May 5th, 2015
The Books We Read:Little Sweet Potatoby Amy BloomIn the Garden: Who's Been Here? by Lindsay GeorgeIf You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
Song:The Farmer Plants the Seeds(To the tune of "Farmer in the Dell")The farmer plants the seeds, the farmer plants the seeds,Hi, Ho a Derry O, the farmer plants the seeds.
The rain begins to fall...The sun begins to shine...The plants begin to grow...
Project—Planting Seeds:
We had lots of fun decorating our containers and planting sunflowers, nasturtiums, and beans for our summer gardens.
May 1, 2018
The Books We Read:When Spring Comes by Kevin HenkesA Perfect Day by Lane Smith
Songs & Activities:We Clap and Say HelloWe clap and say hello! We clap and say hello!With our friends at storytime, we clap and say hello!
We [wiggle, jump, hop, stomp, dance, spin, whisper] and say hello...Credit: Adapted from Jbrary
Scarf Play- Let's Go Riding on an Elevator- Popcorn Kernels
Credit: Various
Craft—Egg Carton Flowers
Tempera paint, egg carton (cut into blocks of four), pipe cleaner, and a straw—that’s all you need to create a colorful spring flower!
April 18th, 2017
The Books We Read:A Perfect Day by Lane Smith (not pond-related, but I couldn't resist!)Ribbit! by Rodrigo FolguieraPig in the Pond by Martin WaddellSongs & Activities:Little White Duck by Walt Whippo
We sang the story to the original tune by Bernard Zaritzky, with a little help from our puppet friends (above).
Mmm-AH! Went the Little Green Frog (pond version)Mmm ah! went the little green frog one dayMmm ah! went the little green frogMmm ah! went the little green frog one dayand they all went mmm mmm ah!!But we know frogs go shanananana! shanananana! shanananana!We know frogs go shanananana!, they don't go mmm mmm ah!
Bloop bloop! went the little blue fish one dayBloop bloop! went the little blue fishBloop bloop! went the little blue fish one dayand they all went bloop bloop bloop!But we know fish go kissy kissy kiss! kissy kissy kiss! kissy kissy kiss!We know fish go kissy kissy kiss!, they don't go bloop bloop bloop!
Ssss-sss! went the little red snake one daySsss-sss! went the little red snakeSsss-sss! went the little red snake one dayand they all went ssss ssss ssss!!But we know snakes go jumpy jumpy jump, jumpy jumpy jump, jumpy jumpy jumpWe know snakes go jumpy jumpy jump,they don't go ssss ssss ssss!Credit: Revised from Jbrary
Craft—Lily Pads and Frogs:
The kids used watercolor paints to color their frogs and lily pads and scrunched up colorful tissue paper to make flowers.
April 26th, 2016
The Books We Read:In the Pond by Anna MilbourneRibbit! by Rodrigo FolguieraSongs & Activities:
Little White Duck (w/ characters, above)There was a little white duck, sitting on the water;A little white duck, doing what he oughtta;He took a bite of a lily pad, flapped his wings and he said,"I'm glad that I'm a little white duck, sitting on the water.Quack! Quack! Quack!"
There was a little green frog, swimming in the water;A little green frog, doing what he oughtta;He jumped right off of the lily pad that the little duck bit and he said,"I'm glad that I'm a little green frog, sitting on the water.Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!"
There was a little black bug, floating on the water;A little black bug, doing what he oughtta;He tickled the frog on the lily pad that the little duck bit and he said,"I'm glad that I'm a little black bug, floating on the water.Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
There was a little red snake, playing in the water;A little red snake, doing what he oughtta;He scared the duck and the frog so bad, he ate the bug and he said,"I'm glad that I'm a little red snake, playing in the water.Ssss! Ssss! Ssss!"
Now there was nobody left, playing in the water;Nobody left, doing what they oughtta;The only thing left is the lily pad...The duck and the frog ran away. I'm sad!There was nobody left, playing in the water."Boo! Hoo! Hoo!"Credit: Childhood (Burl Ives)
Craft—Lily Pads and Dragonflies:
The kids used tempera paint to color their lily pads and made flowers from pre-dyed coffee filters. Glitter was a must to get those dragonfly wings good and sparkly!
April 17, 2018
The Books We Read:The Digger and the Flower by Joseph KueflerIf You Plant a Seed by Kadir NelsonThe Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Five Fat PeasFive fat peas in a pea pod pressed. [Wrap one hand around the other fist.]One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest. [Unfurl fingers, one by one.]Well, they grew, and they grew, and they did not stop. [Motion outward with hands.]And they grew and they grew, ‘til they finally popped! [Motion outward with hands, then clap.]Credit: Jbrary
The Gardener Plants the SeedsTo the tune of ”Farmer in the Dell”The gardener plants the seeds, the gardener plants the seeds.Hi ho a Derry-o, the gardener plants the seeds
The sun comes out and shines...The rain begins to fall...The plants grow big and tall...Credit: Adapted from traditional
Craft—Planting Our Own Seeds
The children decorated their pots (yogurt containers) with stickers, filled them with potting soil, and tucked in bean or sunflower seeds.
And one week later...
And three months later!!!
March 31st, 2015
The Books We Read:Farmer Brown Shears His Sheepby Teri SloatSnippet the Early Riser by Bethanie MurguiaLittle Bird Takes a Bath by Marisabina Russo
Songs & Activities:Way Up in the SkyWay up in the sky, the big birdies fly,While down in the nest,the little birdies rest.
With a wing on the left, and a wing on the right,The little birdies sleep all through the night.Shhhhhhh...Don't wake up the birdies!
The bright sun comes up, the dew goes away.'Good morning! Good morning!" the little birds say.Credit: Childhood
Craft—Snail Suncatchers:
Inspired by Snippet, the Early Riser!
June 26, 2018
The Books We Read:Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac BarnettHow I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
Craft—Treasure Maps
We had a great time creating our own authentic treasure maps bedecked in gold paint and lots of sparkling jewels!
March 22nd, 2016
The Books We Read:Tap the Magic Tree by Christie MathesonStuck in the Mud by Jane ClarkeMy Garden by Kevin Henkes
Songs & Activities:Welcome SongHello Everybody, Hello Everybody, Hello Everybody!We're glad that you are here.Hello Springtime...Hello Flowers...Hello Birds...Hello Mud...Credit: Modified from childhood
Way Up in the SkyWay up in the sky, the big birdies fly;While down in the nest, the little birdies rest.With a wing on the left and a wing on the right,The little birdies sleep, most all of the night.Sssshhhhh, don't wake up the birdies...
The bright sun comes up, the moon goes away,"Good morning! Good morning!" the little birdies say.Credit:Childhood
Craft—Flower Collage:
We used watercolors, dot markers, insect stickers, and butterfly cut-outs to make a colorful spring picture.
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