This summer our library used the CSLP theme Imagine Your Story, so each week had some kind of fairy tale/fantasy theme (except for the first week, Family History). This week was centered on the “Jack and the Beanstalk” tale, giants, and other Jack stories. I chose three books that were kind of long, so I tried to abridge them, which worked marginally. I probably should have chosen two titles that were a little shorter so I could use Clever Jack in its entirety, since I love that one so much.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Read, sing, or say Mother Goose rhymes. Not only are they fun to say, but they help teach important literacy skills, such as vocabulary. For instance, in Jack be Nimble, children encounter the unfamiliar word “nimble.” Nursery rhymes use lots of unfamiliar words. You can use these as opportunities to help your child build his or her vocabulary. Nursery rhymes also teach the rhythm of speech and intonation as well as the grammatical structure of language.
Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello
Read: Jack and the Beanstalk by Nina Crews
Action Song: I’m a Little Bean
(tune of I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little bean, small and round
Bury me deep into the soft ground
Sprinkle me with water, sunshine, too
Watch me grow taller than you!
Credit: Osceola Library System
Fingerplay: Five Plump Peas
Five plump peas in a peapod pressed (make a fist and cover with the other hand)
One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest (raise all fingers on first hand one by one)
they grew, & they grew, & they grew, & never stopped (hands get wider and wider)
They grew SO BIG that the peapod… POPPED! (hands spread as wide as possible, then clap!)
Credit: Carole Stephens
Read: There Was an Old Giant Who Swallowed a Clock by Becky Davies & Elina Ellis
Lifting Song: Tick Tock
Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock
tick tock tick tock, Now I’m striking one o’clock: cuckoo!
Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock
tick tock tick tock, Now I’m striking two o’clock: cuckoo! cuckoo!
(Repeat, counting up. Lift or jump with each “cuckoo!”)
Credit: Jbrary
Fingerplay: This is Big, Big, Big
This is big big big (hold hands out wide)
This is small small small (bring hands back together)
This is short short short (bring hand down)
This is tall tall tall (and up again)
This is fast fast fast (circle fists quickly)
This is slow slow slow (circle fists slowly)
This is yes yes yes (nod)
This is no no no (shake head)
Credit: Mel’s Desk
Flannel Nursery Rhyme: Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
Flannel Nursery Rhyme: Jack Be Nimble
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack jump over the candlestick!
Credit: Traditional
Read: Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming & G. Brian Karas
Ukulele Song: Mr. Sun
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Hiding behind a tree
These little children are asking you
To please come out so we can play with you
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Credit: as recorded by Raffi from the album “Singable Songs for the Very Young”
Download a Ukulele songsheet for Mr. Sun
Craft: Beanstalk Scene
Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum! Make your own magical beanstalk by gluing down beans. Twist your tissue paper into a beanstalk, glue it down, and add cotton ball clouds. Color in any details that you like. You can add Jack (or yourself!), the magic hen, harp, even the ferocious giant! from My Adventures in Preschool
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 6/16/20.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 