Pre-School Storytime: Monkey Business

 

Since 2016 is the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we’re sharing some fun stories starring these playful primates – with a nod to numeracy, phonemic awareness, visual storytelling, and a classic children’s story. (Ages 2-5)

Music playing as kids arrive: “Hot Potato” from The Wiggles – Sing-Along, Crunchy, Munchy Music.  More monkey songs on The Wiggles Go Bananas.

Opened with a nod to the holiday – This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong

Glove puppets/Numeral Cards: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”  (booktalked variation Ten Naughtly Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams.

Now that they have practice counting, we’re going to…

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett (kids loved this interactive book where we counted everything but monkeys – until the endpapers!)

Song/Puppets (kid volunteers): “Deep in the Jungle” by Joe Scruggs (on his album by the same name). Lyrics here: http://www.hellojoe.com/lyrics-ditj.html

Here’s a monkey who has some toothy friends…

Flannel “Monkey Face” based on the book by Frank Asch – script here: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2014/05/preschool-or-school-age-storytime.html

Song: “Monkey Likes to Eat, Eat, Eat Apples & Bananas”  variation of Raffi song “I like to Eat Apples & Bananas” (phonemic awareness) 

The Monkey Goes Bananas by C.P. Bloom and/or Banana! by Ed Vere (both stories of a monkey eager for a banana meal -- told in few words but very expressive pictures!)

Action Song: “Bananas Unite” – track 6 on Liz Buchanan’s album Once Upon a Time.
Lyrics: It’s time to peel banana, peel, peel bananas. Continues with…
Bounce…Stomp….Twist….Eat….Shhhh….. Go Go Bananas!

DVD: Caps for Sale (Weston Woods)

2.16

Other possibilities:
What Time is It, Mr. Crocodile? – Judy Sierra
Monkey & Me – Emily Gravett