Lego My Library - School

A fun Lego building block storytime intended for children 4 to 9 years old.

Book:  Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton, illustrated by Brad Sneed

Lego challenge: Create something you would see at school

Lego My Library - Thanksgiving

A fun Lego building block storytime intended for children 4 to 9 years old.

Book:  Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Kathryn Mitter

Lego challenge: Free play

Trucks Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
• Stand-up Activity - 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

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Hippopotamus on Wheels (flannelboard rhyme I learned from a librarian in the King County Library System)
• Book #2 - Maisy Drives the Bus by Lucy Cousins
• Activity – Wheels On the Bus (action song from Rise and Shine by Raffi)
• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Glue craft foam circle onto paper plate steering wheel then color with color pens (It is soooo cute watching the children drive their steering wheels out the door!)

Lego My Library - Inventions

A fun Lego building block storytime intended for children 4 to 9 years old.

Book:  Pop!: The Invention of Bubblegum by Meghan McCarthy

Lego challenge: Create an invention, real or imaginary

Fantasy Creature Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – The Magic Hat by Mem Fox, illustrated by Tricia Tusa
• Stand-up Activity - Suzy Had a Little Hat (action song to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" written by Carol Hopkins)

Suzy had a little hat, little hat, little hat
(hold hands together in the shape of a hat)
Suzy had a little hat, she wore right up here!
(put hat on top of head)

Suzy went jump, jump, jump,
Jump, jump, jump
Jump, jump, jump,
Suzy went jump, jump, jump,
With her hat right up here!

Suzy went running...
Suzy went spinning...
Suzy went bend her knees...
Suzy went sitting...

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Five Green Dragons (counting backwards rhyme I found at http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/chinnesenewyear/songs.htm)
• Book #2 - Three Little Mermaids by Mara Van Fleet
• Activity – I'm a Little Teapot (action song from This Little Piggy: Lap Songs, Finger Plays, Clapping Games and Pantomime Rhymes by Jane Yolen, Will Hillenbrand, Adam Stemple, et al.)
• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Use bingo dabber paints on a dragon drawing

Smile Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Excuse Me! A Little Book of Manners by Karen Katz (lift-flap)
• Stand-up Activity - If You're Happy And You Know It (action song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music)
• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day (counting down song)
• Book #2 - Smile, Maisy! by Lucy Cousins (board book)
• Activity – Can You Growl Like a Tiger? (action rhyme I picked up many years ago)
• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Color a small book of faces with crayons

Lego My Library - Fantasy Creatures

A fun Lego building block storytime intended for children 4 to 9 years old.

Book:  Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon by Ute Krause

Lego challenge: Create a dragon or other fantasy creature

Halloween Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond (board book)
• Stand-up Activity - Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern (action rhyme adapted by Carol Hopkins similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")

Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern turn around.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern roll on the ground.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern dance on your toes.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern light up your nose.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern reach up high.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern jump to the sky.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern smile with heat.
Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern find your seat.

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Three Little Pumpkins (not sure where I picked up this rhyme)
• Book #2 - Maisy's Halloween by Lucy Cousins (board book)
• Activity – Pumpkins Over There (action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

Pumpkins small
And pumpkins tall
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere
Pumpkins fat
And pumpkins thin
Pumpkins, pumpkins over there!

• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Glue small yellow triangles to an orange pumpkin drawing

Farm Animals storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming
• Stand-up Activity - Little Chick, Little Chick (action rhyme adapted by Carol Hopkins from "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")

Little chick, little chick turn around
Little chick, little chick scratch the ground
Little chick, little chick strut on your toes
Little chick, little chick touch your nose
Little chick, little chick reach up high
Little chick, little chick flap to the sky
Little chick, little chick wiggle your feet
Little chick, little chick find your nest seat

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Five Little Sheep (not sure where I found this rhyme)

This little sheep eats grass
This little sheep eats clovers
This littel sheep drinks water
This litle sheep jumps away
This little sheep does nothin' at all, but lies around all day

• Book #2 - I Heard a Little Baa by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Louise Phillips
• Activity – Ten Sheep (fingerplay adapted by Carol Hopkins)

10 little sheep munching on grass
(show ten fingers)
Happy little sheep to follow the lass
They wander to the right
They wander to the left
They come to a stop in a new field of green
10 little sheep soft and well fed
Curl up to sleep in the grass for a bed

• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Glue cotton onto a sheep drawing

Lego My Library - Food

A fun Lego building block storytime intended for children 4 to 9 years old.

Book:  Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Heather Solomon

Lego challenge: Make something that is food related

Food Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo) and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (BIGBOOK)
• Stand-up Activity - I'm a Little Teapot (action song from This Little Piggy: And Other Rhymes to Sing and Play by Jane Yolen, Will Hillenbrande, and Adam Stemple)
• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Ten Little Cupcakes (counting song to the tune of "10 Little Indians")

1 little, 2 little, 3 little cupcakes
4 little, 5 little, 6 little cupcakes
7 little, 8 little, 9 little cupcakes
10 little cupcakes for us to eat!

• Book #2 - Maisy Bakes a Cake by Lucy Cousins (pop-up)
• Activity – A Delicious Cake (action rhyme I found in the book I'm a Little Teapot: Presenting Preschool Storytime by Jane Cobb)
• Closing - Use tamborines to the song "Fruit Salad Salsa" from Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner
• Craft – Crayon coloring on a cupcake drawing

Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad

A library program for children ages 3 through 8 years old.

As part of the Jumpstart "Read for the Record" campaign, we started off reading the book Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and and Jacky Davis.  We then followed this with an activity for each member of the bug squad.  The children could complete the activities in any order they wished.

LADYBUG GIRL - Make and decorate red ladybug wings.

BUMBLEBEE BOY - Make a bumblebee bookmark from a craft stick. 

1. Color a craft stick with stripes of any color using color marker pens.
2. Cut a pipe-cleaner in half.  Bend it into a desirable shape for antennaes. 
3. Glue the antennaes and one large pom-pom onto one end of the craft stick. 
4. Glue two beads onto the pom-pom for eyes. 
5. The trickiest part of this craft was letting the glue dry so that everything would stay in place.

BUTTERFLY GIRL - Use colorful foam shapes to design pretty flowers and other shapes that would attract butterflies.

DRAGONFLY GIRL - Use a scarf (dragonfly fire) to knock plastic blocks off a board suspended between two chairs.  The children were encouraged to stand back two feet from the board to give them somewhat of a challenge. 

Music in Motion Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – The Little Band by James Sage, illustrated by Keiko Narahashi
• Stand-up Activity - The Grand Old Duke of York (action song from Toddler's On Parade by Kimbo)
• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - A-Hunting We Will Go (traditional rhyming song)

A-hunting we will go
A-hunting we will go
We'll catch a mouse
And put her in a house
And then we'll let her go

A-hunting we will go
A-hunting we will go
We'll catch a frog
And put him on a log
And then we'll let him go

...goat/put him in a boat
...bear/sit her in a chair

• Sit-down Activity - I Can Bounce My Hands (action song to the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell" written by Carol Hopkins)

I can bounce my hands, I can bounce my hands,
Bounce them high, bounce them low,
I can bounce my hands.

I can wiggle my hands, I can wiggle my hands,
Wiggle them out, wiggle them in,
I can wiggle my hands.

(Continue with more action words like clap, roll, etc.)

• Book #2 - Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton (board book)
• Activity – Clap Your Hands (action song from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids)
• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Decorate paper plate maracas by gluing on brightly colored crepe paper. 

Bear Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Bears by Ruth Krauss, pictures by Phyllis Rowand
• Stand-up Activity - Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around (traditional action rhyme)

Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear dance on your toes
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch your nose
Teddy bear, teddy bear reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear jump to the sky
Teddy bear, teddy bear find your feet
Teddy bear, teddy bear find your seat

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - All Types of Bears (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" written by Carol Hopkins)

Grizzly bears are big and brown.
Big and brown, big and brown.
Grizzly bears are big and brown.
And live in the woods.

Polar bears are soft and white.
Soft and white, soft and white.
Polar bears are soft and white.
And live where it is cold.

Panda bears are black and white,
Black and white, black and white
Panda bears are black and white.
And live with bamboo.

Koala bears have great big ears,
Great big ears, great big ears,
Koala bears have great big ears,
And live high in a tree.

Teddy bears are just my size.
Just my size, just my size.
Teddy bears are just my size.
To cuddle with at night.

• Sit-down Activity - Bears Eat Honey (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

A bear,
(sign language for "bear")
Eats honey.
(pretend to eat)
He thinks it's yummy in his tummy.
(rub tummy)
But the bees don't think it's funny!
(put fingers of hands to together for the bee)
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

• Book #2 - Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., pictures by Eric Carle
• Activity – Great Big Bear (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

The great big bear,
(sing language for bear)
Gives a warning with a soft little growl.
(growl)
Waves its paws in the air.
(move hands like claws)
Shakes its great big head
(shake head)
Rubs its furry little ears
(rub ears)
Gives a great big roar
(loud roar)
Then goes to sleep in its lair.
(hands to side of face for sleep)

• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Color a bear stick puppet

Fancy Nancy Pajamarama

This was designed as a summer reading program for children 3 to 9 years old.  About 40 children and their parents attended the program.

Opening:

-  Read the book Fancy Nancy Sees Stars aloud to the whole group.  (Since this book is rather small, we used our Elmo machine to project it onto a screen.)

-  Ask the children for the meaning of fancy words found in the Fancy Nancy books.

-  Hand out bean bags.  Practice propor posture walking with a bean bag on the head. 

-  Do "The Bean Bag" song from Can a Jumbo Jet Sing the Alphabet? by Hap Palmer. 

Stations:

-  Craft:  Create a shooting star toilet paper roll windsock.

-  Craft:  Make your own star constellation with black construction paper and star stickers.

-  Math:  Sort fancy buttons into different categories.

-  Game:  Pin the ribbon on the posh puppy.

Notes:  This was a fun, inexpensive program to put together.  The children had a lot of fun.  Our only problem came from the button sorting table.  We put out colored shoe laces for the children to make circles to put their sorted piles into (there was a sign explaining this on the table).  But the children wanted to use the laces to string the buttons onto.  And then the children wanted to take these strings home, which we could not allow because we use these particular decorative buttons for other programs and sorting exercises.  We eneded up removing the laces from the table about halfway through the program. 

Colors In Art - Preschool Storytime

Storytime for 3 to 5 year olds.

• Opening - If You're Happy and You Know It (action song from Wee Sing Children's Songs and Fingerplays) as well as Come a' Look and See (fingerplay song from The Baby Record by Bob McGrath and Katharine Smithrim)
• Book #1 - Bear's Picture by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by D.B. Johnson
• Stand up activity - I'm a Little Crayon (action song to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot" I found in Mailbox Preschool magazine, August/September 2003 page 6)
• Book #2 - Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
• Book #3 -  Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• Activity - Color Rhyme (action rhyme I picked up somewhere a long time ago)

If your clothes have any red
Put your finger on your head
If your clothes have any blue
Put your finger on your shoe
If your clothes have any green
Wave your hand so you'll be seen
If your clothes have any yellow
Smile like a happy fellow
If your clothes have any brown
Turn your smile into a frown
If you clothes have any black
Put your hands behind your back
If your cothes have any white
Clap your hands with all your might

• Closing - crepe paper and paper plate paintbrushes to the song "Dippin' In the Paintbox" from Dippin' In the Paintbox with Gail and Trisha
• Art activity - Watercolor sheets

Stuffed Animals Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – My Bear and Me by Barbara Maitland, pictures by Lisa Flather
• Stand-up Activity - Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around (traditional rhyme)

Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear dance on your toes
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch your nose
Teddy bear, teddy bear reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear jump to the sky
Teddy bear, teddy bear find your feet
Teddy bear, teddy bear find your seat

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Teddy Bear Patterns (use three different colored bear shapes to make simple patterns that the children help to finish)
• Sit-down Activity - Two Little Puppets (from Ring a Ring O'Roses by the Flint Public Library)
• Book #2 - Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont, pictures by Jennifer Plecas
• Activity – Stuffed Animals (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, stuffed animals in a row
1 is a bear
1 is a dog
1 is a pink bunny rabbit that likes to jump
1 is an owl
And 1 is a giraffe with a really long neck
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, all lined up on my bed
They keep me company as I go to sleep

• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Color a teddy bear picture

Dad Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Just Like Daddy by Frank Asch
• Stand-up Activity - Do It for Your Father (action song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," I'm not sure where I picked this one up)

Roll, roll, roll your hands
As fast as fast can be.
Do it now, let me see,
Do it for your father.
Clap, clap, clap your hands
As loud as loud can be.
Do it now, let me see,
Do it for your father.
Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet
As hard as hard can be.
Do it now, let me see,
Do it for your father.
Jump, jump, jump your feet
As high as high can be.
Do it now, let me see,
Do it for your father.
Roll, roll, roll your hands
As fast as fast can be.
Do it now, let me see,
Do it for your father.

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Daddy Mouse (rhyme by Carol Hopkins)

(On the flannelboard put out 5-8 houses of different colors.  Make sure the little baby mouse is under one house. Say the rhyme with the children and peek under the house color the children request until you find the baby mouse.)

Daddy mouse, daddy mouse where is your baby?
Daddy mouse, daddy mouse look for your baby under the _________ house.

• Sit-down Activity - Come a Look an' See (fingerplay song found on The Baby Record by Bob McGrath and Katharine Smithrim)
• Book #2 - Daddy Hug by Tim Warnes, illustrated by Jane Charman
• Activity – If you're Happy and You Know It (action song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Music)
• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Decorate a fish shape with tissue paper scales

Color Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
• Stand-up Activity - I Look and Look (action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

I look and look and what do I see?
A bright red apple hanging from a tree
I look and look and what do I see?
A yellow sun shining right on me
I look and look and what do I see?
A great orange fruit, shiny and round
I look and look and what do I see?
Some green grass growing on the ground
I look and look and what do I see?
The blue waves on the ocean and sea
I look and look and what do I see?
All the colors around you and me

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Five Little Crayons (number rhyme found in Mailbox Preschool Magazine August/September 2003, page 6)
• Sit-down Activity - Little Red Wagon (action song from Wiggleworms Love You by Old Town School of Folk Music)
• Book #2 - I Went Walking by Sue Williams, illustrated by Julie Vivas
• Activity – Colored Shoes (action rhyme by Carol Hopkins)

Stomping in my red shoes, red shoes, red shoes
Stomping in my red shoes here at storytime

Running in my blue shoes, blue shoes, blue shoes
Running in my blue shoes here at storytime

(continue with more action words and shoe colors)

• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Paint with watercolor paints

Nocturnal Animals

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – I Walk At Night by Lois Duncan, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
• Stand-up Activity - 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

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Five Little Bats On a Dark Night (counting rhyme I found at EstherStorytimes Wiki)
• Sit-down Activity - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (traditional action song)

Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the work so high
Like  a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are

• Book #2 - Good-night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins
• Activity – The Owl (action chant I found in many places)

There's a wide eyed owl
With a pointed nose
Two pointed ears
And claws for toes
When he sits up in the tree
And he looks at you
He flaps his wings
And he says, "Who-Who!"

• Closing - rhythm sticks to the song "Going On  a Bear Hunt" by Gret & Steve from Kids In Action
• Craft – Decorate black construction paper bat finger-puppets with colored chalk

Cats - Family Storytime

This is for an all ages, whole family storytime:

• Opening - If You're Happy and You Know It (from Wee Sing Children's Songs & Fingerplays)
• Book #1 - The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale by Koko Nishizuka, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger
• Book #2 - The Cat Barked? by Lydia Monks
• Stand up activity - My Little Kitty (action rhyme I found somewhere)

Here comes my little cat
With a pitter, patter, pat, pat, pat
First she stretches from here to there
Then she jumps up into the air
Gently she lands on my lap
And settles down for a nice long nap

• Flannelboard/Group activity - Bought Me a Cat (traditional, song from Little Songs for Little Me by Nancy Stewart)
• Book #3 - Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore
• Book #4 - Cat by Matthew Van Fleet, photography by Brian Stanton (lift-flap, moveable)
• Closing -  "Cat Came Back" with tambourines from Whaddaya Think of That by Laurie Berkner
• Family Small Motor Activity - Paper plate cat mask

Garden Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Mrs. Mcnosh and the Great Big Squash by Sarah Weeks, pictures by Nadine Bernard Westcott
• Stand-up Activity - A Little Plant (action rhyme slightly adapted by Carol Hopkins)

In the heart of a seed
Buried oh so deep, a little plant lay fast asleep
"Awake," said the sun
"Come up through the earth."
"Awake," said the rain
"We are giving you birth."
The little seed heard and giving it a try
Pointed its leaves
Up to the sky

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Four Little Flowers (counting down rhyme written by Jean Warren that I found on some website)
• Sit-down Activity - Ten Little Flowers (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)

10 little flowers standing in the sun
10 thirsty flowers begin to droop
Along come the clouds
And the rain begins to fall
10 little flowers lift their heads to the sun again

• Book #2 - Jasper's Beanstalk by Ncik Butterworth and Mick Inkpen
• Activity – In Our Garden (action song from Sing It! Say It! Sway It! volume 1 by Peter and Ellen Allard)
• Closing - Scarves to the song "Flitter, Flutter" from The Second Line by Johnette Downing
• Craft – Cut out a bunch of grean heart shaped paper beanstalk leaves. Glue a length of green yarn onto a sheet of paper.  Next glue the leaves onto the beanstalk.

Cats Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Cats Sleep Anywhere by Eleanor Farjeon, illustrated by Anne Mortimer
• Stand-up Activity - Kitty Cats Like (action chant written by Carol Hopkins)

Kitty cats like to say hello
Kitty cats like to drink milk
Kitty cats like to growl when they play
Kitty cats like to run after mice
Kitty cats like to jump to high places
Kitty cats like to climb trees
Kitty cats like to purr when they are happy
And some kitty cats like to find sunspots to sleep in

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - In the House (sung to the tune of "If You're Happy And You Know It" written by Gail Benton and Trisha Waichulaitis)
• Sit-down Activity - Five Kittens (fingerplay I picked up somewhere)

Five little kittens standing in a row
They nod their heads to the children so
They run to the left
They run to the right
They stand up and stretch in the bright sunlight
Along comes a dog who's in for some fun
Meow!  See those little kittens run away

• Book #2 - Cookie's Week by Cindy Ward, illustrated by Tomie de Paola
• Activity – Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat (action rhyme written by Carol Hopkins similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")

Kitty cat, kitty cat turn around
Kitty cat, kitty cat touch the ground
Kitty cat, kitty cat walk on your toes
Kitty cat, kitty cat paw your nose
Kitty cat, kitty cat stretch up high
Kitty cat, kitty cat jump to the sky
Kitty cat, kitty cat start to eat
Kitty cat, kitty cat find your seat

• Closing - Scarves to the song "Flitter, Flutter" from The Second Line by Johnette Downing
• Craft – Glue yarn whiskers to a cat face

Nature Walk Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Good-night Owl! by Pat Hutchins
• Stand-up Activity - The Owl (an action rhyme I found many years ago)

There's a wide eyed owl
With a pointed nose
Two pointed ears
And claws for toes
When he sits up in the tree
And he looks at you
He flaps his wings
And he says "Whoo-Whoo!"

• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - One Little Raccoon (counting song to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")

1 little, 2 little, 3 little raccoons
4 little, 5 little, 6 little raccoons
7 little, 8 little, 9 little raccoons
10 little raccoons prowling in the dark

• Sit-down Activity - Two Little Blackbirds (traditional)

Two little blackbirds sitting on a fence
One named Jack, the other named Jill
Fly away Jack
Fly away Jill
Come back Jack
Come back Jill
Two little blackbirds sitting on a fence

• Book #2 - Maisy's Nature Walk by Lucy Cousins (pop-up)
• Activity – Baby Bumblebee (action song from Toddler Action Songs by Cedarmont Kids)
• Closing - Scarves to the song "Flitter, Flutter" from The Second Line by Johnette Downing
• Craft – Decorate a butterfly

Spring Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Splish, Splash, Spring by Jan Carr, illustrated by Dorothy Donohue
• Stand-up Activity - Spring Is All Around Me (action song to the tune of "Wheels On the Bus" which I found in a Mailbox Preschool magazine, Apr/May 2000)
• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - Sheep In the Springtime Green (counting rhyme written by Carol Hopkins)

1 little sheep in the Springtime green, eating grass in the field all day
2 little sheep in the Springtime green, munching on clover in the field all day
3 little sheep in the Springtime green, drinking lots of water in the field all day
4 little sheep in the Springtime green, jumping up and down in the field all day
5 little sheep in the Springtime green, snoring and snoozing in the field all night

• Sit-down Activity - Five Spring Flowers (fingerplay adapted by Carol Hopkins)

Flowers tall, flowers small
Flowers planted by the wall
Blowing in the sprintime breezes
Not for little children sneezes
Let us count the flowers alive
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Five little flowers thrive in the Springtime sun

• Book #2 - In the Spring by Craig Brown
• Activity – A Springtime Rhyme (action rhyme I found in Mailbox Preschool magazine Feb/Mar 2006)
• Closing - Scarves to the song "Flitter, Flutter" from The Second Line by Johnette Downing
• Craft – Decorate a muffin cup flower with birdseed

Bouncing Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:

• Opening - Skinnamarink (from Car Songs: Songs to Sing Anywhere by Dennis Buck at Kimbo), Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
• Book #1 – Bouncing Time by Patricia Hubbell, pictures by Melissa Sweet
• Stand-up Activity - When the Music Stops, Everybody Jump (action song from Getting Strong: Wiggle & Learn by The Wiggles)
• Bridge - 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/Math Activity - A-Hunting We Will Go

A-hunting we will go
A-hunting we will go
We'll catch a mouse
And put her in a house
And then we'll let her go

A-hunting we will go
A-hunting we will go
We'll catch a frog
And put him on a log
And then we'll let him go

...goat/put him in a boat
...bear/sit her in a chair

• Sit-down Activity - I Can Bounce My Hands (fingerplay to the tune of "Farmer In the Dell" written by Carol Hopkins)

I can bounce my hands, I can bounce by hands,
Bounce them high, bounce them low,
I can bounce my hands.

I can wiggle my hands, I can wiggle my hands,
Wiggle them out, wiggle them in,
I can wiggle my hands.

(repeat with more hand motions such as roll, clap, etc.)

• Book #2 - Emily Loves to Bounce by Stephen Michael King
• Activity – Shake My Sillies Out (action song from More Singable Songs by Raffi)
• Closing - Scarves to the song "Flitter, Flutter" from The Second Line by Johnette Downing
• Craft – Decorate a paperbag kite