February 24, 2016 Story Time - Chinese New Year

If you missed this weeks story time here is what we did:

*marks the books we read

My First Chinese New Year  by Karen Katz*
Bringing in the New Year  by Grace Lin
Monkey Colors  by Darrin Lunde*
Chinese New Year  by Saviour Pirotta
The Monkey Goes Bananas  by C. P. Bloom*
Chinese New Year  by Ann Heinrichs
Chelsea's Chinese New Year  by Lisa Bullard

For our craft we made a monkey mask like this one:
http://goo.gl/h887oO


Extra activities:
We talked about Chinese New Year; when it is and what animals make up the chinese zodiac. Then we talked about which animal sign we were born under and what the traits were for that animal.

February 17, 2016 Story Time - Presidents Day

If you missed this weeks story time here is what we did:

*marks the books we read

George Washington-Our First President  by Garnet Jackson*
President's Day  by Laura Alden
George Washington  by Wil Mara
Honest Abe Lincoln  by David A. Adler
The House That George Built  by Suzanne Slade
Abe Lincoln His Wit and Wisdom From A-Z  by Alan Schroeder
The White House  by Lynda Sorensen*
I am Abraham Lincoln  by Brad Meltzer
Madam President  by Lane Smith

For our craft we made a picture of George Washington like this one:
http://goo.gl/N6f55N

Extra activities:
We talked about the different kids of pets the presidents had. George Washington had 8 dogs, a donkey, a parrot and 2 horses. Thomas Jefferson had 2 dogs, 2 bear cubs, a horse and a mockingbird. John Quincy Adams had silkworks. Abraham Lincoln had 2 goats, a turkey, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a horse and a rabbit.

We talked about how the president is elected; by vote. The children were asked what pet they would have if they were president; a puppy or a kitty. They filled out ballots and put them in the ballot box. After everyone was done voting we tallied the votes to find out which pet was the most popular. Puppies won 3-2

We talked about and looked at money and who is on what coin:
Penny - Abraham Lincoln
Nickel - Thomas Jefferson
Dime - Franklin Roosevelt
Quarter - George Washington

Five Little Pennies
Five little pennies rolled in the door
one was spent and now there are four
four little pennies belong to me
one was lost and now there are three
three little pennies put in my shoe
one bought a toy and now there are two
two little pennies sitting on my thumb
one fell off and now there is one
one little penny hot from the sun
I picked it up and now there are none!

February 10, 2016 Story Time - Valentine's Day

If you missed this weeks story time here is what we did:

*marks the books we read

Clifford's Valentines  by Norman Bridwell*
1-2-3 Valentine's Day (A Counting Book)  by Jeanne Modesitt
Who Wants a Hug?  by Jeff Mack
The Ballad of Valentine  by Alison Jackson
The  Shape of My Heart  by Mark Sperring*
The Night Before Valentine's Day  by Natasha Wing
My Heart Is Like a Zoo  by Michael Hall
Pigs in Love  by Teddy Slater*

For our craft we decorated Valentine's Day cards like the ones found here:
http://goo.gl/ioOqql

Extra activities:
This Valentine is shaped like...(shapes+rhymes=phonemic awareness)
This valentine is shaped like a square
this valentine is shaped like a bear
this valentine is shaped like a circle
this valentine is colored purple
this valentine is shaped like a rectangle
this valentine is shaped like a triangle
this valentine is shaped like a dove
this valentine is shaped with love!

Five Little Valentines
Five little valentines, I bought at the store
I gave one to mother, now I have four
four little valentines, pretty as can be
I gave one to daddy, now I have three
three little valentines, red, white and blue
I gave one to brother, now I have two
two little valentines, enough for everyone
I gave one to sister, now I have one
one little valentine, what should I do?
I know what, I'll give this one to you!

February 3, 2016 Story Time - Groundhog Day

If you missed this weeks story time here is what we did:

*marks the books we read

Go To Sleep, Groundhog!  by Judy Cox*
Groundhogs Burrow  by Dee Phillips
Guess Whose Shadow?  by Stephen R. Swinburne*
Groundhog Day (The Library of Holidays)  by Amy Margaret*
Go To Sleep, Little Groundhog  by Claude Clement
Who Will See Their Shadows This Year?  by Jerry Pallotta*
Grumpy Groundhog  by Maureen Wright

For our craft we made a picture like the one pictured here:
http://goo.gl/2KPYqN

Extra activities:
We talked about groundhogs (woodchucks); where they live, what they eat, the meaning of groundhog day

Here's a Little Groundhog
Here's a little groundhog, furry and brown (raise thumb up)
he's coming up to look around (move thumb up and down)
if he seed his shadow (put hand over eyes as though searching)
down he'll go (hide thumb in fist)
then six more weeks of winter--OH NO! (put up 6 fingers)

Open, Shut Them
Open, shut them, open, shut them, give a little clap
open, shut them, open, shut them, lay them in your lap
creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them, right up to your chin
open wide your little mouth, but do not put them in
open, shut them, open, shut them, give a little clap
open, shut them, open, shut them, lay them in your lap