Theme: Penguins

PR: Little Listeners: Penguins are Cool!  Chill out at the library and enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays and a craft-all centered around penguins.

Book suggestions:

There are so many penguin books! I used these:
That's Not My Penguin
Penguin Says Please by Michael Dahl
Five Flying Penguins by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
10 Little Penguins by Kate Toms

New Words Introduced:
Waddle, glide

Discussion about penguin attributes and qualities.
I had many pictures of different penguins. Various colors, what they eat, teeth are on their tongue, etc.

Songs:

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Silly and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Way up North where there's ice and snow
There lived a penguin and his name was Joe
He got so tired of black and white
He wore pink slacks to the dance last night!

Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

Silly and foolish the whole day through
Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy?

The kids chose some of their favorites:
"Wheels on the Bus"
"Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes"

Craft:  Waddling penguins

Materials needed:  Pre-cut penguin pieces, glue, small paper plate

Theme: Hats

Story Ideas:

Hat On, Hat Off – by Theo Heras
Old Hat – by Emily Gravett
Book-O-Hats – by Donald Lemke
That’s My Hat! – by Anouck Boisrobert & Louis Rigaud
Hooray for Hat! – by Brian Won
Books For Preschoolers: The Red Hat – by David Teague
Brimsby’s Hats – by Andrew Prahin
The Pink Hat – by Andrew Joyner
I want my hat back – by Jon Klassen
This is not my hat – by Jon Klassen
We found a hat – by Jon Klassen

Words introduced:
"to and fro"

Fingerplays & Songs :
I Hop on my Horse
I hop on my horse and go to town. (Pretend to ride horse.)
I ride up high and I don’t fall down. (Place arms high and then low.)
I wear a hat so my hair won’t blow. (Put hand on head.)
and when I want to stop, I just say Ho! (Pull back on reins.)

Yankee Doodle Dandy (traditional)
Yankee Doodle went to town,
Riding on a pony
Stuck a feather in his hat
And called it macaroni
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy
Mind the Music and the step
And with the Girls be Handy.

I Like My Hat
I like my hat. I like my hat.
I like my hat so I'll put it on my.... Knee.
Elbow, Foot, Tummy…

Three Cornered Hat
My hat, it has three corners,
Three corners has my hat
And had it not three corners,
It would not be my hat.

Suggestions to spark a conversation with your group:
Why do we wear hats?
What kind of hats do we wear in the summer?
What kind of hats do we wear in the winter?
Which hats are worn to protect our head?
When you ride your bike, what do you wear?

Who would wear these hats?
· Sun hat
· Chef hat
· Cowboy hat
· Top hat
· Snow hat
· Fireman hat
· Sailor hat
· Baseball hat
· Hard hat

Theme: Hibernation/Sleep

PR: Where do animals like chipmunks and bears go in the winter? How can they live in the cold? Let's explore how they hibernate under the snow.

Stories used:

Bear Can't Sleep by Karma Wilson
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
The Napping House by Audrey Wood (Big Book)
A Nap in a Lap by Sarah Wilson 

Other book ideas:
Animals In Winter by Henrietta Bancroft
Baby Bear Counts One by Ashley Wolff
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead
Bear is Awake: an alphabet story by Hannah E. Harrison
The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks
Bear Is Not Tired by Ciara Gavin
A Bed for Bear by Clive McFarland
A Bed for the Winter (DK)
Brownie Groundhog and the Wintery Surprise by Susan Blackaby
Don’t Wake up the Bear by
Do not Disturb by Margery Facklam
Do Polar Bears Snooze in Hollow Trees?: A Book About Animal Hibernation by Laura Purdie Salas
Goodnight, Grizzle Grump! by Aaron Blecha
Groundhog Stays up Late by Margery Cuyler
Hibernation by Margaret Hall
Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
Home at Last – A Song of Migration by April Sayre
Knock Knock by Tammi Sauer
Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
Mika the Bear Who Didn’t Want to Sleep by Erik Kriek
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
One Snowy Night by M. Christina Butler
Ouch! by Ragnhild Scammell
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Red Sled by Lita Judge
Sleep, Bear! by Shelby Alinsky
Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep by Maureen Wright
Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear by Monica Carnesi
Sleepy Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen
The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming
Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
When it Starts to Snow by Phillis Gershator
Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer
Why Do Bears Sleep All Winter? by Mary Englar

Song: “Hibernation”
(Tune: “Alouette”)
Hibernation, time for hibernation.
Hibernation, time to go to sleep.
In the winter, where’s the bear?
Sleeping in its log or lair.
Where’s the bear? Log or lair. OH!
In the winter, where’s the frog?
Sleeping by a pond or log.
Where’s the frog? Pond or log. OH!
In the winter, where’s the snake?
In the mud beneath the lake.
Where’s the snake? Beneath the lake. OH!
In the winter, where’s the bat?
In a cave is where it’s at.
Where’s the bat? Cave it’s at! OH!

Song & Puppet: “Sleepy Bear”
Tune: Thumbkin
Where is Bear? Where is Bear?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

Song: "Are You Sleeping?"
Are you sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Little bear, little bear?

I will sleep till springtime
I will sleep till springtime
Snug and warm
Snug and warm

Can you Stretch?
Tall as a tree?
Wide as a house?
Thin as a pin?
Small as a mouse?

Activity:
We used the parachute as a bear cave at first, then simply played with the chute.

Theme: Kindness

Theme: Kindness

New words and phrases introduced:
Drought, "your manners do appall", "happy to oblige", tangled, "come in handy"

Books used:
The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
Please Say Please by Kyle Webster
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Be Kind? by Jane Yolen
Time to Say Please by Mo Willems
I Can Help in the Neighborhood by David Hyde Costillo
Babies Love Kindness by Ginger Swift (a lift-the-flap book)
Kindness: A Celebration of Mindfulness by Katie Wilson

Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays:

Crafts/Activities:

 Bee magnets:  These patterns from SimpleMomProject.com were pre-cut and the kiddos assembled them with glue.  We attached a magnet on the back so that when they see the bee, they remember to "bee kind." 

Theme: Snow

Reason for theme:  Seasonal

Book suggestions:
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Crock & Turtle Snow Fun! by Mike Wohnoutka
The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

Words introduced:
Mush, drifting, melting, blob

Rhymes and songs:

  

Activity:

Supplies needed:  

Crayons/markers, pre-cut snowman (hole punched), yarn, mittens and boots

Can do wither the yarn OR just glue pieces onto snowman.

THEME: Sneezes

Theme: Sneezes

Reason for theme: Seasonal health

Book suggestions:
Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
You Make Me Sneeze! by Sharon Flake
Blow Your Nose, Big Bad Wolf  by Steve Smallman

Rhymes and songs: 

The Sneezing Song
Tune: Polly Wally Doodle

When you feel like something’s tickling your nose,
And you really, really, really wanna sneeze.
Don’t hold it back, that’s the way it goes
When you really, really, really wanna sneeze.

Don’t be shy. (Achoo!)
Don’t be shy. (Achoo!)
When you really, really, really wanna sneeze
Wipe your nose. (Achoo!)
Wipe your nose. (Achoo!)
When you really, really, really wanna sneeze.

When you’re sniffing all the flowers and you’re playing in the sun,
And you really, really, really wanna sneeze,
You can cover up your mouth, wash your hands when you’re done
When you really, really, really wanna sneeze.

On Top of Spaghetti

On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table, it rolled on the floor.
And then my poor meatball rolled out of the door.

So, if you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball and don't ever sneeze.

Activity:

Theme: Rudolph/Reindeer

PR: The Rudolph Story is 85! The most famous reindeer of all is having a very merry birthday party! Play reindeer games while making treats and toys for the animals at the Licking County Dog Shelter.

Story used: How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead

New words introduced:
thrill, anxious, coal, "tuckered out"

Songs, activities and rhymes:

 
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Activities:
1. Pin the Nose on Rudolph

2. Make dog treats for the animal shelter:
    No Bake Pup Pumpkin Pie 
You need: pumpkin puree, coconut cream or cream cheese (if your dog can handle dairy), and instant oatmeal. That’s it!

To put this treat together, mix ½ of a cup of pumpkin with ¼ of a cup of cream cheese until smooth. And Add oatmeal until balls can be formed easily. 

Craft: 

  Items needed:  Template, tape, crayons/markers, lollipops

THEME: Dinosaurs

Purpose: To encourage a desire to learn about dinosaurs

PR: Little Listeners - DINOvember - Preschoolers are cordially invited to a dinosaur tea party and story time. Enjoy dinosaur-focused stories, activities and songs. (Dinosaurs are also invited!)

Recommended stories:
By Jane Yolen: How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?
  How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
  How Do Dinosaurs Learn to be Kind?

By Reefe & Susan Tuma: What the Dinosaurs Did at School
  What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night

If I had a Triceratops by George O'Connor
Tea and Rex by Molly Idle

Songs and rhymes:

5 Little Dinosaurs

Five little dinosaurs by the barn door,
One stomped off, then there were four.

Four little dinosaurs out under the tree,
One stomped off, then there were three.

Three little dinosaurs with nothing to do.
One stomped off, then there were two.

Two little dinosaurs in the noonday sun,
One stomped off, then there was one.

One little dinosaur munching on his lunch,

He munches and crunches

Munch, munch, CRUNCH!

5 Little Dinosaurs
(Tune:" 5 Little Ducks")

One dinosaur went out to play
On a bright and sunny day
He had such ENORMOUS fun
That he called for another dinosaur to come.

 DI-NO-SAUR! (Call very loud)

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! 
   (chant while patting hands on laps)

Repeat for 2 dinosaurs, 3 dinosaurs, 4 dinosaurs

Five dinosaurs went out to play
On a bright and sunny day
Then heard their mother roar (Make a loud roar)
and five dinosaurs stomped on the floor. 
     (Run & stomp feet on the floor)

I’m A Mean Old Dinosaur
(Tune: “I’m A Little Teapot”)

I’m a mean old dinosaur,
(make a mean face)

Big and tall.
(reach high and wide)

Here is my tail
(point to an imaginary tail)

And here is my claw.
(curl fingers on one hand)

When I get all hungry, (rub tummy)
I just growl. (growl the word growl)

Look out kids - (hands over eyes looking)
I’m on the prowl! (lunge left and right)

Craft:  Dinosaur Eggs 
Supplies needed:  brads, small paper plates, crayons/markers/scissors, glue, baby dinosaur templates found online.

THEME: Turkeys

 Purpose: To introduce turkeys as a seasonal animal

New Words:
Waddle, swan dive, boar (pig)

Suggested Books:
Albuquerque Turkey by B. G. Ford
Turkey Gobble by Allison Black
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston

Songs and rhymes:

Five Little Turkeys

Five little turkeys by the barn door,
One waddled off, then there were four.

Four little turkeys out under the tree,
One waddled off, then there were three.

Three little turkeys with nothing to do.
One waddled off, then there were two.

Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,
One waddled off, then there was one.

One little turkey - better run away!
Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

Gobble
(Tune: If You're Happy...)

"Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble", says the turkey.

"Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble", says the turkey.

Mr. Turkey gobble-gobbles,

And his head goes wobble-wobble.

"Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble", says the turkey.

Activity:

Meet and interact with Betty White, turkey from Van Buren Acres

Craft:
Add feathers to the turkey with the letters of your name.

Theme: Halloween

Theme: Halloween

Reason for theme: Seasonal

PR: Little Listeners - Halloween
Listen, learn and laugh with not-so-scary stories, songs, rhymes and activities.

Book suggestions
Bo the Bat by Alma Hammond
Even Monsters by AJ Smith
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Ghosts Go Haunting by Helen Ketteman

Rhymes and songs

Ten Little Spiders

Pumpkin, Pumpkin
Pumpkin, pumpkin, what do you see?
I see a Jack-o-lantern looking at me.

Jack-o-lantern, Jack-o-lantern, what do you see?
I see a purple bat looking at me.
Purple bat, purple bat, what do you see?
I see a black cat looking at me.
Black cat, black cat, what do you see?
I see a white ghost looking at me.

WhooooooOOOOOO!

The Ghost in the House
(Tune: Wheels on the bus)

The ghosts in the house goes boo, boo, boo!
 Boo, boo, boo! Boo, boo, boo!
The ghosts in the house goes boo, boo, boo! on Halloween

The steps in the house go creak, creak, creak…
The cats in the house go mieow, mieow, mieow…
The mice in the house go squeak, squeak, squeak…
The witches in the house go ha, ha, ha
The bats in the house go ee, ee, ee
The monsters in the house go rawr, rawr, rawr
The people in the house go eek, eek, eek… 

If You're A Skeleton and You Know It
(Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)
If you're a skeleton and you know it, Wiggle your bones (shake your body)
If you're a skeleton and you know it, Wiggle your bones 
If you're a skeleton and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re a skeleton and you know it
Wiggle your bones

If you're a ghost and you know it, Just say Boo
If you're a black cat and you know it Just say Meow …

Craft
Coffee filter bats

• Coffee Filters
• Markers
• Clothespin
• Small Googly Eyes (5mm size)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Water and pipettes

Lay the coffee filter flat and scribble on it with markers.
Dribble water on the filter and let dry. 

Fold into fourths.

  

  Put on eyes, decorate the body, if desired.

Pinch the clothespin and slide in the filter.

 ...or you could make wooden spoon bats.

Theme: Pumpkins

Overview/purpose: Seasonal

New words and phrases:
Autumn, harvest time, carving

Suggested stories:
It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff - Have the kiddos make the faces on each page.

Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino

Pete the Cat Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean

Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
We Harvest Pumpkins in the Fall by Rebecca Felix (non-fiction)

A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster by Amy Young

Songs and fingerplays:

This can also be used as a coloring page

  

         

Craft:
I got the wooden pumpkin cutouts at Dollar Tree.  We used markers and stickers to decorate them.  They came with a string to hang them, but I also brought magnets for the back.

Theme: Squirrels

Overview/purpose:  Seasonal

New words and phrases:
Scurried, rustling leaves, pleased, frantically

Suggested stories:
Nuts to You – Ehlert, Lois
The Busy Little Squirrel – Tafuri, Nancy
Bob Ross and Peapod the Squirrel – Pearlman, Robb
Leaf Trouble – Emmett, Jonathan
The Leaf Thief - Hemming, Alice
Ol' Mama Squirrel - Stein, David Ezra

Rhymes/Fingerplays:

5 Little Acorns

Five little acorns sitting in a tree

Along came Mr. Squirrel as hungry as can be.
Then the fall winds blew and rustled all the leaves.
Down came an acorn:
Mr. Squirrel was very pleased!

Four little acorns sitting in a tree

Three little acorns sitting in a tree

Two little acorns sitting in a tree

One little acorn sitting in a tree

No little acorns sitting in the tree
But Mr. Squirrel is as full as can be.
Then the fall winds blew and rustled all the leaves.
Mr. Squirrel sat down feeling very pleased!

A Squirrel Song
(Tune: She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain)

I’ll be gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
I’ll be gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
I’ll be gathering all the acorns, gathering all the acorns,
Gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
(Children make collecting motion with their hands)

And I’ll put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside, put them all inside,
Put them all inside my little home.
(children pretend to place nuts in tree house)

And I’ll eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
I will eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
I will eat the nuts until, eat the nuts until,
Eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
(children pretend to eat acorns)

Then I’ll do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again, do it all again,
Do it all again come next fall.
(children make gathering motion with hands and arms again)




Sneeze Song
(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)

I think –I am going to sneeze ..(A-choo!)

I think –I am going to sneeze ..(A-choo!)

If I sneeze, pass a tissue please….

A-choo! A-choo! A-choo!

Activities:





Craft: Squirrel on a branch


Supplies: White paper, leaves, squirrel pattern crayons, glue sticks, feathers
Trace arm and decorate the "branch".