Water Next Door - 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.

 

Opening #3: Fee Fi Fo Fum

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

See my fingers,
(wiggle fingers)

See my thumbs.
(wiggle thumbs)

Fee fi fo fum,
(clap for each syllable)

Good bye fingers,
(hide one hand behind back)

Good bye thumbs.
(hide the other hand behind back)

(Repeat several times moving and saying the words faster and faster)

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: Pop, Pop Bubble Numbers (number literacy flannelboard chant written by Carol Hopkins)

I like to pop.
I like to pop.
I like to pop, pop bubbles!
Soapy bubbles, soapy bubbles,
With a {_one_} on them. 

(Repeat with other numbers. Finish by counting how many bubbles were placed on the board)

 

  

Book #1: Down By the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees 

Theme activity #1: “The Goldfish" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner 

Theme activity #2: I'm a Little Fishy (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" that I found many, many, many years ago)

I'm a little fishy

I can swim

Here is my tail and here is my fin

When I want to have fun with my friends

I wiggle my tail and dive right in

  

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: Helping your child learn color names in a playful way, like in a rhyme or song, helps them learn more about their world.  This can be done in any language! 

Book #2: What's Next Door? by Nicola O'Byrne 

Book #3: Splash! by Flora McDonnell 

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

  

 

Art activity:  Watercolor paint a picture of planet earth plus add star stickers 

Optional other books:
Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson 
Bears at the Beach by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker 

 

 

 

 

Water Play - 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 places to stick the gum)

 

 

Book: Maisy's Pool by Lucy Cousins 

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

Themed activity #2: One Little Fish (color and counting song I learned from Ms. S at Pierce County Library System)

{_One_} little {_blue_} fish swimming in the water;
Swimming in the water;
Swimming in the water.
{_One_} little {_blue_} fish swimming in the water;
Bubble, bubble, bubble, pop!

(For additional verses, increase the number and have the children name other colors to use.  The last verse should be a "rainbow fish".) 

 

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: Dance Your Fingers (fingerplay adaption from a video I saw from New York Public Library)

Dance your fingers up;
(put fingers high in the air)

Dance your fingers down;
(touch the ground)

Dance your fingers from side to side;
(move hands from left to right side of body and back again, several times)

And dance them all around.
(hands move in a large wiggly circle in the air in front of your body)

Dance them on your shoulders;
(fingers wiggle on your shoulders)

Dance them on your head;
(fingers wiggle on top of your head)

Dance them on your tummy;
(fingers wiggle on top of your tummy)

And put them all to bed.
(fold hands in lap or tuck under armpits)

 

Lap rhyme #4: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (traditional 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: Helping your child learn color names in a playful way, like in a rhyme or song, helps them learn more about their world.  This can be done in any language!  

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: “W” is for Water  

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Green and Speckled Frogs (traditional counting down song)

Closing song with scarves: “Milkshake Song” from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music    

 

 

 

 

Storytime at Summer Day Camp, Week 3

 My weekly storytime at a local summer camp for 5- and 6-year-olds.  It is a short storytime with a simple art project, but sometimes when it is hot outside that is about all the children need.  

 

 
 

Books:

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor

 

 

Craft activity:

Folding fish surprise!  There are a ton of videos on YouTube on how to make this fun folding fish.  But my inspiration came from the Easy Peasy and Fun blog at https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/surprise-big-mouth-fish-printable/.  I added a little touch of fun to this project by giving the campers a craft foam insect to glue inside the fish’s mouth. 

 

 

 

 

 

Water - A Family STEAM & Stories Event

This program was intended to introduce STEAM concepts through stories and exploration activity stations to families with children ages 3-8 years old.    

Intro song:  Hello Friends (sign language action song for the words hello, friends, science, fun, and time)

Hello friends,
Hello friends,
Hello friends,
It's time to say hello.

Hello science,
Hello science,
Hello science,
It's time to have some fun.   

 

Demonstration and Storytime:

·         Show the word cards for water.  Talk about what the definition of this word. 

·         Talk about the places you can find water in our lives.  Write the list on the white board. 

·         Talk about the water cycle using word cards for evaporation, condensation, and precipitation:

 The Kindergarten Unit “What Is Water?” from https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14021/Kindergarten-Unit?bidId= contains a good explanation where water comes from. 

 There is a good explanation of the water cycle as well as a good graphic at https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/water-cycle-for-kids-process-and-fun-facts/ . 

 

·         Sing the “Water Cycle Song” found at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/sites/www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/files/media/All%20the%20Water%20in%20the%20World_0.pdf

The Water Cycle Song
(to the tune of “London Bridge” by Rebecca Millerjohn)

All the rain comes pouring down,
(wiggle fingers down)
Pouring down, pouring down.
All the rain comes pouring down,
Down from the sky.

The sun comes out and dries and it up,
(put arms up like sun)
Dries it up, dries it up.
The sun comes out and dries and it up,
Back to the sky.

The water vapor makes a cloud,
(roll hands around)
Makes a cloud, makes a cloud.
The water vapor makes a cloud,
Up in the sky.

The wind comes out and blows it round,
(blow a wind and wave arms back and forth)
Blows it round, blows it round.
The wind comes out and blows it round,
All through the sky.

Lightning flashes and thunder claps,
(clap hands together)
Thunder claps, thunder claps.
Lightning flashes and thunder claps,
Up in the sky!

(repeat the cycle starting with rain)

 

 

·         Read: All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson
(Optional other book: Water Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija)

·         Instruct on how to use the stations. 

 

Stations: 

 

Station #1- Water bead play  

The children explore and play with the container of water beads using funnels, spoons, and measuring cups.  Warning: The water beads can be a potential choking hazard!

 

Station #2 – Absorbent vs. Non-absorbent (as seen at https://intentionalstorytime.wordpress.com/storytime/water-science-storytime/ )

I followed the directions found on this website to provide a variety of materials that the children can hypothesize and then verify if they are absorbent or not. 

  

Station #3 – Gravity painting with watercolor paints 

I directed children to follow the directions to use pipettes to paint with liquid watercolor paints and gravity. 

  

 

Station #4 – Temporary lava lamps (as seen at https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/science-experiments-for-kids-water-density-temperature-us/ )

The children were given directions on how to measure the oil and water and then add an Alka-Seltzer tablet to create a temporary lava lamp that involves gases and water density. 

 

 

 

Splashing Water Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Maisy’s Pool by Lucy Cousins 

Stand-up activity – “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” action song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

Transition #1 - 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 

 

Flannelboard – Five Green and Speckled Frogs (traditional counting down song)

Letter of the day - "P” is for pool

Transition #2 – 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.

Book #2 – Splash! By Dinah Johnson (Bebop books)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids in Action by Greg & Steve 

 

Beach Fun Toddler Storytime

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 #1 – Bears at the Beach by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker

Stand-up activity – “The Goldfish” action song from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Transition #1 - 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 

 

Flannelboard – Shells in the Hot, Hot Sand (color naming chant I adapted from one I found at Anne’s Library Life blog)

Instructions: Show the flannelboard shell to the audience.  Let them name the color of the shell.  Then, place the shell on the board.  When done showing the shells, count the total number of shells on the board.

So many shells in the hot, hot sand.
What color shell is in my hand?

Letter of the day - "H” is for hot, hot sand

Transition #2 – 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.

Book #2 – At the Beach by Clare Beaton (board book)

Closing – “Goin’ On a Bear Hunt” action song from Kids inAction by Greg & Steve