Burnham Bunch: Santa Claus

Christmas Part II

Read: 10 Trim-the-Tree'ers by Janet Schulman and Where, Oh Where is Santa Claus? by Lisa Wheeler

Storyboard: Read 10 Trim-the-Tree'ers and at the prompts, have children place items onto storyboard felt tree.

Craft: Candy Cane

• Need: Sticky-back paper. Ripped bits of red and white tissue paper. Glitter.
• Prior to storytime, trace candy cane shape onto non-sticky side of sticky-back paper and then into rectangles.
• At each seat, tape sticky-back paper (with backing removed) onto the table -- sticky side up.
• Instruct children to sprinkle a bit of glitter and then stick red and white tissue onto the candy cane, trying to remain in the lines of the shape.
• Have each child raise their hand when completed. Apply a sheet of white copy paper on top of sticky-back paper. Cut into the candy cane shape.

Burnham Bunch: Snowman

Snowman

Read: There Was a Cold Lady That Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro and The Snowman Storybook with words by Raymond Briggs

Storyboard: As the story progresses prompt children to put story pieces on our Old Lady's apron.

Craft: Snowman

• Need: Craft paper in blue and orange, string, fabric scraps, sticker eyes, white poster paint and regular-size marshmallows.
• Prior to storytime, trace and cut snowmen from blue craft paper and carrot noses from orange paper. Trim string for the snowman's smile and trim fabric for scarf. Write child's name on each snowman.
• Set up each craft seat with snowman, marshmallow and a plate with a small amount of white paint.
• Instruct children to flip over snowman, so their name is on the backside and then paint snowman using the marshmallow as a stamp.
• When finished painting. Have children adhere (using glue or a bit of the paint) the nose, eyes, and scarf.

Well, we did have a bit of snow before today's craft....Well, at least some of us did! I had 2 inches at my house. But when I drove into work, there was not a flake to be seen! But it is COLD! So, I think the children will get the idea?

Hey, Mr. Snowman!

Burnham Bunch: Christmas Macaroni Ornaments

Christmas Part 1

Read: The Mitten by Jan Brett and Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Story extender: As story is read, prompt children to add their animal to the "mitten"

Craft: Macaroni Ornaments

I love this easy craft. Each year, I try to change it up a bit....This year I am using popsicle sticks!! (Oh, I know....I am such a craft genius)

• Need: Assorted macaroni of your choice, white glue, popsicle sticks and silver spray paint.
• At each craft seat, place a paper plate with child's name and three pop-sticks.
• Place assorted macs in the middle of the table for children to share.
• Instruct children to glue together pop-sticks in a snowflake shape.
• Rule for this craft: The MORE glue the better!!!
• When sticks are glued, ask children to choose five macs to decorate their snowflake. Then instruct them to glue macs to pop-sticks.
• When all children have completed their project. Explain that this is just the first step to their completed project and that you are going to help them finish.
• Spray each ornament with silver paint. Hot glue a string to the back.

The moms loved this craft....I can't wait to see the finished painted projected! And the children love that you couldn't use enough glue! They don't hear that very often ....

Step One: Make a snowflake shape

Step Two: Glue it to death with macaroni

The finished product





The Read Abouts: November

Thanksgiving

Read: Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman and The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing

Craft: Turkey Place Markers (from FamilyFun.com)

Need: Way to many things for me to write...So, check out the Family Fun link above....

This is a really cute and easy craft. If you make them at home, you can create one for each family member attending Thanksgiving dinner. We are going to have each child make one....with a Happy Thanksgiving clipped in the clothes pin.






 





Burnham Bunch: Thanksgiving Turkeys

Thanksgiving

Read: What is Thanksgiving by Harriet Ziefert and Gobble Gobble Crash by Julie Stiegemeyer

Craft: Playdough Turkeys (Just Deanna)

• Need playdough (recipe here), feathers, beaks, eyes and orange pipe-cleaner feet
• Prior to storytime make the above playdough recipe....Just love storytime "homework"
• Give each child a wad of playdough on a paper plate. (helps for transporting it home)
• Instruct them to roll it into a ball and then
• Then stick in the feathers and feet, apply eyes and beak. Easy-peasy





  

Burnham Bunch: Thanksgiving Noodle Necklaces

Pilgrims/Friendship

Read: The Little Pilgrim by Brandi Dougherty

Storyboard: Turkey Wore a (Color) Feather

Tune: Mary Wore a Red Dress

Turkey wore a red feather, red feather, red feather.

Turkey wore a red feather all day long.

....continue calling out various colors having children place their feather on board as their color is called.

....last verse

Turkey wore rainbow feathers, rainbow feathers, rainbow feathers.

Turkey wore rainbow feathers all night long.

Craft: "Native American" Noodle Necklaces

• Need: Dyed macaroni -- in various colors, pipe cleaners or string.
• Prior to storytime dye the macaroni. This is really simple: mix food coloring and isopropyl alcohol in a Ziplock bag (enough to cover the mac). Add mac and let sit until you get the desired hue. Lay mac in a single layer on a paper towel-covered cookie sheet. Not going to lie to you....the smell is HARSH! Let dry overnight.
• At storytime, set each child's place with cup or plate (we used recycled fruit cups), 12-15 macaroni, and pipe cleaner or string.
• *Hint* You may need to combine two pipe cleaners for necklace length. And threading is a ton easier for wee ones when using pipe cleaners. Also, "j" the ends, so the noodles don't fall off when they are thread
• Instruct them on how to thread their mac onto the pipe cleaner or string. Afix the two ends together and slip over their heads. Super cute and EASY!  

Our "beads"

 

Beautiful Necklace



Burnham Bunch: Squirrels

Squirrels

Read: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Craft: Acorn painting (No Time for Flash Cards/Mom Tried It)

• Need acorns, paint - orange, yellow, brown, acorn stencil.
• Like marble painting and apple printing. Children can experiment with acorns by rolling and using top for stamping. (Thanks for the acorns, mom!!)

No Time for Flash Cards