This was our last week of story time before summer. We tend to end rather early in May because kids get really busy and we do too! We visit a number of schools gearing up for summer reading during the month of May and having a more open schedule allows me to attend all the school visits. I chose “green” as this week’s theme because now only is it finally beginning to be green outside; there are some great stories about the color “green” to choose from. Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree is an amazing picture book to demonstrate vocabulary with words like ocelot, sloth, and kinkajou. We got to be interactive with Little Green making the shapes in the air as Little Green (a hummingbird) flew around the garden. And finally, Where is the Green Sheep? is a crowd favorite that can’t be beat! It works on many different age levels and I have to believe that Mem Fox is a genius… (spoiler alert…) the green sheep is hiding behind a bush fast asleep and the kids go crazy every time! I’m pretty excited to have a little bit of a break and to gather some new ideas for this summer! Summer will be busy (as usual) with lots of fun programs and a toddler and parachute story time that I’ll be doing in the morning. I need to think about some new themes for this summer – fun, interactive themes that the kids will love! Opening Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them Yoga: Warm-up (Rock n Roll, Zip up Spine, Deep Breaths, Cat/Cow, pounce from child pose (lunge forward, Dog) Puppet: Meet Willy (monkey) and give high fives! Early Literacy Tip/Story Stretcher: Play “I Spy” looking for green things ASL Sign: Green – shake the letter “g” Book One Traditional: Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree by Jan Peck Yoga: Little Quack’s New Friend by Lauren Thompson Transition Traditional (fine motor skills): 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Yoga Sun Salutations (Mountain, Reach Up, Touch the Ground, Hands at Knees (flat back), Plank Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Walk Toward Hands, Repeat 3x) Book Two Traditional: Little Green by Keith Baker Yoga: Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger Transition (changes weekly) Traditional (fine motor skills): Music & Bubbles Yoga Focus: Airplane, Dancer, Dolphin, Fish, Flower, Bow Book Three Traditional: Where is the Green Sheep? By Mem Fox Yoga: Where is the Green Sheep? By Mem Fox Closing Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show Yoga: Cool-down (Bridge, Happy Baby Pose, Star Pose/Deep Breaths) “Cradle Spell of Dunvegan”(Putumayo Presents: Dreamland, World Lullabies & Soothing Songs) Namaste