(to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re ready for a story, take a seat
If you’re ready for a story, take a seat
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
Make your hands all nice and neat
If you’re ready for a story, take a seat
Opening Song: “Clap and Sing Hello”
(to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
We clap and sing hello
We clap and sing hello
With our friends at storytime
We clap and sing hello
(Repeat with wave and stomp.)
Introduction: We brainstormed some words that start with E. Then we sang the ABC song.
What's in the Mail? : I told the kids that I had stopped by the mailbox on the way to storytime and that we had some special mail.
Inside the first envelope was a picture of an elephant. I wonder why there is an elephant in our mail?
Inside the second envelope was a picture of some eggs. Hmmm....
Inside the third envelope was a picture of a child eating. Interesting...
Inside the fourth envelope was the letter E! That's right, all of these things start with the letter E!
I mentioned that E is a special letter because it can say two things. It can say /e/ like elephant, or it can say its name like /ee/ in eat.
Flannelboard rhyme: “Five Elephants in the Bathtub”
One elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim (hold up one finger, make swimming motions)
Knock, knock (clap)
Splash, splash (pat knees)
Come on in! (beckoning motion)
Repeat, counting up...
On last verse, change final line to "they all fell in!" and knock pieces to the floor.
Action Rhyme: “The Elephant’s Trunk”
The elephant has a great big trunk
That goes swinging, swinging so
He has tiny, tiny eyes
That show him where to go
His huge long ears go flapping,
Flapping up and down
And his great big feet go stomping,
Stomping on the ground.
Book: Elephant’s Story by Tracey Campbell Pearson
Action Song: “This is the Way”, Elephant Style
(to the tune of “Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush”)
This is the way I stomp my feet,
Stomp my feet, stomp my feet.
This is the way I stomp my feet,
'Cause I am an elephant.
Repeat with: stand and sway, move my trunk
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
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Flannelboard Story: The Most Wonderful Egg in the World by Helme Heine
Three hens were arguing about who was the most beautiful. They went to ask the King for help. The King told them that what someone can do is more important than how they look. They should each lay an egg and the chicken with the best egg would be made a princess.
The first egg was the most perfect size, shape, and color. The second egg was the biggest ever seen. The third was very unusual - it was square and multicolored.
The King couldn't decide between the eggs since each was perfect in its own way, so he made all three hens princesses.
Book: Eggs 1 2 3 by Janet Halfmann
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: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, give a shake
If you're happy and you know it, give a shake
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it give a shake
(Repeat: give a clap, give a tap)
Story/Game: I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
As I read the poem, the children came up to the board and fed the old lady.
Scarf Song: “Popcorn Kernels”
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: “We Wave Our Scarves Together"
(to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”)
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do!
Wave ‘em up high
Wave ‘em down low
Wave ‘em in the middle
Because it’s fun to do!
We throw our scarves together
We throw our scarves together
We throw our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do!
We throw ‘em up high
We throw ‘em down low
We throw ‘em in the middle
Because it’s fun to do!
Closing Rhyme: “Tickle the Clouds”
Tickle the clouds
Tickle your toes
Turn around
Tickle your nose
Reach down low
Reach up high
The stories are over,
Wave goodbye
Craft, Manipulatives, Exploration:
Elephant finger puppet
Playdough
Sensory box with rice, beans, plastic elephants and other animals
This storytime was inspired by the lovely folks at:
