I covered this story time for my coworker who was on vacation this week. I incorporated some of my own choices along with some of her regular rhymes and songs.
Welcome Rhyme: Open Shut Them
Open shut them, open shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open shut them, open shut them
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them
Creep them, crawl them
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open up your mouth …
But do not let them in!
Action Rhyme: Furry, Furry Squirrel
Furry, furry squirrel,
Hurry, hurry hop!
Hurry up the tree trunk, to the very top!
When you reach the branches, hurry, turn around!
Furry, furry squirrel,
Scurry to the ground.
We do this rhyme twice. First using your hand to represent the squirrel, your arm as the tree trunk, and your head as the branches. Then we all stand up and jog in place, run in place, hop, turn around, and touch the ground.
Song: The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus round and round
All through the town
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish //
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep //
The people on the bus go up and down //
The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah //
The people on the bus go shh, shh, shh
Book: Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore by David McPhail
Fingerplay: Two Mother Pigs
Two mother pigs live in a pen (show thumbs)
Each had four babies and that made ten (show fingers and thumbs)
These four babies were black as night (thumb in palm, wiggle fingers)
These four babies were black and white (other hand, thumb in palm, wiggle fingers)
But all eight babies loved to play
And they rolled and rolled in the mud all day (roll hands)
At night with their mother they curled up in a heap (clasp hands)
And squealed and squealed ’til they fell asleep.
Source: Perry Public Library
Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Sung three times, getting faster each time.
Wiggle Rhyme: Watch Out for the Bugs (to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Clap your hands, stomp your feet
Wiggle all around
Throw your hands up in the air and now let’s touch the ground
Touch your head, touch your hips, give yourself a hug
Now sit down upon the floor
But watch out for the bugs!! (stamp out the bugs)
Song/Magnets: Five Clean and Squeaky Pigs
Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest that you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play (IN THE MUD!)
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a great big thud
Now there are four clean squeaky pigs
Four // Three // Two // One
Source: Storytime Katie
Egg Shakers: Shake It by Sally’s Music Circle
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat
Row row row your boat (the traditional way) //
Rock rock rock your boat, sway from side to side
Merrily merrily merrily merrily what a bumpy ride (bump hands on lap) //
Row row row your boat, gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile (crocodile snap with arms)
Don’t forget to scream (*AH*)
Book: Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch by Mary Peterson and Jennifer Rofé
I had a little girl request to take this home after story time and even though I’m using it in my pre-K story time next week, I gave it to her. I’m such a sucker when it comes to kids requesting books after story time.
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Goodbye Song: Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap your hands together
Clap, clap, clap your hands, clap your hands together
Tap, tap, tap your feet // Wave, wave, wave goodbye
For some reason I get so nervous covering story times that aren’t mine. And I know that parents/caregivers are always appreciative for a half hour where they don’t have to entertain the kids!
The Short Stack Librarian 