Giving Thanks - Family Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Opening #2: Roly Poly Oh So Fast (hand rolling body part chant adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Roly poly, roly poly, oh so fast!
Roly poly, roly poly, oh so slowly.
Roly poly, roly poly, up.
Roly poly, roly poly, down.
Roly poly, roly poly, hands on your head.
Roly poly, roly poly, hand on your feet.

(Repeat with other body parts)

Roly poly, roly poly, hands in your lap.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Runaway Cookies (flannelboard story I adapted from another story that I found)

The cookie jar people hopped out one night,
When the cookie jar lid was not on tight.

The frosted bunny twinkled his nose,
And danced around on his cookie toes.

The cinnamon bear could only grunt,
For he was too fat to do a stunt.

The gingerbread man opened his eyes,
And looked about in great surprise.

The sugary duck began to quack,
And shake the sugar off his back.

The coconut lamb jumped up so high,
That his little white tail flew toward the sky.

They were all so happy/thankful to be at play,
That they danced and danced and danced away.

They danced away so very far,
That they were so very thankful,
Not to be eaten from the cookie jar. 

 

***Parent literacy tip:  Readers are made in the laps of their loved ones.  This special connection is a huge part of their future success when learning to read. 

 

 

Book #1: Grandma’s Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Stand-up activity: “If You’re Happy And You Know It” from Wee Sing Children’s Songs & Fingerplays

Sit-down activity: Love Grows (fingerplay I found at https://veronastorytime.com/family-story-time-everybody-3/)

Love grows one by one,
Two by two,
And four by four. 
Love grows round like a circle,
And comes back knocking at your front door. 

 

Transition: Come 'A' Look And See (fingerplay song I first picked up at a workshop conducted by Jane Cobb but can also be found on the music CD The Baby Record by Bob McGrath)

Come a' look a' see, here's my mama, 
(point to thumb)
Come a' look a' see, here's my papa, 
(point to index finger)
Come a' look a' see, my brother tall, 
(point to tall finger)
Sister, baby, 
(point to ring, then baby finger) 
I love them all. 
(Kiss the fingertips of your finger family) 

  

Book #2: The Thank You Book by Danna Smith, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo (board book)

Closing music with rhythm sticks: “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” from Kids in Action by Greg & Steve

  

Art activity: Use pinecones to paint a turkey outline

Optional books:
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette