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:
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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:
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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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By the time everyone was done with their leis, our cake was ready!

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Family Pajama Rama: Mice

Introduction	Come Along Come along and sing with me, Sing with me, sing with me Come along and sing with me It’s time for storytime!Come along and bounce with me…. Come along and sit with me…. Come along and clap with me…. Come along and stretch with me…. Come along and sing with me….Source: My coworker provided the rhyme for this storytime. Unknown original source.
Big Book	The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear
Nursery Rhyme	Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory Dickory Dock, (crouch down) The mouse ran up the clock. (jump up) The clock struck one, (clap hands above head) The mouse ran down! (crouch down) Hickory Dickory Dock.
Book	Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo and Flo
Stretch/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 Clap Clap Your Hands Clap, clap, clap your hands Clap them now with me Clap your hands, let me see Clap your hands with me Additional Verses Beep, beep, beep your nose Touch, touch, touch your shoulders Tap, tap, tap your knees Shake, shake, shake your feet
Traditional Rhyme	Where are the baby mice? Where are the baby mice? (make a fist, hide behind back) “Squeak, squeak, squeak!” I cannot see them, Peek, peek, peek, (act like your looking) Here they come out of their hole in the wall. (show fist and extend it) One, two, three, four, five, (show one finger at a time) That’s all!Source: The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems,Fingerplay and Chants
Action Song	Slowly, Slowly, Very Slowly Slowly, slowly, very slowly (walk slowly or walk fingers/pump legs) Creeps the garden snail. Slowly, slowly, very slowly Up the wooden rail Quickly, quickly, very quickly (walk fast or fingers fast/pump legs) Runs the little mouse. Quickly, quickly, very quickly Round about the house.Source: The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems,Fingerplay and Chants
Action Rhyme	Little Mouse Walk little mouse, walk little mouse (tiptoe around) Hide little mouse, hide little mouse (cover eyes with hands) Here comes the cat! (look around) Run little mouse, run little mouse!Source: The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems,Fingerplay and Chants
Dance Song	Walking, Walking
Dance Song	I forgot what song I used. 😦
Traditional Song	ABC
Goodbye Song	This is the Way We Say Goodbye This is the way our hands say goodbye With a clap, clap-clap Clap, clap-clap This is the way our hands say good-bye With a clap, clap-clap, clap-clap This is the way our knees say goodbye With a tap, tap-tap Tap, tap-tap This is the way our knees say goodbye With a tap, tap-tap, tap-tap This is the way we wave goodbye Wave goodbye, wave goodbye This is the way we wave goodbye Goodbye until next time Source: My coworker provided the rhyme for this storytime. Unknown original source.

Craft: Unfortunately, I cannot remember for the life of me if I found this craft online or made it up. I scoured the internet, so I think it might have been my own creation.

Rhyming to Read: Little Bo Peep and I Asked My Mother

Little Bo Peep

Introduction of Rhyme	Little Bo Peep Little Bo peep has lost her sheep And doesn’t know where to find them. Leave them alone and they’ll come home, Bringing their tails behind them.
Acton Rhyme	Little Sheep Little sheep, little sheep, turn around. Little sheep, little sheep, graze on the ground. Little sheep, little sheep, frolic on your toes. Little sheep, little sheep, wiggle your nose. Little sheep, little sheep, fluff your wool. Little sheep, little sheep, jump to keep cool. Little sheep, little sheep, scratch your feet. Little sheep, little sheep, find your seat.Source: Artsy Toddler
Book	Where is Green Sheep?
Flannel	Matching Tails to Sheep Source:Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Finger Rhyme	5 Fluffy Sheep 5 fluffy sheep skating on the floor, one fell down and that left 4.4 fluffy sheep drinking cold tea, one got a tummy ache and that left 3. 3 fluffy sheep wondering what to do, one got bored and that left 2. 2 fluffy sheep laying in the sun, one fell asleep and that left 1. 1 fluffy sheep sitting all alone, he didn’t know what to do so he went home! Source: Narrating Tales of Preschool Storytime
Action Rhyme	Newborn Lamb Tune: I’m A Little TeapotI’m a baby lamb just born today I want to run around and play I am very hungry – I must eat So I’ll grow up big like my daddy sheep. – repeat, substituting “mommy sheep” Source:King County Library System

I Asked My Mother

Introduction of Rhyme	I Asked My Mother… I asked my mother For fifteen cents. To see the elephant Jump the fence.He jumped so high That he touched the sky And never came back Til the Fourth of July.
Rhyme	I asked my mother I asked my mother for fifty cents, (put hand out with palm up) To see the elephant jump the fence, (cup eyes and start to crouch) He Jumped so high, (jump up) He reached the sky, (keep jumping) And didn’t come back till the Fourth of the July. ( wave goodbye)I assigned the actions to the rhyme.
Magnet Board	Recognize Money This was slightly harder for my younger participants. However, parents/guardians of my older participants really liked this idea.
Action	Colonel Hathi’s March We had the kids march around the room.
Goodbye	Song

Crafts:

Lamb Tails: We made sure the strings were long enough for the kids to tie them around their waists.

Wrap the lamb: We received our inspiration from Verona Storytime. Our craft did kind of look like a mummy. This is a great tactical craft!

Elephant: Our last take-home craft was a Popsicle elephant that went to our last rhyme.

Mo Willems 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.
Book	The Duckling Gets a Cookie
Magnet Board	Where is Pigeon? Source: Literary Hoots did a similar item. However, instead of Gerald and Piggie, I did the Pigeon.
Book	Big Frog Can’t Fit In
Rhyme	One Little, Two Little, Three Little…. One little, two little, three little frogs Four little, five little, six little frogs Seven little, eight little, nine little frogs Ten little frogs go leap, leap, leap!
Book	That is Not a Good Idea
Rhyme	Ten Fluffy Chickens Five eggs and five eggs, That makes ten. (hold up two hands) Sitting on top is the Mother Hen. (fold one hand over the other) Crackle, crackle, crackle;(clap three times) What do I see? Ten fluffy chickens, (hold up ten fingers) As yellow as can be.
Action Rhyme	If you’re an elephant and you know it, shake your ears If you’re an elephant and you know it, shake your ears If you’re an elephant and you know it and you really want to show it. If you’re an elephant and you know it, shake your ears! If you’re a pig and you know it, say oink, oink If you’re a pig and you know it, oink, oink If you’re a pig and you know it and you really want to show it. If you’re a pig and you know it, oink, oink! If you’re a pigeon and you know it, strut your stuff. If you’re a pigeon and you know it, strut your stuff. If you’re a pigeon and you know it, and you really want to show it If you’re a pigeon and you know it, strut your stuff. Source: I did a similar rhyme for my Elephant and Piggie storytime. However, I just added the pigeon line with the help of my colleague and a volunteer.
Book	There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o P-I-G-G-I-E P-I-G-G-I-E P-I-G-G-I-E And Piggie was her name-o.There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-I-G-G-I-E (clap)-I-G-G-I-E (clap)-I-G-G-I-E And Piggie was her name-o.There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-(clap)-G-G-I-E (clap)-(clap)-G-G-I-E (clap)-(clap)-G-G-I-E And Piggie was her name-o. There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-I-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-I-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-I-E And Piggie was her name-o. There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-I-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-I-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-I-E And Piggie was her name-o. There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-(clap)-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-(clap)-E (clap)-(clap)-(clap)- (clap)-(clap)-E And Piggie was her name-o There was an elephant who had a friend and Piggie was her name-o (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap) (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap) (clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap) And Piggie was her name-o Source: My colleague and I worked on this one together. It can be kind of awkward as there is an extra letter than the original BINGO song. My recommendation is to put the G-G close together while clapping. It does work with some practice.
Dance Song	We Are the Dinosaurs In honor of Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.
Dance Song	Monster Spray In honor of Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Traditional Song	Skinarmarink In honor of Piggie and Elephant’s love for one another.
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

Additional Activities

I provided food in honor of Mo Willems’ birthday!

Squirrels – Preschool

Introduction	Good Morning
Books	Shake the Tree! A Minibombo Book by Chiara Vignocchi
Action Rhyme	Grey Squirrel Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail! Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail! Wrinkle up your funny nose Hold a nut between your toes Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail.Source: Small Town Story Time Lady
Book	Squirrels by Derek Zobel
Sign Language	Squirrel
Finger Rhyme	This Little Squirrel This little squirrel said, “Let’s run and play!” This little squirrel said, “Let’s hunt nuts today!” This little squirrel said, “Yes, nuts are good.” This little squirrel said, “Yes, my favorite food.” This little squirrel said, “Come climb this tree.” (run fingers up other arm, quickly) And crack these nuts: one, two, three! (clap hands three times)Source: Sunflower Storytime
Action Song	Scamper Little Squirrel Scamper, scamper little squirrel (run in place) Up the tree, (reach up high) And down again. (touch the ground) Grab an acorn. (Pretend to grab something with one hand). Grab that peanut. (Pretend to grab something with the other hand). Stuff them in your puffy cheeks. (Point to your cheeks as you puff them out) Swish your tail (wiggle your bottom) Look around (look around with one hand above eyes) Coast is clear, scamper up the tree again. (run in place) Source: Artsy Toddler Storytimes: A year Worth of Ready-To-Go Programming
Dance Song	Squirrel There was a little squirrel. He ran up a tree. When he turned around He threw a nut at meSource: CanTeach
Dance Song	Let Us Chase the Squirrel
Dance Song	I’m a Nut (a cappella)
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft

Craft: Scaredy Squirrel hat! Mrs Wills’ Kindergarten was my source.

Squirrels – Toddler

We celebrated national squirrel day!

Introduction	Hello Hello!
Action Rhyme	The Squirrel Sneaky, squeaky (tiptoe) Hippity, hop, (hop) Up he goes (stretch arms up) To the tree top. Whirly, twirly (spin around) Round and round Down he scampers (sit down) To the ground. Source: Circle Time Activities, Grade Preschool
Book	The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel
Flannel	Acorns Down around the corner by the big oak tree Sat five little acorns looking so yummy Along came a squirrel with a big bushy tail. He took one acorn and ran off down the trail. (4,3,2,1).Source: One Little Librarian
Book	Shake the Tree! A Minibombo Book by Chiara Vignocchi
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 Second Rhyme We Do: Very, Very Tall
Nursery Rhyme	Little Miss Muffet Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider Who sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away.
Sign Language	Squirrel
Action Rhyme	Grey Squirrel Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail! Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail! Wrinkle up your funny nose Hold a nut between your toes Grey squirrel, grey squirrel Swish your busy tail. Source: Small Town Story Time Lady
Action Song	Nuts Put your acorns UP, put your acorns DOWN Hold your acorns and turn around! Put your acorns UP, put your acorns DOWN Put your acorn down on the groundSource:One Little Librarian I modified the version from squirrels to acorn. Just a recommendation, I originally said “nuts” and realized it didn’t work as well…. I gave the kids egg shakers for this portion.
Dance Song	I’m a Nut (a cappella)
Dance Song	Let Us Chase the Squirrel
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 5
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft: Scaredy Squirrel hat! Mrs Wills’ Kindergarten was my source.

Cheese Storytime – Preschool

Introduction	Good Morning
Books	Sam’s Sandwich by David Pelham
Action Rhyme	Five Little Mice Five little mice on the pantry floor, (run fingers on table top) This little mouse peeked behind the door, (wiggle thumb) This little mouse nibbled at the cake, (wiggle pointer finger) This little mouse did not make a sound, (wiggle middle finger) This little mouse took a bite of cheese, (wiggle ring finger) This little mouse heard the kitten sneeze, (wiggle little finger) “Ah-choo,” sneezed the kitten (sneeze) And “squeak!” they cried (Make fingers “jump”) As the found a hole and ran inside. (hide hand behind back) Source: Family Storytime: Twenty-four Creative Programs for All Ages
Book	This Book is Not a Piece of Cheese by Benjamin Bird
Sign Language	Cheese
Action Rhyme	Pizza, pizza, pizza! (tune: peanut butter and jelly)Chorus: Pizza, pizza, pizza with cheese! Pizza, pizza, pizza with cheese! (repeat chorus after each of the following verses)First you take the dough and you knead it, You knead it, you knead it, knead it, knead it. Singing… Next you take the dough and you throw it, You catch it, you throw it up high, singing….Then you take the sauce and you spread it, You spread it, you spread it on the pizza, singing…. Then you take the cheese and you sprinkle it, You sprinkle it, you sprinkle it on the pizza, singing…. Next you take the toppings and you plunk ’em, You plunk ’em, you plunk ’em on the pizza, singing…. Then you take the pizza and you bake it, You bake it, you bake it in the oven, singing… And when the pizza’s done you eat it! Yum, yum! Source: Esther Storytime
Action Song	Cheese, Cheese in our Belly We’re going to have macaroni and cheese. Hurrary! Hurrary! We’re going to have macaroni and cheese. Hurray! Hurray! Macaroni and cheese for dinner, Macaroni and cheese every day, Cheese, cheese, in our belly. Hip, hip, hip, hooray! Source: Family Storytime: Twenty-four Creative Programs for All Ages (I slightly modified)
Dance Song	Say Cheese! (Let’s Take a Picture)
Dance Song	Please Say Cheese
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft

My source of inspiration came from Magic Sewing Hands felt craft. However, instead of using felt, I used cardboard and paper. I loved that this craft worked on eye and hand coordination.

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Cheese Storytime – Toddlers

Introduction	Hello Hello!
Books	Grandpa and Me by Karen Katz
Action Rhyme	I Wiggle I wiggle my fingers. I wiggle my toes. I wiggle my ears. I wiggle my nose. I wiggle my shoulders. I wiggle my chin. I stretch my arms wide and pull them back in. I wiggle my elbows. I wiggle my knees. I hop like a bunny. I smile and say, “Cheese!” Now I have no more wiggles left in me And I sit on the floor as still as can be.Source: Colorado Libraries for Literacy
Book	Brownie and Pearl: Grab a Bite by Cynthia Rylant
Traditional Rhymes	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 Second rhyme we do: Very, Very Tall
Nursery Rhyme	Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory Dickory Dock, (crouch down) The mouse ran up the clock. (stand up with hands overhead) The clock struck one, (clap once) The mouse ran down! (couch back down) Hickory Dickory Dock.
Sign Language	Cheese
Action Song	Crawly Creepy Little Mouse Crawly creepy little mouse, (tiptoe fingers up leg) From the barn in the house. In the pantry under the shelf! (tiptoe fingers up to chin) Found some cheese and helped himself. Nibble nibble nibble nibble! (tickle)
Dance Song	Say Cheese! (Let’s Take a Picture)
Dance Song
Traditional Song	ABC, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Skidamarink

Craft

My source of inspiration came from Magic Sewing Hands felt craft. However, instead of using felt, I used cardboard and paper. I loved that this craft worked on eye and hand coordination.

IMG_3582[1]

Little STEAMers: Food

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.
Book	Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Action Song	Spicy Salsa We did not have time for this song, but I have made a mental note to do it with the kids another time.
Song	Table Manners (Tune: Frere Jacques)Chewing quietly, chewing quietly Do not slurp, do not slurp, We must say excuse me, We must say excuse me When we burp, When we burp.Source: https://jbrary.com/family-storytime-making-food/
Activity	We made our own butter! I played a list of songs that involved shakes and wiggles (Shake it Off, Hot Potato, Milkshake). I would count to 10 and have the kids pass the jar to the next kid. It worked out great! We had butter by the third song.
Closing 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!

Activities

Craft	Taco Bar!
Touch	Rainbow Jello Soup This was the most popular station. It was also the messiest. Word of advice. Clean the big bin right away.
Sorting	I printed off the different food groups and assigned each one to a bucket. The kids then sorted the food to the appropriate food bin.
Imaginary Play	We have a play kitchen and I opened it up for the kids to play with.