This was my second virtual storytime ever, way back in March. I worked with books I had at home and tried to transition between them using rhymes and songs. I used shaker songs, so encouraged caregivers to make a simple shaker at home using rice or beans in a closable container their child could grip (mine is a 4 oz plastic food container secured with tape). I also said that even if you don’t have a shaker, you can participate by getting out your “magic shaker” – an invisible shaker you can shake and make noise with a “cha-cha” sound. This was a storytime I did exclusively on Facebook Live, and do not have a permanent YouTube version available. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.
Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello
Fingerplay: Mr. Bullfrog
Here is Mr. Bullfrog (make fist)
sitting on a rock (place fist on other palm)
He jumps into the water… (lift fist, building anticipation)
Kerplop! (clap hands together)
Credit: Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends
Read: Jump! by Scott M. Fischer
Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop
Pop, pop, pop
Put the corn in the pot
Pop, pop, pop
Shake it ’til it’s hot
Pop, pop, pop
Lift the lid and what have you got?
Popcorn!
Credit: Jbrary (see video for motions)
Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake it here, shake it there
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake your shakers
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake it yes, shake it no
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake your shakers
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shaker on the ground
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shakers
Shake it near and shake it far
Drive your shaker like a car
Shake it near and shake it far
Shake your shaker
Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake it stop, shake it go
Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake your shaker
Credit: Jbrary
Read: The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
Action Song: My Dog Rags
I have a dog and his name is Rags
He eats so much that his tummy sags (arms circle in front of tummy)
His ears flip flop (flop hands up and down by ears)
and his tail wig wags (wiggle bottom)
And when he walks, he goes zig zag! (zig zag hands together)
He goes flip flop, wig wag, (pause) zig zag (repeat motions above)
He goes flip flop, wig wag, (pause) zig zag
He goes flip flop, wig wag, (pause) zig zag
I love Rags and he loves me! (arms cross chest)
Credit: Jbrary
Ukulele Song: Days of the Week
(tune of the Addams Family Theme)
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week (clap, clap)
Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week (clap, clap)
There’s Sunday and there’s Monday
There’s Tuesday and there’s Wednesday
There’s Thursday and there’s Friday
And then there’s Saturday!
Credit: Yogibrarian
Download a ukulele songsheet for Days of the Week
Read: Saturday by Oge Mora
Breathing Exercise
When things don’t go our way, sometimes it helps to take some deep breaths, just like Ava did in Saturday. Will you breathe with me? Let’s breathe in for 3 counts and out for 3 counts.
Activity Suggestion: Puppets!
Just as Ava and her mother made puppets, so can you! You can make puppets from a sock, a paper lunch sack, or even make finger puppets out of plain paper. Dramatic play is great for storytelling and narrative skills, and is a great creative outlet! My puppets were a paper bag flamingo, a sock puppet with pink bows, and a pigeon finger puppet. (My sock puppet was dismantled after storytime.)
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 3/30/20.
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 