Thursday, December 11, 2014

Baby Storytime 12/11/14

Book read:
If You're Happy and You Know It! by Jane Cabrera

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (from Reading with Red)
Zoom, zoom, zoom! (bounce baby)
We're going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom!
We'll be there very soon.
5 ,4, 3, 2, 1!  Blast off! (lift baby)

Hands are Clapping (from Reading With Red)
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap your hands my darling!

Other verses include:
Toes are tapping...
Fingers are wiggling...
Eyes are hiding...

Bumping up and down (from Deschutes Library)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon, (bounce baby)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to one side)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to other side)
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)

She'll be Coming Around the Moutain (from Jbrary)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.

She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.

We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings.
We'll all eat chicken and dumpling.
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Baby Goes Bouncy Boo from Jbrary
Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you to the left, (bounce to the left)
I'll bounce you to the right, (bounce to the right)
I'll bounce you up, (lift baby)
I'll bounce you down, (bring baby down)
I'll bounce you out of sight. (lift baby)

Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you very fast, (bounce quickly)
I'll bounce you very slow, (slow down)
I'll bounce you up,
I'll bounce you down,
Then far back we go! (lean back)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Singable books are a great choice to share with your baby. Singing along to the story helps your baby hear the sounds that make up language.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Holiday Fun Storytime 12/9/14 and 12/10/14

Books read:
Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton
It's Christmas by Tina Burke

Other book suggestions:
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean

Let's All Do a Little Clapping 
(Tune:"We Wish You a Merry Christmas", from Storytime Katie)
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
and spread Christmas cheer!

Where is Santa? (from Step by Step Childcare)
Where is Santa? Where is Santa? (put hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (make belly with arms)
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Ho ho ho! Ho ho ho! (put hands behind back)

The Reindeer Pokey
You put your antlers in, (bow head forward)
You put your antlers out, (lean head back)
You put your antlers in,
And you shake them all about (shake head)
You do the Reindeer Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about!

Other verses include hooves (feet), tail, red nose, and reindeer self.

Dance to "Boogie Woogie Santa" on CD

Ring the Bells (from Perry Public Library)
Ring, ring, ring the bells.
Ring them loud and clear!
To tell the children everywhere,
Christmas time is near!

Sing "Jingle Bells" with bells

Craft: We decorated construction paper trees with circle sticker "ornaments".

Literacy tip of the week:  There are many great literacy building activities that go along with the holidays. For instance have your child sign their name on holiday cards, or use cookie dough to make letters of the alphabet.
 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Baby Storytime 12/4/14

Book read: Hello Day by Anita Lobel

Hands are Clapping (from Reading With Red)
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap your hands my darling!

Jack in the Box (with scarves, from Jbrary)
Jack in the box,
Sits so still.
Will he come out?
Yes he will!

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Pop goes the weasel (from Perry Public Library)
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
In and out and all about.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the cobbler's bench, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
That's the way the money goes.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to scratch his head.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)  

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavey load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child backwards)

Motorboat, Motorboat

Toaster Song from Literary Commentary
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot, (bounce baby)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (lift baby)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Babies can learn understand some basic sign language before they can talk. Introducing a few basic ASL signs to your baby can be a great way to promote some early communication.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Boxes Storytime 12/2/14

Book read:
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Other book suggestions: 
Thank you Bear by Greg Foley
The Birthday Box  by Leslie Patricelli

ASL Sign of the Week: Box

I Like to Be a Jumping Jack (from Storytime Katie)
I like to be a jumping jack
And jump out from a box. (jump up)
I like to be a rocking horse
And rock and rock and rock. (rock back and forth)
I like to be a spinning top
And spring around and around. (spin)
I like to be rubber ball
And bounce right to the ground. (fall to the ground)

Jack in the Box 

Boat on the Waves
The boat on the waves goes rock, rock, rock,
Rock, rock, rock. Rock, rock, rock.
The boat on the waves goes, rock, rock, rock.
All round the lake.

Other verses include:
The wind on the sails goes swish, swish, swish.
The waves on the lake go up and down.

Pizza man, Pizza man
Pizza man, pizza man, turn around.
Pizza man, pizza man touch the ground.
Pizza man, pizza man, smell a rose.
Pizza man, pizza man, touch your toes.
Pizza man, pizza man, touch the sky.
Pizza man, pizza man, wave goodbye.
Pizza man, pizza man, turn around.
Pizza man, pizza man, sit back down.
Pizza man, pizza man, shake your head.
Pizza man, pizza man, go to bed.

Jack in the Box (with scarves, from Jbrary)
Jack in the box,
Sits so still.
Will he come out?
Yes he will!

Movement Cube

Craft:
We decorated a box coloring sheet with torn paper.

Literacy tip of the week: Playing pretend (as the child in "Not a Box" does) is an important way to develop your child's imagination. This is vital to literacy because reading requires the imagination of events in a story.

Food Storytime 11/25/14 and 11/26/14

Books read:
Snack time for Confetti by Kali Stileman
Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border

Other book suggestions:
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

ASL Sign of the Week: Eat

If You're Hungry and You Know It 

Toaster Song (adapted from Literacy Commentary)
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot! (bounce)
Tick, tock, tick, tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (jump up)

I Feel So Crazy I Jump in the Soup by Laurie Berkner (on her CD Victor Vito)

Food train (learned at the 2014 MiKidLib Unconference)
Mushroom, mushroom (move slowly like train)
Cheese and crackers, cheese and crackers (speed up)
Chicken fricasse, chicken fricasse (even faster)
SOUP! SOUP!

Fruit Salad Salsa (with shakers, also on Victor Vito)

Pizza, Pizza (learned at a daycare I taught at)
Pizza, pizza, his/her name is (fill in name)
Pizza, pizza, they don't mess around.
They turn around,
Touch the ground,
Jump back up and wiggle on down!

Craft: We used paint and bubble wrap to create pictures of grapes!

Literacy tip of the week: Meal times can be a great opportunity to share books with your child!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Baby Storytime 11/20/14

Book read: My Nose, Your Nose by Melanie Walsh

Hands are Clapping (from Reading With Red)
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Hands are clapping,
Clap, clap, clap,
Clap your hands my darling!

Roly Poly (from Reading with Red)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift baby)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap)

Pop goes the weasel (from Perry Public Library)
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
In and out and all about.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the cobbler's bench, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
That's the way the money goes.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby on your knees)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to scratch his head.
POP goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavey load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child backwards)

Motorboat, Motorboat

Toaster Song from Literary Commentary
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot, (bounce baby)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (lift baby)

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce baby)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: As your baby grows try to choose books that relate to their developing interests. This will help keep them engaged as you read together.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Alligator Storytime 11/18/14 and 11/19/14

Books read:
Snappy Little Jungle by Dugald Steer
Snip Snap! What's That? by Mara Bergman

Other book suggestions:
Frog in a Bog by Karma Wilson
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Dangerous by Tim Warnes
I'd really like to eat a child by Sylviane Donnio

ASL Sign of the Week: Alligator

If You're an Alligator and You Know It
If you're an alligator and you know it stomp your feet.
If you're an alligator and you know it then you really want to show it.
If you're an alligator and you know it stomp your feet.
Other actions include moving your tail, snapping your jaws, etc.

The Alligator Jump (modified from Storytime with Ms. Tara)
Alligators jump, (jump)
Alligators slide, (slide back and forth)
All the alligators move from side to side.
Alligators jump, (jump)
Alligators giggle, (pretend to laugh)
All the alligators like to turn around and wiggle! (shake your behind)

Alligator Crawl (found at Storytime with Ms. Tara)
The alligator's jaws go snap, snap, snap! (snap arms in front of you)
The alligator's tail goes thwack, thwack, thwack! (shake behind)
And he's getting closer! (crawl)

Alligator, Alligator (from Harris County Library)
Alligator, alligator, turn around.
Alligator, alligator, touch the ground.
Alligator, alligator dance on your toes.
Alligator, alligator touch your nose.
Alligator, alligator, jump up now.
Alligator, alligator take a bow.
Alligator, alligator, stomp your feet.
Alligator, alligator, take your seat.

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

Craft: We colored a alligator face template and made paper bag alligator puppets.

Literacy tip of the week: Do crafts with your child as much as possible. It is a great way to develop the fine motor skills they will need for writing!


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Baby Storytime 11/13/14

Book read: A Kiss Means I Love by Kathryn Madeline Allen

ASL Sign of the Week: Diaper


Roly Poly (from Reading with Red)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Up Up Up! (lift baby)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly (roll hands)
Down Down Down! (stomp feet)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly,  (roll hands)
Clap Clap Clap! (clap hands)
Roly Poly, Roly Poly, (roll hands)
Lap Lap Lap! (touch lap)

She'll be Coming Around the Moutain (from Jbrary)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.

She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.

We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings.
We'll all eat chicken and dumpling.
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.

Roll, Roll, Sugar Babies (from Reading Chick via Mel's Desk)
Roll roll sugar babies, (roll baby's hands)
Roll roll sugar babies,
Push (lean forward)
Pull (lean back)
And clap, clap, clap! (clap, clap, clap)
(For additional verses, substitute other opposites for push and pull. We used "up" and "down" and "left"and "right".)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Flying Babies (found at Time for Storytime)
I'm a little baby and I fly high (lift baby and swing through the air).
Here is the ground (lower baby to the ground)
And here is the sky (lift baby high in the air)
Like a bird or a butterfly, (bounce baby)
I'm a baby and I fly high! (lift baby)

Bumping up and down (from Deschutes Library)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon, (bounce baby)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to one side)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to other side)
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Wheels on the Bus

The Elevator Song (done with parachute, from Jbrary)
Oh the city is great and the city is grand.
There's a whole lot of people on a little piece of land.
And we live way up on the 57th floor.
This is what we do when we go out the door:
We take the elevator up and the elevator down.
We take the elevator up and the elevator down.
And we turn around.

The chute is on my head (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Laughter and Literacy)
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute is on my head!
The chute goes up and down, the chute goes up and down!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes up and down!
The chute goes fast and slow, the chute goes fast and slow!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes fast and slow!
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o the chute is on my head!

Literacy tip of the week: Playing with toys is a valuable learning experience for your baby! They are learning how the would works, and also developing fine motor skills. These skills will be needed when your child learns to read and write!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Music Storytime 11/11/14 and 11/12/14

Books read:
If you're happy and you know it by James Warhola
Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes by Eric Litwin

Other book suggestions:
If you're a monster and you know it by Rebecca Emberly
Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler
Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz

ASL Sign of the Week: Music

Dance Your Fingers Up from Stories with Ms. Jenna
Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down.
Dance your fingers to the side, dance them all around.
Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on your head.
Dance them on your tummy and put them all to bed.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Can't Wait to Celebrate on Jim Gill's CD "Irrational Anthem"

Shaking Everywhere on Jim Gill's CD "Irrational Anthem"

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc)

Hokey Pokey

Playing "Conductor" (found at Storytime Songs)

Craft: We decorated a printout of a music note with torn black paper.

Literacy tip of the Week: Sing with your child whenever possible. Singing slows down the sounds of language, making them easier for kids to identify.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Baby Storytime 11/6/14

Book read: Leo Loves Baby Time by Anna McQuinn

She'll be Coming Around the Moutain (from Jbrary)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Yee Haw! (lift baby)
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain.
She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.

She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.
Whoa there! (lean back)
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses.
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.

We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.
Yum! Yum! (rub tummy)
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings.
We'll all eat chicken and dumpling.
We'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes.

Toaster Song from Literary Commentary
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot, (bounce baby)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (lift baby)

Lift one foot and then the other (from Jbrary)
Lift one foot and then the other, (lift baby's legs)
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Lift one hand and then the other, (lift baby's arms)
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Clap your hands and keep on clapping, (clap baby's hands)
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap them both together!

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce baby)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc)

Hickory Dickory Dock (from Intellidancing)
Hickory, dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock. (move hands upwards on baby)
The clock struck one, (clap once)
The mouse ran down,
Hickory dickory dock.
(Other verses can include touching shoe for two and touching knee for three.)

Baby Goes Bouncy Boo from Jbrary
Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you to the left, (bounce to the left)
I'll bounce you to the right, (bounce to the right)
I'll bounce you up, (lift baby)
I'll bounce you down, (bring baby down)
I'll bounce you out of sight. (lift baby)

Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you very fast, (bounce quickly)
I'll bounce you very slow, (slow down)
I'll bounce you up,
I'll bounce you down,
Then far back we go! (lean back) 

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the Week: Books about other babies and common daily activities (like "Leo Loves Baby Time") are great choices to read to your baby.

Farm Storytime 11/4/14 and 11/5/14

Book read:
Cock-A-Moo-Moo! by Juliet Dallas Conte
Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

Other book suggestions:
Cows the Rescue by John Himmelman
Barnyard Song by Rhonda Gowler Greene 

Barnyard Song (to the tune of "If You're Happy And You Know It")
If you're a chicken and you know it flap your wings..
If you're a cow and you know it stomp your hooves...
If you're a pig and you know it wiggle your tail...

Farm Chores (from Preschool Education)
This is the way we _____,
This is the way we ______,
So early in the morning.
Insert actions such as: seeds grow high (reach high), drive the tractor (pretend to drive), pull the weeds (reach down), rake the field (pretend to rake)

We're Going to the Farm (modified from We're Going to the Zoo, which was adapted from one of the 2014 ALA Conferences Guerilla Storytimes)
We're going to the farm,
And you are going too!
To look at all the animals and everything they do.
Shake it, baby, shake it!
Shake it if you can!
Shake it like a milkshake and pour it in a can!
Shake it to the bottom!
Shake it to the top!
Shake it round and round and round,
Until I tell you STOP!

Barnyard Dance (from Perry Public Library)
The barnyard dance is about to begin.
So hitch up your pants and jump right in!
Pick the apples! Husk the corn!
Crow with the rooster in the early morn!
Bow to your partner! Wave hello!
Clap your hands and tap your toe!
Feed the chickens! Milk the cow!
Hoe the weeds and push the plow!
The barnyard dance has come to an end,
So kick up your heels and start again!

Run Little Ducks (from Athens County Library)
Run little ducks,
Run like a flash! (run)
Jump in the water with a splash, splash, splash! (jump three times)
Paddle your feet all around, (kick feet)
Waddle on home when you hear this sound: Quack, Quack, Quack!

Farm Song (That's What I Did On The Farm) by Laurie Berkner (on CD "Rocketship Run")

Old MacDonald Had a Farm (sung while bouncing animal puppets on our parachute)


Craft: We decorated print outs of baby chicks with feathers.

Literacy tip of the week: Animal sounds are a great way for your child to experiment with the sounds that make up language! Books and songs that include them are great for developing your child's awareness of these sounds.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Halloween Storytime 10/31/2014

Book read:
If You're a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberley

Other book suggestions: 
Click Clack Boo by Doreen Cronin
Mouse's First Halloween by Lauren Thompson
Go Away Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley

If you're a ghost and you know it
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"! (shout BOO!)
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"!
If you're a ghost and you know and you really want to show it,
If you're a ghost and you know it, just say "Boo"!

If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings! (flap your arms like wings)
If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings!
If you're a bat and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a bat and you know it, flap your wings!

If you're a werewolf and you know it, give a howl! (howl)
If you're a werewolf and you know it, give a howl!
If you're a werewolf and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a werewolf and you know it give a howl!

Monster Pokey (to the tune of the Hokey Pokey, from Storytime with Miss Mollie)
You put your claws in, you take your claws out.
You put your claws in and you shake them all about.
You do the wild rumpus and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
Additional verses: big feet, horns, tail, hairy self.

There's a Spider on the Floor (from Mel's Desk)
There's a spider on the floor, on the floor...
There's a spider on my leg, on my leg...
There's a spider on my tummy, and he feels kind of funny...
There's a spider on my head, my face is really red...
But he jumps off!

The Monster Boogie (by Laurie Berkner, on her CD "Buzz, Buzz")

We will Stomp by Mr. Eric and Mr Michael

Little Ghost (from Perry Public Library)
Little ghost, little ghost, flying through the air. (move hands through air)
Little ghost, little ghost, tickling my hair. (tickle head)
Little ghost, little ghost, flying way down low. (bow down)
Little ghost, little ghost, tickling my toe. (touch toes)
Little ghost, little ghost circling all around. (spin in circle)
Little ghost, little ghost, please sit down. (sit down)

Boiling Hot (done with parachute, from Step by Step Childcare)
Boiling hot, boiling hot,
What will we put in the witch's pot?
Boiling hot, boiling hot,
We'll put some (insert animal or object) in the witch's pot!

Craft:
We colored pictures and pasted them on paper "Trick Or Treat" Bags.

Literacy tip of the week: Stories that can be sung, such as "If You're A Monster and You Know It" are a great way to incorporate singing into reading time. Singing helps slow down parts of language so your child can begin to recognize the parts that make up words.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Color Science Storytime 10/23/14

Book read:
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson

Other book suggestions:
White Rabbit's Color Book by Alan Baker
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Colors (to the tune of "The Muffin Man", from Suffolk Library)
Oh can you find the color (insert color name),
The color (insert color name), the color (insert color name),
Oh can you find the color (insert color name),
Somewhere in this room?

If you're wearing red today (to the tune of "The Muffin Man", from Green Bean Teen Queen)
If you're wearing red today,
Red today, red today,
If you're wearing red today,
Stand up and say "Hooray!"
(repeat with other colors)

Grey Squirrel (first verse from Miss Meg's Storytime, others by me)
Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel,
Shake your bushy tail!
Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel,
Shake your bushy tail!

Red Bird, Red Bird,
Flap your pretty wings!
Red Bird, Red Bird,
Flap your pretty wings!

Brown Dog, Brown Dog,
Wag your long tail!
Brown Dog, Brown Dog,
Wag your long tail!

Black Cat, Black Cat,
Crawl around the floor!
Black Cat, Black Cat,
Crawl around the floor!

Goldfish, Goldfish,
Swim around the room!
Goldfish, Goldfish,
Swim around the room!

If you like the color (to the tune "If You're Happy and and You Know It")
If you like the color (name a color)
Clap your hands!
If you like it and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you like the color (name a color)
Clap your hands!
(repeat using different colors and actions. You can stomp feet, wiggle fingers, turn around, etc)

Dance to "Color Game" on "Jim Gill Sings "Do Re Me" CD

The Colors Over You (with parachute, from Storytime Underground's Guerilla Storytime Recap, to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Red and green and yellow and blue,
These are the colors over you.
Red like an apple and green like a tree.
Yellow like the sun and blue like this sea.
Red and green and yellow and blue,
These are the colors over you!

For more information on the science centers that followed this storytime, see Ms. Kelly At the Library.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Baby Storytime 10/16/14

Book read: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox

ASL Signs of the Week: Mom and Dad

Toaster Song from Literary Commentary
I'm toast in the toaster and I'm getting really hot, (bounce baby)
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock back and forth)
Up I pop! (lift baby)

Head and Shoulders Baby 1, 2, 3 (found at King County Library and Jbrary)
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
Head and shouders, head and shoulders,
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
(Additional verses can included any two body parts. Examples: Eyes and Ears, Tummy and Back, Knees and Toes)

The Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift baby in the air)
And he marched them down again (lower baby)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift baby's legs)
And when they're down their down. (lower baby's legs)
But when they're only halfway up (raise legs halfway)
They're neither up nor down.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavey load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child backwards)

Giddyup, Giddyup (from King County Library System)
Giddyup, giddyup ride to town, (bounce baby on your lap)
Giddyup, giddyup, up and down.
Giddyup fast, (bounce quickly)
Giddyup slow, (bounce slowly)
Giddyup, giddyup, WHOA! (dip baby backwards)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Ask your baby simple questions as you read to them, even if they can't respond. The more you engage with your baby in this manner the more words they will learn to understand.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Pumpkin Storytime 10/14/14 and 10/15/14

Books read: 
Pumpkin heads by Wendell Minor
The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

Other book suggestions: 
It's Pumpkin Tme! by Zoe Hall
Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas

Once there was a Pumpkin (from Kid and Kaboodle)
Once there was a pumpkin,
And it grew, (join fingers to make pumpkin)
And grew, (make bigger pumpkin shape)
And grew. (make large pumpkin with arms)
Now it's a Jack-O-Lantern and it smiles at you,
And you, and you!

I'm a little pumpkin (from Step by Step Childcare)
I'm a little pumpkin orange and round, (hold arms in a circle)
Here is my stem, (place fist on head)
There is the ground.
When I get all cut up, don't you shout!
Just open me up and scoop me out!

Pumpkin on the ground (from Sunflower Storytime)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, on the ground (crouch down)
How'd you get so big and round? (stretch arms and make a circle)
Once you were a seed so small.
Now you are a great big ball! (make huge circle with arms)
Pumpkins pumpkins on the ground. (crouch down)
How'd you get so big and round?

Pumpkins, pumpkins (from Read Sing Play)
Pumpkins, pumpkins turn around
Pumpkins, pumpkins touch the ground.
Pumpkins, pumpkins slap your knees.
Pumpkins, pumpkins sit down please.

Five Little Pumpkins (from Step by Step Childcare)
Five Little Pumpkins at my door.
A neighbor took one and then there were four.
Four little pumpkins under a tree,
Along came a farmer and then there were three.
Three little pumpkins that looked so new.
I gave one away and then there were two.
Two little pumpkins out in the sun,
Mom made a pie and then there was one.
Of all the pumpkins there was just one,
So I made a Jack O Lantern, and that was fun!

Craft: Decorated pumpkin templates with torn paper

Literacy tip of the week: When picking books to read together let you child explore their own interests. They will stay more engaged with a book if it is about a topic that interests them!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Baby Storytime 10/9/14

Book read: Where is my baby? by Harriet Ziefert

ASL Sign of the Week: All done

Head and Shoulders Baby 1, 2, 3 (found at King County Library and Jbrary)
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
Head and shouders, head and shoulders,
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3.
(Additional verses can included any two body parts. Examples: Eyes and Ears, Tummy and Back, Knees and Toes)

Roll, Roll, Sugar Babies (from Reading Chick via Mel's Desk)
Roll roll sugar babies, (roll baby's hands)
Roll roll sugar babies,
Push (lean forward)
Pull (lean back)
And clap, clap, clap! (clap, clap, clap)
(For additional verses, substitute other opposites for push and pull. We used "up" and "down" and "left"and "right".)

Acka Backa Soda Cracker (from Northport Library)
Acka backa soda cracker,
Acka back boo! (rock or bounce baby)
Acka backa soda cracker,
I love you! (give baby a hug)

Acka backa soda cracker,
Acka back boo!
Acka backa soda cracker,
Up goes you! (lift baby)

If You're Happy and You Know It

In and Out of the Window (from Ms Katie's Storytime Wiki)
Go in and out of the window, (lean forward and backwards)
Go in and out of the window,
Go in and out of the window,
As we have done before.

Go up and down the staircase, (lift and lower baby)
Go up and down the staircase,
Go up and down the staircase,
As we have done before.

Go round and round the village, (roll baby's hands)
Go round and round the village,
Go round and round the village,
As we have done before.

Did you ever see a baby? from Birth2Six
Did you ever see baby, a baby, a baby?
Did you ever see a baby go this way and that? (lift baby up and down)
Go this way and that way and this way and that way,
Did you ever see a baby go this way and that?
Repeat with moving baby side to side and to the front and back.

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Prompt your baby to point at pictures in books as you read them. This is a great way to keep them engaged and demonstrate how the pictures and words in a book are connected.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Trees Storytime 10/7/14 and 10/8/14

Book read: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Other book suggestions: 
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
A Tree for Me by Nancy VanLaan
Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall

A Tree is a Home (from Holiday Zone)
A tree may be a home for a bird (flap arms like a bird)
A tree may be a home for a bee (buzz hand like a bee)
A tree may be a home for a snake (slither like a snake)
A tree may be a home for a monkey (swing arms)
I would if a tree would make a good home for me? (point to self)

The Trees are Growing High (To the tune of 'The Farmer in the Dell", from Storytime Secrets )
The trees are growing high, (raise arms overhead)
The trees are growing high.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing high.
(Other verses: The threes are growing roots, The trees are growing leaves)

Leaves (from Step by Step Childcare)
Little leaves fall gently down,
Red and yellow, orange and brown (flutter hands down)
Whirling, whirling around and around (turn around)
Quietly without a sound (finger to lips)
Falling softly to the ground (begin to fall slowly)
Down and down and down and down. (lie on floor)

If You're a Tree and You Know It
If you're a tree and you know it grow up high. (reach high)
If you're a tree and you know it grow up high.
If you're a tree and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're a tree and you know it grow up high. 

Other verses included: Touch your roots (touch toes), and Wave Your Leaves (wave arms)

Here We Go Round the Apple Tree (done with parachute, adapted from King County Library)
Here we go round the apple tree, apple tree. apple tree
Here we go round the apple tree so early in the morning.

This is the way we shake off the apples, shake off the apples, shake off the apples
This is the way we shake off the apples so early in the morning.

This is the way the leaves fall down, leaves fall down, leaves fall down,
This is the way the leaves fall down, so early in the morning.

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

Literacy tip of the week: Interactive stories (like "Tap the Magic Tree") are a great way to encourage your child's participation and engagement with books!


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Baby Storytime 10/2/14

Book read: Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora

Roll, Roll, Sugar Babies (from Reading Chick via Mel's Desk)
Roll roll sugar babies, (roll baby's hands)
Roll roll sugar babies,
Push (lean forward)
Pull (lean back)
And clap, clap, clap! (clap, clap, clap)
(For additional verses, substitute other opposites for push and pull. We used "up" and "down" and "left"and "right".)

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Jack be Nimble
Jack be nimble (bounce baby on knees)
Jack be quick.
Jack jumped over the candlestick (lift baby to other knee)
Jack jumped high (lift baby up)
Jack jumped low (bring baby down)
Jack jumped over (lift baby to other knee)
And burnt his toe! (tickle toes)

Motorboat, Motorboat

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce baby)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc)

Pop Goes the Weasel
All around the mulberry bush, (bounce baby)
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought was all in fun.
Pop goes the weasel! (lift baby up)

A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle,
That's the way the money goes,
Pop goes the weasel!

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip: Your baby will learn to pay attention to their name very early on. If you use their name right before a new word, your baby is more likely to learn the new word.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Ms. Kelly's Favorites Storytime 9/30/14 and 10/1/14

Books read:
Jump by Scott Fischer
Can you make a scary face? by Jan Thomas
The cow loves cookies by Karma Wilson

Other book suggestions: 
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

ASL Sign of the Week: Favorite

"Can't Wait to Celebrate" (on Jim Gill's CD "Irrational Anthem")

Stomping in the Rain (from Librarian vs. Storytime)
We're stomping in the rain, (stomp feet)
We're stomping in the rain,
We can't go yet,
We must get wet!
We're stomping in the rain! 

Clap, Clap, Clap (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, from Perry Public Library)
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me!
(other verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders)

1, 2 Shake It On Your Shoe (from Jbrary)
1, 2, shake it on your shoe.
3.4 shake it on the floor.
5. 6 shake it really quick.
7, 8 hold it up straight.
9, 10 shake it with your friends!
  
Going to the Zoo (adapted from one of the 2014 ALA Conferences Guerilla Storytimes)
We're going to see some bears,
We're going to the zoo!
To look at all the animals and everything they do.
Shake it, baby, shake it!
Shake it if you can!
Shake it like a milkshake and pour it in a can!
Shake it to the bottom!
Shake it to the top!
Shake it round and round and round,
Until I tell you STOP!

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice)

We can jump, jump, jump (from Athens Library)
We can jump, jump, jump. (jump)
We can hop, hop, hop. (hop)
We can clap, clap, clap. (clap)
We can stop, stop, stop. (stop)
We can nod our heads for yes. (nod)
We can shake our heads for no. (shake head)
We can bend our knees a little bit,
and we can sit down slow. (sit down)

Wheels on the Bus

Five Little Fishes Swimming in the Sea (with shark puppet) 

Craft: We did a letter and number collage using foam stickers :)

Literacy tip of the week: Share some of your own childhood favorites with your child! It is a great way to model your love of reading.


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Baby Storytime 9/25/14

Book read: Look at the Baby by Kelly Johnson

ASL sign of the week: Eat

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavey load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child backwards)

The Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift baby in the air)
And he marched them down again (lower baby)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift baby's legs)
And when they're down their down. (lower baby's legs)
But when they're only halfway up (raise legs halfway)
They're neither up nor down.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Clap, Clap, Clap (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, from Perry Public Library)
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me!
(other verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your head, bounce around)

Bumping up and down (from Deschutes Library)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon, (bounce baby)
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to one side)
One wheel's off and the axle's broken (tilt to other side)
Won't you be my darling? (hug baby)

Did you ever see a baby? from Birth2Six
Did you ever see baby, a baby, a baby?
Did you ever see a baby go this way and that? (lift baby up and down)
Go this way and that way and this way and that way,
Did you ever see a baby go this way and that?
Repeat with moving baby side to side and to the front and back.

Tick Tock
Tick tock, Tick tock, (rock baby back and forth)
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's one o'clock! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's two o'clock! (lift baby twice)

Tick tock, Tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock.
Tick tock, Tick tock,
It's three o'clock! (lift baby three times)

Old MacDonald

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the Week: Compliment your child as you read to them. Give hugs and praise for simple responses. This will encourage them and create positive associations with books!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Getting Messy Storytime 9/23/14 and 9/24/14

Books read: 
Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont

Other book suggestions:
I'm Dirty by Kate McMullan
Icky Sticky Monster by Jo Lodge
Mud Puddle by Robert Munsch

ASL Sign of the Week: Messy

If You're Messy and You Know It

I Feel So Crazy I Jump In the Soup by Laurie Berkner (on her CD "Victor Vito")

Bubblegum (to the tune of "Lollipop" by the Chordettes, from SLC Book Boy)
Bubblegum, bubblegum,
Sticky, sticky, bubblegum.
Bubblegum!

Spaghetti (using scarves) (from Ohio Ready to Read)
Spaghetti in my tummy,
Spaghetti on my nose,
Spaghetti on my elbows,
Spaghetti on my toes.
Wipe it off my elbows,
Wipe it off my toes,
Oops! Here comes mommy!
I forgot my nose!

This Is The Way (from Mel's Desk)
This is the way we wash our arms,
Wash our arms, wash our arms.
This is the way we wash our arms,
When we're in the bathtub.
(repeat using legs, tummy, head, etc)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes ("washing" each body part with our scarves)

Ring Around the Mud Puddle ( to the tune of "Ring Around the Rosie", with parachute)
Ring around the mud puddle,
Ring around the mud puddle.
Pockets full of mud.
Splish, splash. Splish, splash.
We all jump in!

The chute is on my head (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell", from Laughter and Literacy)
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute is on my head!
The chute goes up and down, the chute goes up and down!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes up and down!
The chute goes fast and slow, the chute goes fast and slow!
Hi ho the dairy-o, the chute goes fast and slow!
The chute is on my head, the chute is on my head!
Hi ho the dairy-o the chute is on my head!

Literacy tip of the week: Make sure your child sees you reading. It is a great way to show them that you value books and therefore will help develop your child's love of reading!

Craft:
Toddlers pasted torn construction paper on a picture of Dog from "Dog's Colorful Day".
Preschoolers colored an outline inspired by "Ain't Gonna Paint No More".

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Baby Storytime 9/18/14

Book read: Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming

ASL Sign of the Week: More

Dump Truck (from ALSC listserv)
Dump truck, dump truck (bounce baby on lap)
Bumping down the road.
Spilling gravel as we travel (rock child back and forth)
with our heavy load.

Dump truck, dump truck (bouncing)
DUMP! (tip child backwards)

In and Out of the Window (from Ms Katie's Storytime Wiki)
Go in and out of the window, (lean forward and backwards)
Go in and out of the window,
Go in and out of the window,
As we have done before.

Go up and down the staircase, (lift and lower baby)
Go up and down the staircase,
Go up and down the staircase,
As we have done before.

Go round and round the village, (roll baby's hands)
Go round and round the village,
Go round and round the village,
As we have done before.

Humpty Dumpty (sung with scarves) 

Lift one foot and then the other (from Jbrary)
Lift one foot and then the other, (lift baby's legs)
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Lift one hand and then the other, (lift baby's arms)
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Clap your hands and keep on clapping, (clap baby's hands)
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap them both together!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Motorboat, Motorboat

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Bear Storytime 9/16/14 and 9/17/14

Books read:
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland

Other book suggestions:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson
Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff

ASL Sign of the Week: Bear

Sleepy Bear (to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin?", from Preschool Education)
Where is bear? Where is bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

If you're a bear and you know it (from Storytime Katie)
If you're a panda bear and you know it, clap your paws. (clap hands)
If you're a polar bear and you know it, show your teeth. (smile)
If you're a grizzly bear and you know it growl real loud. (growl)

If I were a bear (from Miss Meg's Storytime)
If I were a happy bear, I'd go ha! ha! ha! (laugh)
If were a sad bear, I'd go boo, hoo, hoo! (rub eyes)
If I were a cranky bear, I'd go stomp, stomp, stomp! (stamp feet)
If I were a scared bear, I'd go AHH! AHH! AHH! (scream)
If I were a tired bear, I'd go zzz zzz zzz. (pretend to sleep)

Going to the Zoo (adapted from one of the 2014 ALA Conferences Guerilla Storytimes)
We're going to see some bears,
We're going to the zoo!
To look at all the animals and everything they do.
Shake it, baby, shake it!
Shake it if you can!
Shake it like a milkshake and pour it in a can!
Shake it to the bottom!
Shake it to the top!
Shake it round and round and round,
Until I tell you STOP!

Rock-A-Bye Your Bear by the Wiggles

Mama's Little Bear likes dancing (to the tune of Mama's Little Baby Likes Shortening Bread)
Mama's Little Bear likes dancing, dancing.
Mama's Little Bear likes dancing fast.
(other actions can include spinning, jumping, stomping, etc)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (found at several sources and adapted)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch your knees.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, sit down please.

Literacy tip of the Week: Try reading a wordless book with your child. Making up a story from pictures has been proven in studies to be a very engaging way of reading with children.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Baby Storytime 9/11/14

Book read: Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

ASL sign of the week: Please

In and Out of the Window
Go in and out of the window, (lean forward and backwards)
Go in and out of the window,
Go in and out of the window,
As we have done before.

Go up and down the staircase, (lift and lower baby)
Go up and down the staircase,
Go up and down the staircase,
As we have done before.

Go round and round the village, (roll baby's hands)
Go round and round the village,
Go round and round the village,
As we have done before.

Humpty Dumpty (sung with scarves)

William Tell Overture Bounce

Baby Goes Bouncy Boo from Jbrary
Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you to the left, (bounce to the left)
I'll bounce you to the right, (bounce to the right)
I'll bounce you up, (lift baby)
I'll bounce you down, (bring baby down)
I'll bounce you out of sight. (lift baby)

Baby goes bouncy boo, (bounce baby on knees)
Baby goes bouncy by,
Baby goes bouncy be,
All upon my knee.

I'll bounce you very fast, (bounce quickly)
I'll bounce you very slow, (slow down)
I'll bounce you up,
I'll bounce you down,
Then far back we go! (lean back) 

Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: Scarfs and shakers can add a lot of fun to familiar songs. They also add a sensory element that helps keep your baby engaged.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Baby Storytime 8/7/14

Book Read: 
Say Hello Like This by Mary Murphy

Jack be Nimble
Jack be nimble (bounce baby on knees)
Jack be quick.
Jack jumped over the candlestick (lift baby to other knee)
Jack jumped high (lift baby up)
Jack jumped low (bring baby down)
Jack jumped over (lift baby to other knee)
And burnt his toe! (tickle toes)

Bouncing, Bouncing (adapted from NIEHS)
Bouncing, bouncing (bounce baby)
Hop, hop, hop! Hop, hop, hop!
Bouncing, bouncing bouncing,
Bouncing, bouncing,
Now we stop! (stop)
Other actions can include clapping, stomping, flying, etc)

Lift one foot and then the other (from Jbrary)
Lift one foot and then the other, (lift baby's legs)
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift one foot and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Lift one hand and then the other, (lift baby's arms)
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift one hand and then the other,
Lift them both together!

Clap your hands and keep on clapping, (clap baby's hands)
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap your hands and keep on clapping,
Clap them both together!

Clap, Clap, Clap (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, from Perry Public Library)
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap them now with me,
Clap your hands, let me see,
Clap them now with me!
(other verses: tap your knees, shake your feet, touch your shoulders)

I'm a little cuckoo clock (from Born to Read)
Tick tock, tick tock, (rock baby)
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's one o'clock!
CUCKOO! (lift baby once)

Tick tock, tick tock,
I'm a little cuckoo clock!
Tick tock, tick tock,
It's two o'clock!
CUCKOO! CUCKOO! (lift baby twice) 

Wheels on the Bus

Literacy tip of the week: The sing song, high pitched way parents often to speak to babies is referred to as "Parentese". It has been shown to help babies under 1 listen more!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Fizz, Boom, Pop!: 8/5/14 and 8/6/14

Books read:
Big Bad Bubble by Adam Rubin
Animal Baths by Bob Barner

Other book suggestions:
Perfectly Percy by Paul Schmid

Three Bubbles (from Perry Public Library)
A small bubble (make circle with your hands)
A medium sized bubble (make larger circle with your hands)
A great big bubble I see (make large circle with your arms)
Now let's count them, are you read?
1-2-3 (make three circles again)
POP! (clap hands loudly)

Washing (to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", from Perry Public Library)
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.
Hands to dry and fingers and toes.
Wash your head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Library Balloons (from Harris County Library)
This is the way we blow up the balloon (act like you are blowing up a balloon)
Blow up the balloon,
Blow up the balloon.
This is the way we blow up the balloon,
At the library.

This is the way we bounce the balloon (pretend to bounce a balloon in the air)
Bounce the balloon,
Bounce the balloon.
This is the way we bounce the balloon,
At the library.

This is the way we pop the balloon (clap)
Pop the balloon,
Pop the balloon.
This is the way we pop the balloon,
At the library.

Popcorn Calling Me (on "Buzz, Buzz" by Laurie Berkner)

Literacy tip of the week: When reading to your child it helps if you move your finger along the text as you read. This can help your child recognize the purpose of text, and eventually words.

For more information on the science centers that followed this storytime please see Ms. Kelly at the Library.