Red Storytime

Here is the next storytime in my color series. Its all about the color RED!!

·       I sang .Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree

                The kids got so into this song. I shortened it to three monkeys but wished I’d done all five. They were imitating every motion and anticipating the big clap that went along with the Alligator’s snap.

·       I did Willoughby Wallaby Woo so I could learn and sing each of the Children's names.

·       Showed the sign for "Red", What is Red? Who is wearing Red?

·       I went through our flannel board files again and pulled out any red items. I placed them all on the flannel board and had the children tell me what each on was. The kids were SO excited this morning!

·       Read The Red Hen by Rebecca Emberley

·       Sang Bumpin’ Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon

·       Sang Grey Squirrel

·       Flannel Board: Five Red Leaves

·       Sang Mary Had a Little Lamb

·       Read The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood

·       Sang Baa Baa Black Sheep

·       Here I was going to sing Hurry! Hurry! Drive theFire Truck, but the kids were so wild they were all doing that thing, where they are trying to sit on their bottoms, but they can’t actually make their little bottoms touch the floor. Its like they’re mounted on springs! Anyway, I didn’t think that song would be a good idea, since it tends to make a calm and mild group go wild.  We might have had to call a fire truck ourselves. Skipped!

·       Flannel Board: Five Lady Bugs

·       Sang Little Green Frog

·       Next we danced “Tapped” and Marched to some songs on a CD. I had to cut marching short when it became moshing. I faded out the music and had everyone sit back on their bottoms (as best they could manage) so I could tell them what was next. Then I let them go find a seat at the craft tables.

·       Our craft today was a Red collage. I started cutting red things out of magazines, but was only getting red high heel shoes and red purses and lipsticks so I ended up printing lots of red things and cutting those to use for collages. The kids glued the cut-outs to red construction paper.

·       Then it was Playtime!

Things went well today. The kids were wildly energetic, but they loved talking about and identifying all the objects on the flannel board and helping me count.

Flannel Board: Five Lady Bugs

This flannel story was here when I started my job. These five ladybugs are mounted on cardboard so they are nice and stiff and easy to pick up and put down on the flannel board.

Here is the poem:

I saw a little lady bug flying in the air,
But when I tried to catch her, two bugs were there!

Two little lady bugs flew up in a tree.
I tiptoed very quietly, and then I saw three!

Three little ladybugs - I looked for one more.
I saw one sitting on the ground: That made four!

Four little ladybugs - Another one arrived.
I saw her sitting on a flower and that made five!

Five little ladybugs, all red and black.
I clapped my hands and shouted and they all flew back!

Hurry! Hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

I learned this song at a Childcare workshop many years ago but I've put my own spin on it over the years. I sing the song once through as slow as I can possibly manage. When we get to the end and I ask "Is the fire out?" I give the kids a moment. Then I shake my head, as if they've all said no, (
which they will from then on) and say "No?! OH NO!!" and clap my hands to my cheeks in dismay! Then we sing the song again, but faster, and more urgently. I repeat this as many times as I like, usually between three and four. The last time I sing the song so fast that its hard to even understand the words but the kids LOVE the silliness of my panicky face and my super fast singing and my frenzied motions. When I'm ready to cut it off, I just clap at the last part instead of asking if the fire is out.

(Holding an imaginary steering wheel)

Hurry! Hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

Hurry! Hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

Hurry! Hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

(Ring imaginary bell)

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

(Climb an imaginary ladder)

Hurry! Hurry! Climb the ladder!

Hurry! Hurry! Climb the ladder!

Hurry! Hurry! Climb the ladder!

(Ring imaginary bell)

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

(Pan back and forth with an imaginary fire hose)

Hurry! Hurry! Spray the water!

Hurry! Hurry! Spray the water!

Hurry! Hurry! Spray the water!

(Ring imaginary bell)

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Is the fire out?

No?!

OH NO!

Repeat

Flannel Board: Five Red Leaves

Another flannel story that was here when I started my job.

Five Red leaves, five and no more.
A caterpillar ate one. Now there are four.

Four red leaves, that's easy to see.
Along came a storm, and now there are three.

Three red leaves, nothing much to do.
A big wind blew. Now there are two.

Two red leaves, shining in the sun.
I glued one on my paper so now there is one.

One red leaf, left all alone. A gust of wind blew it home!

Bumpin' Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon (2 Ways)

I sing this song two different ways.

1. As a lap-ride for little ones:

For the first verse we bounce baby gently up and down on our lap:

Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Won't you be my darlin'?

For the second verse the ride gets a little rougher when we find out the wagon is broken! We bounce baby side to side AND up and down, a little faster too.

One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
Won't you be my darlin'?

For the third verse we've completely left the roadway now and are just flying in this crazy broken wagon: We lift baby up up up during this verse.

Flyin' through the air in my little red wagon!
Flyin' through the air in my little red wagon!
Flyin' through the air in my little red wagon!
Won't you be my darlin'?

2. For older kids we leave off all that bouncing and flying. I usually encourage the kids to tap the beat of the song on their knees.

Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon!
Won't you be my darlin'?

One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
One wheel's off and the axle's broken!
Won't you be my darlin'?

After the first two verses I use the names of the kids and names of tools to try and fix that crazy wagon:

Cayden's gonna fix it with his hammer!
Cayden's gonna fix it with his hammer!
Cayden's gonna fix it with his hammer!
Won't you be my darlin'?

You can keep going this way as long as you can remember some tools.

The second version of the song is adapted from Raffi. The first version I learned in a childcare workshop some years ago.

Halloween (Black and Orange) Storytime

This session I am focusing on colors each week. I got this idea from Storytime Katie and her series of color storytimes, as well as my slight obsession with Rainbow order.

I would love to have started with 'Red' because: Rainbow Order, but alas, this week Storytime falls on October 30 so it had to be Black and Orange!

·       I sang 5 Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree.

I have a lot of late arrivals so I thought I would start on time, if possible, with a song like this and do the introductory "opening" song second once most of the people arrived. Unfortunately, this morning people were very very late so it didn't even work. Sigh.

·       I did Willoughby Wallaby Woo so I could learn and sing each of the Children's names.

·       Showed the sign for "Orange", What is Orange? Who is wearing Orange?

I went through our flannel board files and pulled out any orange items which is kind of alarming and not something I'd do if anyone was watching, because Ahghhgh! What a mess?! But anyway while safely alone I had picked all the orange items out and put them on the top of the board so we talked about what they all were. My favorite was an orange mitten which a child said was for getting things out of the oven!

·       Showed sign for "Black". What is black? Who is wearing black?

Also showed black items taken from all different flannel story files.

·       Read It's Pumpkin Time by Zoe Hall

·       Sang Grey Squirrel

·       Performed Five Little Pumpkins fingerplay

·       Talked about Spiders. What is a Spider's house? Who is afraid of spiders? What  do we know about Spiders?

·       Sang Itsy Bitsy Spider

·       Flannel Board "Five Spiders on a Web"

·       Sang Mary Had a Little Lamb

·       Read Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

·       Sang Baa Baa Black Sheep

·       Flannel Board "Here is a Pumpkin"

·       Sang Little Green Frog

·       Next we danced to The Monster Mash

·       Then we did a Jack O'Lantern Craft

·       and it was Playtime!!

Song - Itsy Bitsy Spider

This is another classic I learned as a little girl. I strongly believe the song is "Itsy Bitsy" and reject any publication that tries to pass that eensy weensy business off. However, if YOU learned it another way forgive my prejudice and sing away.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out!
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the Itsy Bitsy Spider climbed up the spout again!

Flannel Board - Five Spiders on a Web

This adorable Flannel story came with my job! I don't know who made it, but its so cute! Look at those spiders! The web is made on a square of white flannel which is pasted to a piece of cardboard to give it structure.

Here is the poem:

Five little spiders lying on a cord.
Swish went the wind, then there were four.

Four little spiders pretty as could be.
Swish went the wind, then there were three.

Three little spiders all black and new.
Swish went the wind, then there were two.

Two little spiders, shining in the sun.
Swish went the wind, then there was one.

One little spider left all alone.
I gave him a poke and sent him home.

Flannel Board - Here is a Pumpkin

This one came with my job. I don't know who made it but I love it.

Here is a pumpkin who's happy,
Here is a pumpkin who sighs.
Here is a pumpkin who's sleepy,
And here is a pumpkin who cries.

Here is a pumpkin who's angry,
Here is a pumpkin who's sad.
Here is a pumpkkin who's noisy,
And here is a pumpkin who's glad.

Cathy B. Griffin

Song - Little Green Frog

I learned this song at 4-H and sang it at Summer camp too!

For this song you make a silly, exagerated sound.  The "mmmm" is a deep grunt and for the "ahh" you open your mouth big and wide, stick out your tongue and grunt simultaneously. Children LOVE this song. Even babies will immitate those crazy frog grunts.

Mmmmm-Ahhh went the little green frog one day.
Mmmmm-Ahhh went the little green frog.
Mmmmm-Ahhh went the little green frog one day.
Mmmmm-Ahhh
Mmmmm-Ahhh
Mmmmm-Ahhh-Ahhh-Ahhhh!

Frogs are supposed to go La-di-da di-da di-da
La-di-da di-da di-da
La-di-da di-da di-da
Frogs are supposed to go La-di-da di-da di-da

But this one went Mmmmm-Ahhhhh!!

Song - Baa Baa Black Sheep

From my childhood.

Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir! Yes sir!
Three bags full!

One for my master,
One for my dame.
One for the little boy who lives down the lane.

Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, Yes sir.
Three bags full!

Song - Mary Had a Little Lamb

I learned this as a little one, as most people do I'm sure.

Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb,
Little lamn.
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went,
Mary went,
Everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day,
School one day,
School one day.
It followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rules.

It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play,
Laugh and play.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

Finger play - Five Little Pumpkins

By Raffi

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate [Show five fingers]

The first one said [Show one finger]
"Oh my its getting late!" [Hands to cheeks showing dismay]

The second one said [show two fingers]
"There are witches in the air!" [Look up with dismay]

The third one said [Show three fingers]
"But we don't care" [act brave, cross arms or wag finger]

The fourth one said [Show four fingers]
"Let's run and run and run!" [Pantomime running with fists]

The fifth one said [Show five fingers]
"I'm ready for some fun!"

"Oooooooooo" went the wind [make it spooky]
and OUT went the light [clap, snap or make a quick fist]

and the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight! [Roll fists in front of you]

Action Song - Grey Squirrel

I learned this song in 4-H as a child

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel

Shake you bushy tail!

Grey Squirrel 

Grey Squirrel

Shake your bushy tail!

Wrinkle up your little nose,

stick it down between your toes.

Grey Squirrel 

Grey Squirrel 

Shake your bushy tail!

Have children shake their booties and act out the nose bit while singing it standing up.

Song - Willoughby Wallaby Woo

By Raffi

Willougby Wallaby Woo
An Elephant sat on you!
Willoughby Wallaby Wee
And Elephant sat on me!

Repeat from here with all the children's names. If you come to an odd number, throw in any silly verse like

Willoughby Wallaby Wibrary
An Elephant sat on the Library

or

Willoughby Wallaby Wallofus
And elephant sat on All of us!

Song - Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree

I learned this song at a Childcare Seminar. 

5 Little Monkeys sitting in a tree [Show five fingers]

Teasin' Mr. Alligator 

"You can't catch me! You can't catch me!" [Put hands up by ears and act out teasing motion]

Along comes Mr. Alligator - quiet as can be... [Make a swimming motion with two clasped hands]

AND SNAPS that monkey right outta that tree! [Clap hands from top to bottom like an alligator's mouth]

Repeat until there are no monkeys left.

Doom!

So, I started a rad blog. 

Then I started an online training course, and thought I was busy. Too busy to blog in fact. 

But I did save all my storytime plans from the session so I could blog them for you later. 

I saved them all! 

On a flashdrive. 

And yesterday I deleted them all by accident.

I’m kind of ticked about this.

Here are some photos I took of the storytime stuff so I could blog about them.

Well, tomorrow is another day. I will try again once storytime break is over!

Apples!

Hello all. School is back in session, Summer Reading is done, and storytime Session 5 has begun. YAY! 

This week's storytime was about APPLES!

Here is the rundown:

For all of Session 5 I will be using the same opener:

Make one eye go wink, wink, wink,

Make two eyes go blink, blink, blink.
Make two fingers stand just so,
Then ten fingers all in a row!
Back and forth your head will rock
And your knees can knock, knock, knock.
Now stretch and make a yawn so wide,
and drop your hands down to your sides.
Close your eyes and help me say,
Our very quiet word today:
SHHHHHHHHHH!

Source: The Big Book of Stories, songs and Sing-Alongs by Maddigan, Drennan and Thompson

(But I got it from ItsyBitsyMom)

Next we sang Old Macdonald, doing 3 animals. I had 3 animals picked ahead of time in my script, but a very enthusiastic singer filled in her own ideas and that was great. I hope to do 3 different animals next week.

I briefly showed the signs for "Apple" and "Red" and put a felt apple up on the flannel board. I asked the kids what it was and to tell me about apples. Are all apples red? No? What other colors can there be? What does an apple look like inside. 

After this chat we read Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss. 

Next we sang "Way up High in the Apple Tree"

Way up high in the apple tree

Two little apples smiled at me

I shook that tree as hard as I could

Down came the apples

Mmm mmm good!

From: Childhood

And then: The Wheels on the Bus

From: Childhood

Then we read The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson

Next a flannel board:

5 red apples hanging in a tree,

The juiciest apples you ever did see,

The wind came by and gave an angry frown

And one little apple came tumbling down.

4 red apples hanging in a tree.... (repeat until all apples are gone!)

Sorry, my pics are kinda blurry.

From Esther Storytimes 

Since we had a nice small group today, I let each child come up and take an apple down from the tree. I had to change the start to 6 red apples. This was a big hit. 

So we sang Hurry Hurry Drive the Firetruck

Hurry hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

Hurry hurry! Drive the firetruck!

Hurry hurry! Drive the Firetruck!

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Hurry hurry! Climb the Ladder!

Hurry hurry! Climb the Ladder!

Hurry hurry! Climb the Ladder!

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Hurry hurry! Spray the water!

Hurry hurry! Spray the water!

Hurry hurry! Spray the water!

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Is the fire out?

Source: my childhood.

I always do the song like this: I start very slowly, or as slow as I can tolerate and sing it without any urgency. When we get to the question at the end, I respond as if the kids said "No!" After doing this song together a couple of times, they will too. So we sing it through a second time, a bit faster. At the end, I again ask if the fire is out and respond to "No" OH NO!!!  And we sing it the third time at super silly speed, with exaggerated motions too. After we go as fast as we can, usually the third time, I end it with "YAY! We DID it!" instead of asking if the fire is out. 

Then we did another flannel.

Flannelboard: “Five Little Apples”

Five little apples hung in a tree
The farmer wasn’t looking.
So guess who came to eat?
A _______ ! Munch, munch, munch!
Now the tree is bare
There are no more apples there
But when next fall comes around
Guess who’ll be there!
The _________

Credit: Storytime Secrets 

I had planned two other songs, which both got skipped. My bunch was smaller but very antsy this morning. Anyway, if they had been up for it I would have sung "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "I'm a Little Apple Tree"

I'm a little apple tree

All my apples grow on me

I mustn't sneeze, I mustn't cough,

or all my apples will fall off!

Ah AH AHCHOOOOOO!

Get your apples!!!

From: Childhood

But we moved straight into movement and craft.

We danced along to Shake My Sillies Out by the Wiggles.

Then it was off to the craft area. Today the kids colored apples with dabbers with the option of also coloring an apple tree with crayons, dabbers or both. The kids REALLY liked the dabbers. I mean a lot. Crayons were out of the questions for most. So simple!

Then it was playtime!

My kids were really antsy today, so a few things got skipped. Everyone really liked the theme and they loved Ten Apples Up On Top. 

So for this session, I'm going to keep a lot of the same songs each week, and change up the theme, the books we read, and the flannel stories.