Space & the Stars - 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.

 

 

Literacy activity flannelboard: I’m Going Out to Space (vocabulary building flannelboard activity to the tune of “The Farmer In the Dell”)

(Hand out felt pieces for stars, planets, rocket ships, and moons to the children.  The children bring their pieces up to the board when it is said in the song.)

I’m going out to space;
I’m going out to space;
I think I’ll see a { planet } there;
I’m going out to space.

 

  

Book #1: Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max

Stand-up activity: “Jumping and Counting” from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem and More Salutes to Nonsense by Jim Gill

Sit-down activity: Stars Around the Rocketship (to the tune of "Ring Around the Rosie" written by Carol Hopkins)

Spinning around the rocket ship,
Dancing little stars.
Jumping, jumping,
The stars fall down.

Stardust all around us,
Moving here and there.
Swirling, twirling,
The stars jump up!

 

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: Snakes In Space by Kathryn Dennis

Book #3: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Cabrera

***Parent literacy tip:  When we say rhymes, play rhyming games, or point out rhyming words, it helps children hear the smaller sounds in words, which helps them later when learning to read.                

Closing music with egg shakers: “I Know a Chicken” from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band by Laurie Berkner

  

 

Art activity: Paper plate moon – Stamping craters with receipt roll centers, plus star stickers, and salt for the paint