DIY Storytime Smackdown: Outer Space

Storytime is a wonderful experience for parents and children to spend time with each other and help you develop your child's early language and literacy skills.


You'll be feeling "spacey" after this storytime!


Storytime chant or song: 
(Clap and dance around enthusiastically as you perform)
*Tip: Use simple instruments such as a triangle, baby rattle, or even pots and pans to beat out a catchy tune*


Storytime, storytime
here we come
storytime, storytime
we'll have so much fun!
reading, and singing, and dancing around.
come on let's get ready by sitting down!


Storytime chant by Jennifer


Read the following book: Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! I'm Off to the Moon by Dan Yaccarino

Perform the following fingerplay:

Stars fingerplay  

(Perform actions suggested in fingrplay or make into a flannel board) 

At night I see the twinkling stars
(fist up and open hands over your head)

And a great big smiling moon
(circle arms overhead)

My Mommy tucks me into bed
(Lay pointer of one hand across the palm of the other hand)

And sings a good-night tune.
(Rock your hands back and forth)


Perform action rhyme:

It's A Blast 


Put on your spacesuit. We're going to the Moon.

(pretend to step into pants and buckle boots)
Climb aboard your rocket ship.
We're going to blast off soon.
Put on your helmet.
Strap yourself in tight. (pretend putting on helmets and buckling your safety belt)
Check your controls and instruments.
Get ready for the flight. (pretend to turn on switches)
Time for your journey.
The countdown has begun. (wave and salute)
Here we go, Get ready, Get set!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
(slowly rise from seated position)
Blast off!
(jump up)


(Fingerplay and Action Rhyme from http://www.preschooleducation.com/sspace.shtml)

Make a fancy moon collage with your child!


Please see the following collage as an example. You can make your moon collage as detailed or elaborate as you like. Make sure to give younger children plenty of time to complete this project. It may take several sessions to complete depending on the child's age. 


(This project teaches your child to understand the moon's function in space and interprets his or her artistic creativity).


Items you will need for this project. This is an open-ended art project, so I am not giving exact instructions in how to make it. 

• Plastic bottle caps (water bottles or milk containers) covered with "dull" side of aluminum foil. Make sure that the bottle caps are flat side down to create a "crater" effect. 
• Silver, pearlescent black and ivory paint sponged on with a kitchen sponge, firm bristled paint brush, and foam craft dauber. *You can mix together silver, pearlescent black, and ivory together to create moon color* 
• Aluminum foil, newspaper, and ivory card stock torn into strips. 
• Olive green 1" card stock circles sponged with ivory paint 
• Large paintbrush 
• Large piece of black glitter card stock 
• Glue 
• Green, pink, ivory, and navy blue card stock to create Ghoul from the Mini Monsters Cricut Cartridge.
• Yellow (to make stars), blue, orange and red card stock zigzags from Plantin SchoolBook Cricut Catridge. The stars also come from the Plantin SchoolBook Cricut Cartridge. 
• Black marker to create alien's pupils

Sing a storytime goodbye song:

TICKLE THE CLOUDS 
(Suit actions to words)


Tickle the clouds.

Tickle your toes.
Turn around
And tickle your nose.
Reach down low.
And reach up high.
Storytime’s over –
Wave  goodbye!

(Source: Sunflowerstorytime.com Opening and Closing Songs for Storytime/)