Not doing so well!

I have stuff that I want to do on here but can not find the time to do it. Sorry!

New Year’s Resolution Broken

No storytimes at the moment. We will be doing them come February 10th. Will try to do better, as I promised!

Long Time, No See!

Things get so busy and then you realize that you are forgetting to do something.  I am hoping I can keep informing people about the programing we are doing in the New Year. Sorry it took sooooooooooo long!

Windy

It seems I am already behind again in doing this. Here is the storytime we did on the 12th of this month:

Books:

The wind’s garden/ Bethany Roberts

Comes a wind / Linda Arms White

The windy day / G. Brian Karas

Wind says good night / Katy Rydell

Amy loves the wind / Julia Hoban

When the wind blew / Margaret Wise Brown

Gilberto and the wind/ Marie Ets Hall

Tiny Seed/ Carle, Eric

We will be doing print awareness today and letter knowledge. Print awareness is noticing letters and words, following the words on a page and learning how to handle a book. The letter W will be introduced for the theme wind.

 

Whistling Wind
Sung to: “If you’re happy and you know it”
If you hear the whistling wind,
Cup your ears.
If you hear the whistling wind,
Cup your ears.
If you hear it in the trees
Making music with the leaves,
If you hear the whistling wind,
Cup your ears.

If you feel the Blustery wind,
Whirl around
If you feel the blustery wind,
Whirl around.
If you feel it lift your hair
Like a kite up in the air,
If you feel the blustery wind,
Whirl around.
Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Blow, blow, blow, the wind
Gently through the trees.
Blow, and blow, and blow, and blow.
How I like a breeze!

Blow, blow, blow the clouds,
Blow them through the sky.
Blow, and blow, and blow, and blow.
Watch the clouds roll by!

The Wind
The wind came out to play one day.
He swept the clouds out his way;
(sweeping motions with arms.)
He blew the leaves and away they flew.(fluttering motions with fingers.)
The trees bent low, and their branches did too.(lift arms and lower them.)
The wind blew the great ships at sea;(repeat sweeping motions.)
The wind blew my kite away from me. (let imaginary string go up and away, raise hand to brow and look up.)

I See The Wind
I see the wind when the leaves dance by,
(Dance hands around)
I see the wind when the Clothes wave “Hi!”
(Wave hand)
I see the wind when the trees bend low,
(Bend arms over and down)
I see the wind when the flags all blow.
(wave arms high)
I see the wind when the kites Fly high,
(raise arms high)
I see the wind when the clouds float by.
(wave hand gently)
I see the wind when it blows my hair,
(lift hair with hands.)
I see the wind ‘most everywhere!
(Hold hands out, palms up.)

Spring Wind Blows

The spring wind blows this way and that
Oops! Watch out! There goes my hat! (Wave hands above head.)
The spring wind blows round and round.
It blows my hat across the ground. (Move arms in a rolling motion.)
The spring wind blows. Spin, spin, spin!
Oops, it blows my hat again! (Move hand in a circular upward motion.)
The spring wind blows left and right.
Then it blows my hat out of sight! (Move hands to the left, then right.)
(Wave bye-bye.)

The Wintery Wind
Sung to: “Happy Birthday”
The winter wind blows.
The winter wind blows.
It gives me the shivers
From my head to my toes!

Note: http://www.kizclub.com/storytime/wind/wind.html the story Watch the Wind

Worksheet Handouts-

http://www.tlsbooks.com/allkindsofweather.pdf 

http://www.tlsbooks.com/weathercutandpaste.pdf 

http://www.tipztime.com/minicharts/weatherchartb.html

Crafts

We made a kit stick puppet. Using the pattern at Preschool Express http://www.preschoolexpress.com/pattern_station03/kite_patterns.pdf  more   http://www.preschoolexpress.com/pattern_station03/kite_activities_mar03.shtml

 Sometimes we would use a straw to blow different items around or see if we could keep a feather to stay up in the air. Do  pinwheels or blowing bubbles.

Soup

An odd theme but goes along with the winter season. I have some more fingerplays if you want them.

Books:

*Fox tale soup / by Tony Bonning

*Slop goes the soup / Pamela Duncan Edwards

*Veggie soup/ Dorothy Donohue

Alvie eats soup / by Ross Collins

Stone soup / Heather Forest

Wild weather soup /Caroline Formby

The alphabet soup / by Mirko Gabler

Growing vegetable soup / Lois Ehlert

Chicken soup with rice / Maurice Sendak

Parents try encouraging children to make predictions before/during the reading of a story. This will help with the narrative skill.

The take home sheet is about the story stone soup. See if your child can retell the story.

Peas Porridge Hot

Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold

Peas porridge in the pot nine days old

Some like it hot, some like it cold

Some like it in the pot nine days old

Vegetable Soup (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
The soup is boiling up,
The soup is boiling up,
Stirring slow, around we go,
The soup is boiling up.

First we add the broth…
Now we add some carrots…
Now we add some celery…
Now we add some onion…
Now we add some potatoes…

CHICKEN SOUP

When my forehead’s feeling hot	put hand to forehead
Do I want pizza? I do not!	hold out hands in questioning gesture, shake head
When I cough or when I sneeze	cough, sneeze
Give me a bowl of hot soup please	make bowl with hands
Eating chicken soup with rice	pretend to eat
Makes me feel so very nice	hug self
So when you’re feeling under the weather	frown, point thumb down
Chicken soup might make you feel better	smile, point thumb up

 

A B C D E F G
Sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” A B C  A B C D E F G,
H I J K L M N O P,
Q R S and T U V,
W and X Y Z, Now I’ve learned my A B C’s,
Next time won’t you sing with me.

Pea Soup

One little pea jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot.
(close thumb into a fist)

Two little peas jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot.
(tuck pointer into fist)

Three little peas jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot.
(tuck middle finger into fist)

Four little peas jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot.
(tuck ring finger into fist)

Five little peas jumped into the pot,
And waited for the soup to get hot.
(tuck pinkie into fist)

Finally, the soup got so very hot,
All the little peas jumped out of the pot!
(open hand)

Learning Soup – (if you want to try at home)
Pre-K aged children can help  prepare soup and experience sharing while they cooperate to complete a task.

You will need:
A large pot with a cover, vegetable brush, vegetable peeler (optional), knives (only for an adult to use), cutting board, measuring cup, a ladle/big spoon, soup bowls and a stovetop.

Ingredients can include:
4 cups water, 4 vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes, and a variety of vegetables: carrots, potatoes, corn, peas, onions, zucchini etc.

Preparation:
Your child can help wash and scrub the vegetables (peeling by you is optional). Then you cut the veggies into pieces. Your child can pour the water into the pot, and add the bouillon and vegetable pieces. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for one hour.

Teach spatial concepts by:
Ask your child which piece of veggie is bigger than another, measuring water and pouring into the pot, explaining the process with terms like before, next and after. (Note: All of you would know this but I need to state- Be careful – never let your child cut with a knife, or stir the pot while on a hot stove.)

Worksheets:

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag70.html

Crafts:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/alphabetactivities/a/alphasoup.htm

I modified by doing a paper plate and putting a color circle in the middle for the broth. They can color the outside rim for the bowl part.

You could also make snowman soup. Instructions are here at http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/snowman_soup.htm

Penguins

Another polar region theme of penguins.

Books:

Antarctica / Helen Cowcher

Little Penguin’s tale / Audrey Wood.

Tacky the penguin / Helen Lester

*Five little penguins slipping on the ice / Steve Metzger

If I were a penguin/ Heidi Goennel

* The emperor’s egg / Martin Jenkins

* My penguin Osbert / Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

* I like it when— / Mary Murphy

* I am Pangoo the penguin / Satomi Ichikawa

* A penguin pup for Pinkerton/ Steven Kellogg

* From other libraries

 

We will be doing letter knowledge and the recognition of the letter P today. Letter knowledge can be developed by involving your child in a variety of ways around you. Point out the letters in magazines, signs or books.

You also can help your child write his or her name and other familiar words with magnetic letters, marker and paper or on the computer. Help your child learn to recognize her name in print. Encourage her to spell and write her name and display her name in special places in your home.

 

Penguin Cheer

I like fishes. Yes I do. (Clap hands)

When I want fishies, here’s what I do. (Point to self)

One, two, three…Splash! (Jump forward, arms over head)

Two Little Penguins

Two little penguins sitting on the ice. (Hold up both index fingers)

 One bows once, the other bows twice. (Make fingers bow)

Waddle little penguins. Waddle away. (Put fingers behind back)

Come back penguins. Time to play. (Bring fingers to the front)

How Much Is That Penquin?
   (Tune: How Much Is That Doggy In The Window)

How much is that penguin in the window?
The one in the black and white suit.
How much is that penguin in the window?
I do think that penguin’s so cute.

Five Little Penguins

(tune: “Wheels on the Bus”)

The 5 little penguins go flap, flap, flap, / flap, flap, flap, / flap, flap, flap

The 5 little penguins go flap, flap, flap, / All around the ice.

The 5 little penguins go waddle… / All around the ice.

The 5 little penguins go swim… / All through the sea.

If You’re a Penguin, And You Know It

If you’re a penguin and you know it, flap your wings

 If you’re a penguin and you know it, flap your wings

If you’re a penguin and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re a penguin and you know it, flap your wings

Waddle your feet….

Swim, swim, swim…

 Eat a fish, yum, yum ( rub your belly)

Penguin

Where are the penguins?
Aauk! Aauk! Aauk!
I can not see them in the sea
Peek! Peek! Peek!
Here they come waddling across the ice
1,2,3,4,5!

 

Craft

http://akidsheart.com/animals/birds/penguincrft.htm 

http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/CRAFTS/penguin2.htm

Worksheets

http://www.underfives.co.uk/penguin.html#penguin%20zigzag

http://www.first-school.ws/t/alpha_tracers_zb1/p4.html

http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/animals/penguins/4.gif

http://akidsheart.com/animals/birds/pengcount.htm

Animals

This is what I did for the preschool but it has been done for regular storytime.  I try to give a cutting craft to do. Worksheets are also sent home with them.

Books:

Whose tail? / Sam Lloyd

Kitten’s first full moon / by Kevin Henkes

Who says woof? / John Butler

Quiet! / Paul Bright

The magic hat / Mem Fox

The baby beebee bird /  Diane Redfield Massie

The flea’s sneeze / Lynn Downey

To market, to market /Anne Miranda

I love animals / Flora McDonnell

The cow that went oink / Bernard Most

I have a pet! / Shari Halpern

 

All of you read and share books with your children.  Chose a book you like to read or your child’s favorite one. Point out words by running a finger under them. Look at the pictures and have them try to predict what might come next or what is going on.

FUN is important. If the experience is not a positive one, children will relate reading to something negative, which will make them less likely to choose to read. Keep up the good work!

 

Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks went in for a swim. (Hold up hand, extend fingers.)
The first little duck put his head in.  (Point to each finger in turn.)
The second little duck put his head back.
The third little duck said, “Quack, quack, quack.”
The fourth little duck with his tiny brother
Went for a walk with his father and mother. (“Walk” fingers up opposite arm.)

Ten Little Ducklings
Ten little ducklings, (Move hands back and forth in waddling motion.)
Dash, dash, dash!
Jumped in the duck pond, (Motion of jumping.)
Splash, splash, splash!
When the mother called them,
“Quack, quack, quack!”
Ten little ducklings
Swam right back. (Motion of swimming.)

Animals On The Farm
(sung to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The [cow] on the farm goes
[Moo, moo, moo,]
[Moo, moo, moo,]
[Moo, moo, moo,]
The cow on the farm goes
[Moo, moo moo,]
All through the day.

Soft Kitty

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

Eight Baby Pigs
Two mother pigs lived in a pen.   (Thumbs)
Each had four babies and that made ten. (fingers of both hands)
These four babies were black and white. (fingers of one hand)
These four babies were black as night. (fingers on other hand)
All eight babies loved to play (wiggle fingers)
And they rolled in the mud all day! (Roll hands)

Call the Puppy

Call the Puppy!! (slap hands on thighs and whistle)
Give him some milk (hold out cupped hands)
Brush his coat til it shines like silk (pretend to comb dog’s fur)
Call the Puppy (slap hands on thighs and whistle)
Give him a bone (hold hand out open) 
Then scoop him up (scoop up dog)
And take him home (hug dog)  

The Animals at the Zoo
Sung to: “The Wheels on the Bus”
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,
Roar, roar, roar,
Roar, roar, roar,
The lions at the zoo go roar, roar, roar,
All day long!

The snakes at the zoo go hiss, hiss, hiss,
Hiss, hiss, hiss,
Hiss, hiss, hiss,
The snakes at the zoo go hiss, hiss, hiss,
All day long!

The hyenas at the zoo go ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, ha,
The hyenas at the zoo go ha, ha, ha,
All day long!

The monkeys at the zoo go oooh, oooh, oooh,
Oooh, oooh, oooh,
Oooh, oooh, oooh,
The monkeys at the zoo go oooh, oooh, oooh,
All day long!

Add your favorite animals, or let you kids come up with new ones to sing.  You can also add hand movements.

Some Crafts for this, you can find at http://www.abcteach.com/free/g/goat_paper_roll_pal.pdf for a goat,

http://www.abcteach.com/free/h/horse_paper_roll_pal.pdf for a horse, and http://www.abcteach.com/free/s/sheep_paper_roll_pal.pdf a sheep. These use toliet paper rolls.

Worksheets:

http://www.tlsbooks.com/farmanimalcutandpaste.pdf

http://www.kidzone.ws/prek_wrksht/t.asp?prek-linetrace1.htm

http://www.tlsbooks.com/colorthefarmanimals.pdf

Hello world!

Welcome to my world ! I am trying this for the very first time and hopefully I can submit my story time themes that I do. Today we did Polar bears.

Books:
The polar bears are hungry / Carol Carrick
Bear’s dream / Janet Slings
Hush little polar bear / Jeff Mack
Polar bear night / Lauren Thompson
Little polar bear [kit] / Hans de Beer
Polar bear, polar bear, what do you hear? / Bill Martin

The preschool years are a wonderful time to share the joy of reading with your child. Try to read to them twenty minutes a day. I have included bookmarks to help promote this.
Getting ready to read is more than just knowing the alphabet. You can enhance Early Literacy development by reading aloud to your child, talking, listening, singing and using creative dramatics. You are the greatest teacher for your preschooler because you know your child better than anyone else.

Polar Bear
Polar bear, polar bear,
Turn around, (Turn around)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Touch the ground (Touch the ground)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Dance on your toes, (Dance on tip toes)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Touch your nose (Touch your nose)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Give a little clap, (Clap)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Take a nap (Lay head on hands)
Polar bear, polar bear,
Sit right down!

Marco the Polar Bear
Marco the Polar Bear, (make circle in front of body with arms)
White as the snow, (extend out arms proudly)
Sat down on the ice (sit down)
Near the cold water’s flow. (shiver)
“Lunch! I need lunch” he said; (rub stomach)
“I’ll make a wish.” (put hands together to make wish)
He stuck in his paw (put right hand down)
And came up with a fish! (hold up right hand) )
ha
Where is Bear? (Tune: Where Is Thumbkin?)
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today bear?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.nd an

The Polar Bear Went Over the Iceberg
(Tune: For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow)

The polar bear went over the iceberg,
The polar bear went over the iceberg,
The polar bear went over the iceberg,
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see!

Was the other side of the iceberg,
The other side of the iceberg,
The other side of the iceberg,
Was all that he could see,
Was all that he could see,
Was all that he could see

The polar bear went over the sea
The polar bear went over the sea
The polar bear went over the sea
To see what he could see.
To see what he could see
To see what he could see!

Was the other side of the sea,
The other side of the sea,
The other side of the sea,
The other side of the sea,
Was all that he could see!

The polar bear put on my glasses,
The polar bear put on my glasses,
The polar bear put on my glasses,
To see what he could see.
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see!

Was that he shouldn’t wear glasses
He shouldn’t wear glasses,
He shouldn’t wear glasses.
Was all that he could see!

Craft: http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/crafttemp/polarbear.pdf  Print out and have them cover with cotton balls. Or for more ideas of the artic go to   http://www.stepbystepcc.com/arctic.html