Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
We clap and sing hello,
We clap and sing hello,
With our friends at story time,
We clap and sing hello!
We wave and sing hello // We stomp and sing hello
Source: Storytime Katie
Song: Ten Little Bubbles (to the tune of 10 Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little bubbles,
Four little, five little, six little bubbles,
Seven little, eight little, nine little bubbles,
Ten little bubbles go POP! (clap)
Pop, pop, pop the bubbles, (clap hands rapidly)
Pop, pop, pop the bubbles,
Pop, pop, pop the bubbles,
Ten little bubbles go POP! (clap over head)
Book: Elmer by David McKee
A patchwork elephant wants to fit in and be “elephant” color like everyone else until he discovers that’s rather dull. I’ve never read this book for story time before but the kids and adults really enjoyed it! It also has a built in craft at the end with all the elephants painting themselves bright colors to be like Elmer. Maybe next time!
Flannel: Five Elephants in the Bathtub
One elephant in the bathtub going for a swim (paddle arms)
Knock, knock (slap knees)
Splash, splash (clap twice)
Come on in! (motion with both hands to come in)
*elephant trumpet*
Two // Three // Four
Five elephants in the bathtub going for a swim
Knock, knock
Splash, splash
They all fell in!
Modified from Storytime Katie
I’ve done this flannel at story times before and it was just okay. However the kids really got into it today which was lovely. So my lesson for the day is don’t give up! Every group is different …
Song/Scarves: Popcorn Kernels (to the tune of Frere Jacques; sing each line twice)
Popcorn kernels, (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot. (make scarves ‘disappear’ by bunching them in their fists)
Shake them, shake them, shake them, (shake)
’til they POP! (throw scarves into the air)
Source: Jbrary
Song/Scarves: One Bright Scarf (to the tune of 10 Little Indians)
One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow, (hold in hand)
Wiggle it high, (wiggle above head)
Wiggle it low, (wiggle by knees)
Shake it fast, (shake fast)
Shake it slow, (shake slow)
Put it behind your back. (put scarf behind your back)
Where did it go? (bring out empty hands; shrug)
Source: Jbrary
Song/Scarves: We Wave Our Scarves Together (to the tune of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)
We wave our scarves together,
We wave our scarves together,
We wave our scarves together,
Because it’s fun to do!
We wave them high, (sing/wave high)
We wave them low, (sing/wave low)
We wave them in the middle,
Because it’s fun to do!
We throw our scarves together,
We throw our scarves together,
We throw our scarves together,
Because it’s fun to do!
We throw them high, (throw/sing high)
We throw them low, (throw/sing low)
We throw them in the middle,
Because it’s fun to do!
Source: Jbrary
Book: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev; illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
A little boy whose elephant is banned from a pet club starts his own with other exotic pet owners. A great story about friendship and inclusion.
Flannel/Rhyme: One Elephant Went Out to Play
One elephant went out to play
On a spider’s web one day
He had such enormous fun
That he called for another elephant to come
(HEY, ELEPHANT!)
Two // Three // Four
Five elephants went out to play
On a spider’s web one day
The web went creak, and the web went crack
And all of the elephants went KERSPLAT!
Source: Perry Public Library
Egg Shakers: Shake It by Sally’s Music Circle
Book: Oh, No! by Candace Fleming; illustrated by Eric Rohmann
The jungle animals fall into a hole and think they’re going to be a tiger snack only to be saved by elephant at the last minute!
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
Closing Song: It’s Time to Say Goodbye to All Our Friends (to the tune of She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain When She Comes)
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!” (tap knees)
It’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!”
It’s time to say goodbye,
Wave your hands and wink your eye, (wave, wink)
Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our friends, “Goodbye!”
Source: Sunflower Storytime
The Short Stack Librarian 