Parachute Story Time

So today marked a big occasion…. I tried parachute story time for the first time during my regular story time.  Try to imagine 15 children that range in age between 2 and 3 1/2 years old, with a parachute, puppets, books, and music.  I would like to think of it as controlled chaos. 

I first had to move my story time from the regular story time room to out in the library dues to space constraints… threw the kids off because we weren’t in the regular room, but once we started with our regular story time process, they seemed to really enjoy it!  We had a great time making a blizzard with packing peanuts on the parachute, we played 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed, practiced learning body parts with Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and we learned right and left and sang Ring Around the Rosy.  This was my first attempt at parachute story time and a trial run because we will be offering parachute story time during our next session as an option for parents with active toddlers.  Keep your fingers crossed that I can manage the controlled chaos.  Below is my lesson plan for the story time:

Opening: Put Your Hands Up in the Air

Parachute Play: Create a blizzard using the parachute and packing peanuts

Book 1: Snowmen at Night by, Caralyn Buehner

Activity: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed with music and the monkeys used from the 5 Little Monkeys Mitt

Book 2: Snow by, Manya Stojic

Activity: Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes with music – hold the parachute for each part, when you get to eyes, ears, mouth, and nose drop parachute and point to each body part

Book 3: Snowballs by, Lois Ehlert

Activity: Ring Around the Rosy with the parachute practicing holding the parachute with left hand and right hand

Closing: Shake Your Sillies Out with music and puppets