Bear Went Over the Mountain - Family Storytime

A Saturday morning storytime for ages 0-6 years old.  

Opening #1: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs forWiggleworms 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: Bear Is Playing (letter recognition flannelboard to the tune of “Are You Sleeping”)

Bear is playing. Bear is playing.
With a { B }, with a { B }.
Bring it up right now, bring it to the board.
Let’s play some more!  Let’s play some more!

 

 

Book #1: Bear Went Over the Mountain by Jane Cabrera

Stand-up activity: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around (traditional jump rope 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

 

***Parent literacy tip: Songs and rhymes help children distinguish similar words based on their sounds. 

Sit-down activity: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (traditional action song)  

Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders knees and toes 
Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes,

 

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) 

 

Book #2: We’re Going On a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (pop-up edition)

Closing music with scarves: “Popcorn Calling Me” action song from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner

Art activity: Color and cut bear worksheet for “Bear Went Over the Mountain”