PreschoolerPreschoolers in the s in the Library:Library:Part 2Part 2

Presented Presented by:by:

Susie Dinsmore -Susie Dinsmore -sdinsmore@harrisonburg.k12.va.ussdinsmore@harrisonburg.k12.va.us

LibrarianLibrarian Stone Spring Elementary School Stone Spring Elementary School Harrisonburg, VA 22801Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Susan Surratt – Susan Surratt – ssurratt@harrisonburg.k12.va.usssurratt@harrisonburg.k12.va.usLibrarianLibrarianWaterman Elementary SchoolWaterman Elementary SchoolHarrisonburg, VA 22802Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Entering the library…Entering the library…I usually sing the following song – eventually I usually sing the following song – eventually

they sing along with me:they sing along with me:

(To the tune of “Did You Ever See a Lassie”)

Let’s sit for a story, a story, a story.

Let’s sit for a story.

Please come sit with me!

Another SongAnother Song

(To the tune of “Mama’s Little Baby Loves (To the tune of “Mama’s Little Baby Loves Shortnin’ Bread”)Shortnin’ Bread”)

Everybody sit down, sit down, sit down, sit Everybody sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,down,

Everybody sit down on the rug.Everybody sit down on the rug.

Everybody sit down, sit down, sit down, sit Everybody sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,down,

Everybody sit down on the rug.Everybody sit down on the rug.

Not on the ceiling, not on the ____________,Not on the ceiling, not on the ____________,

Everybody sit down on the rug.Everybody sit down on the rug.

Beginning of a LessonBeginning of a Lesson

Choose one student to be the “helper” that Choose one student to be the “helper” that day.day.

Allow the student to choose a hat and a wand.Allow the student to choose a hat and a wand.

The student leads the class in the chant,The student leads the class in the chant,

““Zoom, zoom, take us away.Zoom, zoom, take us away.

Where? Oh, where? Will you take us today?”Where? Oh, where? Will you take us today?”

The student waves the wand over the magic The student waves the wand over the magic book as the class is chanting. And then the book as the class is chanting. And then the book “magically” opens.book “magically” opens.

Magic bookMagic book

Start of School ActivitiesStart of School Activities Preschoolers love this Preschoolers love this

story about Chester story about Chester Raccoon who goes off to Raccoon who goes off to school for the first time. school for the first time. Chester has all of the Chester has all of the same fears that most same fears that most young children have young children have about leaving home for about leaving home for the first time to go to the first time to go to school! Mommy helps school! Mommy helps calm his fears by kissing calm his fears by kissing Chester’s hand so that Chester’s hand so that he can hold on to her he can hold on to her love all day long!love all day long!

I take each child’s picture before they leave the library. I take each child’s picture before they leave the library. On their second visit during the week, I give them a On their second visit during the week, I give them a

“hand” to take home to their parents with their picture “hand” to take home to their parents with their picture on it. On the back of the hand is a note telling the on it. On the back of the hand is a note telling the parents what their child did in library this week. parents what their child did in library this week.

Our preschoolers check out books starting the Our preschoolers check out books starting the second week at school. (They keep them at second week at school. (They keep them at school.) I read school.) I read Mr. Wiggle’s BookMr. Wiggle’s Book by Paula by Paula

Craig and Bobbie Houser to them during their Craig and Bobbie Houser to them during their first visit of that week.first visit of that week. We talk about how We talk about how important it is to take good care of books. important it is to take good care of books.

(Another good title to use is (Another good title to use is What Happened What Happened to Marion’s Book?to Marion’s Book? By Brook Berg. By Brook Berg.

On their next visit, we gather in a circle and look at On their next visit, we gather in a circle and look at items from a plain bag. The children decide if these items from a plain bag. The children decide if these

items are ok to use with their library books. If so, we items are ok to use with their library books. If so, we put them in the “Yes, Yes, Always Bag” and if they are put them in the “Yes, Yes, Always Bag” and if they are

not appropriate to use with a library book – we put not appropriate to use with a library book – we put them in the “No, No, Never Bag!”them in the “No, No, Never Bag!”

Walking in LineWalking in Line As we work on walking in a line, we read As we work on walking in a line, we read

the book, the book, Smiley SharkSmiley Shark by Ruth Galloway. by Ruth Galloway. We sing our song, “Wear a Smile” (to the We sing our song, “Wear a Smile” (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat). Then tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat). Then we make smiley faces so we will we make smiley faces so we will remember to walk remember to walk quietlyquietly with a smile in with a smile in the hallway.the hallway.

Fall Themed Activities:Fall Themed Activities:Mouse’s First FallMouse’s First Fall by Lauren by Lauren

ThompsonThompson Young children are Young children are

delighted by this delighted by this story of Mouse and story of Mouse and his friend Minka who his friend Minka who walk through the walk through the leaves on a fall day. leaves on a fall day. This story lends itself This story lends itself well to the teaching well to the teaching of colors, shapes, and of colors, shapes, and sorting! (All of the sorting! (All of the “Mouse’s First” “Mouse’s First” books are good ones books are good ones to have!)to have!)

After reading the story, I have volunteers After reading the story, I have volunteers come up to the flannel board to sort leaves come up to the flannel board to sort leaves by color and shape. We also count as the by color and shape. We also count as the

leaves are put up on the board.leaves are put up on the board.

Before Thanksgiving, I readBefore Thanksgiving, I read Run, Turkey, Run! Run, Turkey, Run! by by Diane Mayr. This is a humorous story about a Diane Mayr. This is a humorous story about a turkey who hides from the farmer on the day turkey who hides from the farmer on the day

before Thanksgiving. before Thanksgiving.

Before reading the story of Before reading the story of Run, Turkey, RunRun, Turkey, Run, I show my , I show my students a cutout of a “bald” turkey. I ask them if they students a cutout of a “bald” turkey. I ask them if they can guess what kind of animal this is. Finally, with help, can guess what kind of animal this is. Finally, with help,

someone will guess. I ask them what is he missing? – someone will guess. I ask them what is he missing? – Feathers! We then go on a hunt through the library Feathers! We then go on a hunt through the library

looking for Turkey’s lost feathers. After we find most of looking for Turkey’s lost feathers. After we find most of them, we return to the story area and the students take them, we return to the story area and the students take turns giving Turkey back his feathers! (You can buy a turns giving Turkey back his feathers! (You can buy a

package of feathers from WalMart or any craft store – or package of feathers from WalMart or any craft store – or you can make them from construction paper!)you can make them from construction paper!)

In December, I usually read In December, I usually read The The Gingerbread BoyGingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone. by Paul Galdone.

Before reading the story I pass out small gift-wrapped books to each child. (We are sitting in a circle.) Each time I read the word “ran” in the story, the children will pass their wrapped book to the person on the right. At the end of the story, each child gets to keep the book that was passed to them last.

This idea came from this website.

Some good songs and fingerplays about gingerbread man are available at this site.

A good winter read aloud is A good winter read aloud is Froggy Gets Dressed Froggy Gets Dressed by by Jonathan London. Beforehand discuss the Jonathan London. Beforehand discuss the

importance of clothing and why we wear different importance of clothing and why we wear different types of clothing for different seasons.types of clothing for different seasons.

I use flannel board props to assist in telling the story. I purchased these from, Merry Hearts, an online store.

As a follow-up to Froggy Gets As a follow-up to Froggy Gets Dressed, I use activities from the Dressed, I use activities from the

following website: following website: FroggyFroggy Gets Dressed Lotto Gets Dressed Lotto..

Froggy Clothespin Math

As a follow-up to As a follow-up to winter stories, winter stories,

students enjoy playing students enjoy playing this fun this fun

concentration game concentration game on on the SmartBoard.the SmartBoard.

Robert Munsch booksRobert Munsch books

Acting out Acting out Thomas’ Thomas’ Snowsuit.Snowsuit.

Help the children “change” clothes as you read the story. They absolutely love to do this!

In February, I read aloud the book In February, I read aloud the book A Circle is Not a ValentineA Circle is Not a Valentine by H. Werner Zimmerman (from the Alphonse Knows by H. Werner Zimmerman (from the Alphonse Knows

series…). Alphonse gets mixed up with his shapes when he series…). Alphonse gets mixed up with his shapes when he tries to paint a picture to give a friend for Valentine’s Day. tries to paint a picture to give a friend for Valentine’s Day.

This is a great story to use with preschoolers to review This is a great story to use with preschoolers to review shapes. I use our shapes. I use our AccucutAccucut die cutter die cutter to make shapes to use on to make shapes to use on

the flannel board. Students can sort the shapes by color the flannel board. Students can sort the shapes by color and type or they can make patterns.and type or they can make patterns.

We celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday the week of We celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday the week of March 2. After reading March 2. After reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Fish, Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss. I use a red and a by Dr. Seuss. I use a red and a

blue hula hoop (borrowed from the P.E. Staff) as blue hula hoop (borrowed from the P.E. Staff) as a Venn diagram. The students sort the fish by a Venn diagram. The students sort the fish by

color and count by color.color and count by color.

Another activity to celebrate Another activity to celebrate Dr. SeussDr. Seuss’ ’ birthday, is to read birthday, is to read Dr. SeussDr. Seuss by Cheryl by Cheryl Carlson. Then read Carlson. Then read Green Eggs and HamGreen Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. After reading the stories, by Dr. Seuss. After reading the stories, lead the kids on an egg hunt of “green lead the kids on an egg hunt of “green eggs”. Inside each egg tuck a fact about eggs”. Inside each egg tuck a fact about Dr. Seuss (author, illustrator, creator of the Dr. Seuss (author, illustrator, creator of the Cat in the Hat, etc.) Have the kids find the Cat in the Hat, etc.) Have the kids find the eggs, and one at a time open the eggs. eggs, and one at a time open the eggs. Then you can read the facts.Then you can read the facts.

In March, I read In March, I read Hooray for St. Patrick’s DayHooray for St. Patrick’s Day by by Joan Holub, an interactive lift-the-flap book. Joan Holub, an interactive lift-the-flap book.

(Children can find the hidden leprechaun on each (Children can find the hidden leprechaun on each page.) I use extension activities from this page.) I use extension activities from this websitewebsite to to

go along with the story.go along with the story.Who took the shamrock? (sung to "who stole a cookie) author unknown

Teacher: who took the shamrock from the leprechaun? Child's name took the shamrock from the leprechaun. (Have each child come up and take a shamrock from the “pot o’gold.”)

Child: who me?

Class: yes, you.

Child: couldn't be.

Class: then who?

Child: child's name took the shamrock from the leprechaun.

A math extension to go along with St. A math extension to go along with St. Patrick’s Day is to have the children sort Patrick’s Day is to have the children sort

and count gold coins from the and count gold coins from the “leprechaun’s pot o’ gold!”“leprechaun’s pot o’ gold!”

Here is a link to a St. Patrick’s Day concentration game to play on the

SmartBoard.

Our preschool students continue to love the Our preschool students continue to love the “Mouse” books. In the spring, I read “Mouse” books. In the spring, I read Mouse’s First Mouse’s First

SpringSpring by Lauren Thompson. As Mouse and by Lauren Thompson. As Mouse and Momma walk along on a spring day, Mouse Momma walk along on a spring day, Mouse

discovers all sorts of creatures. (I have puppets for discovers all sorts of creatures. (I have puppets for all of these animals and I pass them out to the all of these animals and I pass them out to the

students. As I read the story and come to a page students. As I read the story and come to a page with a new creature on it – that child stands up with a new creature on it – that child stands up

with the puppet.)with the puppet.)

As a follow-up, students As a follow-up, students can play a spring-themed can play a spring-themed

concentration game concentration game found at this found at this websitewebsite..

Here is another great Here is another great websitewebsite for for spring activities.spring activities.

Daffodils     (this is a great felt board or glove activity)

One little daffodil had nothing much to do, Out popped another one, then there were two. 

Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,  Out popped another one, then there were three.  Three little daffodils were growing by the door,  Out popped another one, then there were four. 

Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,  Out popped another one, then there were five.  Five little daffodils were wearing gold crowns, 

They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.

We learn a new nursery rhyme almost every We learn a new nursery rhyme almost every week during library time. I send home a copy of week during library time. I send home a copy of the nursery rhyme with a note about library on the nursery rhyme with a note about library on

the back.the back.

Here is the link I use to get my nursery rhyme posters - firstschool.ws

I have several nursery rhyme posters and I have several nursery rhyme posters and cutouts that I purchased with my Scholastic cutouts that I purchased with my Scholastic

dollars at dollars at Scholastic Instructional ResourcesScholastic Instructional Resources..

The “Tell-A-Story” Nursery Rhyme Kit from Lakeshore is very handy. It has an easel with a felt board, 5 nursery rhymes with their cut-out figures.

Also, Puppets & Storytime by Dr. Jean Feldman is a book with many puppet ideas and great story ideas to teach nursery rhymes. This book is also available through Scholastic.

Mother Goose Rhyme Time: NightMother Goose Rhyme Time: Night and and Mother Mother Goose Rhyme Time: AnimalsGoose Rhyme Time: Animals by Kimberly K. by Kimberly K.

Faurot are also available at Faurot are also available at Scholastic Instructional ResourcesScholastic Instructional Resources. These books . These books contain activities, extensions, and reproducibles contain activities, extensions, and reproducibles

to go along with the nursery rhyme posters.to go along with the nursery rhyme posters.

Buckle My ShoeBuckle My Shoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines is another good by Anna Grossnickle Hines is another good nursery rhyme book to use with Preschool. This hardback nursery rhyme book to use with Preschool. This hardback

copy was purchased at copy was purchased at Green Valley Book FairGreen Valley Book Fair for $5.25. It for $5.25. It is very colorful and lends itself well to counting, sort, and is very colorful and lends itself well to counting, sort, and

patterning activities. Using free clip art, I have made signs patterning activities. Using free clip art, I have made signs to use when saying the rhyme after we read the story to use when saying the rhyme after we read the story

together.together.

During the last few minutes of most library During the last few minutes of most library visits, the children view the nursery rhyme visits, the children view the nursery rhyme

we just learned from one of the “we just learned from one of the “Mother Goose TreasuryMother Goose Treasury” videos. These are ” videos. These are available from The Mother Goose Treasury available from The Mother Goose Treasury

Series on DVD.Series on DVD.

Flannel board stories are always good to use to mix up Flannel board stories are always good to use to mix up storytime! You can make your own or purchase them from storytime! You can make your own or purchase them from

vendors such as vendors such as Merry HeartsMerry Hearts, , Lakeshore LearningLakeshore Learning, or , or HighsmithHighsmith. . Repetition is usually the name of the game with Repetition is usually the name of the game with

preschoolers. I will read a story such as preschoolers. I will read a story such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. Then, by Bill Martin, Jr. Then,

using the flannel board characters, the children will say the using the flannel board characters, the children will say the story with me.story with me.

As we prepare for summer, we read As we prepare for summer, we read It It Looked Like Spilt MilkLooked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. by Charles G. Shaw. It is a great story to use for Shaw. It is a great story to use for

shapes and/or clouds.shapes and/or clouds.

After reading the story, we look at shapes After reading the story, we look at shapes (using the overhead projector or document (using the overhead projector or document camera) – and they decide what the shape camera) – and they decide what the shape

is. (I use die cuts with my is. (I use die cuts with my AccucutAccucut to come to come up with the shapes.)up with the shapes.)

Another day, we may read Another day, we may read The Sand The Sand

Castle ContestCastle Contest by Robert Munsch. by Robert Munsch. After After reading the story, I pull out a tote bag of reading the story, I pull out a tote bag of things and suitcase. The kids help me to things and suitcase. The kids help me to decide if I need to pack that item to take decide if I need to pack that item to take

to the beach.to the beach.

Leaving the library…Leaving the library…Our preschool and primary teachers usually use Our preschool and primary teachers usually use

this song:this song:

(To the tune of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”)

My hands are hanging by my side,

I’m standing straight and tall.

My eyes are looking straight ahead,

I’m ready for the hall!

Give me a bubble!

Where can you find great props Where can you find great props and ideas to use with and ideas to use with

preschoolers?preschoolers? Yard SalesYard Sales AuctionsAuctions Castoffs from your own children or grandchildrenCastoffs from your own children or grandchildren Teacher swap - Teacher swap - (at start or end of year have a swap in the library or foyer of things (at start or end of year have a swap in the library or foyer of things

you no longer use – one person’s trash is another’s treasure!)you no longer use – one person’s trash is another’s treasure!) Food Lion (They usually have a bin of greatly reduced books!)Food Lion (They usually have a bin of greatly reduced books!) Merry HeartsMerry Hearts Evan-MoorEvan-Moor Lakeshore LearningLakeshore Learning HighsmithHighsmith Green Valley Book Fair Green Valley Book Fair (located near Harrisonburg, VA)(located near Harrisonburg, VA) Scholastic Instructional ResourcesScholastic Instructional Resources Ollie's Bargain OutletOllie's Bargain Outlet (this is a chain outlet and is located throughout VA)(this is a chain outlet and is located throughout VA) Education Station/Teacher StoreEducation Station/Teacher Store AccucutAccucut

Thanks for being Thanks for being such a wonderful such a wonderful

audience! audience! Please feel free Please feel free to contact us!to contact us!

sdinsmore@harrisonburg.k12.va.usssurratt@harrisonburg.k12.va.us