Happy Wednesday! We had a wonderful, spunky group of kiddos for our letter M story time. The three books I chose were all big hits with the group! I read Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Jarrett is also the author of the very popular middle elementary graphic series Lunch Lady. Perhaps it's the punk in me, but I really dig the idea where the farm animals live a double life at night as a punk rock farm band. The animals wait until the farmer goes to bed and set up their equipment for rehearsal and a rock concert. The best part about both this and it's sequel Punk Farm on Tour is that you can download the Punk Farm songs from their website here. I played the tune while showing the pictures from the book. It's easy to do, the text on the pages follows the song perfectly. The kids really enjoyed this story and the adults laughed out loud at the big rock ending the band puts on. We also read The Mommy Book by Todd Parr. I get Todd Parr. I know that not all of my fellow librarians get him as well, but I can see why kids like his books so much. The text is in plain language. The pictures look like something the kids would draw themselves, and he always talks about a subject that every kid can relate to. He doesn't shy away from different sorts of families and nearly every child has a mommy, daddy, grandma, or grandpa who fits in with Parr's books. I think that the kids like to imagine their mommies and daddies doing some of the silly things they do in the books like riding a
motorcycle, or flying through the air, tied to a kite. Finally, I read Ed Emberley's If You're a Monster and you Know it! You sing it, you do all the moves, the kids have a great time. It's a classic formula. I like to get them all warmed up by having them imagine themselves as any monster they want to be. I tell them that they can be big or tiny, ugly or cute, any color they want, or as silly as they want. So we snorted, growled, clapped, stomped, and roared!
When the kids arrived I had prepared mini muffins for them to enjoy. I absolutely love teaching with food. We all have the need for food. Everyone likes food. I believe food is an invaluable teaching tool for preschoolers because it satisfies each of our five senses. Anyone with preschool or early childhood experience understand how important tactile and sensory learning is. Depending on what food you use to teach, each sense can be stimulated. Tasting the flavor. Looking at the color, size, and shape of the fruit. Smelling the aroma. Feeling the size, shape and texture. Even hearing the crunch or squish of food when we eat it. So, I use food to teach a LOT! It can also foster social development. Snack time is a social time for kids where they learn how to talk to one another, share, express ideas, and learn social conventions. Food is also a way for kids to learn courage and experiment outside their comfort zone when they aren't sure about if the food is good or not. Seriously, I can not say enough good things about teaching with food. Everyone should! Even as the kids get older, having them help cook and prepare food teaches math and measurement, science and chemistry! FOOD IS AWESOME!!!!!!!
It's spring break this week and we had some older siblings take part in at least a portion of story time. Anyway, we went through our routine and the kids were incredible! They know so much of the ABC action song now that I feel I may not have to dance in front of them any longer. Rest assured, dear readers. I promise to continue dancing for you amusement. Then of course we greeted our friends with our hello song.We're All here!
Here, here, we're all here!
Here, here, we're all here!
Here, here, we're all here!
We're here at story time!
Hello _______. How are you?
Hello_______. How are you?
Hello _______. How are you?I'm glad you're here today!
Letter M Song (Sally the Camel)
Capital M's got Big Bumps! (Trace letter M in the air)
Capital M's got Big Bumps!
Capital M's got Big Bumps!
That's letter M! Boom, boom boom! (Shake hips)
Lowercase m's got small bumps (Make a small sign with fingers)
just make a line and bump bump! (trace letter in the air. Jump slightly to the side when you make the bumps)Just make a line and bump bump! (repeat above)
And that's letter m. Boom, boom, boom! (Shake hips)
/m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ bump bump! (make the m sound and shake hips)
/m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ bump bump!
/m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ bump bump!
That's letter m! Boom, boom, boom, BOOM! (jump and clap on the last BOOM!)
Letter M marshmallow craft
Easy Peasy, lemon-squeezy!
Cut out Letter M templates from construction paper.
Model for the kids how to make dots with their Elmer's glue. Glue sticks aren't the best suited for this project.
Have the kids stick the marshmallows on the letter M.
Try not to eat too many!
Thanks for reading! See you next wednesday!
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