Burnham Bunch: Fall Leaves

Fall leaves

It has been chilly the last few days, and I can just FEEL the Autumn coming! This is my favorite time of year. I like to "nest." I put my jam-jams on and drink hot tea and eat apple pie and go apple picking and wear cozy sweaters and wear tights and curl up under my down comforter .... geez I can go all day!


Read: Mouses's First Fall by Lauren Thompson and Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

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

Craft: Falling Leaves Mobile via No Time For Flash Cards

Need: Green, red, yellow and orange paper, glue sticks

• Prior to storytime, we cut out swirly-swirls from the green paper. I used my amazing Silhouette cutter to cut out leaves in red, orange, and yellow.
• At storytime, the kiddos glued leaves to their swirly-swirls ...
• And that is that!

Burnham Bunch: Welcome Back

Welcome Back!

We're back!! First day of storytime! Actually, it is the first day of our new school year programs. We have a bunch of new stuff planned ... and we are very excited to get started. Our storytime group is a bit small this year: five on Wednesdays and six on Thursdays. Also, they are ALL boys with only one girl. So, this should be interesting. But, I am up for the challenge. I love that every year it is a bit of different.

Stay tuned ....

Read: Book! Book! Book! by Deborarh Bruss and I Love Going Through This Book by Robert Burleigh

Flannel board: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books
Our copy of the book went "missing" (a.k.a. never returned) so, I had to improvise on some of the text.

Craft: Book Worm Book Mark

Need: Sticky-back paper, tissue paper scraps, green paper, yarn and hole-punch.

• Prior to storytime, I cute 3 x 14 inch book marks from the sticky-back paper. We have a ton of tissue paper scraps from various projects ... so that was handy. And Susan, cut out worm shapes from the green paper.
• We folded the book marks in half (to make a back and front) and taped it to craft table. We left one half exposed and the other half covered.
• After we read our booky stories, I asked the kiddos to select a craft seat.
• At this point, the kiddos explored the sticky-paper. (We don't need ANY glue!!)
• Then they stuck on their worm and then the colorful paper.
• While we were creating our book marks, I asked the kiddos if they knew what was the purpose of a book mark. And we discussed the proper care of books and etc.
• When they finished, I folded the sticky-paper together to make a book mark. We also punched a hole on top and threaded a piece of yarn. And finished it up with their name and date on the back.

Summer Bunch: Pirates

Arrrrrrr! The Pirates Life for ME!

Read: Shiver me Letters by June Sobel and Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi

Flannel board: Pirate Pete and his Colorful Patches found at Loons and Quines 

Craft: Pirate Hooks found here Pinterest  -- I couldn't find the actually link to this project.

Need: Solo Cups (mine are the smaller size), aluminium foil, Exacto knife and scissors, gemstone stickers (found these at Oriental Trading).

Summer Bunch: Worms

Wiggly Worms 

Read: Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser

Song: Herman the Worm found at No Time For Flash Cards (I just love her!)

Game: Wiggle Worm Game found here on Pinterest

Craft: Worm Painting with Spaghetti also found at No Time for Flash Cards

Need: Cooked spaghetti, paint, sturdy paper and paint.

• Dip spaghetti into paint and make a wormy design.

Summer Bunch: Burrowers

Hedgehog vs. Porcupine

Do you know the difference between a hedgehog and a porcupine? Well, I didn't! Porcupines have loooooonng "quills" that they shoot-out in defense. Hedgehogs, only found in Europe, have short smooth "spines." These are just a few differences. Learn something everyday!!!

Read: How do You Hug a Porcupine by Laurie Isop

Flannel board: Apple Trouble by Ragnhild Scammell

Craft: Paperplate Hedgehog found via Pinterst

Need: Paper plate, brown crayon, scissors and black marker and sticker-eye.

• Prior to storytime, fold plate in half, and cut out face shape as well as drawer on ears, smile and nose.
• Set-up each craft seat with one hedgehog, a sticker-eye and a brown crayon.
• First they will color their porcupine brown.
• Then adhere sticker-eye.
• We handed-out the scissors and instructed the kiddos to cut their quills.

Summer Bunch: Antics

Antics

Read: The Ants Go Marching (borrowed from Woodbury P.L.)

Flannel Board: Two Bad Ants found in the CSLP Summer Manual pg 156.

Craft: Ant puppet

Need: Heavy cardboard or paint stick, black craft paper, glue, black pipe cleaners and sticker eyes

• Prior to storytime, cut out 3 circles -- two largish and one small
• Place 3 pipe cleaners, 3 circles and a paint stick/cardboard and glue at each craft seat.
• First have kiddos, place LOTS of glue onto the stick/cardboard
• Then place pipe cleaners onto the glue and then adhere the circles on top.
• That is about it!