Family Storytime #4

      Sorry folks, it's been a busy week and I realize that this post is late.  I was called in to supply teach this week and had to change gears from Storytime to grade seven! Yikes! Somehow singing Shake Your Sillies Out didn't seem to cut it when those tweens were having trouble focusing on my Science lesson. LOL!

      Here is a re-cap of some of the songs and stories we enjoyed together in Family Storytime this week;

Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson

Click here to place a hold on it at the Library.

Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi 

Head and Shoulders Baby 1,2,3

Head and shoulders baby, 1,2,3.

Head and shoulders baby, 1,2,3.

Head and shoulders, head and shoulders,

head and shoulders baby 1,2,3!

Knees and ankles baby, 1,2,3.

Knees and ankles baby, 1,2,3.

Knees and ankles, knees and ankles,

knees and ankles baby 1,2,3!

Back and tummy baby, 1,2,3.

Back and tummy baby, 1,2,3.

Back and tummy, back and tummy,

back and tummy baby 1,2,3!

Eyes and nose baby, 1,2,3.

Eyes and nose baby, 1,2,3.

Eyes and nose, eyes and nose,

eyes and nose baby 1,2,3!

The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Click here to place a hold on it at the Library.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see?

We did a flannel board adaptation of this story by Bill Martin Jr.

Spider on the Floor 

There's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

There's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

Who could ask for anything more, than a spider on the floor.

There's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

Now the spider's on my leg, on my leg.

Now the spider's on my leg, on my leg.

Oh, he's really, really big, this spider on my leg!

Now the spider's on my leg, on my leg.

Now the spider's on my stomach, on my stomach.

Now the spider's on my stomach, on my stomach!

Oh, he's just a big old lummox, this spider on my stomach.

Now the spider's on my stomach, on my stomach!

Now the spider's on my neck, on my neck!

Now the spider's on my neck on my neck!

Oh, I'm gonna be a wreck, I've got a spider on my neck!

Now the spider's on my neck on my neck!

Now the spider's on my face, on my face!

Now the spider's on my face, on my face!

Oh, what a big disgrace, I've got a spider on my face!

Now the spider's on my face, on my face

Now the spider's on my head, on my head!

Now the spider's on my head, on my head!

Oh, I am filled with dread. I've got a spider on my head!

Now the spider's on my head, on my head!

But he jumps off!

Now there's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

There's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

Who could ask for anything more, than a spider on the floor.

There's a spider on the floor, on the floor.

You can find this song and many more on this CD...

which is available at the Library, just click here!

That's it for this week. I look forward to seeing everyone next week as we celebrate Halloween a little bit early with some not so spooky songs and stories!

Until then, happy reading!

~Miss Cathi

Family Storytime #3

     Yesterday was our third Family Storytime session and I'm happy to say that we are all getting into the swing of things. It makes me so happy to see the children smiling and dancing along to my songs and fingerplays. 

     I feel that a good storytime needs to have right mix of repetition and new material.  Children need repetition at this age, therefore I only introduce a few new songs each week.  I post all song lyrics here so that parents and caregivers can reference the words.   It makes a huge difference when the parents and caregivers sing along.

    With that said, here are some of the songs and stories that we shared this week;

Say Hello To Your Toes

(to the tune of London Bridge)

Say hello to your toes.

Hello toes, hello toes.

Say hello to your toes.

Hello, toes!

Say hello to your ankles.

Hello ankles, hello ankles.

Say hello to your ankles.

Hello, ankles!

Say hello to your knees.

Hello knees, hello knees.

Say hello to your knees.

Hello, knees! 

Say hello to your hands.

Hello hands, hello hands.

Say hello to your hands.

Hello, hands!

Say hello to your friends.

Hello friends, hello friends.

Say hello to your friends.

Hello, friends!

We're So Glad to See You

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Where is {insert child's name}?

Where is {insert child's name}?

There s/he is.

There s/he is.

We're so glad to see you.

We're so glad to see you.

Peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-boo!

If You're Ready For a Story

(to the tune of If You're Happy And You Know It)

If you're ready for a story take a seat.

If you're ready for a story take a seat.

Clap your hands and stop your feet,

now make them nice and neat.

If you're ready for a story take a seat.

Books we read...

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

I found this wonderful telling of this story on youtube...

Do Monkeys Tweet? by Melanie Walsh

5 Little Apples

(done with flannel glove puppet)

5 little apples sitting in a bowl,

one fell out and started to roll.

It bumped off the table and hit my feet.

How many apples are left to eat?

(count down to 0)

     Next we got out the shakers and had some noisy fun singing and dancing to the following songs;

The Grand Old Duke of York

The Grand Old Duke of York,

he had ten thousand men.

He marched them up to the top of the hill,

and then he marched them down again.

When they were up they were up,

and when they were down they were down.

But when they were only half way up,

they were neither up nor down.

Going To Kentucky

We're going to Kentucky,

we're going to the fair.

To see the senoritas

with flowers in their hair.

So shake it baby, shake it.

Shake it all you can.

Shake it like a milkshake,

and pour it in the can. 

Rumba to the bottom.

Rumba to the top.

Turn around and turn around,

until we holler STOP!

Caution: the above two songs will get stuck in your head and you may find yourself humming them without even being aware of it!

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

~Miss Cathi

Family Storytime #2

    Sorry for the late post, it's been a busy week (and it's only Thursday!). Here are just a few of the books, songs and fingerplays that we did at Family Storytime this week.  

Books:

Kanga wants to make cookies, but someone has eaten all the cookie dough.Who could it be? Join in the fun and find out! This rollicking whodunit begs to be read aloud. 

What will Fat Cat sit on? The pig? (Oink!) The chicken? (Cluck!) How about the dog? (Grrrr.)    Everyone in this bumbling animal gang (understandably) hopes the victim will be someone else! Leave it to Mouse to come up with a brilliant solution that satisfies everyone, even Fat Cat himself. Filled with hilarious asides and an interactive question-answer format, this irreverent young picture book will delight toddlers who love to shout "NO!"

Fingerplays & Songs:

Autumn Leaves

(Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Autumn leaves are falling down,

falling down, falling down.

Autumn leaves are falling down,

falling on the ground.

Autumn leaves are whirling round,

whirling round, whirling round.

Autumn leaves are whirling round,

all over town.

    I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by family and friends. I look forward to seeing everyone next Tuesday morning.  Until then, happy reading!

~Miss Cathi

Grab a Book and Find a Nook!

 If you, like me, are a passionate reader, you know the thrill that can fill you when you pick up the right book and curl up with it in a cozy spot. As you watch the children in your life becoming familiar with books, it’s likely you want the same thrill for them. These ideas will help you to inspire those young minds in subtle and appealing ways through the creation of the perfect reading space within your home. If you’re not a great lover of reading [yet!], then these ideas are not only for those children, but for you!

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Find the right space- A reading space should be easily accessible but relatively quiet and away from high traffic areas. Good light is also an important aspect to consider.
2. Start Small -  Pillows, a few stuffed animals and a light blanket are great ways to add comfort and style to a reading space.
3. Add to your basic space-  Including a CD player or electronic device in the space and a number of books for listening will draw in even the most reluctant of readers. 
4. Now add some books- If you can, keep books on low shelves or in baskets near the reading space, or lying within it. Books that are out of sight will rarely be touched. Allow your children access to the books and have several for them to choose from. 

If you want the children in your life to embrace this new reading environment, show them the way. They will be much more likely to enter the space and feel at home there if you are the one to introduce them and teach them about it. And who knows, you might just find yourself there more often than you think – without the children!

Thanks to Tipsaholic for inspiring this post!

Happy Reading!

~Miss Cathi

Cozy Books For Rainy Days...

     What to do on a rainy day? Hmmm... I know! Why don't you check out some of these great books? They are a perfect reason to stay in and cuddle! 

The Big Storm; a very soggy counting book

by Nancy Tafuri

As clouds amass overhead and rain starts to pour, ten little woodland animals hurry to find shelter. The text counts up as Bird, Mouse, Squirrel, Rabbit, Chipmunk, Woodchuck, Raccoon, Possum, and Red Fox all run for cover--then Skunk squeezes in and makes it 10!

Raindrop, Plop!

By Wendy Cheyette Lewison

One little raindrop, dark, dark sky. Two little raindrops, clouds go by... How many ways can you have fun on a rainy day? From one little raindrop to ten toes soaking in a warm bubble bath, there are lots of things to see and count until the sun comes out again.

Big Sarah's Little Boots

by Paulette Bourgois

Sarah loves her yellow boots. But one day, they just won't fit anymore. No amount of stretching will make them big again, and a disappointed Sarah must choose new boots. This picture book tells an endearing story about facing and happily resolving a familiar childhood dilemma.

One of my all time favourites! My niece Sarah can attest to that =)

Enjoy & happy reading!

~ Miss Cathi  

The Bookish Blog on Facebook...

FYI, 

you may also follow me on Facebook

 using the following link;

https://www.facebook.com/bookishmisscathi

or just click here!

On my Facebook page I will often post quick links, book ideas, resources and tips.  The Internet is a wonderful resource full of ideas made for sharing!

~Miss Cathi

Monkeying Around...

     My goodness! I cannot believe I forgot to add the monkey song to my previous post.  We had so much fun singing it and doing the actions in Family Storytime! Silly me... I must be bananas to have forgotten to include it. To make up for my memory lapse, I have also included a cute printable that you can download, print and use at home.  Your little ones will love acting out this song with these cheeky monkeys. Watch out for that crocodile!

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

Five little monkeys swinging in the tree,

teasing Mr. Crocodile,

“You can’t catch me!” 

Along came Mr. Crocodile as quiet as can be and…

Snap!

Four little monkeys swinging in the tree…

Three little monkeys swinging in the tree…

Two little monkeys swinging in the tree…

One little monkey swinging in the tree,

teasing Mr. Crocodile,

“You can’t catch me!”

Along came Mr. Crocodile as quiet as can be and…

Snap!

“You missed me! You missed me!”

Download the free printable to use at home by clicking here!

(thanks Kate from Pickelebum's!)

Once you have your monkeys you can also use them with this song...

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed

One fell off and bumped his head

Mama called the doctor,

And the doctor said;

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed…

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed…

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed…

One little monkey jumping on the bed

One fell off and bumped his head

Mama called the doctor,

And the doctor said;

"Put those monkeys straight to bed!"

Have fun & happy reading!

~Miss Cathi

Family Storytime

     I did my first ever Family Storytime yesterday and I am happy to say that it I enjoyed it tremendously! It was so wonderful to once again be doing what I love, reading to children.  My group was delightful and I had great fun with them.  I promised the parents and caregivers in my group that I would post the songs, finger plays and books that we shared so that they can continue the fun at home if they wish.  Below are some of the fun things we did...

Stories we read:

I found this video too... 

Adorable!

Songs we sang:

Welcome, Welcome

(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Welcome, welcome everyone, 

now you're here let's have some fun!

First we'll clap our hands just so... (clap hands)

then we'll bend and touch our toes... (touch toes)

Welcome, welcome everyone, 

now you're here let's have some fun!

The More We Get Together

The more we get together

together, together
The more we get together
the happier we'll be.
'Cause your friends are my friends
and my friends are your friends.
The more we get together
The happier we'll be.

The more we read together

together, together
The more we read together
the happier we'll be.
Read big books and small books

and short books and tall books.
The more we read together
The happier we'll be.

10 Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers,  and they all belong to me. 

(hold hands out in front)

I can make them do things, would you like to see? 

I can shut them tight. 

(make a fist)

I can open them wide

 (spread fingers out)

I can put them together 

(clasp hands together)

I can make them hide 

 (put hands behind back)

I can make them fly high

 (raise hands and wiggle fingers over head)

I can make them fly low 

(lower hands to feet and wiggle fingers)

I can fold them like this and hold them just so. 

(fold hands in lap)

Let's Tap

(Tune: The More We Get Together)

Let's tap our feet together, together, together

(tap feet together)

Let's tap our feet together because it's fun to do.

Additional Verses:

~ Clap our hands

~ Touch our nose

~ Blink our eyes

It's Time To Say Goodbye

(Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

It is time to say good bye to all my friends.

It is time to say good bye to all my friends.

It is time to say goodbye, give a smile and wink an eye,

It is time to say good bye to all my friends.

Activities we did:

Criss Cross Applesauce

Criss cross

 (draw and X on child’s back)

Applesauce

 (pat child’s shoulders in rhythm to the beat)

Spiders crawling up your back

 (walk fingers in a tickly fashion up your child’s back)

Tight squeeze

 (give a hug)

Cool breeze

 (blow gently on child’s neck)

And now you’ve got the shivers! 

(tickle child all over) 

   I look forward to seeing my group again next week for some more library fun! Until then, happy reading!

~Miss Cathi