Preschool: Letter E

Gathering song: “If You’re Ready”
(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

Rhyme Cube - We roll the cube to help choose our rhymes. This time we did "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."

"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

"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"

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: 

SLC Bookboy

Intentional Storytime

Pixelbeard the Librarian

Miss Anna Presents Alphabet Storytime

Catch the Possibilities

First Grade and Fabulous

Jbrary

Flannel Friday

Fall Fun Evening Program

Our family evening program for November was a Fall Fun party with a storytime, crafts, games, and snacks. These evening events are still pretty new and I was a little worried that it wouldn't be as well attended as the Halloween event, but over 60 people came out!

Here's how it went...

Storytime

The gym is not an ideal place for storytime, but acoustics aside, it went really well. The kids were very attentive, especially given all the other activities in the room. I was assisted by Miss Sarah, who's a graduate student in Library Science and has been helping me all semester. She's awesome!

Gathering song: “If You’re Ready”
(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
And make your hands all nice and neat
If you’re ready for a story, take a seat


Welcome song: “We Clap and Sing Hello” 
(to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell”)

We clap and sing hello
We clap and sing hello
With our friends at storytime
We clap and sing hello


Book: Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Fingerplay: “Five Little Leaves” (w/glove puppet)

Five little leaves so bright and gay          (Hold up five fingers)
Were dancing about on a tree one day.                  (Wiggle fingers on one hand)
The wind came blowing through the town.                (Make wind noises)
Ooooooooo……………Ooooooooooooooo………
One little leaf came tumbling down.                    (Bend down one finger)

Repeat, counting down.

Action Song: “All the Leaves Are Falling Down”
(to the tune of  “London Bridge”)

All the leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down           (flutter fingers down)
All the leaves are falling down, it is autumn.
Take the rake and rake them up, rake them up, rake them up        (imitate raking leaves)
Take the rake and rake them up, it is autumn.
Make a pile and jump right in, jump right in, jump right in,         (jump)
Make a pile and jump right in, it is autumn.


Flannelboard story: Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley

This poem is told from the tree's point of view. 

Winter is easy...no leaves.

Spring is easy...just buds.

Summer is easy...green leaves.

Fall is NOT easy...leaves are changing and the tree keeps getting mixed up.

(there are several more...)

Whew...winter is easy.

The kids thought this was hilarious and asked me to "do it again!" They laughed just as hard the second time.  

Flannelboard Game: “Little Bird, Are You In the ____ Tree”

Little bird is hiding behind one of these trees. Can we find him?

Scarf Song: “Autumn Leaves”

(to the tune of “London Bridge”)

Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down                (flutter scarves down)

Autumn leaves are falling down, falling on the ground.

Autumn leaves are whirling round, whirling round, whirling round         (twirl around)

Autumn leaves are whirling round, all over town.

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: “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!

Book: When the Leaf Blew In by Steve Metzger

Song: “The Acorn Song (I’m a Nut)” 

I’m an acorn, small and round

Lying on the cold, cold ground

People always step on me           (stamp foot)

That is why I’m cracked you see.

I’m a nut                          (click tongue twice)

I’m a nut                          (click, click)

I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut.          (click, click)

Action Rhyme: “Squirrel, Squirrel Turn Around”

Squirrel, squirrel, turn around

Squirrel, squirrel, touch the ground

Squirrel, squirrel, climb a tree

Now shake that bushy tail with me!

Goodbye Song: “We Clap and Sing Goodbye” 

(to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell”)

We clap and sing goodbye

We clap and sing goodbye

With our friends at storytime

We clap and sing goodbye

Games and Crafts in the Gym

Beanbag Toss

Leaf Matching

I Spy Fall Sensory Bin

Fall Mural - Sarah drew a beautiful fall scene on butcher paper. We attached it to the gym wall and gave the kids markers and stamps to decorate with.

Felt Table - I put a large piece of felt on a table and left out some fall-themed pieces for creative play and storytelling.

Balloon Ping Pong

Giant Parachute

It looked a lot like this...

Seeds, Flowers, and Popcorn from the Banneker Community Garden

Leaf Wreath Craft

Turkey Craft


This storytime and larger program was inspired by the lovely folks at:

Sunflower Storytime
Storytime Katie -fall; fall; fall animals
Abby the Librarian
Flannel Friday
Jbrary
and (thank goodness for) Pinterest

Preschool: Color Green

Gathering song: “If You’re Ready”
(to the tune: “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: “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: Together we brainstormed things that are green. Some of the answers I got included grass, trees, and alligators. Visual cues in the room helped the kids with this.

We briefly reviewed the primary colors we have done in the past three weeks and talked about the fact that if you mix some of those colors together, you get new colors. For example, yellow and blue together make green.

Book: In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming (big book)





Rhyme cube: I roll the cube to select a fingerplay or action rhyme.

This time we did "Humpty Dumpty" and "I'm a Little Teapot."

"Humpty Dumpty"

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again.

"I'm a Little Teapot"

I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle                              
Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up, hear my shout
Just tip me over and pour me out.                            


Flannelboard story: Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

We build the monster one feature at a time...

Then, because we aren't afraid of the big green monster, we shout "go away" to each feature...

At the end, we tell the monster "And don't come back until I say so!"


Shaker song: “Shake Your Shakers in the Air”
(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)

Book: Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Movement song: “Walking, Walking”

(to the tune of “Frere Jacque”)

Walking, walking

Walking, walking

Hop, hop, hop

Hop, hop, hop

Running, running

Running, running

Now we stop

Now we stop

Repeat twice, changing first line to "tiptoe, tiptoe" and then "marching, marching."

Flannelboard rhyme/game: “Can We Find the Green Alligator” 

(To the tune of “Do You Know The Muffin Man”)

Can we find the green alligator, green alligator, green alligator?

Can we find the green alligator? We want to say hello.

Action song: “Five Green and Speckled Frogs”

Five green and speckled frogs

Sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs

Yum yum

One jumped into the pool

Where it was nice and cool 

And now there are four green speckled frogs

Repeat, counting down.

Scarf song: “Roly Poly”

(to the tune of  “Frere Jacque”)

I modified this slightly to make it work better with scarves.

Roly poly, roly poly              (hold ends scarf in both hands and make circular motions)

Up and down                         (wave scarf up, then down)

Up and down

Roly roly poly                       (make circles)

Roly roly poly

Up and down                         (wave scarf up, then down)

Up and down

Roly poly, roly poly

Out and in                             (move hands apart, then together)

Out and in

Roly roly poly

Roly roly poly

Out and in

Out and in

Roly poly, roly poly

Fast, fast, fast                     (circle or wave scarf fast)

Fast, fast, fast

Roly roly poly

Roly roly poly

Slow, slow, slow                (circle or wave scarf slowly)

Slow, slow, slow

Scarf song: “Popcorn Kernels”

(to the tune of "Frere Jacque")

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)

Song on Ukulele: “Bumping Up and Down In My Little Red Wagon” 

The kids kept their scarves for this song and we changed the traditional red wagon to green. 

Bumping up and down in my little green wagon

Bumping up and down in my little green wagon

Bumping up and down in my little green wagon

Won’t you be my darling?

Then we pretended to be driving little green cars.

Driving around in my little green car

Driving around in my little green car

Driving around in my little green car

Won't you be my darling?

Closing Song: “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:

Paper plate frogs

Sensory bin: green lentils and split peas; plastic frogs, turtles, and dinosaurs; scooping toys

Lacing toys

This storytime was inspired by the lovely folks at: 

Storytime Katie

Storytime with Miss Mollie

Sunflower Storytime

Singing in the Stacks - paper plate frog

Jbrary

Flannel Friday

Preschool: Color Orange

Gathering song: “If You’re Ready”
(to the tune: “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: “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: Together we brainstormed things that are orange. Some of the answers I got included pumpkins, tigers, carrots, oranges, cats, and the post-it note bookmarks on my rhyme charts (great noticing!) Visual cues in the room helped the kids with this.

We briefly reviewed the primary colors we have done in the past three weeks and talked about the fact that if you mix some of those colors together, you get new colors. For example, red and yellow together make orange.

Book: Where is Tippy Toes? by David LaRochelle

Rhyme cube: I roll the cube to select a fingerplay or action rhyme.

This time we did the "Two Little Blackbirds."

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.

One named Jack and one named Jill.

Fly away Jack, flay away Jill.

Come back Jack, come back Jill.

Flannelboard story: "The Giant Carrot"  

My retelling is based on the folktale "The Giant Turnip", which came to me via Kendra at Read Sing Play and Judy Sierra. 

Similar to "The Giant Turnip", characters in this story must work together to pull the carrot from the ground. Despite the skepticism of the larger animals, the tiny snail adds the last bit of strength needed to succeed.

Shaker song: “Shake Your Shaker” 

(to the tune of "London Bridge")

Shake your shaker in the air,

Shake it here, shake it there.

Shake your shaker in the air,

Shake your shaker.

Shake it high and shake it low,

Shake it yes, shake it no.

Shake it high and shake it low,

Shake your shaker.

Shake it up and shake it down,

Rub your shaker on the ground.

Shake it up and shake it down,

Shake your shaker.

Shake it near and shake it far,

Drive your shaker like a car.

Shake it near and shake it far,

Shake your shaker.

Shake it fast and shake it slow,

Shake it stop, shake it go.

Shake it fast and shake it slow,

Shake your shaker.

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)

Book: It’s a Tiger by David LaRochelle

Movement: “Tiger, Tiger Turn Around” 

(I modified the old standard "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")

Tiger, tiger, turn around

Tiger, tiger, touch the ground

Tiger, tiger, reach up high

Tiger, tiger, touch the sky

Tiger, tiger, find your nose

Tiger, tiger, touch your toes

Tiger, tiger, touch your knees

Tiger, tiger, sit down please

Flannelboard rhyme: “Five Ferocious Tigers” 

(Again, some modification from "Five Ferocious Lions")

Deep in the jungle

What did I hear?

Five ferocious tigers, roaring loud and clear.

"ROAR!" said the tigers

"SCAT!" said I.

And one ferocious tiger ran away...Good bye!

(Repeat, counting down…)

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!

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)

Song on Ukulele: “Pumpkin, Pumpkin on the Ground”

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

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground

How'd you get so big and round

Once you were a seed so small

Now you are a great big ball

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground

How'd you get so big and round

(If you play the ukulele for kids, I highly recommend my source for this song, Storytime Ukulele.)

Closing Song: “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:

Painting: We mixed red and yellow paints to get orange and then had fun just painting.

Sensory bin with orange rice, little pumpkins, and toys for scooping and pouring

Puzzles, including one featuring a fuzzy tiger!

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

Storytime Katie

Awesome Storytime

Read Sarah Read

Happy Hooligans - dying rice

Storytime Ukulele

Jbrary

Flannel Friday