Rhyme Cube: Click here for description
Sign Language: We learned the sign for “Dance” and repeated throughout the storytime.
First Book: Hilda Must be Dancing by Karma Wilson
Activity: Jim Gill’s List of Dances
I printed out the List of Dances on brightly colored cardstock. Next, I cut out and laminated each type of dance and put a piece of velcro on the back. During the activity, I stuck each laminated card on the felt board and showed the kids how to do that dance. When I played the song, I pointed to each dance as we did the motions.
Fingerplay: Dance Your Fingers Up
“Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down
Dance your fingers to the side, dance them all around
Dance them on your shoulders, dance them on you head
Dance them on your tummy, and put them all to bed”
Second Book: Cha-Cha Chimps by Julia Durango
Felt Board: Five Little Ballerinas
5 little ballerinas dancing across the floor,
One twirled away and then there were 4.
4 little ballerinas stretched tall like a tree,
One leaped away and then there were 3.
3 little ballerinas dressed in tutus of bright blue,
One danced away and then there were 2.
2 little ballerinas having lots of fun,
One twirled away and then there was 1.
1 little ballerina dancing all alone,
She danced away and then there were none.
(source: Storytimes with Moxie)
Third Book: Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig
Fingerplay: Thelma Thumb
Thelma Thumb is up! (thumbs up!)
Thelma Thumb is down! (thumbs down)
Thelma Thumb is dancing all around the town! (thumbs wiggle all around)
Dance her on your shoulders, (thumb on shoulders)
Dance her on your head, (thumb on head)
Dance her on your knees (thumb on knees)
And tuck her into bed. (fold thumb in and cover with other fingers)
(Source: Mentor Public Library)
Activity: Jim Gill’s Silly Dance Contest
I gave the kids shakers and we danced along to the Silly Dance Contest. This is one of my favorite songs to use in storytime because it has moments when the kids have to freeze until the music starts again. And then they can dance like crazy again!
Goodbye Song:
Tickle the clouds
Tickle your toes
Turn around
Tickle your nose
Reach down low
Reach up high
Storytime is over
So wave goodbye!
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