Friday, March 14, 2014

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Wee Ones: Songs, Rhymes & Fingerplays


Antique Postcard, 1910
Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and the children will be looking here, there, and everywhere for Leprechauns. Why not have some fun while you wait for them to appear?

These finger plays, songs and story stretches are found all around the web with no attribution. I put this list together for a lapsit program last year and thought I would share them with you.  I hope you find something fun to use in your classroom, library or storytelling program.

COUNTING AND FINGERPLAYS

Five Little Shamrocks
One green shamrock, in the morning dew,
Another one sprouted, and then there were two.
Two green shamrocks, growing beneath a tree;
Another one sprouted and then there were three.
Three green shamrocks, by the cottage door;
Another one sprouted, and then there were four.
Four green shamrocks, near a beehive
Another one sprouted, and then there were five.
Five little shamrocks, bright and emerald green,
Think of all the luck these shamrocks will bring.

Five Little Leprechauns

Five little leprechauns were dancing on the shore.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were four.
Four little leprechauns were dancing merrily.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were three.
Three little leprechauns danced a jig as they can do.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were two.
Two little leprechauns were dancing on the run.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were one.
One little leprechaun was lonely as could be.
The king called the leprechauns and gave them cakes and tea.

The Leprechaun

A leprechaun is small and green, (Use hand to indicate a small person.)
He hides where he cannot be seen. (Cover eyes with hands.)
But if you catch one on this day, (Shake finger.)
He must give his gold away. (Pretend to put gold in pocket.)

SONGS

I’m a Little Leprechaun (Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little leprechaun short and stout.
Look at my top hat and hear me shout.
when I get all excited, listen to me dear.
St. Patrick's Day is now right here.

Leprechaun Where Are You? (Tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Leprechaun, Leprechaun,
where are you?
I tried to catch you,
but away you flew.
I'm going to get you just wait and see!
Then all your gold will belong to me!
Leprechaun, Leprechaun,
where are you?


STORY STRETCH

Do your Ears Point Up?

Do your ears point up? (Pull on tops of ears.)
Do you have a lot of luck? (Cross fingers.)
For gold do you dig? (Pretend to dig.)
Can you dance an Irish jig? (Dance a jig.)
If you answered, "Yes," (Nod head.)
You're a leprechaun, I'd guess! (Wink eye.)

We’re Going On A Leprechaun Hunt

We’re going on a leprechaun hunt. We’re not afraid.
Oh. look! I see a grassy field.
Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Can't go over it. Got to go through it.
Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Oh, look! I see a giant tree.
Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go through it. Got to go up it.
Climb, climb, climb.
Oh, look! I see a river.
Can't go over it. Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Got to swim through it.
Let's go. Swim, swim, swim.
Oh, look! I see a dark cave.
Can't go around it. Can't go under it. Can't go over it. Got to go in it.
Tip toe, tip toe, tip toe toe.
It's really dark in here. Better turn on my flashlight.
Oh, no. I see something!
It's mean! It's green! It's a leprechaun! Let's go!
Run! Run! Swim! Swim! Climb! Climb! Swish! Swish!


Two previous posts for St. Patrick's Day, with stories, songs, crafts and more  can be found at these links:


Sláinte mhaith! (Good health)
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2010/02/slainte-mhaith-good-health.html



Karen Chace 2014 ©
This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Stor e Telling: April May 2013

The King and the Beggar Maid
by
Edward Leighton, 1897
Last year I undertook the project of placing all of my 2007-2012 Stor e Telling columns, from Storytelling Magazine on my blog. Now that 2014 is here I will begin to share all of my columns from 2013. I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, please consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network. 

Below you will find the sites I offered for the April/May 2013 issue. Pack your bags for a story filled trip around the globe to complement the Storytelling World issue.


A Book of New England Legends and Lore in Prose and Poetry
by Samuel Adams Drake 1901. Delve into both these imaginative tales from the New England region of the United States.
http://tinyurl.com/amjox2u

Czechoslovak Fairy Tales by Parker Fillmore, 1919. “The old king reached into his pocket, drew out a golden key, and handed it to the prince.” So begins the story of Longshanks, Girth and Keen, one of the many tales that await you within.
http://tinyurl.com/baw8ysh

Fairy Legends of the French Provinces, 1883 – Thirty-four lovely stories filled with charm and enchantment.
http://tinyurl.com/be5ly4j

Folk-Tales of Bengal by Lal Behari Day, 1912. You will delight in the twenty-two stories contained within along with the gorgeous illustrations of Warwick Goble. http://tinyurl.com/buh569t

Mighty Mikko: Finnish Folk and Fairy Tales by Parker Fillmore, 1922. Trolls, princesses, animals and a sixteen part nursery epic await you among the pages of this book.
http://tinyurl.com/acj7atk

Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney, 1903. Myths, Wonder Stories, Historic Traditions and Legends will whisk you away.
http://tinyurl.com/awx8gmj

The Russian Story Book by Richard Wilson, 1916. Fifteen tales, several featuring the hero Ilya, others with Nikita the Footless, the Cake-Baker and more.
http://tinyurl.com/awqvoe2

Serbian Fairy Tales by Elodie L. Muatovich, 1918. Seeking some longer stories to share? This book offers a number of tales in three, four and six parts.
http://tinyurl.com/aqer7bc

Stories from the Ballads Told to the Children by Mary Macgregor, 1923. The stories of Young Tamlane, Thomas the Rhymer and others await you.
http://tinyurl.com/aguwxro

Topics MagazineFolktales From Around the World – Stories from Malaysia, Korea, Lebanon, Turkey and spin their magic.
http://tinyurl.com/bbdm666

April 22 and 23, 2013 are Earth Day and Arbor Day respectively. Here are some sites and stories to complement your work.

Penn State College of Agricultural Resources – Lessons for grades 5-8, including Adopt a Tree, Scavenger Hunt and other curriculum guides.
http://tinyurl.com/agehl9k

The links below will take you to two blog posts and a newsletter, each with stories, crafts, and curriculum to honor our beloved trees.

A Poem As Lovely As a Tree: Celebrating Arbor Day
http://tinyurl.com/begooa8

Every Day Should Be Earth Day!
http://tinyurl.com/arrzmd6

The Melody of May

Tales about bees, birds and flowers to celebrate spring!
http://storybugnewsletter.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

May 2, 2013 is Brother and Sister Day so here are a few stories to help you celebrate siblings!

Alenoushka and Her Brother – Russia
http://tinyurl.com/bbxjkgu 

The Little Brother and Sister – German
http://tinyurl.com/b3ye455

The Brother and Sister – Turkey
http://tinyurl.com/bkkbn5h

The Brother and His Sisters – An Anansi Tale from West Africa
http://tinyurl.com/bdsyyj2

The Icon’s Warm Bread – Greece
http://tinyurl.com/b5a8m4f

The Little Sister: The Story of Suyettar and the Nine Brothers – Finland
http://tinyurl.com/az32zuq

The Three Brothers - Serbia
http://tinyurl.com/agvodlo

Sivka-Burka - Russian
http://tinyurl.com/a4psurf

Sister and Brother – Turkey
http://tinyurl.com/a3r2t9r


We couldn’t visit the month of May without paying tribute to mothers and Mother’s Day.

The Bad Mother – Gypsy Folktale
http://tinyurl.com/apz5cod

Jock and His Mother – Scotland
http://tinyurl.com/bcvffqt

Mother Holle – Grimm/Germany
http://tinyurl.com/be7fejr

The Poor Sick Mother - France
http://tinyurl.com/b287qc9


Let me know if you find this useful; I love to hear from you! Please note that it will not appear until I allow it to be published. Sadly, I had to implement that fail safe to avoid spam messages from being published. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2014 ©
This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Ringing in the New Year: Stor e Telling: January, February, March 2013

Last year I undertook the project of placing all of my 2007-2012 Stor e Telling columns from Storytelling Magazine on my blog. Now that 2014 is here I will begin to share all of the columns from 2013.
I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, please consider becoming a member of the 
National Storytelling Network. 

Below you will find the sites I offered for the January February March 2013 issue.
Let me know if you find this useful; I love to hear from you!
 
* Please note that any comments will not appear until I allow it to be published. Sadly, I had to implement that fail safe to avoid spam messages from being published. Thank you for understanding.


Ring in the New Year with story and song!

FatherTimes.net - From Armenia to Wales, songs, traditions and recipes associated with the New Year.
http://www.fathertimes.net/

New Year Traditions Around the World - Why is a baby the symbol of the New Year? Find out and make an easy connection to Greek Myths for your students.
http://tinyurl.com/35ez8  

Winter is upon us in the United States; I bring you some tales of ice and snow.

Davy Crockett and the Frozen Dawn - USA
http://tinyurl.com/chxu4xu

The Ice King and His Wonderful Grandchild - Dutch
http://tinyurl.com/c8npw7z

The Little Daughter of the Snow - Russia
http://tinyurl.com/dyopzsg 

The Long Winter - Canada
http://tinyurl.com/bvlpztm

Princess Miranda and Prince Hero - Poland
http://tinyurl.com/bmshrkw

The Snow, the Crow and the Blood - Ireland
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/snow.html

The Snow Maiden - Russia
http://tinyurl.com/dxj3xsu

The Snow Tomb - Japan
http://tinyurl.com/cydbgtb 

Snow Woman - Japan
http://tinyurl.com/c9q397r

Story-Lovers.com - Jackie Baldwin shares books, resources and stories on winter and the winter solstice.
http://tinyurl.com/yjwq354

The Twelve Months – Russia
http://russian-crafts.com/tales/12months.html

Snow Crystals.com - We are told no two snowflakes are alike. See how different these remarkable gifts of nature truly are. This site is a wonderful addition to any math or science program.
http://tinyurl.com/7j45

Stories from India, Italy and France will have you speaking the language of love just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Classic Love Stories - Summaries of some of classics such as Pyramus and Thisbe.
http://tinyurl.com/ydnnpbq 

Italian FolktalesTwenty-one folktales.
http://oaks.nvg.org/italian-folktales.html

Old French Fairy Tales Five timeless fairy tales magnificently illustrated by Virginia Frances Sterrett, c. 1920.
http://archive.org/details/oldfrenchfairyta00sgrich

True LoveBare Bones for Storytellers - Jackie Baldwin has delivered a bouquet of stories just in time for Valentine’s Day.
http://tinyurl.com/d8wgese

Storybug.net – A number of links I have collected to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day every year. http://tinyurl.com/bqwfosl

 
2013 is the Year of the Snake and the Chinese New Year falls on February 10. Below are some folktales to add to the celebration.

The Girl and the Snake – Sweden
http://tinyurl.com/dxcw5n8

The King of the Snakes and Other Folk-lore Stories from Uganda
http://tinyurl.com/c7nkznm

Rabbit Plays Tug-O-War – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/btxxdzm 

The Snake and the Pauper – Haiti
http://tinyurl.com/c8yxdz9

The Snake with the Big Feet – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/d9hda5q

The Snakes Bride – Bhutan
http://tinyurl.com/dxzc3xf

The White Man and the Snake – South Africa
http://tinyurl.com/dyqy9fs

Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together - Africa
http://tinyurl.com/d9hzpnk

Why Mongoose Kills Snakes - Africa
http://tinyurl.com/bolyrnz

Lions, Dragons, and Nian: Animals of the Chinese New Year - Wonderfully inclusive lesson plan on the Chinese Spring Festival and eastern and western dragons associated with the Chinese New Year.
http://tinyurl.com/6szu7n
 

February 26 is Tell a Fairy Tale Day, which is perfect for storytellers! Here is a blog post I wrote in 2011 with a fairly inclusive number of public domain fairy tale books.

Wisdom, Wit and Wonder
http://tinyurl.com/7vb4das

And to add to the fun, a book from 1910.

Fairy Tale Plays and How to Act Them - While some of the language is antiquated it can be easily updated. The book also offers suggestions on costumes, props and scenery. http://tinyurl.com/bpccbt

Storybug.net – My Stor e Telling columns from 2007 -2012 with synopses. Just point, click, surf!
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/12/stor-e-telling-columns-2007-to-2012.html


Karen Chace 2014 ©
This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.