Story Time Theme: Clap, Tap, & Drum
This was a new theme for me… Clap, Tap, and Drum and I was hesitant when I began planning this because I tried some new books and I wasn’t quite sure how they’d turn out. I had a little trouble with my younger kids and the first book. They did not interact with the sounds as much as Ithought they would. But, in my older, yoga story time group, the kids LOVED making the noises and helping me “read” the book. All the kids (and some of the parents too) got into the second book. It’s about a band that starts off very quiet and far away, until it gets closer and closer and louder and louder before fading away again. There is a lot of repetition, making this a great story time book. And our third book, all the kids enjoyed. 
The kids had the chance to guess the animals as I turned the pages and they had a lot of fun with that. Overall, I was pleased with how it turned out and I’m excited for a short break before story times start back again the first week of April. My libray has some really great programs that we are implementing in the next month or so and I’m excited to share them with all of you!
Opening
- Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them
- Parachute: 1,2,3 Good Morning
- Yoga: Warm-up (Rock n Roll, Zip up Spine, Deep Breaths, Cat/Cow, Dog)
Book 1: Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by, Wynton Marsalis
Transition
- Traditional: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
- Parachute: The Parachute Rap (Shakin’ the Chute – J CD 0502)
- Yoga: Sun Salutations (Mountain, Reach Up, Touch the Ground, Hands at Knees (flat back), Plank Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Walk Toward Hands, Repeat)
Book 2: Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat by, Gene Baer
Transition (changes weekly)
- Traditional: Jump and Fly Laurie Berkner Band (Rocketship Run)
- Parachute: Beach Ball Roll (roll beach ball around the outside edge of the parachute by lowering parachute as ball passes and raising it up when ball is passed)
- Yoga: Poses (Danda, Slide, Fish, Plow, lion)
Book 3: Dancing Feet by, Lindsey Craig
Closing
- Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show
- Parachute: Rocketship Run (run underneath) – Laurie Berkner Band (Rocketship Run)
- Yoga: Cool-down (Bridge, Happy Baby Pose, Star Pose/Deep Breaths)
- Naima Putumayo (Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs)
Early Literacy Extras ~ Songs & Rhymes to Share:
Can You? (suit actions to words)
Can you walk on tiptoe, as softly as a cat?
Can you march along the road, stamp, stamp like that?
Can you take some great big steps, like a giant can?
Or walk along so slowly, like an old, old man?
We Can (suit actions to words)
We can jump, jump, jump.
We can hop, hop, hop.
We can clap, clap, clap.
We can stomp, stomp, stomp.
We can shake our heads for “”yes”.
We can shake our heads for “no”.
We can bend our knees a little bit and sit down slow.
Teddy Bear Teddy Bear Ten Bears In My Bed
(suit actions to words)
Teddy bear teddy bear turn around
Teddy bear teddy bear touch the ground
Teddy bear teddy bear reach up high
Teddy bear teddy bear touch the sky
Teddy bear teddy bear touch your shoe
Teddy bear teddy bear I Love you (big hug)
Teddy bear teddy bear turn out the light
Teddy bear teddy bear say goodnight
-make up your own verses!-