Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Fish Storytime




 Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be.


Book: Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood

Song: I'm a Little Fish (sung to I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little fishy, I can swim.
Here is my tail, here is my fin.
When I want to have fun with my friends,
I wiggle my tail and dive right in!



Book: The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Song: Fishy Pokey (Hokey Pokey)
Put your left fin in, take your left fin out
Put your left fin in and you shake it all about
You do the fishy pokey and you turn yourself around,
that's what its all about
Put your right gill in, take your right gill out (etc)


Book: The Little Fish That Got Away by Bernadine Cook

Song: Catch a Fish (Row Row Row Your Boat)
Catch, catch, catch a fish,
Hook it on your line.
Reel it, reel it, reel it,
This one will be mine.

 

Craft: Make your own rainbow fish
http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/rainbowfish/rainbow_fish_craft.htm

One more fun take on the craft using water guns and paints!  http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2013/07/water-gun-painted-fish-craft-water-week.html

Beyond Storytime: Discover more about life in the oceans, streams, and ponds at the Oklahoma Aquarium  http://www.okaquarium.org/

If you can't travel you can still explore the underwater world through your computer. You can take a virtual dive at http://catlinseaviewsurvey.com/surveys/great-barrier-reef-and-coral-sea/lady-elliot-island or a Google Earth version of the ocean http://www.google.com/earth/explore/showcase/ocean.html

Other books to checkout: 
A Good Day's Fishing by James Prosek
The Little Red Fish by Taeeun Yoo
Clara and Asha by Eric Rohmann
A Place for Fish by Melissa Stewart (EASY 597.17 STE)

Monday, July 1, 2013

Ants and Picnics Storytime




Happy July!  A classic summer activity is going outside for a picnic and with this weather and the upcoming holiday I am sure you are ready to brush off that picnic blanket.

Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be.



Book: Bing: Go Picnic by Ted Dewan

Song: Here We Go on a Picnic (Sung to: "Mulberry Bush")

Here we go on a picnic today,
A picnic today, a picnic today.
Here we go a picnic today,
On such a beautiful ______ (day of the week)

This is the way we spread our cloth,
Spread our cloth, spread our cloth.
This is the way we spread our cloth,
On such a beautiful _____ (day of the week)

This the way we eat our lunch...
This is the way we play our games....
This is the way we clean it up...
After a delightful picnic.

We had fun on a picnic today,
Picnic today, picnic today.
We had fun on a picnic today,
On such a beautiful _____ (day of the week).



Book: One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes

Song: The Ants go marching  CD: Toddler favorites too!

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four,
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching down to the ground

To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five,
The little one stops to take a dive
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six,
The little one stops to pick up sticks
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven,
The little one stops to pray to heaven
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight,
The little one stops to shut the gate
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine,
The little one stops to check the time
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten,
The little one stops to say "THE END"
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!



Book: We're Going on a Picnic! by Pat Hutchins




Craft: Make your own picnic
Cut out food pictures from magazines and glue them on a piece of paper to plan your own picnic.

Beyond Storytime: Go on a picnic and look for ants!
A list of Stillwater parks can be found at stillwater.org

Other books to checkout: 
The Best Picnic Ever by Clare Jarrett
The Most Perfect Spot by Diane Goode
Ready for Anything! by Keiko Kasza

Monday, June 17, 2013

Swimming Storytime




When it's hot outside and you have already been to the library what is there to do?  Go swimming! More information about the City of Stillwater's public pool and swim lessons can be found at http://stillwater.org/government/city_departments/parks_and_recreation/aquatics.php


Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



Book: Sergio Makes a Splash! by Edel Rodriguez

Rhyme: Two Little Fishes
Two little fishes side by side (hold up two index fingers, side by side)
Swim through the water.
Swim through the tide. (Swimming motions)
They don't need a motor.
And they don't need a sail. (Shake head twice)
They just wiggle their fins. (Wiggle hands at side)
And wiggle their tails. (Wiggle hands behind your back).




Book: Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! by Charles Fuge

Song: Walk, Don't Run! (sung to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat")
Walk, walk, walk, don't run,
Near a swimming pool.
Walking feet will keep you safe!
Let's repeat this rule.




Book: Come On Baby Duck! by Nick Ward



Rhyme: Five Little Fishes
Five little fishes swimming in the sea
(make swimming motions with your hands)
The first one said, “I’m as blue as can be”
(make a sad face)
The second one said, “Let’s dive down deep”
(make a diving motion with hands together)
The third one said, “You don’t have to weep”
(make a crying motion with hands on face)
The fourth one said, “Be happy and free”
(make a happy face)
The fifth one said, “Be friends with me”
(point to baby and yourself)
And friends they were and friends they will stay
As the five little fishes swam away
(make swimming motions with your hands)
 


Craft: In the water picture
Using a paper plate the children colored the plate blue for water and pasted on images of kids swimming/ floating and a happy yellow sun.

Beyond Storytime: Stay cool and be safe around the water. 
For kids: http://www.dangerrangers.com/kids_safety_topic.php?id=6
For Parents: http://www.parentmap.com/blog/22018/summer-water-safety-and-drowning-prevention-tips-for-kids

Other books to check out:
Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton
Don't Be Afraid, Little Pip! by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
The Boy Who Wouldn't Swim by Deb Lucke
Sink or Swim by Valerie Coulman

Monday, June 10, 2013

Father's Day Storytime






Happy Father's Day! Check out these cute photo's of Dads reading to their children http://www.readaloud.org/contest.html



Need more inspiration to read to your child? Check out The Reading Promise: My father and the books we shared, by Alice Ozma, which chronicles a father and daughter's streak for reading-out-loud sessions each night.












Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



Book: A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting

Song: Do you love me? (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Tell me Daddy is it true,
Do you love me like I love you?
Do you love me if I'm bad?
Do you love me if I'm mad?
Yes my darling, I sure do!
Now and always I love you.



Book: My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen

Rhyme:  Daddy is my friend

Daddy is my special friend,
The two of us are close.
I always like the things we do
And I love him the most!



Book:  Me and My Dad! by Alison Ritchie

Craft:  Gift for Dad
We made a picture flower out of a cupcake holder, craft stick and paper leaves.  The children can add a picture at home to the center of the cupcake holder before giving it to Dad.

Beyond Storytime: Links to several activities related to Father's Day  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fathers-day/

 
Other books to check out:
Poems for Fathers Easy 811.5 Poe
Don't Let Go! by Jeanne Willis
The Daddy Goose Treasury by Vivian French
Piggy and Dad Go Fishing by David Martin
 

Butterflies/ Caterpillars Storytime





As spring turns into summer I am looking forward to seeing more butterflies flitting around the blooming flowers.  Have you introduced your child to the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies yet?
Also don't forget to sign up for our Summer Reading Program!

Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be



 Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 Song: Flutter, Flutter Butterfly (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.
Floating by for all to see,
Floating by so merrily.
Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.

 

Book: Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert


Finger play: The Caterpillar

The fuzzy little caterpillar went up into a tree (act like you are climbing)
spun his cocoon and then (yawn) went to sleep (spin hands)
While he was sleeping he dreamed that he could fly (making flying motion)
When he woke up (loud, excited) he was a butterfly!









Book: Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley


 Craft: Caterpillar buddy
We created a caterpillar using construction paper links for the body and adding a cute face and pipe cleaner antennas.
*Cut strips of paper that are about 1 inch by 6 inches
*Form one of the strips into a circle and secure it with glue or tape
*Form the next paper strip into a circle and connect it to the first loop
*Continue until you have desired length of caterpillar (each loop is a segment of your caterpillar)
*Cut a circle to form the head and use a marker/ crayon to make eyes
*Glue the head to the caterpillar






Beyond Storytime: Go on a nature walk and see how many different butterflies you see.
A great place to go is our local botanical gardens.

Other books to check out:
Butterfly Express by Jane Moncure
A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Aston
In the Meadow by Yukiko Kato
Velma Gratch & the way cool butterfly by Alan Madison



The life cycle of a butterfly by Bobbie Kalman and other books about butterflies can be found on the non-fiction shelves in the children's section of the library, call number 595.78.  

Monday, May 13, 2013

Frogs Storytime





Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library story times start with this song and the children learn that song means story time is starting.

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be







Book: The Frog with the Big Mouth by Teresa Bateman


Song: Five Little Speckled Frogs

Five little 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 Four speckled frogs GLUB, GLUB




Book: A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson

Finger play: Mr. Bullfrog
Here's Mr. Bullfrog (make a fist)
Sitting on a rock (put fist on palm)
Into the water he jumps (raise arm high)
KERPLOP! (clap loudly)



Book: The Croaky Pokey! by Ethan Long

Rhyme: Hop Little Froggy
Hop little, hop little, hop little Froggy. (hop fingers up arm)
Don't be slow, and don't be soggy. (shake finger)
Hop little, hop little, hop little Froggy,
You'll have flies for breakfast (spoon up flies)

Repeat, replacing "breakfast" with lunch and dinner.



Book: Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson

Craft: Frog puppet
Our frog craft is a paper bag hand puppet.
Supplies:
  lunch size paper bag
  crayons
  glue

Template to make your own puppet: http://squishideasforpreschool.blogspot.com/2012/02/tadpole-to-frog.html

Beyond Storytime: Teach your child about tadpoles and frogs using this compilation of ideas created by teachers.  http://squishideasforpreschool.blogspot.com/2012/02/tadpole-to-frog.html

Other books to check out: 

A Frog Thing by Eric Drachman (ask for the accompanying CD at the checkout desk)
Oscar and the Frog: A book about Growing by Geoff Waring 
Frog by Susan Cooper


Frogs! : strange and wonderful by Laurence Pringle  and other books about frogs and toads can be found on the non-fiction shelves in the children's section of the library, call number 597.8. 
Froggy books are located in the Easy section under London, Jonathon
Frog and Toad books are located in the Easy Reader section under Lobel, Arnold

Monday, May 6, 2013

Mother's Day Storytime

 


Did you know? "When the United States congress approved Mother’s Day in 1914, they designated it for the second Sunday in May, and required that the President proclaim the Holiday every year shortly prior to its commencement."


Opening Song: The More We Get Together
*We sing and clap to our opening song.  All Stillwater Public Library storytimes start with this song and the children learn that song means storytime is starting.


 Book: I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri

Song: Hugs and Kisses (sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?/ Frere Jacques")
Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses
Just for you, just for you!
Just to tell you, Mother, just to tell you, Mother,
I love you, I love you!


Book: Mother's Day Surprise by Stephen Krensky

Flannel board: The Mother's Day Gift


Book: Just Like Mama by Leslea Newman

Song: I Love You Mommy (to the tune of "You are my sunshine")
I love you mommy
My dearest Mommy
You make me happy
When I am sad
I want to tell you
I really love you!
When I'm with you
I am so glad!






Craft: Mother's Day gift
We will be making a special Mother's Day gift.



Ideas for Mother's Day crafts/ activities at home:
http://www.kidssoup.com/MothersDay/mothersday.html#
http://www.parents.com/holiday/mothers-day/

Learning Beyond Storytime:  http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/11/how-rhyming-teaches-kids-literacy-skills/


Other books to check out:
My Mother Is Mine by Marion Dane Bauer
Mother, Mother I Want Another by Maria Polushkin Robbins
Mothers Are Like That by Carol Carrick
Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino (ps ask Miss Elizabeth which animal she played in her 1st grade production of this book)