Chinese New Year Celebration

 

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Celebrate the Asian New Year with stories,
songs, crafts, and a grand parade! Ages 3-10.

Music while entering – any Chinese music CDs

Nametag station: clip art zodiac animals (below) -- based on which year a child was born.

Open: Talk about Chinese New Year

Share Chinese New Year story/ies (depending on timing & audience): 

This Next New Year – Janet Wong

The Rooster's Antlers (398.20951 KIM) or The Animals of the Chinese Zodiac (J133.5 WHI) or Cat and Rat (J133.5 YOU) or The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac (398.20951 CASEY) (find their zodiac fortunes on the endpapers or from below)

The Dancing Dragon (foldout) – Vaughan  (booktalk: Lion Dancer – 394.268 Waters)

More good read-aloud choices here: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2015/01/school-age-storytime-chinese-new-year.html

Craft Tables:

· Chinese Good Luck banners with symbols (materials: red construction paper, glue sticks, symbols from https://zaraalexis.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/asian-heritage-month-childrens-feature-books-about-china/.)

· Chinese Leisees – red good luck envelopes (materials: Ellison folding envelope die cuts – red construction paper, 4.25x5.5 goldenrod paper cards to go inside, good luck symbol for outside: http://resources.childbook.com/chinese_coloring/character-prosperity.jpg, markers, anything else to use for decorating) - based on Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn

· Cut paper lanterns http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/06/paper-lantern-kids-craft4th-of-july-style.html (materials: red construction paper, scissors, gluesticks, hole punch or tape, ribbon, optional: sequins)

· Write Your Own Fortune Cookie (materials: circles cut from manila colored oak tag or heavy paper, folded in half and then in half again, strips of white paper upon which kids write fortunes to tuck inside).

· Noise-makers (folded paper plates – kids decorate then fold, filled with beans and staple or tape shut, optional: crepe paper streamers) and/or Dragon’s Breath (toilet paper tubes, kids glue colored paper around the tube, add google eyes and scales, then attach tissue paper streamers to the end of the tube – when you blow into the tube it looks like the dragon is breathing fire.)

· Group Dragon – Make head then kids decorate bulletin board paper or tablecloth to be tail of dragon.

Finish with dragon parade around library (carrying group dragon and using noisemakers).

The Chinese New Year is a lunar holiday that begins with the arrival of the second new moon following the winter solstice. It usually starts between mid-January and mid-February, (date varies) and lasts for fifteen days. As the New Year approaches, people clean their home to escape bad luck in the upcoming year. Families gather for a feast on New Year's Eve, and stay up late, believing that it will prolong the lives of their elders. The Chinese people believe that evil spirits come around at New Year, so they let off firecrackers to frighten them away. People often seal their windows and doors with paper to keep the evil spirits out, as well. On New Year's Day, people dress in their best clothes and present one another with small gifts. Chinese people all over the world celebrate the first full moon with a colorful street procession, called the Festival of Lanterns. People fill the streets carrying lanterns and join a great parade led by an enormous dragon. The Festival of Lanterns is believed to light the way for the New Year. http://www.festivalsofindia.in/new_year_day/Around-the-world.aspx

New Year festival lasts 15 days ending in the Lantern Festival on the full-moon.

7th day of the Chinese New Year was known as the people's birthday when everyone in the country turns one year older all together except royalty.

Zodiac Nametags:

1.14

School Age Storytime: Chinese New Year

 

Talk about different kinds of New Years (January 1^st, 1^st day of school year, Rosh Hashonah), then introduce the holiday “Chinese” or “Asian” New Year:

Read: This Next New Year – Janet S. Wong (Lovely multicultural book in with a young Chinese child talks about how the new year offers a chance for a fresh start, compare clean dust with Passover.) or A New Year’s Reunion – Yu Li-Qiong (Young child celebrates the new year with her father who works far away and can only return home once a year) or Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn (a boy in Chinatown eventually decides to spend his lucky money to help a homeless man – also available as a DVD/video from Weston Woods)

Share fold-out book: The Dancing Dragon by Marcia Vaughan (action/sounds) booktalk: Lion Dancer (394.268 WAT)

Read a Chinese New Year’s folktale variant: The Runaway Rice Cake (Gingerbread Man) or The Runaway Wok (Magic Pot) both by Ying Chang Compestine or Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim (Goldilocks) or One Grain of Rice by Demi (Chinese mathematical folktale on the power of exponents!)

Introduce Chinese Zodiac – comes from a legend – read one of the variations:

The Rooster's Antlers* (398.20951 KIM) or The Animals of the Chinese Zodiac (J133.5 WHI) or Cat and Rat (J133.5 YOU) or The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac (398.20951 CASEY)

*Rooster doesn't say the usual "cock-a-doodle-doo" -- remarked that different languages hear animal sounds differently - here (as promised) are some websites that explore this:
http://foundintranslation.berkeley.edu/?p=2440
http://www.eleceng.adelaide.edu.au/personal/dabbott/animal.html

Figure out animal signs for children in your group – share their Chinese horoscopes from one of the Zodiac books above, or use longer versions in Animals in the Stars (133.5 Crawford)

Other possible read-alouds:
The Paper Dragon – Marguerite Davol (beautiful but LONG)
The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend – Bouchard
The Seven Chinese Sisters – Tucker
The Last Dragon – Nunes
The Wishing Tree – Thong

Bedm 1.11

School Age Storytime: Penguin Parade

 

This informative K-3rd grade storytime combines animal science, math and poetry
-- lots of fun facts and great vocabulary as well.

The Emperor Lays an Egg by Brenda Z. Guiberson (598.47 GUI) Delightful pictures and fact-packed story-text make this a great introduction to penguin life.  Used slightly-simpler, collage-illustrated A Penguin’s World by Caroline Arnold (598.47 ARNOLD) with kindergarten classes (check last page for fascinating penguin facts) .  The stunningly-illustrated Antarctica by Helen Cowcher is another good choice.

Mentioned the film March of the Penguins. Booktalk companion book (598.47 MAR)

Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle Another delightful wordless friendship duet by last year’s author/illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Flora and Flamingo.

Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems by Judy Sierra (811.54 SIE) A collection of informative and vocabulary-rich (regurgitate, procrastinate, predator) poems on penguin habits – also available as a delightful musical 32 minute DVD from Weston Woods (PPR) and Scholastic (home use version). (I skipped “Be My Penguin”)

Guessing Game Song / Movement Activity : “Look There Daddy, Do You See” (Used flannel pieces with kindergarten but had older classes figure it out with just words and action clues.)

Look There Daddy, Do You See? (also known as The Horse in Striped Pajamas) from the old TV show "Captain Kangaroo".  (Tune and various versions available on the internet by searching: "look there daddy do you see lyrics")

Look There Daddy, Do You See?
Look there Daddy do you see?
There's a horse in striped pajamas.
   No that's not what it is at all,
   That's an animal people call a zebra.
I see -- but it still looks like a horse in striped pajamas to me.
2. There's a bird in its tuxedo  …. penguin
3. There's a bird wearing a rainbow… parrot
4. There's a bird wearing eyeglasses….owl
5. There's a mouse with great big wings on…bat
6. There's a bird with his umbrella… peacock
7. There’s a teddy with two black eyes … panda

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell True story of how two male penguins in New York’s Central Park Zoo hatched and raised a baby penguin and/or Filbert Flies by Karl Ruhmann  Fantasy in which a seal reassures a penguin he can do anything he puts his mind to.

Learning extensions:

http://bedtimemath.org/?s=penguins

http://wonderopolis.org/?post_type=wonder&s=penguins&x=0&y=0

 

Other read-aloud possibilities:

365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental   Lots of great math possibilities here!
Here is Antarctica by Madeleine Dunphy (919.89 DUN) An Antarctic version of The House that Jack Built.
About Penguins by Cathryn Sill (598.47 SIL) Simply written non-fiction
A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle (598.47 MAR)
Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World  by Margret Rey Clever but long.

Optional additional song for Kindergarten “Boom, Boom, Ain’t it Great to Be Crazy?” 

Other ideas here: http://www.susanmdailey.com/penguins.htm

 

Bedm 1/15

Singalong: Winter’s Day

 

Singalong: Winter’s Day (All Ages)
Step inside the library for some fun and lively songs to warm away the wintry weather – and stick around for a musical indoor snowball fight!

Singalong Winter’s Day : Songs and Fingerplays

Snowflakes Falling (Tune: London Bridge is Falling Down)
Snowflakes falling from the sky, from the sky,
from the sky, Snowflakes falling from the sky
To the ground below.
Watch them as they dance and whirl, dance and whirl, dance and whirl,
Watch them as they dance and whirl -- Soft white winter snow.

Snowflake Rhyme (flannel)
One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and then there were two.
Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and then there were three.
Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and then there were four.
Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and then there were five.
Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and then there were none!

”When it’s Cold Outside” sign language song from Pick Me Up: Fun Songs for Learning Signs

This is the Way we Put on Our…to Play Outside in the Snow. Tune: “Mulberry Bush”
This is the way we put on our coat,
Put on our coat, put on our coat,
This is the way we put on our coat,
To play outside in the snow.
Continue with other articles of clothing, then outside activities…e.g. “we roll a snowball”… “make a snowman,” “sip hot cocoa”

We Dress Like That Tune: “Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes”
Boots, jacket, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
Boots, jacket, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
Boots, jacket, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.
In wintertime we dress like that,
Boots, jacket, scarf and hat, scarf and hat.

It’s Not that Cold Outside Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
I don’t want to wear my coat,
Wear my coat, wear my coat,
I don’t want to wear my coat.
It’s not that cold outside!
Repeat with gloves, cap, scarf, boots, etc.
SNEEZE!!!

Chubby Little Snowman (flannel rhyme, bunny puppet)
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny
Looking for his lunch
Ate that little snowman’s nose
Nibble, nibble, crunch!

I’m a Little Snowman Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little snowman, short and fat
Here is my broomstick, here is my hat
When the sun comes out, I’ll melt away
Drip, drip, drip, I’m a puddle today!

Snowman Counting Rhyme (glove puppet fingerplay—counting up)
One little snowman has a carrot nose.
Two snowmen shiver when the cold wind blows.
Three little snowmen wear scarves when it snows.
Four little snowmen are getting cold toes.
Five little snowmen like to pose
Outside—night and day—in their winter clothes.

Five Little Snowmen (glove puppet fingerplay—counting down)
Five little snowmen all in a row,
Each with a hat and a big red bow.
Out came the sun and it stayed all day.
And one of those snowmen melted away. 4,3,2,1…

I’m a Little Teapot
I’m a little teapot, short and stout.
Here is my handle, here is my spout.
When I get all steam up, hear me shout,
“Just tip me over and pour me out!”

Doing the Chocolate Shake (A warm-up action song)
You squat right down (squat)
Up you stand (stand up)
Stomp your feet (stomp)
Shake your hands (shake hands)
Wiggle all over (wiggle)
And mix real well (roll hands over & over)
Doing the Chocolate Shake! (clap hands)
Yum! (reach high)
(Repeat, faster each time.)

Popcorn (action) Song on Linda Arnold’s album "Make Believe"
Children can jump up & down on the “pops”
Pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop!
First you take some oil, You put it in the pan,
Shake it up as fast as you can.
Put it on the fire, Wait for a while,
Pretty soon you've got popcorn!
Chorus: P-O-P-C-O-R-N!
Popcorn is a kid's best friend,
Munchee, crunchee, good for your lunchee,
Please pass the popcorn!
Pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop!
Pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop!
Add a little butter,
A little salt too,
Making popcorn is fun to do,
Fill your bowl to the very top,
But just make sure that you don't pop!
Repeat chorus, finish by repeating…
Pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop-pop-pop-pop, pop! (2x)

Book to Sing: Frosty the Snowman – Nelson
(various versions, I particularly like the one illustrated by Richard Cowdrey)

Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

In the Freezer (flannel)
Song on Joe Scrugg’s “Traffic Jams”
There was snow on the ground
But it was a sunny day.
We knew that our snowman
Was going to melt away.
So we asked our Mom
And though it did not please her,
She said we could keep
Our snowman in the freezer.
Chorus:
He’s in the freezer,
He’s our snowman.
He’s in the freezer,
Getting a frost tan.
He’s in the freezer,
Keeps as cold as he can.
He doesn’t go to school,
He just keeps cool,
In the freezer –

We feed him bits of frost
And lots of ice cubes.
We show him to our friends
When we come home from school.
We watch him as he sits
Next to the frozen squash,
‘Til Dad shuts the door and says,
“It’s starting to defrost. Chorus
One night at suppertime
My Mom said it was said
As she told us of the ice cream
That we could have had.
Our snowman was taking up
All the room it seems,
And she didn’t have a place
To put our ice cream.

Final Chorus:
He’s on the sidewalk
And he’s melting fast.
You know a snowman
Was not meant to last.
It won’t be long now
Before he melts away
And we’re having ice cream
For dessert today!
It’s in the freezer!
It’s in the freezer!

 

Ending Activity: Snowball fight using plastic bag snowballs (find how to make them here), music “Sleigh Ride” on Now Christmas (disc 1, track 9), can follow with “Let it Snow” (track 10) or find them on Season’s Greetings can follow with Durante’s “Frosty the Snowman” for hand stamps.

See also: SOUP’S ON! & TASTY TUNES

1.14 BWL

Pre-School Storytime: Shape Up!

 

Shape Up! A highly interactive storytime emphasizing shape awareness incorporating reading, singing, music and lots of full-body activity as well.

Play Shape Song Swingalong (from book/cd below) as they come in.

Read: Lots of Dots – Frazier or Dot – Intriago  or 10 Black Dots – Crews – all good (Could consider doing a dot only storytime (adding The Dot by Reynolds & Dog’s Colorful Day--Dodd, Press Here --Tullet)

Song/Glove/Shapes:  “Where Is…?” (Tune: Where Is Thumbkin?) Credit: KidsSoup
Where is triangle? Where is triangle?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.
(Circle, rectangle, square, diamond)

Read: Shape Capers – Fallwell or Shapes that Roll – Nagel

Song: “Make a Circle, Draw a Square” (Tune: Oh My Darling Clementine) Best Kids Book Site
Make a circle, make a circle, draw it in the sky
Use your finger, use your finger, make it round as pie
Make a square, Make a square, make the lines so straight
Draw a square, draw a square, draw one or draw eight
Draw a triangle, draw a triangle, always start at the top
Make a tent, make a tent, use three lines and then stop!

Flannel: Mouse House (pieces and text directions here: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2014/02/pre-school-storytime-mousing-around.html)

Read: Mouse Shapes – Walsh or Go, Shapes, Go – Denise Fleming

Action song: Shape Song (lyrics by Carol – tune: “Put your finger in the air” --Give each child shapes to do the actions of the chant).

Put your square shapes in the air, in the air 2x
Hold it up and keep it high up there.
Put your square shapes in the air, in the air

2.Put your triangle shape on your back, on your back …Now lay it on your lap….
3.Hold your rectangle in your hand, in your hand …Now everyone please stand …
4.Put your circle on your toes, on your toes …Now hold it by your nose. …
5.Wave your diamond at the door …Now touch your diamond to the floor …
6.Put your pentagon on your ear…Now give a great big cheer…
7.Hold your star to the ground …Now everyone sit down

Or do: Action Song: Shape Hokey Pokey
Put your circle in, put your circle out
Put your circle in, and shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about! (Rectangle, circle, square)

Read: Color Zoo – Ehlert or Color Farm (kept for “Farms” in the spring)

Singable Book: The shape song swingalong -- SteveSongs (have card with chorus in pictures), then acted it out. (could show enhanced CD using laptop & projector, also on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umu58RxNL7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUu8vrPRrM4
Alternatively: DVD Jig Along Shapes (2x – watch first then dance) Baby songs--ABC, 123, colors & shapes Jig Along Shapes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygJ1e5yZq6E&feature=fvwrel or  Shapes that surround you (young!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKTwb6VoMDI&feature=related or VHS: “Changes” on Five Stories for the Very Young

Hand Stamping/exit music:  Circle Game: Folk Music for Kids

Great suggestion from http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/?p=3745: “talk about the differences between shapes with the children: the numbers of sides, the numbers of corners, the curves, all the things that help us tell one shape from another
Then, tell the parents, “When you talk about shapes with your child, they start to learn what features make them the same and different. Being able to tell the difference between a triangle and a circle is the same skill they will use to tell the difference between an “A” and an “O”! Talking with your children will help them get ready to read.”

BWL 12/12

Additional Book possibilities:

Shapes that Roll – Nagel
Which is round? Which is bigger? – Mineko Mamada (2014)
Wednesday – Anne Bertier – a square and a circle have fun playing together
Go, Shapes, Go – Denise Fleming (2014)  colorful shapes form themselves into a surprise monkey buddy for mouse.
Perfect Square – Hall
Press Here- Tullet
Squarehead – Ziefert
Brown Rabbit’s Shape Book – Baker
Bear in a Square – Blackstone (Board)
Ship Shapes – Blackstone -display only
Whoo? – Carter
Heart is like a zoo – Hall – (makes a great Valentine's Day craft)
Circle Dogs -- Henkes
Shapes Shapes Shapes – Hoban
Dog’s Colorful Day – Dodd (circles of color make a mess)

Additional Song Possibilities:

“I Can See Shapes” (Tune: London Bridge)
I can see a circle shape, circle shape, circle shape
I can see a circle shape, how about you?
(Little square, triangle, rectangle, diamond)
Credit: The Story Place

“Where Is…?” (Tune: Where Is Thumbkin?)
Where is triangle? Where is triangle?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.
(Circle, rectangle, square, diamond)
Credit: KidsSoup

http://youthliterature.com/storytimes/concepts/shapes.pdf

Shape Hokey Pokey
Put your circle in, put your circle out
Put your circle in, and shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about!
(Rectangle, circle, square)

Shape Song To the tune of London Bridge -- I provide shapes for each of the children and we hold up the corresponding shape for the part of the song. This idea is out of the mailbox magazine. http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/shapes/shapes_songs.htm

Two sides short and two sides long, two sides short, two sides long. Two sides short and two sides long,
We're a rectangle.

Our 4 sides are just the same, just the same, just the same, our four sides are just the same,
We're a square.

We've got three corners and three sides, see our sides with your eyes. We got three corners and three sides, We're a triangle.

We're as round as we can be, we can be, we can be. We're as round as we can be,
We're a circle.

My Favorite Shape Is a Circle

(Sung to My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean)
My favorite shape is a circle,
Because it's as round as can be.
The world is just full of circles,
So think hard and name one for me.
Bubble, bubble, The bubble's a circle for me, for me.
Bubble, bubble, The bubble's a circle, you see.

My favorite shape is a circle,
Because it's as round as can be.
The world is just full of circles,
So think hard and name one for me.
Pizza, pizza, The pizza's a circle you eat, you eat.
Pizza, pizza, The pizza's a circle you eat.

I Can Draw a Shape

Circles, rectangles, triangles, squares
There are so many shapes out there
Everywhere you look you'll see
Another shape. What will it be?
I can draw a circle.
How about you?
Make a circle like I do.
I can draw a square.
How about you?
Make a square like I do.
I can draw a rectangle.
How about you?
Make a rectangle like I do.
I can draw a triangle.
How about you?
Make a triangle like I do.

http://jackiemarrs.blogspot.com/2012/02/shapes-storytime.html

After the second book, we'll build a picture with flannel shapes, an idea from a Flannel Friday post from Mel's Desk. I'll give a couple of pieces to each child, we'll decide what to build, and each child will contribute her/his shapes to the picture where they make the most sense. 

After the third book, we'll play another circle song game I saw on Everything Preschool.  The shapes are just cut out of construction paper and laminated.  We'll sit in a circle with the shapes in the center, and the child who is "it" will walk around our circle as we sing, [to the tune of "Skip to My Lou"]
Lost my circle, what do I do?
Lost my circle, what do I do?
Lost my circle, what do I do?
What do I do, my darling?
Then the child will find the shape we've been singing about.  We'll repeat, substituting the names of the other shapes until we've found all of them, and for each verse a different child will be "it." http://cfkidslibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/07/shapes.html

Singalong: All About Me (includes Sensory-Friendly Version notes)

Singalong "All About Me" Join us for a rollicking celebration of ourselves and our possibilities! No registration is required. 
Singalong "All About Me" (Sensory Friendly)   Sensory-Friendly performance for children who would do better in a smaller, slower-paced program. Please register.
 
Regular Singalong: (lyrics for all songs follow)
Opening music playing: Raffi’s Rise and Shine album

Action Song: You’ll Sing A Song

Action Song: Open, Shut Them 

Glove puppets: Diez Amigos

Action Song: Put Your Finger In The Air

Action Song: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Big Book: From Head to Toe – Eric Carle (imitating animal actions – worked well)

Action Song: Do Your Ears Hang Low (prop: tights on head)

Singable Book: If You’re Happy & You Know It – Jan Ormerod

Action Song: Hokey Pokey

Action Song: The Funny Hat (prop: hat)

Book: Clap Your Hands – Lorinda Cauley

End with Action Song Sing by Joe Raposo (form circle –go in and out)
Hand stamping
(No time to use other songs on handout)

Sensory-Friendly Program (Dimmer lighting, seating spots, stuffed animals)

Opening music playing softly: Raffi’s Rise and Shine album


Explained program to parents -- gentle program, multi-sensory, lower light, stuffed animals if children want to hold them/manipulate animal instead of self


schedule board-pictographs:
songs  story   songs    story    mirror     scarves   bubbles

Program:
Action Song: You’ll Sing A Song Action song: Open, Shut Them

Big Book: From Head to Toe – Eric Carle (imitating animal actions – worked well)

Action song: Do Your Ears Hang Low (done with a pair of tights on my head.)

Action song: Hokey Pokey

Big Book: Look, Look, Look – Tana Hoban  (cutout guessing game – worked well)


Mirror Activity Song  tune: “Where is Thumbkin?”   (Asked parents for their guidance related to their child’s participation-- All children in group accepted this.)
“Where is Carol? Where is Carol?
There she is! There she is! (point to child)Say hello to Carol, say hello to Carol (wave at child)Clap your hands!  Clap your hands!”    (idea from: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2010/10/follow-up-to-alsc-blog-series-%E2%80%9Cspecial-needs-programming-parts-1-5%E2%80%9D/) 

Movement with scarves to Raffi’s Rise and Shine

Bubbles – sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Bubble Song:
http://storytimeunderground.org/2014/08/12/ask-a-storytime-ninja-adapt-for-special-needs/ Bubbles floating all around
Bubbles fat and bubbles round,
Bubbles on your nose and toes,
Blow a bubble, up it goes.
Bubbles floating all around,
Bubbles floating to the ground




Singalong: All About Me – Lyrics & Resources

You’ll Sing A Song by Ella Jenkins
Song on: Raffi’s “The Corner Grocery Store”
You’ll sing a song and I’ll sing a song
And we’ll sing a song together.
You’ll sing a song and I’ll sing a song
In warm or wintry weather.
Continue with: clap your hands, stomp your feet, dance a jig, flap your arms, etc.
To settle the crowd, close with: sit right down

Open, Shut Them
Open, Shut Them, Open, Shut Them
Give a little “clap, clap, clap”
Open, Shut Them, Open, Shut Them
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth –
But do not let them in!

Put Your Finger In The Air
Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” on: Pete Seeger’s “For Kids and Just Plain Folks”
Put your finger in the air, in the air,
Put your finger in the air, in the air,
Put your finger in the air and leave it about a year,
Put your finger in the air, in the air.
2. toe…and move it to and fro…
3. nose..., feel it as it grows...
4. and see if it’s still here…
5. knee…and tap it 1,2,3,
6. chin... that’s where the food slips in...
7. cheek.., leave it about a week...
8. shoe..., leave it a day or two...
9. head..., tell me is it green or red?...
10. Put your fingers all together...both in dark & stormy weather…
Finish with:
11. Put your fingers on your fingers on your fingers (walk fingers like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” getting faster and faster)
Put your fingers on your fingers on your fingers.
Put your fingers on your fingers on your fingers on your fingers!

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes Knees and Toes,
Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes Knees and Toes,
Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose,
Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes Knees and Toes.

Do Your Ears Hang Low
Song on: “We Sing 25^th Anniversary Collection”
(can be done with a pair of tights on head.)
Do your ears hang low
Do they wobble to and fro
Can you tie them in a knot (ow!)
Can you tie them in a bow
Can you toss them over your shoulder
Like a regimental soldier
Do your ears hang low…
What about your nose?
Can you twitch your nose
Can you bend it to and fro
Can you touch it with your tongue
Can you touch it with your toes
With your finger and your thumb
Pinch the end and sing along
Interesting things are noses…
How 'bout your lips?
Can you purse your lips
Can you make them do a twist
Perhaps a crooked smile
Or even blow a kiss
Can you open them really wide
Waggle your tongue about inside
Clever little things are lips…
How ‘bout your eyes?
Can you roll your eyes?
Can you look from left to right?
Shut them up tight
Open them really wide.
Give a little wink
Blink, blink, blink.
Wonderful things are eyes!

Hokey Pokey
Song on: “Wee Sing 25^th Anniversary Collection”
You put your left hand in,
You take your left hand out,
You put your left 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! (Continue with: right hand, left foot, right foot, head, stomach, whole self!)

The Funny Hat
Tune: “This Old Man”
On my head I wear a hat
It is such a funny hat
That my head will wiggle
Wiggle to and fro
Where else should my funny hat go?
Continue with places suggested by the kids -- toe, knee, elbow, shoulder, ear, hair, nose (pinched nose to sound funny), belly, back, etc. To quiet the crowd, you may want to end with:
On my hands I wear a hat
It is such a quiet hat.
That my hands won’t wiggle, they just go clap.
Then I put them in my lap.

Shake My Sillies Out
Song on Raffi’s “More Singable Songs”; also a book
Gonna shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Gonna shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
And wiggle my waggles away.
Gonna clap, clap, clap my crazies out…
Gonna jump, jump, jump my jiggles out…
Gonna stretch, stretch, stretch my sleepies out…
If You're Happy and You Know It   Song on Raffi’s “Let’s Play”
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
2. If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet
3. If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!"
4. If you're happy and you know it, do all three. (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)…
Variation Use other Emotions:
If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re sad and you know it, shed a tear
If you’re loving and you know it, give a hug …etc.

If Your Clothes have any Red Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If your clothes have any red, any red
If your clothes have any red, any red
If you clothes have any red
Put your finger on your head
If your clothes have any red, any red.
2. If your clothes have any blue, any blue…
Put your finger on your shoe…
3. If your clothes have any green, any green…
Wave your hands so you are seen…
4. If your clothes have any yellow, any yellow…
Jiggle like a bowl of Jello…
5. If your clothes have any brown, any brown…
Turn your smile into a frown…
6. If your clothes have any black, any black…
Put your hands behind your back…

You Gotta Sing Song on: Raffi’s “More Singable Songs:
You gotta sing when the spirit says sing
You gotta sing when the spirit says sing
When your spirit says sing, you gotta sing all around
You gotta sing when the spirit says sing
Repeat with dance, jump, spin, clap, play, hum, shout, wiggle, shake, etc.

Roll-Over
Song on: “Toddler Tunes: 25 Classic Tunes”
There were ten in the bed and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over,"
So they all rolled over and one fell out...
Continue counting down until:
There was one in the bed and you know what he said, “Alone at last!”


Sing by Joe Raposo, Song on: “Sesame Street Platinum”
(singing softly)
Sing, Sing a song --
Sing out loud --
Sing out strong --
Sing of good things, not bad --
Sing of happy, not sad --
Sing, Sing a song --
Make it simple to last your whole life long --
Don't worry that it’s not good enough --
For anyone else to hear --
Just Sing, Sing a song!
La, La, La, La, La
La, La, La, La, La
La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
(Repeat from the beginning singing loud and strong,
End with everyone sitting down in the circle.)

Additional songs - not on handout above:Here We Go Looby Loo
Song on: “We Sing 25^th Anniversary Celebration”
Here we go looby loo,
Here we go looby light,
Here we go looby loo,
All on the Saturday night.
You put a hand in,
You take a hand out.
You give your hand a shake, shake, shake,
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo…etc.
(Repeat using “a foot”, “your head”, “whole self”, etc.)

The More We Get Together Song on Raffi’s “Singable Songs for the Very Young”
The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.
Cause your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.

This is What My Feet Can Do  Tune: “Mulberry Bush”
This is what my feet can do.
Feet can do, feet can do,
This is what my feet can do –
Can you do it too?
Let your feet go hop, hop, hop,
Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop, hop,
Let your feet go hop, hop, hop,
All around the room.
Make your feet go jump, jump, jump…etc.
Take your feet and skip, skip, skip…etc.
Can your feet go tip, tip-toe?…etc.

Now your feet can sit right down,
Sit right down, sit right down,
Now your feet can sit right down,
Quiet, quiet –ly!



The Magic Hat Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Put on your magic hat. (Pretend to put on hat.)
Put on your magic hat. (Pretend to put on hat.)
Oh, you can do most anything (Spread hands wide.)
In your magic hat!
2. You can hop and hop and hop…etc.
3. You can make a face…etc.
Children’s suggestions:
4. (Close with) You can sit right down…etc.

Bend And Stretch
(suit actions to words)
Bend and stretch, reach for the stars.
There goes Jupiter, here comes Mars.
Bend and stretch, reach for the sky.
Stand on tip-e-toe, oh! so high!

Ten Little Fingers
(fingerplay --suit actions to words)
I have ten little fingers,
And they all belong to me.
I can make them do things.
Would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight,
I can open them wide,
I can put them together,
And I can make them hide.
I can put them up high,
I can put them down low,
I can make them roll around,
And I can fold them so.

This Old Man Song on: “A Child’s Celebration of Song”
This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
Knick-knack paddywhack,
Give a dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
2. two… on my shoe
3. three… on my knee
4. four … on my door
5. five… on my hive
6. six… on my sticks
7. seven… up in Heaven
8. eight… on my gate
9. nine… on my spine
10. ten… once again!

Diez Amigos "10 Friends" (glove puppets)
Tune: “10 Little Indians”
Uno, dos, tres amigos,
Quatro, cinco, seis amigos,
Siete, Ocho, Nueve amigos,
Diez amigos son.
One, two, three little friends,
Four, five, six little friends,
Seven, eight, nine little friends,
Ten friends are we.

I am Special
Tune: “London Bridge is Falling Down”
I am special, Yes I am, Yes I am, Yes I am
I am special, Yes I am, I’m very special.
No one else has hair like mine,
Just like mine, Just like mine,
No one else has hair like mine, I’m very special.
(continue with children’s suggestions, e.g. a face, eyes, nose, mouth, a family, etc.)

Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear…
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday We Love You
Song on: Tom Chapin’s album “Moonboat”

Happy birthday, happy birthday we love you.
Happy birthday and may all your dreams come true.
When you blow out the candles, one light stays aglow
It's the love light in your eyes -- where e're you go!

May There Always Be Sunshine
Song on: Raffi’s “Let’s Play”
May there always be sunshine
May there always be blue skies
May there always be mama
May there always be me.

Wave High (Suit actions to words)
Wave high, wave low
I think it’s time we’ve gotta go.
Wave your elbows, wave your toes.
Wave your tongue, now wave your nose.
Wave your knees, wave your lips.
Now blow a kiss with fingertips.
Wave your ears, wave your hair.
Wave your belly, now your derriere.
Wave your chin, wave your eyes.
Now wave your hands and say Goodbye.

A Goodbye Song – source unknown

Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Now it’s time to say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye,
Now it’s time to say goodbye to our friends who are here today

Books to Sing:

A House is a House for Me – Hoberman
If You’re Happy and You Know It – Ormerod or Cabrera
Knick, Knack Paddywhack – Zelinsky
Mary Wore Her Red Dress…-- Peek
One Was Johnny – Sendak
Pierre – Sendak
Shake My Sillies Out – Raffi
This Old Man – Koontz
Go Away Big Green Monster – Emberley
Arthur’s Nose
-       Brand New Day, Get up and Shake, Where is Baby’s Tummy, Jumping up and Down– sign language song from “Pick Me Up”
-       Hands are for clapping – The Sneezing Song & other contagious tunes by Jim Gill 730 GILL
-       So glad you’re here, I’m a Pretzel – from So Big (Hap Palmer)
-       The Body Rock from Kids in Motion
-      
Song: You gotta Sing when the spirit says sing
Dance, laugh, yawn, sing (lots of recordings)
This is the way we do it , Bop till you drop, Beanbag
Dance, Can’t Sit Still– Kids in Motion
My Energy , Song in My Tummy, from Laurie Berkner’s Under a Shady Tree
1.15 BWL

School Age Storytime: Celebrating Books and Reading

Open Your Eyes to the World -- either real or through the pages of a book 

Book: Pirate Treasure Hunt! -- Jan Peck (chant and response -- treasure is a  box of books!)


Book: hello!  hello! -- Matthew Cordell (girl discovers magical world outside when she puts down her electronics)


Book: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore -- William Joyce (story that inspired this Academy Award-winning short film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJvSXQwBBQg, also any iPad Ap)


Book: The World is Waiting for You -- Barbara Kerley (Kerley's latest collaboration with National Geographic alternates photographs of children exploring their world with extraordinary photos of scientists and explorers.  Short biogs and great quotes in the back as well.)


Book: H.O.R.S.E.: a game of basketball and imagination -- Christopher Myers (multicultural -- a great game of basketball and hyperbole!)

Book: I'm Bored --Michael Ian Black (a girl, initially proclaiming "I'm bored" goes to great lengths to show a skeptical potato that kids are NOT boring!)

Bedm. K-3 6/13  K-3rd Summer Reading promo 2013


Other possibilities: The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak – read by the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cREyQJO9EPs

Goldie Takes a Stand – Barbara Krasner – true story of Golda Meir’s childhood campaign to raise money to buy school books for poor kids. (2014)