Preschool Story Time, 11/14 (Community Helpers Theme)

I hate to say it, but themes are really working for me with his group. I'm using no technology at all, not even a CD player, and it's taking me a lot longer to prepare than it used to, but things are running much more smoothly overall because of that extra preparation. It also probably didn't hurt that today a grand total of four children showed up, and only one made it to the end. In any case, that one child's mom complimented me on the theme, and I felt very confident, even with just the one child in the audience.

Here is my Community Helpers repertoire:

Opening song: Hello, How Are You?

Book: Kitten Red, Yellow, Blue by Peter Catalanotto (2005)
Each of Sophie's 16 calico kittens works with a different community helper. This book is very simple in its structure, which I usually like, but the two times I've read it, it hasn't made a big impression. I really like Catalanotto, though!

Rhyme: This is Dr. Bell

Song: Workers and Their Tools
This is a song I came up with, to the tune of the Wheels on the Bus, which shows how different workers might use their tools. It's not an extraordinarily brilliant song, but it got the kids to interact with me and with their parents. (The title is lame, though. Feel free to call it something else if you use it.)

Book: Firefighters: Speeding! Spraying! Saving! by Patricia Hubbell, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli (2007)
Little boys love firefighter books. This is a gentle look into their lives as brave heroes. Some people get stuck a burning building, but they are quickly rescued, and a happy ending ensues. The rhyming text isn't all that exciting, but we had a great time making siren sounds.

Song: Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck
I am pretty sure this originated on Barney, but I remember it from my last library job.

Book: Career Day by Anne Rockwell,illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell (2000)
A pre-K or kindergarten class invites a series of community helpers to speak about their careers. My favorite of the bunch today, and a hit with the one remaining child in the room when I read it. 

Flannel Board Song: Who Are the People in your Neighborhood?

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This

This story time lasted approximately 22 minutes. I had more on the schedule, but decided to leave some of it out when most of my audience left. 

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Other books I considered reading at this story time include:

• Monday is One Day by Arthur Levine, illustrated by Julian Hector
• Meet My Neighbor, the Tae Kwon Do Master by Marc Crabtree
• Police: Hurrying! Helping! Saving! by Patricia Hubbell, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli

Find more Community Helpers story times on these other sites:

• Kasson Public Library
• So Tomorrow
• Wilmette Public Library
• Ready to Read @ ALPL

Flannel Friday: Thanksgiving Post #2: Five Little Turkeys

I'm not totally crazy about this rhyme, but I'm doing a story time specifically about turkeys, and this was the best of a lot of the ones I saw. It comes from DLTK.

Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.

Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.

Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.

Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.

One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

 

This week's Flannel Friday host is Sharon at Rain Makes Applesauce. Don't forget to visit the round-up. Also check out Flannel Friday's boards on Pinterest, and the list of previous Flannel Friday round-ups at So Tomorrow.

Gettin' Crafty Post #6: Paper Pizzas

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

I. Supplies

Paper Pizza template (from Makingfriends.com)

Scissors

Glue Sticks

 

 Crayons

 

II. Prep 

Aside from printing the templates and making a sign indicating what the craft was for the day, there was no prep time involved in this craft aside from setting out the materials.

III. Instructions

For this one, the kids just color their pizza and toppings, cut them out, and glue the toppings to the pizza. I was surprised by how much they loved the concept, and saw kids from preschool through about second grade step in to participate. This craft could also be adapted for toddlers, if you print out the colored template, and cut the pieces out for them ahead of time.

Next time: Magnetic Poetry

6 Kids' Books About Acting

	Starring First Grade by Miriam Cohen Jim rescues a classmate who gets stage fright.
	Star Time by Patricia Reilly Giff Two girls compete to be the star of their after school program's play performance.
	Marty McGuire by Kate Messner Marty, a tomboy, puts her own spin on her role as princess in The Frog Prince.
	Dixie by Grace Gilman Emma's puppy doesn't understand why she's so busy when she lands the role of Dorothy in the school play.
	Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner Disgusted with men, Olivia writes a play to exercise her frustrations. (Mature content - definitely best for older teens!)
	Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan Tiny Cooper, a gay teen, writes a musical about his life while tangling with two Will Graysons.