Snow Storytimes - Week of December 12, 2010

This week we are talking about snow!

Our Toddler Storytime lineup included:
Song - Finger Popping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the Letter S for Snowflake
Book - Oh! by Kevin Henkes
Action Rhyme/Song - If It's Snowing and You Know It
Song - Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
Flannel Story - Let's Build a Snowman!
Song - If You're Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Under My Hood I have a Hat by Karla Kuskin

Our Preschool Storytime lineup included:
Song - Clap Your Hands from Wiggleworms Love You
Introduction to the Letter S for Snowflake
Book - Snow by Manya Stojic
Action Rhyme/Song - If It's Snowing and You Know It
Song - Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book -Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Book - Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
Flannel Story - Let's Build a Snowman!
Song - If You're Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms

Ready to Read Skill: Storytelling (Narritive Skills)
Narritive Skills means being able to describe things and events and tell stories. Working on this skill will help your child understand what they are reading as they get older and move to more advanced books, because they will be able to recognize that stories have a beginning, middle, and end. Ways to improve Narritive Skills include telling your child what you are doing throughout the day, listening to them and asking questions, and encouraging them to tell stories. Another way to practice Narritive Skills is to take a favorite book and tell it or act it out in a different way like we did this week with Snowballs.

Jingle Bell Jamboree - December 11, 2010

We had a blast telling Christmas stories, singing Christmas songs, and meeting Santa!

Our Storytime lineup included:
Song - Jumping and Counting from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Introduction to the Letter C for Cookies, Candy Canes, Candles, Christmas Tree, and Cards
Book - It's Christmas by Tina Burke
Storytelling- Let's Bake Gingerbread Cookies
Flannel Story - Five Little Gingerbread Men
Song - We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Book - Christmas Tree by Wendall and Florence Minor
Song/Instruments - Jingle Bells
Caroling in the library with Santa

Uh-Oh! Trouble Storytimes - Week of December 4, 2010

This week at Storytime we talked about getting into trouble!

Our Toddler Storytime included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter T for Teddy bear and Time-out
Book - Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Action Rhyme - Time for Bed
Song - Shake Your Sillies Out from Raffi's More Singable Songs
Book - Oh No, Anna! by Vivian French
Flannel Story - Cookie's Week from the book by Cindy Ward
Prop Story - When Cookie Came to Storytime
Book - No Biting by Karen Katz

Our Preschool Storytime lineup included:
Song - Can't Wait to Celebrate from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Book - Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth
Song - There's a Spider on the Floor from Raffi's More Singable Songs
Book - To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda
Song - Stick to the Glue from Jim Gill Makes It Noisy in Boise, Idaho Flannel Story - Cookie's Week
Book - No, David! by David Shannon

Ready To Read Skill - Narritive Skills (Storytelling)

Narritive Skills means being able to describe things and events and tell stories. Working on this skill will help your child understand what they are reading as they get older and move to more advanced books, because they will be able to recognize that stories have a beginning, middle, and end. Ways to improve Narritive Skills include telling your child are doing throughout the day, listening to them and asking questions, and encouraging them to tell stories. Another way to practice Narritive Skills is to take a favorite book and tell it or act it out in a different way like we did this week with Cookie's Week and Cookie Comes to Storytime.

Adventurers Storytime - Week of November 27, 2010

This week at Storytime we talked about adventures!

Our Toddler Storytime included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter B for Backpack, Binoculars
Book - Starry Safari by Linda Ashman
Flannel Story - 5 Little Monkeys and the Crocodile
Song - Row, Row, Row Your Boat from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Higher, Higher by Leslie Patricelli
Action Rhyme - Zoom Zoom Zoom!
Song - The Way The Ladies Ride from Songs for Wiggleworms

Our Preschool Storytime lineup included:
Song - Can't Wait to Celebrate from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Introduction to the letter Q (and Q's buddy U)
Story - Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel
Action Rhyme/Song - If You're a Pirate and You Know It
Story - Wild Cowboy by Danna Smith
Song - Jumping and Counting from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Flannel Story - 10 Little Astronauts
Story - A Mouse Told His Mother by Bethany Roberts

Ready to Read Skill: Vocabulary (Words)

Vocabulary means knowing the names of things. Knowing many words will help your child recognize written words and understand what he or she reads. Some great ways to work on this skill include talking to your child about what is going on around you, speaking clearly and using short sentences, and pointing out pictures in books when you say certain words. This week, we learned words like safari, pirate, astronaut, and binoculars.

Forest Animals Storytime - Week of November 13

This week at storytime we are talking about forest animals!

Our Toddler Storytime Lineup Included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Puppets - Walking Through the Forest
Book - The Big Storm by Nancy Tafuri
Flannel Story- Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You see? from the book by Bill Martin
Book - Who's In the Forest? by Phillis Gershator
Song - Shake Your Sillies Out from Raffi's More Singable Songs

Our Preschool Storytime included:
Song - Hands Are For Clapping from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Introduction the the letter T for Tree
Book - Where is Bear? by Leslea Newman
Flannel Story- Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You see? from the book by Bill Martin
Book - Look Out Suzy Goose! by Petr Horacek
Action Rhyme - Fox has a Long Tail
Song - Jumping and Counting from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Book - Who's In the Forest? by Phillis Gershator

Ready to Read Skill: Vocabulary (Words)

Vocabulary means knowing the names of things. Knowing many words will help your child recognize written words and understand what he or she reads. Some great ways to work on this skill include talking to your child about what is going on around you, speaking clearly and using short sentences, and pointing out pictures in books when you say certain words. This week, we learned words all kinds of new animal words, including skunk, badger, and fox.

Mice Storytimes - Week of November 6, 2010

This week at storytime we are talking about mice (squeak, squeak!).

Our Family Storytime included:
Song - Shake My Sillies Out from Raffi's More Singable Songs
Introduction to the letter M for Mouse
Book - A New House For Mouse by Peter Horacek
Flannel Story- Mother, Mother, I Want Another from the book by M. Polushkin Robbins
Song - If You're Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
Action Rhyme - Hurry, Scurry, Little Mouse
Book and Prop Story - If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Song - Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms

Our Toddler Storytime Lineup Included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter M for Mouse
Book - Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker
Action Rhyme - Hurry, Scurry, Little Mouse
Song - Walking, Walking
Book - Lunch by Denise Fleming
Flannel Story - Hide and Squeak from the book by Ed Heck
Book - Where Are You Going, Maisy by Lucy Cousins
Song - Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms

Our Preschool Storytime Included:
Song - Clap Your Hands from Wiggleworms Love You
Introduction to the Letter M for Mouse
Book - The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
Action Rhyme - Hurry, Scurry, Little Mouse
Flannel Story - The Giant Carrot
Song - Milkshake from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Hide and Squeak by Ed Heck

Ready to Read Skill: Letter Knowledge (ABC's)
Letter knowledge means knowing that letters are different from each other, recognizing them everywhere, and knowing the sounds they make. Each week at Storytime we introduce a letter and discuss the sound it makes and words that begin with that letter. At home, you can do the same thing - talk to your child about what letter words begin with and how they sound. Another way to work on your child's Letter Knowledge is to use alphabet magnets to spell things on your refrigerator, or let them trace letter shapes with their fingers on a plate of whipped cream or shaving foam. Most importantly, make learning letters fun for you and your child!

Action Rhymes:

Hurry, Scurry, Little Mouse
Hurry, scurry little mouse,
Starts down at your toes.
Hurry, scurry little mouse,
Past your knees he goes.
Hurry, scurry little mouse,
To where your tummy is.
Hurry, scurry little mouse,
Gives a mousie kiss!

Families Storytimes -Week of November 6, 2010

This week at storytime we talked about our families.

Our Toddler Storytime included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introduction to the letter F for Family
Introduce My Family Book made from ziplock bags
Book - Hello Lulu by Caroline Uff
Rhyme - Grandma's Glasses
Song - If You're Happy and You Know It from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Mommy, Carry Me Please by Jane Cabrera
Flannel Story - Five Little Ducks in a Big White Tub
Song - Jumping and Counting from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Book - I Love My Daddy by Sebastien Braun

Our Preschool Storytime included:
Song - Can't Wait to Celebrate from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Introduction the the letter F for Family
Book - Where's My Mommy by Jo Brown
Action Rhyme - Grandma's Glasses
Book - What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum
Song - Shake Your Sillies Out from Raffi's More Singable Songs
Flannel Story - Picky Paul
Book - The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee

Ready to Read Skill: Print Awareness (Using Books)
Print Awareness means noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. Some great ways to practice this skill with your child include letting your child hold the book and showing them which way to turn the page, using your finger to follow along with the text on the page, and pointing out words and letters on signs when you are out and about. Another fun way to encourage print awareness is making your own books. This can be as easy as stapling a few ziplock bags together and putting in pages that you've decorated with drawings, photos, or magazine cut-outs. Write a few simple words and change the pages out as often as you like! Check out my example below to get started!

Transportation Storytimes - Week of November 1, 2010

This week at Storytime we talked about things that go!

Our Toddler Storytime included:
Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Introducation to the letter C for car
Book - Maisy's Book of Things That Go by Lucy Cousins
Flannel Story - Giraffe in a Car
Song - Row, Row, Row Your Boat from Songs for Wiggleworms
Book - Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
Action Rhyme/StopLight - Driving My Car
Song - The Wheels On the Bus from Sing Along with Bob #1
Puppets - The Animals on the Bus (from The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort)

Our Preschool Storytime included:

Book - Duck On a Bike by David Shannon

Flannel Story - Transportation

Book - The Bridge is Up by Babs Bell

Book - Duck In the Truck by Jez Alborough

Ready to Read Skill: Vocabulary (Words)

Vocabulary means knowing the names of things. Knowing many words will help your child recognize written words and understand what he or she reads. Some great ways to work on this skill include talking to your child about what is going on around you, speaking clearly and using short sentences, and pointing out pictures in books when you say certain words. This week, we learned words like autumn, acorn, ant, root, and stalk. Maisy's Book of Things That Go is full of new vocabulary (pedals, pistons, anchor- to name a few), and it is super fun because it has pop-ups and movable parts! This book is great for toddlers and preschoolers, and it also covers two Ready to Read skills- Print Motivation (Loving Books) and Vocabulary (Words).

Music Storytimes - Week of October 24, 2010

This week our storytimes have been all about music.

Our Family Storytime lineup included:

Song - Hands Are For Clapping from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song

Introduce the Letter 'B' for Bell

Book -I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Song - Silly Dance Contest from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Book -Soon Baboon Soon by Dave Horowitz
Flannel Story - Boom Boom Boom! Oom-pah-pah!

Action Ryme/Props - Rhythm Instruments/Marching Band

Book -Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Steve Scott

Our Toddler Storytime lineup included:

Song - Fingerpopping from Preschool Aerobic Fun

Introduce Rhythm Instruments and the Letter 'B' for Bell

Book - Jazz Baby by Carole Boston Weatherford
Flannel Story - Boom Boom Boom! Oom-pah-pah!

Song - Hands Are For Clapping from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song

Action Rhyme - Clap Your Hands

Book - Dance With Me by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Song - Happy and You Know It from Songs For Wiggleworms

Our Preschool Storytime lineup included:

Song- Can't Wait to Celebrate from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem

Book - Jazz Baby by Carole Boston Weatherford

Action Rhyme - Clap Your Hands

Book - Tanka Tanka Skunk by Steve Webb

Flannel Story - Boom Boom Boom! Oom-pah-pah!

Ready to Read Skill : Phonological Awareness (Sounds)

Phonological Awareness means being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. Working on this skill will help your child sound out words when they start reading. Ways to improve phonological awareness include saying rhymes and singing songs (like the ones in the books above) and emphasizing the rhyming words. Doing motions with the rhymes also helps your child break the words into smaller parts. Singing songs is another great way to work on this skill while having fun! Tanka Tanka Skunk is great for practicing phonological awareness because it has a great rhythm and breaks the words on the page into smaller parts that your child can see while reading.