Stories & Crafts: Reading!

March 28, 2023

Books
My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell
This Book is Not for You! by Shannon Hale
No Buddy Like a Book by Allan Wolf

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Song: Up, Down, Turn Around
Up, down, turn around
Touch the sky and touch the ground
Wiggle fingers, wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders, say hello!

Song: If You’re Ready for a Story
(Tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It)
If you’re ready for a story, clap your hands!
If you’re ready for a story, clap your hands!
If you’re ready for a story, really ready for a story,
If you’re ready for a story, clap your hands!

Additional verses: Stomp your feet, Shout hooray!, Take a seat

Rhyme: The Library Cheer by Brod Bagert
Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!

Bird books,
Bug books,
Bear books too.
Words and pictures through and through.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!

Books in color
Black and white.
Skinny books,
Fat books,
Day and night.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!

Sad books,
Glad books,
Funny books too.
Books for me and books for you.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!

Song: These are My Glasses by The Laurie Berkner Band

Shaker Song: Shaky Shaky Egg by Tots with Tempo

Shaker Song: I’m a Bookworm, Baby by Sesame Street’s the Bookworms

Craft: Bookworm Bookmark
We cut strips of construction paper to use as bookmarks, and then cut out circles of foam which we glued on to make a bookworm.

Advertisement

Music & Movement: March 24, 2023

Books
Kitchen Disco by Clare Foges
I am Bat by Morag Hood

Music
Jump, Run, and Shout! by The Singing Walrus
Chocolate Chip Twist by Music Monkey Jungle (with scarves)
Head Shoulders Knees & Toes (Speeding Up) by Super Simple Songs

Songs, Rhyme, and Fingerplays

Song: The More We Get Together
The more we get together, together, together.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends.
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

Song: Bananas Unite!
Form banana, form, form banana
Form banana, form, form, banana
Peel banana, peel, peel banana
Peel banana, peel, peel banana
Go bananas, go, go, bananas
Go bananas, go, go, bananas

Form, Peel, Squeeze the orange . . .
Form, Slice, Eat the apple . . .

Scarf Song: Bread and Butter
Bread and butter, marmalade and jam,
Let’s shake our scarves as fast as we can!

Verses: slow, high, low

Action Rhyme: My Two Hands
My two hands go clap clap clap
My two feet go tap tap tap
My two hands go thump thump thump
My two feet go jump jump jump
My one body turns around
And it quietly sits down

Song: Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon,
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon,
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha

Repeat progressively faster

Song: Goodbye Friends
(Tune: Frere Jacques)
Goodbye friends, goodbye friends
Sing this tune, sing this tune
It’s time to wave goodbye
It’s time to wave goodbye
See you soon, see you soon

Goodbye friends, goodbye friends
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Take a deep breathe in
[Breathe in]
Now breathe out goodbye
[Breathe out]

Yoga & Breathplay

Yoga Pose: Bat Pose
Turn around and take your legs a little bit wider, then fold all the way forwards, placing your hands on your legs. Look through your legs and wave! Hello!

Breathplay: Hot Soup
Sit up tall and hold your body still. Pull your belly in and pretend you’re holding a hot cup of soup. Breathe in, and as you breathe out say it’s h-h-h-h-h-o–t. Put your soup down.

Stories & Crafts: The Jungle

March 21, 2023

Books
Where’s Your Smile, Crocodile? by Claire Freedman
Look Out, Leonard! by Jessie James
There’s a Lion in the Forest! By Monica Carnesi

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Song: Up, Down, Turn Around
Up, down, turn around
Touch the sky and touch the ground
Wiggle fingers, wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders, say hello!

Rhyme: Down in the Jungle Chant
Down in the jungle with the beat in your feet,
Think of an animal you want to meet.
You want to meet
A (Lion), a (Lion), She wants to see a (Lion)

Repeat with other animals shouted out by kids

Song: Walking in the Jungle by Super Simple Songs

Song: Jungle Animals Song by The Kiboomers

Ribbon Song: Down in the Jungle by Action Songs for Kids

Ribbon Song: Boa Constrictor by Peter, Paul and Mary

Craft: Snake Twirler
Craft idea from First Palette.

Music & Movement: March 17, 2023

Books
Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Open Very Carefully by Nick Bromley & Nicola O’Byrne

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays

Song: Hokey Pokey

You put your left hand in
You put your left hand out
You put your left hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

Repeat: right hand, left foot, right foot, whole self

Song: The More We Get Together

The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
For your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be

Rhyme: Lion, Lion

Lion, lion crawls through the jungle
Lion, lion sneaks across the floor
Lion, lion crawls through the jungle
Lion, lion, listen for its roar… (wait for a few seconds)
Roar!

Repeat

Rhythm Stick Rhyme: Cheetah Loves to Run

The cheetah loves to run, run, run
But how long until the cheetah’s done?
3… 2… 1… STOP!

(Repeat: 5…, 10…)

Rhythm Stick Song: The Crocodile Snapped!

Walking through the swamp, quiet as could be
Looking out for crocodiles, and what do we see?
One little crocodile was taking a nap
But we got too close and the crocodile snapped!
Snap!

Walking through the swamp, quiet as could be
Looking out for crocodiles, and what do we see?
Two little crocodiles were taking a nap
But we got too close and the crocodiles snapped
Snap! Snap!

Walking through the swamp, quiet as could be
Looking out for crocodiles, and what do we see?
Three little crocodiles were taking a nap
But we got too close and the crocodiles snapped
Snap! Snap! Snap!

Walking through the swamp, quiet as could be
Looking out for crocodiles, and what do we see?
Four little crocodiles were taking a nap
But we got too close and the crocodiles snapped
Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!

Walking through the swamp, quiet as could be
Looking out for crocodiles, and what do we see?
Five little crocodiles were taking a nap
But we got too close and the crocodiles snapped
Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
And eyes and ears
And mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes

Repeat

Song: Stand Up, Sit Down by Patty Shukla

Song: Goodbye, Friends
(Tune: Frere Jacques)

Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
Sing this tune
Sing this tune
It’s time to say goodbye
It’s time to say goodbye
See you soon
See you soon

Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Take a deep breath in…
Now breathe out, “Goodbye!”

Stories & Crafts: Robots

March 14, 2023

Books
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
Ultrabot’s First Playdate by Josh Schneider
Power Down, Little Robot by Anna Staniszewski

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Song: Up, Down, Turn Around
Up, down, turn around
Touch the sky and touch the ground
Wiggle fingers, wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders, say hello!

Song: Robot Dance by The Kiboomers
(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)

Song: I Am A Robot by Kymberly Stewart

Action Rhyme: Robot, Robot
Robot, robot, turn around.
Robot, robot, touch the ground.
Robot, robot, turn left and right.
Robot, robot, flash your lights.
Robot, robot, bloop and bleep.
Robot, robot, go to sleep.

Fingerplay: Open, Shut Them (Robot Version)
Open, shut them, Open, shut them (make “pincers” with hands and open/shut)
Give a little bang, bang, bang (clap)
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Press your button, clang, clang, clang! (touch pretend button)

Turn your gears now: fast, now slow (roll arms)
Blink your lights from high to low! (hands “blink” open and shut, fingers splayed, moving downward)

Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Give a little zap, zap, zap (pointer fingers jab outward)
Open, shut them, Open, shut them
Power down now, just … like … that! (Put hands slowly in lap)

Rhythm Stick Song: Do The Funky Robot by Bounce Patrol

Rhythm Stick Song: Rockin’ Robot by Mother Goose Club

Craft: Shapes Robot
We cut out basic shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles) from construction paper and aluminum foil, and glued them onto a piece of paper to make a robot. Glitter glue and sequins were available to add extra sparkle.

Music & Movement: March 10, 2023

Books
Make Way for Readers by Judy Sierra & Brian G. Karas
Hooray for Books! by Brian Won

Music
“Warm-Up Time” by Kimbo Children’s Music
“Your Own Dance Move” by Mr. Eric & Mr. Michael
“Freeze Dance” by Imagine Nation
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” by Old Town School of Folk Music
“Popcorn” by Joanie Leeds

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays

Song: The More We Get Together
The more we get together, together, together.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends.
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

Fingerplay: Clap Your Hands
Clap your hands, clap your hands, clap them just like me.
Touch your shoulders, touch your shoulders, touch them just like me.
Tap your knees, tap your knees, tap them just like me.
Shake your head, shake your head, shake it just like me.
Sit down, sit down, sit down just like me
Fold your hands, fold your hands and let them quiet be.

Song: BINGO
There was a farmer who had a dog
And Bingo was his name-o
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o

There was a farmer who had a dog
And Bingo was his name-o
(clap) I-N-G-O
(clap) I-N-G-O
(clap) I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o

Ribbon Song: We Wiggle and Wiggle and Stop
We wiggle and wiggle and stop
We wiggle and wiggle and stop
We wiggle and wiggle and wiggle and wiggle
And wiggle and wiggle and stop
We . . . shake, wave, twirl

Song: Goodbye Friends
Goodbye friends, goodbye friends
Sing this tune, sing this tune
It’s time to wave goodbye
It’s time to wave goodbye
See you soon, see you soon

Goodbye friends, goodbye friends
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Take a deep breathe in
[Breathe in]
Now breathe out goodbye
[Breathe out]

Yoga Pose: Magic Carpet
Breath Play: Count to Five

PJ Storytime: Go! March 7, 2023

Books
Mervin the Sloth is About to Do the Best Thing in the World by Colleen AF Venable
It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays

Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi

Song: Hello Friends

Hello, friends
Hello, friends
Hello, friends
It’s time to say, “Hello!”

Song: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

My Bonnie lies over the ocean (Stand or sit when a word starts with B)
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
So, bring back my Bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

Repeat

Scarf Song: We Wave Our Scarves Together
(Tune: The Bear Went Over the Mountain)

We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do
We wave them up high
We wave them down low
We wave them in the middle
Because it’s fun to do

We throw our scarves together
We throw our scarves together
We throw our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do
We throw them up high
We throw them down low
We throw them in the middle
Because it’s fun to do

Repeat

Scarf Rhyme: Make a Circle
(Tune: Frere Jacques)

Make a circle, make a circle
Make it round, make it round
Now make it in a hurry
Make it in a hurry
Now let’s stop
Now let’s stop

Repeat

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
And eyes and ears
And mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes

Repeat at different speeds

Song: I Can Hop Like a Rabbit

I can hop like a rabbit
I can hop like a rabbit
I can run like a cheetah
I can run like a cheetah
I can jump like a frog
I can jump like a frog
I can fly like a bird
I can fly like a bird
I can stand on one leg
And pat my head
And rub my belly, too

Repeat

Song: Goodbye Friends

Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
It’s time to say, “Goodbye!”

Stories & Crafts: The Zoo!

February 28, 2023

Books
Ellie in Concert by Mike Wu
Wild About Us! by Karen Beaumont
Croc O’Clock by Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Song: Up, Down, Turn Around
Up, down, turn around
Touch the sky and touch the ground
Wiggle fingers, wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders, say hello!

Song: The Animals at the Zoo
(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The bear at the zoo goes “Grr, grr, grr,”
“Grr, grr, grr. Grr, grr, grr.”
The bear at the zoo goes “Grr, grr, grrr,”
All day long.

The monkey at the zoo goes “Ooo, ooo, ooo…”
The hippo at the zoo goes “Splash, splash, splash…”
The lion at the zoo goes “Roar, roar, roar…”
The elephant at the zoo goes “Stomp, stomp, stomp…”

Song: Mm Ah Went the Little Green Frog
Mmm ahh went the little green frog one day.
Mmm ahh went the little green frog.
Mmm ahh went the little green frog one day.
And they all went mmm, mmm, ahh.
But. . .
We know frogs go (clap) shanananana.
(clap) shanananana. (clap) shanananana.
We know frogs go (clap) shanananana.
They don’t go mmm, mmm, ahh.

Cheep! Cheep! Went the little yellow bird one day,
Cheep cheep went the little yellow bird.
Cheep cheep went the little yellow bird one day
And they all went cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
But. . .
We know that birds go flappy, flappy, flap,
Flappy, flappy flap, flappy flappy flap,
We know that birds go flappy, flappy, flap,
They don’t go cheep cheep cheep.

Sss, ssss went the slippery snake one day
Sss, ssss went the slippery snake
Sss, ssss went the slippery snake one day
And they all went sss, sss, sss
But. . .
We know snakes go (clap) shoe-be-do-be-do
(clap) shoe-be-do-be-do, (clap) shoe-be-do-be-do
We know snakes go (clap) shoe-be-do-be-do
They don’t go sss, sss, sss

Oo oo went the little brown monkey one day,
Oo oo went the little brown monkey.
Oo went the little brown monkey one day
And they all went oo oo oo.
But. . .
We know that monkeys go swing -a-ling-a-ling,
Swing -a-ling-a-ling, swing -a-ling-a-ling,
We know monkeys go swing -a-ling-a-ling
They don’t go oo oo oo.

Action Rhyme: Monkey See, Monkey Do
Monkey see, monkey do
Little monkey at the zoo
Monkey, monkey in the tree
Can you __ like me?
(jump around, swing your arms, screech, eat a banana, sit down)

Bubble Song: Going to the Zoo by Raffi

Bubble Song: Animal Freeze Dance by The Kiboomers

Craft: Handprint Sloth
Craft idea from Glued to My Crafts

Music & Movement: February 24, 2023

Books
Shake the Tree by Chiara Vignocchi
How to Draw a Happy Cat by Ethan T. Berlin & Jimbo Matison

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays

Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it
Then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands

Repeat: Stomp your feet, spin around, etc.

Song: The More We Get Together

The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
For your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be

Song: Jump Like a Kangaroo

Can you jump like a kangaroo?
Can you jump, jump like a kangaroo?
Can you jump, jump, jump like a kangaroo?

Repeat with differing numbers of “jump”

Scarf Song: Pop Goes the Weasel

All around the mulberry bush
The monkey chased the weasel
Round and round the mulberry bush
Pop! Goes the weasel!

Repeat

Scarf Song: A Little Blue Dolphin

A little blue dolphin is swimming in the sea
Swimming in the sea, swimming in the sea
A little blue dolphin is swimming in the sea
In the deep blue sea

A little blue dolphin is jumping up high
Jumping up high, jumping up high
A little blue dolphin is jumping up high
In the deep blue sea

A little blue dolphin is diving down deep
Diving down deep, diving down deep
A little blue dolphin is diving down deep
In the deep blue sea

A little blue dolphin is dancing in the sea
Dancing in the sea, dancing in the sea
A little blue dolphin is dancing in the sea
In the deep blue sea

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes
And eyes and ears
And mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Knees and toes

Repeat

Song: Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five green and speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs
Yum, yum
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are just four green speckled frogs
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!

Four green and speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs
Yum, yum
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are just three green speckled frogs
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!

Three green and speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs
Yum, yum
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are just two green speckled frogs
Ribbit! Ribbit!

Two green and speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs
Yum, yum
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there is just one green speckled frog
Ribbit!

One green and speckled frog
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs
Yum, yum
It jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are no more green speckled frogs

Song: Goodbye Friends
(Tune: Frere Jacques)

Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
Sing this tune
Sing this tune
It’s time to say goodbye
It’s time to say goodbye
See you soon
See you soon

Goodbye, friends
Goodbye, friends
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Take a deep breath in…
Now breathe out, “Goodbye!”

Stories & Crafts: Rhyme

February 21, 2023

Books
Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Song: Up, Down, Turn Around
Up, down, turn around
Touch the sky and touch the ground
Wiggle fingers, wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders, say hello!

Action Rhyme: My Two Hands
My two hands go clap clap clap
My two feet go tap tap tap
My two hands go thump thump thump
My two feet go jump jump jump
My one body turns around
And it quietly sits down

Song: Jump Up, Turn Around by Jim Gill

Action Rhyme: Can You Jump, Jump, Jump?
Can you jump, jump, jump?
Can you hop, hop, hop?
Can you clap, clap, clap?
Can you stomp, stomp, stomp?
Can you nod your head yes?
Can you shake your head no?
Can you sit down very slow?

Feltboard Story: Kitten Lost Her Mitten
My poor little kitten lost her mitten
And started to cry, boo-hoo.
So I helped my kitten to look for her mitten.
Her beautiful mitten of BLUE.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Under my mother’s bed.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored RED.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Under my father’s pillow.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored YELLOW.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
On the hand of my brother’s toy clown.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored BROWN.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Under the laundry so clean.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored GREEN.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Inside a grocery sack.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored BLACK.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Under the kitchen sink.
But, alas, the mitten was not the right mitten,
For it was colored PINK.

I found a mitten just right for a kitten
Inside my favorite shoe.
And this time the mitten was just the right mitten,
For it was colored BLUE.

Song: Rocco the Rhyming Rhino by Jack Hartmann

Shaker Song: Rhyme Time by Genevieve Goings

Shaker Song: Down by the Bay by Raffi

Craft: Mittens
Craft idea from Messy Little Monster.