September 29th, 2015
The Books We Read:Big Red Apple by Tony JohnstonTap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
Songs and Fingerplays:Found an Apple by Harriet Ziefert--we sang this book for fun!
I Reached Way UpI reached way up in the apple tree, and picked an apple just for me;I took a bite, and what did I see? Five little worms a-lookin' at me--yuck![Repeat, counting down.]Credit: Childhood
Project—Tissue Paper Apple Trees:
September 25th, 2018
The Books We Read:Tap the Magic Tree by Christie MathesonFound an Apple by Harriet ZiefertWhat's an Apple by Marilyn Singer
Songs and Fingerplays:We Clap and Say HelloWe 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
Found an Apple by Harriet Ziefert--we sang this book for fun!
Project—Magic Apple Trees w/ Fall SurpriseEveryone had a different take on their autumnal apple trees, which we made with tissue paper, dot markers, and lots of glue!
October 15th, 2019
The Books We Read:Tap the Magic Tree by Christie MathesonThe Terrible Plop by Ursula DubosarskyFound an Apple by Harriet Ziefert
Songs and Fingerplays:Five Apples in a BasketFelt Board ActivityThe first apple in the basket was bright and shiny red.The second apple in the basket said, “Oh my, what a cozy bed!”The third apple in the basket said, “Now we two are a pair.”The fourth apple in the basket said, “Make room for me in there!”But the fifth apple in the basket said, “Oh me, oh me, oh my!””This basket looks like pastry—I think we’re in a pie!”Credit: Library Village
Found an Apple by Harriet ZiefertWe sang this book for fun!
Project—Apple PrintsWe dipped different sized apples into red and green paint and made unique prints. Messy fun!
September 20th, 2016
The Books We Read:I Love Bugs! by Emma DoddKaty Did It! by Lorianne SiomadesTraveling Butterflies by Susumo ShingoSongs & Activities:Felt Board BugsWe started story time by having volunteers pick an animal friend out of a bag and pin it on the felt board. The kids had fun describing each animal and deciding which ones (bear, alligator, bird) would NOT be invited to our bug picnic.
Can You Move with Me?Can you wiggle like a worm, can you squiggle, can you squirm?Can you flutter and fly like a gentle butterfly?Can you crawl on the ground like a beetle that is round?Can you move with me?
Can you flip, can you flop, can you give a little hop?Can you slither like a snake, can you give a little shake?Can you buzz like a bee that is flying 'round a tree?Can you move with me?Credit: preschooleducation.com
Itsy Bitsy SpiderThe itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.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.Credit: Childhood
Craft—Egg Carton Insects
Everyone created their own unique and colorful bug. Here is just one example:
September 22nd, 2015
The Books We Read:Ten LIttle Caterpillars by Bill Martin, Jr. and Lois EhlertTraveling Butterlies by Susumu ShinguArabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett
Songs and Fingerplays:One Little Caterpillar (fingerplay)One little caterpillar (crawl fingers up arm)Made a cocoon one day (fold hands together)Turned into a butterfly (hook thumbs, spread fingers)And flew away!Credit: Storytime Katie
The Caterpillar SongLet's be caterpillars, wiggle with me (repeat 3x)What will we be next, darlings?Now we're a chyrsalis, sleep with me (repeat 3x)What will we be next, darlings?We're butterflies now, come fly with me (repeat 3x)That's what we are now, darlings!Credit: Storytime KatieProject—Coffee Filter Butterlies:
October 11th, 2016
The Books We Read:Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip SteadBusy Little Squirrel by Nancy TafuriOwl Babies by Martin WaddellSongs & Activities:Autumn Leaves Stretch (To the tune of London Bridges)Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.Autumn leaves are falling down, it is fall.
Take a rake and rake them up, rake them up, rake them up.Take a rake and rake them up, it is fall.
Make a pile and jump right in, jump right in, jump right in.Make a pile and jump right in, it is fall.Credit: Various sources
Mmm-AH! Went the Little Green FrogMmm 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!
Grrr-grrr! went the big brown bear one day.Grrr-grrr! went the big brown bear.Grrr-grrr! went the big brown bear one day.and they all went grrr-grrr-grrr!!But we know bears go huggy huggy hug, huggy huggy hug, huggy huggy hug.We know bears go huggy huggy hug,they don't go grrr-grrr-grrr!Credit: Jbrary
Five Little Hoot Owls (w/ flannel board)Five little hoot owls sitting in a tree, one flew away, how many do you see?[Count down to zero.]Credit: Sunflower Storytime
Craft—Owl Masks
Inspired by Bill from Owl Babies, the kids made masks with bright, colorful feathers. Here is a fun example:
October 29th, 2019
The Books We Read: Creepy Carrots by Aaron ReynoldsPumpkin Trouble by Jan ThomasStumpkin by Lucy CumminsSongs & Activities:Open Shut ThemOpen, shut them, open, shut them, give a little clap clap clap!Open, shut them, open, shut them, put them in your lap lap lap.Creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them, right up to your chin, chin, chin.Open wide your little mouth, but... do not let them IN!Credit: Childhood
Craft—Pumpkin Painting!
October 18th, 2016
The Books We Read:Possum's Harvest Moon by Anne HunterFound an Apple by Harriet ZiefertRacoons and Ripe Corn by Jim ArnoskySongs & Activities:I Reached Way UpI reached way up in the apple tree, and picked an apple just for me;I took a bite, and what did I see? Five little worms a-lookin' at me--yuck![Repeat, counting down.]Credit: Childhood
This is the Way (Corn Song)This is the way we plant the corn, plant the corn, plant the corn.This is the way we plant the corn, so early in the morning.This is the way we...water the seeds....hoe the weeds....pick the corn....shuck the corn....eat the corn!Credit: Adapted from Various Sources
Craft—Apple CollageA great example of what we did. Notice the many-eyed worm!
November 17th, 2015
The Books We Read:Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip SteadBrown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear by Mônica Carnesi
Songs and Fingerplays:Hibernation SongSung to the tune of Allouette
Chorus:Hibernation. Time for Hibernation. Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.
In the winter where's the bear? Sleeping in its log or lair. Where's the bear? Log or lair. OH!ChorusIn the winter where's the frog? Sleeping in a rotten log. Where's the frog? Rotten log. Where's the bear? Log or lair. OH!ChorusIn the winter where's the snake? In the mud beneath the lake. Where's the snake? Beneath the lake. Where's the frog? Rotten log. Where's the bear? Log or lair. OH!
Chorus
In the winter where's the bat? In a cave is where it's at. Where's the bat? Where it's at. Where's the snake? Beneath the lake. Where's the frog? Rotten log. Where's the bear? Log or lair. OH!Credit: Charles County Public Library
Little Green FrogMmm ah! went the little green frog one dayMmm ah! went the little green frogMmm ah! went the little green frog one dayand 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 dayBloop bloop! went the little blue fishBloop bloop! went the little blue fish one dayand 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!
Grrr grrr! went the big brown bear one dayGrrr grrr! went the big brown bearGrrr grrr! went the big brown bear one dayand they all went grrr grrr grrr!But we know bears go huggy huggy hug!, huggy huggy hug!, huggy huggy hugWe know bears go huggy huggy hug!, they don't go grrr grrr grrr!Credit: JbraryProject—Hibernating Bears:
November 28th, 2017
The Books We Read:Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip SteadForever Friends byCarin Berger
November 12th, 2019
The Books We Read:Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip SteadI Don't Want To Go To Sleep!by Dev Petty
Project—Hibernating Bears:
March 26th, 2019
The Books We Read:The Foggy Foggy Forest by Nick SharrattBear Wants More by Karma WilsonA Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry
Songs & Activities:Gray SquirrelGray squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your busy tail.Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your busy tail.Wrinkle up your little nose, put a not between your toes.Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, swish your busy tail.
Repeat, substituting humming for each successive line until entire song is hummed.
Credit:Childhood
Craft—Tubular TreesKids used paper towel tubes and construction paper, paint, and tissue paper to create their own mini forests!
October 25th, 2016
The Books We Read:The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin LewisTen Orange Pumpkins by Stephen SavageThe Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda WilliamsSongs & Activities:Open Shut ThemOpen, shut them, open, shut them, give a little clap, clap, clap!Open, shut them, open, shut them, put them in your lap, lap, lap.Creep them, creep them, creept them, creep them, right up to your chin, chin, chin.Open wide your little mouth, but... do not let them in!Credit: Various Sources
Five Little PumpkinsFive 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—What's Inside a Pumpkin??This was a hugely fun project. Kids decorated their pumpkin face however they liked and then glued pumpkin "guts" (yarn and seeds) on the inside! Here is one example:
October 20th, 2015
The Books We Read:The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin LewisTen Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage
Songs and Fingerplays:Pumpkin Vine SongI looked in the garden and what did I find?Green leaves a-growin' on my pumpkin vine (repeat).I looked in the garden and what did I find?... Yellow flowers blooming on my pumpkin vine (repeat).... Busy bees a-buzzing on my pumpkin vine (repeat). ...Little pumpkins growing on my pumpkin vine (repeat)....Big fat pumpkins growing on my pumpkin vine (repeat).Credit: Life Lab
Five Little PumpkinsFive little pumpkins sitting on a gate. The first one said "Oh my, it's getting late."The second one 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," went the wind and OUT went the light;And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!Credit: ChildhoodProject—Mason Jar Jack-o-Lanterns:
October 31st, 2017
The Books We Read:The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda WilliamsTen Orange Pumpkins by Stephen SavagePumpkin Trouble by Jan ThomasSongs & Activities:Five Little PumpkinsFive 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!
October 30th, 2018
The Books We Read:Stumpkin by Lucy CumminsTen Orange Pumpkins by Stephen SavageRunaway Pumpkin by Kevin LewisSongs & Activities:We Clap and Say HelloWe clap and say "hello!"We clap and say "hello!"With our friends at storytime,We clap and say "hello!"
Open Shut ThemOpen, shut them, open, shut them, give a little clap clap clap!Open, shut them, open, shut them, put them in your lap lap lap.Creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them, right up to your chin, chin, chin.Open wide your little mouth, but... do not let them IN!Credit: Childhood
Craft—What's in a Pumpkin?
We had fun decorating paper pumpkins, both outside...
and in...
September 26th, 2017
The Books We Read:Leaf Man by Lois EhrletLeavesby David Ezra SteinThe Tree by Layton NealSongs & Activities:Autumn LeavesAutumn 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 CollagesWe made our own fall pictures out of leaves, flowers and acorns. Thanks to Lois Ehlert for the inspiration!
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December 17th, 2019
The Books We Read:A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet StoekeAll You Need for a Snowmanby Alice Schertl
Songs and Fingerplays:Snowflake DanceSnowflakes, snowflakes all around. In the air and on the ground.Some are big and some are small. Roll them into a snowball.But when the sun comes out to play, all the snowflakes melt away.
Credit: Intellidance
Scarf Play: Popcorn Kernels
Project—Paper Snowglobes:
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