Story Time
Reinforce Author & Illustrator w/ Images and Songs
Each time you read a book to students, take the time to show them an image of the author and the illustrator (Print them on cardstock and post them during your readaloud. Keep them posted around the library throughout the year). This reinforces the fact that the author and illustrator are REAL people. You'd be surprised at how many of my students thought that Dr. Seuss was a cat LOL!
(Keisa Williams)
These songs also help:
Author Song (Sung to the tune of Hi-Ho Dairy-O with hand motions like you are writing)
The author writes the words,
The author writes the words,
Hi-Ho Librari-O,
The author writes the words.
Illustratior Song (Sung to the tune of Fr’ere Jacques with hand motions like you are painting)
Il-u-stra-tor, I-lu-stra-tor
Draws the pictures
Draws the pictures
I-i-lu-stra-tor, I-i-lu-stra-tor, (the I’s have to last two counts in this line)
Draws the pictures,
Draws the pictures
Song at the start of each story time and the kids LOVE it. She made the song up and it's the tune of Barney's song, I love you.
"I am happy to see you,
Thanks for visiting me,
Welcome to the library
Where voices are hushed and eyes
are up front to look
Now...sit down and listen to this lovely book!"
Another is this chant she made up where one student says it and the others repeat.
"We are ready
Our eyes are straight ahead
Our hands are to ourselves
Now...Please read us a book from one of the shelves"
(Keisa Williams)
These songs also help:
Author Song (Sung to the tune of Hi-Ho Dairy-O with hand motions like you are writing)
The author writes the words,
The author writes the words,
Hi-Ho Librari-O,
The author writes the words.
Illustratior Song (Sung to the tune of Fr’ere Jacques with hand motions like you are painting)
Il-u-stra-tor, I-lu-stra-tor
Draws the pictures
Draws the pictures
I-i-lu-stra-tor, I-i-lu-stra-tor, (the I’s have to last two counts in this line)
Draws the pictures,
Draws the pictures
Song at the start of each story time and the kids LOVE it. She made the song up and it's the tune of Barney's song, I love you.
"I am happy to see you,
Thanks for visiting me,
Welcome to the library
Where voices are hushed and eyes
are up front to look
Now...sit down and listen to this lovely book!"
Another is this chant she made up where one student says it and the others repeat.
"We are ready
Our eyes are straight ahead
Our hands are to ourselves
Now...Please read us a book from one of the shelves"
Ready to Listen - PreK-K
The Listening Song(Tune: Frere Jacques/Are You Sleeping?)
"Eyes are watching,
Ears are listening,
Lips are closed,
Hands are still,
Feet are very quiet
You should really try it,
Listening well, listening well."
Wiggles
I wiggle my fingers (hands in air wiggle fingers)
I wiggle my toes (look down and wiggle toes)
I wiggle my shoulders (move shoulders)
I wiggle my nose (wiggle nose)
Now, no more wiggles (pointer finger wiggles)
Are left in me (thumbs point to self)
So I will be still (big clap)
As still can be (whisper this last line and fold hands in lap)
"Eyes are watching,
Ears are listening,
Lips are closed,
Hands are still,
Feet are very quiet
You should really try it,
Listening well, listening well."
Wiggles
I wiggle my fingers (hands in air wiggle fingers)
I wiggle my toes (look down and wiggle toes)
I wiggle my shoulders (move shoulders)
I wiggle my nose (wiggle nose)
Now, no more wiggles (pointer finger wiggles)
Are left in me (thumbs point to self)
So I will be still (big clap)
As still can be (whisper this last line and fold hands in lap)
Listening Poems
Criss-Cross Applesauce
PreK through 2nd grade story times should start with this rhyme. The students love to do the rhyme.
Criss cross, applesauce.
Hands on lap, gingersnap.
Lips sealed, orange peel
Open ears, root beer.
Open eyes, french fries.
Back straight, chocolate shake.
Heads up, Reese's Cup!
KINDERGARTEN
Sometimes my hands are in the sky
Sometimes my hands do like to fly
Sometimes my hands go snap, snap, snap
Sometimes my hands go clap, clap, clap
But now they're quiet as can be
Because it's storytime, you see!
FIRST GRADE
Make one eye go wink, wink, wink
Make two eyes go blink, blink, blink
Make two fingers stand just so
Then ten fingers in a row
Back and forth your head will rock
Make your fists go knock, knock
Now fold your hands and help me say
A very quiet sound today...shhhh.
FIRST GRADE (CHIGGA CHIGGA - THEY LOVE THIS!)
See video to the RIGHT with hand motions >>>>>>>
Chigga chigga whole potata
Half past alligata
Bim bam bullagata
Give three cheers for the dippy dappy happy sappy readers!
Are we happy?
Well I guess!
Readers! Readers! Yes Yes Yes!
PreK through 2nd grade story times should start with this rhyme. The students love to do the rhyme.
Criss cross, applesauce.
Hands on lap, gingersnap.
Lips sealed, orange peel
Open ears, root beer.
Open eyes, french fries.
Back straight, chocolate shake.
Heads up, Reese's Cup!
KINDERGARTEN
Sometimes my hands are in the sky
Sometimes my hands do like to fly
Sometimes my hands go snap, snap, snap
Sometimes my hands go clap, clap, clap
But now they're quiet as can be
Because it's storytime, you see!
FIRST GRADE
Make one eye go wink, wink, wink
Make two eyes go blink, blink, blink
Make two fingers stand just so
Then ten fingers in a row
Back and forth your head will rock
Make your fists go knock, knock
Now fold your hands and help me say
A very quiet sound today...shhhh.
FIRST GRADE (CHIGGA CHIGGA - THEY LOVE THIS!)
See video to the RIGHT with hand motions >>>>>>>
Chigga chigga whole potata
Half past alligata
Bim bam bullagata
Give three cheers for the dippy dappy happy sappy readers!
Are we happy?
Well I guess!
Readers! Readers! Yes Yes Yes!
Sitting in the story area
- Ears are listening for instruction
- Remain in line order
- Only 3 students per bench (when no more benches, wait for Mrs. Rees to direct)
- Turn into a SUPER Student
*Sit up straight
- Use complete sentences to ask and answer questions
- Participate with your whole body
- Eyes follow the speaker
- Responsible listeners use cares always.
Bodies “look like” the “Good Listener” Poster (This poster works best for grades K-3)
- Feet on the floor
- Eyes on the speaker
- Mouth is silent
- Hands are folded in lap
- Body is still
- SMILE!