DIY Storytime Smackdown: Bunnies

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.


This bunny storytime is a sure fire way to get your kids "hoppy" about reading.


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: We're Rabbits by Lisa Westberg Peters

Sing the following song:


"Did You Ever See a Bunny"
(Sung To: "Did You Ever See a Lassie")
(Perform the movements as the song suggests with your child) 


Did you ever see a bunny, a bunny, a bunny.
Did you ever see a bunny, wiggle his nose
He wiggles and giggles, and wiggles and giggles
Did you ever see a bunny, wiggle his nose.


Did you ever see a bunny, a bunny, a bunny
Did you ever see a bunny, flap his big ears
He flips them and flaps them, and flips them and flaps them,
Did you ever see a bunny flap his big ears.


Did you ever see a bunny, a bunny, a bunny
Did you ever see a bunny, munch on his lunch!
He munches and crunches, and munches and crunches,
Did you ever see a bunny, munch on his lunch.


Did you ever see a bunny, a bunny, a bunny
Did you ever see a bunny, fluff his tail
He fluffs and flaps and fluffs and flaps
Did you ever see a bunny, fluff his tail.


(Source: Everythingpreschool.com "Did You Ever See a Bunny?")


Perform the following fingerplay:


Funny Bunny


Bunny, bunny, bunny, you're so funny (Smile and put fingers on dimple spots)
With your twitching nose (wiggle nose)
Bunny, bunny, bunny, you're so funny (Smile and put fingers on dimple spots)
From your head (point to head) to your toes (Point to toes)
Bunny, bunny, bunny your ears are funny (make bunny ears with hands)
They're too big for you, Bunny, bunny, bunny, you're so funny (Smile and put fingers on dimple spots)
Everyone loves you (Hug Yourself)


(Source: Childfun.com Funny Bunny Fingerplay)


Make a "Number 8" bunny craft with you child! 


(This project teaches your child to recognize the number 8 and the characteristics of rabbits) I made this craft using white for the "number 8" shape. If you would like the number 8 to really stand out use a brown, black or any other color you desire.

1. Cut 2 medium size circles out of white card stock or construction paper. 
2. Cut a hole in the center of the 2 circles (as shown in picture). 
3. Cut out a circle large enough to fit inside the circles you just cut out of your 2 medium circles using white card stock or construction paper 
4. Print out the following pages to decorate face with bunny facial features from DLTK using white card stock or construction paper: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mcdbunnyface.html for bunny ears: http://www.dltk-kids.com/t_template.asp?t=http://www.dltkkids.com/members/images/bbunnycontainer.gif.
5. Cut out, color with makers or crayons, and glue facial features and bunny ears on bunny as shown. 
6. Cut a lengthwise strip of white cardstock and fold in half. 
7. Use scissors to make slits for whiskers in folded piece of white cardstock.
8. Cut out 2 hearts from white card stock or construction paper for bunny paws and glue on body as shown. 
9. Cut out 2 feet using white card stock or construction paper and glue on bottom of bunny body as shown. 
10. Place a cotton ball on back of bunny for tail. 
11. Punch a hole in between the bunny's ears (if you would like to hang the bunny up). 
12. String a piece of yarn through the hole and tie a knot. 
13. Hang as desired.

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/)

Egg-stra, Egg-stra Read All About It: Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke and Simple Plastic Easter Egg Craft Ideas for Easter

Minerva Louise strikes again in this egg-trodinary addition to this delightful series, Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs. 


Minerva Louise has found quite a marvelous discovery, brilliantly colored eggs in the farmyard! What's this chick to do, but speedily race back to the hen house to tell the doubting hens. 


The hens interest is piqued as Minerva Louise describes the lovely blue egg she has found and persuades the persnickety poultry to follow her to the scene of her discovery, but to her chagrin the egg is nowhere to be found. 


That's when Minerva and the hens go on a mission to learn the truth about this egg hoopla. 


Minerva Louise stories are a hit at preschool storytime. The children always chuckle at this silly chicken's wacky antics. 


I give this tale 4 eggs up!  


After reading such an egg-stra special story you need to make these fun plastic Easter egg crafts! Many of these art projects are perfect for children with some help from an adult. 

• Print out a non-decorated egg coloring sheet on heavy light-colored card stock. Have children dip open plastic eggs (rim portion showing) into paint. Have them stamp the plastic eggs onto the lightly-colored card stock. The result will be perfectly shaped circles that will decorate your your very pretty card stock egg. 
• Use brightly-colored duct tape and stickers to decorate the outside of the eggs. 
• Place a small treat within the eggs and hide them around your home or yard and have an old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt. 
• Shake it up! Make egg shakers by placing rice or buttons inside the eggs and sealing the seam with duct tape. *Adult supervision is required for children*
• Create a color matching game. Print out pictures of various flowers, animals, or fruits and vegetables and place on index cards to create flash cards. Have the children match the correct color image to the matching egg color. Example includes pink egg=pink pig. 
• Place a small item such as a rubber eraser under the bottom half of one of the plastic Easter eggs on a table. Have several plastic Easter eggs in a row next to the plastic egg you placed the eraser or other item under.  Tell the child to close their eyes and move all the plastic egg bottoms around. Instruct the child to open their eyes and choose which egg bottom they believe the eraser is under. 
• Design a plastic Easter egg wreath. Spray paint or cover a large Styrofoam wreath with fabric or felt. Arrange and glue the plastic Easter eggs onto the wreath in an attractive design. Leave a space to tie a decorative bow for a cheery look. 
• Follow this Familyfun.com link to create your very own eggimals! http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/a-herd-of-eggimals-675231/

Have a safe and happy Easter!