Story Time Theme: Langauge

This is the last week of our summer story time schedule!  YAY!!! We’re crossing things off the summer schedule and I have to say that I’m pretty excited take a little break until the fall session starts.  Overall, even though I had a huge crowd signed up for story time this summer, I usually only had about 10 kids in story time each week.  This week (Week 6) we focused on language.  After five weeks of early literacy skills I wanted to encourage parents to read stories that used other languages so I gave them a few examples.  The kids loved “moo-ing” during our first story.  I think I need to find a way to make Bebé Goes Shopping a little more interactive, but we had a lot of fun with Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? done in sign language.  The kids were doing a great job of imitating me by focusing on the animals signs.  I used a YouTube video to teach me how to sign the story.  It’s not to difficult and you can even just focus on colors or animals rather than signing the whole story.  I really liked all of my story time themes this session and have to start thinking about what I want to focus on this fall…  Let the planning begin!
Opening

• Traditional: Put Your Hands Up In the Air & Open Shut Them
• Parachute: “Rockin’ the Chute” (Shakin’ the Chute: Fitness with a Parachute – Michael Plunkett) & My Wiggles

Puppet: Meet Willy (monkey) and give high fives!
Early Literacy Tip/Story Stretcher: Talk, read, sing in the language you know best. This allows you to have teachable moments with your children easily and fluently.
ASL Sign: sign (using “1” hands pedal hands in front of chest backwards)
Book 1: Everywhere a Cow Says “Moo!” by Ellen Slusky Weinstein
Transition

• Traditional (fine motor): “No More Monkeys” (Putumayo Kids Presents: Animal Playground)
• Parachute (popcorn): “Sandy River Belle” (Putumayo Kids Presents: European Playground)

Book 2: Bebé Goes Shopping by Susan Middleton Elya
Transition (changes weekly)

• Traditional (gross motor): “Mbube” (Putumayo Kids Presents: African Playground)
• Parachute: “No More Monkeys” (Putumayo Kids Presents: Animal Playground)

Book 3: Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. (sign language)
Closing

• Traditional: Shake Your Sillies Out Puppet Show
• Parachute: “Mbube” (Putumayo Kids Presents: African Playground)