

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

When Cats Dream by Dav Pilkey

Songs

I Know a Kitty

(Tune of "Bingo")

I know a cat with perky ears,

And kitty is her name-o.

K-I-T-T-Y, K-I-T-T-Y, K-I-T-T-Y,

And kitty is her name-o.

From www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

Kitten is Hiding

A kitten is hiding under a chair.
(hide thumb under other hand)
I looked and looked for her everywhere.
(peer around looking)
Under the table and under the bed.
(pretend to look)
I looked around the corner, and when I said,
"Come here, kitty kitty, there's milk for you,"
(cup hands for a dish and extend)
Kitty came running and calling, "Meow, meow."
(run fingers up arm)

From www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

"The Freeze" with scarves

From Kids in Motion by Greg and Steve

Craft

Stand-Up Cat

From www.allkidsnetwork.com

Storytime: Bathtime

2010-09-15T16:56:00.001-04:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

By Audrey Wood and pictures by Don Wood

Who's in the Tub

By Sylvie Jones and pictures by Pascale Constantin

Take Me Out of the Bathtub

By Alan Katz and pictures by David Catrow

Harry the Dirty Dog

by Gene Zion and pictures by Margaret Bloy Graham

Additional Books

Bath Time by Eileen Spinelli and pictures by Janet Pedersen

Bathtub Blues by Kate McMullan and pictures by Janie Bynum

Beasty Bath by Robert Neubecker

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont and pictures by David Catrow

Songs

Brush Your Teeth

From Raffi's More Singable Songs

Rubber Duckie

From Sesame Street Platinum All Time Favorites

Use scarves as "clothes" and wash them to,

Bring Your Clothes

from Whaddaya Think of That by Laurie Berkner

Craft

Scratch-Art Paper

Storytime: Dinosaurs, Big and Bad

2010-08-31T19:16:00.001-04:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 and their families with a craft. There are so many good new dinosaur books, the kids loved these!

Books

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime

by Bob Shea

The Super Hungry Dinosaur

by Martin Waddell

I'm Bad

by Kate and Jim McMullan

Additional Books

Dinosaurumpus! by Tony Mitton

Gorgonzola: A Very Stinkysaurus by Margie Palatini

Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

T Is for Terrible by Peter McCarty

Song

I'm a Mean Old Dinosaur

(Sung to: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a mean old dinosaur,

Big and tall.

Here is my tail.

Here is my claw.

When I get all hungry,

I just growl.

Look out kids...

I'm on the prowl!

Craft

Pasta Fossil Dinosaurs

Provide dry pasta for the children to paste onto black construction paper to create dinosaurs. I found white chalk was useful for the parents to sketch dinosaurs for the littlest ones to fill in with pasta.

Storytime: Alligators & Crocodiles (Snip Snap Stories)

2010-08-04T16:24:00.002-04:00

Family Storytime for Ages 3-8. Alligators and crocodiles better get their snapping ready to go. One of a my favorite storytimes because I can have the children "snap" through all these stories.

Books

Snip, Snap! What's That?

By Mara Bergman

Illustrated by Nick Maland

Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree

By Eileen Christelow

Where's My Mommy?

By Jo Brown

Alternate or Additional Books

Alligator Alphabet By Stella Blackstone and Stephanie Bauer

Alligator Baby By Robert Munsch

There's An Alligator Under My Bed By Mercer Mayer

What Time Is It, Mr. Crocodile? By Judy Sierra Illustrated by Doug Cushman

Songs and Fingerplays

Alligator Pie

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie.

(Hold arms out in front and snap down and together on the word "alligator")

If I don't get some,

I think I'm gonna cry.

(Mime crying)

You can take away the grass.

(Use an arm to make wavy motions)

You can take away the sky.

(Hold arms up and rounded over head)

But don't take away,

(Shake your finger)

My alligator pie!

(Snap your arms)

"Alligator Stomp"

by Anna Moo

from Classic Animal Songs

Craft

A Alligator

From No Time For Flashcards, see there for a step by step.

Storytime: Pizza

2010-05-14T14:36:00.004-04:00

Family storytime for kids ages 3-8 and their families with songs, fingerplays, books and a craft.

Books:

Hi, Pizza Man!
by Virginia Walter and pictures by Ponder Goembel

Pete's a Pizza
by William Steig

Pizza at Sally's
by Monica Wellington

The Pizza That We Made
by Joan Holub and pictures by Lynne Cravath

Additional Books:

Dragon Pizzeria by Mary Morgan

Pizza Counting by Christina Dobson and pictures by Matthew Holmes

Songs:

If You Want to Eat Some Pizza
To the tune of: "If You're Happy and You Know It"

If you want to eat some pizza clap your hands. (Clap, clap)
If you want to eat some pizza clap your hands. (Clap, clap)
If you like bubbly cheese, then just say "Pizza, please!"
If you want to eat some pizza clap your hands. (Clap, clap)

If you want to eat some pizza stomp your feet. (Stomp, stomp)
If you want to eat some pizza stomp your feet. (Stomp, stomp)
If you like bubbly cheese, then just say "Pizza, please!"
If you want to eat some pizza stomp your feet. (Stomp, stomp)

If you want to eat some pizza shout hooray. (Hooray!)
If you want to eat some pizza shout hooray. (Hooray!)
If you like bubbly cheese, then just say "Pizza, please!"
If you want to eat some pizza shout hooray. (Hooray!)

If you want to eat some pizza do all three. (Clap, clap, stomp, stomp, hooray!)
If you want to eat some pizza do all three. (Clap, clap, stomp, stomp, hooray!)
If you like bubbly cheese, then just say "Pizza, please!"
If you want to eat some pizza do all three. (Clap, clap, stomp, stomp, hooray!)

I Wish I Were a Pizza
to the tune of: the Oscar Meyer Weiner Song

Oh, I wish I were a pepperoni pizza.
That is what I'd truly like to be.
For if I were a pepperoni pizza,
Everyone would be in love with me!

(Have kids shout out their own favorite pizzas to sing about)

Songs from Preschool Education

Craft:

Modified "Paper Pizza"From Family Fun

Instead of using the paper bags and cardboard crust I cut paper plates into fourths for "slices". Using red bingo dotters I had the kids at their "sauce", and "cheese" were cut pieces of white and yellow tissue paper. On top of this they glued their toppings. I cut out pieces of green pepper, pineapples, and mushrooms. I rolled up balls of brown paper for sausage or beef. I also used plain library dot stickers, red for pepperoni and black with a hole punched in the middle for black olives. The parents seemed to enjoy this craft, too.

Storytime: Circus

2010-05-14T14:12:00.003-04:00

Family storytime for parents and kids ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:
Circus Parade by Harriet Ziefert and pictures by Tanya Roitman

Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy and pictures by Edward Miller

Spot Goes to the Circus by Eric Hill

Where's Pup? by Dayle Ann Dodds and pictures by Pierre Pratt

Additional Books:

Clifford at the Circus by Norman Bridwell

Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer

Peter Spier's Circus by Peter Spier

Sidewalk Circus by Paul Fleischman and Kevin Hawkes

Songs:

Popcorn Song
to the tune of "Frere Jacques"

(Have kids squat and shake to the song)
Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels,
In the pot, in the pot,
Shake them, shake them, shake them,
Shake them, shake them, shake them,
'Til they POP!
(On "POP" the kids pop up)

Five Little Hotdogs

Five little hotdogs in a pan.
(Hold up five fingers)
The grease got hot and one went "bam"!
(Clap on "bam")
Four little hotdogs in a pan.
(Hold up four fingers)
The grease got hot and one went "bam"!
(Clap on "bam")
(Count down until you get to...)
No little hotdogs in a pan.
(Hold up fist or hold out hands in an "all done" gesture)
The pan got hot and it went "bam"!
(Clap on "bam")

Both songs from Perpetual Preschool

Craft:

Animal Cracker Circus Train I used our Ellison machine to cut out train shapes. I had the children make train tracks with white chalk on black paper. Then, they pasted on their train pieces and glued animal crackers on top as circus animals. They turned out adorable. See thebestkidsbooksite for a full description and templates.

Storytime: Stripes and Patterns

2010-04-30T09:33:00.003-04:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with stories, songs and a craft. (Many ideas from a PUBYAC listserv email.) Myer, Linda. lmyer@marysvillelib.org "'Stripes' storytime - VERY LONG!." 21 Jan 2010. pubyac@lists.lis.illinois.edu (21 Jan 2010).

Books:

Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes: Patterns in Nature by Stephen R. Swinburne

Zoe's Hats: A Book of Colors and Patterns by Sharon Lane Holm

Horace by Holly Keller

Additional Books:

Naughty! by Caroline Castle and pictures by Sam Childs

Dots, Spots, Speckles, and Stripes by Tana Hoban

How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac and pictures by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Songs:

"Tooty Ta" from Dr. Jean and Friends

Grandma's Glasses

These are grandma’s glasses.
(Make circles around eyes.)
This is grandma’s hat.
(Cup hands and place on head.)
And this is the way she folds her hands and puts them in her lap.
(Fold hands and put them in your lap.)
(Say with a deep voice:)
These are grandpa’s glasses.
(Make circles around eyes.)
This is grandpa’s hat.
(Pretend to put on a hat.)
And this is the way he folds his arms.
(Cross arms and fold.)
Just like that!

Craft:

"Striped Zebras" from thebestkidsbooksite.com

Storytime: Poetry

2010-04-17T13:06:00.003-04:00

I featured poems and rhymes in this family storytime for children ages 3-8 and their families.

Books:

Sheep in a Shop by Nancy Shaw and pictures by Margot Apple

[Selections from] Omnibeasts by Douglas Florian

Play Day: A Book of Terse Verse by Bruce McMillan

Additional Books:

Doodle Dandies: Poems that Take Shape by J. Patrick Lewis and pictures by Lisa Desimini

Go: Poetry in Motion by Dee Lillegard and pictures by Valeri Gorbachev

Me I Am by Jack Prelutsky and pictures by Christine Davenier

The Moon by Robert Louis Stevenson and pictures by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Songs:
I talked about how favorite nursery rhymes are also poems.

Peas Porridge Hot (Traditional)
(chant while clapping)

Peas porridge hot
Peas porridge cold
Peas porridge in the pot
Nine days old
Some like it hot
Some like it cold
Some like it in the pot
Nine days old

Itsy Bitsy Spider (Traditional)

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
(walk fingertips together, up like a spider)
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
(bring arms down, like rain)
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
(arms up and fingers together, making a circle overhead)
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
(walk fingertips again)

Additional verses:
Great big hairy spider (in a loud, growly voice)
Very quiet spider (in a quiet, whisper voice)

Craft:

Finger painting

Storytime: Eggs and Chicks

2010-04-06T20:26:00.006-04:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with a craft.

(My personal holiday storytime policy: Before holiday storytimes I like to ask the group who celebrates which holiday. If all the children celebrate the same holiday I will read applicable books. But, if a family celebrates a different holiday I prefer to avoid all holiday stories. With children this young it's too difficult for them to understand holidays they do not celebrate, so I prefer to leave them out. Even traditions within the same holiday can differ enough to confuse children. I won't throw in a book for one family out of obligation that the other children don't understand just for the sake of inclusiveness. I won't let my kids sit with glazed-over eyes and confused expressions even for one book. Now, if my kids were older I would use it as a cultural opportunity. But, with preschoolers and toddlers? Sorry, no.)

Books:

Whose Chick Are You? By Nancy Tafuri

The Perfect Nest By Catherine Ford and pictures by John Manders

Duck & Goose By Tad Hills

Easter Books (if appropriate for group):

Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs By Janet Morgan Stoeke

Max Counts His Chickens By Rosemary Wells

Additional Books:

Hurry! Hurry! By Eve Bunting and pictures by Jeff Mack

First the Egg By Laura Vaccaro Steeger

Horton Hatches the Egg By Dr. Seuss

The Cow That Laid an Egg By Andy Cutbill and pictures by Russell Ayto

Songs and Fingerplays:

"I Know a Chicken" From Whaddaya Think of That by Laurie Berkner (with egg shakers, naturally)

Unhatched Egg

Make a noise like a rooster.
(Crow)
Make a noise like a hen.
(Cluck)
Make a noise like a chick.
(Peep)
Make a noise like an unhatched egg.
(Silence)

Good! And now you're ready to listen to the next story!
From thebestkidsbooksite.com

I'm a Little Chickie
(To the Tune of: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little chickie,
(crouch down inside your egg)
Ready to hatch,
Pecking at my shell,
(Pecking motion)
Scratch, scratch, scratch!
(scratching motion)
When I crack it open,
Out I'll jump
(jump out of shell)
Fluff my feathers,
Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
From thebestkidsbooksite.com

Craft: Easter Chick in Shell From thebestkidsbooksite.com

Storytime: Old MacDonald Parodies

2010-03-12T14:35:00.003-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 featuring our favorite farmer.

Books:

Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (we did shakers to the CD with the song as well)

Young MacDonald by David Milgrim

Old MacNoah Had an Ark by Sally Lloyd-Jones and pictures by Jill Newton

Additional books:

Ms. MacDonald Had a Class -Ormerod

Old MacDonald Drives a Tractor -Carter

Old MacDonald Had a Farm -Cabrera

Sue MacDonald Had a Book -Tobin

Old MacDonald in the City -Williams

Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop -Shulman

Old MacDonald Had an Apartment House -Barrett

Old MacDonald Had a Wedding -Berman

Craft: Peek-a-boo Barn
from all-kids-network.com

Storytime: Letters and Mail

2010-03-12T11:46:00.004-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with craft. All about letters, mail and postmen.

Books:

Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier

Hi by Anne Herbert Scott

Will Goes to the Post Office by Olaf and Lena Landstrom

Additional Books:

Here Comes the Mail by Gloria Skurzynski

Larabee by Kevin Luthardt

Tortoise Brings the Mail by Dee Lillegard and pictures by Jillian Lund

Music:

"Mail Myself to You" from This Land is Your Land by Woody and Arlo Guthrie

Songs and Fingerplays:

In His Mail Truck
"She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain"

He'll be coming in his mail truck when he comes,
He'll be coming in his mail truck when he comes,
He'll be coming in his mail truck,
He'll be coming in his mail truck,
He'll be coming in his mail truck when he comes.

he'll be wearing his blue uniform.......
he'll be bringing a package for me......
he'll bring mail for mom and dad.....
he'll pick up letters from our mailbox....

from preschooleducation.com

Mail Carrier Song
"My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"

I get to sort the mail,
Then carry it to your home.
The mail comes from all over,
Like New York, Paris or Rome.
Mail, mail, mail, mail.
I love to deliver the mail, mail, mail.
Mail, mail, mail, mail.
I love to deliver the mail.
from preschooleducation.com

Craft:

You've Got Mail!

Provide stickers, crayons, etc. and let the kids make cards for themselves. Older kids can practice writing, little ones can have their parents help. Provide envelopes and have parents fill in the address. Send the letters that day or the next. My kids were so excited to have mail of their own in the mailboxes! Good for print motivation and letter awareness.

Storytime: Penguins

2010-01-15T10:20:00.005-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester and pictures by Lynn Munsinger

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! by Bob Barner

If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor

Penguin by Polly Dunbar

Additional Books:

I Am Pangoo the Penguin by Satomi Ichikawa

Little Penguin by Patrick Benson

Where Is Home, Little Pip? by Karma Wilson and pictures by Jane Chapman

Songs and Fingerplays

"Doing the Penguin" from Sesame Street: Hot! Hot! Hot! Dance Songs

Two Little Penguins

Two little penguins sitting on the ice.
(Hold up both index fingers)
One bows once, the other bows twice.
(Make index fingers bow)
Waddle little penguins.
Waddle away.
(Put fingers behind back)
Come back penguins.
Time to play.
(Bring fingers to the front)

If You're a Penguin, And You Know It
(If You are Happy...)

If you're a penguin and you know it, flap your wings
If you're a penguin and you know it, flap your wings
If you're a penguin and you know it and you really want to show it
If you're a penguin and you know it, flap your wings

Additional verses:
Waddle your feet....
Swim, swim, swim...
Eat a fish, yum, yum, yum
(rub your belly)

Craft: Hearts Penguin Craft

Storytime: Thanksgiving

2009-12-07T10:14:00.005-05:00

Family storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

Run, Turkey, Run by Diane Mayr and pictures by Laura Rader

This Is the Turkey by Abby Levine

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes and pictures by Doris Barrette

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson and pictures by Judy Schachner

Songs and Fingerplays:

Here Is the Turkey

Here is the turkey
(fist of one hand)
with his tail spread wide.
(place fist against outspread palm of other hand)
He sees the farmer coming so he tries to run and hide.
(lower hands to side of body)
He runs across the barnyard- wobble, wobble, wobble.
(make hands "wobble")
And he says out loud,
"Gobble, gobble, gobble."

We Eat Turkey
sung to: "Are You Sleeping"

We eat turkey.
We eat turkey.
Yum, yum, yum.
Yum, yum, yum.
Always on Thanksgiving.
Always on Thanksgiving.
Oh, so good.
Oh, so good.

Verses:
We eat mashed potatoes.
We eat squash.
We eat pie.
(What else do the children eat?)

Craft:

"Bouncing Turkey"
from All New Crafts for Thanksgiving
by Kathy Ross and pictures by Sharon Lane Holm

Storytime: Pies

2009-11-06T15:20:00.006-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked
by Lauren Thompson and pictures by Jonathan Bean

More Pies
by Robert Munsch and pictures by Michael Martchenko

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie
by Alison Jackson and pictures by Judith Byron Schachner

Additional Books:

Pie in the Sky by Lois Ehlert

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall and pictures by Shari Halpern

All for Pie Pie for All by David Martin and pictures by Valeri Gorbachev

Songs and Fingerplays:

Alligator Pie

Alligator, alligator
(open and close hands like an alligator's mouth)
Alligator pie.
If I don't get some,
I think I'm gonna cry.
(pretend to cry)
You can take away the grass,
(wiggle fingers like grass blowing)
Take away the sky,
(hands over head)
But don't take away
(do alligator's mouth again)
My alligator pie.

Five Apples

(count to five on fingers)

The first apple in the basket was bright and shy red.
The second apple in the basket said,
"What a cozy bed!"
The third apple in the basket said,
"Please move over there."
The fourth apple in the basket said,
"Now we are two pair."
The fifth apple in the basket said,
"Oh dear, me-oh-my!"
"This basket looks like pastry."
"I think we're apple pie!"

Craft:

Modified Apple Pie Plate

Instead of using two plates I just used the top plate and had the kids put tissue paper on the backside of the middle slits. Kind of like stained glass. No paint either, I gave them crayons to decorate and "season" their pies.

Storytime: I Feel Sick (Germs)

2009-11-06T09:58:00.006-05:00

Family Storytime for ages 3-8 with craft. Stories, songs and a craft about getting sick and staying healthy.

Books

Wash Your Hands! by Tony Ross

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Additional Books:
Mother, Mother I Feel Sick; Send For the Doctor, Quick, Quick, Quick by Remy Charlip and Burton Supree
Barnyard Song by Rhonda Gowler Greene and pictures by Robert Bender
I'm Not Feeling Well Today by Shirley Neitzel and pictures by Nancy Winslow Parker
The Big Sneeze by Ruth Brown

Songs and Fingerplays

Sneeze Song
(sung to Farmer in the Dell)

I think-- I am going to sneeze, ahh-choo.
I think-- I am going to sneeze, ahh-choo.
Pass the tissue please,
pass the tissue please.
I think-- I am going to sneeze, ahh-choo.

More "Health and Safety" from Preschool Education

Five Nasty Germs

Five nasty germs going out to play

Along came the water and washed one away!
Four nasty germs trying to make you sick
Along came the scrubbing and said
"You're not going to stick!"
Two nasty germs got into a fight
Along came the rinse and washed one out of sight!
One nasty germ thought it couldn't be seen
Along came the towel and your hand is nice and clean!

From Hennepin County Library

Balloon Sneeze

Fill a balloon with paper hole punches, and blow it up. Talk about germs in sneezes and then pop the balloon. The punches fly everywhere, and the kids love helping collect the "germs".
From King County Library

Craft

"K" Is For Kleenex

Photocopy a large letter "K" onto colored paper. Provide children with scissors and glue and a tissue. Let them tear or cut the tissue into the little bits to glue and fill in their "K". Let them cut out their "K" if they choose. This is not a glamorous craft, but it helps the kids with manual dexterity and gives them practice with scissors and glue.

Storytime: Frogs

2009-04-15T13:26:00.003-04:00

Family Storytimes for ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

Fribbity Ribbit
by Suzanne C. Johnson and pictures by Debbie Tilley

A Frog in the Bog
by Karma Wilson and pictures by Joan Rankin

Wide-Mouthed Frog
by Keith Faulkner and pictures by Jonathan Lambert

Red-Eyed Tree Frog
by Joy Crowley and pictures by Nic Bishop

Song:

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Craft:

Frog Puppet Paper Plate Craft
from dltk-kids.com

We did the craft without the arms and legs, and used cotton balls with googly eyes on them instead of paper eyes.

Storytime: Ocean Animals

2009-04-03T13:37:00.004-04:00

Family Storytime for Ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

Swimmy

by Leo Lionni

Rub-A-Dub Sub

by Linda Ashman and pictures by Jeff Mack

Hooray for Fish!

by Lucy Cousins

Additional Books (added 6.1.10)

Fish, Swish! Splash, Dash!: Counting Round and Round by Suse MacDonald

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

Into the A, B, Sea by Deborah Lee Rose and pictures by Steve Jenkins

One Lonely Sea Horse by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers

Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood and pictures by Bruce Wood

The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist and pictures by Julia Gorton

Trout, Trout, Trout: A Fish Chant by April Pulley Sayre and pictures by Trip Park

Songs:

I Caught a Fish

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
I caught a fish alive.
6,7,8,9,10
I let him go again.
Why did you let him go?
Because he bit my finger so. OUCH!

Baby Shark Song

(Make hand like a puppet, with thumb underneath and fingers above.)
Baby shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Baby shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Baby shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Baby shark.

(Put palms together and open and shut fingers, while bottom of palms remain touching)
Mama shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Mama shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Mama shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Mama shark.

(Put elbows, forearms, and palms together. Hinge on elbows and clap hands together.)
Papa shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Papa shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Papa shark doo, doo, doo, doo.
Papa shark.

(Make "mama shark", but roll fingers in so knuckles clap.)
Grandpa gums, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Grandpa gums, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Grandpa gums, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Grandpa gums.

(Make swimming motions)
Went for a swim, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Went for a swim, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Went for a swim, doo, doo, doo, doo.
For a swim.

(Make shark fins above your head)
Saw a shark, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Saw a shark, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Saw a shark, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Saw a shark.

(Quick swimming motions)
Swim real fast, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Swim real fast, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Swim real fast, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Swim real fast.

(Wiggle around)
Shark attack, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Shark attack, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Shark attack, doo, doo, doo, doo.
Shark attack.

Here's a video of the song, but I tend to do it much slower.

Here Is the Sea

Here is the sea the wavy sea.
(Make wave motions with arm)
Here is my boat.
(Cup hands)
And here is me.
(Point to self)
All of the fishes.
(wiggle index and middle finger of one or both hands)
Down below.
Wiggle their tails.
And awaaaay they go!
(Hide wiggling fingers behind back)

Crafts:

Octopus Craft
modification of Crazy Eight Octopus (pg 39)

Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts (2001) by Judy Ann Sadler

Instead of cutting lines in a toilet paper tube. I created a template on construction paper, and used the copier. The kids cut straight lines in the paper and glued it all into a tube. Then they added wiggly eyes and a mouth. More coloring and leg curling were optional.

Additional Craft (added 6.1.10)

Rainbow Fish First, I cut out fish from our Ellison machine. Then I cut little squares of multi-colored tissue paper. The children glued their tissue paper fish "scales" to their fish. I also offered crayons for them to decorate with. Very cute.

Storytime: Wheels

2009-03-28T10:35:00.004-04:00

Family Storytime ages 3-8 with craft.

Books:

A Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa
by Jonathan London and pictures by Denis Roche

Wheels on the Bus
by Paul Zelinsky

The Bus for Us
by Suzanne Bloom

Red Truck
by Kersten Hamilton and pictures by Valeria Petrone

Song:

C-A-R Song
(Tune of "Bingo")

Look at my bright shiny car,
I'm driving it today!
C-A-R, beep, beep.
C-A-R, beep, beep.
C-A-R, beep, beep.
I'm driving it today!

Craft:

Tube Racer Craft
from FamilyFun.com

Go, Tube Racer, Go!

I punched out holes in the tubes beforehand, and had wheels pre-cut. I had the children decorate the tubes with crayons and stickers and then attach their own wheels. Not as slick-looking as the original, but fit the time constaints for my craft.