Socks and Shoes
November 14th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley
Sally and the Purple Socks by Lisze Bechtold
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Jan Thomas
Songs & Activities:
I Love My Toes
Everbody know that I love my toes. Everybody knows that I love my toes.
I love my shoulders, my knees, my elbows and my nose.
But everybody knows that I love my toes.
Everybody knows that I love my foot. Everybody knows that I love my foot.
I love my shoulders, my knees, my elbows and my tush.
But everybody knows that I love my foot.
Everybody knows that I love my socks. Everybody knows that I love my socks.
I love my shirt, my pants, my scarf and my locks.
But everybody knows that I love my socks.
Everybody knows that I love my shoes. Everybody knows that I love my shoes.
I love my shirt, my pants, my scarf and YOU.
But everybody knows that I love my shoes.
Credit: Adapted from Jbrary
Craft—Pair of Socks
Everyone decorated their own pair of socks using dot markers, paper cut-outs, crayons, and sequins. The results were super colorful, and no single sock was the same!
Pumpkins 2017
October 31st, 2017
The Books We Read:
The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Ten Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage
Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
Songs & Activities:
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"
The second said, "There are witches in the air!"
The third one said, "Oh, we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "It's time to go home!"
The fifth one said, "Don't leave me alone!"
Oooooh ooooh, went the wind, and out went the light,
and the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!
Credit: Childhood
Craft—Jack-o-Lantern Lanterns
We had fun with mod-pudge and tissue paper, creating funny and fearsome pumpkin faces. A great project for Halloween day!
Animals at Night 2017
October 20th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Whoo Goes There? by Jennifer Ericsson
Night Animals by Gianna Marino
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed by Candace Fleming
Songs and Activities:
Five Little Brown Bats
Five little brown bats hanging from a tree.
One flew away, now how many do you see?
Count down to zero.
Credit: Adapted from Jbrary
Two Little Hoot Owls
Two little hoot owls, sitting on a hill;
One named Jack and the other named Jill.
Fly away Jack! Fly away Jill!
Come back, Jack! Come back, Jill!
Two little hoot owls, sitting down below;
One named Fast and the other named Slow.
Fly away Fast! Fly away Slow!
Come back, Fast! Come back, Slow!
Two little hoot owls, feeling very proud;
One named Quiet [whisper] and the other named Loud [shout]...
Fly away Quiet! Fly away Loud!
Come back, Quiet! Come back, Loud!
Credit: Jbrary
Project—Nocturnal Scene:
Five Senses 2017
October 17th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
My Five Senses by Aliki
Rain by Manya Stojic
Songs & Activities:
My Five Senses
To the tune of "Old Macdonald"
On my face I have two eyes, I use them every day.
And with my eyes I can see when I work and play.
With a look, look here and a look look there, here a look, there a look, everywhere a look, look.
On my face I have two eyes, I use them every day.
On my face I have a nose, I use it carefully.
I sniff the air so I can tell if something is smelly.
With a sniff, sniff here and a sniff, sniff there, here a sniff, there a sniff, everywhere a sniff, sniff.
On my face I have a nose, I use it carefully.
In my mouth I have one tongue, I use it when I eat.
And with my tongue I can taste salty, sour, and sweet.
With a taste, taste here and a taste, taste there, here a taste, there a taste, everywhere a taste, taste.
In my mouth I have one tongue, I use it when I eat.
On my head I have two ears, I listen all day long.
And if I didn't have them there, I couldn't hear this song!
With a listen here and a listen there, here a listen, there a listen, everywhere a listen.
On my head I have two ears, I listen all day long.
On my body I have some skin that feels the cold and heat.
It stretches from atop my head, all the way to my feet.
With a touch, touch here and a touch, touch there, here a touch, there a touch, everywhere a touch, touch.
On my body I have some skin that feels the cold and heat.
Credit: preschooleducation.com
Five Senses
To the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?"
Five senses, five senses. We have them. We have them.
Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching.
There are five. There are five.
Credit: Miss Sarah's Storytime
Sensory Table
We set out a variety of "Guess Whats?" to get the kids using their senses:
What's in the bag? (Touch) What's that smell? (Smell) What's in the container? (Sound)
Craft—Touch Collage:
Counting
October 10th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by James Dean
Songs & Activities:
Everybody Count
Everybody count one-one! Storytime has just begun.
Everybody count two-two! Shake your shoulders, touch your shoes.
Everybody count three-three! Listen very carefully.
Everybody count four-four! Time to sit down on the floor.
Credit: Jbrary
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one [clap 1x]. The mouse ran down.
Hickory dickory dock.
Other verses:
The clock struck two [clap 2x]. The mouse said "Boo!"
The clock struck three [clap 3x]. The mouse said "Wee!"
The clock struck four [clap 4x]. The mouse said [yawning] "No more!"
Credit: Jbrary
Five Green and Speckled Frogs
Credit: Raffi
Craft—Watercolor & Tissue Paper Collage
In honor of our counting theme, everyone had five objects (button, feather, pom pom, shell, and candy corn cutout) to incorporate into a collage. Most stopped at the glitter station to add a little sparkle!
Trees and Leaves
September 26th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Leaf Man by Lois Ehrlet
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
The Tree by Layton Neal
Songs & Activities:
Autumn Leaves
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Autumn leaves are falling down, it is fall.
Other verses:
Take a rake and rake them up...
Make a pile and jump right in...
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Leaf Collages
We made our own fall pictures out of leaves, flowers and acorns. Thanks to Lois Ehlert for the inspiration!
Superheroes (2)
September 19th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Supertruck by Stephen Savage
Daredevil Duck by Charlie Alder
Songs & Activities:
Superhero, Superhero
Superhero, superhero turn around;
Superhero, superhero touch the ground;
Superhero, superhero put on your suit;
Superhero, Superhero put on your boots.
Superhero, superhero turn around;
Superhero, superhero touch the ground;
Superhero, superhero jump to the sky;
Superhero, superhero fly, fly, fly!
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Superhero Masks
We had a ball customizing our masks with jewels, lightning bolts, feathers, and our own individual touches!
On the Farm
September 12th, 2017
The Books We Read:
I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs
One Monday by Amy Huntington
Bob by Tracey Campbell Pearson
Songs & Activities:
We Clap and Say Hello
We clap and say "hello!"
We clap and say "hello!"
With our friends at storytime,
We clap and say "hello!"
We [fill in action--stomp, spin, jump, hop] and say "hello!"
Credit: Jbrary
One Bright Scarf
We had fun with scarves after reading the windy-day book, One Monday:
One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow.
Wiggle it high (reach to ceiling) and wiggle it low (down by your toes).
Shake it fast and shake it slow.
Where did it go? (Hide scarf in hands, behind back, etc.)
One, two, three ... release scarves into the air!
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Sheep Printing
We used bubblewrap and paint (all different colors!) to make the sheep bodies, and sponge-painted the fields and flowers.
Sun and Moon
August 15th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Papa, please get the moon for me by Eric Carle
Moonbear's Shadow by Frank Asch
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Songs & Activities:
Aiken Drum
There was a man lived in the moon, in the moon, in the moon.
There was a man lived in the moon and his name was Aiken Drum.
And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle.
He played upon a ladle and his name was Aiken Drum.
And his hair was made of spaghetti...
And his eyes were made of...
And his nose was made of...
And his mouth was made of...
Have the kids supply various foods for the body parts and see where it takes you!
Credit: Raffi
Craft—Sun and Moon Paintings
We used sponges dipped in gray paint to make the moon and mixed hot colors for the sun.
Summer Adventures
July 25th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
Songs & Activities:
We Clap and Say Hello
We clap and say "hello!"
We clap and say "hello!"
With our friends at storytime,
We clap and say "hello!"
We [fill in action--stomp, spin, jump, hop] and say "hello!"
...
Credit: Jbrary
Bread and Butter
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam,
let's say "goodbye" as loud as we can.
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam,
let's say "goodbye" as quiet as we can.
Continue with more opposite pairs ... fast/slow, serious/silly, high/low, etc.
Credit: jbrary
Craft—Ice Cream Cones!
Today we made delicious-looking ice cream cones, with tissue paper and paper sprinkles. The kids used forks and paint to create a waffle pattern on their cones.
Houses and Homes
July 18th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda
Little Home Bird by Jo Empson
The Doghouse by Jan Thomas
Songs & Activities:
We Clap and Say Hello
We clap and say "hello!"
We clap and say "hello!"
With our friends at storytime,
We clap and say "hello!"
We [fill in action--stomp, spin, jump, hop] and say "hello!"
...
Credit: Jbrary
We Go In and Out the Doors
We jump in and out the front door,
We jump in and out the front door,
We jump in and out the front door,
And make a doorbell sound.
We hop in and out the back door,
We hop in and out the back door,
We hop in and out the back door,
Bend down and touch the ground.
We slide in and out the side door,
We slide in and out the side door,
We slide in and out the side door,
And turn ourselves around.
We jump in and out the front door,
We hop in and out the back door,
We slide in and out the side door,
And sit ourselves right down.
Credit: Adapted from susanmdailey.com
Elevator Song
Oh, the city is big and the city is grand,
and there are lots of tall buildings on a little piece of land.
And we live way up on the 57th floor.
And this is what we do when we go out the door.
We take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
and turn around.
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Paper Bag Houses
The kids decorated brown lunch bags with shapes and buttons. We stuffed the bags and stapled on the roofs, and voila!
Dirt, Sand & Mud
July 11th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke
Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya
Songs & Activities:
We Clap and Say "Hello!"
We clap and say "hello!"
We clap and say "hello!"
With our friends at storytime,
We clap and say "hello!"
We [fill in action--stomp, spin, jump, hop] and say "hello!"
Credit: Jbrary
Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean
Five pigs so squeaky clean.
Cleanest you’ve ever seen.
Wanted to go outside and play.
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud.
Landed with a big THUD.
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs...
Credit: Storytime Katie
Craft—Watercolor and Sand Painting
Inspired by Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty art installation, the children used watercolors to create watery backgrounds and then painted their own unique designs with a glue/water mixture. We topped off the design with sand and glitter. (Credit to sarahlipoff.com for the project idea.)
Let's Build!
June 27th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Go!Go!Go!Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper
Tractor Mac Builds a Barn by Billy Steers
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Songs & Activities:
Elevator Song
Oh, the city is big and the city is grand,
and there are lots of tall buildings on a little piece of land.
And we live way up on the 57th floor.
And this is what we do when we go out the door.
We take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
take the elevator UP, take the elevator DOWN,
and turn around.
Credit: Jbrary
This is the Way We Build
Sung to the tune of All Around the Mulberry Bush
This is the way we cut the wood, cut the wood, cut the wood.
This is the way we cut the wood, when we're building our barn.
This is the way we...
hammer the nails...
stack the bricks...
paint the walls...
put up the roof...
Credit: Adapted from preschoolexpress.com
Craft—Dump Trucks
As you can see, kids customized their trucks with colors and stickers.
One especially creative builder even modified his pieces to make a front-end loader!
In the Pond
April 18th, 2017
The Books We Read:
A Perfect Day by Lane Smith (not pond-related, but I couldn't resist!)
Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folguiera
Pig in the Pond by Martin Waddell
Songs & Activities:
Little White Duck by Walt Whippo
We sang the story to the original tune by Bernard Zaritzky, with a little help from our puppet friends (above).
Mmm-AH! Went the Little Green Frog (pond version)
Mmm ah! went the little green frog one day
Mmm ah! went the little green frog
Mmm ah! went the little green frog one day
and they all went mmm mmm ah!!
But we know frogs go shanananana! shanananana! shanananana!
We know frogs go shanananana!, they don't go mmm mmm ah!
Bloop bloop! went the little blue fish one day
Bloop bloop! went the little blue fish
Bloop bloop! went the little blue fish one day
and they all went bloop bloop bloop!
But we know fish go kissy kissy kiss! kissy kissy kiss! kissy kissy kiss!
We know fish go kissy kissy kiss!, they don't go bloop bloop bloop!
Ssss-sss! went the little red snake one day
Ssss-sss! went the little red snake
Ssss-sss! went the little red snake one day
and they all went ssss ssss ssss!!
But we know snakes go jumpy jumpy jump, jumpy jumpy jump, jumpy jumpy jump
We know snakes go jumpy jumpy jump,they don't go ssss ssss ssss!
Credit: Revised from Jbrary
Craft—Lily Pads and Frogs:
The kids used watercolor paints to color their frogs and lily pads and scrunched up colorful tissue paper to make flowers.
Get Messy! (3)
April 4, 2017
What We Read:
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Edward Gets Messy by Rita Meade
The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems
Songs & Activities:
Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum
Sticky, sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum.
Sticky, sticky, sticky bubblegum, sticking your hands to your head.
Ready, unstick!
Verses:
Sticking your hands to your knees.
Sticking your hand to your elbows.
Sticking your back to someone else’s hand.
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Slime
Get Messy! (2)
March 3rd, 2015
What We Read:
Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Olivia by Ian Falconer
Songs & Activities:
Five Pigs So Squeaky Clean
Five pigs so squeaky clean.
Cleanest you’ve ever seen.
Wanted to go outside and play.
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud.
Landed with a big THUD.
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs...
Credit: Storytime Katie
Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum
Sticky, sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum.
Sticky, sticky, sticky bubblegum, sticking your hands to your head.
Ready, unstick!
Verses:
Sticking your hands to your knees.
Sticking your hand to your elbows.
Sticking your back to someone else’s hand.
Credit: Jbrary
Craft—Slime
Pirates (2)
March 28th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Shiver Me Timbers! by Douglas Florian
Pirate's Perfect Pet by Beth Ferry
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
Songs & Activities:
Pirate Song
When I was one, I had some fun,
On the day I went to sea.
I hopped aboard a pirate ship,
And the captain said to me...
Chorus:
'We go this way, that way, forwards, backwards,
Over the deep blue sea.'
When I was two, I tied my shoe...
When I was three, I skinned my knee...
When I was four, I mopped the floor...
When I was five, I took a dive...
Credit: Andy Z.
Craft—Pirate Treasure Chest:
We glued jewels and trinkets in (and on) our treasure chests!
Bunnies!
March 14th, 2017
The Books We Read:
The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems
Songs & Activities:
Little Bunny Foo Foo
Credit: Childhood
Two Little Bunnies
Two little bunnies sitting on a hill,
One named Jack, the other named Bill
Run away, Jack! Run away, Bill!
Come back, Jack! Come back, Bill!
Two little bunnies, sitting in the snow,
One named High, the other named Low...
Two little bunnies, feeling very proud
One named Quiet, the other named Loud...
Two little bunnies, sitting in the snow,
One named Fast, the other named Slow...
Credit: Adapted from jbrary
Craft—Construction Paper Bunnies
We were enjoying a rare snow day at the library, so had some of our school kids at story time!
Yummy Stories
March 7th, 2017
The Books We Read:
Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley
Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Songs & Activities:
I Am Hungry
To the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
I am hungry, I am hungry.
What should I eat? What should I eat?
I think I'll have a banana, I think I'll have a banana.
Nice and sweet.
Repeat, substituting other foods:
Tomato soup ("With lots of heat")
Pizza ("Without any meat")
Ice cream ("My favorite treat")
Credit: jbrary
Craft—Veggie Printing
At the Beach
February 21st, 2017
The Books We Read:
Duck & Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills
Otto Goes to the Beach by Todd Parr
Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya
Songs & Activities:
The Waves on the Beach
To the tune of "Wheels on the Bus"
The waves on the beach go up and down...
The clams on the beach go snap, snap, snap...
The sharks on the beach go chomp, chomp, chomp...
The crabs on the beach go pinch, pinch, pinch...
The lifeguard on the beach says "Swim on back..."
Credit: perpeptualpreschool.com
Craft—Bubblewrap Starfish and Glittery Beach Feet
