Night Sky Program - For School-Ager's

In my current position, I am responsible for programs for children ages 0 to 5. I typically do not present programs for School-Age children, but on occasion the School-Age librarian and I will trade off so that we get to experience the other side of things. Although I love the littler ones, and the enthusiasm I really wish I could bottle, it is nice to have opportunities to present programs to older kids every so often. For my School-Age program, I was very excited to teach about the night sky. 

1. We discussed what the kids see when they look up at the sky at night. It was a great starting-off point to see what the broad age range of kids already knew.

2. We read the book "How to Catch a Star" by Oliver Jeffers.

3. I presented star trivia and asked the kids about facts related to stars in the universe. We named constellations and I showed them pictures I found on Google image search of familiar constellations in the night sky without any leading information and had them guess on the name of the constellation. 

We are very lucky to be able to use a large television during our school-age programs. I hook our laptop up to the television and show PowerPoint presentations. I first showed them the image on the left of the stars in a formation and asked the kids what the constellation looked like. Then I showed them the picture on the right with the names of the stars and the name of the constellation. Finally, I showed them side-by-side so they could see how the constellation got its name.

4. We played a True OR False space trivia next. I said things like "A shooting star is a star flying through the night sky" or "The sun has spots" and the kids had to guess whether the statement was true or false. Then I gave them a little background information on the statement. We learned about the planets in our Solar System, Moons, the Sun, and more information about constellations. (The kids LOVE true/false games).

5. Finally, we did a craft with the black rainbow scratch paper. You can find it at office stores, or online at places like Oriental Trading or Amazon. I did a craft similar to this My Kid Craft. I did discover that the scratching paper makes a high-pitched squeaky noise if kids get down to the color part of the paper and keep trying to scratch. One of my kids thought this was great! So, something to keep in mind if I use the scratch paper again. 

But, otherwise, it was a great time and a nice mini-break from storytimes with the younger kids. Also, it is exciting to share things I have learned about with older kids that are able to ask questions and are so curious about the world!

Re-Felting the Story Board

It is not every day that you get to re-felt your story board, but that is what we did today! We were fortunate to get a donation of items from a local charity group that was dissolving. They wanted to provide storytime and children's programming materials for us, so we were able get some items that were on our wish list.

We unscrewed the board off of its stand, took it out of its metal frame by wedging a screw under the frame to pop out the rivets, and then peeled the old flannel off of the board. It had not been replaced since the library opened over 8 years ago; needless to say it was pretty patchy and the felt was lumpy and picked. 

I used tacky glue to glue it to the backing, we put it back in its frame, and screwed it back to its stand. This makes it sound like it was easier than it actually was. Our frame broke in half, so we will most likely have to tape it to prevent its edges from popping out. I have a feeling this particular board was not created with the intention of being able to re-felt it at any point. BUT! It is done, and I am excited to have pretty new flannel backing on the board now!

Food

Our 13th, and final, week of storytime was also the week of Thanksgiving. Since that holiday revolves around eating lots of food, our theme of the week was food!

Books:

Toddler Books:

Orange Pear Apple Bear - Emily Gravett

Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli - Barbara Jean Hicks

Lemons Are Not Red - Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Preschool Books:

Orange Pear Apple Bear - Emily Gravett

Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli - Barbara Jean Hicks

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - Laura Joffe Numeroff

Lemons Are Not Red - Laura Vaccaro Seeger

The Cow Loves Cookies - Karma Wilson

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

Flannel - "Hi, Pizza Man":

*One of my library assistants made a flannel for the book "Hi, Pizza Man" by Virginia Walter. We do not have the book in our library system, so I used our InterLibrary Loan service to acquire a copy. It is a very simple book that asks the kids what they would say if different people and animals delivered pizza to their home. For example, if a 'Pizza Cat' delivered the pizza, you would respond with "Meow, Meow, Pizza Cat". It's interactive, has animal sounds, and keeps the kids guessing on what silly animal they'll find behind the door next!

Song: Hot Potato - The Wiggles

*There is also a fun dance that The Wiggles do to go along with the lyrics. You can find it here, and have the kids dance to the song with you at storytime!

Bananas Unite!

Bananas unite!

Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas (Repeat 1x)

Chop bananas, chop, chop bananas (Repeat 1x)

Mash bananas, mash, mash bananas (Repeat 1x)

Eat bananas, eat, eat bananas (Repeat 1x)

Gooooooo Bananas!!!!

Source: Jbrary

*I LOVE this food-related activity. The kids may have thought I was a little nuts the first time I made them do it, but they enjoyed themselves once they got the hang of it. 

Hibernation

Hibernation was the theme for the 12th week of our Fall storytime session. It felt as though I was doing yet another storytime about bears. Apparently, in picture book world, the only animals doing any sort of hibernation in the winter are bears.

Books:

Toddler Books:

Every Autumn Comes the Bear - Jim Arnosky
Old Bear - Kevin Henkes
Winter Lullaby - Barbara Seuling
Bear Snores On - Karma Wilson

Preschool Books:
Don't Worry Bear - Greg Foley
Old Bear - Kevin Henkes
Hibernation Station - Michelle Meadows
Winter Lullaby - Barbara Seuling
Bear Snores On - Karma Wilson

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

Where is Bear? (Tune: "Where is Thumbkin?"):
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this Fall? Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
*I used this during the storytime about Bears, and used again for this storytime. The kids really loved "waking up bear". 


Song: Here Comes a Bear - The Wiggles
*It is a very interaction song. You can stomp like a bear, jump like a kangaroo, slither like a snake, crawl like a wombat, and then stomp like a bear again. 


Where Do Hibernating Animals Go?
Where does the bear go when the leaves turn red?
He crawls into his cave and goes to bed.

Where does the rabbit go when the leaves turn red?
She crawls into her burrow and goes to bed.

Where does the frog go when the leaves turn red?
He crawls into the mud and goes to bed.
*I borrowed this idea from a fellow librarian but made adjustments for the animals and their locations. I wanted to use the puppets we had on hand to make it an interactive activity with the kids. Once we talked about where the animals go in the winter, we then acted out different animal actions to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It".


If You're a Sleepy Animal and You Know It (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It"):
If you're a sleepy bear and you know it, clap your paws, 
If you're a sleepy bear and you know it, clap your paws, 
If you're a sleepy bear and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you're a sleepy bear and you know it, clap your paws, 

Other verses:
If you're a sleepy rabbit and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're a sleepy frog and you know it, jump up and down!

Counting

Week #11 was the theme of counting. This one was fairly easy because you can use any flannel of "Five Little...". I used one of my favorite five little flannels about gnomes, but also a new "Five Little" script I found on Jbrary. 

Books:

Toddler Books:

Ten, Nine, Eight - Molly Bang

I Spy Under the Sea - Edward Gibbs

Preschool Books:

I Spy Under the Sea - Edward Gibbs

One Boy - Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Wombat Walkabout - Carol Diggory Shields

Dog Loves Counting - Louise Yates

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom:

*We used this several times over the past few storytimes. Mostly because the kids loved it so much, but also because repetition is very important. So, if they love it so much and it relates to the theme, I don't mind repeating an element several times.

Source: Jbrary

Five Little Elephants:

One little elephant in the bathtub, going for a swim.

Knock, knock (clap twice)

Splash, splash (slap knees twice)

Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)

Count up to 5:

Five elephants in the bathtub, going for a swim.

Knock, knock (clap twice)

Splash, splash (slap knees twice)

They all fell in! (knock felt pieces down)

Source: Jbrary

*I did this at one of the storytimes with ducks instead of elephants. As long as you have a flannel bathtub, you can substitute any animal in for the elephant. 

Five Tiny Gnomes:

Five tiny gnomes, in little cloth suits,

Wearing funny hats and pointy boots.

When the sun has gone to sleep,

The gnomes come out and play hide-and-go-seek.

The first gnome ducked behind an old wooden door.

The second gnome nestled into grass growing on the forest floor.

The third gnome climbed a tall, tall tree.

The fourth gnome crawled into a log where no one could see.

The fifth gnome hid under a mushroom cap,

Where he decided to take a nap.

Five tiny gnomes, in little cloth suits,

Wearing funny hats and pointy boots.

Once the sun rises in the sky,

The gnomes head home and say, "Goodbye."

Source: Sunflower Storytime

*This is, by far, one of my favorite flannels I have ever made. Sunflower Storytime has a template on her site that I downloaded and used to make the flannels. I have used it at several storytimes so far, but I have gotten the best reaction from the preschoolers. One of the kids lit up like a Christmas tree when I started bringing the gnomes out. He was ecstatic! 

Things That Fly

Week #10's theme was things that fly: birds, planes, rocketships, balloons, and on, and on, and on. 

Books:

Toddler Books:

Hello, Airplane! - Bill Cotter

Flying - Donald Crews

Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Book - Will Hillenbrand 

Preschool Books:

Hello, Airplane! - Bill Cotter

Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Book - Will Hillenbrand 

Sally's Great Balloon Adventure - Stephen Huneck

Flight 1-2-3 - Maria van Lieshout

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

Five Little Airplanes (Flannel):

Five little airplanes in the sky, 

Flying through the clouds way up high,

One little airplane, too tired to soar,

Landed on the ground and then there were four.

Four little airplanes in the sky, 

Flying through the clouds way up high,

One little airplane flew too close to a tree,

He got scared and then there were three.

Three little airplanes in the sky, 

Flying through the clouds way up high,

One little airplane went to Timbuktu,

He got lost and then there were two.

Two little airplanes in the sky, 

Flying through the clouds way up high,

One little airplane tried to fly to the sun,

He got too hot and then there was one.

One little airplanes in the sky, 

Flying through the clouds way up high,

He got so lonely, since no one was around,

And joined his friends who were down on the ground.

Source: My flannel drawer/Library 

*We already had a flannel created with this script

Helicopter:

Helicopter goes UP

Helicopter goes DOWN

Helicopter TURNS, turns all around

Helicopter goes LEFT

Helicopter goes RIGHT

Helicopter goes UP, up up, and out of sight (hands behind back)

Source: Sunflower Storytime

Song: The Airplane Song by Laurie Berkner Band

In this upbeat song by Laurie Berkner Band, you get in your airplane and take off. When you get off at each location, you do a different activity: gallop, jump, spin, and dance. The kids loved all of the actions!

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom:

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

If you want to take a trip, climb aboard my rocket ship.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

In 5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OFF!

Source: Jbrary

*We did this for the Night Sky theme, but it was such a hit that I used it again. We usually do it twice in the same storytime, and the kids LOVE blasting off.

Clothes

Our ninth week of storytime was the week of Halloween so I picked a theme in which we could easily incorporate costumes: Clothes!

Books:

Toddler Books:

Zorro Gets an Outfit - Carter Goodrich

Duck Sock Hop - Jane Kohuth

Baby Shoes - Dashka Slater 

Preschool Books:

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing - Judi Barrett 

Zorro Gets an Outfit - Carter Goodrich

Duck Sock Hop - Jane Kohuth

Froggy Gets Dressed - Jonathan London

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

Song: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons:

*You can download the song to this popular book by Eric Litwin and sing along. One of my amazing Library Assistants had made a flannel of Pete the Cat, but the flannel isn't necessary--if you're feeling really groovy, you can dance as you count along to the tune.

Song: Boots by Laurie Berkner Band:

*This has a very simple chorus, and you can follow along with the actions. We stomped, danced, hopped like a frog, and splashed in our rain boots. It also repeatedly spells the word "Boots" -- "B-O-O-T-S", so it is a great song to work on the Writing component of Every Child Ready to Read. 

Night Sky

Our theme for week #8 was Night Sky. We talked about the moon, the stars, planets, and astronauts.

Books:

Toddler Books:

Peekaboo Bedtime - Rachel Isadora

Moon Plane - Peter McCarty

What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees - Nancy Tafuri

Preschool Books:

How to Catch a Star - Oliver Jeffers

Moon Plane - Peter McCarty

Cindy Moo - Lori Mortensen

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

Song: Rocketship Run by Laurie Berkner Band

*This is the name of the album as well as the first song on the album. You get to count down and blast off with the kids, go spinning around the sun, dancing through the air on the moon, jumping from star to star, and land back at home on the earth. I laminated clip-art pictures of each location with the activity to remind myself as we went through the actions along with the song. It's fast-paced, but tons of fun! I even had kids requesting it at storytime the following week. 

If You're Going to the Moon (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It"):

If you're going to the moon, wear your boots (stomp, stomp)

If you're going to the moon, wear your boots (stomp, stomp)

If you're going to the moon, this is what you have to do,

If you're going to the moon, wear your boots (stomp, stomp)

Other verses:

If you're going to the moon, wear  your gloves (clap, clap)

If you're going to the moon, wear your helmet (pat, pat)

*I found pictures of kids NASA boots, gloves, and helmet so I used those to go along with the song. 

Source: King County Library System

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom:

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

If you want to take a trip, climb aboard my rocket ship.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

In 5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OFF!!!

Source: Jbrary 

Bears

Week #7's theme was bears! Of all of the animal picture books in our library system, bear books outnumber all of them! 

Books:

Toddler Books:

Can You Growl Like a Bear? - John Butler
Make a Wish Bear - Greg Foley
Tiptoe Joe - Ginger Gibson
Big Smelly Bear - Britta Teckentrup

Polar Bear Morning - Lauren Thompson

Preschool Books:

Tiptoe Joe - Ginger Gibson
Big Smelly Bear - Britta Teckentrup
Polar Bear Morning - Lauren Thompson
Scare a Bear - Kathy-jo Wargin 

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

Where is Bear? (Tune: "Where is Thumbkin?"):

Where is bear? Where is bear?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this fall? Very tired, thank you.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

*I used a puppet bear and a lap-stage with a cut-out of black paper to make it look like a cave. I had the kids wake bear up on the count of three (and if they weren't loud enough, Bear couldn't hear them so they'd have to try again).

If You're a Bear and You Know It (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It"):

If you're a panda bear and you know it, clap your paws.

If you're a panda bear and you know it, clap your paws.

If you're a panda bear and you know it, and you really want to show it.

If you're a panda bear and you know it, clap your paws.

Other verses:

If you're a polar bear and you know it, show your teeth.

If you're a grizzly bear and you know it, growl real loud!

*I made large cut-out pictures of each type of bear so we could learn the different bears while singing the song.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? - FLANNEL

*We have a flannel of Eric Carle's book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?". It is easy enough for parents and children to follow along and our parents helped the kids respond to each of the following animals and their colors. 

Polar Bear Game:

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, Where have you been?

I've been to play with another bear friend.

Where did you go to? And what did you do/

We played a bear game two by two.

Take one step forward, Take two steps back,

Turn all around, jump front, jump back.

This little bear game, is not hard to do,

Just grab a partner and you do it too!

Source: Can Teach

Sharing

The theme for week #6 was sharing. This is a fairly common concept to attempt to teach the little ones but I found it difficult to find books that were appropriate (especially for Toddlers). At least, ones that translated well in storytime. 

Books:

Toddler Books:

I Can Help - David Hyde Costello

Bears on Chairs - Shirley Parenteau 

Found - Salina Yoon

Preschool Books:

Bears on Chairs - Shirley Parenteau (I had high hopes for this cute story, but it did not go over as well for me at storytime. I would have thought Preschooler's would have at least 'gotten it', but they were worse at figuring out the chair sharing situation than the littler ones)

The Bear Who Shared - Catherine Rayner

Bear Says Thanks - Karma Wilson

Found - Salina Yoon

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

If You Share and You Know It (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know it"):

If you share and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you share and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you share and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you share and you know it, stomp your feet.

Other verses:

If you share and you know it, clap your hands.

If you share and you know it, jump up and down.

Are You Sharing? (Tune: Frere Jacques):

Are you sharing? Are you sharing?

Little ones, Little ones?

Sharing is caring, Caring is sharing,

Be a friend! Be a friend!

*When I was running out of ideas that I liked for the theme of sharing, I borrowed this from a fellow librarian who had recently done this theme at one of her library's storytimes. I used a bear puppet who sang with the kids and asked them if they were sharing. We sang it two times and I had the kids help sing the song with me and Bear the second time around!

The Sharing Song by Raffi:

Lyrics:

It's mine, but you can have some.

With you I'd like to share it.

'Cause if I share it with you,

You'll have some too.

Well if I have a cake to eat,

If I have a tasty treat,

If you come to me and ask, I'll give some to you. 

It's mine, but you can have some.

With you I'd like to share it.

'Cause if I share it with you,

You'll have some too.

And if I have a book to read,

If I have a block you need,

If you come to me and ask,

I'll share it with you.

Animals in Trees

Week #5 was the very broad topic of animals in trees. Since it was Fall, our animal choices leaned towards squirrels and owls. But, in general, I like to choose broader topics since I have Library Assistants helping me with storytime. Then they get to choose how they want to interpret the theme of the week, choosing books and rhymes that they are comfortable with.

Books:

Toddler Books:

How to Lose a Lemur - Frann Preston-Gannon

Acorns Everywhere! - Kevin Sherry

The Busy Little Squirrel - Nancy Tafuri

Preschool Books:

Sparky! - Jenny Offill

How to Lose a Lemur - Frann Preston-Gannon

Whooo's There? - Mary Serfozo 

The Busy Little Squirrel - Nancy Tafuri

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

Five Hoot Owls:

Five hoot owls, sitting in a tree,

One flew away! How many do you see?

One, two, three, four.

(count down till there are none)

*This one is sourced as coming from my immense flannel cabinet. 

Two Little Blackbirds:

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill,

One named Jack and the other named Jill.

Fly away Jack, Fly away Jill.

Come back Jack, Come back Jill.

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill,

One named Jack and the other named Jill.

If You're a Tree Animal and You Know it (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know it"):

If you're a bird and you know it, "Chirp, Chirp",

If you're a bird and you know it, "Chirp, Chirp",

If you're a bird and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're a bird and you know it, "Chirp, Chirp".

Other verses:

If you're an owl and you know it, "Hoot, Hoot"

If you're a squirrel and you know it, dig for nuts

The Five Senses

Our theme for week #4 was the five senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. This was a little more difficult than I initially anticipated because it is hard to find books that are specifically about the five senses. It was broader to find books that were about animal sounds or colors (sight) so my rhymes and fingerplays were about the five senses and the books were broadly tied into the theme. 

Books:

Toddler Books:

My Five Senses - Aliki (I paper-clipped certain pages)

Five for a Little One - Chris Raschka

Baby Bear Sees Blue - Ashley Wolff

Preschool Books:

Five for a Little One - Chris Raschka

We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen

Duck! Rabbit! - Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Baby Bear Sees Blue - Ashley Wolff

*We're Going on a Bear Hunt was a HUGE hit. I had the parents help me make the beating sound on their legs as I repeated the verse and had the kids and parents make each of the sounds for every object we encountered along the way. It took a good portion of storytime to go through the entire book but it was captivating and such a good time! The kids loved it and I really enjoyed performing it. Just make sure you know the book really well - it makes it more enjoyable if you know what you're going to do next (and if you can run back through each of the locations as you run from the bear!).

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

Red is the Color I See:

Red, red is the color I see,

If you're wearing red, then show it to me!

Stand up, take a bow, turn around,

Show me your red and sit back on the ground.

(repeat with other colors that the children are wearing)

Source: King County Library System

My Eyes are Made for Seeing (Tune: "The Bear Went Over the Mountain"):

My eyes are made for seeing.

My eyes are made for seeing.

My eyes are made for seeing.

So I can see my world.

Other verses: Ears (for hearing), Nose (for smelling), Mouth (for tasting), Hands (for touching).

Source: Miss Meg's Storytime

Parts of the Body:

If there is a bird you want to hear,

You have to listen with your ____.

If you want to dig in the sand,

Hold the shovel in your ____.

To see an airplane as if flies,

You must open up your ____.

To smell a violet or a rose,

You sniff the fragrance through your ____.

When you walk across the street,

You use two things you call your _____.

East and West, North and South,

To eat or talk you use your ____.

Source: Pierce County Library

Jungle

Week #3 was the theme of Jungle and Rainforest. This is a really fun topic because there are so many different animals, books, and rhymes you can use/talk about.

Books:

Toddler Books:

Starry Safari - Linda Ashman

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones - Claire Freedman

Tiny Little Fly - Michael Rosen

Preschool Books:

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild - Peter Brown
Hippo Goes Bananas! - Marjorie Dennis Murray
What to do if an Elephant Stands on Your Foot - Michelle Robinson

Tiny Little Fly - Michael Rosen

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

If You're a Jungle Animal and You Know it (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know it"):

If you're an elephant and you know it, stomp your feet,

If you're an elephant and you know it, stomp your feet,

If you're an elephant and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're an elephant and you know it, stomp your feet,

Other verses:

If you're a monkey and you know, jump up and down. 

If you're a crocodile and you know it, snap your jaws.

If you're a lion and you know it, give a roar. 

Five Little Monkeys:

Five little monkeys, swinging in the tree,

Taunting Mr. Crocodile, "You can't catch me."

Along comes Mr. Crocodile,

As quiet as can be and...SNAP.

Four little monkeys...(count down)

Three; Two; One;

Last line, after he eats the last lone monkey: "And away swims Mr. Crocodile, as full as can be."

Several versions found here: King County Library System

*At my library we use finger-puppet monkeys and a puppet crocodile. Our crocodile puppet bites off one of the finger-puppet monkeys after each verse. The kids LOVE this. 

The Monkey Dance - a song by The Wiggles

Harvest

Week #2 was the theme of Harvest. This could be harvesting the fields for the fall, gardening, or anything in between. 

Books:

Toddler Books:

Lola Plants a Garden - Anna McQuinn

What Does Bunny See?: A Book of Colors and Flowers - Linda Sue Park

Preschool Books:

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! - Candace Fleming

My Garden - Kevin Henkes

Lola Plants a Garden - Anna McQuinn

What Does Bunny See?: A Book of Colors and Flowers - Linda Sue Park

Red are the Apples - Marc Harshman

Rhymes/Songs/Fingerplays:

Colorful Butterflies:

The first to come to the garden bed

Is a lovely butterfly of brilliant RED

Then in comes another and that makes two,

Fly right in my friend of BLUE.

"This garden is fine, the best I've seen"

Says the butterfly of softest GREEN.

Our garden needs a sunny fellow,

Fly in butterfly with wings of YELLOW.

Little friend of PURPLE, fly in too,

The garden is waiting for a color like you.

ORANGE, orange, you've waited so long,

Fly right in where you belong.

Butterflies, butterflies, you're such a sight,

Flying together, what a delight!

Source: Perry Public Library

If You're an Insect and You Know it (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know it"):

If you're a butterfly and you know it, flap your wings.

If you're a butterfly and you know it, flap your wings.

If you're a butterfly and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're a butterfly and you know it, flap your wings.

Other verses:

If you're a cricket and you know it, jump up and down.

If you're an ant and you know it, stomp your feet.

In My Garden (Raffi):

Lyrics:

Digging, Digging,

This is how we dig the ground, In our garden, In our garden

Digging, Digging,

This is how we dig the ground, Early in the morning.

Hoeing, Hoeing,

This is how we hoe the weeds, In our garden, In our garden

Hoeing, Hoeing, 

This is how we hoe the weeds, Early in the morning.

Planting, Planting,

This is how we plant the seeds, In our garden, In our garden

Planting, Planting,

This is how we plant the seeds, Early in the morning.

Growing, Growing,

This is how the peas will grow, In our garden, In our garden

Growing, Growing,

This is how the peas will grow, Early in the morning.

Picking, Picking,

This is how we'll pick the peas, In our garden, In our garden

Picking, Picking,

This is how we'll pick the peas, Early in the morning.

Eating, Eating,

This is how we'll eat those peas, From our garden, From our garden

Eating, Eating,

This is how we'll eat those peas, Early in the morning.

Reptiles

The first week of Fall 2014 Toddler and Preschool storytimes was the theme of Reptiles.

Books:

Toddler Books:
The Watermelon Seed - Greg Pizzoli
Hoptoad - Jane Yolen

Preschool Books:
There's an Alligator Under My Bed - Mercer Mayer
Hurry Up and Slow Down - Layn Marlow
Hi, Harry! - Martin Waddell
The Watermelon Seed - Greg Pizzoli

Rhymes/Fingerplays/Songs:

If You're a Reptile and You Know It:

If you’re a frog and you know it, hop up and down,

If you're a frog and you know it, hop up and down.

If you're a frog and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're a frog and you know it, hop up and down.

Other verses:

If you’re an alligator and you know it, snap your jaws

If you’re a snake and you know it, slither to-and-fro

I Have a Little Turtle:
I have a little turtle  (make a fist—stick out thumb)
He lives in a box (draw square in the air)
He swims in the puddles (pretend to swim)
And climbs on the rocks (pretend to climb)
He snapped at a mosquito (pinch air with fingers)
He snapped at a flea
He snapped at a minnow
And he snapped at me!
He caught the mosquito  (clap hands once)
He caught the flea
He caught the minnow
But he didn’t catch me! (shake head “no”)
Source: Perry Public Library

Song and flannels: "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" by Raffi
We have frog flannels that I used to go along with the rhyme!
Lyrics:
Five green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there are four green speckled frogs (gulp, gulp)
(count down till zero)

And I'm back!

As a new (official) librarian, it has taken me a few months to get settled and into the groove of how things work around here. But now that I feel as though I've finally gotten the hang of it, as well as appreciating a much needed intermission between storytime sessions, I am ready to play catch-up!

I will be adding the storytime themes from my Fall 2014 session over the next few weeks. I am updating my song list as I have had time to look through the songs available in the vast music collection here at my library (most of which do not translate well to storytime). I also had the opportunity to go to a librarian retreat/workshop offered through my state's Library Association. It was a wonderful experience and I was able to take what I learned and bring it back to my library (I also learned of more songs to use in storytime that toddlers and preschoolers respond well to!).

Lastly, I purchased a ukulele last month to use in storytime. As it has been years and years since I have not only played any instrument, but also since I took a few measly guitar lessons, it has been interesting trying to teach myself some simple chords to play at storytime. I'm excited for the next storytime session to start back up in January to bust out the ukulele and play for my kids!