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This is the story time I use if I have had absolutely no prep time for a class visit. I use my favorite, multi-age friendly most reliable book and some of my favorite songs.

Hello song 

Book: Shh! We Have A Plan by Chris Haughton.

I don’t usually comment on my book choices but I cannot stress enough how much I adore this book for reading aloud. I almost don’t want to share it and keep it my little story time secret but I suppose I will be nice and share in the spirit of library generosity. I have read this book for Pre-K up to 3rd graders and it has always been a joy. Of course the questions and interaction will change based on grade level.

Favorite or silly songs

Free time to read/play/explore library

I used this story time throughout the Fall season for several class visits. I used this same basic format, but edited my story time somewhat based on the age and size of the class. Enjoy!

Hello song

Book: Mouse Loves Fall by Lauren Thompson

Activity/Song: This was sort of a combined song and activity. I used a mystery bag. Inside the bag were different colored leaves, a felt mouse and a little mouse puppet. Below were some of my materials:

I think there are a lot of mystery bag songs out there but here is a very simple one I used. I actually made this up on the spot because I 100% forgot to look one up the first time I did this activity but then I think I just ended up using it for all my visits:

What’s In The Bag?

Oh what’s is in the bag?
Oh what’s in the bag?
I’d like to know what’s in the bag
What’s in the bag?

After each song round I pulled out a leaf (ending with mouse and mouse puppet) and we talked about color, shape etc a bit.

Puppet time: The last item I pulled out was always my little mouse finger puppet. Each child would then get a bit of time to pet/feed/hug him.

Goodbye song

Hello Song

Book: Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda

Theme Song:

See the little bunnies sleeping ’til its early noon
Come and let us gently wake them with a merry tune
Why so still
Are they ill
Wake up soon
Hop little bunnies hop hop hop! Hop little bunnies hop hop hop!
Hop little bunnies hop hop hop! Hop little bunnies hop hop hop!

Puppet time: Pets, hugs and “feeding” time with bunny puppet Carrots!

Activity time: With this class I always do an activity at the end of our story time. Sometimes it’s artistic, sometimes science-y, whatever fun I can think up that has to do with our theme of the day! For this activity we played with instant snow. We talked about how the snow feels before and after we add water. We touched it and smelled it, added food coloring to mix up different colors, and the kids were very entertained when they learned that we were really playing with the stuff that goes inside diapers! Here is the “recipe” we used.

Snow Activity:

1 lb bucket instant snow (purchased for $20 from Lakeshore, one bucket makes GALLONS so you can use it for many activities))

Water
Bowls
Spoons
Food coloring

Put snow in bowl, add water, then food coloring. Super easy and lots of fun!