Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Books by Ame Dyckman
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Misunderstood Shark
Rhymes with Finger Puppets: Two Little Sharks
Book: Tea Party Rules
Movement Activity: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Counting Rhymes with Magnet Board: Five Little Bears
Book: Horrible Bear!
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Books by Anna Kang
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Can I Tell You a Secret?
Songs with Flannel Board: “Five Frogs” by Anna Moo (Anna Moo Crackers) and “Five Frogs” by Raffi
Book: You Are (Not) Small
Book: That’s (Not) Mine
Movement Song: “Cool Bear Hunt” by Dr. Jean
Book: We Are (Not) Friends
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Aaron Zenz
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Chuckling Ducklings and Baby Animal Friends by Aaron Zenz
Activity with Magnet Board: What Do You Call a Baby…?
Book: I Love Ewe: An Ode to Animal Moms by Aaron Zenz
Sing-Along Song: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
Book: Hug a Bull: An Ode to Animal Dads by Aaron Zenz
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Bill Martin, Jr.
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault
Sing-Along Song: The Alphabet Song
Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Book: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? By Bill Martin, Jr.
Movement Song: “Hand Dance” by Dr. Jean
Book: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Book: Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Books by Brian Won
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Hooray for Hat!
Counting Rhyme with Flannel Board: Five Friends in the Bathtub
Book: Hooray for Today!
Movement Rhyme: The Tall Giraffe
Book: Hooray for Books!
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Clifford the Big Red Dog
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Clifford the Big Red Dog
Sing-Along Song: BINGO
Game with Flannel Board: Clifford, Clifford, Where is your bone?
Book: Clifford Takes a Trip
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Books: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Game: “Cat in the Hat” Hat Hunt (Several construction paper hats were hidden in the story time area. The children cashed in the hats they found for stickers.)
Craft: “Cat in the Hat” Party Hats (Children provided with “Cat in the Hat” hats printed on card-stock to decorate. Ties were added to make the hats wearable.)
Takeaway: Dr. Seuss activity sheet
Greeting and Dance
Whole Body Movement: “Clap Your Hands” [PUBYAC Dr. Seuss Compilation]
Invitation to Listen
Book: Selections from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (pp.1-19, 37-35, 55-63)
Magnet Board: Five Little Cats
Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss &/or The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Whole Body Movement: “If You Love Dr. Seuss, Clap Your Hands” [PUBYAC Dr. Seuss Compilation]
Magnet Board: Five Little Cats
Game: Snatch the Hat
Dance!
This Little Cat
This little cat likes to run
This little cat likes to nap
This little cat likes to play
This little cat likes to sneak & stalk
This little cat likes to MEOW
[Bridget R. Wilson]
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Dr. Seuss
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Sing-Along Song: Alphabet Song
Book: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (selections pp.1-19, 37-45, 55-63)
Flannel Board: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and/or The Foot Book
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme:
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Rhyme with Flannel Board: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Book: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (pp.1-19, 37-45, 55-63)
Movement Song: “Goldfish” by Laurie Berkner
Book: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Sing-Along Song: If You Love Dr. Seuss
Book: The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Dr. Seuss
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: What Pet Should I Get?
Rhyme with Flannel Board: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Game with Flannel Board: Find the Lorax (not the humming-fish, bar-ba-loot, or Swomee-Swan)
Book: Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Sing-Along Song: If You Love Dr. Seuss
Book: The Foot Book
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Emily Gravett, Author & Illustrator
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Wolf Won’t Bite! by Emily Gravett
Nursery Rhyme Fingerplay: “This Little Pig”
Book: Dogs by Emily Gravett
Sing-Along Song: “BINGO”
Book: Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Take Home: Blue Chameleon Coloring Sheet
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Eric Carle
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: The Mixed-Up Chameleon
Book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Flannel Board: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
Sing-Along Song: Shake Your Sillies Out
Big Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. (illustrated by Eric Carle)
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Jan Thomas
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
Game with Flannel Board: Where’s the Duck? (Duck hiding behind 1 of 5 pumpkins…let the kids guess which one.)
Book: Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas
Book: Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny! by Jan Thomas
Book: Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Author Jory John
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Goodnight Already!
Counting Rhymes with Magnet Board: Five Little Bears
Book: Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back?
Rhyme with Flannel Board: Elephant in the Bathtub
Book: Penguin Problems
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Karma Wilson
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Bear Wants More
Rhyme with Flannel Board: Five Little Strawberries
Book: Hilda Must Be Dancing
Movement Song: Get Ready, Get Set, Let’s Dance
Book: The Cow Loves Cookies
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Kevin Henkes
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Kitten’s First Full Moon
Counting Rhymes with Magnet Board: Five Little Cats
Book: Waiting
Counting Rhymes with Magnet Board: Five Little Flowers
Book: My Garden
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Laura Numeroff
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: If You Give a Mouse a Brownie
Stretch: “Tall as a Tree”
Book: If You Give a Dog a Donut
Movement Activity: “Some Dogs”
Book: If You Give a Pig a Party
Flannel Board Activity: “If You Give a…”
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Author & Illustrator Leo Lionni
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Frederick by Leo Lionni
Rhyme with Finger Puppets: Two Little Mice
Book: Cornelius by Leo Lionni
Song with Flannel Board: “Five Frogs” by Anna Moo
Book: A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Eric Litwin
Announce Theme: Books by Lita Judge
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Hoot and Peep
Counting Rhyme with Flannel Board: Owls
Book: Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents or Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live
Book: Red Sled
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Ellen Stoll Walsh & Lois Ehlert
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert
Movement Song: “Alligator Stroll” by Josh Turner or “Alligator Stomp” by Anna Moo
Fingerplay: Little Baby Gator
Book: For Pete’s Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Rhyme with Flannel Board: Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Book: Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert
Sing-Along Song with Flannel Board: “Little Bird, Little Bird, Fly Through My Window” by Elizabeth Mitchell
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Dog Books by Louise Yates
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Dog Love Books
Fingerplay: Draw a Circle
Book: Dog Loves Drawing
Fingerplay: “I See Three”
Book: Dog Loves Counting
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Cynthia Rylant's Little Whistle (August 2009)
Books: Little Whistle, Little Whistle’s Dinner Party
Craft: Button String
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”
Announce Theme: Books by Michael Hall
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: It’s an Orange Aardvark!
Movement Song: The Ants Go Marching
Book: Perfect Square
Movement Song & Rhyme: Zoo Animals & Wild Animals
Book: My Heart Is Like a Zoo
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
(Introduce self and say hello to everyone)
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Announce Theme: Author Michael Ian Black
Book: A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea
Fingerplay: Two Mother Pigs
Book: The Purple Kangaroo
Movement Song: “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
Book: Chicken Cheeks
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Note: In theory, this story time was great. In reality, it wasn't. A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea and The Purple Kangaroo both proved to be too long for my preschoolers. By the 2nd time I presented this story time, I was only using Pig Parade and Chicken Cheeks. By the last story time, I was just using Chicken Cheeks. Michael Ian Black's books are humorous, but I think they need an older (probably elementary school age) audience.
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Mo Willems
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: My Friend Is Sad
Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Game: Pin the tail on the Alligator
Book: Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator (read 2 & 1/2 stories)
Counting Thyme with Magnet Board: “Five Little Monsters”
Book: Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Take Home: Various coloring sheets from Activity/Event Kits
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Pete the Cat
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Extension Activity with Flannel Board: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
Game with Flannel Board: Pete’s Posse (Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?)
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Take Home: Cut & Paste Pete the Cat from Make Learning Fun
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Eric Litwin
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House
Song: If You’re Nutty & You Know It
Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Flannel Board: Pete & His Shoes
Book: Pete the Cat & His Four Groovy Buttons
Game with Flannel Board: Where Are Pete’s Buttons?
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Eric Litwin (Author)
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Game with Flannel Board: Find the Buttons
Book: The Nuts: Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants
Sing-Along Song: “If You’re Nutty and You Know It”
Book: Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus”
Announce Theme: Books by Steve Antony
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Book: Please, Mr. Panda
Book: I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda
Counting Rhyme with Flannel Board: 12 Little Donuts
Book: Thank You, Mr. Panda
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid
Books: “At the Zoo” from When We Were Very Youngm “In which Pooh Goes Visiting & Gets into a Tight Place” from Winnie-the-Pooh, “Us Two” from Now We are Six
Game: “Hunny” Pot Hunt (Several construction paper “hunny” pots were hidden in the story time area.)
Craft: Color/decorate Balloon Coloring Sheets (children provided with blank balloon coloring sheets and crayons)
Books: "Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees" (retold by me using puppets from Chapter 1 ["In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin"] of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A.Milne), "Lines and Squares" and "At the Zoo" from When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne, "The Engineer" and "Furry Bear" from Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh's ABC, Winnie-the-Pooh: The Grand and Wonderful Day by Mary Packard (Little Golden Book)
Props:Bear and Beehive puppets (Adapted from Lionbrand crocheted potholder patterns) & a balloon magnet
Craft: Winnie-the Pooh Puppets (used pattern from Penguin's Pooh Party Guide), Beehive Puppets (used coloring sheet for pattern) [Print images on card-stock. Pre-cut for preschoolers. They color the puppets and tape a craft stick to the back.]
Greeting and Dance
Whole Body Movement: Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear (like Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)
Invitation to Listen
Book: “Pooh’s Scrapbook” from My Very First Winnie the Pooh: More Growing Up Stories by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld
Magnet Board: Five Little Bears
Tell: "Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees" (retold by me using puppets from Chapter 1 of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A.Milne)
Whole Body Movement: Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear
Book: Winnie the Pooh’s A to Zzzz by Don Ferguson
Magnet Board: Five Little Bears
Dance!
Opening Song: “The Wheels on the Bus” by Larry Groce (Disney Children’s Favorite Songs Volume 4) [It’s time to get on the bus and go to story time!]
Movement Song: “Can’t Sit Still” by Greg & Steve (Kids in Action)
Announce Theme: Winnie-the-Pooh
Listening Song: “If You Want to Hear a Story”
Storytelling: from Chapter 1: "In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin” of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne (using crocheted hand puppets of Pooh & a beehive)
Movement Rhyme: “Pooh Bear, Pooh Bear”
Book: Winnie-the-Pooh’s 1 2 3
Game Flashcards: Pooh’s Colors and Shapes
Closing Rhyme: Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid