Story Time Theme: Winter & Snow

I was able to get to work today!!!  It probably snowed about 8 inches yesterday with more snow expected tomorrow and a Nor’easter expected to tear through our area on Sunday.  I’m tired of the snow, but couldn’t help but have a snow themed story time for my kids in Parachute Story Time this morning.

ASL Sign: Snow (flutter “5 hands” down in front of you)

Parent Info: Background knowledge is information children are taught and gain through experience.  Researchers have found that it is easier for children with strong background knowledge to understand what they read when they are older!

Opening: “Oh Hey Oh Hi Hello” (Jim Gill Makes It Noisy in Boise, Idaho)

Book 1: Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep ~ by, Jane Yolen
This is a great book to talk about animals that hibernate and also mentions a lot of different animals such as gophers, badgers, skunks, chipmunks and more.  I use this as an example about the importance of background knowledge and acknowledge the poetry and rhythm as well.

Transition: (popcorn): “Milch” (Putumayou Kids Presents: Picnic Playground: Musical Treats from Around the World)

Book 2: Under My Hood I Have a Hat ~ by, Karla Kuskin
The kids had fun telling me what they wear when they go out in the snow.  They didn’t really “get” the end of the story when the little girl can’t get up when she falls in the snow, but they liked seeing the snow angel she made.

Transition (changes weekly): “I Really Love to Dance” (The Best of The Laurie Berkner Band)

Book 3: One Mitten ~ by, Kristine O’Connell George
This can be a very interactive book as we learned what can happen with one mitten and what else can happen when there are two mittens!

Closing: “Freeze!!” (Shakin’ the Chute: Fitness with a Parachute by Michael Plunkett)