Storytime Recap: Get Ready for Winter

Today we started storytime off with a new song, "Oh Hey, Oh Hi Hello" by Jim Gill. This is a fun way to say hello in a bunch of silly voices, plus it's a great way to practice for when Jim Gill comes to town on January 23rd. I talked first about how winter would officially be here next week, but that animals have already been getting ready for winter for awhile now. I then introduced a vocabulary word for the day, "hibernation." We had a smart group today, as a few already knew that hibernating meant sleeping in the winter for a long time. Our first story followed a squirrel getting ready for winter, The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri.

Then I asked the kids how they could get ready for winter. Warm clothes, eating a lot, and sleeping were all great answers. Then I told them I get read for winter by stretching and being active inside, for when it's too cold to play outside. So we did a short little stretch and rhyme.

Bend and stretch, (Bend down with straight legs) Reach for the stars. (Stretch arms up) There goes Jupiter, (Bend to left and stretch arms) Here comes Mars. (Bend to right and stretch arms) Bend and stretch, (Bend down with straight legs) Reach for the sky. (Stretch arms up) Stand on tip-e-toes, (Stand on toes, still stretching) Oh so high! (Stretch as high as possible)

Then I told them that we would find out how other animals and even plants get ready for winter in our next book, Count Down to Fall by Fran Hawk.

Then we did a quick tie-in action rhyme to keep restless hands busy.

See the little mousie (touch fingers to thumb) Creeping up the stair? (creep fingers up forearm) He’s looking for a warm nest (“look around” with hand) There – Oh! there! Oh! there! (tickle child inside elbow or under arm)

Next because we read a longer story, about a girl who carefully observes the wildlife in the woods near her house as they get ready for winter. Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston gives a wonderful sense of the quiet awe of the girl's nature views.

Then we adjusted Rock-A-Bye Baby to Rock-A-Bye Animals to sing all of the animals to sleep.

Rock-a-bye animals, on the treetop, When the wind blows, the cradle will rock, When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, And down will come animals, cradle and all.

Then we ended storytime with the new favorite call and response "Goodbye Song."

Our movie today was the animated version of Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, in which a forgetful bear tries to tell his busy friends a story before winter comes.