Burnham Bunch: Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat

Read: Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons and Pete the Cat and His White Sneakers by Paul Dean

Puppet: Pete the Cat

Super-cute early literacy and counting idea here at The Seeds Network

WHILE YOU READ:Before you read, have children put 4 circle/dot stickers on their OWN shirt (you can put 4 dots on each circle with a marker to make it look more like a button, if you wish). I also put 4 sticker buttons on my shirt as well. As you read the story and Pete looses a button, have the children take one of their sticker buttons off their shirt and put it onto their yellow paper shirt. Have them count how many buttons they have left on their own shirt – to go along with how many buttons Pete has left on his shirt.

Continue until all the buttons are off their shirts and onto their paper shirt.  They can then bring their paper shirt home to be able to re-tell the story.  Or they can use their paper shirt in the art center, draw a picture of Pete and glue the coat on.

Flannel board: Pete and His White Sneakers here on Libraryland

Craft: Button Bracelet

Need: Buttons, pipe cleaners

   

Burnham Bunch: For the Birds!

For the Birds!

I love birds. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to our fine feathered friends. We have a kiddos with multiple food allergies, so I try to be very cautious -- therefore, no peanut butter. Last year, the kiddos made Cheerio bird feeders. So, I was looking for another option ... and found this great idea on Pinterest (Gosh, I just love you Pinterest! Love, love love!)

Read:

Flannel Board: Two Little Birds from My Storytime Life

Craft: Bird Feeder from eighteen25 -- Visit for complete directions (and check-out her other great ideas)

Need: bird seed "batter" (bird seed, water, gelatin) twine or string, cookie cutters/molds and wax paper

• I decided to make the birdseed "batter" ahead of time. I brought in my electric tea kettle and prepared it in the office. 
• At each craft seat, I set out a small scoop of the bird seed "batter," a piece of wax paper and a piece of twine.
• We have this BIG set of cookie cutters ... so I let the kiddos select one/two.
• These need to dry, so I had paper plates handy for easy transport.

Burnham Bunch: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

I have been working with the idea that reusing your ideas was cheating. I am such a silly girl! Why fix what isn't broken?! If the kiddos love it and you are comfortable with it ... then go ahead. Reuse, reuse, reuse!

So, I have decided to use the same books and flannel board as last year. But, I added a new craft that I found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

Read: Guess Who? A Foldout Valentine's Adventure, A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy and Big Hugs, Little Hugs by Felicia Bond

Flannel board: Six Little Valentine's found on Pinterest from Flannel Friday. You can find the wording on the original here on the original post

Craft: Secret Message from Crafts by Amanda

Need: White and pink craft paper, red watercolor paint, paint brush, white crayon, glue stick.

• Prior to storytime, Susan cut out some chubby hearts for the secret message.
• At storytime, I set all the supplies out at each craft seat. We asked each parent/caregiver/grandparent, to write a secret message to their child on the white heart.
• After reading our books, the kiddos headed to their seats. I explained to each child, that there was a special secret message that would be revealed with the red watercolor. Like magic!
• We tried not to give them too much paint. Otherwise, the heart would have ended up as a soggy mess. 
• After they were done revealing their message, we glued the heart onto the pink craft paper. 
• So, cute!