Pumpkins Storytime 10/13/15 and 10/14/15

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

On our way to the pumpkin patch (from Storytimes and More, to the tune of "Here we go round the Mulberry Bush")
Here we go marching down the road, down the road,
Here we go marching down the road, on our way to the pumpkin patch!
Additional verses can include: running, tiptoeing, stomping, flying, etc.

I'm a Little Pumpkin (from Kid Activities, to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a little pumpkin, orange and round (hold arms in a circle)
Here is my stem, (place fist on your head)
There is the ground. (touch the ground)
When I get all cut up, don't you shout!
Just open me up and scoop me out! (pretend to scoop the pumpkin out)

Where is Pumpkin? (to the tune of "Frere Jacques", from Step by Step Childcare)
Where is pumpkin, where is pumpkin? (crouch low)
Here I am! Here I am! (jump up)
I am round and orange,
See my funny face? (make funny face)
Now you don't. (hide face)
Now you don't. 

Once there was a Pumpkin (from Step by Step Childcare)
Once there was a pumpkin
And it grew (join fingers of each hand to make one pumpkin)
And grew (separate the hands keeping the pumpkin formation)
And grew (join hands before you, making a large pumpkin with your arms)
Now it's a Jack-O-Lantern and it smiles at you
And you, and you! (Move pumpkin shape around to greet each child) 

If you're a pumpkin and you know it
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it jump for joy!
If you're a happy and pumpkin and you know it jump for joy!
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you're a happy pumpkin and you know it joy for joy!
Other verses can include different emotions and actions, such as: scared/run away, mad/stomp around, silly/make a face, etc

Pumpkin Count Jumping
Pumpkin cut outs are laid on the floor and labeled with 1-5. The children must jump from pumpkin to pumpkin in correct counting sequence. (Great for number recognition and especially good for kids who learn best through movement)

Pumpkin, pumpkin (from Storytime Themes)
Pumpkin, pumpkin siting on a wall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin tip and fall,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, rolling down the street,
Pumpkin, pumpkin, trick or treat!

Literacy tip of the week: Relating stories to you child's life helps build their understanding and keep them engaged with the story. When reading books about pumpkins talk about a trip you took to the pumpkin patch!

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!