Showing posts with label Holiday celebration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday celebration. Show all posts

Monday, March 14, 2022

Take & Make Craft Kit: Spin Drum

 I introduced this to-go craft kit as a New Year celebration art activity.  But really, it could be used to celebrate anything!  


Supplies provided in the kit:

  • 2 soup lids
  • 1 sponge brush
  • 2 styrofoam squares (these were needed to make the soup lids stick to the sponge brush handle)
  • 1 piece of yarn 
  • 6 beads
  • 1 roll of washi tape
  • 1 glue stick


Supplies needed from home:
  • Scissors

Directions:

  1. Grab the piece of yarn and beads.  Take one bead and tie it to one end of the yarn.  Thread the next 5 beads onto the yarn, tying the last one to the other end of the yarn.  Slide the beads on the yarn so that 2 beads sit on either side of the yarn.



  1. Grab one of your soup lids and drape the yarn over the inside of the lid, making sure there are 3 beads on either side of the lid. Tape the yarn to the inside of the lid with one piece of tape on each side of the lid.


  1. Grab one of your Styrofoam squares and glue it down to the inside of the lid on top of the yarn.


  1. Grab the remaining soup lid and Styrofoam square.  Glue the Styrofoam square to the inside of the lid.


  1. Cut a small notch on one side of each soup lid; you want the dowel of the sponge brush to fit inside the notch.  The notches should be cut below the yarn.  Stack the lids on top of each other to make sure the notches line up with each other.  You can use the dowel of the sponge brush itself as a measuring guide. The dowel should line up perpendicular to the yarn.  

  1. Once you’ve determined the sponge brush will fit into the notches on the lids, apply glue around the edges of the notch and on the Styrofoam square in the center of the lid. Place the sponge brush inside the notch on the lid, making sure the dowel sticks to the notch and the sponge on the brush is sticking to the Styrofoam square in the center of the lid.


  1. Take the other soup lid and apply glue to the notch and the Styrofoam square, then stick it on top of the lid with the sponge brush, making sure that the notch fits over the dowel and the sponge part of the brush is securely inside the two lids.



  1. Set your drum aside and place books, rocks, or other heavy items on top of it as the glue dries.  The weight will allow two lids to stick together more firmly so that the sponge brush will be held more securely.


  1. Once the glue has dried, use washi tape around the edge of the soup lids to keep the two lids held together. (You might need to use two layers of washi tape.)  Once this step is complete, you will have a spin drum!  Have fun!






Friday, October 15, 2021

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)


 

Friday, January 29, 2021

Valentines Through and Through Toddler Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:
·         Opening - Skinnamarink, Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
 
 
  
·         Book #1 – I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

·         Stand-up Activity – Valentine, Valentine Turn Around (action rhyme similar to the traditional "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")
Valentine, Valentine turn around.
Valentine, Valentine touch the ground.
Valentine, Valentine blow a kiss.
Valentine, Valentine swim like a fish.
Valentine, Valentine give a hug.
Valentine, Valentine jump like a bug.
Valentine, Valentine find your feet.
Valentine, Valentine 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 - Eight Valentine Cards (counting  backwards story found in Artsy Toddler Storytimes by Carol Garnett Hopkins)

·         Letter of the Day - "V" is for Valentine

·         Transition - 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 #2 –  Lilly's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes (board book)

·         Closing -  Scarves to the song "Water, Wind and World" from The Second Line: Scarf Activity Songs by Johnette Downing
 
 
·         Art Experience – Glue craft foam hearts onto a paper heart 


Tuesday, March 3, 2020

St. Patrick's Day Green Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:
  • Opening - Skinnamarink, Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
   
 


  • Stand-up Activity – Green Are the Hills (action rhyme I found in Storytime Crafts by Kathryn Totten)

  • 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 - Hi Ho for St. Patrick's Day (adapted by Carol Hopkins, to the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell")
This shamrock is green, this shamrock is green,
Hi, ho for St. Patrick's Day,
This shamrock is green.

This leprechaun wears green, this leprechaun wears green,
Hi, ho for St. Patrick's Day,
This shamrock is green.

(Repeat with more green objects: snake, bird, Popsicle, etc.)

  • Letter of the Day - "S" is for sheep

  • Book #2 – The Green Leaf by Gill and John Speirs (board book, pop-up book) 

  • Activity – Little Clover (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins)
Hey little clover with four leaves not three
I want to pick you to take home with me
One leaf for wisdom
One leaf for love
One leaf for happiness
And one leaf for luck

  • Closing - Scarves to the song "Popcorn Calling Me" from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner 

 

  • Art Experience – Painting green paint on shamrock pictures


Thursday, February 27, 2020

Green Leprechauns Preschool Storytime

Storytime for 3 to 5 year olds:



  • Literacy activity - Leprechaun Gold
Create a set of paper gold coins that spell out the word "gold," with one letter on each coin.  Hand one coin to each child.  Every child brings up his or her coin to tape to the board as you say and write the letters on the board.  **Add a math element to this activity by counting the coins.  

  
      

  • Stand-up activity - Leprechaun, Leprechaun (action rhyme adapted by Carol Hopkins from the "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around" rhyme)
Leprechaun, leprechaun turn around
Leprechaun, leprechaun find gold on the ground
Leprechaun, leprechaun jump on your toes
Leprechaun, leprechaun scratch your nose
Leprechaun, leprechaun reach up high
Leprechaun, leprechaun see a rainbow in the sky
Leprechaun, leprechaun point to your feet
Leprechaun, leprechaun have a seat



  • Book #3 - Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger


 

  • Art experience - Green shamrock stamping and painting with corks and Q-tips.  

Friday, January 31, 2020

Valentine Hearts Storytime

Storytime for 1 to 3 year olds:
  • Opening - Skinnamarink, Sticky Sticky Bubblegum
  
 



  • Stand-up Activity – Valentine, Valentine (action rhyme similar to the traditional "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around")
Valentine, Valentine turn around.
Valentine, Valentine touch the ground.
Valentine, Valentine blow a kiss.
Valentine, Valentine swim like a fish.
Valentine, Valentine give a hug.
Valentine, Valentine jump like a bug.
Valentine, Valentine find your feet.
Valentine, Valentine 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 - Eight Valentine Cards (counting  backwards story found in Artsy Toddler Storytimes by Carol Garnett Hopkins)

  • Letter of the Day - "V" is for Valentine

  • Book #2 – Snappy Little Hugs by Dugald Steer, illustrated by Derek Matthews (pop-up) 

  • Activity – "If You're Happy and You Know It" action song from Songs for Wiggleworms by Old Town School of Folk Music

  • Closing - Scarves to the song "Popcorn Calling Me" from Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner 


  • Art Experience – Glue heart foam shapes onto paper hearts