I have no idea what I am doing for my April Family Story Time so I figured I'd better start coming up with ideas. (Actually I'm not completely sure what I'm doing for March either.) I'll probably do a general "Spring" program in April. I wrote the following rhyme to use with stick puppets but it would also work with flannel/magnet board figures. Move the pieces to follow the rhyme.
Since in springtime little ones are often quite wiggly, another option is to make this an action rhyme. Have the children stand reasonably far apart (we need room for the rainbows). Have them make a circle over their heads with their arms for the sun. Have them hold their arms up in front of them and then have them wiggle their fingers while bringing them down to make the rain. For the rainbow, have them start with their arms together over their heads and then bring them down to their sides. (My directions are probably as clear as mud but I'm confident you'll figure something out.)
In Springtime
In Springtime both Rain and Sun like to play.
One or the other comes every day.
Sun like to warm growing things
With the gentle rays that sunshine brings.
Rain sends raindrops down to the ground
To tickle the flowers and dance around.
Sun and Rain rarely see each other
So something special happens when they come together.
For that’s when a rainbow can be found
Reaching across the sky and down to the ground.
Clip Art Sources: The sun is from Microsoft Publisher. The rain and rainbow are from Open Clip Art Library. I drew a face on the rain to go with the one on the sun.
Notes: On Writing (& Drawing) One's Own Storytime Material
I don't worry about writing a piece of literature. I'm perfectly aware that my rhymes are doggerel but they serve a purpose. Having this attitude has freed me to write my own stories and rhymes. If I need something to go with my "theme," I am no longer restricted to what is available. I'm also able to use different storytelling formats in a program. My themes can be very general or very specific depending on what strikes my fancy as I am planning a program. For years I have changed around stories and rhymes to suit my needs. It's just been in the past two years that I have been writing my own rhymes and stories and adapting folktales for programs on a regular basis. I wish I had started earlier. Seeing what others have created through Flannel Friday has also encouraged me. Now if I want to add a certain type of story to a program, such as a paper cutting or board story, and I can't find one that I like, I seriously consider making one of my own and often I do. Also, if I need "art" to go with a story and I can't find suitable clip art, I now draw my own. Children are interested in the story, not how perfectly it's presented. After all, we're not going for a Newbery or Caldecott here, just storytelling fun.
This week's Flannel Friday Roundup is hosted by Meghan on her Busy Crafting Mommy blog.
Since in springtime little ones are often quite wiggly, another option is to make this an action rhyme. Have the children stand reasonably far apart (we need room for the rainbows). Have them make a circle over their heads with their arms for the sun. Have them hold their arms up in front of them and then have them wiggle their fingers while bringing them down to make the rain. For the rainbow, have them start with their arms together over their heads and then bring them down to their sides. (My directions are probably as clear as mud but I'm confident you'll figure something out.)
In Springtime
In Springtime both Rain and Sun like to play.
One or the other comes every day.
Sun like to warm growing things
With the gentle rays that sunshine brings.
Rain sends raindrops down to the ground
To tickle the flowers and dance around.
Sun and Rain rarely see each other
So something special happens when they come together.
For that’s when a rainbow can be found
Reaching across the sky and down to the ground.
Sun, Rain, & Rainbow Stick Puppets
Notes: On Writing (& Drawing) One's Own Storytime Material
I don't worry about writing a piece of literature. I'm perfectly aware that my rhymes are doggerel but they serve a purpose. Having this attitude has freed me to write my own stories and rhymes. If I need something to go with my "theme," I am no longer restricted to what is available. I'm also able to use different storytelling formats in a program. My themes can be very general or very specific depending on what strikes my fancy as I am planning a program. For years I have changed around stories and rhymes to suit my needs. It's just been in the past two years that I have been writing my own rhymes and stories and adapting folktales for programs on a regular basis. I wish I had started earlier. Seeing what others have created through Flannel Friday has also encouraged me. Now if I want to add a certain type of story to a program, such as a paper cutting or board story, and I can't find one that I like, I seriously consider making one of my own and often I do. Also, if I need "art" to go with a story and I can't find suitable clip art, I now draw my own. Children are interested in the story, not how perfectly it's presented. After all, we're not going for a Newbery or Caldecott here, just storytelling fun.
This week's Flannel Friday Roundup is hosted by Meghan on her Busy Crafting Mommy blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment