I is for Imagination!

I is for igloo, ink, insect, interesting, information, imp, idea, important, and imagination! 

We had a wonderfully imaginative storytime! All of our stories and songs had NO WORDS! 

We read: 

I See a Song, by Eric Carle

"As a violinist, shown in black and white, starts to play, colorful semi-abstract images emerge from his music, transmuting magically from one to the next until the end, when the violinist, himself transformed into a many-colored figure, bows and leaves. Wordless, this beautiful book encourages children to develop their own visual and musical imagination and creativity." - eric-carle.com

We guessed the names of songs by humming them: 

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Do You Wanna Build a Snowman? 

We read: 

A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka 

"Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal

This New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special." - Schwartz and Wade

For our craft, we got creative! We had paper, markers, scissors, glue, and stickers, and just went nuts making whatever we wanted! 
What great imagination! 

That's it for Fun for 4s and 5s this year! We'll come back in 2015 with Joyous Letter J!

H is for Hands!

H is for Hello, Hopscotch, Hunt, Hanukkah, Halo, Hippopotamus, Harp, Hungry, Hankering, and Hands!

We read:

Let's look at hands, by Sheilagh Noble

"This brightly illustrated, engaging series presents both human and animal bodies, prompting children to compare and contrast them. Each page spread features children examining the animals' "hands and feet" and comparing them with their own, encouraging them to think about how their own bodies work and how animals' bodies are modified and equipped to help them survive in their natural habitat. Kids learn how a camel has special toes for walking on sand, how a seal uses its flippers to swim, and why moles have special paws-to hunt and shovel. The skills and diversity of all living creatures are celebrated." - Zero to Ten Children's Books

We sang: Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five green and speckled frogs,
Sat on a speckled log,
Eating some most delicious bugs,
Yum, yum!
One jumped into the pool,
Where it was nice and cool.
Now there's only four green speckled frogs!

Four, three, two, one, and none! 

We read:

If You're Happy and You Know It!, by Jan Ormerod

"Here's a new take on the popular song known to every child. In this version, a collection of animals put their own twist on the words. A new version that stresses individuality and won't fail to amuse every child." - Star Bright Books

For our craft, we made palm trees!

G is for Guitar

G is for Gazelle, Galloping, Green, Gargantuan, Gorilla, Grasshopper, Giant, Gnome, and Guitar!

We had a wonderfully musical story time!

We read:

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Trout! by Teri Sloat

"A bright, energetic retelling of a beloved children's rhyme, with a Pacific Northwest twist.

"There was an old lady who swallowed a trout
That splished and splashed and thrashed about."

Everyone has heard about the old lady who swallowed a fly, but there is something particularly fishy about this old lady . . .

Beautiful illustrations in this story capture the scenery and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. The buoyant text jumps along as the old lady swallows a salmon, an otter, a seal, a walrus, and more, until eventually she swallows the entire sea and the trout swims free! With a unique and fascinating setting, this pure flight of fancy gives a fresh look to a familiar poem." - Square Fish

We sang: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,
How I wonder what you are. 

We read:

Puff the Magic Dragon, by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

"Toddlers love friendly dragons, too--and now their time has come, with a beautiful board-book version of Puff, the Magic Dragon!

This sturdy new volume features Eric Puybaret's stunning art from the phenomenally successful and critically praised picture book. It's the perfect celebration of the 50th anniversary of Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton's beloved children's song." - Sterling Children's Books

We sang: Ten in the Bed

There were 10 in the bed,
And the little one said,
"Roll over! Roll over!"
So they all rolled over and one fell out!

9, 8, 7, etc. 

We read:

The Wheels on the Bus, by Jane Cabrera

""The wheels on the bus go round and round..." Yes, but what's on the bus? Lots of adorable animals! And they're not staying quiet. The lion roars; the monkeys chatter. The hyenas think the whole scene is ridiculous and are laughing hysterically. Watch out for the crocodile, whose jaws go snap, snap, snap! this raucous rendition of a favorite song will have everyone roaring, chattering, and chomping before the animals reach their stop." - Holiday House Inc. 

For our craft, we made guitars!

F is for Frog!

F is for Fabulous, Friend, Fox, Freckle, Flash, Firetruck, Fence, and Frog!

We read:

Froggy's First Kiss, by Jonathan London

"Does Froggy have a girlfriend?
He can't even think straight when she's around. When Frogilina smiles at him through the monkey bars, Froggy falls smack on his head-bonk! So with Valentine's Day just a week away, Froggy gets busy making an extra-special valentine. The fifth book about the irrepressible Froggy, this is sure to keep children giggling with delight." - Puffin

Check out this adorable read along! 


We sang: Five Green and Speckled Frogs
 

Five green and speckled frogs, sat on a speckled log,

Eating some most delicious bugs,

Yum, yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool,

Now there’s only four green speckled frogs. 

Four, three, two, one, until there are no green and speckled frogs. 

We read:

Froggy Goes to the Doctor, by Jonathan London

"Froggy is going to the doctor for a checkup, and he?s feeling a little nervous. ?What if the doctor wants to give me a shot?? he thinks. He worries as he dresses and then he can?t sit still in the waiting room. Finally, it?s time to go in and change for his exam, but . . . OOOPS! He?s forgotten his underwear! And that?s just the beginning of Froggy?s hilarious doctor visit that ends reassuringly with a gold star and a lollipop." - Puffin

We sang: Little Green Frog (Action Song!  Actions in [ ]'s)

Mm, Mm went the little green frog one day, [stick tongue out on 2nd "Mm"]
Mm, Mm went the little green frog,  [stick tongue out on 2nd "Mm"]
Mm, Mm went the little green frog one day,  [stick tongue out on 2nd "Mm"]
And they all went Mm, Mm, Aahh!  [stick tongue out on 2nd "Mm" and open mouth wide for Aahh!]
But!
We all know frogs go, [CLAP] Lahdeedahdeedah! [CLAP] Lahdeedahdeedah! [CLAP] Lahdeedahdeedah!
We all know frogs go, [CLAP] Lahdeedahdeedah!
They don't go Mm, Mm, Aahh! [stick tongue out on 2nd "Mm" and open mouth wide for Aahh!]

We read: 
 
City Dog, Country Frog, by Mo Willems

"In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. "You'll do," Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock. In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog. Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time.

Mo Willems' spare, poignant text and Jon J. Muth's expressive watercolors team up to tell a story that will resonate with readers of all ages." - Disney-Hyperion

For our craft, we made frogs on a lily pad! 

Our next storytime will be a musical sensation!

Winter/Spring 2015 Children's Events

January Children's Events Newsletter

Christmas

Christmas

Storytime – Welcome Song and Storytime is Starting song.

Read first story Peek-a-Boo Christmas!, Deck the walls!

Song: Hat and whiskers, belt and boots

Hat and whiskers, belt and boots, belt and boots, belt and boots.

Hat and whiskers, belt and boots,

Twinkling eyes and a cherry red nose.

Read second story What am I? Christmas, Pete the Cat saves Christmas, The Dinosaur that pooped Christmas

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Read third story Little Santa, A very Fuddles Christmas

Craft:      Paper Plate Wreath

Materials: paper plates with center circle cut out, strips of green construction paper, pom poms, sequins,

glue, ribbon

Glue green strips all around the wreath. Glue on pompoms. Staple ribbon on the back as a hanger.

Idea from Lil' Miss Smartypants

Christmas Cheer 2014

Christmas Cheer

Welcome song

Story Little Santa

Song: Jingle Bells (with shakers and jingle bells)

Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way

Bells on bob tails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh

Song: Hat and whiskers, belt and boots

Hat and whiskers, belt and boots, belt and boots, belt and boots.

Hat and whiskers, belt and boots,

Twinkling eyes and a cherry red nose.

 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Minute to Win It Games

 Games- Minute to Win It

Marshmallow Toss (with a partner holding the wreath/bucket)

-see how many marshmallows you can get through the wreath into the bucket in a minute.

Cup Stack (36 cups)

-can you stack the cups with one hand in a minute. Stack in a pyramid and then back to a single stack.

Rudolf (ribbon in between teeth)

-can you get the red pompom on a string up onto your Vaseline covered nose with no hands in a minute

Cookie Migration (cookie on forehead)

-can you get the cookie from your forehead into your mouth without using your hands in a minute.

Candy Tree Making and Ornament Making

Snacks and Hot Chocolate

Prize Draws

 

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

Letter K

Letter K –Kittens, kangaroos, koalas, kookaburra, kingfisher, komodo dragon, karate, kings, keys, kiss, kiwi and kites

Storytime – Welcome Song and Storytime is Starting song.

Read first story Pouch!, Humpty Dumpty, Where's my mommy?

1. 

2. 

Five little kittens

Five little kittens standing in a row (hold up 5 fingers)

They nod their heads to the children so (bend fingers)

They run to the left, they run to the right (run fingers to the left and then to the right)

They stand up and stretch in the bright sunlight (stretch fingers out tall)

Along comes a dog who's in for some fun (hold up one finger from opposite hand)

MEOW! See those little kittens run (let fingers run).

Kitty

(Make a fist of left hand for kitty, and pet the kitty.)
Soft kitty, warm kitty
Little ball of fur
Lazy kitty, pretty kitty
purr, purr, purr

Read second story Knitty Kitty, Oi Frog!, Kittens! Kittens! Kittens!

Song Rhyme: Koala Bear

Koala bear, koala bear, Turn around, (Turn around)

Koala bear, koala bear, Touch the ground (Touch the ground)

Koala bear, koala bear, Dance on your toes, (Dance on tip toes)

Koala bear, koala bear, Touch your nose (Touch your nose)

Koala bear, koala bear, Give a little clap, (clap)

Koala bear, koala bear, Take a nap (Put head on hands like sleeping)

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Read third story Baa! Moo! What will we do?, The Tiny King

Rhyme: Five Little Kites

Five bright kites I bought at the store. (five fingers)

Along came a strong wind, and now I have four. (thumb)

Four bright kites flying over the sea.

Along came a big wave, and now I have three. (index)

Three bright kites, I'll give one to you.

Three bright kites, now I have two. (middle finger)

Two bright kites flew too near to the sun.

Poor little kites! Now I have one. (ring down)

One bright kite - that's enough for me,

I'll keep it away from the kite - eating tree!

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2. 

3. 

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5. 

Craft- Kangaroo

Materials: Kangaroo body, head, arms and ears cut from brown construction paper, wood stick, paper cup, markers, glue, stapler, googly eyes.

Glue body, head, ears and arms to stick. Draw on nose and glue on googly eyes. Wrap legs around cup and staple to the paper cup to make a pouch.
Idea from Tippytoe crafts