I had 95 people at this session. I hate to say this … but it was too many! The kids were a little unruly and hard to control with that many bodies. I also had some older siblings that were leading the pack which wasn’t helpful. But we pressed on!
Book: Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Beth Coulton; illustrated by Nate Wragg
The three bears are looking for a lead singer for their band. Does Goldi have the vocal talent they need?
I had a rowdy group today and I’m not even sure people could hear me over all the talking (and it wasn’t just the kids!). I had a small group at the front that was paying attention so I read for them. The other kids were ready to get the show on the road!
Welcome Song: Clap Your Hands by Old Town School of Folk Music
Song: She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain by Old Town School of Folk Music
Song: Run Baby Run by Caspar Babypants
RHYTHM STICKS
Oh lord. We didn’t have enough rhythm sticks for everyone. So that was tough. And then one of the songs I was planning (Rhythm Patterns by Sally’s Music Circle) was way too soft to be heard by this huge crowd. So we had to skip it.
I sang one of the songs myself (This Is the Way We Tap Our Sticks) and that wasn’t a good idea without a microphone. And I had taken out one of my planned songs (Hot Dog! from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) because I’ve learned from past story times that three songs are sufficient for props but I didn’t know Rhythm Patterns wasn’t going to work so now there weren’t enough. *deep breath* Story times are like live theater. You just never know what’s going to happen.
Song: This is the Way We Tap Our Sticks (to the tune of Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we tap our sticks,
Tap our sticks, tap our sticks,
This is the way we tap our sticks,
So early in the morning.
Scrape our sticks // Hammer our sticks // Tap them soft // Tap them loud // Drum the floor
Source: 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children by Abigail Flesch Connors
Song: Alphabet Song by ABC Alphabet Sounds App
LIBRARY BAND
We tried something a little new this week. In hindsight, if I’d known the number of people that were going to be there, I wouldn’t have tried it. I would have stuck with the tried and true formula. But the PowerPoint presentation gives me away so I had to stick with it …
I laid out a big container of instruments: cymbals, drums, shakers, etc. The kids grab one and jam to a song I put on. Easy peasy. I think they really did enjoy this. It was just a little cut throat getting instruments.
Song: Twist and Shout by The Beatles
If I do this again I think I’ll use a song the kids know like Happy by Pharrell or something like that. I’ve been trying to expose them to some classic rock songs but really, people (kids included) like to hear music that they know!
I gathered all the instruments and now it was time for …
PARACHUTE
This was also madness. I had to do a little threatening to take the parachute away because they weren’t listening and kept running underneath. And adult supervision was minimal. Mostly because I think it was hard to keep track of your child in the crowd. But we finally got it together and were able to do our usual parachute songs.
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat
I do three verses of this classic:
Row row row your boat (the traditional way) //
Rock rock rock your boat, sway from side to side
Merrily merrily merrily merrily what a bumpy ride (bump hands on lap) //
Row row row your boat, gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile (crocodile snap with arms)
Don’t forget to scream (*AH*)
On our last verse where we see a crocodile and scream we lifted the parachute over our heads and screamed underneath of it.
Song: The Grand Old Duke of York
First we did the song with the kids sitting on the ground using the parachute. Then I had everyone stand up and we did it again.
Song: Popcorn by Barenaked Ladies
The kids did Popcorn with me again. I had them practice without music first and they did very well! They even started out slow and got faster. Success! (It only took four sessions.)
I had them run under the parachute for our last song and the adults and I operated the parachute. This seems to be working well for us.
Song: All Together Now by The Beatles
I should have had a song or two here to transition to Bubble Lullaby time. Next time …
And yes, I FINALLY got it together enough to have a bubble machine. Of course, it made the kids crazier instead of calming them down. They were dipping their hands in it and covering the wands with their hands. I ended up holding the machine and walking around so everyone could get some bubbles. Of course, I was like the bubble pied piper and had a line of kids following me.
I’m going to lay down some ground rules for next week or no more bubbles.
Song: Blackbird by The Beatles
Song: You Are My Sunshine by Old Town School of Folk Music
I put the bubbles away for You Are My Sunshine in the hopes that the kids would calm down but the song was so short it didn’t work very well. But that’s okay. We were almost done!!
Goodbye Song: Goodbye by Old Town School of Folk Music
Phew!!!
(I have to, again, give credit to Miss Katie and her Shake, Shimmy & Dance story time as well as the local gym I take my son to for the inspiration.)
Dance, Rattle & Roll: Session 1
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