Week of November 23, 2008
Celebrate the holiday with some fun Thanksgiving tales:

Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr.
It’s almost Thanksgiving and Turkey tries to disguise himself as other farm animals but only the warning cry of “Run, Turkey, Run” keeps him out of the farmers clutches.

One is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox.
When everyone falls asleep after Thanksgiving dinner, a mouse wants just one pea from the leftovers, but with so many wonderful foods to choose from he picks up some other trimmings too.

The Firefighters’ Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts.
The firefighters at Station 1’s Thanksgiving preparations keep getting interrupted by emergency calls so the people of the town show their appreciation by bringing Thanksgiving to them.

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz.
After Halloween, the only pumpkin left at the farm is the strangely shaped “ugly” pumpkin who goes in search of a home and discovers his true identity on Thanksgiving Day.  

Setting the Turkeys Free by W. Nikola-Lisa.
A young artist creates beautiful handprint turkeys, but when a sly fox threatens his creations, he must find a way to keep them safe. This book celebrates the inventiveness of children and will build narrative skills.

My Turkey
(To the tune of: I'm a Little Teapot)

I have a turkey, big and fat.

He spreads his wings
(fan hands at hip).

And walks like that.
(strut back and forth).

His daily corn he would not miss,
(pretend to eat corn).

And when he talks, he sounds like this
( gobble, gobble).

From: www.thebestkidsbooksite.com

Week of November 16, 2008
As bears prepare for their long winter sleep, now would be a great time to introduce children to the world of bears. Here are some great new bear books for preschoolers:

Leaves by David Ezra Stein.
The story of a young bear that is at first startled by the changes autumn brings and then learns to follow his natural inclinations.

Just Like You by Emma Dodd.
A great bear story in which a baby bear declares in simple, large text that would work well for print awareness, his ambition to grow up to be just like his parent.

Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup.
Big Smelly Bear discovers that taking a bath not only gets rid of his horrible itch but also makes it much easier to make friends. 

Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle.
This story follows a very hairy bear through the four seasons. The rhyming, repetitive text will encourage phonological awareness.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
(Do the motions suggested by the rhyme)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Pat your head.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Point to red.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Slap your knees.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Count to three. 1, 2, 3!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Touch your shoe.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Point to blue.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Touch your chin,
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Count to ten.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Give a wink.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Point to pink.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Point to the door.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Count to four. 1, 2, 3, 4!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Turn around.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Point to brown.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Don’t be late.
(tap a pretend “watch”)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Count to eight.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!

Week of November 9, 2008
In honor of Thanksgiving, Milwaukee Public Library is celebrating America's ethinic diversity through a series of fun and free programs during the month of November. This might be a good week to celebrate with children the ways that we are different and the same.

It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr.
A book that celebrates the idea that everyone is different and that is what makes us all the same. Simple colorful illustrations and large text will be great for print awareness.

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World by Barbara Kerley.
Beautiful photographs of families from all over the world enjoying each others company.

Grandparent’s Song by Sheila Hamanaka.
In rhyming verse, a young girl describes the four corners of the world that her grandparents came from.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox.
Despite our differences, the hearts, smiles, and tears of children all over the world are the same.

Round Like A Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst.
A cleverly designed book, sure to encourage print motivation, which reminds us about the importance of the planet we all live on.

I Am Different
I am different from my head to my toes
(point to self then to head and toes)
I am different from my eyes to my nose
(point to self then eyes and nose)
I come from a place that is far and wide
(point to self then spread arms wide open)
A place where we all smile instead of cry
(act like you are tracing your lips into a smile
and bring hands down eyes as if you were crying)
I am very different as you can see
(point to self then at a friend)
But I still have a lot of love in me!
(point to self place hand over the heart 
then hug yourself)

From: http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm

Week of November 2, 2008
It’s election week and preschoolers will be wondering what all the fuss is about.  Introduce children to the concept of the presidency by showing them a map of the United States and pictures of the president, the candidates and the white house. Teaching new words like ballot, president, and voting will improve vocabulary skills. Hold an election, allowing them to vote for which snack or drink they would like. Make up ballots with pictures of what they are voting for. Some examples: “milk carton vs. juice box” or “pretzels vs. graham crackers”. To improve print awareness, write the names of each candidate underneath the picture. Get the children even more involved by encouraging parents to take them along to the polls to watch democracy in action.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Grace for President by Kelly Dipucchio
Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells
Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight by Kathleen Krull

Week of October 26, 2008
A is for apples! Autumn is the time to find apples everywhere, including books at your library! Try these A+ books to increase your child’s letter knowledge: Ten Red Apples by Virginia Miller, Amazing Apples by Consie Powell, and Dappled Apples by Jan Carr.

Use apples to introduce your child to many concepts. Expand beyond A for apple and use apples to teach your child counting, colors, even helping in the kitchen to make a delicious apple treat. Take time and make a reader!

Ten Red Apples
Ten red apples growing on a tree, (Hold hands high with fingers extended.)
Five for you and five for me. (Wave one hand, then the other.)
Help me shake the tree just so, (Shake body.)
And ten red apples fall down below. (Lower hands with fingers extended.)
One, two, three, four, five, (Count fingers on one hand.)
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten. (Count fingers on other hand.)

From: 1001 Rhymes and Fingerplays, compiled from the best of Totline Publications.

Week of October 19, 2008
A picture is worth a thousand words! Let your child tell the story and develop his or her narrative skills with these wordless (or nearly wordless) picture books:

Trainstop and Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Many more books like these can be found in our library catalog by searching with the subject heading “Stories Without Words.” Help your child create a story all his or her own to help develop print awareness and narrative skills. Write down children’s stories and encourage them to draw pictures to illustrate the story. Children enjoy seeing their own words come to life! 

Week of October 12, 2008
With Halloween just around the corner, here’s a neat trick: Work on your child’s rhyming skills and increase their phonological awareness with some not-so-spooky stories and poems like Sheep Trick or Treat by Nancy Shaw, It’s Halloween by Jack Prelutsky and Halloween Night by Marjorie Dennis Murray.

And here’s a treat! Your local Milwaukee Public Library branch will be hosting either a Harvest Fest celebration or Halloween program in October. Check the Fall Calendar or stop in and ask your librarian!

Try this not-so-spooky finger play to accompany your story time:

Jack-O-Lantern
I am a pumpkin, big and round. (show size with arms)
Once upon a time, I grew on the ground. (point to the ground)
Now I have a mouth, two eyes, and a nose. (point to each)
What are they for do you suppose? (point to forehead & “think”)
Why-I’ll be a jack-o-lantern on Halloween night.

From: http://www.kidnkaboodle.net/fingerplay.html

Week of October 5, 2008
Did you know that October is “Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month?” Introducing your child to other languages and cultures is a great way to get him or her ready for the diverse world that awaits. Books such as Perros! Perros! = Dogs! Dogs! by Ginger Foglesong Guy, Marimba!: Animales from A to Z by Pat Mora, Hello Night = Hola Noche by Amy Costales and Bebé Goes to the Beach by Susan Middleton Elya. Tell simple stories with rhyming text both in English and in Spanish to help children enrich their vocabularies. You can also take advantage of the variety of language CDs, DVDs and kits for children available at the Milwaukee Public Library; just ask your librarian.

Week of September 28, 2008
With the cooler weather upon us, children may notice the birds, geese & ducks flying south for the winter. It is officially Fall in Wisconsin! This week why not celebrate ducks with some books featuring our feathered friends. 

Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
Daisy and the Beastie by Jane Simmons
Do Like a Duck Does! by Judy Hindley
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Duck’s Key, Where Can it Be? by Jez Alborough
Ducks Fly by Lydia Dabcovich
Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin
I Kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy
Quacky Quack-Quack! by Ian Whybrow

Duck Finger plays -

On Saturday, October 4, Central Library will host its annual Harvest Fest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate the harvest!

Week of September 21, 2008
Concept books are a great way to help teach children important skills. The Milwaukee Public Library has many wonderful concept books that will delight and engage young readers as they learn the ABC’s and 1-2-3’s and other important concepts. 

Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horácek
Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
Day by Day a Week Goes Round by Carol Diggory Shields
Duckie’s Ducklings by Frances Barry
Duckie’s Rainbow by Frances Barry
Lunch by Denise Fleming
Roar!: A Noisy Counting Book by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Shapes: A Book by John J. Reiss
Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood

Music -
The CD Counting Games and Rhythms for the Little Ones by Ella Jenkins has such favorites as One, Two, Buckle My Shoe and Two Little Black Birds.       

Finger plays that teach concepts -

Week of September 14, 2008
Busy hands are happy hands or so the saying goes. This week why not help children discover all of the important things that hands can do!  As you read these books about hands children will also discover some new vocabulary by describing body parts. 

Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson
Hands! by Virginia Kroll
Busy Fingers by C.W. Bowie
Here are My Hands by Bill Martin, Jr.
Wave Goodbye by Rob Reid

Finger Play: I Have Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers
(hold up ten fingers)
And they all belong to me.
I can make them do things,
Would you like to see?
(wiggle fingers)
I can shut them up tight,
(Clench fist)
Or open them all wide
(open wide)
I can put them all together
(interlock fingers)
Or make them all hide
(hide them behind back)
I can make them jump high
(reach hands in air)
I can make them jump low
(lower hands to floor)
I can fold them quietly
(fold hands together)
And hold them just so.
(place hands in lap)

Craft: Good Luck Hand
Instructions:
Trace around child’s hand on a piece of paper.
Cut the tracing out and glue it to a piece of construction paper
Decorate the hand with crayons, stickers, glitter, glitter glue, glued on sequins, and/or bits of cut-up aluminum foil.

For more information about the good luck hand visit: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/africa/khamsa

Week of September 7, 2008
This week let’s head on down to the bayou!  And what do you find in swamps and bayous? Why alligators, of course! Why not share some stories about alligators? Each of the following stories encourages narrative skills and will help young children develop this skill as they join in while you read: Why Alligator Hates Dog: A Cajun Folktale by J J Reneaux, Snip Snap! What’s That? by Mara Bergman and There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer. Follow up your alligator story time with this finger play: 

Alligator Pie

Alligator, Alligator
(open and close hands like an alligator's mouth)
Alligator pie.
If I don’t get some,
I Think I’m gonna cry
(pretend to cry)

You can take away the grass
(wiggle fingers like grass blowing)
Take away the sky,
(hands over head)
But don’t take away
(open and close hands like an alligator's mouth)
My alligator pie.

Then try this snappy craft: Paper bag alligator

Week of August 31, 2008
Is your child ready for Kindergarten? Starting school can be a fun time, but a scary one as well. August is “Get Ready For Kindergarten Month”. And while your library has many books to help your child with the transition from home to school, here are three you might really enjoy:

Kindergarten Countdown
A young lady is so excited about starting kindergarten that she counts down the days. She starts a week long preparation and imagines all the fun things she will do in school. And then finally the big day arrives!

Henry’s 100 Days of Kindergarten
Henry has lots of fun in kindergarten!  And after 100 days, his teacher asks each child to bring something that has a hundred attached to it in some way. Henry brings a special surprise!

Countdown To Kindergarten
Counting down the days before she starts kindergarten,  a young child fears the worst because she can’t tie her shoes until she realizes, once school starts, that some of the other kids can’t either.

Week of August 24, 2008
How are your eyes? Can you see okay? This month is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. We have many selections to choose from regarding kids and their eyes. Here are a few of them. Check them out today!

My Travelin’ Eye by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw.
Jenny Sue has a “travelin” eye that let’s her see things in a special way. So she is not happy when her teacher tells her parents that they should take her to see an opthamologist to repair her “lazy” eye.

I Need Glasses by Charlie Thomas.
A little girl who lost her glasses searches frantically for them so that she can read a story to her younger brother.

Baby Duck and the Bad Eyeglasses by Amy Hest.
Baby Duck doesn’t like her new glasses until Gramps makes her understand that they aren’t really so bad after all.

Week of August 17, 2008
Did you know that August is American Adventures Month? Translated that means that this is the time many of us go on vacations somewhere in the USA. Our favorite Aardvark named Arthur has had many adventuresome vacations and these books will tell us all about them. All titles are written by Marc Tolon Brown.

Arthur in New York
Arthur and his family plus D.W.’s favorite doll, Mary Moo-Cow take a vacation in New York City.

Arthur’s Classroom Fib
After hearing about all the summer vacations of his classmates, Arthur decides to write exaggerated versions of his own summer adventures.

Arthur Goes To Camp
Arthur is not looking forward to going to camp, and when strange things start happening, he decides to run away.

Week of August 10, 2008
The Olympic Games from China will be starting on Friday, August 8. There are several titles that may help children with the understanding of the various events as they watch the Games with their families.

The Summer Olympics by Bob Knotts.
An easy reading text explains to young children the history of the games, their ideals and many of the various events. Many color and black-and-white photographs are included.

I Am a Gymnast by Jane Feldman.
Among the most watched of all the competitions will be gymnastics. The aspirations of a young gymnast are examined using many black-and-white and color photographs along with a sparse text.

Gus and Gertie and The Lucky Charms by Joan Lowery Nixon.
Two penguins, Gus and Gertie, take part in the Animal’s Winter Olympics.

Week of August 3, 2008
“And if elected, I promise to……”  Like it or not, we are right in the middle of a hotly contested presidential election. Children will be seeing many campaign ads on television and may have questions for their parents or teachers about the electoral process. To help explain how it all works, here are three titles you may find useful.

If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier.
Various children tell us what they would do if they ran for president. Both boys and girls are depicted as the presidential candidate. This is a simple introduction to the process that an adult and child can share together.

Running for Office (Government in Action! Series) by John Hamilton.
Written in a similar vein to the “New True” books that take real topics and  explain them to 1st and 2nd graders in a timely manner, this title examines such areas as political parties, the campaign, election day, and getting involved. Important words are in bold text.

Vote by Eileen Christelow.
Through the use of cartoon illustrations and easy language, the entire electoral process is made simple to understand. Elections are seen as fun and exciting and children may even want to get themselves involved regardless of the tasks at hand.

Week of July 27, 2008
This is the last week to reach Super Reader status. We hope you have enjoyed the challenge of becoming a Super Reader, but more importantly, we hope you have grown and learned along the way. A new school year is right around the corner and here are some poems to brighten the way.

MARIE LUCILLE
That clock is ticking
Me away!
The me that only
Yesterday
Ate peanuts, jam and licorice
Is gone already.
And this is
‘Cause nothing’s putting
Back, each day,
The me that clock is
Ticking away.

From Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks

GOOD BOOKS, GOOD TIME
Good books.
Good times.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good beginnings.
Good ends.
Good people.
Good friends.
Good fiction.
Good facts.
Good adventures.
Good acts.
Good stories.
Good rhymes.
Good books.
Good times.

From Good Books, Good Times! by Lee Bennett Hopkins

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN’TS
Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me—
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

From Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Week of July 20, 2008
Nothing improves learning like fun! One of the most fun things that you can do with language is learn and share tongue twisters. Tongue twisters reinforce phonological awareness. They often increase vocabulary and frequently cause the giggles.
The following twisters can be found in Six Sick Sheep: 101 Tongue Twisters compiled by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson:

Betty Botter bought some butter.
“But,” she said, “the butter’s bitter.
If I put it in my batter,
It will make my batter bitter,
But a bit of better butter,
That would make my batter better.”
So she bought a bit of butter,
Better than her bitter butter,
And she put it in her batter,
and the batter was not bitter.
So t’was better Betty Botter
Bought a bit of better butter.

Say one of these short twisters three times real fast,

Please freeze cheese.

Which wristwatch is the Swiss wristwatch?

Double bubble gum bubbles double.

And of course there is Peter the picker…

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

Week of July 13, 2008
Phonological awareness is one of the most important of the Six Skills for Early Literacy. The ability to recognize the different sounds of language and connect those sounds to their corresponding letters is fundamental to school success. Alphabet books are a good tool for reinforcing sound awareness. Here are a few fun alphabet books titles for you to explore: Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert, ABC: A Child’s First Alphabet Book by Alison Jay and Pignic by Anne Miranda.

Try this fun and useful activity with your child: Letter of the Day -
Assign a letter of the day. Review the letter’s sound as you go out to the park or to the grocery store. Look and listen for all the things that start with that letter. Write them down or, better yet, say the word into a tape recorder. At the end of the outing review all the words and things that you saw which start with that particular letter. This game builds phonological awareness, develops listening skills, and can be a lot of fun.

Week of July 6, 2008
Summer is in full swing. Picnics and family barbecues are on the agenda. Include some books and family games to encourage togetherness and reinforce the importance of learning. We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past by Jacqueline Woodson, Families Have Together by Harriet Ziefert and Celebration! by Jane Resh Thomas are three titles that highlight family togetherness.

Here are fun and useful activities:
When the whole family is together have every one line up from youngest to oldest and take a picture. Later, have the little ones name all the family members they can remember. For those that they don’t remember, they have to talk to other family members until they know everyone’s name. Or play family trivia. Have one of the children find out facts about one of the elders. Then without saying who it is he or she tells the other kids the facts and they have to guess who.

Family Finger Play
This is a family
(Hold up one hand, fingers spread.)

Let’s count them and see.
How many are there?
And who can they be?
This is the mother,
(Touch index finger.)

Who loves everyone.
This is the father,
(Touch middle finger.)
Who is a lot of fun!
This is the sister,
(Touch ring finger.)
She helps and she plays.
And this is the baby,

(Touch pinky finger.)
He’s growing each day.
But who is this one?

(Touch thumb.)
He’s out there alone
Why it’s Ruffus the dog!
And he’s chewing a bone!
(Wiggle thumb.)

This finger play can be found in The Big Book of Stories, Songs, and Sing-Alongs: Programs for Babies, Toddlers, and Families by Beth Maddigan.

Week of June 29, 2008
Summer is a time for playing games and having fun with your family and friends. Don’t forget to read along the way. In Let’s Play Sports by Alison Inches, Dora the Explorer introduces young readers to different sports while trying to find out what sport her friend Boots would like to play. If you are at a family reunion during the summer, don’t forget the small fry! They would like to be included in the activities just like Joe the Frog in Joe on the Go by Peggy Perry Anderson. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is a joy to share and act out with your children and will have them laughing and being scared at the same time. Run, Jump, Hide, Slide, Splash: The 200 Best Outdoor Games Ever by Joe Rhatigan has enough ideas for games to keep you and yours occupied all summer. Here are two easy activities to share with your tots:

Ring Around the Rosies
Ring around the rosies, (make a big circle and go around while holding hands)
A pocketful of posies.
Ashes, ashes.
We all fall down! (fall down)

Farmer in the Dell
The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The farmer in the dell

The farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The farmer takes a wife

The wife takes a child
The wife takes a child
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The wife takes a child

The child takes a nurse
The child takes a nurse
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The child takes a nurse

The nurse takes a cow
The nurse takes a cow
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The nurse takes a cow

The cow takes a dog
The cow takes a dog
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The cow takes a dog

The dog takes a cat
The dog takes a cat
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The dog takes a cat

The cat takes a rat
The cat takes a rat
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The cat takes a rat

The rat takes the cheese
The rat takes the cheese
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The rat takes the cheese

The cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho, The derry-o
The cheese stands alone

Circle Game:
Ten children (or more) join hands and dance around the FARMER, who stands in the center of the circle as they sing. At the end of the first verse, the FARMER chooses his WIFE, who joins him inside the circle. At the end of the next verse, the WIFE takes a CHILD, and so on, until the last verse when everyone is in the circle except the CHEESE, who stands alone. Whoever ends up being the CHEESE becomes the FARMER for the next round.

HAVE A HAPPY AND FUN FILLED SUMMER!

Week of June 22, 2008
Summer time is for enjoying your local and state parks while fishing and camping. Share these camping stories with your children and they will have you all laughing: P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out by Marilyn Sadler, Curious George Goes Camping by Margaret & H.A. Rey and Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer. There are a few fishing stories too for sharing: Just Like Dad by Gina and Mercer Mayer, and Curious George Goes Fishing by Margaret Rey. Fishing in Action by Hadley Dyer and Bobbie Kalman will give you enough factual information so that you will know how to bait, cast, etc.

Try out this fingerplay and songs with your stories and have a fun filled fishing and camping day:

Once I Caught a Fish
Once I caught a fish alive
But, then I let it go again
Why did you let it go (shout)
Cause it bit my finger so (grab finger)
Which finger did it bite (shout)
This little finger on the right (wiggle right pinky finger)

Fishy Pokey
(to the tune of the Hokey Pokey)
Put your left fin in, take your left fin out
You do the fishy pokey and you turn yourself around that's what its all about
Put your right gill in, take your right gill out (etc.)

I'm A Little Fishy
(to the tune of I'm a Little Tea Pot)
I'm a little fishy
watch me swim
Here is my tail
Here is my fin
When I want to have fun with my friends
I wiggle my tail an dive right in

Week of June 15, 2008
“Take me out to the ball…” Yes, summer is baseball games at the old ball park and softball afternoons at the park. Whatever you do, take time to enjoy the outdoors either by playing some softball or going with your children to see a game. You will have tons of fun with Tulip at the Bat by J. Patrick Lewis where you read about the World Series between the Boston Beasts and the New York Pets. And if you enjoyed Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer when you were a kid you should share this story, Casey Back at Bat by Dan Gutman in a poem form with your kids.

Sing this rollicking song with your kids:
                                 
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME,
TAKE ME OUT WITH THE CROWD;
BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK,
I DON'T CARE IF I EVER GET BACK,
LET ME ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM,
IF THEY DON'T WIN IT'S A SHAME;
FOR IT'S ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES YOU'RE OUT AT THE OLD BALL GAME!

Then read the illustrated version of this song, Take Me Out to the Ball Game by Maryann Kovalski.

Week of June 8, 2008
“Be a Super Reader!”
Be sure to have your readers and non-readers sign up for the Summer Reading Club.
Reading is very important in your child’s life and keeping up their reading skills over the summer helps them maintain their reading level. And….there is cool prizes to be earned! Read something different with your children today. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman is a delightful way to introduce poetry to your kids. Start sharing this great poem by Jane Yolen:

Read to me
Read to me riddles and read to me rhymes
Read to me stories of magical times
Read to me tales about castles and kings
Read to me stories of fabulous things
Read to me pirates and read to me knights
Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights
Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then
When you are finished - please read them again.

Week of June 1, 2008
It’s after Memorial Day weekend and the wading pools and swimming pools will be opening. Talking about water safety and swimming At the Pool by Mandy Stanley helps your toddler learn about swimming and the pool. Reluctant swimmers can learn about overcoming the fear of water in Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London and in Olvina Swims by Grace Lin. Good sources for parents on teaching water and swimming safety can be found in How to Teach Your Baby to Swim: From Birth to Age Six by Douglas Doman and A Treasure At Sea for Dragon and Me: Water Safety For Kids (and Dragons) by Jean Pendziwol.

Here is a funny song and finger play to share with your toddler:

Tiny Tim the Turtle
I had a little turtle, his name was Tiny Tim 
(make a fist with thumb out- to look like turtle)
I put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim   
(make swimming movement with fingers)
He drank up all the water, he ate up all the soap  
(make a cup with your hand and lift to your lips)
He woke up in the morning with a bubble in his throat hiccup
(make a bubble with both hands in front of your throat)
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble bubble  POP!
(clap on pop) - repeat twice

Tiny Tim the Turtle can be found on Jean Feldman’s CD Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs.
 
A Little Turtle
There was a little turtle (put hands together in a fist)
He lived in a box (make a box with both hands)
He swam in a puddle (make swimming motions)
He climbed on the rocks (use your fingers to climb up your arm)
He snapped at a mosquito (clap hands)
He snapped at a flea (chomp with your mouth)
He snapped at a minnow (clap hands)
He snapped at me (Do Home Alone Face)
He caught the mosquito (grab with your hand)
He caught the flea (grab with your hand)
He caught the minnow (grab with your hand)
But he didn't catch me (jump in excitement)

HAVE A SAFE DAY WITH YOUR TOTS AROUND THE WATER!

Week of May 25, 2008
Baby rabbits are often seen hopping about in May. Two fun stories about bunnies that will help children improve their phonological awareness (playing with the sounds in words) are Bunny Fun by Sarah Weeks, The Bunnies Are Not In Their Beds by Marisabina Russo and Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming. Here’s an easy rabbit fingerplay to share.

Little Rabbits
Watch the little rabbits
Peeking through the grass. (Peek through fingers.)
When they see me coming
They duck down fast! (Crouch down to floor.)

By Polly Reedy from 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays from Totline Publications.

Week of May 18, 2008
The sun gets higher in the sky each day as the weather gradually warms. Plants are sprouting and the baby animals are born. Two good stories about baby chicks to help children enrich their vocabularies (learn new words) are Hoppity Skip Little Chick by Jo Brown and Five Little Chicks by Nancy Tafuri. After reading these stories try out this baby chick finger play:

In the Barnyard
Out in the barnyard
Early in the morning
See the yellow chicks
Standing in a row (Hold up fingers of left hand)
See the busy farmer
Giving them their breakfast (Make scattering movements with right hand.)
Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep,
Off they go. (Walk left hand fingers away)

By Jean Warren from 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays from Totline Publications.

Week of May 11, 2008
The wind often blows steady in May so that means it’s the best time of the year to fly a kite. A few good kite stories to read to children that will help them increase their print awareness (noticing print and following the words on the page) are Lucky Song by Vera B. Williams and Someone Bigger by Jonathan Emmett. Here’s a fun and easy finger play to do with these stories:

Come Fly a Kite
Come fly a kite
And watch it sail (Hold hands high)
Across the sky
Waving it’s tail (Wave hands back and forth)

By Jean Warren from 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays from Totline Publications.

Week of May 4, 2008
It’s cool and crisp outside during the first week of May but many of Wisconsin’s birds have now returned from the south. Some great bird stories that will help instill print motivation (a love of books) in preschoolers include Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert, Whose Chick Are You? by Nancy Tafuri and Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard. After reading about birds try out this finger play about the month of May:

May is Here
I see daisies, pretty daisies,
Bloom in May, bloom in May (cup hand above eye and look around.)
May’s the month of flowers,
Goodbye, April showers, (Wave goodbye.)
Hello, May! Hello, May! (Wave hello.)

By Betty Silkunas from 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays from Totline Publications.

Week of April 27, 2008
It’s spring and everyone is antsy. Use these books and let them get their wiggles out. Teddy Bears, Teddy Bears by William B. Winburn, Wiggle by Doreen Cronin or Cha-Cha Chimps by Julia Durango. For some other movement ideas, check out The Wiggle & Giggle Busy Book by Trish Huffner in the parent/teacher collection.

In and Out the Doors
Step in and out the front door
            (take a step forward, then back)
Step in and out the front door.
Step in and out the front door.
Then make a doorbell sound.

Jump in and out the back door
            (jump backwards, then forwards)
Jump in and out the back door.
Jump in and out the back door.
Bend down and touch the ground.

Slide in and out the side door.
            (slide to one side, then to other)
Slide in and out the side door.
Slide in and out the side door.
And then turn all around.

Step in and out the front door.
Jump in and out the back door.
Slide in and out the side door.
Then sit yourself right down.
                                   ---from Sing a Song of Storytime by Susan M. Dailey.

Week of April 20, 2008

It’s Turn off the TV Week, a perfect time to get out those great tried and true books for a little print motivation. Try Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont, What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas, or Daisy’s Hide and Seek by Jane Simmons.

IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).
*Other verses:
Stomp your feet
Nod your head
Turn around

Shout hurray!

Week of April 13, 2008
It’s the Week of the Young Child and the theme this year is “Bring Communities Together for Children—Children Bring Communities Together.” Read some stories about community helpers this week like Firefighters! : speeding! spraying! saving! ByPatricia Hubbell, Which Hat is That? By Anna Grossnickle Hines, or Bruno the Carpenter by Lars Klinting.

It’s a great week to sneak in some enriched vocabulary. Most children know a policeman or fireman, but what about a carpenter or a chef or a beautician? Sing this song and add your favorite careers.

The People in Your Neighborhood 
A song from Sesame Street
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood
In your neighborhood
In your neighborhood.
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
The people that you meet each day.
Oh, the fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, in your neighborhood.
The Fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
A person that you meet each day.

Add verses with other people in the neighborhood; grocer, mail carrier, shoemaker etc.

Don’t forget to attend the special Week of the Young Child events at your local library this week too!

Week of April 6, 2008
April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Who Likes Rain by Wong Herbert Yee, Rain Song by Lezlie Evans, Rain Romp by Jane Kurtz and Bumpa Rumpus and the Rainy Day by Joanne Reay are all great picture books that celebrate the rhythm of the rain. They are great for phonological awareness. To add to the fun, the children can shake along with the rhythm with these easy to make rainsticks. The craft can be found at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/music/rainstick/ or borrow our Rhythm & Movement Storytime Kit which also includes instruments.

You can try your rainstick with this easy song:

RAINDROPS (sung to "Frere Jacques")
Raindrops falling,
Raindrops falling,
From the sky,
From the sky.
Put up an umbrella,
Put up an umbrella,
Nice and dry,
Nice and dry.
Showers over,
Showers over,
Sun aglow,
Sun aglow.
See the pretty flowers,
See the pretty flowers,
In a row,
In a row.

By Jean Warren from Totline Magazine, April 1993.

Week of March 30, 2008
Here in Wisconsin it seems like there are many words one can use to describe the weather. Learning about the weather around us is a wonderful way to enrich a child’s vocabulary. Words like meteorology and cumulus are as much fun to say as they are to learn about! A fun activity for young meteorologists is keeping a weather diary. Draw a picture of the weather each day for a week and write a “weather word” on each page. This will increase print awareness as well as letter knowledge. Some fun weather books include: Who Likes the Wind? by Etta Kaner, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, Weather Everywhere by Denise Casey and Clouds by Marion Dane Bauer. A perfect choice for snuggling in on a rainy afternoon is Patricia Lakin’s Rainy Day.  Enjoy the season!

Blow, wind, blow!
 Blow, wind, blow
(move arms back and forth)
All through the town
Blow, wind, blow
(move arms around)
Up and down
(move arms up and down)
Blow, wind, blow
From the left to the right
(move arms left and right)
Blow, wind, blow
All through the night

Week of March 23, 2008
“Time for a little something.”  - Winnie the Pooh

Cook up some fun this week to celebrate National Nutrition Month. Together you can learn about healthy eating from some of Milwaukee Public Library’s wonderful cookbooks for children. It’s a great opportunity to help your pre-readers with enriched vocabulary, print awareness, and narrative skills as you read recipes and communicate while you cook together. Some great books to get you started include: What Food is This? by Rosemarie Hausherr, Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook: Recipes Inspired by Dr. Seuss! by Georgeanne Brennan, Kids’ Fun & Healthy Cookbook by Nicola Graimes, Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat, and I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child.

Have some fun practicing letter recognition with this fun recipe from Salad People and More Real Recipes: a New Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up by Mollie Katzen.

Counting Soup
2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
2 cups corn, fresh or frozen
2 cups diced tofu
2 cups grated carrot
1/3 pound green beans cut into 1 inch pieces, steamed lightly
2/3 cup cooked alphabet noodles (2/3 cup uncooked, boiled until tender and drained)
4 cups vegetable broth, heated

If using frozen peas or corn, place them in a colander and run warm water over them until thawed. Drain thoroughly and transfer to separate bowls.

Place all ingredients except broth in separate bowls. Arrange them on the table in the following order: tofu, carrots peas, corn, green beans, and noodles. Place a regular dinner spoon (nothing larger) in each bowl.

Let the children go through the lineup with a medium sized soup bowl, counting in spoonfuls of each ingredient. Ladle warm broth over the top, and eat.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Week of March 16, 2008
Whew! It looks like spring may finally be on it’s way. Keep your eyes open for that first robin of the year. Why not take this opportunity to learn about our feathered friends? It’s fun to learn about things in nature you can see and Birds by Jill Bailey and David Burnie is a wonderful introduction to the birds you’ll be seeing. Reading non-fiction books with children is a great way to enrich vocabulary. Try Lois Ehlert’s book Feathers for Lunch for a fun look into the world of birds. An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston offers a delightful look at eggs as is First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. For a little silliness try Mo Willems’ There is a Bird on Your Head!

 A fun bird fingerplay:

Five Little Chickadees

Five little chickadees sitting on a door (hold up hand)
One flew away and then there were four (hold up four fingers)
Four little chickadees sitting in a tree
One flew away and then there were three (hold up three fingers)
Three little chickadees looking at you
One flew away and then there were two (hold up two fingers)
Two little chickadees sitting in the sun
One flew away and then there was one (hold up one finger)
One little chickadee sitting all alone (hold up one finger)
He joined his friends
And then there were none.

Week of March 9, 2008
Early March is a wonderful time to go to the beach—even if your trip is between the covers of a book. Plan a trip to the “beach” with some fun beach books and this fun fingerplay. Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies is a wonderful book to help your pre-readers hone their phonological awareness and letter recognition skills. Here are a few other books that will take you to the beach: To the Beach by Linda Ashman, Because Your Daddy Loves You by Andrew Clements, and Shells! Shells! Shells! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

I Went to the Beach Fingerplay

I went to the beach
And what did I see? (make binoculars with hands over eyes)

A gull on the sand
Looking at me. (make bird beak with hand over nose)

I went to the beach
And what did I see? (binoculars)

A fish in the water
Splashing at me. (imitate fish splashing with wiggling hand)

I went to the beach
And what did I see? (binoculars)

A shell in the sand
Sparkling at me. (wiggle fingers for splashing fish)

I went to the beach
And what did I see? (binoculars)

A crab in his shell
Waving at me! (wave hands from side to side)

Week of March 2, 2008
There is fun to be done!  Celebrate print motivation and the birthday of Dr. Seuss this week by inviting Horton, the Cat in the Hat, some Sneeches and other amazing Seuss creations into your reading time. Just for fun find a Dr. Seuss book on tape and follow along in the book. Thankfully one can never be too old to be delighted by these classics. Be sure to visit the fun birthday activities taking place at your local library. Here are some favorites:

Cat in the Hat
Daisy-Head Mayzie
Dr. Seuss’s ABC
The Foot Book
Fox in Socks
Hop on Pop
Horton Hears a Who

From there to here,
From here to there,
Funny things are everywhere.
(From One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)

Week of February 24, 2008
As the days are slowly getting longer it is a nice time to talk about the difference between night and day.  You can discuss when many animals and many people sleep in the nighttime and what goes on in an animal or persons daytime hours.  Here are some books to share together that will demonstrate print motivation:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees by Nancy Tafuri
City Night by Eve Rice

A song to sing together – Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are.

Week of February 17, 2008
In these cold months we like to keep children active.  Talk about the things they like to do or things they find interesting during the winter time.  This can span from indoor activities like dancing or coloring to outdoor activities like making a snowman or sledding.  Here are some suggestions for books to read about what other children like to do: 

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Dance, Tanya by Patricia Lee Gauch
Olivia by Ian Falconer

These books can spark their imagination and encourage narrative skills.

Here is a fingerplay you can do together called Sledding

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch,
Up the hill, so slow. (March fingers up arm.)
Sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding,
Down the hill we go! (Slide hand down arm.)


Week of February 10, 2008
Valentine’s Day is a good reason to talk to your child about feelings.  This is an opportunity to discuss the importance of giving, sharing, friendship and loving the people in the child’s life.  Here are some good books to help enjoy this special holiday and show examples of print awareness and narrative skills:   

Bee My Valentine by Miriam Cohen
One Zillion Valentines by Frank Modell
Little Mouse’s Big Valentine by Thacher Hurd
Mouse's First Valentine by Lauren Thompson
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

A fun fingerplay to share together:

I love you, you love me, (Point to other person, then to self.)
We’re as happy as can be. (Smile.)
Here’s a great big kiss (Blow a kiss.)
And a hug from me to you. (Make hugging motion.)
Won’t you say you love me too? (Tilt head to one side.)

Week of February 3, 2008
February is Dental health month which is a perfect reason to talk to children about their mouth and the importance of taking care of their teeth.  A visit to the dentist is a new experience for young children. Here is a listing of some books that are a good example of enriched vocabulary:

Does a Lion Brush? by Fred Ehrlich
Going to the Dentist by Melinda Beth Radabaugh
Teeth are not for Biting  by Elizabeth Verdick
Mouth by Cynthia Fitterer Klingel 

These new words will help children understand basic dental hygiene and what happens at a visit to the dentist.

This is a good fingerplay to share together:

Of all the things around the town,
A toothbrush is just right. (Hold up pointer finger.)
Brush up and down and all around, (Make brushing movements with finger.)
To keep your teeth so white. (Show teeth in a smile.)

Week of January 28, 2008
Do you like to monkey around?  Kids sure do!  Being descriptive when naming things is part of enriched vocabulary – ten naughty little monkeys.  Enjoy some books about monkeys:

Monkey Do! by Allan Ahlberg
Tall by Jez Alborough
A Hippo’s Tale by Lena Landstrom
What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile? by Judy Sierra
Ten Naughty Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams

Monkeys in a Tree
Five little monkeys
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile –
“You can’t catch me.”
“You can’t catch me.”

Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be –
SNAP!!!!

(Continue until all monkeys are gone)
Finish with –

Away swims Mr. Crocodile
As full as he can be!!!!

From Mitt Magic: Fingerplays for Finger Puppets by Lynda Roberts.

Week of January 21, 2008
Saying nursery rhymes is a great way to help kids getting ready to read.  Playing with the sounds in words is part of phonological awareness that helps kids hear the rhyme.  The library has many Mother Goose books to help get you started.

Dan Yaccarino’s Mother Goose
Favorite Mother Goose Rhymes
The Neighborhood Mother Goose
This Little Piggy: Lap songs, Finger plays, Clapping games, and Pantomime rhymes

Week of January 14
January 15th is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.  We celebrate his birthday and remember him as a man of peace.  By helping children be aware that letters have different sounds they increase their letter knowledge.  Some books for preschoolers include:

My Brother Martin: a Sister Remembers Growing up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Christine King Farris
Make Someone Smile … and 40 More Ways to Be a Peaceful Person by Judy Lalli
Be Gentle! by Virginia Miller
What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky

Week of January 7
It’s winter in Wisconsin!  Time to enjoy the snow and some books for the season.  After reading one of the stories you can ask children to tell it in their own words.  By using narrative skills children are getting ready to read.

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Snow Friends by M. Christina Butler
Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Margret & H. A. Rey’s Curious George in the Snow
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel
Max and Ruby’s Snowy Day by Rosemary Wells

From The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays, and Chants

Snowman
I made a little snowman,
I made him big and round.
I made him from a snowball,
I rolled upon the ground.
He has two eyes, a nose, a mouth,
A lovely scarf of red.
He even has some buttons,
And a hat upon his head.
Melt, melt, melt, melt
Melt,  melt, melt, melt

Week of January 1
Can you think of a toy that brings more comfort to a child than a Teddy Bear?  By sharing books that excite a child’s interest, you help them develop print motivation which is one of the foundations for developing a love of reading. 

Enjoy some teddy bear stories and plan a Teddy Bear Picnic where children can bring in their favorite teddy bear.  Put a tablecloth on the floor and sing the "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and enjoy a simple snack.

Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear: A Traditional Rhyme by Timothy Bush
Baby Cakes by Karma Wilson – Board Book
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy
Teddy Bears, Teddy Bears by William B. Winburn 
  
Shake, Rattle & Rock (sound recording) by Greg & Steve

Week of December 30
The library has many, many terrific picture books that involve mice, including the Maisy books by Lucy Cousins, Chester’s Way, Wemberly Worried, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and others by Kevin Henkes, and If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff. 

Mother Goose Rhymes help children learn to play with the sounds in words, developing their phonological awareness.  When reading books to your kids about mice take a break and do the following Mother Goose Rhyme:

Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock. Swing arms.
The mouse ran up the clock. Run fingers from toes up to head.
The clock struck one,  Clap.
And down he run,  Run fingers back down to your toes.
Hickory, dickory, dock. Swing arms.

Week of December 23
Sleep is an important part of everyone’s life.  Getting enough sleep is especially important for children.  Talk to your kids about how important it is to take naps and get enough sleep at night.  The following books can help with the discussion and help your kids transition into naptime and bedtime: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Time for Bed by Mem Fox, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood.  Then share the following fingerplay:

Before I Jump Into My Bed
Before I jump into bed at night,   Jump.
Before I dim the light,  Switch out the light.
I put my shoes together,  Hands together.
So they can talk at night.  Hands talk.
I’m sure they would be lonesome
If I tossed them here and there,  Toss hands left and right.
So I put them close together,  Place hands together.
For they’re a friendly pair.

Week of December 16
Toys are a big part of children’s lives and play is an important part of healthy development.  There are some great childrens books about toys that you can share with your kids.  A few titles to get you started are: Corduroy by Don Freeman, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni, and Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber. 

My Red Balloon
I had a little red balloon
            Make a ball with two hands.
And I blew and blew and blew
            Blow into it three times.
Until it grew and grew and grew.
            Stretch hands apart.
I tossed it in the air
            Tossing motion
And never let it drop.
            Shake head.
I bounced it on the ground
            Bounce with one hand.
Until it suddenly went, “POP!”
            Clap hands for a pop

Week of December 9
Music is a big part of the holiday season, so it’s a wonderful time to share stories about music.  Some titles to share include: Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat by Gene Baer, Musical Max by Robert Kraus, and Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley.  “The Finger Band is Coming to Town” is a nice finger play to use with Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat.

The Finger Band
            Start with fingers behind back.  Sing to the tune of “The Mulberry Bush”.

The Finger Band is coming to town,
Coming to town, coming to town.
The Finger Band is coming to town,
So early in the morning.
            Speak softly, then louder as you bring fingers to the front.

This is the way they wear their hats…
            Hands on head to show hats.
This is the way they wave their flags…
            Waving motion with hands.
This is the way they beat their drums…
            Beating motion with hands.
This is the way they blow their horns…
            Hands to mouth in blowing motion.

The Finger Band is going away,
Going away, going away,
The Finger Band is going away,
So early in the morning.

Week of December 2
The holiday season is upon us and if your kids are going to be making holiday art projects, why not read books about art too?  Some quality titles are: Let’s Make Rabbits by Leo Lionni, Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh, and The Art Box by Gail Gibbons.  Follow them up with a song:

If You’re Wearing Red Today
            Sing to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

If you’re wearing red today,
Red today, red today,
If you’re wearing red today,
Please stand up.

If you’re wearing blue today,
Blue today, blue today,

            …and so on.

Week of November 25
With the colder weather that fall brings, it’s a good time to talk to kids about sheep and how their wool can be made into clothing.  Some fun books to share are: Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie De Paola, Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw, and Pete the Sheep-Sheep by Jackie French.  Then share the following nursery rhyme:

Baa Baa Black Sheep
            Sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Three bags full

Week of November 18
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 22.  Some wonderful Thanksgiving books to share with your kids are Sometimes It’s Turkey, Sometimes It’s Feathers by Lorna Balian, Thanksgiving at Our House by Wendy Watson, and Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child.  Add the following fingerplay:

Mr. Turkey
Mr. Turkey’s tail is big and wide.  Spread fingers.
He swings it when he walks.  Swing hands.
His neck is long.   Stretch neck.
His chin is red,  Stroke chin.
And he gobbles when he talks. Open and close hands, and gobble.

Week of November 11
Fall is a great time to talk to kids about clothing since they have to start bundling up more with the colder weather.  One really fun book about clothing is Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London.  There’s also The Mitten by Jan Brett and Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judith Barrett.  A song that you could also share is:

This is the Way We All Get Dressed
            Sing to the tune of the “Mulberry Bush” and act I out.

This is the way we all get dressed,
All get dressed, all get dressed,
This is the way we all get dressed,
So early in the morning.

This is the way we put on our socks…
            …our pants
            …our shirts
            …our shoes
            …our coats
            …our hats
            …our mitts

Week of November 4
Now that it’s getting cold outside, it’s a great time to talk to kids about how birds fly south for the winter to avoid the winter cold.  Why not read some books to your kids about ducks and geese?  There’s Silly Goose by Jack Kent, and the classics Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, and Angus and the Ducks by Marjorie Flack.  Follow them up with the following fingerplay:

Stretch Up High