Best books about spring for 4 to 6 year olds

Selected books for this theme for preschool storytime:

1. "In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb" by Marion Dane Bauer

2. "And Then It's Spring" by Julie Fogliano

3. "Finding Spring" by Carin Berger

4. "In Blossom" by Yooju Cheon

5. "Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms" by Julia Rawlingson

6. "Skunk's Spring Surprise" by Leslea Newman

7. "When Will It Be Spring" by Catherine Walters

8. "Signs of Spring" by Justin Korman Fontes

9. "Horray For Hoppy!" by Tim Hopgood

10. "Hurray For Spring" by Patricia Hubbell

11. "Spring for Sophie" by Yael Werber

12. "Do the Fairies Bring the Spring" by Liza Gardner Walsh

13. "Bear Wants More" by Karma Wilson

14. "The Thing About Spring" by Daniel Kirk

March 12, 2020: Preschool Storytime: St. Patrick's Day

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The three fictional ones listed below are the ones they picked. The other recommended St. Patrick's Day books for four to six year olds are listed at the bottom.)

Opening song:                                                    
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

                        

We tap hola like this

We tap hola like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this...

We roll hola like this...


INTRODUCTION: I explained that there is a holiday coming up next week. I showed a shamrock and a four-leafed clover, and I explained what they are called. I mentioned that little men called leprechauns are also part of this holiday. I asked if anyone knew what holiday was coming. I explained that the holiday is called St. Patrick's Day.

Today we are doing the letter Cc for clover.

Held up C and c
Talked about sound of Cc
Talked about things that start with Cc
Make a lowercase c in the air
Put the alphabet chart on the floor. Let each child take the pointer and point to the letter Cc. Mentioned that Cc is between Bb and Dd



BOOK: "The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose in the School" by Laura Murray

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the songs that have to do with the theme. I told the children to find a letter Dd in the words and point to out to their parent. 

ACTION AND SHAKER SONG: (We first sing all the words in English and then change a few words to Spanish.)

“Five Green Clovers”

Five green clovers growing outdoors;
(Child's name) picked one, and that left four.

Four little clovers green as they can be.
(Child's name) picked one and that left three.

Thee little clovers playing peek-a-boo
(Child's name) picked one and that left two.

Two little clovers nodding in the sun
(Child's name) picked one, and that left one.

One little clover for St. Patrick's Day fun.
(Child's name) picked it, and that left none.


Cinco green tréboles growing outdoors;
(Child's name) picked one, and that left four.

Cuatro little tréboles green as they can be.
(Child's name) picked one and that left three.

Tres little tréboles playing peek-a-boo
(Child's name) picked one and that left two.

Dos little tréboles nodding in the sun,
(Child's name) picked one, and that left one.

Un little trébol for St. Patrick's Day fun.
(Child's name) picked it, and that left none. 

BOOK #2: "How to Trap a Leprechaun" by Sue Fliess

MOVEMENT SONG: 


“Green”

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
G-R-E-E-N G-R-E-E-N G-R-E-E-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-R-E-E-N, Clap-R-E-E-N, Clap-R-E-E-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-Clap-E-E-N, Clap-Clap-E-E-N, Clap-Clap-E-E-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-E-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-N, Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-N
And Green is that color

There is a color
That I know
Represents St. Patrick's Day
Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap, Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap, Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap
And Green is that color

BOOK #3: "Clever Tom and the Leprechaun" by Linda Shute

Goodbye song:                                                  

(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell") 

                         

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

 We roll adios like this...

Craft Time:  

I modeled the rainbow writing page for letter Cc, the Cc dot page, and the craft before the children starting working on them. Before starting the craft, the children write the given letter using 3 different colors of crayons. I have attached a link to the free rainbow writing letters I used. Completing the dot page is optional.

You can find free rainbow writing letters here. Since they are free, they lack a dot for where to start. print one off, add the dots with a black marker, and then make copies of that one. You can find the dot pages here. 

Click here for a link for letter formation prompts for capital and lowercase letters. Children need to spend more time working on the lowercase letters than on the capital letters.


Craft: Crayon Resist Shamrock Art
 Source of idea: http://playeatgrow.com/2014/03/crayon-resist-shamrock.html/

My Examples

                           

Materials:

1. Watercolor paint sets
2. White crayons
3. White cardstock
4. Paint brushes
5. Shamrock template
6. Four leaf clover template
7. Scissors


Instructions: 
1. Cut out desired template. 
2. Trace around it on the white cardstock. 
3. Use the white crayon to decorate the inside of the shamrock/clover with curly q's, dots, zigzag lines, etc. 
4. If desired, draw rays around the shamrock/clover.
5. Cover the entire page with watercolor paint.

*All photos are with parent permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are the additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "The leprechaun Under the Bed" by Teresa Bateman
2."The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever!" by Teddy Slater
3. "How to Catch a Leprechaun" by Adam Wallace
4. "Happy St. Patrick's Day, Hello Kitty" by Sanrio
5. "Traveling Tom and the Leprechaun" by Teresa Bateman
6. "Jack and the Leprechaun" by Ivan Robertson
7. "Fiona's Luck" by Teresa Bateman
8. "A Fine St. Patrick's Day" by Susan Wojciechowski
9. "The Leprechaun's Gold" by Pamela Duncan Edwards
10. "St. Patrick's Day" by Anne Rockwell
11. "The Leprechaun in the Basement" by Kathy Tucker
12. "Lucky O'Leprechaun" by Jana Dillon

March 11, 2020: Toddler Storytime: St.Patrick's Day

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The ones listed below are the ones they picked. Additional recommended titles for St. Patrick's Day for two to three year olds are at the bottom of this post.)

Opening song:                                                               

(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap hola like this
We tap ho la like this
Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this..

We roll hola like this....

We stomp hola like this...

Introduction: I explained that next Tuesday is a holiday called St. Patrick's Day. On this day little men called leprechauns often appear. People try to catch them to get their gold. I also explained that some people think wearing green on this day will bring you luck. I showed some shamrocks and a four-leaf clover.

Book: "Pete the Cat; The Great Leprechaun Chase" by James Dean

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the song that went with the theme. 

MOVEMENT AND SHAKER SONG:

“St. Patrick's Day”
(Tune: "If You're Happy, and You Know It")

If you like the color green, kick your feet
If you like the color green,
If you like the color green,
Kick your feet, then smile and say,
"Have a very happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Additional verses:
"If you like the color green, clap your hands."
"If you like the color green, spin around
"If you like the color green, shout "Hurray!""
"If you like the color green, stamp your feet."

MOVEMENT SONG: 

“I'm a Little Leprechaun”(Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little leprechaun
Dressed in green,
The tiniest man
That you have ever seen.
I come around just once a year
When St. Patrick’s Day is here!

MOVEMENT CHANT: 

"This Little Leprechaun"

This little leprechaun slid down the rainbow, (Point to thumb.)
This little leprechaun stayed home. (Point to index finger.)
This little leprechaun picked a shamrock, (Point to middle finger.)
This little leprechaun found some gold. (Point to ring finger.)
This little leprechaun cried, "See if you can catch me," (Point to little finger.)
As he ran home. (Wiggle little finger.)

Dance with me around the room (The children and parents stand up and line up behind me. I use an oatmeal container as a drum.):

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, kick, kick

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, spin, spin

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, hop, hop

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, fly, fly

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, walk sideways, walk sideways

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, walk backwards, walk backwards

Repeat first 2 all the way back to your spot

Book: "Twas the Night Before St. Patrick's Day" by Natasha Wing

MOVEMENT CHANT:

"Leprechaun”

Leprechaun, leprechaun
Hiding in the hay. (Hide pointer finger under opposite hand.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
Don't you run away. (Hop pointer finger around.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
Let's go out and play. (Hop both pointer fingers together.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
It's St. Patrick's Day! (Dance pointer fingers up and down.)

Goodbye Song:
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

We roll adios like this...

We stomp adios like this...

Craft Time: Puffy Paint Shamrock Craft
Source of idea: https://www.craftymorning.com/puffy-paint-shamrock-craft-kids/

Materials:
1. White cardstock
2. Shaving cream
3. White liquid glue
4. Brushes
5. Bowls
6. Shamrock template

7. Four leaf clover template

8. Green food coloring

My example

*All photos are with parental permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are some additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "The Story of the Leprechaun" by Katherine Tegen
2. "Lucky Ducky" by Doreen Mulryan
3. "Good Luck Bear" by Greg Fp;ey
4. "Lucky Tucker" by Leslie McGuirk
5. "Hooray for St. Patrick's Day" by Joan Holub

March 5: Preschool Storytime: Dr. Seuss

(Reminder note: When it is time to read a story, I read the titles of three books and then display them. The children pick which one we read. The three fictional ones listed below are the ones they picked. The other recommended Dr. Seuss books for four to six year olds are listed at the bottom.)

Opening song:                                                    
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")

                        

We tap hola like this

We tap hola like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap hola like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop hola like this...

We circle hola like this...

We spin hola like this...

We toss hola like this...

We roll hola like this...


INTRODUCTION: I explained that on Monday, it was the birthday of an author we know that wrote many books for children. I held up a picture of Dr. Seuss, and I asked if anyone recognized him. None of the children did. I explained that even though Dr. Seuss has passed away, we still celebrate Dr. Seuss Day in March.

Today we are doing the letter Dd for doctor.

Held up D and d
Talked about sound of Dd
Talked about things that start with Dd
Make a lowercase d in the air
Put the alphabet chart on the floor. Let each child take the pointer and point to the letter Dd.



BOOK: "I Am Not Going to Get Up Today" by Dr. Seuss

I gave each parent a copy of the words to the songs that have to do with the theme. I told the children to find a letter Dd in the words and point to out to their parent. 

ACTION AND SHAKER SONG: (We first sing all the words in English and then change a few words to Spanish.)

“S-E-U-S-S”
(Tune: “B-I-N-G-O”)

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
S-E-U-S-S
S-E-U-S-S
S-E-U-S-S
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
(Clap)-E-U-S-S
(Clap)-E-U-S-S
(Clap)-E-U-S-S
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
(Clap)-(Clap)-U-S-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-U-S-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-U-S-S
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-S-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-S-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-S-S
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-S
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)`-S
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

There was a man/hombre who wrote silly stories/cuentos
And Seuss was his name-oh
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)
(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)-(Clap)
Oh, his stories/cuentos are such fun to read.

BOOK #2: "Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss

MOVEMENT SONG: (We first sing all the words in English and then change a few words to Spanish.)

“The Cat in the Hat”
(Tune: “The Addams Family”)

The cat/gato in the hat/sombrero (snap, snap or clap, clap)
The cat/gato in the hat/sombrero (snap, snap or clap, clap)
The cat/gato in the hat/sombrero, the cat in the hat (snap, snap or clap, clap)
The cat/gato in the hat (snap, snap or clap, clap)


He causes so much fun
But when the fun is done
You will be the one
To send that cat away!





BOOK #3: "What Pet Should I Get?" by Dr. Seuss

Goodbye song:                                                  

(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell") 

                         

We tap adios like this

We tap adios like this

Hi-ho cherry

We tap adios like this

Continue with other verses:

We drop adios like this...

We circle adios like this...

We spin adios like this...

We toss adios like this...

 We roll adios like this...

Craft Time:  

I modeled the rainbow writing page for letter Dd, the Dd dot page, and the craft before the children starting working on them. Before starting the craft, the children write the given letter using 3 different colors of crayons. I have attached a link to the free rainbow writing letters I used. Completing the dot page is optional.

You can find free rainbow writing letters here. Since they are free, they lack a dot for where to start. print one off, add the dots with a black marker, and then make copies of that one. You can find the dot pages here. 

Click here for a link for letter formation prompts for capital and lowercase letters. Children need to spend more time working on the lowercase letters than on the capital letters.


Craft: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Blow Painting
Source of idea: https://iheartcraftythings.com/thing-1-2-dr-seuss-craft.html

My Example

                           

               

Materials:

1. White cardstock
2. Template
3. Water
4. Cups
5. Pipettes
6. Straws cut in half
7. Powder paint or liquid watercolors
8.Markers

Instructions:
See link above for full instructions. After downloading the template for free from teacherspayteachers.com, I printed one off on computer paper. I covered the number one with Wite Out to make a template for Thing 2.

*All photos are with parent permission.

I always let the children pick which three books I read from the ones I bring with me. These are the additional suggested books that the children didn't pick:

1. "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!" by Dr. Seuss
2. "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss
3. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss
4. "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss
5. "Great Day for Up" by Dr. Seuss
6. "Dr. Seuss's Book of Animals" by Dr. Seuss
7. "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss
8. "I Can Read with My Eyes Shut" by Dr. Seuss
9. "Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please go Now" by Dr. Seuss