Wheels on the Bus!

Another storytime I’ve done recently was based on buses!

Rhyme Cube:  (Click here for description)

Sign Language: word of the day is “bus”

There are often multiple ways of saying a word in sign language so I usually try to teach the kids the easiest sign.

I have the kids repeat the word after each book we read.

Opening Rhyme:  Open them, shut them…

First Book:  Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

I have the kids do corresponding motions as I read this story.  For example, when the geese on the bus go “honk, honk, honk”  I have the kids make quaking motion with their hands.

Flannel Board:

“5 yellow buses,

Around the town they zoom.

1 makes a stop and the others go vroom.

How many yellow buses are there?”

…continue until all the buses are gone!

My director (who used to be a children’s librarian) gave me the best tip!  You can use the die cut machine to cut through flannel!!!  I don’t know why I hadn’t ever thought of this.  We have a bus die cut so I used it to make this flannel board.   It saves so much time and the flannel pieces look so nice!

Second Book:  Don’t Squish the Sasquatch! by Kent Redeker

This book is ridiculous and funny so the kids really love it.  They catch on quick and shout along with the “Don’t Squish the Sasquatch!” refrain.  When all the characters each give the sasquatch a smooch, I have all the kids blow a big smooch into the air.

Rhyme: (tap your lap along to the beat of the rhyme)

A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus,

Got on, got on, got on a city bus,

And all, and all, and all the people said…

You’re squishing me! (squish cheeks in with your hands)

Third Book:  Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

The kids looove shouting “NO!” to the pigeon every time he asks to drive.  I make sure to tell them at the beginning of the story that no matter what the pigeon says they can not let him drive the bus!

iPad App: Wheels on the Bus by Duck Duck Moose

To learn more about my philosophy for using apps in storytime click here.

This was a fun app to use during storytime.  It basically goes through each verse of the song with corresponding animations.  I hold the iPad facing the children and then activate the animations as we sing.  The app also lets you record your own voice and then listen to it as you go through the song again.  I recorded the kids singing a few verses and then played the app again so they could hear themselves.  According to Every Child Ready to Read singing is an important early literacy skill!