Pre-K Class Visit, 4/27/12

I went to visit yet another Pre-K classroom yesterday morning. This time, I thought they were studying farm animals, so I prepared a farm-themed story time. Then I checked my email and learned they were working with zoo animals instead! So I quickly changed my theme. I was beyond disappointed that May I Bring a Friend? seems to be suddenly missing from my library's shelves, and even more disappointed that Bruno Munari's Zoo was checked out, but I went with my second choices, which I'll list below.

Opening Song: Hello, how are you?
This group was a bit more serious and shy than the others I've visited this month - even by the end of the hello song, they were still a bit standoffish and uncertain of me.

Song: If You'd Like to Read a Book
This song broke the ice. They all recognized the tune, and one little boy joyfully said, "Hey, those are rhyming words in that song!"

Book: I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Blanche Sims (1990)
I decided not to skip the page about the card catalog this time. It didn't faze the kids in the least. Their only comment? "This book is way too short." The story also sparked an unexpected conversation about deer. 

Song: I'm Going Down to the Library
This group had the best recall of the story of any class I've read it with, so singing this song was fun. 

Book: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead (2010)
The kids had read this one, and all of them called out the ending well before it happened. Again, they complained that it was short. I'm not crazy about this book, and I don't think I'll bring it to any other classes.

Song: Rum Sum Sum
I was going to do a version of Book Bear, Book Bear, but I quickly realized there was no room for them to stand up and move around in their small carpeted area. So I switched to this song. A few of these very sophisticated four-year-olds said, "Oh, I did this at camp when I was little." My guess is that this was last year, but you know, three is little when you're almost five.

Book: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett (1970)
This book was on display right beyond  the chair I sat in for my visit, and some of the kids had read it, but their teacher said not everyone had, and that they were eager to look at it. So... read it we did. And the kids laughed themselves silly, but were also gravely concerned about the state of the dress worn by the porcupine. (Oh, and at least one of them said, "All these books are short!" Note to self - this group likes long stories.)

Song: These Are My Glasses by the Laurie Berkner Band
They liked this song, and one little boy said, "Hey, my grandma knows this song!"

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye Like This

I really didn't think this was my strongest story time, but the classroom teacher said I did a great job and that I should consider teaching! So that made me feel good. Next time, I will choose longer books and confirm the requested theme further in advance!

Book Spine Poetry: Poem #2

Today, I am sharing my second 100 Scope Notes inspired book spine poem. (If you missed it, click here to read my first attempt.)

(The titles are transcribed below.)

I, Lorelei

The Dancing Pancake

Dancing Feet! 

Dancing in Cadillac Light

Dancing the Ring Shout

Dancing Home

BOOKS USED IN THIS POEM: 

I, Lorelei by Yeardley Smith
The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli
Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown
Dancing in Cadillac Light by Kimberly Willis Holt
Dancing the Ring Shout by Kim L. Siegelson
Dancing Home by Alma Flor Ada

After School Read-Aloud and Craft (Bugs Theme), 4/26/12

There has been no attendance at all at this program the past few weeks, probably because of Spring Break. Most of the regulars were back today, so I had about 9 kids. This time, I read the books first, then invited the kids to do the craft and talked with them while they worked. I have to work on how best to set up the room to facilitate that kind of interaction more often.

The Read-Alouds: Bug Books

Book 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969)

Book 2: Ride, Fly Guy, Ride! by Tedd Arnold (2012)

Book 3: Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk (2007)

The Craft: Band-aid Butterflies 

(This idea was inspired by Storytime Katie's Sick & Get Well Soon story time.)

I. Supplies 

• Colorful Band-aids
• Tissues
• Blue construction paper 
• Markers 

II. Prep

There was no real preparation for me to do, other than creating an example and providing the materials.

III. Process 
I didn't realize until I started writing this post that I actually did this craft backwards from the way I've seen it on Katie's blog and on Pinterest. I used tissue for the butterfly's body and a band-aid for the wings. The kids really enjoyed it. One boy who was around 4 or 5 told me he made a butterfly family "and a brother and a sister!" Another little girl, who usually needs a lot of help, did this one almost entirely on her own, and announced halfway through, "This butterfly is the baby." All of  them used slightly different approaches to the antenna and some even colored on the tissues to give the bodies some color. It was a great success, and I will definitely file it away to try again.

The Display: More Buggy Books

• The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle (1950)
• The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle (1970)
• Miss Spider's New Car by David Kirk (1997)
• Grasshopper on the Road by Arnold Lobel (1978)
• Bug Safari by Bob Barner (2004)
• Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids by David Kirk (2004)
• Insectlopedia by Douglas Florian (1998)

Baby Lap Time, 4/26/12

I will be doing outreach during the Friday Lap Time session, so someone else is covering it for me. Therefore, I am just posting about today's, which was one of the best ones we've had.

Opening Song: Say Hello

Rhyme: Cheek Chin

Fingerplay: Two Little Bunnies (based on Two Little Blackbirds)

Song: All the Little Babies
Some of the babies right around 12 months old giggle hysterically during this song.

Book: Leap Back Home To Me by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2011)
I like to read these sweet parent/child bonding stories to the baby groups because the parents always say "awww" and the kids are young enough that almost everything is interesting to them. Older kids are easily bored by this book, but the babies were into it. 

Song: Tony Chestnut

Song: Eyes Nose Cheeky Cheeky Chin

Song with Puppet: Mr. Sun

Book: Hoot, Howl, Hiss by Michelle Koch (1991)
I love all the opportunities for making sounds in this book - today's parents and caregivers did an exceptional job, especially when it came to sounding like monkeys!
 
Rhyme with Puppets: I'm a Little Bumblebee
I ask the parents to lift the babies up when we say "fly away." It's awesome to look around the room and see all these laughing little ones being lifted into the air.  

Song: Bumpin' Up and Down in My Little Red Wagon

Flannel Board: Five Little Birdies (based on Five Little Fairies)

Songs with Shaker Eggs: 

• Can You Shake Your Egg with Me?
• ABC Song

Goodbye Song: Open, Shut Them (Goodbye Version)