Hey, remember when I said we can celebrate the seasons in an inclusive way? Here’s an alternative to a “Thanksgiving”-themed storytime. Gratitude is an important lesson for anytime of the year, but if you are just quivering with anticipation about Thanksgiving, save this one for November!
Books
Thankful for Me! By Marion Dane Bauer
Because of an Acorn by Lola Schaefer
Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall
Thank You Bees by Toni Yuly
Activities
“Plentifall”
This is a poem by Michael Hall, in his book Wonderfall. It works good as a rhyme to recite with the toddlers. I put yellow, red, and green apple pictures on popsicles sticks to use a little puppets. I also had them follow my lead on “munching” and “crunching” motions.
“Plentifall”
Apples,
apples,
ready to
munch.
Yellow,
red,
green,
crunch,
crunch!
“Shakin’ Like a Leafy Tree”
Get out those egg shakers! This is a song originally by the Wiggles. Honestly, I’m not a fan of the tune here, so I made up my own, simpler tune.
“Shakin’ like a leafy tree”
Everybody shake high and low,
Shakin’ like a leafy tree.
Everybody shake high and low,
Shakin’ like a leafy tree.
Stretch, stretch, stretch,
Stretch out your branches.
Bend, bend, bend,
Bend in the breeze.
Shake, shake, shake,
Shake all around now.
Stretch, stretch, stretch.
Everybody shake high and low,
Shakin’ like a leafy tree….
“Five Little Squirrels”
Counting flannels are the best; what more can I say?
“Five Little Squirrels”
Five little squirrels with acorns to store
One went to sleep and then there were four!
Four little squirrels hunting acorns in a tree
One got lost, and now there are three!
Three little squirrels wondering what to do,
One got sleepy, and now there are two!
Two little squirrels tossing acorns for fun
One got tired, and now there is one!
One little squirrel playing in the sun
He ran away, and now there are none!
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