Officially, we advertised that we only had 20 spots available, but, as with the Winter session, I allowed up to 25 families to actually sign up, since typically there are many no-shows. With twins, triplets, and nanny shares, we ended up with 28 babies in each group, and that's not counting the occasional preschool older sibling. To say the least, we have a full house this Spring!
I did my best to prepare my material ahead of time so I wouldn't be caught short, but alas, with all my other programs, and my bridal shower and outreach taking me away from the branch, I wasn't as ready as I could have been. I chose good songs and rhymes, and great books, but I didn't take as much time as I have in the past to assemble those into a routine that flows well. I didn't have as much time, truth be told, since there was only one month between sessions this time, and last time around, I had a break from October to mid-January. So for this week, there are two different, but related, repertoires. I'll post them both below and explain the changes I made.
Thursday Morning @ 11:00
Opening Song: Say Hello
The first and biggest disaster of this story time was that it took ten minutes to sing hello to everyone. There were more older siblings than expected, because there was no school, and since I didn't know everyone's name, I had to stop between verses to ask the adults for the kids' names. I don't know what to do, really, since I have no idea whether all 24 families will be back, but in a story time that is meant to last 20 minutes, a ten-minute hello song is not a good way to start things off.
Rhyme: Cheek Chin
Flannel Board Rhyme: Let's Make a Noise
Fingerplay: Two Little Bunnies (based on Two Little Blackbirds)
Song with Puppet: Mr. Sun
I really love this book. I read it with a lot of expression, and the kids seemed to respond to my exaggerated voice when saying, "But where is the green sheep?"
Song: Bumpin' Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon
Song: Eyes Nose Cheeky Cheeky Chin
I like this better than Head and Shoulders.
Song: Tony Chestnut
I can never tell if groups are amused by this, or if they just think it's too complicated. Either way, it eventually catches on.
Songs and Rhymes with Shaker Eggs:
- Can You Shake Your Egg with Me?
This one is really cute. I ham it up and create lots of anticipation about where we're going to put the egg next. - Chook Chook Chook Chook
- Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
This was a dud. No one knew it! I might try it again, but maybe not with shakers. - ABC Song
Song: If You're Happy and You Know It
- ...clap your hands
- ...beep your nose
- ...tickle your tummy
- ...shout hooray!
At this point, though I didn't know it because our story time room's clock is stopped at 6:00, I was already close to the 30-minute mark. 30 minutes! I never go that long! But since I didn't know it, I actually opened up my second book and read it. I felt like the adults were annoyed with me. I have no idea if that's true, because I felt so uncomfortable already, I might have been projecting, but I rushed through that book so quickly, I don't think anyone enjoyed it.
Song: Oh, Yellow Flower
Song: All the Little Babies
I had another flannel board planned, but thank God I had the sense to skip it. I went right into the goodbye song, and then got the heck out of there.
Goodbye Song: Open, Shut Them Goodbye Song
When I got out of the room and looked at the clock, it was nearly 11:40. I was convinced no one was ever coming back, because the program was so chaotic. What I really think happened, though, is that I worried too much about the popularity of the program and in trying to make it awesome, rushed and panicked and made a mess of it instead. But not to worry. The advantage of repeating a program is getting to do it better the second time if the first time is a flop. And that's what I did.
Friday Afternoon @ 3:30
Opening Song: Say Hello
Only 15 families came on Friday, so this hello song was a breeze.
Rhyme: Cheek Chin
This time I got the longest book out of the way first. A much better choice. The babies around a year old were the ones who engaged with it the most, but the rhyming text and bright illustrations appealed to everyone.
Flannel Board Rhyme: Let's Make a Noise
What a difference is makes to be calm! I was much more relaxed on Friday, and therefore I remembered to go through each sound slowly, and then to repeat them all once more at the end.
Rhyme with Puppet: Chook Chook Chook Chook
I discovered very quickly on Thursday that this rhyme does not work with shaker eggs. I also don't need four shaker egg activities. So I took out my hen puppet and held her up as we said the rhyme together. I think most of the adults in my groups are uncomfortable with nursery rhymes, and their weird energy toward them makes me feel like a big dork, but I keep using them anyway, because the kids should be exposed to them. And everybody likes puppets!
Song with Puppet: Mr. Sun
Song: Eyes Nose Cheeky Cheeky Chin
Song: Tony Chestnut
Songs with Shaker Eggs:
- Can You Shake Your Egg with Me?
- ABC Song
Book: Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek (2004)
Flannel Board Song: Oh, Yellow Flower
Song: All the Little Babies
Song: If You're Happy and You Know It
- ...clap your hands
- ...beep your nose
- ...tickle your tummy
- ...shout hooray!
Flannel Board Song: Five Little Birdies (based on Five Little Fairies)
Goodbye Song: Open, Shut Them Goodbye Song
This second session also reached the 30-minute mark, but this time it didn't feel like a race to the end. I was in control, and I think this group had a much more enjoyable experience because of that. Now to figure out a repertoire for next week that is the right length and won't send me into a panic!
I'm glad the second time went better! I always feel slightly bad for my Monday story times because my story times usually get better as the week progresses. I don't think the kids or parents notice though. By the way, I love your blog- it gives me such great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThe second time always goes more smoothly. I definitely learn by doing, so I can't always tell how well a program will go until I'm in the middle of doing it.
DeleteI'm so glad you find my blog helpful - thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. :-)