BabyTime

Our book today was Hop by Jorey Hurley.

Welcoming Song: “Let’s All Clap”

(to the tune of “Buffalo Gals”)

Let’s all clap ‘cause ____ is here

______ is here, ______ is here

Let’s all clap ‘cause ______ is here

______ is here today.

Rhyme: “Where, Oh Where Are Baby’s Fingers?”

Where oh where are baby’s fingers?                     (touch fingers)

Where oh where are baby’s toes?                          (touch toes)

Where is baby’s belly button?                               (trace on baby’s tummy)   

Round and round it goes.

Where oh where are baby’s ears?                          (touch ears)

Where oh where is baby’s nose?                           (touch nose)

Where is baby’s belly button?                               (trace on baby’s tummy)

Round and round it goes.

Nursery Rhyme: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

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.

Bounce: “Bouncing, Bouncing, Baby on my Knee”

Bouncing, bouncing, baby on my knee

Bouncing, bouncing, one, two, three (tickle or lift on three)

Repeat with clapping, rocking, jumping

Tickle: “Wiggle Waggle Went the Bear”

Wiggle waggle went the bear              (criss cross legs)

Catching bees in his underwear

One bee out             (move legs apart)

One bee in             (move legs together)

One bee bit him on his big bear skin    (buzz and tickle)

This is another good rhyme to use when changing a diaper.

Dance/Movement: “Shoo, Fly!”

(Form a circle)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me                                         (walk around the circle)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me

Shoo fly, don’t bother me

‘Cause I belong to somebody

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk toward the center)

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk back)

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk toward the center)

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk back)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me                                        (walk around the circle)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me

Shoo fly, don’t bother me

‘Cause I belong to somebody

Dance/Movement: “Go In and Out the Window”

(Stand in a circle, holding baby. In the second verse, turn baby to face another child in the circle. If you are alone, you could use a mirror.)

Go in and out the window                (swing baby in football hold toward middle of circle)

Go in and out the window

Go in and out the window

As we have done before

Turn and face your partner                        (hold baby under arms, turn toward other baby)

Turn and face your partner

Turn and face your partner

As we have done before

Go up and down the staircase              (lift baby up and down)

Go up and down the staircase

Go up and down the staircase

As we have done before

Shaker Song: “Can You Shake Your Egg With Me?” 

Can you shake your egg with me?       

Shake you egg along with me?

It's as easy as can be.

Now put it on your knee.

(Repeat: tummy, head, etc.)

Shaker Song: “Do You Know the Muffin Man”

Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man?

Do you know the muffin man,

Who lives on Drury Lane.

Yes I know muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man!

Yes, I know the muffin man, 

He lives on Drury Lane!

Shaker Song: “We Hit the Floor Together”

(to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”)

We hit the floor together

We hit the floor together

We hit the floor together

Because it’s fun to do!

Repeat with: clap our hands, nod our heads, sway from side to side, wave hello

Closing Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

'Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

Bubbles and music

I am currently really loving the music of Caspar Babypants. It's mostly upbeat and a little goofy, but definitely not sickly sweet. Some traditional tunes are mixed with original creations and he even has two albums of Beatles covers. Who knows, maybe the kids will enjoy this as much as "Let It Go." It could happen. 

Inspiration for this storytime came from the lovely folks at:

Jbrary

Abby the Librarian

King County (WA) Library System 

Preschool Storytime: Gardens and Flowers

Book: When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes




Fingerplay: “Watch It Bloom”

Here is a green leaf                        (hold out one palm)
And here is a green leaf                (hold out other palm)
That, you see, makes two              (hold up two fingers)
Here is a bud                                 (cup hands together)
That makes it a flower                  (slowly open hands)
Watch it bloom for you                 (slowly open hands)

(Credit: Perry Public Library)

Song: “Ten Little Flowers” 

(to the tune of: “Ten Little Indians”)

One little, two little, three little flowers              (hold up another finger on each number)

Four little, five little, six little flowers

Seven little, eight little, nine little flowers

Ten flowers in the spring.

Give them rain and lots of sunshine                   (flutter fingers down)

Give them rain and lots of sunshine

Give them rain and lots of sunshine

So they’ll grow up tall

(Credit: Modified from The Holiday Zone)

Glove puppets. Ordinary gardening gloves with
the hook side of velcro. Flowers are felt.

Book: From the Garden by Michael Dahl 

Puppets: “There’s Something In My Garden”

There’s something in my garden

Now what can it be?

There’s something in my garden

That I can’t really see.

Hear its funny sound…

RIBBIT RIBBIT RIBBIT            (kids can guess the animal)

A frog is what I found!                 (bring out the puppet)

RIBBIT RIBBIT RIBBIT

Repeat with:

SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK, a mouse is what I found! 

CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP, a bird is what I found! 

THUMP THUMP THUMP, a rabbit is what I found!

SSSSSS, SSSSSSS, SSSSSS, a snake is what I found! 

(Credit: SurLaLune Storytime)

I used stick puppets (made from clipart, craft sticks, contact paper)

Book: Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres

Shaker Song: “Can You Shake Your Egg with Me?”

(to the tune of: London Bridge)

Can you shake your egg with me?

Shake your egg along with me

It’s as easy as can be

Now put it on your tummy

(Repeat with other parts of the body)

Shaker Song: “Egg Shakers Up”

Egg shakers up,                                            (shakers above head)

And egg shakers down,                                (shakers on the floor)

Egg shakers dancing all around the town.    (move shakers back and forth)     

Dance them on your shoulders

Dance them on your head

Dance them on your knee

And tuck them into bed                               (fold shaker inside hands, under head)

Flannelboard Story: Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

I did this as an oral telling of the short text. The pictures are the star of this book, so I was really glad to be find a lovely set of flannel flowers shared on Flannel Friday by Storytime Katie.

I passed the flowers out to the kids and let them add to the board as we went through the colors.

Book: My Garden by Kevin Henkes

Flannel Rhyme: “Out in the Garden”  

Out in the garden

Growing in the sun

Were five pretty flowers

And I picked one!

Count down…until there are none.

Scarf Song: “One Bright Scarf”

One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow               (hold in hand)

Wiggle it high                                                                (wiggle scarf above head)

Wiggle it low                                                                 (wiggle scarf by knees)

Shake it fast                                                                   (wiggle scarf quickly)

Shake it slow                                                                 (wiggle scarf slowly)

Where did it go?                                                       (put it behind back, bring out empty hands)

Scarf Song: “Popcorn Kernels”

(to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)

Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels              (wave scarf)

In the pot, in the pot                                   (hide scarf inside cupped hands)

Shake them, shake them, shake them        (shake cupped hands)

Shake them, shake them, shake them

Til they pop! Til they pop!                        (throw scarf into the air)

Scarf Song: “Will Our Flowers Bloom”

(to the tune of: “Wheels on the Bus”)

The seeds from the pack go in the ground           (poke with finger)

In the ground, in the ground

The seeds from the pack go in the ground

Will our flowers bloom?

The rain from the sky goes drip drip drop            (flutter fingers down)

Drip drip drop, drip drip drop

The rain from the sky goes drip drip drop

Will our flowers bloom?

The sun above is bright and hot                          (arms make a circle over head)

Bright and hot, bright and hot

The sun above is bright and hot

Will our flowers bloom?

Our little seeds are sprouting fast                      (fingers grow upward)

Sprouting fast, sprouting fast

Our little seeds are sprouting fast 

Look! Our flowers bloomed!                             (cup hands, then spread open)

We did this with actions and scarves so we would have colorful "blooms."

Goodbye Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

'Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

Craft, Manipulatives, Exploration:

Craft: Pipe Cleaner Flowers

We made flowers by lacing shapes onto pipe cleaners, including short pieces of plastic drinking straws, beads, and flowers and leaves cut out of craft foam scraps. I got the idea from a photo that was posted on the Storytime Underground Facebook group (sorry that I didn't save the details to give more credit than that.)

Playdough

Matching games

Today's storytime was inspired by the lovely folks at:

Storytime Katie: Spring; Garden; Planting a Rainbow

Miss Meg's Storytime

Mel's Desk

Literary Hoots

Perry (OH) Public Library

Jbrary

Flannel Friday

Storytime Underground

BabyTime

Our book this time was Books Always Everywhere by Jane Blatt.

I couldn't resist this celebration of the many ways children interact with books. The text is very brief, which lets the illustrations convey the details.



Welcoming Song: “Let’s All Clap”

(to the tune of “Buffalo Gals”)

Let’s all clap ‘cause ____ is here
______ is here, ______ is here
Let’s all clap ‘cause ______ is here
______ is here today.


Song: “Baby Put Your Pants On”
(to the tune of "Short'nin' Bread")

Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on         (move baby's legs)
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three              (gently poke baby's belly)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three

Leg to the left, leg to the right                            (move legs)
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull them up tight

Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, one, two, three

This is a great song to do while changing a diaper. It's also very easy to switch up the words for any other piece of clothing. We've done hats and coats in the winter and this time we tried it out using sunscreen!


Bounce: “Grand Old Duke of York”

The grand old Duke of York                                   (bounce baby)
He had ten thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill               (lift baby)
And marched them down again.

‘Cause when you’re up you’re up                           (lift baby)
And when you’re down you’re down
And when you’re only halfway up                          (lift baby)
You’re neither up nor down.

He marched them to the left                                   (bounce left)
He marched them to the right                                 (bounce right)
He marched them to the top of the hill                   (lift baby)
Oh, what a silly sight!


Song: “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Fingers”

One little, two little, three little fingers             (wiggle each finger)
Four little, five little, six little fingers
Seven little, eight little, nine little fingers
Ten little fingers on my hand

They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together       (wiggle fingers)
They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together
They wiggle and they wiggle and they wiggle all together
Ten  little fingers on my hand

They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping            (clap)
They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping

They clap and they clap and they keep on clapping

Ten little fingers on my hand

Bounce: “Acka Backa Soda Cracker”

Acka backa soda cracker              
Acka backa boo
Acka backa soda cracker
Up goes you!                                      (lift baby’s arms or whole baby)

Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo
Acka backa soda cracker
I love you!                                          (kiss)


Nursery Rhyme/Tickle: “This Little Piggy”

You can do this traditional rhyme with a child's fingers or toes.

This little piggy went to market                            
This little piggy stayed home
This little had roast beef
This little piggy had none
And this little piggy went "Wee, wee, wee" all the way home        (tickle)


Dance/Movement: “Shoo, Fly!”
(Form a circle)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me                                         (walk around the circle)
Shoo fly, don’t bother me
Shoo fly, don’t bother me
‘Cause I belong to somebody

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk toward the center)
I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk back)
I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk toward the center)
I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star                     (walk back)

Shoo fly, don’t bother me                                        (walk around the circle)
Shoo fly, don’t bother me
Shoo fly, don’t bother me
‘Cause I belong to somebody


Dance/Movement: “Go In and Out the Window”

(Stand in a circle, holding baby. In the second verse, turn baby to face another child in the circle. If you are alone, you could use a mirror.)

Go in and out the window                (swing baby in football hold toward middle of circle)
Go in and out the window
Go in and out the window
As we have done before

Turn and face your partner                        (hold baby under arms, turn toward other baby)
Turn and face your partner
Turn and face your partner
As we have done before

Go up and down the staircase              (lift baby up and down)
Go up and down the staircase
Go up and down the staircase
As we have done before


Scarf Song: “There’s a Scarf on my Head”
(to the tune of  “There's a Spider on the Floor”)

There’s a scarf on my head, on my head                    (put scarf on your head)
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head
There’s a scarf on my head, there’s a scarf on my head,
There’s a scarf on my head, on my head

(continue with knees, toes, tummy etc.)


Scarf Rhyme: “Pat-a-Cake”
This nursery rhyme is usually done with clapping and hand motions, but it's also fun to do with a scarf in your hands.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man              (clap)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Roll it                                                             (roll fists over one another)
And pat it                                                       (pat hands together)
And mark it with a "B"                                  (trace letter on baby's tummy or hand)
And put it in the oven for baby and me.    

(It's fun to change this rhyme and use baby's initial instead of the letter B.)


Scarf Song: “Popcorn Kernels”
(to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)

Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels              (wave scarf)
In the pot, in the pot                                   (hide scarf inside cupped hands)
Shake them, shake them, shake them        (shake cupped hands)
Shake them, shake them, shake them
Til they pop! Til they pop!                        (throw scarf into the air)


Closing Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together, the happier we'll be
'Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together, the happier we'll be

Blowing bubbles with music

Today's storytime was inspired by the lovely folks at:

Jbrary
Loons and Quines
Storytime Kids

Preschool Storytime: Rainbows & Weather

I opened this storytime with the wonderful Magical Rainbow Stew. We start with foods in a variety of colors. Each food goes into the pot to magically come out as a strip that adds to the rainbow.

Flannelboard Activity: "Magical Rainbow Stew"

Take an apple, put it in the pot

Stir it, stir it, stir it a lot.

Take it out. What will it be?

The prettiest red you ever did see.

Repeat with carrot, corn, pea, blueberry, grapes

(Credit: Andrea at Rovingfiddlehead Kidlit)

We briefly discussed the weather conditions that are necessary to produce a rainbow (clouds, rain, and sun). 

Song: “What’s the Weather?” 

(To the tune of: “Oh My Darling Clementine”)

What’s the weather, what’s the weather,

What’s the weather, everyone?

Is it windy, is it cloudy,

Is there rain, or is there sun?

(Credit: Perpetual Preschool)

Book: Little Cloud by Eric Carle

 

Action Rhyme: “Rain Is Falling Down” 

The rain is falling down,             (flutter fingers down) 

SPLASH                                     (clap)

The rain is falling down,            (flutter fingers down) 

SPLASH                                    (clap)

Pitter patter pitter patter            (tap legs softly)

The rain is falling down,           (flutter fingers down) 

SPLASH                                    (clap)

(Credit: King County Library System)

Action Rhyme: “Splash! Fall the Raindrops”

Splash! Fall the raindrops, (Clap hands softly)

To the ground they go;         (Point to the ground)

We need the raindrops,         (Wiggle fingers down from head to waist)

To help the flowers grow. (Make cup of hands for flowers)

Shaker Song: “Shake it to the East” by Kathy Reid-Naiman (on the album Reaching for the Stars): video on Jbrary

Shaker Song: “Egg Shakers Up”

Egg shakers up,                                            (shakers above head)

And egg shakers down,                                (shakers on the floor)

Egg shakers dancing all around the town.    (move shakers back and forth)     

Dance them on your shoulders

Dance them on your head

Dance them on your knee

And tuck them into bed                               (fold shaker inside hands, under head)

Book: Blue on Blue by Diane White

Fingerplay: “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”

The 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

Action Song: “Mister Sun”

Oh, mister sun, sun, mister golden sun, please shine down on me

Oh, mister sun, sun, mister golden sun, hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you to please come out so we can play with you

Oh, mister sun, sun, mister golden sun, please shine down on me

(Credit: Raffi)

Action Rhyme: “The Big Round Sun” 

The big round sun in the springtime sky   (form large circle with arms)

Winked at a cloud that was passing by         (wink eye)

The little cloud laughed as it scattered rain         (flutter fingers downward)

Then out came the big round sun again. (form large circle with arms)

Book: All the Colors of the Rainbow by Fowler (excerpts) 

I used the illustrations and shortened text from this nonfiction book to briefly describe how rainbows are made by light shining through water in the air. 

Flannelboard Activity: “Build a Rainbow” 

I put all the semi-circles on the flannelboard and the kids helped me put them in order from biggest to smallest. When we finished, we had a rainbow!

Scarf Rhyme: “Rainbow Dancers”

Rainbow dancers let’s get ready

Hold your scarves nice and steady.

You’ll hear the colors of the rainbow.

Listen for your time to go.

Shake red…

Shake orange…

Shake yellow…

Shake green…

Shake blue…

Shake purple…

Red scarves turn around,

Orange scarves up and down.

Yellow scarves reach up high,

Green scarves fly, fly, fly.

Blue scarves tickle your nose,

Purple scarves touch your toes.

Everybody dance around,

Swirl your scarves up and down.

Shake purple…

Shake blue…

Shake green…

Shake yellow…

Shake orange…

Shake red…

Rainbow dancers dance around,

Scarves swirl up and down.

Our colorful dance is at an end.

Thank you, thank you, all my friends.

(Credit: K at Storytime Fun)

Scarf song: “Let’s All Twirl”

(To the tune of: “The Mulberry Bush”)

Let’s all twirl with our scarves today,

Scarves today, scarves today,

Let’s all twirl our scarves today,

All around the room.

Repeat: jump… clap… stomp…wave

Book: A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman

Closing Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

'Cause your friends are my friends 

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together, the happier we'll be.

Craft, Manipulatives, Exploration:

Fluffy Cloud Rainbow craft

Color sorting activity: I put out lots of small objects in a variety of colors and plastic tubs that each had the bottom lined with colored construction paper. The kids sorted objects into the bin of the corresponding color. They also could use large plastic tweezers to move the objects, for fine motor practice.

Playdough

Inspiration for this storytime came from the lovely folks at: 

Storytime Katie

Miss Meg's Storytime

Storytime with Miss Molly

Sturdy for Common Things

Fingerplays & Action Rhymes

1+1+1=1

Jbrary

Flannel Friday: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This week my preschool storytime theme was caterpillars and butterflies, so naturally I turned to Eric Carle's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. One day soon (I hope), I'm going to plan far enough in advance to make a flannel set like the gorgeous one posted last week by Lauren, but I am so glad I decided to try this version. The kids and parents really liked it, plus it's interactive and puppet-like, which is always fun. Thanks to Lisa at Thrive After Three for the idea and instructions.

You'll need: knee-high pantyhose, large googly eyes or felt eyes, lots of craft foam in many colors, tacky glue, and assorted colors of puffy paint. I found that the thicker craft foam stands up better without wilting over. 

There are one apple, two pears, three plums, four strawberries, five oranges and one each of the other objects.

Start with a knee-high and googly eyes for the caterpillar.

All other pieces are made from craft foam. I drew them freehand.

Add details with more foam and glue or puffy paint.

Cut a hole in the middle that fits over your arm.

Make sure you get lots of red foam. And look for tan!
My "cherry pie" is a sad, sad blueberry...something.

Have the kids add pieces to your caterpillar arm
as you tell the story (and make munching sounds).

Finish up with the cocoon and butterfly.

You can find this week's roundup of new posts at Mel's Desk. For tons more great ideas, check out Flannel Friday's blog or find them on Pinterest and Facebook.

BabyTime

Our book today was Counting Kisses by Karen Katz. Count the kisses the baby gets from the people (and a few animals) who love her.



Our Did You Know? literacy fact was:

The single most important activity for building knowledge for their eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.

• Make time to read aloud everyday.
• Keep the reading sessions short and fun! If baby loses interest, go on to another activity and read more later.
• If baby is more interested in turning pages than the story, that's OK. He or she will still be learning about books and enjoying your company.

(Source: Every Child Ready to Read at GCLD and RIF/NAEYC)


Welcoming Song: “Let’s All Clap”

(to the tune of “Buffalo Gals”)

Let’s all clap ‘cause ____ is here
______ is here, ______ is here
Let’s all clap ‘cause ______ is here
______ is here today.

Song: “Wake Up Feet”

Wake up feet, wake up feet,

Wake up feet and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

Wake up feet, wake up feet,

Wake up and wiggle in the morning.

Repeat with hands, ears, elbows, nose, hair, etc…

(Great to sing when baby first wakes up or when you are changing diapers.

Older kids can sit on laps, babies can lie on the floor.)

Rhyme: “Where Oh Where Are Baby’s Fingers?”

Where oh where are baby’s fingers?                     (touch fingers)

Where oh where are baby’s toes?                          (touch toes)

Where is baby’s belly button?                               (trace on baby’s tummy)   

Round and round it goes.

Where oh where are baby’s ears?                          (touch ears)

Where oh where is baby’s nose?                           (touch nose)

Where is baby’s belly button?                               (trace on baby’s tummy)

Round and round it goes.

Bounce: “A Smooth Road”

(Put the baby on your lap, facing you preferably so s/he can see your face.)

A smooth road, a smooth road, a smooth road, a smooth road    (sway)

A bumpy road, a bumpy road, a bumpy road, a bumpy road       (bounce gently)

A rough road, a rough road, a rough road, a rough road              (bounce harder)

A HOLE!                                                                                      (drop baby between knees)

Bounce: “A Bouncing We Will Go”

(to the tune of: “Farmer in the Dell”)

A-bouncing we will go

A-bouncing we will go

Hi ho the derry-o

A bouncing we will go

Repeat: rocking, tickling, arms go up and down, legs go back and forth

Tickle: “There Was a Little Mouse”

There was a little mouse         (tickle)

Looking for his house             (tickle) 

Not here,                                  (tickle)

Not here,                                  (tickle)

But here, here, here                 (tickle tummy)

Movement: “London Bridge”

London Bridge is falling down        (drop on "falling down")

Falling down

Falling down

London Bridge is falling down

My sweet baby

So come and take a walk around      (bounce and walk)

Walk around

Walk around

Come and take a walk around

My sweet baby

Dancing/Movement: “Mama’s Little Baby Loves Dancing”

(to the tune of: "Short'nin' Bread")

Mama's little baby loves dancing, dancing           (sway)

Mama's little baby loves turning around               (turn in a circle)

Mama's little baby loves dancing, dancing           (sway)

Mama's little baby loves to boogie down             (twist)

Lean to the left,                        

Lean to the right

Hug that baby nice and tight

Lean to the left, lean to the right

Hug that baby nice and tight

Mama's little baby loves dancing, dancing           (sway)

Mama's little baby loves turning around               (turn in a circle)

Mama's little baby loves dancing, dancing           (sway)

Mama's little baby loves to boogie down             (twist)

Shaker Song: “Can You Shake Your Egg With Me?”

Can you shake your egg with me?       

Shake you egg along with me?

It's as easy as can be.

Now put it on your knee.

(Repeat: tummy, head, etc.)

Shaker Rhyme: "Pease Porridge Hot"

Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold

Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old

Some like it hot, some like it cold

Some like it in the pot, nine days old

Goodbye Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

'Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

Inspiration for this storytime came from the lovely folks at:

Jbrary
Pierce County (WA) Library

Preschool Storytime: Caterpillars and Butterflies

Book: Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr.




Book: Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen

I wanted to incorporate nonfiction for a little background on the lifecycle before I plunged into the next rhyme. I used the illustrations and shortened some of the text.




Flannelboard Rhyme: “Five Little Caterpillars” 
(design based on Miss Mary Liberry's)

I added an egg on a leaf to represent the entire life cycle.

Five little caterpillars and not one more
One spun a cocoon and then there were four.
Four little caterpillars sitting in a tree
One spun a cocoon and then there were three.
Three little caterpillars looking at you
One spun a cocoon and then there were two.
Two little caterpillars sitting in the sun
One spun a cocoon and then there was one.
One little caterpillar left all alone
He spun a cocoon and then there were none.





But one cocoon opened under the sun
Out came a butterfly and that makes one.
The second cocoon opened and out he flew
Here came a butterfly and now there are two.
A third cocoon opened and he felt so free
Here came a butterfly and now there are three.
A fourth cocoon opened making one more
Here came a butterfly and now there are four.
A fifth cocoon opened, so happy to be alive
Here came a butterfly and now there are five.*

*I didn't have immediate access to the entire original rhyme, so I improvised a bit. 

Fingerplay: “Two Little Butterflies”

Two little butterflies sitting on a hill

One named Jack, and one named Jill

Fly away Jack, Fly away Jill

Come back Jack, Come back Jill

Shaker Song: “Shake Your Shaker” 

(to the tune of: "Old MacDonald Had a Farm")

Shake your shaker in the air, shake it in the air.

With a shake-shake here and shake-shake there,

Here a shake, there a shake, everywhere a shake-shake.

Shake your shaker in the air, shake it in the air.

Shake your shaker way down low, shake it way down low.

With a shake-shake here and a shake-shake there,

Here a shake, there a shake, everywhere a shake-shake.

Shake your shaker way down low, shake it way down low.

Shake your shaker way up high, shake it way up high.

With a shake-shake here and a shake-shake there, 

Here a shake, there a shake, everywhere a shake-shake.

Shake your shaker way up high, shake it way up high.

Shaker Song: “Egg Shakers Up”

Egg shakers up,                                            (shakers above head)

And egg shakers down,                                (shakers on the floor)

Egg shakers dancing all around the town.    (move shakers back and forth)     

Dance them on your shoulders

Dance them on your head

Dance them on your knee

And tuck them into bed                               (fold shaker inside hands, under head)

Shaker Song: “We Tap the Floor Together”

We tap the floor together

We tap the floor together

We tap the floor together

Because it’s fun to do!

(Repeat: clap our hands, wave hello)

Book: Where’s my Mom? by Julia Donaldson

Game: “Little Caterpillar, Are You Behind the  (color)  butterfly?”

Knock, knock, knock

Little caterpillar, little caterpillar

Are you behind the ______ butterfly?

Fingerplay: “My Friend Caterpillar”

My friendly little caterpillar                   (fingers crawl up arm)

Made its cocoon one day                        (cup hands together)

It turned into a butterfly                         (open hands with thumbs hooked)

And quickly flew away                          (flap hands)

(Credit: SurLaLune Storytime)

Book: Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley 

Flannelboard: “Butterfly Colors”

The first to come to the garden bed

Is a lovely butterfly of brilliant RED.

Then in comes another and that makes two.

Fly right in, my friend of BLUE.

“The garden is fine, the best I’ve seen,”

says the butterfly of darkest GREEN.

Our garden needs a sunny fellow,

Fly on in, butterfly with wings of YELLOW.

Little friend of PURPLE, fly in too.

The garden is waiting for a color like you.

ORANGE, orange, you’re waited so long.

Fly right in, where you belong.

Butterflies, butterflies, you’re such a sight!

Flying together – what a delight!

(Credit: Miss Meg’s Storytime)

I added participation to this rhyme by passing out the butterflies and having each child put their butterfly on the board when I said their color. 

Story/Activity: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This was such a fun way to retell a familiar story. Thanks to Lisa at Thrive After Three for the idea and instructions. It was a hit!

Start with a knee-high stocking and googly eyes for the caterpillar.

These pieces are all made of craft foam. I drew them freehand.

Add details with more foam and glue or puffy paint.

Cut a hole in the middle that fits over your arm.

Make sure you have lots of red foam and try to find tan!
My cherry pie is a sad, sad blueberry...something.

Have the kids add pieces to your caterpillar arm
as you tell the story (and make munching sounds).

Finish up with the cocoon and butterfly.

For our scarf songs today, we pretended the scarves were colorful butterflies.

Scarf Song: “Flutter, Flutter Butterfly”

(to the tune of: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)

Flutter flutter butterfly

Floating in the springtime sky

Floating by for all to see

Floating by so merrily

Flutter flutter butterfly

Floating in the springtime sky

Scarf Rhyme: “Fuzzy Little Caterpillar”

(to the tune of: “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”)

A fuzzy little caterpillar curled up on a leaf

Spun her little chrysalis and then fell fast asleep

While she was sleeping, she dreamed that she could fly

And later when she woke up, she was a butterfly!

Scarves: “Bibbity Boppity Boo”

(to the tune of: "Willaby Wallaby Woo)

Bibbity Boppity Boo

A butterfly sat on my shoe

Bibbety Boppity band 

A butterfly sat on my hand 

Bibbity Boppity Bed

A butterfly sat on my head

Bibbity Boppity Bee

A butterfly sat on my knee

(Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends)

I could NOT skip the Popcorn Kernel song or there would have been trouble. It is a huge favorite!

Scarf Song: “Popcorn Kernels”

(to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)

Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels              (wave scarf)

In the pot, in the pot                                   (hide scarf inside cupped hands)

Shake them, shake them, shake them        (shake cupped hands)

Shake them, shake them, shake them

Til they pop! Til they pop!                        (throw scarf into the air)

Book: Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek

The gorgeous pop-up butterfly at the end of this book was a great way to finish storytime.

Closing Song: “The More We Get Together”

The more we get together, together, together

The more we get together, the happier we'll be

'Cause your friends are my friends 

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together, the happier we'll be.

Craft, Manipulatives, Exploration:

Craft: Butterfly Suncatcher

Playdough

Lacing shapes and beads

Inspiration for this storytime came from the lovely folks at: 

Storytime Katie: Butterflies & Caterpillars; Flannel Friday Butterflies

Miss Meg's Storytime

Storytime Hooligans

Library Village

Perry (OH) Public Library

Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends

Miss Mary Liberry

Thrive After Three

King County (WA) Public Library

Jbrary

Flannel Friday