DOOR 2 DOOR STORYTIME

EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY SKILL: Phonological Awareness & Narrative Skill

BOOKS TO DISPLAY

I Had a Hippopotamus by Hector Viveros Lee
Bertie: Just Like Daddy by Marcus Pfister
You’re Wearing That to School?! by Lynn Plourde
I’m Not a Copycat! by Ann Bonwill
Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis
The Hippo-NOT-amus by Tony Payne
Hippo Says “Excuse Me” by Michael Dahl
Here Comes Doctor Hippo by Jonathan London
Shoes for Me by Sue Fliess
Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton  
Happy Birthday, Bertie! by Marcus Pfister
Elmer and the Hippos by David McKee  
Hush, Hush! by Margaret Wild
Hattie Hippo by Christine Loomis  
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson

BASIC TIMELINE

1. Intro
2. Read-a-Loud Book
3. Finger Rhyme
4. Read-a-Loud Book
5. Read-a-Loud Book
6. Puppet Rhyme
7. Read-a-Loud Book
8. Flannelboard
9. Craft

READ-A-LOUD BOOKS

The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz
Kiss, Kiss by Margaret Wild
Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boynton
But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
 

ACTIVITIES

Finger Rhyme: Ten Little Hippos
One little, two little, three little hippos.
Four little, five little, six little hippos.
Seven little, eight little, nine little hippos.
Ten little hippo friends.

Puppet Rhyme: “Two Big Hippos” (modified Two Little Blackbirds)
Two big hippos sitting on a hill,
One named Jack, one named Jill.
Run away Jack, run away Jill,
Come back Jack, come back Jill.

Flannelboard: Five Hippos in the Bathtub (via Artfelt.net)

One hippo in the bathtub going for a swim.
Knock, Knock,(Clap twice with “Knock, Knock.”)
Splash, Splash, (Slap knees twice with “Splash, Splash.”)
Come on in! (Motion with both hands to come in.)

Two hippos in the bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, Knock,
Splash, Splash,
Come on in!

Three hippos in the bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, Knock,
Splash, Splash,
Come on in!

Four hippos in the bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, Knock,
Splash, Splash,
Come on in!

Five hippos in the bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, Knock,
Splash, Splash,
It all fell in!

CRAFT: Pet Hippos!

In order to create this craft, I began by using left-over cardboard to fashion a set of templates. I used these templates for tracing purposes, stacked purple construction paper 4-5 pages deep, and settled in to cut out the necessary shapes. I used left over printer paper to make the teeth. A small, standard sized, hand-held hole punch was used to create black nostrils, and pink circles for the ears. Googly eyes were provided. I outlined my version with purple market to add contrast.

REVIEW:

Storytime went really well this week. Both preschool classes were transfixed by the first three read-a-loud books. I absolutely love Kiss, Kiss and the fact it provides an opportunity for my munchkins to participate by blowing kisses during appropriate portions of the story. The Hiccupotamus is adorably hilarious. I love Sandra Boynton’s books, but the first group’s attention spans began to wonder by the last story, so they had some difficulty focusing. The extension activities were big hits. This week’s Jack and Jill Hippo puppets were different sizes and colors, so that provided a nice opportunity to discuss opposites. As always, …Five in the Bathtub was well-received.

On a side note: I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to conduct these storytime sessions! I adore my munchkins…each and every one of them…from the sweet introverts to the extroverted, and mischievous hecklers. Being a Children’s Librarian is one of the best jobs in the world, and I cannot wait until the day a Public Library hires me as theirs. Icing on the cake.

Storytime crafts Door 2 Door Storytime early childhood literacy hippopotamus hippos home school library narrative skill phonological awareness