Hi Guys,
I feel like I haven’t done a family storytime in a while. Well this month, I decided to go with an Apple theme because it is that time of the year!
Here is what I have planned:
Wake Up Song – Top of the Morning
I really need to find a replacement for this one soon, but I just love how simple it is and it’s a good stretch before jumping into storytime.
Rhyme – Hello, Hello
This is going to be my new hello/goodbye rhyme. We are going to explore different languages by saying hello in different ways. I mixed a few different rhymes from other websites and got this one. I’m going to repeat the rhyme in ASL and then I am going to ask the audience what languages they speak and then do it a few more times in those.
Hello, hello, hello. It’s time to say “hello.”
Hello, today, to all my friends.
Hello, hello, hello.
)ASL, Hola, Bonjour, Ciao, Nǐ hǎo)
Movement Rhyme – Simon Says
Who doesn’t like a fun round of simon says!
ASL – Letter “A” / APPLE / RED
I always teach my group three new signs in American Sign Language that have to do with my theme. Check out Signing Savvy or Baby Sign Language to learn these signs.
White Board – Using our senses to describe an Apple
I saw this one on someones post (sorry I forget where) but they drew an apple on a white board and then had the kids describe it using their different senses. I am going to give it a go because it sounds like a great STEM element.
Book – Apples and Pumpkins by Anne F. RockwellI’m not entirely sold on this one but it goes with my theme and I think, this time of year, the kids can relate.
Song – Shake My Sillies Out
I needed a song to break things up and couldn’t find an upbeat one about apples, so we are just going to shake our sillies out.
Fingerplay – 10 Red Apples
10 red apples grow on a tree (hold up both hands, fingers spread wide)
5 for you, 5 for me (one hand forward, one hand towards yourself)
Let’s shake this tree, together–like so (wiggle in place)
And the 10 red apples will fall below. (drop your hands)
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10! (count your fingers)
Flannel – A-P-P-L-E
Bingo but with the word apple instead. Thanks internet!
Game – Sleeping, Sleeping All the Children Were Sleeping…
This is one my mom actually taught from when she was nannying. You put all the children to sleep and when they wake up they are… cats, lions, mice, butterflies. Just make sure you turn them back to kids before you finish.
We’ll see if we have time for this one.
Book – If You Plant a Seed by Kadir NelsonNot technically about apples but a lovely story and about seeds and planting, so it works.
Flannel – Five Little Apples
Five little apples hanging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Slinky Worm–“You can’t eat me!”
Along comes Mr. Slinky Worm as quiet as can be. . .
And . . . CRUNCH!-ed that apple right out of the tree!
(Continue until there are no more)
Shaker/Song – The Peppermint Twist by Joanie Bartels from Dancin’ Magic
Just a fun upbeat song to shake and dance to.
Rhyme – Goodbye, Goodbye
Basically the same as our hello rhyme but with the words “goodbye” instead.
Song – Clean It Up
Any good clean up song will work.
Song – Goodbye, So Long, Farewell by Music Together
I will always put this one on in the background as everyone leaves because I just love it!
How’d it go: This one went really well. We got all our STEM-iness out of the way in the beginning and no one seemed to groan when I asked about their senses. I did end up picking a different book for my first one because the one I got was too damaged. Other than that we were apple-riffic!
That’s all for now!
-M-