Spots and Dots – Toddler Storytime

Posted on March 21, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

Spots and dots! We had fun with these two elements during our last Toddler storytime of the Winter session.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Polka Dots”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

Spectacular Spots written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale

MOVEMENT: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Ladybugs

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little ladybugs here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little ladybugs, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little ladybugs, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:
Dog’s Colorful Day

Based on the book Dog’s Colorful Day: A Messy Story about Colors and Counting by Emma Dodd

Dog has an adventurous day! Each interaction he has gives him another color dot on his usually white fur.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Spots” from Good Morning Maisy

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
Book: Animal Spots and Stripes by Britta Teckentrup
Book: Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier
Book: Spots: Counting Creatures from Sky to Sea by Carolyn Lesser, illustrated by Laura Regan
Book: Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri
Flannelboard: 5 Green and Speckled Frogs

GREAT RESOURCES FOR MORE IDEAS:
The Wielded Pen – Polka Dotty Monster – Flannel Friday
Storytime ABC’s – Flannel Friday: Monster Mania Fun
Storytimes and More – Spots and Dots Storytime
Literacious – Sensory Story Time Theme: Polka-Dots
Story Time Secrets – 12 Picture Books about Spots and Dots

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:

I really liked this theme for storytime. I went back and looked at the list I keep of books that I think would work for infant or toddler storytimes, and I saw that I had Spectacular Spots on the list, but had never used it. Since I want to incorporate more nonfiction into my storytimes, it seemed like a fun one to use and there are a lot of other great spot and dot books to go along with it.

I thought Dog’s Colorful Day might be too long as a flannelboard, but I cut the storytelling down to bare bones, and it seemed to work ok.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 47 people 11 am: 28 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Shapes – Toddler Storytime

Posted on March 8, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

Shapes. I just noticed that all three of my latest storytimes have themes that begin with the letter ‘S’.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Square” and “Circle”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes written by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin

MOVEMENT: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Squares

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little squares here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little squares, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little squares, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:
Could You Lift Up Your Bottom?

Based on the book of the same name, written by Hee-jung Chang, illustrated by Sung-hwa Chung.

The story starts out with Frog, happy in her favorite hat. Then along comes a wind and whisks the hat away. Before Frog has a chance to get her hat back, the very large Elephant sits on it.

Frog politely asks Elephant, “Could You Lift Up Your Bottom?” But Elephant is too hungry to move, and demands something good to eat, something… round.

But the orange that Frog brings is not enough. Soon Elephant wants a delicious triangle (a sandwich), a rectangle (chocolate bar), a circle within a circle (a bagel in the book, but I changed it to a donut because it was easier to convey in flannel), and then something round inside of something triangular (an ice cream cone).

None of these satisfy Elephant, and he wants a nap. But when Frog asks Elephant to move his bottom, he demands something to eat in a… special shape.

Frog finds something, but it is too large to carry. So Elephant stretches out his trunk, and eats the honey from this very special shape. But you know what comes with honey?

Bees! A swarm of bees chase Elephant away. And, finally, Frog gets her favorite hat back.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: My Wiggles*

BOOK:

Go, Shapes, Go! by Denise Fleming

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Puzzle”, “Squares” and “Swan” from Doodle Baby Vol. 1

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: What Shape? by Debbie MacKinnon and Anthea Sieveking
Book: Shoes Shoes Shoes by Ann Morris
Book: Ship Shapes written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Siobhan Bell
Book: Shape by Shape by Suze MacDonald
Book: Up Close by Gay Wegerif (May be a stretch, but it seems so fun!)
Book: Shoes by Elizabeth Winthrop, illustrated by William Joyce
DVD: “Build a Birdhouse” and “Shape Train” from Curious Buddies: Let’s Build
Flannelboard: Ship Shape

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
I’m not sure I picked the best stories for this storytime. They all felt like they may be better suited to a preschool storytime, rather than a toddler time. Or maybe I should have just skipped over a few pages. It was just an off day today in storytime, as some of them are.

I was really surprised how well the video worked though. Doodle Baby seemed really soothing, and the kids seemed to enjoy it.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 47 people 11 am: 39 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Sharing – Toddler Storytime

Posted on March 8, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

This is another storytime theme inspired by one book. When I discovered Blocks by Dickson, I just knew I had to share it at a storytime.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Share”
sign found on Lifeprint.com

BOOK:

Mine! by Sue Heap

MOVEMENT: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Hearts (because sharing is from the heart)

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little hearts here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little hearts. again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little hearts, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:
It’s So Much Fun to Share

(Adapted from A-Hunting We Will Go Flannelboard from The Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra. She also has a version in her Mother Goose’s Playhouse. Templates for this story found here.)

(to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
It’s so much fun to share
It’s so much fun to share
I have a hat
I’ll share with a cat
It’s so much fun to share.

Other verses:
box – fox
log – frog
boat – goat
pail – whale
wig – pig
chair – bear

I put up each item first, to give the kids and parents a chance to guess what animal we would be sharing with.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

Blocks by Irene Dickson

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!” from The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! …and more stories by Mo Willems. Based on the book by Mo Willems

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Bear and Hare Share! by Emily Gravett
Book: Banana! by Ed Vere

GREAT RESOURCES FOR MORE IDEAS:
Read Rabbit Read – Flannel Friday: Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick by Kevin Henkes
Perry Public Library Storytime – Sharing and Giving
Story Time Secrets – The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Strathcona County Library – Storytime Themes: Kindness and Sharing

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
I was stressing out a bit about what to do as my flannelboard story, but I remembered using A-Hunting We Will Go not too long ago, and I thought that would be an easy one with just a few tweaks. ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 51 people 11 am: 42 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Shoes – Toddler Storytime

Posted on February 23, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

Shoes are super. They protect your feet, can come in fun patterns, and sometimes even light up! Our toddler storytime this week celebrated this sole superhero.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Shoe”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

My New Shoes by Leilani Sparrow, illustrated by Dan Taylor

MOVEMENT: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Shoes

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little shoes here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little shoes, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little shoes, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Based on the story by Eric Litwin, with art by James Dean
To make my Pete, I used the cover image as my template. The white shoes are removeable though, so Pete has cat feet.

Pete the Cat has a new pair of white shoes that he loves, but as he sets about his day, he encounters many different things that change the color of his shoes.
First, a large pile of strawberries turns his shoes red! (I placed the red colored shoes on top of the white ones.)

Next he walks through a pile of blueberries! (I know they look white in this picture, but the felt is really a light blue color. (The blue shoes go on top of the red ones.)
Oh no! Now he walks through a puddle of mud, turning his shoes brown! (brown shoes go on top of the blue shoes.)

Then he walks through a bucket of water, which gets rid of all the brown, blue and red on his shoes. They are white again. But now they are wet! (take off all the other color shoes, so only the white ones remain.)
Here’s all the pieces in one photo.

During my first storytime, all the shoes piled on top of each other worked really well, and none of them fell off. I did misplace one of the red shoes though. During my second storytime, things were not quite as smooth and the shoes toppled a bit. Thankfully a helpful parent picked them up. When you tell this story as a flannelboard, do you replace one pair of shoes with another? Or pile on top?

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

Whose Shoe? by Margaret Miller

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Blue Suede Shoes” and “I’m Walking” from Baby Songs: Rock & Roll

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: New Shoes, Red Shoes by Susan Rollings
Book: Shoes Shoes Shoes by Ann Morris
Book: Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar and Polly Dunbar
Book: Baby Shoes by Dashka Slater, pictures by Niroe Nakata
Book: One Two That’s My Shoe! by Alison Murray
Book: Shoes by Elizabeth Winthrop, illustrated by William Joyce
DVD: “Edward’s New Shoes” from Baby’s First-Word Stories: Get Dressed
DVD: “Ruby’s New Shoes” from Max and Ruby: A Visit with Grandma
Flannelboard: All Kinds of Shoes
Flannelboard: Counting Feet

GREAT RESOURCES FOR MORE IDEAS:
Sunflower Storytime – Shoes!
Storytime Katie – Socks and Shoes
Literacious – Toddler Storytime Theme: Socks & Shoes
Jen in the Library – Feet – Toddler Storytime

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
There are lots of good stories about shoes for toddlers. As I mentioned in the flannelboard section, I did have some technical difficulties since this was my first time telling Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes as a flannelboard story. But it was fun that some of the kids and their older siblings knew the story and were super excited about it.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 41 people 11 am: 47 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Polar Bears – Toddler Storytime

Posted on February 11, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

Polar bears seemed a fitting theme for a Winter storytime. Plus, there are a lot of good books about them!

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Bear” and “White”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson, pictures by Stephen Savage

MOVEMENT: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” from It’s Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Snowflakes (since Polar Bears live where it snows)

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little snowflakes here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little snowflakes, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little snowflakes, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

Flannelboard from Little Folk Visuals, based on the book by Bill Martin Jr., and illustrated by Eric Carle

Polar bear, polar bear
what do you hear?
I hear a lion
roaring in my ear

Repeat with :
hippopotamus – snorting
flamingo – fluting
zebra – braying
boa constrictor – hissing
elephant – trumpeting
zookeeper – all the animals talking in my ear!

The set (and story) have more animals, but this is the number that I used for the toddler audience. Before starting the story, I put the polar bear up and asked what sound he made (growl) so that at the end of the story we could talk about the different sounds all the animals made.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

Polar Bear’s Underwear by tupera tupera

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Little Polar Bear” from Little Bear: Winter Games

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Cub’s Big World by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (this one might be better for preschool)
Book: Hush Little Polar Bear by Jeff Mack
Book: Follow the Leader pictures and words by Miela Ford
Book: Polar Bear Morning by Lauren Thompson, pictures by Stephen Savage
Book: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr, illustrated by Eric Carle
Book: Treasure by Suzanne Bloom
Book: Snow Babies by Laura Ellen Anderson

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:

Polar bears are a fun theme! For the video portion of the storytime, I wanted to share a clip that had real polar bears playing — you know, the ones where it’s just set to music or something and the animals frolic? But the videos I found were either too long, or not good film quality. I’ll keep looking, because I want to incorporate more nonfiction in my storytimes, either through books or films.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 33 people 11 am: 37 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Groundhogs & Shadows – Toddler Storytime

Posted on February 1, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

Many years ago, I had done a groundhogs and shadows themed storytime around this time of year for toddlers. When I saw the new book A Greyhound a Groundhog I decided I wanted to try it again.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Shadow”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

Guess Whose Shadow? by Stephen R. Swinburne

MOVEMENT: “Roll Your Hands” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett & Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Groundhogs

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little groundhogs here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little groundhogs, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little groundhogs, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:

Shadows

Pattern and Rhyme taken from Felt Board Fingerplays by Liz & Dick Wilmes, art by Janet McDonnell

Look to the left. (Look left)
Look to the right. (Look right)
Always keep the whale’s
shadow in sight.

Repeat with :
shark
snake
frog
fish
alligator

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

A Greyhound a Groundhog written by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Chris Appelhans

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Max’s Shadow” from Max & Ruby’s Halloween

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Shadowville by Michael Bartalos
Book: Shadows by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Harvey Stevenson
Book: I Have a Friend by Keiko Narahashi
Book: Hooray Parade by Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
DVD: “Shadows” from Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
While I think groundhogs might be a better theme with more stories for preschool, I thought this storytime went pretty well. The kids seemed to enjoy guessing along with the first book we read, as well as the flannelboard.

The first storytime group was a little more antsy this time around, so I threw in a few other rhymes and songs there to keep them a little more engaged.

I wish I had been creative enough to think of some sort of shadow puppet story or some sort of storytelling with shadows before this. It just occurred to me now that would be an awesome addition. Any suggestions?

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 44 people 11 am: 47 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Hello! – Toddler Storytime

Posted on January 17, 2017 by jeninthelibrary

I usually keep a list of new books that come in that I think would be good picks for infant/toddler storytimes. Then, when it’s time for me to lead a session, I go back and look at that list for inspiration for themes and books. Today’s theme was inspired by one of the books I wrote down, and I thought HELLO! would be a great storytime for the first one of the ten week session.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Wake Up Toes” from Morning Magic by Joanie Bartels

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: sign for “Hello”

taken from Costello, Elaine Ph.D. Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary. 1994.

BOOK:

Say Hello Like This! by Mary Murphy

MOVEMENT: “Roll Your Hands” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett & Elaine Bueffel

COUNT & RHYME SONG:

10 Hands

Counting time, it’s counting time
So let’s all sing a simple rhyme

Ten little hands here we go
Let’s all count them as I put them in rows.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little hands, again we go
Now let’s count them nice and slow
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Ten little hands, in neat rows
Let’s count them as away they go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

FLANNELBOARD:

Can We Find?

Idea take from Sunflower Storytime, who found it at storytime katie. I used the houses and the gray mouse from my Little Mouse, Little Mouse flannelboard set, and then the bear and bird are from ArtFelt.

(to the tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man?”)
Can we find the brown bear
brown bear, brown bear?
Can we find the brown bear?
We want to say “Hello”!

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

MOVEMENT: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

BOOK:

How Hippo Says Hello! by Abigail Samoun, illustrated by Sarah Watts

MOVEMENT: “Two Little Blackbirds” from Fingerplays and Footplays by Rosemary Hallum and Henry “Buzz” Glass

VIDEO:

“Hello Little Cat” from Baby’s First-Word Stories: Pets

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Hello, Hello by Miriam Schlein, illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Book: Hello World by Michael Foreman
Book: Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe by Manya Stojic
Book: Hello, Day! by Anita Lobel
Book: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Book: Hello, Sun! by Dayle Ann Dodds, illustrated by
Book: “Hi, Pizza Man!” by Virginia Walter, pictures by
Book: Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora (probably better for preschoolers)
DVD: “Hello Snow” from Little Bear: Winter Games
DVD: “Max Says Hello” from Max and Ruby: Sweet Siblings

GREAT RESOURCES FOR MORE IDEAS:
Literacious – Family Storytime Theme: Say “Hello”
The Wielded Pen – Hello, Goodbye – A Storytime Outline
storytime katie – Toddlers: Hello – storytime
storytime katie – Hello, Goodbye!
Literary Hoots: Hello/Goodbye Songs

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
This was a really fun one! The kids and parents all enjoyed making animal sounds along with Say Hello Like This! so that was a hit. And, even though Hippo says Hello was a board book, I thought it was large enough so that kids could see the illustrations. And I wanted to put that multicultural spin on it as well, but I thought Isadora’s book might be too long for the first storytime of the session (I figure listening ability grows throughout the session.)

I was a little worried about doing a new counting song, but I wanted to try something different. I’m not sure it’s perfect, but I’ll continue to adjust as necessary – stay tuned!

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 58 people 11 am: 45 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

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 (found http://www.preschool-learning-and-crafts.com/support-files/fathers-day-tools.pdf from Preschool Learning Crafts)
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/ )

Bears – Toddler Storytime

Posted on September 6, 2016 by jeninthelibrary

I filled in for our last storytime of our Summer session at the last-minute, so I just pulled this Bear storytime together quickly.

SONG: Welcome Song

MOVEMENT: “Clap Everybody and Say Hello” by Kathy Reid-Naiman from Sally Go ‘Round the Sun: Songs and rhymes from the parent-child Mother Goose program

MOVEMENT: Open Shut Them*

BOOK:

Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Christopher Denise

MOVEMENT: “Reach for the Ceiling” from Toddlers on Parade by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel

COUNTING SONG:*

10 Teddy Bears

FLANNELBOARD:

Bears

(to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
Big and brown, big and brown.
Grizzly bears are big and brown,
And live in the woods.

Polar bears are soft and white,
Soft and white, soft and white.
Polar bears are soft and white,
And live in the cold.

Teddy bears are just my size,
Just my size, just my size.
Teddy bears are just my size,
To cuddle with at night.

MOVEMENT: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” from Songs for Wiggleworms by the Old Town School of Folk Music

BOOK:

Bear & Hare: Where’s Bear? by Emily Gravett

VIDEO:

“Follow the Leader” from Little Bear: Rainy Day Tales

MOVEMENT: Storytime’s Over

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

Book: Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley (or the other Bear books by Foley
Book: Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Book: Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker (or others in this series)
Book: Bear and Hare: Go Fishing by Emily Gravett

THOUGHTS ON THIS STORYTIME:
Bear & Hare: Where’s Bear? was the reason I decided to go with this theme for storytime. When books in the Bear & Hare series came in, I thought they would be so perfect for Toddler storytime — and it worked really well! Especially because I had the kids join in for the hide & seek countdown.

ATTENDANCE: 10 am: 44 people 11 am: 30 people

* For these songs, please see my Storytime Movements & Music page

Outer Space – eStorytime

Posted on July 21, 2016 by jeninthelibrary

I’ve been a little slow in blogging about my estorytimes this summer. So here’s the one I presented on July 8th. I’m considering it a posting success since I’m getting it done before the end of the month!

Opening Slide on Keynote:

SONG:

Welcome Song

APP:

Lazoo: Squiggles! (iOS, free)
(This may now be available as part of the Lazoo Art Box, iOS, $1.99)

Each child got a chance to draw a squiggle behind a rocket to help blast off into space! (Ok, well, to blast us off into a storytime about space, anyway.)

eBook/APP:

Monster’s Socks (iOS, Android; $1.99)
created by Jordan Stone and Martin Hughes, music by Bob Schneider

Monster’s Socks have run away and he sets out on an epic quest to find them, that leads him through fields, over water, and into space.

This is an interesting app, because instead of page turns, you walk Monster through his adventure. Whenever Monster comes across a yellow circle, the text of the story appears. It’s a fun and engaging tale, and since my group was a little older this time it seemed to work pretty well (it’s a bit long).

MOVEMENT:
Rocket

I’m a rocket on the ground (crouch down on ground).
Waiting quietly without a sound (say softly and put finger to lips)
Light this fuse on my little toe (wiggle little toe, or point finger at toe).
Ready for blastoff, here I go! (Put hands over head to form rocket point).
5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 (Jump into air)
Whooosh!

(rhyme taken from SLC Book Boy)

PRINT BOOK:
Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! by Margaret Mayo, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe

APP:

Felt Board from Software Smoothie ($2.99; iOS)
I used Felt Board to recreate this rhyme taken from Mel’s Desk via Falling Flannelboards

If You’re Going to the Moon
(to tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)

If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)
If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)
If you’re going to the moon and you want to get there soon
If you’re going to the moon, wear your spacesuit (ziiiiip)

Other Verses:

…wear your boots (stomp, stomp)

…wear your helmet (pat head, pat head)

…wear your gloves (clap, clap)
…are you ready and dressed? (say, “Oh yes!”)

I was so excited that Felt Board had all the pieces I needed to turn this rhyme into a digital flannelboard story! I started with just the woman on the space background, then added the different pieces of clothing as we got to those. Ok, sure the spacesuit had gloves and boots connected to it, but we jazzed things up a bit using a different color. Fun!

Song/Movement:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

APP:

Sweet Dreams Mo from StoryToys (iOS; $2.99)

Mo can’t sleep without his friends! So he voyages into space to bring them home.

A charming bedtime story app, this one was fun because each of the kids in the audience got to take a turn tapping at the different plants where Mo’s friend’s are hiding. I thought this one might take too long when I tried it on my own, but it seemed to work really well with the group.

MOVEMENT: “Storytime’s Over”*

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS:

APP: Sago Mini Space Explorer (iOS, Android, Kindle; $2.99)
APP: Twinkle Twinkle from SuperSimple Learning (iOS, $2.99)

THOUGHTS ON THIS eSTORYTIME:
This was my largest eStorytime yet! I had a summer school group come in. At first I was worried that not everyone would get to touch and tap along with the stories, but it worked out really well. I was also glad that the group was a bit older, since both the book apps I chose to use were on the longer side.

I did learn an important lesson — make sure your iPad (or other tablet device) has enough space on it to run the apps properly. Since I’ve been working on eStorytimes for a while I’ve collected quite a few apps, and they are taking up precious memory on my device. I think that’s why my iPad froze TWICE! during this storytime. The first time we sang the “If You’re iPad’s disconnected song”. The next time was during our last story, and it didn’t look like things were going to unfreeze early enough to make it worthwhile. Lesson learned. Time to delete! Also future self: buy more memory than you think you need!

One of the best parts of this storytime was afterward, I had a parent there who asked me about the apps I used. She said that she was a teacher and that she really liked what I had done with those, and wanted to try something similar with her students. It made me feel like a real media mentor, and in the best way — but do no explicit teaching, but just by showing an example of what this technology can be.

ATTENDANCE: 18 people (children and adults)

*To see the words to these movements and activities I use frequently, please visit my A-capella Movements Section on my Storytime Movements and Music Page

Please note: App prices were correct at the time of writing this blog, but may have changed since. All prices taken from the iOS app price. There may also be changes to available platforms for apps as well.

Special thanks to Digital Storytime for their app reviews by subject, that make putting together a themed eStorytime much easier.

Jen in the Library

Storytimes, Programs and Library Thoughts

Tag Archives: toddlers

Spots and Dots – Toddler Storytime

Shapes – Toddler Storytime

Shoes – Toddler Storytime

Polar Bears – Toddler Storytime

Groundhogs & Shadows – Toddler Storytime

Hello! – Toddler Storytime

Construction and Tools – Storybox

Bears – Toddler Storytime

Outer Space – eStorytime