Burnham Bunch: Halloween Part Deux

Halloween = PARTY!

Read: There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro and Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills (super-cute non-scary Halloween book!)

Flannel Board: Bring out our Old Lady again and also used The Spooky Wheels on the Bus. 

No craft today because we must focus on all the super-cute costumes the kiddos are wearing, as well as our snacks and dancing. In years past, we would plan a party, for our kiddos and their families, on the Saturday prior to Halloween. But, it was usually at lot of work (and money!) with a little showing. So, last year we decided to just have a party during storytime...and it is a total success. Plus it gives the parents a chance to get some mileage out of these costumes! Let's party! Woo Hoo!

Burnham Bunch: Spiders

Halloween = Creepy, Crawly Spiders

Read: Aaaarrggh! Spider! by Lydia Monks and A Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle.

I storytime time is typically a great mix of kiddos between two and five years old. But, this year, the two's outweigh the group. I also have a pretty large Wednesday session. So, I am finding that the simpler the craft the better. I was trolling Pinterest for some inspiration, when I found this super-easy spider craft from my fav blogger No Time For Flash Cards.

Craft: Spotty Spider from No Time for Flash Cards

• Need: Paper plates, circle stickers, pipe cleaners and sticker-eyes.
• Prior to storytime, punch four small holes at the edge of the plate (both sides).
• Set out materials: At each craft seat place one plate, two sheets of dot stickers, two sticker-eyes and four pipe cleaners.
• Instruct the children to spotify their spider. When they have finished, stick on their sticker-eyes.
• Then have their parent help to thread the pipe cleaners through the holes.
• There you have it!

Burnham Bunch: Pumpkins

Pumpkins

Read: Pumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo, Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night by Anne Rockwell, Five Little Pumpkins illustrated by Ben Mantle

I have a horrible head cold. So, I used one of my easiest craft options. Sticky-back paper and tissue paper. Really, it can't get much easier than this. Little prep and clean-up. Perfect ....

Craft: Pumpkins

• Need: Sticky-back paper, pumpkin pattern, tissue paper (I used a orange/black tissue paper that I had lying around) and a brown crayon.
• Prior to storytime cut a pumpkin shape and then cut out the middle. Place shape, face down, on sticky-back paper (not including the stem). Trim tissue paper into small squares.
• At each craft seat, lay out the pumpkin -- sticky side up. Instruct children to cover the entire shape with tissue paper.
• When completed, trim and have them color in stem brown.

Burnham Bunch: Apples

Apple Time!

Read: Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins and Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington.

Storyboard: Felt tree and apples numbered 1-10. Using Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins, count down from 10 to zero with the farmer.

Craft: Apple printing bunting via The Crafty Crow

• Need: Apples cut in half, poster paint (green, red, yellow), popsicle sticks, newspaper, black markers, foam brushes and string.
• Prior to storytime, cut apples in half. One half per child. Stick a popsicle stick in the skin side to use as a stamping-handle (this will help the wee ones to hold onto the apple). Also, cut rectangle shapes ( 3x5 inches) out of the newsprint. For each child, string three rectagles to create the bunting.
• Begin with one color per plate per child. Have children dip apple into pain.
• Instruct them how to stamp apple onto one of the rectangles.
• Wipe apple with paper towel and have them apply second color and stamp the second rectangle. And then repeat for the third. One red, one yellow and one green.
• I usually offer to keep the painting craft at the library to dry. When the banner is dry, I will draw on a stem and green leaf. Easy-Peasy.