Best books about whales, walruses, and seals for preschoolers

Selected books for planned storytime on this theme:

1. "Animal Babies in Polar Lands" by Jennifer Schofield
2. "Cimru the Seal" by Theresa Radcliffe
3. "The Snail and the Whale" by Julia Donaldson
4. "A Whale in the Bathtub" by Kylie Westaway
5. "Daddy Honk Honk!" by Rosalinde Bonnet
6. "Hello, Baby Beluga" by Darrin Lunde
7. "Whales Passing" by Eve Bunting
8. "Davy's Dream; A Young Boy's Adventure with Wild Orca Whales" by Paul Own Lewis
9. Trapped, A Whale's Rescue" by Robert Burleigh
10. "Arctic Dreams" by Carole Gerber
11. "If You Want to See a Whale" by Julie Fogliano
12. "Dream Flights on Arctic Nights" by Brooke Hartman
13. "Iced Out" by CK Smouha

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 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

February 27: Preschool Storytime: Black History Month

(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 picture books 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, in addition to focusing on the 100 Acts of Kindness and Valentine's Day, February is also Black History Month. I pointed to the pictures from my Black History Month display that is on the wall behind me.  All of these people are remembered for doing something to make the world a better place.

Today we are doing the letter Hh for history.

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



BOOK: "Amazing Grace" by Mary Hoffman

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 Hh 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.)

“I am Special”
(Tune: "Are You Sleeping")

I am special,
Very, very special.
Yes, I am/Sí, soy yo.
Yes, I am, Sí, soy yo .

You are special!
Very, very special!
Yes, you are/Sí lo eres.
Yes, you are/Sí lo eres.

We all are special.
Very, very special.
Yes, we are/Sí, somos.
Yes, we are/ Sí, somos.

BOOK #2: "Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Loew" by Deborah Blumenthal

MOVEMENT SONG: (We first sing all the words in English and then change a few words to Spanish. We sang the song while standing and moving in a circle.)

“Friend of Mine”
(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and hop around with me? Hop, hop

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and dance around with me? Dance, dance

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and clap along with me? Clap, clap

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and wiggle with me? Wiggle, wiggle

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and shake hands with me? Shake, shake


“Friend of Mine”
(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and salta with me? Salta, salta

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and baila with me? Baila, baila

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and aplauda with me? Aplauda, aplauda

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and muevela with me? Muevela, muevela

Will you be a friend of mine, a friend of mine, a friend of mine?
Will you be a friend of mine and dame la mano? Dame la mano, dame la mano




BOOK #3: "Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins" by Michelle Meadows 

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 Hh, the Hh 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: Imitating the art of Alma W. Thomas, African American abstract painter

First, I showed a picture of her to the children, and I told them a little bit about her. She was first an art teacher for 35 years, and at the age of 68, she began studying to become a professional artist. Next, I showed them some of her paintings using the book Alma W. Thomas: a retrospective of the paintings by the artist herself. I explained that her art is abstract art. It isn't meant to look like anything specific. She painted using small, separated tile-like marks or spots of bright colors. Spots of the same color were either grouped in vertical rows or in layers of circular shapes.

The Eclipse, 1970

                                                                                          My example

Materials:

1. Cardstock
2. Circle template
3. Pencil
4. Paint brushes
5. Q-tips
6. 6 inch paper plates
7. Paint in a variety of colors

Instructions:
Print off 3 inch circle template. Cut out circle template, and trace it onto the paper. Paint the circle any desired color. Then paint a circular, segmented line of bricks or tiles around the circle in another color. Next, paint a slightly larger circular, segmented line of bricks just outside of the previous line. Repeat until the page is filled with these segmented, circular lines.

*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. "Mae Among the Stars" by Roda Ahmed
2. "Chocolate Me!" by Taye Diggs
3. "Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong'o
4. "Something Beautiful" by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
5. "Colors of Us" by Karen Katz
6. "Skin Again" by Bell Hooks
7. Beautiful Blackbird" by Ashley Bryan
8.  "Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat"
9. "Princess Hair" by Sharee Miller
10. "I am Enough" by Grace Byers
11. "This is the Rope: A Story From the Great Migration" by Jacqueline Woodson