Gettin' Crafty Post #8: Stencils

For an introduction to this new series of Gettin' Crafty posts, visit Post #1.

I. Supplies 

Super Mega Stencil Kit (from Oriental Trading)

Colored Pencils

Crayons 

 Plain Paper

II. Prep

I keep a stash of manila paper on hand, all the sheets of which are cut in half to make the supply last longer. Aside from that far-in-advance preparation, there is nothing else needed.

III. Instructions

This set of stencils includes a variety of themes. For our first time using them, I just put out the fantasy set, and advertised it as an opportunity to draw a fantasy scene. The stencils are somewhat difficult to use, but the older kids had no problems at all, and the younger ones just colored without regard for  the stencils. Some of the kids also used them as rubbings instead of stencils.

Next time: Cat Magic Color Scratch

6 Kids' Books About Shopping

	Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney Llama Llama throws a tantrum in the grocery store.
	At the Supermarket by Anne Rockwell A toddler-friendly narrative of a trip to the store.
	The Mystery in the Mall by Gertrude Chandler Warner The Boxcar Children volunteer to work in a mall and uncover a mystery!
	Sheep in a Shop by Nancy Shaw The sheep go shopping for a present.
	Something About Hensley's by Patricia Polacco Patricia Polacco's portrait of a general store that has everything any family could need - big or small.
	Don't Forget the Oatmeal by B.G. Ford Bert and Ernie go grocery shopping, and manage to forget the oatmeal despite repeated reminders.

Baby/Toddler Story Time, 11/29

Opening Song: Hello, how are you? 

Book: Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh (1991)
I had never read this at story time before, but I wanted something new for today, so I gave it a shot. It's on the long side, and the counting is broken up by text which threw off the nannies who like to shout the numbers from 1 to 10 on cue, but it was still probably the best of the Mouse books, in terms of this age group.

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big  

Rhyme: Blue is the Lake

Book: One Naked Baby by Maggie Smith (2007)
I didn't realize how Spring-themed this book really is until about the second reading. I want to remember it for  my Spring baby lap time, though, because the moms with babies all thought it was funny, even when no one else really seemed to like it much.

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: Head and Shoulders

Song: Hands Are For Clapping 

Flannel Board Song: Who is  Knocking at My Door?

Rhyme: Little Mousie Brown (Session 1 only)
Well... this needs work. I need to practice it more.

Song: Rum Sum Sum (Sessions 1 and 2 only)
I'm trying to reintroduce some of the songs and rhymes I want to use this Winter, and I was amazed at how many remembered this one from the summer! 

Song:  Monkeys on the Bed (Session 2 only, by request)
One of my regulars specifically asked for this song, so I said I would do it. Unfortunately, if you allow one request, you open the floodgates for more, which is how session 3 ended up with The Wheels on the Bus.

Song: Wheels on the Bus (Session 3 only, by request)

Song: One Little Finger (Sessions 1 and 2 only)

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This                   

Preschool Story Time, 11/28 (Family Theme)

It's hard to believe but I only have two more preschool story times left in 2011! I will almost miss it. Today's theme was families, and here is what we did:

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?

Book: My Dog Is As Smelly As Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven (2007)

Flannel Board Song: Who is  Knocking at My Door?
This was a really good flannel board, so I'm going to save the details to share in a Flannel Friday post after all my holiday posts are done. 

Action Rhyme: Here Are Grandma's Glasses

Book: The Grandma Book by Todd Parr (2006)
I don't "get" Todd Parr, but so many other librarians in my system seem to love him, so I've tried to incorporate his books now and then. This seemed like it didn't really resonate with the kids, though.

Flannel Board Song: Family Scarves
I involved the whole family, giving Grandpa a blue scarf, Grandma a red one, Daddy a green one, and a little girl (named Mary, to suit the song) a rainbow one. 

Book: Big Sister, Little Sister by LeUyen Pham (2005)
I just love Pham's illustrations. And this is a funny take on the relationship between big and little sisters.

Song: Where is Thumbkin? (Family version)

Book: My Beastly Brother by Laura Leuck (2003)
Not my favorite, but the rhyming text is funny, and suits the sense of humor of four and five year old boys who think burping and spitting spiders are hilarious.

Song: One Little Monster
Off the theme? Yes. But I love it, and it goes so nicely with a monster book!

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This