Here is a glance at our Happenings …
Burnham School: Wednesday, Grades K/1, 4 and 5 and Thursday, Grades 2 and 3
Burnham Bunch Storytime : Storytime and craft for Preschoolers Thursday from 10:30 – 11:00
If you would like to register for any of our programs, please email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org
I found a great set of inexpensive musical instruments at Ikea. I couldn’t wait to try these babies out! So, today was ‘music class!’ The set came with rhythm sticks, a drum box, a sound tube, an ‘egg’ shaker, and two tambourines. I needed a few more pieces for our group, so I made some jingle bell bracelets and a few egg shakers using plastic Easter eggs, popcorn kernels and some duct tape. Due to the extremely windy weather we had last night, school was delayed or cancelled for some kiddos — which meant we had our usual crew plus siblings!
I started off sharing Music Class Today! by David Weinstone. It is a great little book and if you visit the link provided on the inside flap, you can download a free musical version of the text! I love the illustrations in the book. So much is going on!
Next I introduced our instruments and our next book: Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig. I found an idea to incorporate our instruments and the book at ABC’s of Reading. I used our flannel board to display pictures of our instruments along with each animal. At the end, I just let them jam! So, fun!!!
For our craft today we made our own instruments. We used water bottles, popcorn kernels, dry beans, and some pom-poms for color. I couldn’t find the tops for the bottles, so I duct taped them closed and added their names. I find it amazing how patient preschoolers can be. If I asked our grade schoolers to wait their turn, it would turn into anarchy! But, our kiddos just watched and waited.
All in all, it was a GREAT day!
I love sharing The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth! Prior to reading, I handed-out laminated animals to each child. As I read, I ask the children to ‘climb’ into our mitten when it is their animal’s turn. We were a small group, so I ‘climbed’ in as well. So many giggles! The second book shared today, was I’m Cool by Kate and Jim McMullan. I have always had a fascination with Zambonis. I love the way the ice is wiped clean and fresh! Well, this book explains all the ‘ins and outs’ (in a super-simple, fun way) of the mysterious Zamboni.
Our craft for the day: mittens (of course!) I enjoy incorporating many different painting techniques. Especially techniques that are completely mess-free! If you search Pinterest for “Ziplock bag painting,” you will sees tons of ideas for this mess-free technique. We began with the kiddos selecting two colors of paint and then placing their oak-tag mitten inside a Ziplock bag. I squeezed a bit of paint onto the top of mitten and zipped-up the bag. After a bit of smooshy painting: Voila! A masterpiece. This is a definite ‘try this at home’ craft!
We shared two great books today: Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright and Never Too Little to Love by Jeanne Willis. Two perfect read-alouds. I purchased some finger puppets from Amazon and wanted to put them to use … and of course, I found it from Jbrary. Seriously they are an invaluable Storytime resource. I passed out finger puppets to each child and we sang Put Your Puppet on Your Heart. Super fun!
Now, let’s talk about our craft. I have been dying to try out this salad spinner art that I see all over Pinterest. I purchased one at the Dollar Store — for yes, $1.00!! But, I was hestitant. Would it really work? With only one spinner, would the children be patient and wait their turn? The verdict: AMAZING! The kiddos were in awe. All their heads were lowered to table height, as they watched the paint swirl around the spinner. Such a super easy craft. But, perfect! It is a MUST try!
We played a bunch of Minute to Win It games that I found on Pinterest … add a bit of Just Dance 2016 and we had a successful day! The girls also have a load of fun in the Play Area … coffee anyone?
February is National Wild Bird Feeding month. So, in honor of our feathered-friends, I read two books Have You Heard the Nesting Bird by Kita Gray and Wild Birds by Joanne Ryder. I was so excited when I found extra lyrics from Jbrary for one of my favorite songs to sing with the kiddos: Two Little Black Birds. We had a blast singing and lots of giggles. We created a bird feeder for our bird friends using a toilet paper tube, string, soy butter, and bird seed. Easy Peasy!
Here is a glance at our Happenings …
Burnham Bunch Storytime: Storytime and craft for Preschoolers Thursday from 10:30 – 11:00
Burnham School Classes: Wednesday – K/1st, 5th and 4th Grade * Thursday – 3rd and 2nd Grade
Take your Child to the Library Day! Saturday, February 2nd from 10:00 – 12:00. Drop-in and see all the library has to offer …
If you would like to register for any of our programs, please email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org
If you don’t know Pete, then you are missing something! This cool cat has a great outlook on life. He likes colorful buttons and he LOVES his white sneakers! After reading two books by James Dean, we sang this fun little ditty found at Jbrary — these two cool chicks have a bunch of songs and fingerplays to fit whatever storytime you are planning! Check them out on Pinterest and over on YouTube.
Craft for the day: button bracelets. Tons of fun for all our little ones!
Captain's Log 