Stinky Garbage Trucks - 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: There Was an Old Woman Recycling Rhyme (adapted by Carol Hopkins from a rhyme found at Storytime Source Page)

Directions: Give each child a picture of bottles, cans, boxes, or newspapers.  Each child comes up to put their picture on the board when their recyclable item is said.  

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe 
She had so much trash, she didn't know what to do
She learned from a friend to separate a few
And got herself a Recycling Bin.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so much trash, she didn't now what to do
She piled up the bottles, the bottles, the bottles,
And took them out back to the Recycling Bin.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so much trash, she didn't know what to do
She piled up the cans, the cans, the cans,
And took them out back to the Recycling Bin.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so much trash, she didn't now what to do
She piled up the newspapers, the newspapers, the newspapers,
And took them out back to the Recycling Bin.

  

  

 

Book #1: I Stink! by Kate & Jim McMullan 

Theme activity #1: I'm a Little Garbage Truck (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" written by Carol Hopkins)

I'm a little garbage truck, watch me go
Here is my hopper
Here is my cab
When I get all filled up, to the dump I go
Just tip me over and dump the garbage out

 

Theme activity #2: Morning at the Dump (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

(show ten fingers)
Early in the morning, down at the dump
See the dump trucks standing all in a row
See them dump their garbage
(bend fingers)
Dump, dump, dump
Now watch them rolling away
(roll hands over each other)
To go gather more
(sign language for "more")

  

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) 

  

***Parent literacy tip: When you are reading books with your child, don't forget to talk about feelings.  This helps build vocabulary and understanding.     

Book #2: The Earth Book by Todd Parr 

Book #3: Garbage Trucks by Paul Zachary 

Closing music with bells: “The Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill      

  

 

Art activity:  Color and glue stuff onto a garbage truck drawing

Optional other books:
Trashy Town by Andrewa Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino 
All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycling with Maisy - 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 Recycling Truck by Lucy Cousins (board book) 

Themed activity #1:  The Garbage Truck Rolls (fingerplay to the tune of "Wheels On the Bus" adapted by Carol Hopkins)

The garbage truck drives down the street, down the street, down the street
The garbage truck drives down the street
As it picks up garbage

The garbage truck stops and goes, stops and goes, stops and goes
The garbage truck stops and goes
As it picks up garbage

  

Themed activity #2: Morning At the Dump (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

(show ten fingers)
Early in the morning, down at the dump
See the dump trucks standing all in a row
See them dump their garbage
(bend fingers)
Dump, dump, dump
Now watch them rolling away
(roll hands over each other)
To go gather more
(sign language for "more")

  

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: We’re Making a Purple Stew (story time song I saw a in a video from New York Public Library)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Whip-whip-, whip-whip.
(pretend to stir a big pot in front of your body)

We’re making a {_purple_} stew,
Scooby-dooby-doo.

With {_purple_} potatoes,
(use one hand to pretend to throw potatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And {_purple_} tomatoes,
(use your other hand to pretend to throw tomatoes from your shoulder into the pretend pot)

And even a {_purple_} you!
(tickle baby’s tummy)

**What other colors should we do?
(repeat the song with other colors)

 

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: When you are reading books with your child, don't forget to talk about feelings.  This helps build vocabulary and understanding.       

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) 

 

Letter of the day: "T” is for Truck

 

 

Flannelboard: Five Little Garbage Trucks (counting down rhyme, I'm not sure where I found this one)

Closing song with egg shakers: “Bublebee Buzz Buzz” from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner   

 

 

 

 

Ready for Bed Clothing - 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 Goes to Bed by Lucy Cousins (lift-flap, moving pieces) 

Themed activity #1:  During the Night (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

During the night I know that... 
Stars twinkle in the sky 
Bats fly and swoop through the air 
Owls flap their wings before saying, "Who-Who" 
Cats jump from place to place 
Opossums climb up trees 
Raccoons run across the grass 
Wolves howl at the moon 
And I lie in my bed to sleep

  

Themed activity #2: This Is the Way We Wash (action song to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush" that I adapted)

This is the way we wash our hands,
Wash our hands, wash our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands,
When we get all dirty.

This is the way we scrub our face...
This is the way we rub our ears...
This is the way we rinse our hair...
This is the way we sponge our tummies...

 

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.

   

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: “P” is for pajamas   

 

 

Flannelboard: Teddy Wore His Red Shirt (color song sung to the tune "Mary Wore Her Red Dress" found in Mother Goose's Playhouse by Judy Sierra) 

Teddy wore his red shirt, red shirt, red shirt;
Teddy wore his red shirt all day long.

Teddy wore his blue pants, blue pants, blue pants;
Teddy wore his blue pants all day long.

Teddy wore his purple hat, purple hat, purple hat;
Teddy wore his purple hat all day long.

Teddy wore his orange socks, orange socks, orange socks;
Teddy wore his orange socks all day long.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Grumpy and Happy Clothing - 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: Colorful Clothespins

I strung up a length of yarn between a chair and a table in my storytime room.  I then handed the children colored plastic clothespins. Then I had the children come clip their clothespins to the line when I called out their color.  

  

  

 

Book #1: Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer 

Theme activity #1: “Boots” action song from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

Theme activity #2: Silly Hat (action song to the tune of “This Old Man” that I found at https://veronastorytime.com/clothes-story-time-sensory-friendly/)

On my {_head_}, I wear my hat
It is such a silly hat
That my {_head_} wiggle waggles to and fro
Where else can my silly hat go?

Sing additional verses with hat on other body parts like knees, hands, etc.) 

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 

  

Book #2: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judy Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett 

Book #3: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

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

  

 

Art activity:  Decorating slap bracelets with metallic pens and stickers

Optional other books:
One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood 
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gómez

 

 

 

 

 

Wriggly Rabbits - 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: Colored Bunnies in a Field of Clover (flannelboard rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

{Blue} bunnies hopping onto a field|
Finding lots of yummy clover to eat
They eat and they eat until they are full
So they ask for more bunnies to join the fun

{Yellow} bunnies hopping onto a field
Finding lots of yummy clover to eat
They eat and they eat until they are full
So they asked for more bunnies to join the fun

(repeat as many times as you wish)

 

  

 

Book #1: I am Wriggly by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling

Stand-up activity: Bunny Jump Over the Great Big Stick (originally written as a lap bounce action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins, it can also be used as an action rhyme for older children)

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be quick,
Bunny jump over the great big stick. 

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be slick,
Bunny dig under the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny go click,
Bunny almost falls off the great big stick.

Bunny be nimble, Bunny be fine,
Bunny blows kisses at story time!

 

Activity: I Saw a Little Rabbit (action rhyme)

I saw a little rabbit go hop, hop, hop
(jump)
I saw his ears go flop, flop, flop
(flop hands on head)
I saw his eyes go blink, blink, blink
(point to eyes and blink)
I saw his nose go twink, twink, twink
(wiggle nose)
I said, "Little rabbit, won't you stay?"
(beckon with hand)
He looked at me and hopped away
(jump)

 

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) 

  

***Parent literacy tip:  Don’t forget to read non-fiction books with your children.  Even young children love learning new things.               

Book #2: The Magic Rabbit by Richard Jesse Watson

Book #3: Wee Little Bunny by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by John Butler

Book #4:  Me andOther Bunnies by Mo Willems

Closing music with bells: “The Tempo Marches On” from Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee by Jim Gill      

   

Art activity: Rabbit face headband coloring sheet. Decorate and cut out the paper I found online with crayons and googly eyes. 

Optional other books:
Bunny’s Rainbow Day by Monica Wellington (board book)