Numbers & Counting Family Storytime

Math is a scary subject for a lot of people which doesn't make it something they want to talk to their young children about. So this week I took the opportunity to have some fun with numbers in storytime and impart some wisdom about the importance of early math. Our books this week were:

• Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani
• Swallow the Leader by Danna Smith
• Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: Interestingly enough early math skills are not only a sign of later math success but also reading. There are two specific abilities that are looked at for evaluating early math skills: ordinality and subitization. These unusual words refer to understanding that a number is a set quantity and being able to see a small quantity and know what the number is without counting. 
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this weeks was N and C. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

(put both pictures behind back)
Where is letter N

Where is letter N

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

Then Repeat with second letter having the same conversations about the name, sound, and words.

• Song: I Have 10 Little Fingers 

I have 1, I have 2, I have 3 little fingers

I have 4, I have 5, I have 6 little fingers

I have 7, I have 8, I have 9 little fingers

10 little fingers on my hands

They can wiggle, they can wiggle,

they can wiggle in the morning

They can clap, they can clap,

they can clap in the evening

They can tickle, they can tickle,

they can tickle in the moonlight

10 little fingers on my hands

• Read book one: Stack the Cats 
• Song: On the Count of Five by Hap Palmer
• Rhyme: Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree (I should mention here that I always print out the rhymes or new songs on a big 30"x40" foam board so that all the parents can participate.) I used a puppet and some laminated monkeys for this but had the kids and parents do it with me using their hands.

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be and
SNAPPED that monkey out of the tree
Four little monkeys swinging in a tree…
Three little monkeys swinging in a tree…
Two little monkeys swinging in a tree…
One little monkey swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Crocodile: “You can’t catch me!”
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be and
SNAPPED that monkey out of the tree
And away swims Mr. Crocodile as full as he can be!

• Literacy Tip Example: Research has found two simple strategies for helping to build a strong math foundation, the first is providing a spatial education through tasks like block building, and the second is encouraging children to use their fingers to count.
• Read book two: Swallow the Leader
• Song: How Many Fingers - Super Simple Songs, one of my favorite Youtube channels for toddlers! Check them out here.
• Transition Song: Quiet Hands (there are a few versions of this song out there but this is what I use)

My hands upon my head I'll place. 

Upon my shoulders, on my face, 

At my waist and by my side, 

Then behind me they will hide. 

Then I'll raise them way up high, 

And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, 

Then clap, clap, clap them-- 

One - Two -Three! 

Now see how quiet they can be.

• Read book three: Count the Monkeys 
• Literacy Tip Empower: Last thoughts on math for today, I know it is easy for us to shrug off math but early math skills are better at predicting future success than early reading skills, so it is super important. A child with strong math skills early on it more likely to thrive academically, read fluently by third grade, and master key algebraic concepts before high school, putting the child on a predictive to pathway to college. (Reimaging School Readiness, Center for Childhood Creativity) 
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Rock by Georgiana Liccione Stewart
• Craft: Counting worksheets

Monsters Family Storytime

Monsters can be scary for kids so I love to take this opportunity to look at some cute monsters. This week we read:

• The Problem With Being Scared of Kids by Dan Richards
• How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace
• Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: Let's talk about vocabulary. Having a large vocabulary helps children understand what they hear and in return aids in learning. 
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this weeks was M and G. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

(put both pictures behind back)
Where is letter M

Where is letter M

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

Then Repeat with second letter having the same conversations about the name, sound, and words.

• Read book one: The Problem with Being Scared of Kids 
• Rhyme: One Little Monster, (I should mention here that I always print out the rhymes or new songs on a big 30"x40" foam board so that all the parents can participate.)

One little, two little, three little monsters.

Four little, five little, six little monsters.

Seven little, eight little, nine little monsters.

Ten little monsters in the dark.

• Literacy Tip Example: Books will introduce words that your child does not typically hear in conversations. When you come across a word that may be unusual don't replace it, ask if they know what it means and then explain it if they don't. 
• Read book two: How to Catch a Monster
• Rhyme: Monster on the Floor, sung to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It and taken from Christi H, Johnson County Library

There's a monster on the floor, on the floor
There's a monster on the floor, on the floor
It just scuttled in the door, that hairy monster on the floor
There's a monster on the floor, on the floor!
Now the monster's on my leg, on my leg
Now the monster's on my leg, on my leg
Oh, I wish I had some Raid for this monster on my leg
Now the monster's on my leg, on my leg!
Now the monster's on my neck, on my neck
Now the monster's on my neck, on my neck
Oh, I'm gonna be a wreck, I've got a monster on my neck
Now the monster's on my neck, on my neck!
Now the monster's on my face, on my face
Now the monster's on my face, on my face
Oh, what a big disgrace, I've got a monster on my face
Now the monster's on my face, on my face!
Now the monster's on my head, on my head
Oh, I wish that he were dead, I've got a monster on my head
Now the monster's on my head, on my head!
"But he jumped off....."

Transition Song: Quiet Hands (there are a few versions of this song out there but this is what I use)

My hands upon my head I'll place. 

Upon my shoulders, on my face, 

At my waist and by my side, 

Then behind me they will hide. 

Then I'll raise them way up high, 

And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, 

Then clap, clap, clap them-- 

One - Two -Three! 

Now see how quiet they can be.

• Read book three: Go Away Big Green Monster - For this I used a felt board which the kids always love.
• Literacy Tip Empower: Remember that books and nursery rhymes are great ways to build up your child's vocabulary. I want to encourage you to take home some books today that are new and when reading them be aware of words that may be less common in everyday conversations. Just as have today, take a moment to stop and explain what the word means. 
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Rock by Georgiana Liccioine Stewart
• Craft: Monster Coloring Sheet

Colors Family Storytime

This is a theme that is easy to use when I have little planning time because there are so many options out there! Including some great songs. The books I ended up choosing this time for Colors were:

• Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley
• Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
• and Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: Concepts is a term that is used to speak of things that we believe to be fundamental to our children's understanding and learning. This includes things like counting, days of the week, emotions, and colors. Most of these can fit into the category of background knowledge and are important for understanding and interacting with the world.
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this weeks was C and P. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

Where is letter C (put both pictures behind back)

Where is letter C

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

• Read book one: Every Color Soup
• Song: Who's Wearing Yellow  by Sarah Barchas
• Rhyme: Colors Up in the Rainbow (Everything Preschool)

Red and orange, green and blue,
shiny yellow, purple too!
These are the colors that we know,
way up high in the great rainbow.
Red and orange, green and blue,
shiny yellow, purple too!

• Literacy Tip Example -Colors are fun for kids to learn because they are everywhere and we can easily make them to relate to our children. Our next book is a cute story about a dog who gains colorful spots.
• Read book two: Dog's Colorful Day
• Puppet Rhyme: BaaBaa Black/White Sheep

Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

One for the master, one for the dame,

And one for the little boy who lives down the lane

Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.

Baa, baa, white sheep, have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir, three needles full.

One to mend a jumper, one to mend a frock,

and one for the little girl, with holes in her sock.

Baa, baa, white sheep, have you any wool?

yes sir, yes sir, three needles full.

• Transition Song: Quiet Hands 

My hands upon my head I'll place.
Upon my shoulders, on my face,
At my waist and by my side,
Then behind me they will hide.
Then I'll raise them way up high,
And let my fingers fly, fly, fly,
Then clap, clap, clap them--
One - Two -Three!
Now see how quiet they can be.

• Read book three: Mouse Paint (I was fortunate enough to have a kit to use with this book which was a lot of fun!) 
• Literacy Tip Empowerment: I want to encourage you this week to talk about different colors with your kids. Play I spy or quiz them on what  colors make when they get mixed. So much fun can be had with colors! 
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Rock by Georgiana Liccione Stewart
• Craft: Colored Noodles on Lett C paper

Being Brave Family Storytime

This week I planned my storytime around being brave and we talked about all the different ways someone can be brave. The first book really helped set the tone for this. Here are the books I read:

• Brave by Stacy McAnulty
• Be Brave Little Penguin by Giles Andreae
• and Brave As Can Be by Jo Witek

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out  by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: Being able to express yourself verbally is an important life skill but it is impossible if you don't have the vocabulary for it. So it is important to talk about emotions with your child.
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this week was B and S. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

(put both pictures behind back)
Where is letter Z

Where is letter Z

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

Then Repeat with second letter having the same conversations about the name, sound, and words.

• Read book one: Brave
• Song: Walking, Walking off the Songs for Wiggleworms CD by Old Town School
• Movement Rhyme: Superhero, Superhero (I should mention here that I always print out unusual rhymes or new songs on a big 30"x 40" foam board so that all the parents can participate.) I got this one from Jbrary and added an extra verse so I could use it as a transition as well. It is chanted to the tune of Teddy Bear Teddy Bear Turn Around.
 Superhero, superhero turn around
Superhero, superhero touch the ground
Superhero, superhero put on your suit
Superhero, superhero put on your boots
Superhero, superhero jump up high
Superhero, superhero fly, fly, fly
Superhero, superhero do not frown
Superhero, superhero sit on down




• Literacy Tip Example: An easy way to discuss different feelings is through books, like this next book, Be Brave Little Penguin. We are going to see emotions like fear and sadness but also happiness and courage.
• Read book two: Be Brave Little Penguin
• Activity: If You're Brave and You Know It, I got this one from Storytime with Ms Kelly . Just like If You're Happy and You Know it. We did clap your hands, stomp your feet, and say "I am!" 

• Transition Song: Quiet Hands (there are a few versions of this song out there but this is what I use)

My hands upon my head I'll place. 

Upon my shoulders, on my face, 

At my waist and by my side, 

Then behind me they will hide. 

Then I'll raise them way up high, 

And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, 

Then clap, clap, clap them-- 

One - Two -Three! 

Now see how quiet they can be.

• Read book three: Brave As Can Be
• Literacy Tip Empower: Here are my final thoughts on emotions today, I want to encourage you all to not only ask about your child's feelings, but also lead by example through talking about your own emotions when appropriate. 
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Song by Hap Palmer
• Craft: Be Brave Badges

Zoo Family Storytime

Who doesn't love the zoo? I know I do! And I love sharing that experiencing through books. I read different books each time I do the zoo theme because there are so many fun options. This time I did:

• Still a Gorilla by Kim Norman
• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle 
• and Put Me In the Zoo by Robert Lopshire

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: General Knowledge is something that forms the foundation of your children's understanding and learning. Every time you introduce your child to something new you expand their general knowledge.
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this weeks was Z and A. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

(put both pictures behind back)
Where is letter Z

Where is letter Z

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

Then Repeat with second letter having the same conversations about the name, sound, and words.

• Read book one: Still a Gorilla
• Literacy Tip Example: One way to help them expand their general knowledge is by slowing down and singing rhymes about things that happen around you. Rhymes like Itsy Bitsy Spider accomplish this by talking about how rain washes all sorts of things away but the sun will come back and dry up the water. Today we are going to sing a song about a turtle and behaviors they may exhibit.  
• Rhyme: There was a Little Turtle (I should mention here that I always print out unusual rhymes or new songs on a big 30"x40" foam board so that all the parents can participate.) I got this one from GrandmasNurseryRhymes.com

There was a little turtle (make a fist)
He  lived in a box (outline box shape with fingers)
He swam in the water (make swimming motion)
And he climbed on the rocks (climbing motion)
He snapped at a minnow (make grabbing motion)
He snapped a flea (make motion)
He snapped at a mosquito (make grabbing motion)
And he snapped at me (make grabbing motion)
He caught the minnow (clap cupped hands)
He caught the flea (clap cupped hands)
He caught the mosquito (clap cupped hands)
But he didn’t catch me! (point to self and shake head)

• Movement Activity - I flipped through some of the pages of MOVE! by Robin Page and had the kids act out the different animal movements
• Read book two: From Head to Toe
• Activity: Who Lives in a Zoo? This is a template I got from the book Felt Fun by Rita Jamieson. I don't actually use felt but cut out and color the animals from the template. With this activity there are rhymes that you say which describe an animal and you let the kids guess what animal it is. I then let a kid put the animal up on the board. 

• Fingerplay: The Zoo (Alphabet Soup)

This is the way the elephant goes
With curly trunk instead of nose
(clasp hands and move arms back and forth dangling)

The buffalo all shaggy and fat

Has two sharp horns in place of hat

(point fingers out from forehead)

The hippo with his mouth so wide

Lets you see what is inside

(open and close hands to make mouth movements)

The wiggly snake upon the ground

Crawls along without a sound

(weave hands back and forth)

But the monkey see and monkey do

Is the funniest animal in the zoo

(put thumbs in ears and wiggle hands)  

• Transition Song: Quiet Hands (there are a few versions of this song out there but this is what I use)

My hands upon my head I'll place. 

Upon my shoulders, on my face, 

At my waist and by my side, 

Then behind me they will hide. 

Then I'll raise them way up high, 

And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, 

Then clap, clap, clap them-- 

One - Two -Three! 

Now see how quiet they can be.

• Read book three: Put Me in The Zoo
• Literacy Tip Empower: I want to encourage all of you to take the time while singing songs, reading a book, or playing at the park to talk about things in the world around you. Remember this broadens your child's understanding of the world which is essential to their overall understanding and ability to learn. 
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Song by Hap Palmer
• Craft: Put Me in the Zoo Paper Plate, I got the idea from Raising Little Superheroes but altered it by using yellow paper plates from the dollar store and used paint daubers for the colorful spots. 

Magical Creatures Family Storytime

This was the most fun I have had to date picking out books. It was so hard to narrow it down but I ended up reading:

• You Are My Magical Unicorn by Joyce Wan
• There's a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
• and Mermaid School by JoAnne Wetzel (this one I shortened by skipping a few pages)

My Outline:

• Song: Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi
• Literacy Tip Explain: Letter Recognition including shapes for younger kids
• Letter Activity: I do this every storytime. I pick two letters to focus on usually having to do with the theme, this weeks was D and M. I have the letter printed BIG on a popsicle stick (one upper case and one lower case). We talk about the name of the letter, the sound it makes, what the upper case and lower case look like, I ask for examples for words that start with the letter and then we sing a remixed version of Where is Thumbkin that goes like this:

Where is letter D (put both pictures behind back)

Where is letter D

Here I am (bring out upper case letter)

Here I am (bring out lower case letter)

How are you today dear

Very well I thank you

Run away (put upper case behind back) 

Run away (put lower case behind back)

• Read book one: You Are My Magical Unicorn
• Song: Walking, walking 
• Finger play: Two Little Fairies and Two Little Dragons (a variation of two little blackbirds that I adapted from a few different sources)

Two little fairies

Dancing on a gate.

One danced early

And one danced late.

Dance away early.

Dance away late.

Come back early,

Come back late!

Two little dragons

Flying in the sky

One flew low

And one flew high

Fly away low

Fly away high

Come back low

Come back high

• Literacy Tip Example - Point out letters that relate to your child, like the first letter of their name. Also point out the shapes that are within a letter like a line and circle that form a d. 
• Read book two: There's a Dragon in Your Book (for smaller crowds) or If I Had a Gryphon (if the crowd is too big for an interactive book)
• Finger play: Five Green Dragons (GrandmasNurseRhymes.com)

Five green dragons making such a roar.

One danced away and then there were four.

Four green dragons dancing around a tree.

One danced away and then there were three.

Three green dragons dancing around you.

One danced away and then there were two.

Two green dragons dancing in the sun.

One danced away and then there was one.

One green dragon having lots of fun

She danced away and then there were none.

• Read book three: Mermaid School
• Closing Song: Bean Bag Song by Hap Palmer
• Craft: Unicorn Masks from It's Always Autumn