Construction and Tools – Storybox

Posted on January 6, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

My library system has one central location and 9 branches. To make storytime programming easier for all involved, we use storyboxes. These are “storytimes in a box”. They contain everything a storyteller would need for a successful storytime including books, videos, fingerplays and crafts. Ideally, there should be enough variety that the box can be used for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and lower elementary ages. I’m trying to catch up on a few of these that I’ve been meaning to post for a while. This one I created for our Summer 2014 Rotation.

Books to Build On! Stories about Construction and Tools

BOOKS:

Raise the Roof! by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith
Minerva Louise and the Red Truck by Janet Morgan Stoeke
One Big Building: A Counting Book About Construction by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Todd Ouren

I Love Tools! by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman, illustrated by Ahsley Wolff
Toolbox Twins by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Melissa Iwai

Digger and Tom by Sebastian Braun
Construction Kitties by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern
The Toolbox by Anne & Harlow Rockwell

The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler ; illustrated by Bob Kolar
Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Digger Man by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
Construction Countdown by K.C. Olson, illustrated by David Gordon
The Construction Crew by Lynn Meltzer, illustrated Carrie Eko-Burgess
Get To Work Trucks! by Don Carter
Monkey with a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe
johnson-those-building-men
Dazzling Diggers by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker
I Drive a Dump Truck by Sarah Bridges ; illustrated by Derrick Alderman & Denise Shea
Those Building Men by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Barry Moser

Tools Rule! by Aaron Meshon
Trucks by Debbie Powell
Dig! by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

Additional Books that I didn’t get in time, but would be great for this theme:
Monster Trucks by Mark Todd
A Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa by Jonathan London, illustrated by Denis Roche
Machines at Work by Byron Barton

FLANNELBOARDS:

5 Little Nails

Pieces Needed

5 nails
Hammer

Five little nails
Standing straight and steady.
Here comes the carpenter
With a hammer ready!
Bam! Bam! Bam! (remove one nail.)

Four little nails…
Three little nails…

Two little nails…
One little nail.

(from: Roginski, Dawn R. A Year in the Story Room: Ready-to-Use Programs for Children. Chicago: ALA Editions. 2014. Pg110.)

Construction Bear Flannelboard

Pieces Needed:

Bear – Safety Glasses
Blue Pants – Tape Measure
Orange Vest – Level
Boots – Hammer
Hat

(to tune of: “Dwarf Working Song” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work Bear goes
With thick work pants and a safety vest
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work Bear goes
With steel toed boots and a hard hat
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work Bear goes
With safety glasses and a tape measure
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work Bear goes
With a long level and a hammer
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho

(found from this pin http://www.pinterest.com/pin/515662226053604753/ and Heart felt stories http://heartfeltstories.ca/construction-bear.html)

Old MacDonald Had Some Tools

Pieces Needed:

Hammer
Drill
Pliers
Wrench
Saw
Screwdriver

Old MacDonald had some tools, E-I-E-I-O.
And with those tools he had a hammer, E-I-E-I-O.
With a bang, bang, here and a bang, bang, there.
Here a bang, there a bang, everywhere a bang, bang,
Old MacDonald had some tools, E-I-E-I-O.

Other verses:
A saw that went see-saw
A wrench that turn-turned
A screwdriver that would twist-twist
Pliers that pinch-pinch
And a drill that went ZZZZ-ZZZZ

(from: Read It Again! http://misssarahsstorytime.blogspot.com/2012/04/flannel-friday-tools.html)

MOVEMENT, SONGS, AND FINGERPLAYS:

Johnny Works with One Hammer
Johnny works with one hammer, (move one hand up and down like using hammer)
one hammer, one hammer.
Johnny works with one hammer,
Then he works with two. (move two hands up and down like using hammer.)

Johnny works with two hammers… Then he works with three.
(hammer with both hands and stamp one foot on floor.)
Johnny works with three hammers… Then he works with four.
(hammer with both hands and stamp both feet on floor.)
Johnny works with four hammers… Then he works with five.
(hammer with both hands, stamp both feet on floor, and nod head up and down.)
Johnny works with five hammers… Then he goes to sleep.
(hammer with both hands, stamp feet on floor, nod head, then rest head on joined palms & pretend to go to sleep.)

(from: Roginski, Dawn R. A Year in the Story Room: Ready-to-Use Programs for Children. Chicago: ALA Editions. 2014. Pg110.)

Building a House
Building a house is lots of work,
(wipe brow.)
First, you dig up lots of dirt.
(Pretend to dig.)
Then you pour a concrete floor,
(Touch floor.)
And pound boards with nails galore.
(Pretend to hammer.)
Doors and windows go in fast,
(Draw squares in air with finger.)
Now your house is done at last.
(Clasp hands together above head.)

(from: Thom, Diane “Building a House.” 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays. Compiled by The Totline Staff. Washington: Warren Publishing House. 1994. p95.)

My Little House
I’m going to build a little house
With windows wide and bright.
(stretch arms out to sides.)
With chimney tall and curling smoke
Rising out of sight.
(stand tall, spiral hand upward.)
In winter when the snowflakes fall,
(twinkle fingers down like falling snow.)
Or when I hear a storm,
(cup hand behind ear.)
I’ll go and sit inside my house
Where I’ll be snug and warm.
(hug self.)

(from: 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays. Compiled by The Totline Staff. Washington: Warren Publishing House. 1994. p95.)

Building a Skyscraper
Brick by brick
By brick by brick.
My building’s so high
It’s scraping the sky.
(Place fists one on top of the other, going higher each time.)

Brick by brick
by brick by brick.
My Building will sway
When the wind blows this way.
(Sway left, then right.)

Brick by brick
by brick by brick.
Now I’m ready to stop
And a flag goes on top.
(Open one fist and wave hand left and right.)

(from: Reedy, Polly. 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays. Compiled by The Totline Staff. Washington: Warren Publishing House. 1994. p95.)

She’ll Be Driving a Bulldozer
(Tune: “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”)

She’ll be driving a bulldozer
When she comes.
Push it back! (Hold hands palm out and move them away from body.)

She’ll be driving a bulldozer,
She’ll be driving a bulldozer,
She’ll be driving a bulldozer,
When she comes.
Push it back! (Hold hands palm out and move them away from body.)

She’ll be running a big digger when she comes.
Scoop it up! (Make a scooping motion with hands.)

She’ll be running a big digger,
She’ll be running a big digger,
She’ll be running a big digger,
When she comes.

Scoop it up! Push it back! (Perform both motions.)

Other verses:
She’ll be working a dirt-dumper… Look out below! (Cup hands around mouth.)
She’ll be on a cement mixer… Shake it up! (Shake your body.)
She’ll be steering a steamroller… Roll it flat! (Twirl arms around each other.)
She’ll be driving a street-sweeper… Clean it up! (Make sweeping motions with hands).

(taken from Reid, Rob. Storytime Slam! 15 Lesson Plans for Preschool and Primary Story Programs. Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin: Upstart Books. p8)

The Carpenter
The carpenter’s hammer goes rap, rap, rap.
(prentend to hammer.)
And his saw goes see-saw-see.
(Pretend to saw.)
He hammers and hammers, and saws and saws,
(Pretend to hammer, then saw.)
To build a house for me.
(Form roof shape with fingers.)

(from: 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays. Compiled by The Totline Staff. Washington: Warren Publishing House. 1994. p95.)

Construction Worker Song
(to tune of: “Here we Go Round the Mulberry Bush.”)

This is the way we pound our nails,
pound our nails, pound our nails.
This is the way we pound our nails,
So early in the morning

Other verses:
saw our wood
use a screwdriver
drill a hole
stack the bricks
paint the walls
stir the paint

(from PreKFun at http://www.prekfun.com/themes/PREKthemes/A-F/Construction/Construction__Songs.htm)

Cranes
Cranes reach up
(reach up)
Cranes reach down
(reach down)
Cranes reach out,
(reach straight out.)
And all around.
(turn around).

(from PreKFun at http://www.prekfun.com/themes/PREKthemes/A-F/Construction/Construction__Songs.htm)

Where Are Trucks?
(to tune of “Where is Thumbkin?”)

Where is bulldozer? Where is bulldozer?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Drive away. Drive away.
(Excavator, crane, backhoe, loader)

(Inspired by Storytime Katie http://storytimekatie.com/2011/04/21/trucks/)

Here is a Steam Shovel

Here is a steam shovel. (Hold right forearm erect, hand drooping)
And here is the ground. (two arms enclose area)
See the great boom (right elbow stationary, forearm moving side to side)
Swing round and round.

It dips, it bites, (forearms dips, thumb and fingers in grasping motion)
It lifts, it throws (forearm lifts, thumb and fingers spin)
My, how the hole in the ground grows! (two hands enclose circle)

Digging, scooping,
Lifting, throwing,
See how the hill (forearms with hands meeting)
Beside it is growing.

(from http://core.kdla.ky.gov/kdla_core/sites/default/files/Resources%20for%20a%20Construction%20Themed%20Storytime.pdf)

VIDEOS:

“Changes, Changes” from There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly … and More Sing-Along Favorites. Based on the book by Pat Hutchins
“I’m Dirty” from I’m Dirty … and More Stories of Adventure and Science. Based on the Book by Kate & Jim McMullan

“Henry Builds a Cabin” from The True Story of the Three Little Pigs… and More Animal Adventures. Based on the book by D.B. Johnson

CRAFTS:

Moveable Dump Truck Craft
Materials needed:

Construction paper
Dump truck coloring page
Brads
Scissors
Glue
Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers

Have children color in the dump truck however they wish. Cut out the dump truck, and then cut the “dump container” away from the base of the truck. Glue the base of the truck to the construction paper, if you wish. Then, insert a brad to hold the dump container to the base of the dump truck on the construction paper. Now you have a dump container that moves up and down!

(Idea taken from: Storytime Katie http://storytimekatie.com/2012/04/18/construction/ and Texas State Library https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/projects/trc/2011/manual/toddler_digdown.html )

My Toolbox Craft

Materials needed:

Construction paper
Tools coloring page (the link I had used or this is defunct, but I bet you can find one!)
Toolbox Template
Scissors
Glue
Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers

To prep the craft: Fold the construction paper in half so the folded area is on the bottom.

Fold it in half vertically, and use the Toolbox template to cut out a toolbox shape from the construction paper.

Have children color the tools any way they wish, as well as the tool box inside and outside. Cut out the tools, then glue those to the inside of the “toolbox” made from construction paper.

Idea inspired by: Hand Me Down Ideas: https://handmedownideas.wordpress.com/tag/tool-box/

Toolbelt Craft

Materials needed:

– Construction paper cut into about 3.5” strips
– Tools coloring page (found http://www.preschool-learning-and-crafts.com/support-files/fathers-day-tools.pdf from Preschool Learning Crafts)
– Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers
– Scissors
– Stapler OR String and Hole Punch
– Glue

Have children color the tools, and then cut them out. Give them one strip of the construction paper and have them glue the tools so that they are halfway hanging off the paper. When the child has completed this, have them come to an adult helper to have them staple additional strips together to make a “toolbelt” that fits loosely around the hips. If you prefer, you can punch holes in the ends of the construction paper and tie the belt around the child’s hips that way.

Idea taken from: Kiboomu Kids Songs http://kiboomukidssongs.com/labor-day-song-and-carpenter-tool-belt-craft/ and Sunflower Storytime http://sunflowerstorytime.com/2013/07/11/construction-time/ )

Let’s Dance – Storybox

Posted on July 6, 2016 by jeninthelibrary

My library system has one central location and 9 branches. To make storytime programming easier for all involved, we use storyboxes. These are “storytimes in a box”. They contain everything a storyteller would need for a successful storytime including books, videos, fingerplays and crafts. Ideally, there should be enough variety that the box can be used for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and lower elementary ages. The boxes are routed from branch to branch so that each week a branch has a different storytime ready to go. You don’t have to use the storyboxes, but they are there as an option when you need them.

Let’s Dance!

BOOKS:

Dancing in My Bones by Sylvia Andrews, illustrated by Ellen Mueller
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil
Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth, illustrated by Jane Porter

Down by the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton, pictures by Guy Parker-Rees
Brontorina by James Howe, illustrated by Randy Cecil
Wiggle by Doreen Cronin, art by Scott Menchin

Giant Dance Party by Bird
Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown
Sailor Boy Jig by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Dance with Me by Charles R. Smith, Jr., illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
Let’s Dance Grandma! written and illustrated by Nigel McMullen
Rain Dance by Kathi Appelt, pictures by Emilie Chollat

Rupert Can Dance by Jules Feiffer
Catty Jane Who Loved to Dance by Valeri Gorbachev
Bea at Ballet by Rachel Isadora

Barn Dance! by Pat Hutchins
Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont, pictures by Jennifer Plecas

Rap a Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles – Think of That! by Leo & Diane Dillon
Hilda Must Be Dancing! by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Suzanne Watts
I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison

How Can You Dance? by Rick Walton and Ana López-Escrivá
My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by Eric Valasquez
Zombelina by Kristyn Crow, illustrated by Molly Idle

FLANNELBOARDS:

5 Ballet Dancers

(I know there are 6 dancers in the picture – I made one extra in case.) I had made me a version of this flannelboard and it was colored in pellon. I didn’t want to put my originals in the storybox in case they got lost or some pieces went missing, so I color photo-copied the pieces, cut them out, laminated them, and then put felt on the back. I was suprised at how well it worked!)

Five ballet dancers
Prancing on their toes
They twirl and spin and jump
Then off the stage one goes.

4 ballet dancers…
3 ballet dancers…
2 ballet dancers…

One ballet dancer
Prancing on his/her toes
S/He twirls and spins and jumps
Then off the stage s/he goes.

No more dancers! The performance is over.
And what do we do at the end of a performance?
We applaud! (clap)

(taken from Storytimes Online http://youthliterature.com/storytimes/artslit/dancing.pdf)

(Loyal readers may recognize this set from some I had made earlier. I have my own personal version of this flannelboard that I made out of pellon and colored with crayon. I didn’t want to put my originals in the storybox in case they got lost or some pieces went missing, so I color photo-copied the pieces, cut them out, laminated them, and then put felt on the back. I was surprised at how well it worked!)

Wee Red Shoes: Dance Edition

Once there were some wee red shoes. They lived in a shoe shop. They lived there a long time. “This is no fun,” said one wee red shoe. “I want to dance,” said the other wee red shoes. So they danced out of the shoe shop. They danced down the street: tippy-tap, tippy-tap, tippy-tap.

They saw a hen. “Stop!” called Hen. “I want to wear you.” She jumped into the wee red shoes. “Now scratch!” said Hen. “We cannot scratch,” said wee red shoes. “Then I cannot wear you,” said Hen. “Dance away!” The wee red shoes danced along. They danced and danced – tippy-tap, tippy-tap, tippy-tap.

They saw a duck. “Stop!” called Duck. “I want to wear you.” She jumped into the wee red shoes. “Now swim!” said Duck. “We cannot swim,” said wee red shoes. “Then I cannot wear you,” said Hen. “Dance away!” The wee red shoes danced along. They danced and danced – tippy-tap, tippy-tap, tippy-tap.

They saw a dog. “Stop!” called Dog. “I want to wear you.” He jumped into the wee red shoes. “Now run!” said dog. “We cannot run,” said wee red shoes. “And, anyway, you need four shoes. There are only two of us!” “Then I cannot wear you,” said Dog. “Dance away!” The wee red shoes danced along. They danced and danced – tippy-tap, tippy-tap, tippy-tap.

They saw a young girl. She was barefoot. She was crying. The little red shoes jumped on the girl’s feet. She looked down and saw the shoes. She stopped crying.

“Will you wear us?” asked the wee red shoes. “We will dance for you.”

“Will you dance in class?” asked the girl. “I have a lot to learn.”

“Yes!” answered the wee red shoes. “We will dance and help you learn every day.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” said the girl. “Now I can take dance lessons!”

The wee red shoes were happy. The young girl was happy. And away they went to dance class – tippy-tap, tippy-tap, tippy-tap.

(adapted from: Anderson, Paul S. Story Telling with the Flannel Board: Book One. Art work by Miss Irene Francis. T.S. Denison & Co: Minneapolis, Minn. 1962. Pg 67-69.)

MOVEMENT, SONGS, AND FINGERPLAYS:

Tommy Thumbs
Tommy thumbs are up, (thumbs up)
Tommy thumbs are down. (thumbs down)
Tommy thumbs are dancing, (move thumbs up and down)
All around the town.
Dance them on your shoulders, (tap thumbs on shoulders)
Dance them on your head, (tap thumbs on head)
Dance them on your knees, (tap thumbs on knee)
And tuck them into bed. (tuck thumbs under opposite arms)

Put your two arms up,
And put your two arms down.
Make your two arms do
A dance around the town.
Straighten them in front,
And straighten them in back,
Bend them to the sides,
And now you lay them flat.

(from: Northport-East Northport Public Library: http://www.nenpl.org/childrens/bibliographies/titles/rhymes.php)

Penny Thumbkin
Penny Thumbkin upstairs, (move thumbs upward)
Penny Thumbkin down, (move thumbs below shoulders)
Penny Thumbkin dancing (dance thumbs)
All around the town.

Dancing on my shoulders (dance thumbs on shoulders)
Dancing on my head (dance thumbs on head)
Dancing on my knees now (dance thumbs on knees)
Tuck them into bead (tuck thumbs under arms)

Other verses:
Pointer finger, tall finger, ring finger, pinky finger, Family (all fingers)

(From Briggs, Diane. Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Love. Illustrated by Thomas Briggs. American Library Association: Chicago. 2007.)

Dancing Sheep
Shhh! It’s time to go to sleep
(put finger to mouth, pretend to sleep)
But into my bedroom one sheep creeps.
(creep fingers)

“Don’t go to bed,” the one sheep said.
“I would rather dance instead!”

Soon he was… (draw these words out)
Dancing on the ceiling!
(move hands above head in “dancing” motion)
He was dancing on the floor!
(move hands on floor as mentioned above)
He was dancing on the window!
(move hands to one side)
He was dancing on the door!
(move hands to other side)

He kept on…

Dancing on the ceiling!
(sing faster)
He was dancing on the floor!
He was dancing on the window!
He was dancing on the door!
(repeat several times getting faster each time through)

“Stop that dancing, silly sheep.
It is time to go to sleep!”

Soon the sheep lay on the floor.
Soon the sheep began to snore.

So I started … (draw these words out)
Dancing on the ceiling!
I was dancing on the floor!
I was dancing on the window!
I was dancing on the door!

(from: Dailey, Susan M. http://www.susanmdailey.com/fingerplays.html You can hear the song at this website: http://www.susanmdailey.com/Dancing_Sheep.mp3 )

Busy Fingers
This is the way my fingers stand,
Fingers stand, fingers stand,
This is the way my fingers stand
So early in the morning.
This is the way they dance about,
Dance about, dance about
This is the way they dance about
So early in the morning.
This is the way I fold my hands,
Fold my hands, fold my hands
This is the way I fold my hands,
So early in the morning.
This is the way they go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep
This is the way they go to sleep
So early in the morning.

(from: Canton Public Library. https://www.cantonpl.org/youth/parents/poems/fingerplays/s-z )

Dance Thumbkin Dance
Dance, thumbkin, dance!
(hold thumb upward in a closed right fist)
Dance, thumbkin, dance!
Thumbkin cannot dance alone,
So dance, my merry men, every one,
(Hold up left hand fingers in motion)
And dance, thumbkin, dance!
(Thumb joins in movement)

Dance, foreman, dance!
(Close right hand,
point pointer finger upward,
hand still remain in position)

Dance, foreman, dance!
Foreman cannot dance alone,
So dance, my merry men, ev’ry one,
(Hold up left hand fingers in motion)

Dance, Pointer, dance…
Dance, Middleman, dance…
Dance, Ringman, dance….
Dance, Littleman, dance….
(taken from Storytimes Online http://youthliterature.com/storytimes/artslit/dancing.pdf)

Dance Your Fingers Up
Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down
Dance your fingers to the side, dance them all around
Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on you head
Dance them on your tummy, and put them all to bed

(taken from Storytime Katie: http://storytimekatie.com/songs-rhymes/master-list/ )

The Hokey Pokey
Put your right hand in, put your right hand out
Put your right hand in, and you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about.
Put your left hand in…
Put your right foot in…
Put your left foot in…
Put your head in…
Put your whole self in…

Who Wants to Dance?
Who wants to dance? Who wants to dance?
Let me show you how to get, get, get down.
Who wants to dance? Who wants to dance?
Let me show you how to get, get, get down.

Everybody wash the windows…
Everybody drive the car…
Everybody do the swim…
Everybody climb the rope…

(from Songs for Teaching. http://www.songsforteaching.com/specialeducation/dancetherapy/whowantstodance.htm )

Dancing Bears
In the forest, when the moon is bright,
(whump, whump, whump)
All the bears go dancing in the light,
(thump, thump, thump)
‘Round a circle they do go,
Bear-y stiff and bear-y slow,
Singing with a bearish sort of sound,
(grump, (grump, grump, grump)

In the field between the ‘tato rows,
(hush, hush, hush)
All the mice are dancing on their toes
(shush, shush, shush)
If the cat should change to roam,
They would all go running home
down their holes they’d scampler in a flash,
(mush, mush, mush).

(from: Storytimes Online http://youthliterature.com/storytimes/artist/dancing.pdf)

Boogie-Woogie Washer Woman
Way down the road (shade hand over eyes, look into distance)
Where nobody goes (shake finger “no”)
There’s a boogie-woogie washer woman washing her clothes (boogie side to side)
Scrub, scrub, here (scrub invisible clothing on one knee)
Scrub, scrub, there (scrub on other knee)
Scrub those stains right out of there (move thumb to side “outta there”)
She goes: scrub, scrub (scrub on one knee, then other, step forward each time)
A-boogie, a-woogie (do the boogie, taking two steps backward)
Scrub, scrub and a-boogie some more (repeat action of above line)
She goes: scrub, scrub, a-boogie, a-woogie (repeat action)
Just a boogie-woogie washer woman washing her clothes (boogie, turn in a circle)
Yeah! (jazz hands)

(from http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/songbook/songs3/S3_8.htm )

Leaves in the Wind
(to tune of “Ring Around the Rosy”)

Dance and twirl together
Like leaves in windy weather
Twirling, swirling
We all Fall down!

From Briggs, Diane. Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Love. Illustrated by Thomas Briggs. American Library Association: Chicago. 2007.

Here We Go Looby Loo
(Join hands and go around in a circle; suit actions to words)

Here we go looby loo,
Here we go looby light,
Here we go looby loo,
All on a Saturday night.
You put your right hand in
You put your right hand out
You give your hand a shake, shake shake
And turn yourself about.

Repeat with : left hand, right foot, left foot, whole self

From: Briggs, Diane. Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Love. Illustrated by Thomas Briggs. American Library Association: Chicago. 2007.

Dance, Children, Dance! A Rhyme from Germany
Dance, children, dance about! (dance)
Let your shoes in and out (kick feet)
If one should break than we don’t care (wrench fists apart to show breaking shoe)
The cobbler will make you another pair (mime hammering on shoe)
So dance, children, dance. (dance)

Now dance fast (repeat rhyme at a fast pace)…

Now dance slowly (repeat rhyme at a slow pace)…

From: MacMillan, Kathy and Christine Kirker. Multicultural Storytime Magic. American Library Association: Chicago. 2012.

LET’S DANCE MUSIC TRACKS:
Because this was a dancing themed storytime, it felt like I needed to include some fun music to get up and groove to. Here’s the tracks I included in the storybox on a cd.

Track 1: “Don’t Make Me Dance” by Tom Chapin from Some Assembly Required

Track 2: “Hands are for Clapping” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song and Other Contageous Tunes

Track 3: “Silly Dance Contest” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song and Other Contageous Tunes

Track 4: “Spaghetti Legs” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Sings The Sneezing Song and Other Contageous Tunes

Track 5: “List of Dances” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Makes it Noisy in Boise, Idaho

Track 6: “Let’s Dance Now” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Makes it Noisy in Boise, Idaho”

Track 7: “I Changed My Mind” by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Presents Music Play for Folks of All Stripes

Track 8: “If Animals Could Dance” by The Learning Station from La Di Da, La Di Di, Dance with Me

Track 9: “Jump Up, Bend Down” The Learning Station from La Di Da, La Di Di, Dance with Me

Track 10: “Here We Go Looby Loo” by Wee Sing from The Best of Wee Sing

Track 11: “The Chicken Dance”

Track 12: “Shake Your Sillies Out” by Raffi from More Singable Songs

CRAFTS:

Dancing Giraffe

Materials Needed:

Dancing Giraffe Coloring Pages
Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers
Scissors
Brads

Directions:

Have children color in the giraffe any way they like. Cut out the pieces, and then assemble the giraffe using brads. Ask the children if they can make the giraffe dance by moving the different body parts.

If you want this craft to go faster, you may want to cut out the giraffe pieces beforehand.

(taken from: http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/giraffescantdance.htm and http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/_files/dancinggiraffe.pdf )

Dancing Raisins Science Experiment
Who taught these raisins to dance, anyway? Go on – gather up some raisins, turn up the music, and get ready for a raisin romp.

Materials Needed:

Clear drinking glasses
Raisins
Clear carbonated beverages (7Up, Tonic Water, etc.)

Additional Materials:

Macaroni
Spaghetti
Lentils
Craisins
Corn
Dried Blueberries

Experiment:

Fill the glass with soda.
Drop 10-15 raisins into the soda.
Focus all of your attention on those raisins. Are they moving? Yes! They’re floating, they’re bobbing up and down, they’re dancing!

Dancing Raisins Variation:

Set up your drinking glasses with different types of soda.
See which type of soda makes the best dancing raisins.
Try using all of the same type of soda but different kinds of “dancers.”
Throw in macaroni, noodles, lentils, craisins, even corn!
Which combination of soda and dancers “performs” the best show?
Keep experimenting until you find the best combination

For more explanation of why/how this works visit the sources I used.

(Idea taken from: Steve Spangler Science http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/dancing-raisins-the-bubble-lifter and Juggling with Kids http://www.jugglingwithkids.com/2011/08/dancing-raisins.html )

Dance Wands

Materials needed:

Popsicle Sticks
Crepe Paper
Glue or Glue Sticks

Directions:

To prep the craft: Have crepe paper cut.

Have children glue the crepe paper streamers (about 2 or 3 strands) to the popsicle stick.

Then dance and move and see those streamers go.

Idea taken from PreK Read and Play: https://prekreadplay.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/storytime-share-gross-motor-movement-and-coordination-1/

Dancing Finger Puppets

Materials Needed:

Finger puppet template
Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers
Scissors

Directions:

Have children color in the puppet or puppets of their choice.

Cut the puppet from the page, and then cut the two circles on the bottom out as well from each puppet.

Have the children put their fingers through the holes at the bottom of each puppet and make their puppet dance!

If you would like to make this craft faster, do the cutting ahead of time.

Taken from: http://www.wikipekes.com/titeres-de-dedo-recortables.html

Bell Bracelets

Materials needed:

– Chenille Stems or Pipe Cleaners

– Jingle Bells (about 3 per bracelet)

– Scissors

Have children thread 3 jingle bells through the pipe cleaner. Wrap the ends around each other to make the correct size bracelet for each child.

If the pipe cleaner is really long, use the scissors to cut to size.

If you are worried about the sharp ends of the pipe cleaner, before beginning the bracelet fold the ends (just 1/4 of an inch or so) onto itself. This will create a tip that is not quite so sharp.

Idea taken from: My Nearest and Dearest http://mynearestanddearest.com/jingle-bell-bracelets/

Bugs Dancing Coloring Page

Materials Needed:

Coloring pages
Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers

Directions:
Have the children color in their sheets any way they like.

Extend the Learning:
Let the kids know that honeybees acutally dance to communicate! They use something called a “waggle dance”, a “shake” dance, and a “tremble” dance.

For more information on the bee dance visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees/hivecomm.html

Coloring page adapted from:
http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/bees-dance-coloring-page/

I’m Lost – Storybox

Posted on December 4, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

My library system has one central location and 9 branches. To make storytime programming easier for all involved, we use storyboxes. These are “storytimes in a box”. They contain everything a storyteller would need for a successful storytime including books, videos, fingerplays and crafts. Ideally, there should be enough variety that the box can be used for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and lower elementary ages. Here’s the latest storybox I put together for rotation.

I’m Lost! Find Your Way with These Fun Stories!

BOOKS:

The Missing Chick by Valeri Gorbachev
Don’t Get Lost! by Pat Hutchins
Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root

Waddle, Waddle, Quack, Quack, Quack by Barbara Anne Skalak
Where is Home, Little Pip? by Karma Wilson
Puffin Peter by Petr Horacek

Looking for Luna by Tim Myers
What’s the Matter, Bunny Blue by Nicola Smee
I Lost My Dad! by Taro Gomi

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown
Bunny My Honey by Anita Jeram
Otis and the Puppy by Loren Long

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Lost Sloth by J. Otto Seibold
Dog Gone! by Leeza Hernandez

Nini Lost and Found by Anita Lobel
Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
Itsy Bitsy Baby Mouse by Michelle Meadows

If a Chicken Stayed for Supper by Carrie Weston
Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw
Lost! by David McPahil

FLANNELBOARDS:

Little Mouse is Lost

For this one, I just use my Little Mouse, Little Mouse flannelboard, and change the story a bit.

I asked my friend Little Mouse to come visit me. But I have been waiting now for a long time and he still isn’t here! I think Little Mouse ended up at the wrong house! Can you help me find him?
(Put all colored houses on the board with the mouse hiding behind one, then say this rhyme:)
Little Mouse, Little Mouse, are you in the _(color)_ house?
(Lift off house to see if mouse is there. Continue until Mouse is found.)

Little Lost Joey

Pattern and Story taken from: Briggs, Diane. Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Love. American Library Association, 2007. Pg 87.

Place the joey on the flannelboard and add each character on cue according to the poem. On “ran to his mommy with glee,” place the mother kangaroo on the board and put the joey in her pouch. The pouch is glued so it is loose and open at the top to insert the joey into.

There was a little, lost joey
Whose name was Sonny Jim.
His mommy seemed to be missing.
Oh what a fix he was in!

He asked a duck if she’d seen her
As she was waddling down the road.
The duck looked around in her area
And said, “I can’t find her, dear, no.”

He asked a funny platypus
If his mommy he could find.
But the platypus shook his duck-billed head
And said, “I just don’t have the time.”

Next he asked a koala
With a sweet, little teddy bear face
If he had seen his mommy
And the koala said, “No, not a trace.”

Next came a chubby old wombat
And the joey asked her too
And when she couldn’t help him
He just didn’t know what to do.

It was then that a kookaburra
Flying high and as free as can be
Said, “Sonny Jim, dry up your tear drops.
She’s napping right under that tree.”

Sonny Jim jumped for joy
And ran to his mommy with glee.
He hopped in her pouch
Like a fuzzy old couch
And they jumped away happily.

Lost Larry

From: MacMillan, Kathy. A Box Full of Tales: Easy Ways to Share Library Resources through Story Boxes. American Library Association. 2008. pg 113.

Before storytime, hide these pieces around your storytime area.

You know, my friend Larry was always losing things. He would leave his socks lying outside on the lawn, or his hat in the car. He could never find anything! One day, his mom said to him, “Larry, if you’re not careful, you’re going to lose your whole self one of these days, piece by piece.” And do you know what happened? HE DID! Can you help me find him and put him back together?
Have children search the storytime room until all the pieces are found.
Who has Larry’s head? Can you bring it up to the flannelboard?
Repeat with other pieces.
Look at that! Silly Larry is all in one pieces again. Thanks for your help! I bet Larry will be a lot more careful about losing things from now on.

Start with the pieces in a bag. Take the bag around and have children pick out a body part, or piece of clothing. You can also use Larry’s torso in this version if you would like.

Who has Larry’s head? Can you bring it up to the flannelboard?
Repeat with other pieces.
Look at that! Silly Larry is all in one pieces again. Thanks for your help! I bet Larry will be a lot more careful about losing things from now on.

MOVEMENT, SONGS, AND FINGERPLAYS:

Police Officers Cheer
Who will help us when we’re lost?
Police Officers! Police officers!
Who will help us get home, whatever the cost?
Police Officers! Police officers!
So if you’re lost, look and see.
Police Officers! Police officers!
Who are good friends to you and me?
Police Officers! Police officers!

From: MacMillan, Kathy. A Box Full of Tales. American Library Association. 2008.

Lost at the Grocery Store
If you are at the grocery store,
And you suddenly you can’t see your grown-up anymore,
Here is just what you should do:
Find someone who works at the store
And he or she will help you!

From: MacMillan, Kathy. A Box Full of Tales. American Library Association. 2008.

Read a Map
(to the tune of “Brush Your Teeth”)
When you wake up in the morning, it’s a quarter to one,
And you want to have a little fun:
Read a map, cha-cha-cha-cha, cha-cha-cha-cha-cha
Read a map, cha-cha-cha-cha, cha-cha-cha-cha-cha

…quarter to two, and you don’t know what to do…
…quarter to three, and you don’t know where to be…
…quarter to four, and you’re trying to get out the door…
…quarter to five, and you’re helping mom and dad drive…
…quarter to six, and you want to go to your friend Nick’s…
…quarter to seven, and you want to find the 7-Eleven…
…quarter to eight, and you’ve got to be somewhere that just can’t wait…
…quarter to nine, and there’s a place you just can’t find…
…quarter to ten… fold up your map and go to bed!

From: MacMillan, Kathy. A Box Full of Tales. American Library Association. 2008.

My Dog Ran Away
My dog ran away! My dog ran away!
Oh, what can I say? My dog ran away!
I looked up high,
I looked down low,
I looked to the sides,
And in a circle like so.

I looked in the cupboards,
I looked in the drawer,
I looked under the bed,
And I looked on the floor.
I’ve looked in all those places I said,
But – what’s this> He’s on my head!

From: MacMillan, Kathy. A Box Full of Tales. American Library Association. 2008.

On Top of Spaghetti
(to tune of “On Top of Old Smokey”)
On top of spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball,
When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,
And on to the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.

It rolled in the garden,
And under a bush,
And then my poor meatball,
Was nothing but mush.

The mush was as tasty
As tasty could be,
And then the next summer,
It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,
All covered with moss,
And on it grew meatballs,
And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Whenever you sneeze.

From: Scout Songs

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo
Cock-a-doodle-doo,
My dame has lost her shoe! (Point to shoe)
My master’s lost his fiddling stick, (Pretend to play the fiddle)
And doesn’t know what to do, (Hold out hands and shrug shoulders)
And doesn’t know what to do, (Hold out hands and shrug shoulders)
And doesn’t know what to do, (Hold out hands and shrug shoulders)
My master’s lost his fiddling stick, (Pretend to play the fiddle)
And doesn’t know what to do. (Hold out hands and shrug shoulders).

From: Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute

Lost Child Game
The adult plays the role of a mother and the child plays the role of the police officer. Mother pretends to cry and says, “Oh, dear, I’ve lost my child, can you help find my child?”
The police officer says, “What does your child look like?”
The mother describes the child’s hair color, clothing, eye color, etc.
The police officer walks around the circle and chooses one child he thinks fits the description and brings the lost child back to the mother. That child is the next police officer and the game continues.

From: Hummingbird Educational Resources

I Am a Ghost Who’s Lost His Boo
I am a ghost who’s lost his boo,
my boo is gone from me,
and I’m without a single clue
to where my boo might be.
It makes me mope, it makes me pout,
it almost makes me moan,
a ghost is not a ghost without
a boo to call his own.

My boo was piercing,fierce and loud,
I used to strut and boast,
for I was positively proud
to be a gruesome ghost.
But now that I’m without a boo,
I find it rather weird,
There’s little for a ghost to do
whose boo has disappeared.

Although I hover here and there,
and haunt a hundred rooms,
it seems there’s no one I can scare
unless my boo resumes.
I am a ghost who lost his boo,
alas! A boo I lack,
if you should find my boo,
then you had better give it back.

From: Kid’n’Kaboodle

Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone
Oh where, oh where, has my little dog gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
With his ears cut short and his tail cut long
Oh where, oh where can he be?

Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
He fetches a ball, he’s the best pet of all,
Oh where, oh where can he be?

Oh where, oh where have my little pets gone?
Oh where, oh where can they be?
Woof! Bow-wow! Oh, here he comes now!
My dog is back home with me.

From: Parents.com

Little Bo Peep

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
And doesn’t know where to find them.
Leave them alone, and they’ll come home.
Wagging their tails behind them.

If I Were Lost
If I were lost inside a zoo
I think that this is what I’d do,
I’d say “Giraffe, please look around,
your head so high above the ground.
Will you point out to me the place
where you can see my father’s face.”

From: Alphabet Soup

CRAFTS:

Little Kitten Who Lost His Mittens Craft

Materials needed:
–        Kitten with Lost Mittens Craft Template
–        Length of ribbon, string, or yarn
–        Paper
–        Crayons or Markers
–        Hole punch
–        Scissors
–        Glue

Copy and cut out the cat shape and the mittens. You can do these in different colors, or leave them blank so children can color. Glue the cat head to the body. Line up the mittens with one side of the cat body. Punch a hole through both the mitten and the cat. Repeat on the other side of the cat body. String the ribbon across the back of the cat and have the ends dangle down through the holes on the front of the cat. Tie the ends of the ribbon to each mitten. Now the child can pull the string behind the cat, and have the mittens go from lost (far away from the cat’s body) to found (mittens close to the cat).

Craft from: Catch the Possibilities and A Mommy’s Adventures

Mazes
The mazes I used with this box I just found online. They are no longer available, but any easy maze for kids would be a great activity with this theme.

Hidden Pictures
I used Highlights magazine to find some fun Hidden Picture Puzzles (find the “lost” objects!).

Eggs – Storybox

Posted on September 23, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

My library system has one central location and 9 branches. To make storytime programming easier for all involved, we use storyboxes. These are “storytimes in a box”. They contain everything a storyteller would need for a successful storytime including books, videos, fingerplays and crafts. Ideally, there should be enough variety that the box can be used for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and lower elementary ages. Here’s the latest storybox I put together for rotation.

Eggs – “What will hatch from these egg-cellent stories?”

BOOKS:

Eggs 1 2 3: Who Will the Babies Be? by Janet Halfmann
The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett
Chicken Big by Keith Graves

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
Whose Chick are You? by Nancy Tafuri
The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown

The Egg by M. P. Robertson
Guji Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen
Hunwick’s Egg by Mem Fox

Daisy and the Egg by Jane Simmons
The Cow that Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill
Egg Drop by Mini Grey

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
Roly-Poly Egg by Kali Stileman

Duck and Goose by Tad Hills
Foxy and Egg by Alex Smith
The Happy Egg by Ruth Krauss

FLANNELBOARDS:

Little Chick, Little Chick

Pattern from Microsoft Clip Art
I got the idea for this one as a spin-off from the flannelboard Little Mouse Little Mouse

Hide the chick under one of the eggs before you place it on the flannelboard. Place all eggs on the flannelboard.

Repeat this rhyme:
“Little chick, little chick,
Are you in the ___color___ egg?”

Life the egg of the flannelboard to see if the chick is behind it. Repeat until you find the chick. Hide it again, and place once more!

Ten Little Eggs

Pattern and rhyme from Preschool Favorites by Diane Briggs on page 138.
(The animals in this photo aren’t in the correct order as the rhyme.)

There are ten little eggs
And what do we see
They’re about to crack open
“My goodness me,”
said Mother Hen.

The first egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a fuzzy, little duckling
Looking at me.

The second egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a little purple dinosaur
Looking at me.

The third egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a little turkey gobbler
Looking at me.

The fourth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a little fuzzy owl
Looking at me.

The fifth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a funny little platypus
Looking at me.

The sixth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a pretty little bluebird
Looking at me.

The seventh egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a snappy little alligator
Looking at me.

The eighth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a long-necked ostrich
Looking at me.

The ninth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a little green turtle
Looking at me.

The tenth egg cracks open
And what do we see
It’s a little yellow chicken
Looking at me.

“My baby!”
said the mother hen,
as happy as can be.

“Mommy!” said the chick.
“Did you meet all my sisters and brothers?”
“What!” shrieked Mother Hen,
“My goodness me.”

Three Eggs in a Basket

Pattern and story found in Mother Goose’s Playhouse by Judy Sierra on page 62.

MOVEMENT, SONGS, AND FINGERPLAYS:
Eggs
Five little eggs (fingers on one hand)
And five little eggs (fingers on second hand)
Are 10 little eggs you see (wiggle fingers)
Break their shells and what do you have? (clap)
Ten little chickens as yellow as can be. (wiggle fingers)

Little Egg
Once there was a little egg
That jumped down to the floor
It started rolling all around
Then rolled right out the door.

Little egg, roll, roll, roll,
Roll all around
Little egg roll, roll, roll
All across the ground.

Eggs in a nest
Here’s an egg in a nest up in a tree.
(make fist with right hand and place in palm of cupped left hand)
What’s inside? What can it be?
(shrug shoulders)
Peck, peck, peck,
Peep, peep, peep.
Out hatches a little bird,
(Wiggle fingers or fisted hand)
Cute as can be!
(from Child Fun)

If You Like Your Eggs Scrambled
(Tune: Happy & You Know It)
If you like your eggs scrambled, clap your hands
If you like your eggs scrambled, clap your hands
Yes, they’re yummy and they’re yellow
So you’ll be a happy fellow
If you like your eggs scrambled, clap your hands

If you like your eggs fried, jump up high…
If you want bacon with your eggs, wiggle your legs…
If you want toast instead, nod your head (Mmm-hmm)…
(from Storytime Source Page)

I’m a Little Birdie
(tune “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little birdie (crouch down as if inside egg)
In my shell
Trying to crack it open
Peck, peck scratch! (pecking motion)
When I crack it open,
Out I’ll pop. (Pop Up)
And spread my wings (hands in armpits and flap)
And tweet, tweet, tweet.
(From Preschool Favorites by Diane Briggs)

I Love Eggs
(Tune: Frere Jacques)
I love eggs, I love eggs
Yum, yum, yum ; Yum, yum, yum
Scrambled, boiled or fried, any way I’ve tried
Yum, yum, yum ; Yum, yum, yum
(from: Storytime Source Page)

Five Eggs and Five Eggs
Five eggs and five eggs, that makes ten (hold up 2 hands)
Sitting on top is the mother hen. (fold one hand over the other)
Crackle, crackle, crackle; what do I see? (clap 3 times)
Ten fluffy chickens, as yellow as can be! (hold up and wiggle ten fingers)

I’m a Little Chickie
(Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little chickie, (crouch down inside your egg)
Ready to hatch,
Pecking at my shell,(Pecking motion)
Scratch, scratch, scratch! (scratching motion)
When I crack it open,
Out I’ll jump (jump out of shell)
Fluff my feathers,
Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
(from: Storytime Planners)

Unhatched Egg
Make a noise like a rooster. (Crow)
Make a noise like a hen. (Cluck)
Make a noise like a chick. (Peep)
Make a noise like an unhatched egg. (Silence)
Good!
And now you’re ready to listen to the next story!
(from: Storytime Planners)

Red Hen Red Hen
(Tune: Baa Baa Black Sheep)
Red hen, red hen, have you eggs from me?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. A lot you see.
One to hard boil.
Another one to fry.
One to scramble.
And eggs to dye.
Red Hen, red hen, have you eggs for me?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir a whole lot you see.
(from: Storytime Planners)

I’m A Little Chick
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little chick inside an egg
I’m always sleeping – snoring away
Soon you’ll hear a pecking, pecking sound
The egg will crack and out I’ll pop.
(from: Preschool Education)

CRAFTS:

Who is in the Egg? Lift the Flap Page

I made the bottom page of this craft in Microsoft Word with clip art illustrations. Then, using the shape too, I created an oval that was large enough in size to cover the illustrations.

To prepare this craft have 5 eggs cut out for each child you think will attend the storytime. (All eggs are the same size and shape so it doesn’t matter which egg goes where.) Have the children color in the animals and decorate the eggs. Then clue one egg over each animal, using just one stripe of glue away and fold the egg to create a “lift-the-flap” effect for each animal.

Hatched Egg Craft

I used Word clip art to find the image of a duck or a chicken. Then I free-handed an egg large enough to cover the duck. I used a Sharpie to draw a thick jagged line to make it look like the egg “cracked” towards the bottom of the egg.

Have children color the chick or duck and the egg from the templates provided. Then cut down the middle of the “crack in the egg” so that it looks broken. Punch a brad through one end of the egg, so that it can open and close. Tape the bird on the inside so that he “hatches” when the egg is opened.

Making Butter at Storytime!

Posted on August 8, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

Since we are doing the “Reading is Soooooo Delicious” theme for this summer, my library celebrated with a system-wide Fun Food Week. Each branch chose a food-related program to highlight at their location.

My program was a bread storytime where we made our own butter! I got the idea for this program because I remembered making it in preschool (kindergarten? it was a long time ago…), and I thought it was so cool then. Apparently, science still amazes now, because the program (that my coworker coined “Loafing Around”) was a hit with both kids and parents — some even wanted to go home and try making more butter.

And making it is really simple!

Make Your Own Butter

You need a jar with a lid that closes tightly and heavy whipping cream.

That’s it!

Pour the whipping cream into the jar. Leave some room so the cream can move around. Of course, you can vary the amount depending on how much butter you want to make.

Shake! Shake! Shake!

After shaking for a little while, the cream will turn into whipped cream. You won’t hear liquid sloshing around anymore.

Keep shaking more, and the mixture will look like it is turning back to liquid in your jar. It’s actually becoming butter and buttermilk. In the photo below, you can see the lump of butter in the center of the jar, and then buttermilk surrounding it.

Pour off the buttermilk to separate it from the butter. (At home I just poured it out of the jar, when I did the program at the library we dumped it out into a bucket covered with cheesecloth. You can see that on the right. Also, at the library, we scooped up the butter each child made and put it into a plastic take-out sauce container, and handed them a popsicle stick for spreading.)

If you are making a lot of butter at home that you will want to enjoy for a while, rinse off the butter under cold water to get rid of the buttermilk — this will make the butter last longer. At the library, since we were enjoying the butter right away and only made a small amount, we skipped this step.

Put your butter on bread, and enjoy! For the Loafing Around program we created sandwich baggies that had a small sample of various kinds of bread: tortilla, French bread, lavash, challah, Irish soda bread and pumpernickel. Each kid received a baggie to go with the butter they made.

TIPS IF YOU DO THIS AS A LIBRARY PROGRAM:

– WIDER MOUTH JARS WORK BETTER.
Jars like the one pictured with the cream in the first photo work better than narrow mouth jars (like the ones you see in the shaking photos). It is easier to get the butter out from these, and it just seemed to work better overall. (We got our jars from The Container Store. The 4 oz ones worked best.)

– TEST THE JARS FIRST TO MAKE SURE THEY DON’T LEAK
Since we couldn’t get enough of the good 4oz jars, we used smaller 3 oz ones for the program, and they were not leak-proof. To solve this problem, we just put the jar with the cream in it inside a sandwich baggie. This helped keep our carpet clean and worked just fine.

– DON’T USE SPICE SHAKER INSERTS ON TOP OF THE JARS
Since we couldn’t find enough of the 4 oz jars, we went with 3 oz narrower jars that were meant for storing spices. In addition to a twist on lid, these came with snap off inserts that had holes for shaking out spices. I thought, “Oh this might be a great way to drain the buttermilk without having to take the butter out of the jar!” BUT NO. The cream didn’t like having the lid their during shaking, and the holes just ended up causing a problems instead of a solution.

– HAVE MORE THAN ONE BUTTERMILK DRAINING STATION
If you have all the children in the program start making butter at the same time, they will probably all be ready around the same time. We had two draining stations to pour off the butter set up, and we probably could have used one more.

– HAVE SOMETHING TO PUT THE BUTTER IN SO KIDS CAN TAKE LEFTOVERS My coworker came up with the great idea to use take-out restaurant sauce containers with lids and they were perfect. This way, we didn’t have to give away the more expensive jars to the kids, and we could save them to use at another program in the future.

– USE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OUT
If I did this program again, I would get more people to help me out. Volunteers could help with the draining of the buttermilk and putting the butter into the sauce containers. They also would have been useful for clean-up afterwards.

– MAKE DIFFERENT FLAVORS WITH OLDER CHILDREN
If I was going to do this program with an older audience, I might add some different flavor elements that kids could use to make flavored butter: herbs like chives or dill, sugars, salt, etc.

But, even for doing it the first time around this was a really fun program, and it was a great success as well. I would definitely do it again!

Feeling Toasty!

Posted on January 9, 2013 by jeninthelibrary

On Friday, the library is presenting our second ever stuffed animal sleepover! Right now I’m busy planning all the fun the animals, volunteers and I will have together.

Our first stuffed animal sleepover was during the summer, and I’m trying to take advantage of the difference in seasons to find some new activities for the animals. One of the most beautiful aspects of our children’s room is the fireplace. Designed for the library opening in 1927 by Pasadena sculptor Maud Daggett, it’s beautiful, with a mantel based on a famous children’s book. Can you guess which?

Here are some hints – the sculpture features pirate ships, crocodiles and a young man “crowing”.

It’s Peter Pan!

Everyone always asks if we ever light the fireplace, which we don’t anymore. But I thought it might make a fun gathering place for the stuffed animals on a cold winter’s night, and for that it definitely needed some light. So, I created a fire:

Made from a box covered with construction paper, it’s a little ridiculous, but I think it brings a spark of something to the fireplace:

Hopefully the stuffed animals will enjoy it on Friday night! And stay tuned for a post about all the sleepover shenanigans.

Bedtime – Storybox

Posted on November 10, 2012 by jeninthelibrary

My library system has one central location and 9 branches. To make storytime programming easier for all involved, we use storyboxes. These are “storytimes in a box”. They contain everything a storyteller would need for a successful storytime including books, videos, fingerplays and crafts. Ideally, there should be enough variety that the box can be used for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and lower elementary ages. The boxes are routed from branch to branch so that each week a branch has a different storytime ready to go. You don’t have to use the storyboxes, but they are there as an option when you need them. Here’s the my latest storybox.

Bedtime – “You won’t want to catch any Zzzzs while listening to these great stories!”

BOOKS:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep? by Bill Martin Jr.
The Prince Won’t Go to Bed! by Dayle Ann Dodds

The Woods by Paul Hoppe
No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Mother, Mother, I Want Another by Maria Polushkin Robbins
Baby Can’t Sleep by Lisa Schroeder
Back to Bed, Ed! by Sebastien Braun

CREAK! Said the Bed by Phyllis Root
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? by Barney Saltzberg
Froggy Goes to Bed by Jonathan London

Time for Bed by Mem Fox
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
The Baby Beebee Bird by Diane Redfield Massey

FLANNELBOARDS:

5 in the Bed

Pattern from: Making Learning Fun

There were five in the bed,
and the little one said,
“It’s crowded!
Roll Over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out.

There were four in the bed…

**Continue counting down until…

There was one in the bed
and the little one said

Ending Option 1:
“I’m Lonely!”
So all the others climbed back into bed.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
And everyone drifted off to sleep.
Goodnight!

Ending Option 2:
“Ahhh… Just Right!
Goodnight!”

5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Pattern and Song from Felt Board Fingerplays by Liz and Dick Wilmes

Five little monkeys
jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”

Continue counting down until no monkeys are left.

(Since the storybox travels from place to place, flannelboard pieces often get lost. That’s why I used a pellon version of this story, instead of my felt version seen here.)

MOVEMENT, SONGS, AND FINGERPLAYS:

Time for Bed
Time for bed, time for bed
Fluff your pillow(make fluffing motion with hands)
Lay down your head (palms together, place side of face on palms)
Tuck in tight (pull blanket up to chin)
Close your eyes (close eyes)
And sleep all night (snore).

Good Night
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap
Two little hands lie in my lap
Two little feet go bump, bump, bump
Two little legs give one last jump
Two little eyes are shut up tight
One little voice whispers low,
“Goodnight.”

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (Short Version)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, reach up high
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the sky
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch your knees
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, sit down please

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (Long Version)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, that will do!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go upstairs.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn off the light.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say good-night!

There Were Five in the Bed
There were five in the bed (hold up 5 fingers)
And the little one said, “Roll over, Roll over!” (twirl both hands around each other)
So they all rolled over and one fell out (hold up 1 finger)
There were four in the bed (hold up four fingers)

**Continue the rhyme counting down until**

There was one in the bed (hold up one finger)
And the little one said
I’ve got so much room! (spread arms out wide)
Goodnight! (lay head on hands)

The Goodnight Song
(Tune of: “London Bridge is Falling Down”)
Now it’s time to say goodnight,
Say goodnight, say goodnight.
Now it’s time to say goodnight,
It’s time for home and sleep.

This Little Boy
This little boy is ready for bed (hold up index finger)
Down on the pillow he lays his head (place index finger in the palm of other hand)
Wraps himself in his covers tight (hand wrapped around finger)
And here he sleeps all the night (rock hands back and forth)

Diddle, Diddle Dumpling
Diddle, diddle dumpling, my son John,
Went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off and one shoe on,
Diddle, diddle dumpling, my son John.

Big Yellow Moon
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (Arms above head in circle shape.)
Glides across the starry night, (Arms move from left to right.)
Looks down at me (Hand shades eyes.)
Asleep in bed, (Hands together at side of face.)
Whispers, “Good night, sleepyhead.” (Forefinger in front of mouth.)
Big yellow moon, your turn is done. (Arms above head move down in front of body.)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun. (Arms move above head in circle shape.)
I wake up. (Arms stretch out.)
You go to bed. (Hands together at side of face.)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (Forefinger in front of mouth.)

Sleeping Time
Down comes the sun
And up comes the moon.
It will be sleeping time soon.
Birds are quiet in their trees.
Cows and horses rest on their knees.
Sleepy children are tucked into beds,
With good night kisses upon their heads.

Are You Sleepy?
(tune: Frere Jaques)
Are you sleepy? Are you sleepy? (rub eyes)
Yes I am. Yes I am. (nod head)
Take your cozy blanket (pull hands up to neck)
And your teddy bear (hug self)
Close your eyes (close eyes)
Go to sleep. (put hands under head)

Going to Bed
This little child is going to bed.
Down on the pillow he lays his head (rest head on hands)
He wraps himself in covers tight (wrap hands across body)
And this is the way he sleeps all night. (close eyes, nod head)

Morning comes, he opens his eyes, (raise head, eyes open wide)
Off with a toss the covers fly. (fling arms wide)
Soon he is up and dressed and awake, (jump up)
Ready for fun and play all day. (clap hands and turn in a circle)

CRAFTS:

Pajama Coloring Page

Decorate the pajamas however you want to make a truly unique pair!

Paper Plate Moon & Star

Materials Needed:
–        Paper Plate Moon Template (I just made my own by drawing the moon shape I wanted on a paper plate, then cutting away the part that I didn’t need for the moon. I used this as my template to trace for the others)
–        Stars Template
–        Paper Plate
–        Small Strand of Ribbon or Yarn
–        Paper Star
–        Crayons
–        Scissors
–        Single Hole Punch

Using the Moon Paper Plate template trace the shape of the moon on the paper plate. Cut the plate so that it looks like a crescent moon. Decorate the moon as desired. Cut out the paper star and decorate both sides. Punch a hole in the top of the moon and one in the top of the star. String the ribbon or yarn through the holes to attach the star to the moon. Tie the ribbon in a knot to secure it.

Adapted from a craft featured on Confessions of a Real Librarian

Tuck-Me-In Teddy

Materials Needed:
–        Copy of Teddy Bear in Pajamas
–        Piece of construction paper
–        Crayons, Markers, Etc.
–        Glue stick
–        Scissors

To prep the bed, fold a piece of construction paper in half so that it is 8.5”x 5.5”. On the top page, cut out half of the page – first along the folded edge, then across the middle of the paper in a wavy line. Color and cut out the teddy bear. Glue this to the larger of the halves of the construction paper, so that the top paper covers the bear up to its chin.

*To save paper, you can make this craft smaller and only use ½ a piece of construction paper for the bed. Make sure you make your teddy bear smaller too, then!

Adapted from a craft found on Read it Again!

Teddy bear in pajamas found here via a Google Images search for “pajama coloring page”. Edited a bit to suit my purposes.

Jen in the Library

Storytimes, Programs and Library Thoughts

Tag Archives: craft

Construction and Tools – Storybox

Let’s Dance – Storybox

I’m Lost – Storybox

Eggs – Storybox

Making Butter at Storytime!

Feeling Toasty!

Bedtime – Storybox