Sing-a-Song Storytime: Sweet, Sweet Alligators

    Despite the library reopening, the world-wide pandemic is still closing down all large gatherings at my library.  Therefore, I continue with my summer offering of virtual storytimes.  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.  For the summer series, we changed things up a bit!  Instead of a book we are bringing in puppets and a flannelboard story or rhyme.  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 – When Animals Get Up in the Morning

When gators get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When gators get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, that is what they say.
Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, that is what they say.

When gators get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When gators get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
Snap, snap, snap, snap, that is what they say.
Snap, snap, snap, snap, that is what they say.

(Gators can be replaced with a variety of other animals and animal sounds/action words)

  

 

Flannelboard activity – Five Ice Cream Scoops (a poem I found on the First Grade W.O.W. blog)

 

Action rhyme – Put Your Ice Cream Up High (adaptation of a rhyme I found on the One Little Librarian blog)

(Hold a stick or pen as a pretend ice cream cone. Suite actions to words.)

Put your ice cream up high
Put your ice cream down low
Hold your ice cream and turn around
Lick!  Lick!  Lick!

Put your ice cream up high
Put your ice cream down low
Put your ice cream on the ground
Eeewww! Don’t do that!

Action rhyme - Alligator Pie (an action rhyme I found many years ago that I have seen on many websites)

Alligator, alligator, alligator pie, 
(Open and close arms like the jaws of an alligator)

If I don't get some I think I'm gonna cry.
(Rub eyes like you are crying)

You can take away the grass,
(Point to the ground)

You can take away the sky,
(Point to the sky above)

But don't take away my alligator pie!
(Open and close arms like an alligator)

 

Action song - If You're Happy and You Know It (traditional action song)

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it then your face will truly show it,
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're happy and you know it then your face will truly show it,
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you're happy and you know it, shout hooray!
If you're happy and you know it, shout hooray!
If you're happy and you know it then your face will truly show it,
If you're happy and you know it, shout hooray!

If you're happy and you know it, do all three.
If you're happy and you know it, do all three.
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will truly show it,
If you're happy and you know it, do all three.

 

 

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

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

 

***The video for this storytime can be found on my library's YouTube channel.

 

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Chickens

      Despite the library reopening, the world-wide pandemic is still closing down all large gatherings at my library.  Therefore, I continue with my summer offering of virtual storytimes.  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.  For the summer series, we changed things up a bit!  Instead of a book we are bringing in puppets and a flannelboard story or rhyme.  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 – When Animals Get Up in the Morning (adaptation of a traditional song)

When hens get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When hens get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, that is what they say.
Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, that is what they say.

When chicks get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
When chicks get up in the morning,
They always say “Good Day!”
Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, that is what they say.
Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, that is what they say.

(Any animal can be replaced with a variety of other animals and animal sounds/action words)

  

 

Flannelboard activity - Hens of a Different Color (color rhyme I picked up somewhere many years ago)

 

Action song - Little Chick, Little Chick Turn Around (action rhyme adapted by Carol Hopkins from the "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around" jump rope rhyme)

(Suite actions to words.)

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.

Action rhyme - Here's a Little Egg (action rhyme I found a long time ago on an old GeoCities webpage)

Here's a little egg, so smooth and white
(sit criss cross, head down, arms in lap)
Peck, peck, peck, there's something inside!
Peck, peck, peck, here comes a little beak.
(move head up and make beak with fingers)
Peck, peck, peck here come two little feet.
(extend feet)
Peck, peck, peck, here come the wings.
(flap arms as wings)
Peck, peck, peck, and a pick, pick, pick,
(move to squatting position)
And crack, crack, CRACK!
Out pops the baby chick!
(stand up, arms above head)

 

Action rhyme - Two Little Chickens Sitting on a Fence (fingerplay adapted from the rhyme "Two Little Blackbirds")

Two little chickens 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 chickens sitting on a fence.

 

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

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

 

***The video for this storytime can be found on my library's YouTube channel.

 

Sing-a-Song Storytime: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

   With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - I'm a Little Teapot (action song)

I'm a little teapot
Short and stout
Here is my handle
Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
"Tip me over and pour me out!"

I'm a clever teapot,
Yes it's true
Here let me show you
What I can do
I can change my handle
And my spout
Just tip me over and pour me out!

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 - If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)  

 

Action song - Row, Row, Row Your Boat (traditional action song)

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Sway, sway, sway your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Bounce, bounce, bounce your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Twist, twist, twist your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Hide, hide, hide your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Action song - 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 song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: Trashy Town

 With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - If You See a Piece of Trash (fingerplay written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")

If you see a piece of trash, piece of trash, piece of trash

(pretend to pick up a piece of garbage)

If you see a piece of trash, pick it up right now.

Put it in a garbage can, garbage can, garbage can,

(sign language for trash can)

Put it in a garbage can, do it right now.

If you can recycle it, recycle it, recycle it,

(sign language for recycle)

If you can recycle it, then recycle it right now.

Transition sit down song - 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 

 

Book - Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books) 

 

Action song - The Garbage Truck Rolls (fingerplay to the tune of "Wheels On the Bus" adapted by Carol Hopkins)

The garbage truck drives down the street, down the street, down the street
The garbage truck drives down the street
As it picks up garbage

The garbage truck stops and goes, stops and goes, stops and goes
The garbage truck stops and goes
As it picks up garbage

Action song - 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

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.

Sing-a-Song Storytime: If You Plant a Seed

  With the pandemic closing the library and all large gatherings, my library continues offering virtual storytimes.  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 - Baby Bumblebee (traditional song)

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee
Ouch! It stung me

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
Eeeww! It's yucky!

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
No more bees on me!

Transition sit down song - 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 

 

Book - If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson (read with permission by HarperCollins Children's Books)  

 

Action song - Let's Be Friends Today (action song to the tune of "The More We Get Together" written by Carol Hopkins)

Let's be friends with one another, together forever,
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can ju-ump, go jumping, go jumping.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can cla-ap, go clapping, go clapping.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can ru-un, go running, go running.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can spi-in, go spinning, go spinning.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

As friends we can si-it, go sitting, go sitting.
Let's be friends with each other,
Let's be fri-ends today!

Action song - Little Flower Open Up (action song written by Carol Hopkins to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Little flower begin to grow

Open up your petals bright

Swaying in the sunshine light

Come and let the bees buzz right

Little flower in the night

Closing up your petals tight

Closing song - Down By the Bay (traditional rhyming camp song)

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever you ever see a goose kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay!

..."Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail?"...

..."Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"...

..."Did you ever see a fairy inside a library?"... 

***The video for this storytime will remain up through 6/30/21 on my library's YouTube channel.