Sing-a-Song Storytime: Five Little Pumpkins

 With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library took its time deciding how to get back into the storytime groove.  In the Fall of 2020, I created this video storytime series along with a coworker, who is a talented musician, to get young children moving around and singing.  It is filled with lots of favorite storytime songs and rhymes, and of course a book!  I really wanted the grown-ups watching along with the kiddos to learn the songs, so I used a split screen technique on the videos to display the words to the songs/rhymes while I am singing and acting them out.  

 

Opening song - Skinnamarink (https://youtu.be/95JkQfANW9M) 

Action song - Spiders Go Marching (action song to the tune of "Ants Go Marching")

The spiders go marching one by one,
hurrah, hurrah!
The spiders go marching one by one, 
hurrah, hurrah!
The spiders go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck its thumb,
And they all go marching up,
To the tree,
On Hallowee-een.

The spiders go marching two by two... 
The little one stops to tie its shoe...

The spiders go marching three by three...
The little one stops to hug a tree...

The spiders go marching four by four...
The little one stops to close the door...

Transition sit down song - 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 - Five Little Pumpkins illustrated by Dan Yaccarino 

 

Action song - 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.

Action song - See the Pumpkin (sung with a ball or pumpkin, adapted from a song found on the internet)  

See the pumpkin,
(roll the ball one way)
See the orange,
(roll the ball the other way)
See the candy we can eat!
(sing language for "candy" and "eat")

Though it's night-time,
(hold ball high in the air like the moon)
It's a sweet time,
(sign language for "candy")
I don't mind saying, "Trick or Treat!"
(throw the ball into the air and catch it)

Closing song - excerpt from the Carpenter's song "Sing a Song" (also a classic Sesame Street song https://youtu.be/-nI7IfwLoBI)