Stars and Aliens - 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: I’m Going Out to Space (vocabulary building flannelboard activity to the tune of “The Farmer In the Dell”)

(Hand out felt pieces for stars, planets, rocket ships, and moons to the children.  The children bring their pieces up to the board when it is said in the song.)

I’m going out to space;
I’m going out to space;
I think I’ll see a { planet } there;
I’m going out to space.

 

  

Book #1: There Was a Bold Lady WhoWanted a Star by Charise Mericle Harper

Stand-up activity: Blast Off to the Moon (action rhyme I found in many places)

Let's take a rocket to the moon
First we climb into our rocket ship
(pretend to climb ladder into rocket)
Next we buckle ourselves in
(crouch down and pretend to but a seat belt across your shoulder)
Now for the countdown... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Blast off!
(jump up)
We go flying around the earth and over to the moon
(airplane arms)
Now stop on the moon and look around
(look around with hand over eyes)
Now it's time to go back home so we climb back into our rocket ship
(pretend to climb ladder)
Buckle ourselves in
(pretend seat belt)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Blast off!
(jump up)
We fly around the moon and fly around the earth
(airplane arms)
And finally come back home
(land on the ground)

 

Activity: Stars Around the Rocketship (to the tune of "Ring Around the Rosie" written by Carol Hopkins)

Spinning around the rocket ship,
Dancing little stars.
Jumping, jumping,
The stars fall down.

Stardust all around us,
Moving here and there.
Swirling, twirling,
The stars jump up!

 

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

  

***Parent literacy tip:  Singing and rhyming together builds listening skills in children.  This helps them hear that words are made up of smaller sounds.    

Book #2: There’s an Alien In Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott

Book #3: Space (National Geographic Little Kids First Board Book) by Ruth A. Musgrave (board book)

Closing music with bean bags: “Rocketship Run” from Rocketship Run by The Laurie Berkner Band

  

Art activity: Paper plate moon stamping with receipt paper roll cores plus star stickers

Optional other books:
Hush, Little Rocket by Mo O’Hara, illustrated by Alexandra Cook
Sheep Blast Off! by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple

 

 

 

 

Passive Craft Table - Unicorn Decoration

 

For this passive program, I wanted to set up a craft table on a no school day.  I found these ceramic unicorn decorations online at Baker Ross.  These fun unicorns were a perfect open ended painting opportunity.    

 Supplies:

-         Ceramic unicorn decorations

-         Paint in lots of colors

-         Paint brushes

-         Water cups

-         Paper towels

-         Plastic paint palettes

-         Paper plates (to carry home their wet paint treasures)

-         Tablecloth

Space Rockets - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-2 years old.  

Opening #1: Skinnamarink (action song from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck from Kimbo)

Opening #2: Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum (fingerplay)

Sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum; 
Sticky, sticky bubblegum;
Stuck to your __________.
1, 2, 3, PULL!

(Repeat with more body parts)

 

 

Book: Maisy’s Rocket by Lucy Cousins (board book)

Themed activity #1: Five Little Astronauts (fingerplay I adapted from one called "Five Little Aliens")

(Hold up fingers of one hand)

One, two, three, four, five
Five little astronauts standing in a row.
They nod their heads to the children just so
They run to the left.
They run to the right.
They stand and stretch in the bright starlight.

 

Themed activity #2: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" fingerplay song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

 

Lap rhyme #1: Tick Tock (lap bounce)

(bounce baby from leg to leg)

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock, now it is one o’clock… Cuckoo!
(raise baby up for each cuckoo)

(repeat for other times of day)
Now it is two o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Now it is three o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

 

Lap rhyme #2: Counting Bubbles (counting rhyme I learned during a BrainDance workshop)

One bubble, two bubbles, three bubbles, top.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then place hands on top of head)

Three bubbles, four bubbles, five bubbles, drop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then drop hands to lap)

Six bubbles, seven bubbles, nine bubbles, pop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then clap hands loudly in front of body)

Ten little bubbles floating down!
(twinkle hands down to floor)

Now let’s blow _____ bubbles.
(This is a breath exercise.  Pick a number and pretend to blow that number of bubbles through hand.  Don’t forget to pop the bubbles with a loud clap after blowing it up.  I count the bubble while I do the clap.) 

 

Lap rhyme #3: Gregory Griggs (lap bounce rhyme I first saw as a Jbrary video at https://youtu.be/ntrcaKL_esA?si=twwqYr0wAanW2hrJ)

Gregory Griggs, Gregory Griggs,
Had 27 different wigs. 
He wore them up. (lift baby up)
He wore them down. (bring baby back down)
To please the people of the town.
He wore them east. (tip baby to one side)
He wore them west. (tip baby to the other side)
But which one did he love the best?
This one! (hug or tickle baby)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action song)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

   

***Literacy tip: Singing and rhyming together builds listening skills in children.  This helps them hear that words are made up of smaller sounds. 

Transition: Tommy & Tammy Thumb (fingerplay)

Tommy Thumb up, 
Tommy Thumb down,
Tommy Thumb dancing all around town.

Tammy Thumb out,
Tammy Thumb in,
Tammy Thumb dancing all in a spin.

Dancing, dancing, dancing,
Dance them on your knees,
Dance them on your head,
Dance them on your shoulders,
Then tuck them into bed.

 

Letter of the day: "R” is for rocket

 

 

• Flannelboard: Phases of the Moon 

I cut some paper plates to create four phases of the moon (full, gibbous, half, crescent). I introduced these phases to the children and then read a poem about the moon I found on the Guybrarian blog. 

Closing song with scarves: “The Ponies Are Walking” from Baby’s Boat: The Best of Kathy Reid Naiman   

 

 

 

 

Homeschool Meet-Up: Levitating Tinsel Orbs and Moon Ornaments

A monthly Thursday morning library program for homeschool families. 

Goals:

·                     Opportunity to explore STEAM concepts in a relaxed setting.

·                     Participants can socialize and connect with other homeschool families.

·                     Students build confidence and cooperative skills by completing tasks together.  

 

Activities of the day:

 “S” is for Science:

-          Levitating tinsel orbs similar to what I found at https://sciencebob.com/make-a-levitating-orb/

-          SPECIAL NOTE: This activity was hard to do!  It was difficult to get the proper amount of static electricity into the PVC pipe to cause the tinsel to stay afloat.  But when the children did get it right, the smiles were huge. 

 

“A” is for Art:

-          Moon ornaments using leftover wood drapery rings, leftover yarn, and some moon charms I bought online

 

“E” is for Engineering:

-          Wood blocks from the block cabinet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Animal Books - 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: Lots of Little Owls (color literacy flannelboard adapted by Carol Hopkins from a rhyme found at https://www.northmankato.com/sites/default/files/images/Owl%20Miss%20You%20Storytime.pdf) 

(Hand out colored owls to the children.  Instruct the children to place their owl on the flannelboard when their color is said in the rhyme.  Start off with one solitary owl on the board.)

One little owl when the moon was new,
Along came some more, and they were blue.

Lots of little owls perched high in the tree,
Along came some more, and they were green.

Lots of little owls flew down for a drink,
Along came some more, and they were pink.

Lots of little owl flew around the town,
Along came some more, and they were brown.

(Count the owls on the board)
_____ little owls saying, “Whoo! Whoo!” 
Then they all flapped their wings and they flew away.

 

  

Book #1: Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino, illustrated by Steven Kellogg (BIG BOOK)

Stand-up activity: "Jumping and Counting" action song from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem and More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill

Activity: Hickory Dickory Dock (traditional fingerplay)

Hickory dickory dock 
(clapping) 
A mouse ran up the clock 
(one hand run up the other arm) 
The clock struck 1 
(clap once) 
The mouse ran down 
(one hand run down the other arm) 
Hickory dickory dock 
(clapping) 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 2 
(clap twice) 
The mouse said "BOO!" 
(try to tickle child) 
Hickory dickory dock 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 3 
(clap three times) 
The mouse said "Wheee!" 
(one hand slide down the other arm and the down to the floor as if on a slide) 
Hickory dickory dock 

Hickory dickory dock 
A mouse ran up the clock 
The clock struck 4 
(clap 4 times) 
There is no more 
(shake head, show empty hands) 
Hickory dickory dock.

 

Transition: Open-Shut Them (fingerplay) 

Open, shut them
(open and close hands)
Open, shut them
Give a little clap (clap)
Open, shut them

Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
(put hands in lap)

Creep them, creep them
Under your chin
(creep fingers up chest)
Open your mouth, but don't put them in
(do as words say)

Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Put them in your lap 

  

***Parent literacy tip:  Most songs have a different note for each syllable.  This helps children hear individual sounds in words, an important pre-reading skill. 

Book #2: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

Book #3: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

Closing music with scarves: “Flitter Flutter” from The Second Line by Johnette Downing  

 

Art activity: Decorating white slap bracelets with color pens and alphabet stickers    

Optional other books:
Jungle Beasts Pop-Up: A Safari Face-To-Face by Sally Hewitt, illustrated by Chris Gilvan-Cartwright
Jamberry by Bruce Degen

 

 

 

 

Heads and Toes - Baby Toddler Storytime

A Tuesday morning storytime for ages 0-2 years old.  

Opening #1: Skinnamarink (action song from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck from Kimbo)

Opening #2: Sticky, Sticky Bubblegum (fingerplay)

Sticky, sticky bubblegum, bubblegum, bubblegum; 
Sticky, sticky bubblegum;
Stuck to your __________.
1, 2, 3, PULL!

(Repeat with more body parts)

 

 

Book: Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim, illustrated by LeUyem Pham (board book)

Themed activity #1: “If You’re Happy And You Know It” traditional action song from Songs for Wiggleworms

Themed activity #2: I Have Ten Little Fingers (traditional fingerplay)

I have 10 little fingers
They all belong to me!
I can make them do things
Would you like to see?
I can close them up tight
I can open them up wide
I can clap them together
I can make them all hide
I can jump them up high
I can make them jump low
And I can fold them together
And hold them just so.

 

Lap rhyme #1: Tick Tock (lap bounce)

(bounce baby from leg to leg)

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock.
Tick, tock, tick tock, now it is one o’clock… Cuckoo!
(raise baby up for each cuckoo)

(repeat for other times of day)
Now it is two o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Now it is three o’clock… Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

 

Lap rhyme #2: Counting Bubbles (counting rhyme I learned during a BrainDance workshop)

One bubble, two bubbles, three bubbles, top.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then place hands on top of head)

Three bubbles, four bubbles, five bubbles, drop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then drop hands to lap)

Six bubbles, seven bubbles, nine bubbles, pop.
(pat legs with hands for each number chanted, then clap hands loudly in front of body)

Ten little bubbles floating down!
(twinkle hands down to floor)

Now let’s blow _____ bubbles.
(This is a breath exercise.  Pick a number and pretend to blow that number of bubbles through hand.  Don’t forget to pop the bubbles with a loud clap after blowing it up.  I count the bubble while I do the clap.) 

 

Lap rhyme #3: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional body parts action song)

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.

   

***Literacy tip: Most songs have a different note for each syllable.  This helps children hear individual sounds in words, an important pre-reading skill.          

Transition: Open-Shut Them (fingerplay) 

Open, shut them
(open and close hands)
Open, shut them
Give a little clap (clap)
Open, shut them

Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
(put hands in lap)

Creep them, creep them
Under your chin
(creep fingers up chest)
Open your mouth, but don't put them in
(do as words say)

Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Put them in your lap 

 

Letter of the day: "T” is for toes

 

 

Flannelboard: When Windy Hats Blow (found in storytime collection at PCLS)

When I hear the wind blow,
I look up into the sky.
Instead of things like birds or planes,
I watch the hats fly.

Each one different from the last,
Every color do I see.
Some are big and some are small,
As they fly by me. 

Here comes a _blue_ hat flying by,
Now a _yellow_ hat is in the sky.
Next a _red_ hat on its way,
Then a _brown_ hat flies away.

_Green_ and _black_, _orange_ and _white_,
Even _purple_,… what a sight!
I like it when it rains or snows,
But most of all, I like it when the windy hats blow. 

 

Closing song with scarves: “Alabama, Mississippi” from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song & Other Contagious Songs by Jim Gill  

Optional book:
Toesy Toes by Sarah Tsiang (board book)