Every year we have a story time for kids entering kindergarten and it’s so much fun. They’re all so excited and sweet and it’s one of my favorite story times of the year. Here’s what I did this year!
We talked about sitting criss-cross applesauce, raising our hands if we want to talk, and keeping those hands to ourselves (the hardest one!).
Then I handed out our “pigeon paddles.”
One side says “yes” and the other side says “no.” Then we read:
Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
A classic. I kept asking the kids if they’d let the pigeon drive the bus. They all started off saying no but some of them weakened as the story went on. 🙂 However, they all agreed to let the pigeon drive the truck at the end.
Afterwards we talked about how everyone was getting to school (car, bus, or walking) and charted it on our whiteboard. Most were car kids (lucky ducks!) but we did have one bus and one walking.
Then we had our calendar and weather time.
Song: Days of the Week (to the tune of The Addams Family)
Days of the week, (clap, clap)
Days of the week, (clap, clap)
Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week. (clap, clap)
There’s Sunday and there’s Monday,
There’s Tuesday and there’s Wednesday,
There’s Thursday and there’s Friday,
And then there’s Saturday.
Days of the week, (clap, clap)
Days of the week, (clap, clap)
Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week. (clap, clap)
Source: Pinterest
We clapped instead of the traditional snapping since not everyone has a good snap yet!
I asked the kids if they knew what day of the week it was (no one did) and then we talked about the temperature and weather. I made this handy dandy thermometer:
(I got the idea for it here.) I attached magnets to the back and used it on our whiteboard. They decided it was between warm and hot that day. Then we talked about the weather. I held up a snowflake, an umbrella, a kite, and a sun to help them as we discussed.
Next it was on to the alphabet!
Song: The Alphabet Song
Book: Dad’s First Day by Mike Wohnoutka
A super sweet tale of a dad and son who spend all summer together but when the first day of school roles around dad’s stomach hurts and he doesn’t want to go. A sweet reversal for any kid who’s feeling a bit of nerves.
Action Rhyme: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
I watched this fantastic video to prep. Every time I’ve done this rhyme I feel like I’m the only one having fun with it. I might try it with my outreach kids next time, they’re usually on board for my shenanigans. If THEY don’t get it, it might get moved into my archives. Perhaps I need to drop a few verses? But that’s what makes it fun! Going backwards through all the terrain to get back home … *sigh*
Book: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick; illustrated by Daniel Jennewein
And, just for fun:
Song: Baby Shark
Baby shark do do do do do do (shark mouth with two fingers)
Baby shark do do do do do do
Baby shark do do do do do do
Baby shark
Other verses:
Mama Shark (shark mouth with hands connected at the wrists)
Daddy Shark (shark mouth with whole arms)
Grandma Shark (shark mouth like mama shark but with fists)
Shark attack (snap arms overhead)
Swim away (swimming motion with arms)
Safe at last (jazz hands)
Source: Adapted from Kindergarten Nation
The Short Stack Librarian 