Parachute Storytime: Hats Off!

I got a chance to do two parachute storytimes yesterday and it’s fun to see the kids who really love the parachute get a chance to release some energy with lots of movement. A few kids come in with much more trepidation, but most will stay and just observe.

This was a stand alone storytime program, although we have offered this in a six-week session and kids will often become more comfortable after seeing the parachute week after week. My first group of kids had a lot of energy, so the books were harder to get through, but they loved the activities. My second group of kids is an integrated storytime with families as well as a small group of children from our early intervention services program from the county – this group was a little bit older and they all did an amazing job listening to not only the stories but also the directions.

At the beginning of parachute storytime I teach the kids that when I say “FREEZE!” our parachute is placed on the floor (which works well for a little classroom management). Overall, the kids had a ton of fun playing with parachute, releasing some winter energy and the adults were having a great time watching their kids, taking pictures and enjoying themselves as well!

Books:

• A Good Day for a Hat by T. Nat Fuller, illustrated by Rob Hodgson
• You Must Bring a Hat! by Simon Philip, illustrated by Kate Hindley

Rhymes & Songs:

• Introduction: Hello Parachute (Jbrary)
  Hello parachute, hello parachute (gently shake parachute)
  Oh so grand, oh so grand
  I can lift you, I can lift you (lift parachute)
  With my hands, with my hands
• Song: “The Tempo Marches On” by Jim Gill (Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi On His Toe Leg Knee)
• Rhyme: Grand Old Duke of York
  Oh, the grand old Duke of York,
  He had ten thousand men,
  He marched them up to the top of the hill (raise the chute)
  And he marched them down again (lower)
  And when they’re up, they’re up (raise)
  And when they’re down, they’re down (lower),
  And when they’re only half-way up, (raise half-way)
  They’re neither up nor down (raise, lower).
• Song: “Battu” by Angelique Kidjo (Putumayo Kids: African Playground)“Popcorn” with balls tossed on the parachute
• Rhyme: Bananas Unite
  Bananas unite!
  Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas
  Chop bananas, chop chop bananas
  Mash bananas, mash mash bananas
  Eat bananas, eat, eat bananas
  Go Bananas!
• Song: “Aves” by Guillermo Anderson (Putumayo Kids: Animal Playground)
• Closing: Goodbye Parachute
  Goodbye parachute, goodbye parachute (gently shake parachute)
  Time to go, time to go
  I can help you, I can help you
  Parachute low, parachute low (bring the parachute to ground)