This summer our library used the CSLP theme Imagine Your Story, so each week had some kind of fairy tale/fantasy theme. However, the first week I wanted to switch the emphasis from Imagine Your Story to Imagine Your Story. So, our books and songs are about family and personal history.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Breaking words into syllables in songs, rhymes, and by clapping them out (like in our song Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee) is a component of developing phonological awareness (awareness of the smaller sounds that words are made of) which leads to later success in reading and spelling.
Read: We Are Family by Patricia Hegarty & Ryan Wheatcroft
What is a family? What do families do for each other? Who’s in a family?
Fingerplay: Where is Family?
(tune of Where is Thumbkin)
Where is Mama? Where is Mama? (hide hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (bring out one hand at a time with index finger raised)
How are you today, dear? Very well, I thank you! (index fingers “talk” to each other)
See you soon! See you soon! (one hand at a time is hidden behind back)
[Repeat with Papa, brother, sister, grandma, cousin, etc.]
Credit: traditional
Action Rhyme: Here are Grandma’s Glasses
Here are grandma’s glasses (make circles around eyes)
And here is Grandma’s hat, (fold hands on top of head)
Here’s the way she folds her hands (fold hands)
And puts them on her lap. (place hands in lap)
Here are Grandpa’s glasses, (make circles around eyes)
Here is Grandpa’s hat, (make a triangle on top of head)
Here’s the way he folds his arms (fold arms)
And has a little nap. (pretend to sleep/snore)
Credit: Storytime Secrets
Read: All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino
Shaker Song: Alabama, Mississippi
Alabama, Mississippi. Alabama, New Orleans
Alabama, Mississippi. Shake it on down to New Orleans!
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake it on down to New Orleans!
Credit: Jim Gill (from the album Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes)
Shaker Song: Shake it to the East
Shake it to the east, Shake it to the west
Shake it all around, and then you take a rest
Shake your shakers up, Shake your shakers down
Shake it, shake it, shake it, and then you settle down.
Credit: Jbrary
Read: Alma and How She Got Her Name – Juana Martinez-Neal
Before this chant, we talk about syllables, the smaller parts of a word.
Rhythm Chant: Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee
Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee
Won’t you say your name for me? – Emily!
Let’s clap and say it!
Em-i-ly! (clap-clap-clap with syllables)
Let’s say it loud! – Em-i-ly! (shout)
Let’s say it quiet. – Em-i-ly! (whisper)
(repeat for everyone in the room)
Credit: Stories with Ms. Jenna
Song: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt,
His name is my name too!
Whenever we go out, the people always shout
There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
Da da da da da da da!
Credit: traditional
Craft: Family Portrait
Make a picture of your family! Glue down the craft sticks in a house shape (liquid glue works best), then draw yourself and your family. You can include friends, pets, as well as extended family if you wish, or just keep it to those who live with you. You can decorate your house, add details like trees and flowers, outdoor animals, furniture, whatever you’d like!
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
I also thought about this rhyme to take the place of the Where is Family song, but didn’t end up using it.
Fingerplay: Come a Look a See
(separate and wiggle fingers for each family member starting with pinky for mama)
Come a look a see, Here’s my mama
Come a look a see, Here’s my papa
Come a look a see, my brother tall
Sister, baby, Muah! (kiss all fingertips together)
I love them all!
Credit: Jbrary
This storytime was presented virtually on 6/2/20.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 