Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Presented to Miss Shank's morning and afternoon Preschool classes at Bellevue Elementary School on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

Books:
Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

 ~ The children helped Mr. Gilly by calling out STOP! each time Mr. Gilly found a trash can. They also helped by acting out and repeating the phrase, "Dump it in, smash it down, drive around the Trashy Town".

 

Songs:

Sailing to the Sea
(sung by Tom Chapin on his album "Mother Earth")

This is a delightful song to act out!  The children helped make the sounds of the wind in the sail ("whoosh!"), the bell on the buoy ("ding-ding!"), the cars on the bridge ("beep-beep!"), the train on the shore ("clickety-clack, clickety-clack!") and the ocean liner ("ooooooo")
Here are the flannel pieces we used to help us remember the order of the song:

At the end of each verse we held on to the sides of our imaginary boat as we went "gently rocking, riding, rolling, sailing to the sea."  You can check out this wonderful music CD at the Bellevue Public Library or purchase the download of the song (or the entire CD) online from the artist!



If You See a Piece of Trash
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you see a piece of trash, pick it up ("PICK IT UP!")
If you see a piece of trash, pick it up ("PICK IT UP!")
You will make the world look better
If you pick up all your litter.
If you see a piece of trash, pick it up ("PICK IT UP!")
 
The children really enjoyed getting to use their "outdoor voices" inside today as they called out "Pick it up!"





Please Don't Litter
(tune: Frere Jacques")

Please don't litter... (children echo)
Our great Earth...
You can recycle...
Us it again!...


I had a wonderful time visiting the students in Miss Shank's classes today!  It was my first time in her classroom and the children made me feel so welcome and appreciated.  I'm glad we had time to sing one last song before I left - the students chose a great one: "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" is one of my favorites!

Each storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Papa Bear & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, June  25, 2013.

Books:

My Father's Hands by Joanne Ryder

My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil

Grandpa Loves by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Kathryn Brown

Froggy's Day With Dad by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Bumpety Bump! by Pat Hutchins

Each Papa Bear & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Our next Papa Bear and Me Storytime will be on held during our Summer Reading Program.  Be watching this site, as well as the library's website, for more information and a calendar of events!

~ Mrs. B.

Farm Animals

Presented to the student's of Miss Amy's Head Start classroom at Golden Hills School on Monday, April 29, 2013

Books:

Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos

Once Upon MacDonald's Farm by Stephen Gammell

 
Activities:

All Around the Barnyard

All around the barnyard,
The animals are fast asleep.
Sleeping cows and horses,
Sleeping pigs and sheep.
(rest cheek on folded hands)
Here comes the silly rooster,
To sound his daily alarm.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Wake up sleepy farm!"
(flap arms at side)



My last visit to Miss Amy's class for the 2012-2013 school year will be on Monday, May 20.  I look forward to seeing everyone then!
  ~Mrs. B.

Each storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Pets!

Presented to the students in Miss Jenny's Head Start classroom at Golden Hills School on Monday, April 29, 2013.

Books:
Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by David Walker

How to Raise a Dinosaur by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

Songs:

I Wish I Was a Bunny
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

I wish I was a bunny, a bunny, a bunny,
I wish I was a bunny, 'cause bunnies can hop!
They hop, and hop, and hop, and hop.
I wish I was a bunny, 'cause bunnies can hop!

Additional verses:
I wish I was a dog... a kitten... parakeet..
  
Activities:

The Gecko
The gecko's trick is climbing walls.
Like glue it sticks and rarely falls.
Across the ceiling it might roam,
But don't you try this at home!

My last visit to Miss Jenny's class for the 2012-2013 school year will be on Monday, May 20.  I look forward to seeing everyone then!
  ~Mrs. B.
 

Each storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission

Animal Antics!

Presented at Welcome School on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Books:

Oh No! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino

Song:
Grandpa's Farm

We're on our way, we're on our way,
On our way to Grandpa's farm.
We're on our way, we're on our way,
On our way to Grandpa's farm.

Verse:
Down on Grandpa's farm there is a little yellow duck.
Down on Grandpa's farm there is a little yellow duck.
The duck, he makes a sound like this: "Quack! Quack!"
The duck, he makes a sound like this: "Quack! Quack!"

Additional verses:
Down on Grandpa's farm there is
... a big brown cow...
... a little pink piggy...
... an black and white horse...
... an old white sheep...


Thanks to the children and teachers for sharing with me a very silly song about a frog with bulgy eyes!  It hard to believe the school year is almost over.  I hope it has been a good year for all my young friends at Welcome School!  You are blessed with an awesome director and teachers!!!
My next visit to Welcome School will be on Friday, May 10, 2013!  
~Mrs. B.




Each Outreach Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission

Papa Bear & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

Books:

Flying! by Kevin Luthardt

Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith, illustrated by Valeria Petrone

Let's Go, Froggy! by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Grandpa's Garden by Stella Fry, illustrated by Sheila Moxley

Each Papa Bear & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Storytimes are now on hiatus for a few weeks as we get ready for our Summer Reading Program, "Dig Into Reading", which starts on May 28!  Our summer calendar should be out before May 1, so be watching here, as well as on the library's website  for the complete calendar of summer events!  You can also pick up a copy when you visit the library.  Our next Papa Bear and Me Storytime will be on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 PM!

~ Mrs. B.

My Prairie Dog Puppet

I oftentimes use puppets in the various storytimes I present at the Bellevue Public Library and at outreach locations around the city.  Incorporating puppets into your child's creative playtime is highly encouraged by the Every Child Ready to Read initiative.  I also speak to parents often about the importance of creative play - pretending to be shopping at a store or riding in a bus, acting out what it might be like to be an dinosaur or a rabbit, going on an adventure and making up the story as you go along.  These are just a few ways to encourage creative thinking and imagination in your child.  Puppet play can be a wonderful way to help your child develop and stretch his imagination!  Our library is fortunate to have a terrific puppet collection for use in storytimes!  Many of our puppets come from Folkmanis Puppets, an awesome company with an amazing variety of puppets.
For the budget-conscious (all of us?!) here is a quick narrative on making your own puppets from inexpensive stuffed animals.


This is a stuffed animal I bought recently at a garage sale.  I was drawn to this prairie dog since our upcoming Summer Reading Program theme is "Dig Into Reading"!  "He would make a great puppet for storytimes!", I thought.

Most stuffed animals have a seam that runs along their belly and/or between their legs.  Find that seam and carefully snip the threads until you have an opening.

Here I have started to split the seam.  You can see the white stuffing.

Start pulling out the stuffing material.  I opted to leave all the stuffing in his hind legs, since my fingers will not be manipulating them.  I also left the stuffing in his head and some at the very tip of his front legs.  This is to retain the shape of the head and legs. NOTE:  If you leave any stuffing intact, be sure to closely supervise your child so that the remaining material is not pulled out and ingested.

Here he is with the stuffing removed.  The body cavity is now empty. Check to make sure the opening is large enough for your hand.

He doesn't sit up as well now, having lost the stuffing in his tummy, but hopefully he will really come to life when I use my fingers to operate his head and front feet.  Look for him (or her?  I haven't come up with a name yet.) this summer at our Reading Rocks Storytimes on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10 AM!

I hope this will help you in making your own inexpensive puppets for your child!

Enjoy!

  ~Mrs. B.

Breakfast and a Book!

Presented at Leonard Lawrence Elementary School on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Books:

Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

"My buttons! My buttons! My four groovy buttons!"

It was wonderful to see so many families spending reading time together at Thursday's event! (And the donuts and juice were great, too!)  I especially want to thank Nicole Fox and Kari Brown for inviting me to Leonard Lawrence, and to the students and parents who made me feel so welcome!
Good luck during these last weeks of school!

  ~Mrs. B.

La Petite Academy -2s and 3s

Presented to 2- and 3-year-olds at La Petite Academy on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Books: What Does the Rabbit Say? by Jacque Hall, illustrated by Reg Cartwright

Songs:

Hello, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!


Old MacDonald

Old McDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a cow.
E-I-E-I-O.
With a moo, moo here,
And a moo, moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo,
Everywhere a moo, moo.
Old MacDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-O.

And on that farm he had
a pig...
a duck...
a cat...


Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.

Tap your feet...pat your tummy, rub your legs...etc.


Itsy-Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.




Action Rhymes:


Popcorn
 
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Pour the corn into the pot.
(rub palms of hands together briskly)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Take and shake it 'til it's hot.
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Lift the lid.  What have you got?
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop... pop... pop...
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
POPCORN!
(raise arms or lift baby gently into the air!)


Dance Your Fingers Up

Dance your fingers up,
Dance your fingers down.
Dance your fingers to the side,
And 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.


Tony Chestnut

Tony Chestnut knows I love you!
(point to your toes, knees, chest, head, nose, eyes, then hug arms to chest)
Tony knows!  Tony knows!
(point to your toes, knees and nose, then repeat) 
Tony Chestnut knows I love you! 
(point to your toes, knees, chest, head, nose, eyes, then hug arms to chest)That's what Tony knows! 

(point to your toes, knees and nose)

When Cows Get Up In The Morning

When cows get up in the morning,
They always say "good day!"
When cows get up in the morning,
They always say "good day!"

"Moo, moo, moo",
That's how they say "good day!"
Moo, moo, moo,
That's how they say "good day!"

(Have fun gently bouncing or rocking with your little one as you enjoy this rhyme together!)


Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

I had such a fun time at La Petite Academy this morning!  Thanks to the staff for inviting me to share songs, rhymes and a story today!!
  ~Mrs. B

La Petite Academy - Toddlers

Presented to toddlers and 2-year-olds at La Petite Academy on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Book:
What Does the Rabbit Say? by Jacque Hall, illustrated by Reg Cartwright

Songs:

The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus goes 'round and 'round,
'Round and 'round, 'round and 'round.
The wheels on the bus goes 'round and 'round,
All through the town.

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish...
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep...


Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.


Old MacDonald

Old McDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a cow.
E-I-E-I-O.
With a moo, moo here,
And a moo, moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo,
Everywhere a moo, moo.
Old MacDonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-O.

And on that farm he had
a pig...
a duck...
a cat...

These Little Fingers
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

These little fingers go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
These little fingers go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
And now they're on my head!

These little fingers go pat, pat, pat,
pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.
These little fingers go pat, pat, pat,
And now they're on my neck...

Make up verses as you go, such as: your fingers go rub, rub, rub on your child's legs, they go tap, tap, tap on his knees, tickle, tickle, tickle on his tummy, etc.



Action Rhymes:

Good Morning, Toes!
(clap along on the underlined syllables!)

Good morning, toes,
Good morning, toes,
And how are you today?
I trust you had a good night's sleep
And now you're ready to play!

Good morning hands...head...nose...knees...tummy...



Popcorn
 
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Pour the corn into the pot.
(rub palms of hands together briskly)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Take and shake it 'til it's hot.
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Lift the lid.  What have you got?
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop... pop... pop...
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
POPCORN!
(raise arms into the air!)


One Little Baby Rocking In a Tree

One little baby rocking in a tree.
(rock from side to side)
Two little babies splashing in the sea.
(make "splashing" motion)
Three little babies crawling on the floor.
(move hands in "walking" motion)
Four little babies knocking at the door.
(make a fist and "knock" in the air)
Five little babies playing hide and seek.
(cover eyes with hands)
Don't look!  Don't look!
Until I say...PEEK!
(uncover eyes)


'Round and 'Round the Garden

'Round and 'round the garden
(rub tummy)
Goes the little mouse.
Up, up, up, he creeps,
(walk fingers up your tummy)
Up into his house.
(gently tickle under your arm or chin)

'Round and 'round the garden
(rub tummy)
Goes the teddy bear.
One step, two steps,
(fingers take two "steps" up your tummy)
Tickle you under there!
(gently tickle under your chin)

Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

I had such a fun time at La Petite Academy this morning!  Thanks to the staff for inviting me to share songs, rhymes and a story today!!
  ~Mrs. B.

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented to children and parents at Bellevue West High School's Early Head Start classroom on April 11, 2013.

Book:
Farm Babies

Songs:

Hello, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

(After singing the song I invite an adult to introduce him/herself and their child. We repeat the song, substituting the child's name for the word "friends". We do this until everyone has been introduced and all the children have been serenaded!)


The Baby in the Cradle
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

The baby in the cradle goes rock-a-rock-a-rock,
The baby in the cradle goes rock-a-rock-a-rock,
The baby in the cradle goes rock-a-rock-a-rock,
The baby in the cradle goes rock-a-rock-a-rock.

The clock on the dresser goes tick-a-tick-a-tock...

The rain on the window goes tap-a-tap-a-tap...

Then out comes the sun so we clap-a-clap-a-clap...



Activities:

Popcorn 
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Pour the corn into the pot.
(rub palms of hands together briskly)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Take and shake it 'til it's hot.
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop! Pop! Pop!
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
Lift the lid.  What have you got?
(rub palms of hands together)
Pop... pop... pop...
(clap in rhythm each time you say "pop")
POPCORN!
(raise arms or lift baby gently into the air!)


Pizza, Pizza, Pumpernickel
Pizza, pizza pumpernickel,
(gently pat child's legs in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
My little baby shall have a tickle.
(continue patting child's leg )
One on the nose,
(gently tickle child's nose)
And one on the toes,
(tickle toes)
And one on the tummy
(gently pat child's leg in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
where the pizz-a goes!
(gently pat child's tummy in rhythm on the underlined syllables)

Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Each Baby & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Toddlers - Play Day!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

To celebrate the last week of Toddler Storytime we had a Play Day!  I put out picture books, my guitar, my storytime apron (with Wesley inside!), hand puppets, musical instruments, bean bags, and flannel story pieces.  After talking briefly with parents about the importance of imaginative play I turned everyone loose to enjoy whatever activities they liked!  It was fun to sit back and enjoy the interaction between parent/grandparent and child, and between children! 

Songs:

Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

Library News:

This was our LAST Toddler Storytime for the '12-'13 school year.  Miss Tammy and I will be shifting into high gear in the coming weeks - getting ready for our Summer Reading Program, which will be available for all children from birth - high school!!
Be watching around May 1 for information on our "Dig Into Reading!" summer program!!