American Girl: Luciana (February 2018)

Overview	To kick off our 2018 American Girl program, we did Luciana Vega. I found a TON of space activities and crafts that I could do with my patrons. There were the ones I ultimately picked.
Introduction	First order of business was to give a quick background on Luciana and why we were going into her world this month.
Group Activity	Waning Moon with Oreos Who doesn’t love Oreos? This was my first thought when I was researching activities for this session. I quickly found the moon phase project.I had a powerpoint that discussed the different phases of the moon. With each phase, the kids either licked or scraped off the filling of the cookie.This activity was on several different websites. The worksheet came from Teachers Pay Teachers.
Group Activity	Star Constellations Our next activity was making a constellation out marshmallows. I guided the kids into making the big dipper.
Galaxy Jars	Galaxy Jars Our last activity, and by far the favorite was the galaxy jars. I set out a ton of paint for the kids to choose from. Pink and purple were the favorite of all colors. I would probably recommend skipping black paint. During the sample process, the black overtook the other colors. I would recommend writing out the rules, so the adults know the exact order on how to do the jars. I spent a good amount of time reiterating the sequence. The second advice is not the SHAKE the jar, but rather, swirl it enough to mix the colors. The pink and purple jar was a jar that was fully shaken during the process. It eventually settled and did have some differences between the colors. The jar on the right was swirled.
Passive Activity	Moon Walk Our last activity was a moon walk replication. I bought some car sponges and had the kids attach it to their feet. I strongly recommend buying the thickest sponges for this activity. I unfortunately bought thinner ones, so the kids had to stack multiple sponges for their walk.

Hippos – Toddler

Introduction	Hello Hello!
Book	Kiss, Kiss by Margaret Wild Seven Little Hippos by Mike Thaler
Flannel	A Hippopotamus Sandwich A hippo sandwich is easy to make. All you do is simply take One slice of bread, One slice of cake, Some mayonnaise One onion ring, One hippopotamus One piece of string, A dash of pepper — That ought to do it. And now comes the problem… Biting into it! Source: Shel Silverstein
Book	Hippos go Berserk by Sandra Boynton Hidden Hippo by Joan Gannij
Traditional Rhyme	This is Big Big Big This is big big big This is small small small This is short short short This is tall tall tall This is fast fast fast This is slow slow slow This is yes yes yes This is no no no Source: Mel’s Desk
Nursery Rhyme	It’s Raining; It’s Pouring It’s raining; it’s pouring. The old man is snoring. He bumped his head when he went to bed, And he didn’t get up til the morning.It’s raining; it’s pouring. The old woman is snoring. She went to bed and bumped her head, And she couldn’t get up in the morning.It’s raining; it’s pouring. The children are snoring. They went to bed and bumped their heads, And they couldn’t get up in the morning.
Sign Language	Hippo
Action Rhyme	The Feet of a Hippo Go Thump, Thump, Thump (tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”) The feet of a hippo go thump, thump, thump, Thump, thump, thump, Thump, thump, thump. The Feet of a hippo go thump, thump, thump, All day long.The nose of a hippo goes snort, snort, snort, Snort, snort, snort, Snort, snort, snort. The nose of a hippo goes snort, snort, snort, All day long.The tail of a hippo goes swish, swish, swish, Swish, swish, swish, Swish, swish, swish. The tail of a hippo goes swish, swish, swish, All day long. Source: One Little Librarian
Action Song	An Elephant Came to Play, Play, Play An elephant came to play, play, play (repeat back) He’s Big and fat and gray, gray, gray. (repeat back)A rhino came to play, play, play. (repeat back) She’s big and fat and gray, gray, gray. (repeat back)A hippo came to play, play, play. (repeat back) He’s big and fat and gray, gray, gray. (repeat back) Source: More Family Storytimes: Twenty-Four Creative Programs for All Ages by Rob Reid
Dance Song	Walking, Walking by Songs for Wiggleworms
Dance Song	Dancing Feet by Miss Carole
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft: My source came from housingaforest.com. However, the picture was only available on pinterest. I could not locate it on the original site.

Hippos – Preschool

Introduction	Good Morning
Action Rhyme	Harriet Hippo Harriet Hippo just happened to sneeze, And all of a sudden, she fell to her knees. It’s hard to get up When you’re built like a truck, But Harriet did it with ease. Source:King County Library System
Book	Hippos are Huge! by Jonathan London It’s a Baby Hippopotamus by Kelly Doudna Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis
Board Rhyme	A Hippopotamus Sandwich A hippo sandwich is easy to make. All you do is simply take One slice of bread, One slice of cake, Some mayonnaise One onion ring, One hippopotamus One piece of string, A dash of pepper — That ought to do it. And now comes the problem… Biting into it! Source: Shel Silverstein
Book	That’s Not a Hippopotamus by Juliette MacIver Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird! by Kristyn Crow
Sign Language	Hippo
Action Rhyme	A Hippopotamus(tune of “If you’re happy and you know it”) Oh, I wish I was a hippopotamus. Oh, I wish I was a hippopotamus. Oh I’d hop and I’d dive, Do a happy little jive. Oh, I wish I was a hippopotamus. Source: DLTK’s Growing Together
Action Song	The Hippopotamus Song Stompin through the jungle is the hippopotamus. Boom! Boom! With sandpaper skin from top to bottom, Oh, how I love that hippopotamus. Boom! Boom!Swimmin’ in the river is the hippopotamus. Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Oh, how I love that hippopotamus. Splish, Splash Boom! Boom!Chasing all the monkeys is the hippopotamus. Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Oh, how I love that hippopotamus. Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Eating all the mangoes is the hippopotamus. Munch, munch Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Oh, how I love that hippopotamus. Munch, munch Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Sleeping in the jungle is the hippopotamus. Snore, snore Munch, munch Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Oh, how I love that hippopotamus. Snore, snore Munch, munch Eee, eee Splish, splash, Boom! Boom! Source: Something Musical Happened at the Library: Adding Song and Dance to Children by Robert Reid
Action Song	BusA hip, a hip, a hippopotamus Got on, got on, got on the city bus And all, and all, and all the people said—you’re squishing me!A cow, a cow, a cow, Got on, got on, got on the bus And all, and all and all the people said—MOOOVE over!A snake, a snake, a snake, Got on, got on, got on the bus And all, and all and all the people said—Ssssssssit over! A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus Got on, got on, got on the bus. And all, and all, and all the people said –BAAAAck up! Source: Secretary of State
Dance Song	Silly Dance Contest
Closing Songs	ABC, Count to 15
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft: My source came from housingaforest.com. However, the picture was only available on pinterest. I could not locate it on the original site.

Holi Storytime

Introduction	Tickle The Moon Tickle the Moon Tickle your toes. Clap your hands And tickle your nose. Reach up high. Reach down low. Turn around, And say hello! Source: Storytime Katie has a closing version she found on pinterest. I wanted an opening song, so my coworker reworked it to make an opening song.
Action Rhyme	The Colors I See Red, red is the color I see. If you are wearing red then show it to me. Stand up, turn around. Show me your red then sit back down.Yellow, yellow is the color I see. If you are wearing yellow then show it to me. Stand up, turn around. Show me your yellow then sit back down.Blue, Pink, Green Source: Johnson County Library
Book	Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal
Flannel	Rainbow Kittens Six little kittens found a box of paint. They jumped right in…their mother will faint! The first little kitten came out all red. “I’ll be orange,” the second kitten said. The third little kitten turned bright yellow. “I’ll be green,” said the next little fellow. The fifth kitten said, “My favorite is blue.” “Purple for me,” said the sixth with a mew. Dancing home the kittens go To show their mother a KITTEN RAINBOW! Source: Read Rabbit Read
Book	Holi by Rebecca Pettiford
Action Rhyme	One Bright Scarf One bright(different color) scarf waiting for the wind to blow (hold in hand) Wiggle it high (wiggle scarf above head) Wiggle it low (wiggle scarf by knees) Shake it fast (wiggle scarf quickly) Shake it slow (wiggle scarf slowly) Put it behind your back, Where did it go? (bring out empty hands) Source: Loons and Quines @ Librarytime The kids really got a kick out of it when I made the scarves disappeared behind my back. They all wanted to know how I did it.
Action Song	Color, Color up and Down (with scarves) Color, color up and down, Color, color all around. Color, color knees and toes, Color, color on your nose. Color, color on your friend Color, color we hope the fun never ends Source: I have used this rhyme several times, but I no longer remember the original source. I did modify it for our Holi Storytime.
Dance Song	Holi Song
Goodbye Song	Tickle the Stars Tickle the Stars Tickle your toes Turn around And tickle your nose Reach down low Reach up high Storytime’s over So wave goodbye! Source:My own modification

Crafts:
Since I cannot throw colored powder in the library, I did the next best thing….wet chalk on paper.

The second craft was done in honor of the elephant festival.

Library Lover – Toddler

Introduction	Hello Hello!
Book	Book by Kristine O’Connell Goerge Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter
Flannel	Five Little Books Five little books at the library Five little books as great as can be Along comes (name) with their library card To take one home and read Credit: What Happens In Storytime
Book	Z is For Moose by Kelly Bingham
Traditional Rhyme	This is Big Big Big This is big big big This is small small small This is short short short This is tall tall tall This is fast fast fast This is slow slow slow This is yes yes yes This is no no no Source: Mel’s Desk
Nursery Rhyme	Dickery Dickery Dare Dickery, dickery dare, The pig flew up in the air. The man in brown Soon brought him down! Dickery, dickery, dare
Sign Language	Library
Action Rhyme	Wiggle Worm Wiggleworm, wiggleworm Hiding in a book Wiggleworm, wigglewom Where should we look?Clappingworm, clappingworm Hiding in a book Clappingworm, clappingworm Where should we look?Jumpingworm, jumpingworm Hiding in a book Jumpingworm, jumpingworm Where should we look?Dancingworm, dancingworm Hiding in a book dancingworm, dancingworm where should we look? Bookworm, bookworm Hiding in a book Bookworm, Bookworm Start reading your book Source: Itsy Bitsy Mom with modifications I made.
Action Song	Read, Read, Read Your Books Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat Read, read, read your books, Read them every day. Books are fun (jazz hands!) And make us smart (point to your amazing brain) In every kind of way (swoop arms around!) Source: King County Library System
Dance Song	I Went to the Library by The Wiggles
Dance Song	No More Monkeys by Asheba
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 5
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft: I took my inspiration from Storytime Katie.

Library Lover – Preschool

Introduction	Good Morning
Action Rhyme	If You’re a Reader (Tune: If you’re happy and you know it)If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands If you’re a reader and you know it, and you really want to show it If you’re a reader and you know it, clap your hands Source: Literary Hoots
Book	Z is For Moose by Kelly Bingham I Will Chomp You by John Jory
Finger Rhyme	Here is My Book/I Love Books Here is my book, (hold hands together as if a book, then open) I open it wide, To see all the pictures, that are inside.I love books, and they love me, I get them free at the library. Read them once, read them twice, Library books are oh, so nice! Source: Delta Township District Library
Book	The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Sign Language	Library
Action Rhyme	THE MORE WE READ TOGETHER The more we read together, together, together the more we read together, the happier we’ll be. Read big books and small books, read short books and tall books The more we read together, the happier we’ll be. Source: Canton Public Library
Action Song	This is the Way We Read Our Books This is the way we read our books, read our books, read our books (open hands like book) this is the way we read our books, at the library. (make “L” sign in circle motion)This is the way we turn the page, turn the page, turn the page (lift upper corner of page in turning motion) this is the way we turn the page, at the library. (make “L” sign in circle motion)This is the way we listen to stories, listen to stories, listen to stories (cup hand to ear) this is the way we read our books, at the library. (make “L” sign in circle motion)This is the way we check out books, check out books, check out books ”(slide hands across table) this is the way we check out books, at the library. (make “L” sign in circle motion) Source: King County Library System
Action Song	Wiggle Worm Wiggleworm, wiggleworm Hiding in a book Wiggleworm, wigglewom Where should we look?Clappingworm, clappingworm Hiding in a book Clappingworm, clappingworm Where should we look?Jumpingworm, jumpingworm Hiding in a book Jumpingworm, jumpingworm Where should we look?Dancingworm, dancingworm Hiding in a book dancingworm, dancingworm where should we look? Bookworm, bookworm Hiding in a book Bookworm, Bookworm Start reading your book Source: Itsy Bitsy Mom with modifications I made.
Action Song	Read a Book(Tune: Row, row, row your boat) Read, read, read a book Travel anywhere, Worldwide, you decide A book will take you there. Read, read, read a book, Beginning to the end, What a way to spend the day, A book’s a special friend! Source: Delta Township District Library
Dance Songs	I Went to the Library by The Wiggles
Dance Songs	No More Monkeys by Asheba
Closing Songs	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft: I took my inspiration from Storytime Katie.

Bubble Gum – Toddlers

Introduction	Hello Hello!
Book	Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler
Action Rhyme	Bubble Bubble, bubble, bubble, (Mimic blowing bubble) Bubble, bubble, POP! (clap hands on POP) Bubble, bubble, bubble, Bubble, bubble, POP! Source: Jbary with modifications. Last phrase of “I Have a Little Turtle”
Book	I tried a second book, but the kids were just too antsy and we quit only two pages into it.
Traditional Rhyme	This is Big Big Big This is big big big This is small small small This is short short short This is tall tall tall This is fast fast fast This is slow slow slow This is yes yes yes This is no no no Source: Mel’s Desk
Nursery Rhyme	Jack be Nimble Jack be Nimble Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack jumped over the candlestick! Jack be Nimble Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack run and get your Bubblegum stick! Source: Bubblmania by Lee Wardlaw but I Changed the last line a tiny bit.
Sign Language	Chewing Gum
Action Rhyme	Three Bubbles A small bubble (make a circle with your hands) A medium sized bubble (make a larger circle with your hands A great big bubble (make a large circle with your arms) Now let’s count them, are you ready? 1 –2 – 3 (make 3 circles again) POP! (clap hands loudly once) Source: Perry Public Library Storytime
Action Song	Bubble Bubble, bubble, bubble, (Mimic blowing bubble) Bubble, bubble, POP! (clap hands on POP) Bubble, bubble, bubble, Bubble, bubble, POP! Source: Credit for both: Bubble Theme – Step by Step via Storytime Katie but I modified.
Dance Song	She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain
Dance Song	Can Can Dance
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 5
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft:

IMG_4073 (1)

Source: All Kids

Bubble Gum – Preschool

Introduction	Good Morning
Action Rhyme	Bubble Bubble, bubble, bubble, (Mimic blowing bubble) Bubble, bubble, POP! (clap hands on POP) Bubble, bubble, bubble, Bubble, bubble, POP! Source: Jbary with modifications. Last phrase of “I Have a Little Turtle
Book	Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler
Finger Rhyme	Pop Those Bubbles 1 little, 2 little, 3 little bubbles 4 little, 5 little, 6 little bubbles 7 little, 8 little, 9 little bubbles 10 little bubbles go pop ,pop, popPop those, pop those, pop those bubbles Pop those, pop those, pop those bubbles Pop those, pop those, pop those bubbles 10 little bubbles go pop, pop, pop Source: Johnson County Library
Book	The Chewing Gum Rattler by Joe Hayes
Sign Language	Chewing Gum
Action Rhyme	Gum I just adore gum. (hug oneself) I can’t do without it! (shake head no) I munch it all day long (munch mouth) Except for a few minutes at mealtimes (rub belly) When I take it out and stick it (act like your taking your gum) Behind my ear for safekeeping (put behind ear) Source: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and I added the actions to it.
Action Rhyme	Big Bubble (Tune: “Do You Know the Muffin Man?”)Can you blow a big bubble? A big bubble, a big bubble? Can you blow a big bubble, With your bubblegum? Credit for both: Bubble Theme – Step by Step via Storytime Katie but I modified.
Action Song	BAZOOKA, ZOOKA Bubble Gum My momma She gave me a dollar She told me to buy a collar But I didn’t buy no collar Instead I bought some bubblegum BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum (x2)My momma She gave me a quarter She told me to tip the porter But I didn’t tip no porter Instead I bought some bubblegum BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum (x2) My momma She gave me a dime She told me to buy a lime But I didn’t buy no lime Instead I bought some bubblegum BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum (x2) My momma She gave me a nickel She tole me to buy a pickle But I didn’t buy no pickle Instead i bought some bubblegum BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum (x2) My momma She gave me a penny She told me to buy some bubblegum But I didn’t buy no bubblegum Because I’m sick of bubblegum BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum (x2) Source: Bazooka, Zooka, Bubble Gum
Dance Song	Icky Sticky Bubble Gum by Carole Stephens
Dance Song	She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain
Closing Songs	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft:

IMG_4073 (1)

Source: All Kids

Rhyming to Read: Hot Cross Buns and Little Jack Horner

Little Jack Horner

Introduction of Rhyme	Little Jack Horner Little Jack Horner Sat in the corner, Eating a Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said, “What a good boy am I!”
Sing Rhyme	Traditional
Identifying fingers	Little Jack Horner Little Jack Horner Sat in the Corner, Eating a Christmas Pie; He put in his ______, (thumb, pointer, middle, ring, and pinkie) And pulled out a plum, And said, “What a good boy am I”
Identifying fruit	Little Jack Horner Sat in the Corner, Eating a Christmas Pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a ______, And said, “What a good boy am I”We made a fake pie and put about four different fruits and 2 silly items in it. I would then pull it out and the kids would identify each item.Source: Puddle Wonderful Learning
Identifying Taste	Little Jack Horner Sat in the Corner, Eating a Christmas Pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a ______, And said, “What a good boy am I”I gave each kid a plate with three different jellies. I used grape, strawberry, and honey (I know. This isn’t a jelly). We would sing the song and have the kids put their thumb into the differentGrape, Strawberry, and Honey

Craft:
unnamed (1)
I modified this craft to work with identifying different fingers.

Hot Cross Buns

For this nursery rhyme, I focused my attention on the letter X.

Introduction of Rhyme	Hot Cross Buns Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, two a penny Hot cross buns!If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons; One a penny, two a penny, Hot cross buns!
Tap out song	Hot (tap legs) cross (make an x) buns! (tap legs) Hot (tap legs) cross (make an x) buns! (tap legs)One a penny, (hold up 1 finger) two a penny, (hold up 2 fingers) Hot (tap legs) cross (make an x) buns! (tap legs)
Introduce the letter x	Is this a capital X or lower case x
Sing Song by making big x	Make a big X
Sing Song by making little x	Make a little x
Rhythm sticks with music	We played a variation on Hot Cross Buns

craft:
unnamed
Make your own buns and the letter X!

American Girl: Nanea (October 2017)

American Girl Nanea was a super simple program but so fun to do!

I did my typical opening. I talked about where Nanea lived (Hawaii) and two popular items in Hawaiian culture. The first one was Mochiko. I talked about the cake’s origins and bit about how it is made. I then had everyone split into two groups, as we were going to make our own Mochiko.

I had everything laid out on the tables.

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Then every child helped with making the cake.

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This was the most time-consuming portion. This ate up almost the entire first hour. After I had everyone’s pans, I was able to put them in the oven.

While we waited for the mochiko to bake, we made leis. I talked about the history and etiquette of the lei. I then guided the kids into making their own lei. This were the instructions I used.

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