Opening Song: "If You're Happy and You Know It" [standing up] with whispered added verse "If it's storytime and you know it, say Shhhh..."
[Quick note about what "rhyme" means, value of rhyming as early literacy skill-builder, and parent/caregiver tip: play rhyming versions of "I Spy"]
OR
Book: Rhyme Crime by John Burgerman
Action Rhyme, seated: "Two Little Blackbirds" or variation
Action Rhyme, standing: "I'm Very Very Tall"
Action Rhyme, standing: "I'm Very Very Tall"
I’m very very tall
I’m very very small
Tall – Small
Now I’m a tiny ball
I stretch my arms out wide
and now my arms will hide
Wide – Hide
and now they’re by my side
Song: “Dance, Freeze, Melt” by The Learning Groove from Rockin' Red
OR
Song: "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around" by The Wiggles
OR
Song: "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around" by The Wiggles
Activity/Guessing Game: "Where Oh Where is My Teddy Bear?"
Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney [have kids say "red pajama" every time I say "llama llama"]
Action Rhyme with Scarves: "Things we can do with our Scarves":
We can wave them way up high
We can pretend they're capes and fly [like a superhero]
We can swish them side to side
We can use our scarves to hide [drape scarf entirely over head, like ghost]
We can make believe they're hair [drape scarf on head, looking silly]
Activity with Scarves: "Scarves Up!" (variation on "Thumbs Up!" from Preschools for All. Pass out scarves; have kids stand up).
"I'll say three words and if they rhyme, throw your scarf in the air! if they don't, keep your scarf very still. To parents and caregivers: this game is a great way to develop children's listening skills, and can be played standing in line or waiting at the doctor's office, etc. with a "thumbs up" instead of a scarf.
Song with Scarves: "Silly When You Stop" by Jim Gill
Book [if time, or switch in above instead of Llama Llama], standing:
Jump! by Scott M. Fischer [Have kids jump on word "JUMP!"]
Closing Song: Laurie Berkner's "These Are My Glasses" a cappella. "Today, everything we find in our book will begin with R." Possibles before opening to kids for suggestions: Rattlesnake! Raging Rhinoceros! Rocket [count down and blast off]!
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Alternate: Follow Rhyming Dust Bunnies with Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny! Close with Llama Llama.
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Alternate: Follow Rhyming Dust Bunnies with Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny! Close with Llama Llama.
Action Rhyme, seated: "This is Big" via Mel's Desk ["Not only do the words in this rhyme, they are also opposites!", a few words about opposites]
This is big big big
[Hold arms out to side]
This is small small small
[Cup hands together]
This is short short short
[Hold hands one above other, palms facing each other]
This is tall tall tall
[Reach one hand above head]
This is fast fast fast
[Circle fists quickly]
This is slow slow slow
[Circle fists slowly]
This is yes yes yes
[Nod]
This is no no no
[Shake head]
[Hold arms out to side]
This is small small small
[Cup hands together]
This is short short short
[Hold hands one above other, palms facing each other]
This is tall tall tall
[Reach one hand above head]
This is fast fast fast
[Circle fists quickly]
This is slow slow slow
[Circle fists slowly]
This is yes yes yes
[Nod]
This is no no no
[Shake head]
