Burnham Bunch: Racoons

Raccoons

Read: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Rabbit and Hare Divide an Apple by Harriet Ziefert

Flannel board: Using Rabbit and Hare Divide an Apple
Via Google.com/images I searched and found photos of a mushroom, an apple, two hares and one raccoon. I cut the mushroom and apple in an uneven halves. For the apple, I cut the smaller and larger pieces into halves. As the story progressed, I divided the mushroom and the apple into pieces. Using prompts we will discuss fairness, sharing, and greediness.

Craft: Raccoon masks - The Creativity Corner via Pinterest

Need: Paper plates, black construction paper, glue sticks, large popsicle sticks, large google eyes, and black crayons.

• Prior to storytime, I cut the plate in half. Using the remnant, I cut "inner" ear shapes. Out of black paper, I cut a "mask" shape and two "outer" ears.
• At storytime, the kiddos first glued the "inner" ears to the "outer" ears. Then I asked them to color all the white pieces with their black crayon.
• When they finished coloring, I asked them to assemble their raccoon: First glue the ears to the head. Next our raccoon's mask and then large google eyes. Last in place, the popsicle stick.

I'm in love ....

Here are some new favs ...

That Mo Willems! He has done it again. Great "twist" on the traditional story.

This is a lovely book from one of my favorite authors, Sarah Stewart.

I'm Bored by actor/comedian Michael Ian Black. LOVE IT!

This book is soooo cute.

Burnham Bunch: Fall

Fall

The first day of Fall is on September 22nd. I simply can't wait! I LOVE the fall. I love leaves and pumpkins and apple and anything made with apples and boots and jackets and the smell ..... So, we are going to make some fall trees!

Read:  Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson and Let if Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Flannel Board: Leaves on the Trees .... from Awesome Storytime via Pinterest

Craft: Q-tip Trees found here via Pinterest

Need: Q-tips, paper plates, paint in brown, red, orange, and yellow, brown and white craft paper, and glue sticks.

• Prior to storytime I cut out trunk shapes.
• At each craft seat, I placed a piece of sturdy white paper, glue stick and trunk, and a small plate with a few dollops of the various colors of paint and four Q-tips.
• I asked each kiddos, to apply their trunk.
• Then the fun happens. Stamp the tree with your Q-tips to make a beautiful design.
• Done! And beautiful!

 

We celebrated one of our kiddo's 3rd birthday today with cupcakes baked by mom. Happy Birthday!

Burnham Bunch: International Dot Day

International Dot Day

What is International Dot Day? Well, the day was inspired by Peter H. Reynolds fantastic book The Dot. Reynolds tells the story of a girl named Vashti, who begins a journey of self-discovery after she is dared by her teacher to “make her mark.”

Exploring the book's theme, International Dot Day is for educators around the world to encourage their students' creativity and to make their mark! We are celebrating a bit early to coincide with our Burnham Bunch Storytime (see, sometimes it is ok to bend the rules!).

Read: Ish by Peter Reynolds

Watch: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

I was able to purchase a fantastic video from Scholastic to show to the kiddos. I have never used movies during storytime. Mostly, because I feel storytime should be about books and reading (and I know that most of the parents feel the same way).

BUT, I just had to show this video to the children. I am slowly learning, improving and manipulating my storytime in order to fit my personality and that of my kiddos. So, we will see how it goes! I also bought a great set of Caldecott Classics on video, so perhaps occasionally I will continue to incorporate a movie? We'll see ......

Craft: Coffee Filter Dots

Need: Coffee filters, markers, water spritzer and frames.

• The kiddos used markers to make designs and/or color their coffee filters.
• I decided that it would be easier if I "spritzed" the filters outside. So, I asked the kids to leave their projects at their craft seat. I told them that next week they would be able to see the magic!
• After their artwork had dried, I displayed all the dots on a bulletin board with each beautiful dot creation "framed."

Before the "magic"

 

Burnham Bunch: Welcome Back 2012

Welcome Back

Read: There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Book by Lucille Colandro and Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss

Flannel board: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books! As the story progresses, kiddos placed story-pieces on our Old Lady's apron.

Craft: Book Worm found at here

Need: Green paper, black marker, glue stick, sticker eyes, and stickers.

• Prior to storytime I used my awesome new Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, to cut various sizes of circles.
• I also drew on a smile and glasses with the black marker.
• At storytime, explain to the kiddos what makes someone a bookworm.
• Have the kiddos glue the circles together in a wormy shape.
• Then they can stick on their eyes and their book stickers.
• That is it .... Easy peasy!

Ugh! I can't not figure out how to flip this!