Session 6: Do You See What I See? Talking/Science (Spring 2015)
SAMPLE STORYTIME:
This is a suggested curriculum. You may choose different books if the suggested books are not available, or if you find a book you’d rather use as long as it is available in the BPL collection, and it stays true to the program/session goals.
*TIP: If you can’t get a copy of the book you want to use for your program before you start to plan your session, you can often find a read-aloud of a popular children’s book on YouTube, or view some of the pages on amazon.com.
Introductions:Introduce yourself and the program. If it is a small group, have everyone introduce themselves, including parents and caregivers. Let the children know we are going to be reading stories about the senses and exploration.
To the adults:Today we are going to look the important early literacy practiceof TALKING.Encouraging children to talk helps children develop the ability to describe things, and make predictions. Talking and observing is what scientists do, so your child is already a little scientist! Today we’ll read some books that help children to describe what they see, hear and feel!
"Hello Everyone" (Tune:Mary Had a Little Lamb)
Hello everyone, how are you? (Wave to everyone)
How are you? How are you?
Hello everyone, how are you?
How are you today?
Hello everyone, clap your hands! (Clap hands.)
Clap your hands! Clap your hands!
Hello everyone, clap your hands!
Clap your hands, today!
Hello everyone, stomp your feet! (Stomp feet.)
Stomp your feet! Stomp your feet!
Hello everyone, stomp your feet!
Stomp your fee, today!
Hello everyone, touch your nose. (Touch nose).
Touch your nose. Touch your nose.
Hello everyone, touch your nose.
Touch your nose, today.
Alternative Welcome Song: “Clap and Sing Hello”
Tune:Farmer in the Dell
We clap and sing hello,
We clap and sing hello,
With our friends at storytime,
We clap and sing hello!
(Wave and sing hello; stomp and sing hello.)
Wordless Picture Book:Wave by Suzy Lee
Alternate Wordless Book: Chalk, by Bill Thompson
To the adults:Observe and Predict. Wordless books are great to encourage children to interpret the story themselves and predict what will happen next. Point to the pictures and ask open ended questions like: “What do you see?” and “What do you think happens next?”
Song: The Sea Gull
Sung to:"Frere Jacques"
I see sea gulls
I see sea gulls,
At the beach,
At the beach,
Soaring, diving, fishing,
Soaring, diving, fishing,
At the beach,
At the beach.
I hear the ocean,
I hear the ocean,
At the beach,
At the beach,
Crashing, splashing, foaming
Crashing, splashing, foaming,
At the beach,
At the beach.
(Other verses: You can make up lyrics to this song to relate to any book you choose.)
Picture Book: Ten Little Caterpillarsby Bill Martin Jr.; illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Alternate Book: Bring on the Birdsby Susan Stockdale
To the adults:Look Outside! There are so many scientific observations that can be made in everyday places like the park. Even though we live in the city, there is wildlife all around us—especially in Spring. The change of seasons is a wonderful time to make observations about changes in our world.
Spring Song: Spring Is Here
(Sung To: Are You Sleeping)
I see robins,
I see bird's nests,
Butterflies too,
flowers too.
Everything is growing,
The wind is gently blowing.
Spring is here, spring is here.
Picture Book:Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope (giveaway book)
Alternate book: Little Cloud by Eric Carle
To the adults:I don’t know, let’s find out! Find a topic your child is interested in, and learn more about that topic together! If your child asks you a question, and you don’t know the answer, you can find out together by going to the library, looking it up online, or visiting a museum. Learning how to find answers is very empowering!
The Little Caterpillar
(Sung to "Itsy, Bitsy Spider")
The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree,
Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,
All through the winter he didn't make a sound,
He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.
While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,
Winter came and went, then her heard the robin's call,
Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon
Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.
Picture Book:I Spy in the Sky by Edward Gibbs
Alternate Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin, Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle
*TIP: Edward Gibbs books are great for your display. He has a series called I Spy in the…, which help children observe, guess, and communicate what they see. These are great to recommend to parents.
To the adults:What do you see? Talk to your children about what they see…in books, in the sky, on the street, at the grocery store. This helps children expand their vocabulary, and communicate their ideas. You can go on an “I Spy” walk in your neighborhood and write down all the things you see together.
Spring Rhyme: One Little Flower
One little flower, one little bee.
One little blue bird, high in the tree.
One little brown bear smiling at me.
One is the number I like,
you see.
*TIP: For shorter songs and rhymes, repeat! Kids learn through repetition and it’s a great way for parents to learn the songs.
Distribute Giveaway Book:Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope
Activity 1: Eye Spy! (Talking/Science)
Decorate your own Binoculars! Play “I Spy” to encourage talking and observe as the telescope makes objects appear closer.
You’ll Need:
· Mini binoculars
· Markers and crayons
· Glue
· Stickers
· Tissue circles
· Foam shapes
· Science Kits
Activity 2:Science Kits
Each branch has science kits, some focus on insects, some on magnets, some on color. Take out the science kits and encourage families to play with them. These kits are always available at the branch for their use.
*TIP: There are Science Take Home Sheets in the WIKI. Encourage families to play with the kits.
Additional Optional Activities:
Here are some ideas for stations that you can set up around the room for science exploration. Some of these materials may be at the branch or around your home. If there are supplies that you need, you can be reimbursed for up to $15.00. You do not need to do all of these, these are simply ideas. Choose ones that you think your group will love.
No Mess Fingerpaint
What you’ll need:
· Sturdy gallon-sized Ziploc bags
· Washable tempera paint (in squeeze bottles), in primary colors
Put a little bit of a couple of different colors in the bag and seal it up. Two primary colors (yellow, red, blue) or black or white work well. Tape the bags to a table on all four sides. Ask the kids what will happen when we mix the colors together? Let them mix them up and talk about what happens together. Try more colors if you like.
Ramp Rolling
· Triangular block, or ramp, with at least a 1.5” rolling surface
· Blocks in various shapes, round and square, small toys
· Surface coverings, such as wax paper, sandpaper
Build a small ramp out of some blocks or something similar. Then test various items to see whether they roll or do not roll down the ramp. Ask the children to make predictions, and to see if they are right! Use items of different weights and textures, and try them on different surfaces.
Paper Drop
This is a very simple activity that requires only two pieces of copy paper and a basic curiosity about air resistance. First, hold up two sheets of paper. Ask the kids to predict which one will fall faster. Drop both, discuss the results. Then, crumple up one of the sheets into a tight ball. Have a few other objects kids can test, like a feather, a scarf, a ball, etc. Which one do they think will hit the floor faster? Why?
Balloon Science
What you’ll need:
· Balloons
· Salt
· Paper
Questions to ask: What do you think will happen when you rub your balloon on your head? What if you put the balloon close to the salt after you rub it? Do you think the balloon will stick to anything else? Encourage the children to make a prediction and explore it!Tip: Don’t blow up all the balloons beforehand—just do a few for the activity station, and then you can send home extras if families want to try at home. Remind them not to throw balloons all over the library! This activity works best on a dry day.
Does it Sink or Float?
What you’ll need:
· A large pan, bin, or bowl filled with water
· Heavy things and light things: such as foam bugs, pennies, paper clips, feathers, plastic blocks
What you’ll do: Ask the children to pick an object they would like to experiment with. Do you think it will sink or float? Why?
Mystery Bottles
What you’ll need:
· Food coloring (optional)
· Water
· Oil (cooking or baby oil works well)
· Tape
What you do:Take an empty, clear, plastic bottle and fill it half way up with water. Put in a little food coloring in whatever color you like. Fill the rest of the bottle up with vegetable oil or baby oil. Close the lid tightly and tape it closed. Give it to your child to play with. The oil and the water won’t mix, so your child will see some interesting things.
What you or parents can say: “What is happening in the bottle? What colors do you see? Can you shake the bottle? What happens? What do you think is inside the bottle?
The Floating Cheese Puff!
What you need:
· Bendy straws
· Cheese puffs
What you do:A picture says it all:
http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0305/pict32.jpg
This activity works best with older kids or adults and younger kids working together. Ask the kids: What’s going on? How is the cheese puff staying in the air? Could we try it with any other objects?
Is it Magnetic?
What you need:
· A strong magnet
· Various objects, some magnetic some not
· If you branch has a "Magnet Magic" Math and Science Kit this is a great time to pull it out!
What you do:Let the kids make predictions and then test out which things are magnetic and which are not. You can make a chart or set up a station like this:
http://pinterest.com/pin/152278031120393622/
You can find other fun magnet experiment ideas here:http://www.pinterest.com/marybethcol/preschool-science-magnets/
Diluted Bubble Solutions:
What you need:
Bubble solution
Water
Containers
What you do:
Make several versions of bubble solution, each one with a larger proportion of water to soap. Blow bubbles with each solution in turn, and invite the kids to observe the difference as the solution grows more dilute.
More ideas!
· FromPreschool Science:
o Tin can phone
o Autumn leaf sort
o Spider vs. Insect snack(you can do this with marshmallows)
o Marble Obstacle course
o Mirror Fun
o Healthy Food Hunt
· Shadow Puppets(These are a little complicated.You can make simple ones with just simple shapes.)
· Activities from Child Care Lounge
Clean-up:Encourage everyone to help with clean-up.
Give parents their take home book andTake Home Sheetor use the blanktakehome sheet templateto create your own.
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To the adults:Today we focused onTALKING, an important early literacy practice. Find fun ways to talk with your child or get your child talking during the day. Make any activity into a conversation, and encourage their observations.If English isn't your first language, make sure to talk to your child in the language you know best. Have fun!
Throughout the Ready, Set, Kindergarten! program, we have explored ways to read and learn with your child that will help get them ready for school. Even though the program is ending, you can continue these best practices at home with your child.* Read with them often, engage them in conversation and exploration, ask them questions and listen to the answers, and encourage them to scribble, sing, and investigate to their hearts’ content. Above all, have fun!
*Also, you can let the parents know that we have learning links and materials on our website—on the First Five Years page.
Closing song or rhyme: "The More We Get Together"
(learn the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQqbQwF5v5Y)
(CD is available: http://brooklyn.bibliocommons.com/item/show/11218241062906_singable_songs_for_the_very_young)
The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Alternate closing song:
Tickle the Clouds (source:Miss Meg’s Storytime)
Tickle the clouds
Tickle your toes
Turn around
Tickle your nose
Reach down low
Reach up high
The stories are over,
Wave bye-bye!
Sidebar:
Practice: TALKING
Theme: Science