Storytimes for the Week of March 17-22

Preschool Storytime Lineup- New Books
"Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
W is for Watermelon
Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson
"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Chilly Milly Moo by Fiona Ross
"The Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Caterpillar Buys Sneakers Flannel Story
How to Be a Good Cat by Gail Page

Toddler Storytime Lineup- Farm!
"Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
F is for Farm
Clip, Clop by Nicola Smee
"Walkin Ol' Joe" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Duck's Key, Where Can It Be? by Jez Alborough
"Five Little Ducks" fingerplay
Brown Bear, Brown Bear Flannel Story
Farm Animals by Simms Taback
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Bark, George! Puppet Story

Ready to Read Skill: Sounds! (Phonological Awareness)
Books with sounds are a great way to play with this Ready to Read skill. Read Bark, George and have your child guess which animal the vet will pull out next!

Books that you can sing along with are a great way to develop your child's ear for different sounds. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" is a traditional song that has inspired many picture books.

Book Storytimes- Week of March 10-15

Preschool Storytime Lineup 

"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's
B is for Book
Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
Book, Book, Book flannel
"Shake my Sillies Out" from Raffi's More Singable Songs for the Very Young
Maisy Goes to the Library by Lucy Cousins
"Knuckles Knees" from Jim Gill
B-O-O-K-S Flannel Story
Read It, Don't Eat It! by Ian Schoenherr

B-O-O-K-S (to the tune of B-I-N-G-O)
There was a man who loved books,
and books are what he read
B-O-O-K-S, B-O-O-K-S, B-O-O-K-S,
and books are what he read.

Toddler Storytime Lineup
"Clap Your Hands" from Wiggleworms Love You
B is for Book
The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore
"Silly Dance Contest" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
5 Little Books Flannel
Maybe a Bear Ate It by Robie Harris
B-O-O-K-S Flannel Song
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
Read to Tiger Puppet Story

Ready to Read Skill: Using Books
When reading with your toddler, let them turn the pages. It will reinforce in their minds how a book works, and that each page has a new meaning.

See if your baby can tell when you hold a book upside down! Learning to use books is one of the building blocks for being Ready to Read!

Storytimes Week of March 3-March 8

Preschool Storytime Lineup- Kim's Favorites 

"Grand Old Duke of York" from Toddler's On Parade
K is for Kim
Mother, Mother I Want Another by Maria Robbins
Spider puppet
"Spider On the Floor" from Raffi's Singable Songs for the Very Young
Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
"The Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
I'm in the Middle of a Puddle Flannel Story
The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen

Toddler Storytime- Adventurers!
"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" Songs for Wiggleworms
M is for Map
Adventurer puppets- pirate, astronaut, cowgirl
Starry Safari by Linda Ashman
Little Pirate's Treasure Flannel Story
"Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear" from Toddler's On Parade
Giddy-Up, Let's Ride! by Flora McDonnell
"Shake my Sillies Out" from Raffi's More Singable Songs for the Very Young
Higher, Higher by Leslie Patricelli
"Zoom, Zoom, Zoom" Action Song
"Happy Birthday!" Song (Happy 3rd Birthday, Kaylee!)

Ready to Read Skill: Phonological Awareness (Sounds)

Books with animal sounds are a fun way to build an important Ready to Read skill. Starry Safari is a book full of great ways to interact with your little one. Have them beep the horn on the safari jeep, screech on the brakes and ROAR to scare away the lion!

Giddy-Up, Let's Ride is a wild romp through many different sounds and words for riding. Another great action book!



Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Royalty Storytimes- February 24-March 1

This week we had fun with our Royalty Storytimes!

 Preschool Storytime Lineup

"Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
C is for Crown
Hush Little Dragon by Boni Ashburn
The Knight and the Dragon flannel
Royal puppets
"Dragon, Dragon" Action Rhyme 
Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
"The Grand Old Duke of York" Rhyme
Who Wants a Dragon? by James Mayhew

"If You're Happy and You Know It" from Wiggleworms

Dragon, Dragon: 
Dragon, Dragon, Turn Around

Dragon, Dragon, Touch the Ground
Dragon, Dragon, Fly Up High!
Dragon, Dragon, Touch the Sky!
Dragon, Dragon, Give a Roar! 
Dragon, Dragon, Sit on the floor.

The Grand Old Duke of York: 
He had 10,000 men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.
For when you’re up, you’re up,
And when you’re down, you’re down.
And when you’re only halfway up,
You’re neither up nor down.

Toddler Storytime Lineup

"If You're Happy and You Know It" from Wiggleworms Love You
C is for Castle
Royal puppets
I Want To Do It Myself! by Tony Ross
"Milkshake" from Wiggleworms
Who Wants a Dragon? by James Mayhew
Princess Isabella's Lost Ball Flannel
"Dragon, Dragon" action rhyme 
5 Little Knights flannel rhyme
That's Not My Dragon! by Fiona Watt

Ready To Read: Vocabulary- Words!
Touch/Feel books like That's Not My Dragon are a great way to show your toddler new vocabulary. Letting your child feel with her fingers what "knobbly" means is much more effective than a verbal explanation.

Singing with your child is a great way to introduce words that don't normally come up in conversation.

Forest Animals- Week of February 18-23

This week we took a walk in the Forest for our Forest Animal Storytimes!

Preschool Storytime Lineup
"Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
D is for Deer
Forest animal puppets
The Foggy, Foggy Forest by Nick Sharratt
Suzy Goose Flannel
"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit by Catherine Rayner

Moose March:
Moose march slowly,
Moose tippy-toe,
March, Moose, March, to and fro,
Moose march fast,
Whoa, Moose, Whoa!

Toddler Storytime Lineup

"Walking, Walking" from Wiggleworms Love You
D is for Deer
Forest Animal puppets
The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
"Jump Up, Turn Around" from Jim Gill
Good Night, Owl by Pat Hutchins
"Finger Poppin" from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? Flannel

Moose March:
Moose march slowly,
Moose tippy-toe,
March, Moose, March, to and fro,
Moose march fast,
Whoa, Moose, Whoa!

Ready To Read: Vocabulary- Words!
Reading books like Bill Martin's Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? helps to introduce your toddler to words you would not use in normal conversation, like blue heron or mule deer.

Practice animal sounds with your little one, and use a variety of words to describe the noises.  In Good Night, Owl your child can practice buzzing, peeping, rat-a-tating, screeching, etc.

Squeak, squeak! Mouse Storytimes, Week of February 11-

Squeak, Squeak! It's Mice this week for our Mouse Storytimes!

Preschool Storytime Lineup
"Can't Wait to Celebrate" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
M is for Mouse
Eeeek! Mouse! by Lydia Monks
"3 Blind Mice" with mouse puppet
Hide and Squeak Flannel
"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
A New House for Mouse by Peter Horacek
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie- prop story

Toddler Storytime Lineup

"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" from Wiggleworms Love You
M is for Mouse
Eeeek! Mouse! by Lydia Monks
"Very, Very Tall" from Wiggleworms Love You
Hide and Squeak Flannel
"Jumping and Counting" from Jim Gill's Irrational Anthem
A New House for Mouse by Peter Horacek
Mother, Mother I Want Another- puppet story

Ready To Read: Narrative Skills- Storytelling!
Ask your preschooler to help you find all the mice in Eeeek! Mouse. Ask them questions based on the pictures. "What do you think the cat is going to do?" "Do the mice like their new house?"


 

Holiday Hoopla!!!

Thanks to all of you who joined us for our Holiday Hoopla this Thursday, Dec 15, 2011!

We had so much fun singing and crafting with all of you! 

Holiday Storytime Lineup:

-Beat Your Drums (To the tune of "Row Your Boat")

Beat, beat, beat your drums

Beat them loud and clear

Beat them hard and beat them soft

For everyone to hear

Beat, beat, beat your drums

Beat them all around

Beat them hard and beat them soft

Now don't make a sound.

-Flannel Story- Candles of the Season

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Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Rudolph the Reindeer has a red nose,

Go, Rudolph, Go!

Frosty the Snowman dances

Frosty the Snowman dances

Frosty the Snowman dances

Dance, Frosty, Dance!

My little dreidel spins around

My little dreidel spins around

My little dreidel spins around

Spin, dreidel, spin!

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Kinara candles go flicker, flicker

Shine, candles, Shine!

Family visits from far away

Family visits from far away

Family visits from far away

Come, family, come!

-Creative Dramatic- Build a Snowman

-The Lights on the tree (To the tune of the "Wheels on the Bus")

The lights on the tree go

blink, blink, blink

Blink, blink, blink

blink, blink, blink

The lights on the tree go

blink, blink, blink

All Christmas day!

The grownups in the kitchen go cook, cook, cook...

The kids at the house go yum, yum, yum...

The sleds on the hill go whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

-Who Will Guide my Sleigh Tonight? by Jerry Pellotta and David Biedrzyski

-Up on the House-Top

-Puppet Show! from Jan Brett's book The Hat

-Jingle Bells- With a surprise guest! Just as we started singing, Santa Claus himself joined us and passed around jingle bells for everyone to sing-a-long with!

After the program we made jingle bell bracelets, snowmen and Christmas tree ornaments, and we decorated some cookies at the snack station!  Several brave children even got their pictures taken by the tree with Santa!  Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

(Reminder: Storytime will start up again the week of January 10- Stay posted for new times!)

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Elephants Storytime- Week of Dec 3-8 2011

Lots of Elephants this week for our Elephant Themed Storytimes!

"Clap Your Hands" from Wiggleworms Love You
E is for Elephants
Peanut by Linas Alsenas
Let's be Elephants Action
"Very, Very Tall" from Wiggleworms Love You
If You're Happy and You Know It by James Warhola
6 Blind Mice Flannel
"Going to the Zoo" from Raffi's Singable Songs for the Very Young
Circus Opposites by Suse MacDonald
Elephant and Monkey- puppet story

Ready To Read Skill: Vocabulary- Words!
Talk about words for different textures with your child. Have them repeat the word for "squishy" while they squeeze a toy or doll, or "rough" while rubbing sandpaper.

Books that show the meanings of concept words, like Circus Opposites, are very helpful for young children to form understandings of more abstract ideas.

Home Sweet Home- Storytimes Week of Nov 26-Dec 1

Our Toddler and Preschool Storytimes were about Houses and Homes:

"Walking, walking" from Songs for Wiggleworms
H is for House, Homes Flannel
Whose House? by Barbara Seuling
"Old McDonald" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Build a House- Action
The Little Red House Flannel
"Drive the Fire Truck" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Mommy, Where Are You? by Leonid Gore
"Finger' Poppin" from Preschool Aerobic Fun
Guess the House- puppet activity

The theme for our Tuesday morning Baby Laptime was "Things that Go!"

"Baby Hop" from Diaper Gym
Peek a Choo Choo by Marie Cimarusti
"Ride Baby Ride" from Bob McGrath
The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
Riding in my Stroller flannel story
"Zoom, Zoom, Zoom" song
That's Not My Train by Naomi Watt
Henry Drives a Blue Bus flannel song

Yum, Yum! Food Storytimes- Week of Nov 19-24

Lots of tasty stories about food this week! (Thursday we will be closed so you can enjoy your tasty Thanksgiving!)

Preschool Storytime Lineup
"Wheels on the Bus" from Songs for Wiggleworms
F is for Food
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
"Peanut Butter and Jelly" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Make a Pizza- Creative Dramatic
"The Sneezing Song" from Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song
Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield
"Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms
Nail Soup- Prop Story (from the book by Eric Maddern)

Toddler Storytime Lineup

"Clap Your Hands" from Wiggleworms Love You

F is for Food

What's for Lunch? by Ann Garrett

"Peanut Butter and Jelly" from Songs for Wiggleworms

Flip Flap Jack- Flannel 

"I'm a Little Teapot" Action Rhyme

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Pop Up book!) by Eric Carle

"Milkshake Song" from Songs for Wiggleworms

Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield

"I Feel Crazy so I Jump in the Soup" from Victor Vito

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear- Prop Story (from the book by Don and Audrey Wood)

Ready 2 Read Skills: Loving Books
Take a book like Nail Soup or The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear and act it out! Have you child help add things to the nail soup, or come up with new ways to hide the strawberry from the Big Hungry Bear. Turning books into games is a great way to model how much fun reading can be!

Look for Pop-Up and Lift-the-Flap books! Charlie Chick, What's for Lunch?  and the pop-up version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar are books that your child will quickly grow to love!