Tag: preschool story time

Groundhogs Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Groundhogs by Kari Schuetz
The cover of the book Groundhogs. The cover has a photograph of a groundhog.

Movement Rhyme: “Groundhog”
Groundhog is inside her home, warm and fast asleep.
But she’ll wake up and poke her head out for one tiny peep.
If the day is cloudy and cool, she’ll go for a stroll.
But if the sun is shining bright – Pop! Back in her hole!

Book: Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow by David Biedrzycki
The cover of the book Groundhog's Runaway Shadow. The illustration shows a groundhog wearing a Hogzilla t-shirt and its shadow running across the cover.

Song: “The Airplane Song” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Book: Ten Grouchy Groundhogs by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Jay Johnson
The cover of the book Ten Grouchy Groundhogs. The illustration shows ten groundhogs piling out of a hole, looking very grumpy.

Flannel Song: “Snow Globe Song” (Tune: “Milkshake Song” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Songs for Wiggleworms)
Colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink (Adjust number for time!) (Optional: shaky eggs)

Let’s make a “color” snow globe! Are you ready?
You take a little water, (reach to right side)
Pour some water. (right hand pour)
And you take a little snow, (reach to left side)
Pour some snow. (left hand pour)
You stir it all up, (stir two hands)
You lift it and you’ll sing . . . (slowly reach both arms to circle above head)

Snow globe, snow globe, (with arms circled above head, lean right and left)
Shake it up, shake it up. (shake arms and hands)
Snow globe, snow globe,
Shake it all up.

How many snow globes have we made? (count total)
(Credit: Leah Portz, Verona Public Library)

Puppets: “Burrowing Animals”
Describe the characteristics of different burrowing animals and have the kids guess who.
(Examples: chipmunk, turtle, ant, mole, rabbit, fox, mouse, groundhog)

Closing Rhyme

Patterns Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: A-B-A-B-A- A Book of Pattern Play by Brian P. Cleary, illustrated by Brian Gable
The cover of the book A-B-A-B-A- A Book of Pattern Play. The illustration is of cartoon cats building different patterns in a yard.

Song: “Head and Shoulders” – Various Artists: Dance and Sing! The Best of Nick Jr.

Book: Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green
The cover of the book Pattern Fish. The title is spelled out with some fish-shaped letters and there are five fish in a line below the title.

Song: “All the Fish” – Sue Schnitzer: Wiggle and Whirl, Clap and Nap

Flannel: Color dot patterns – single, double, triple

Song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Book: A Pair of Socks by Stuart J. Murphy, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
The cover of the book A Pair of Socks. The illustration is of a dog holding a sock in its mouth.

Closing Rhyme

Hippopotamus Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Ada Grey
The cover of the book Hiccupotamus.

Song: “All I Wanna Do Is Dance” – Kira Willey: Kings & Queens of the Forest

Flannel Story: Hiding Hippos: Counting from 1 to 10 by Amanda Doering Tourville, illustrated by Sharon Holm
The cover of the book Hiding Hippos: Counting from 1 to 10.

Song: “The Hooves on a Hippo Go Stomp” (Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
The ____ on a hippo go . . . ____ ____ ____ . . . all day long.

Verses:
Hooves/stomp
Nose/snort
Birds/peck
Tail/swish
Legs/swim
Jaws/open and shut
(Credit: Verona Public Library, Leah Portz)

Canopy Scarf: “The Water’s Getting Higher” (Tune: “The Bear Went Over the Mountain”)
The water’s getting _____ x3
Bubble, bubble, pop!

Verses:
Higher
Lower
Faster
Slower
Rougher
Calmer

Puppet Story: Hidden Hippo by Joan Gannij, illustrated by Clare Beaton
The cover of the book Hidden Hippo.

Closing Rhyme

Scientist Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: What Will I Discover? by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi (abridged)

Song: “Can You Clap” – Sue Schnitzer: Wiggle and Whirl, Clap and Nap

Book: Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen by Heather Ferranti Kinser (abridged)

Flannel Rhyme: “Scientist Tools”
Chorus:
Scientist, scientist,
What will you discover,
With one tool or another?

Verses:
Tools to stay safe and wear,
A lab coat, gloves, and glasses.
Let’s use them together!

Tools to see and observe,
A magnifying glass and microscope.
Let’s use them together!

Tools to measure and compare,
A ruler, magnet, and thermometer,
A stop watch, scale, and beaker,
Let’s use them together!

Tools to record and remember,
A notebook and pencil.
Let’s use them together!

Rings/Movement: “I Spy with my Scientist Eye”
I Spy with my Scientist Eye . . . Something . . . (move ring/microscope to focus on things in room)

Examples:
Fuzzy (carpet)
Hairy (head)
Smooth (skin)
Colors (mix in colors you see in the room in-between the aforementioned descriptors)

Book: Mary Had a Little Lab by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Petros Bouloubasis

Closing Rhyme

Extra Mention: Suggested watching a video of Serena Auñón-Chancellor for Story Time from Space reading Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts in space!

(Credit: Story Time from Space)

Winter Clothes Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke

Song: “Winter Pokey” (Tune: “Hokey Pokey”)
You put your right mitten in, you put your right mitten out,
You put your right mitten in, and you shake it all about.
You do the winter pokey and you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

Additional verses:
You put your left mitten in…
You put your right boot in…
You put your left boot in…
You put your winter hat in…
You put your snowsuit in…
(Credit: Sturdy for Common Things)

Big Book: The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel, illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker

Scarf Song: “Snowflake, Snowflake” (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Snowflake, snowflake, dance around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.
Snowflake landing on my nose.
Snowflake landing on my toes.
Snowflake, snowflake, dance around.
Snowflake, snowflake, touch the ground.

Scarf Song: “You’ll Wave Your Scarf”
You’ll wave your scarf and I’ll wave my scarf.
We’ll wave our scarves together.
You’ll wave your scarf and I’ll wave my scarf,
In warm or wintry weather.

Additional verses:
You’ll throw your scarf…
You’ll twirl with your scarf…
You’ll shake your scarf…
(Credit: Adapted from “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” by Ella Jenkins)

Scarf Song: “Wave Your Scarf Up and Down” (Tune: “London Bridge”)
Wave your scarf up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
Wave your scarf up and down,
Wave your scarf.

Additional verses:
Side to side
Fast and slow
High and low
Around and around
Put your scarf in the box
(Credit: Adapted from Jbrary)

Book: Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kirsti Call, illustrated by Chad Otis or Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

Closing Rhyme

Dinosaurs Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey, illustrated by K-Fai Steele

Rhyme: “Dinosaur, Dinosaur”
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, turn around.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, jump up and down.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, reach up high.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, wink one eye.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, point at your nose.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, touch your toes.
First ending:
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, tap your chin.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, do it again!
Repeat, ending with this couplet instead:
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, pat your knees.
Dinosaur, Dinosaur, sit down please!

Puppet Show: “T-Rex Wants to Play, Too”

(Credit: Leah Portz, Verona Public Library)

Flannel Song: “5 Dinosaurs”
One dinosaur went out to play,
On a giant fern one day.
She had such enormous fun,
That she called another dinosaur to come.
(call very loudly) OH, DINOSAUR!
(pat hands on laps like a dinosaur is running)

Repeat until all 5 dinosaurs are playing, then end with:
They had such enormous fun,
They played until the day was done!

Book: Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein
Dinosaur Kisses book cover

Song: “We Are the Dinosaurs” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Closing Rhyme

Shoes Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood

Action Rhyme: “Old Shoes, New Shoes”
Old shoes, new shoes, (put one hand out to the side, then the other)
I am wearing my shoes, (point down at your feet)
One, two, three, four, (clap 4x)
Now I stomp them on the floor! (stomp feet)

Repeat, going faster and faster
(Credit: Preschool Education)

Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

Flannel Rhyme: “Shoes” (have kids do the motions with you)
Start with the orange shoe on the board.
I was walking along the street one day, (march)
With my knees up high, can you walk this way?
But I stepped in something. Now what should I do?
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color blue!

I was hopping along the street one day, (hop)
On just one foot, can you hop this way?
But I hopped in something. Now I’m filled with dread.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color red!

I was twirling along the street one day, (turn in a circle)
Around and around, can you twirl this way?
But I twirled into something, and I’m not a happy fellow.
My favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color yellow!

I tiptoed along the street one day, (tiptoe)
Way up on my toes, can you tiptoe this way?
But I tiptoed in something. Now I’m about to make a scene!
For my favorite, fastest shoes have turned the color green!

I stood perfectly still on the street one day, (stand in place)
With my feet like this, can you stand this way?
I stepped into nothing, but this isn’t very fun.
My favorite, fastest shoes are meant to run, run, run! (run in place)
(Credit: Shawn Wolf)

Book: Whose Shoe? by Margaret Miller
Whose Shoe? by Margaret Miller

Ring Song: “Put Your Shoe in the Ring” (Tune: “The More We Get Together”)
Set your ring on the floor in front of you.
Put your toe in your ring, in your ring, in your ring,
Put your toe in your ring, and then you can FREEZE!

Additional verses:
Heel
Jump in the ring
Tiptoe around your ring

Ring Song: “Drivin’ in My Car” – Ralph Covert: Ralph’s World (use your ring as a steering wheel)

Ring Song: “Can You Roll Your Ring?” (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Can you roll your ring like this, (both arms roll inside ring)
Just like this?
Can you roll your ring like this,
Just like this?
Can you roll your ring like this,
‘Round and ’round and ’round your wrist?
Can you roll your ring like this,
Just like this?

Additional verses:
Drive (steering wheel)
Oh, a stop sign! Don’t you miss!
Spin (spin fast on one wrist) OR Twirl (spin in circle with ring above head)

Ring Song: “We Spin and We Spin and We Stop” (Tune: “We Clap and We Clap and We Stop”)
We spin and we spin and we stop. (spin ring on arm)
We spin and we spin and we stop.
We spin and we spin and we spin and we spin
And we spin and we spin and we stop.

Additional verses:
Swing (swing ring back and forth in an arc)
Twist (twist ring back and forth)
Wiggle (wiggle ring)
Toss (toss ring up, gently)
Hide (hide ring behind your back)

Closing Rhyme

Baking Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki

Rhyme: “Yellow Butter, Purple Jelly, Red Jam, and Brown Bread”
Yellow butter, (slide hand in front of you like you are spreading something on bread, repeat for each line, alternating hands)
Purple jelly,
Red jam,
Brown Bread.

Spread it thick, say it quick!
(Repeat tongue twister faster)
Spread it thicker, say it quicker!
(Repeat tongue twister even faster)
Now repeat it, while you eat it!
(Say it like your mouth is full)
Yum!
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Book: The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins

Flannel Rhyme: “Five Little Cookies”
Five little cookies, with frosting galore,
Cookie Monster ate the pink one, then there were four.
Four little cookies, two and two, you see,
Cookie Monster ate the green one, then there were three.
Three little cookies, but before I knew,
Cookie Monster ate the blue one, then there were two.
Two little cookies, oh, what fun!
Cookie Monster ate the orange one, then there was one.
One little cookie, watch me run!
Cookie Monster ate the red one, then there were none.
cookie monster prop image

Book: Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells

Stretchy Band Rhyme: “Mix a Cake” (everyone holds part of the stretchy band the whole time)
Mix the batter, stir the batter, (stir hands in front of you)
Shake some flour in. (shake hands)
Mix the batter, stir the batter, (stir hands in front of you)
Pour it in a tin. (lift one hand above the other to “pour”)

Sprinkle in some chocolate chips, (punch hands in front of you, alternating hands)
Put it in to bake, (everyone step close together)
Then open wide the oven door, (everyone step backwards to make a big circle)
And out comes the cake!
(Credit: Adapted from Book Cart Queens)

Stretchy Band Rhyme: “This Is Big” (everyone holds part of the stretchy band the whole time)
This is big, big, big. (stretch band out into a big circle)
This is small, small, small. (scrunch into the middle of the circle in a tight group)
(step backwards to make a normal circle again)
This is short, short, short. (hold band close to the ground)
This is tall, tall, tall. (stretch band up above your head)
This is fast, fast, fast. (roll hands like a bicycle quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow. (roll hands like a bicycle slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes. (nod head and hands holding the band “yes”)
This is no, no, no. (shake head and hands holding band “no”)
(Credit: Adapted from Mel’s Desk)

Stretchy Band Song: “Stretchy Band Up” (everyone holds part of the stretchy band the whole time)
Stretchy band up,
Stretchy band down,
Stretch it side to side,
And stretch it all around. (vertical circle in front of you)
Dance it on your shoulders,
Dance it on your head,
Dance it on your knees,
And dance it straight to bed. (come together in the middle of the circle)

Closing Rhyme

Owl Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Big Book: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
owl babies

Song: “There Were Three Night Owls in the Tree” (Tune: “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”)
There were three night owls in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
There were three night owls in the tree:
Hoo! Hoo!
Oh, they called up to the sky to their mama flying by,
And she swooped down and joined them happily:
Hoo! Hoo!
(Credit: Adapted from Jen in the Library)

Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round,
Round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town!

Additional verses:
Horn/beep-beep-beep
Wipers/swish-swish-swish
Doors/open and shut
People/up & down
Owls/whoo, whoo, whoo

Book: Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Jean Jullien

Song: “Be Like an Owl” (Tune: “London Bridge is Falling Down”)
Flap your wings and fly around, fly around, fly around.
Flap your wings and fly around, just like an owl.
Open your eyes big and wide, big and wide, big and wide.
Open your eyes big and wide, just like and owl.
Land on the ground and hop along, hop along, hop along.
Land on the ground and hop along, just like an owl.
Turn your head and say who, who, say who, who, say who, who.
Turn your head and say who, who, just like an owl.
(Credit: Jen in the Library)

Puppet Story: Adapted from Good-night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins

Closing Rhyme

Pretend Story Time – Preschool

Opening Song

Book: Flashlight Night by Matt Forrest Esenwine, illustrated by Fred Koehler

Song: “Last Night I Had a Dream” – Laurie Berkner: Whaddaya Think of That?

Puppet Story: The Think-Ups! by Claire Alexander

Puppet Rhyme: “What’s in the Enchanted Wood?”
What’s in the enchanted wood?
What is hiding there?
Hear its funny sound…
_____ _____ _____
A _____ is what I found!

Verses:
Crackle, burp, roar/Dragon
Dig, hum, grow/Gnome
Flit, whiz, fly/Fairy
Swoosh, swish, flick/Wizard
Grunt, growl, snort/Yeti
Shimmy, whinny, neigh/Unicorn
Ho, hee, ha/Leprechaun
Can’t catch me/Gingerbread Man
(Credit: Leah Portz, Verona Public Library)

Song: “If I Was a Bird” – Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms Love You

Book: Imagine That! by Yasmeen Ismail

Closing Rhyme