Thursday, July 18, 2019

A Universe of Stories: Lots of Fun for the Wee Ones


This year the Summer Reading Program theme is ‘A Universe of Stories.’ I put together a list of fingerplays, crafts, songs and more to delight your young audiences. All of these resources are found on the Internet, they are not mine.

However, the story stretch at the end, My Aunt Came Back From the Milky Way, is my own creation.
You are welcome to use it in your programs, put I do request that you give me attribution.

I hope you find something fun to add to your summer storytelling programs and perhaps the coming school year.

CRAFTS

Danielle’s Place
- The following crafts and templates are found on http://tinyurl.com/kmcnyo .
  • The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
  • Sun Moon and Stars Mobile
  • Alien Space Craft
Decorate A Star - Provide each child with a large tag board star-shaped cutout (or have them cut it out themselves). Provide whatever materials you'd like and allow the children to decorate their stars. Some ideas would be markers, paint, glitter, stickers. If you'd like attach a wide Popsicle stick with tape to the star to use as a wand. 
http://stepbystepcc.com/shapes/star.html

Easy Sun Catcher It requires a lid from a margarine container (or I imagine that a yogurt lid might work too), a large amount of Elmer's glue, a piece of string or ribbon, and items to decorate the sun catcher.
  • First fill the container with Elmer's glue and decorate with shells, etc.
  • Let the glue dry completely. The glue dries clear and can be popped out of the lid.
  • With a sharp point make a hole in the sun catcher and put a string through it. Hang it in front of a window and admire!http://tinyurl.com/ncsvpf

Enchanted Learning Lots of astronomy themed crafts here for hours of fun.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/astronomy/ 
 
Star Mobile

What You Need:
  • Yellow construction paper
  • String or yarn
  • Two plastic straws
  • Hole puncher
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Stapler


1. Draw 6-8 stars on the yellow construction paper. Each one should be a different shape or size.
2. When you’re finished, ask a parent to help you cut out the shapes. Cut around the outside of the lines and then use an eraser to remove the pencil marks.
3. Parent Alert: Using the hole puncher, pierce a hole at the top of each star.
4. Cut a piece of string for each of the stars and tie it around the hole. Tip: Vary the length of the string to help your mobile come to life.
5. Parent Alert: Pick up two straws and make the shape of the letter “X” with them. Staple the straws together where the two meet.
6. Cut and tie a long piece of string to where the staple is and then tie the rest of the strings to one of the four limbs of the X.
7. Hang your mobile by the long string in the middle and in your room from the ceiling or in a favorite corner somewhere around the house. Now, you can look at the stars anytime you want!

http://sloanlongway.org/docs/pdf/february13sg.pdf?sfvrsn=2


Starry, Starry Night

Materials

  • Black construction paper
  • Gold or silver and colored self-adhesive stars
  • White chalk

Directions: In advance, cut sheets of self-sticking stars into smaller segments so that each child may have his or her own sheet. Provide each child with a full or half sheet of black construction paper and a piece of chalk. Show the children how to draw on the paper with the chalk, creating such things as stick figures, houses, a moon, or trees. Then hand out the stars and let each child add them to their pictures.
http://tinyurl.com/mj3wce

Sun, Moon, Stars & Planets Theme
-
Rhymes, recipes, activities, songs, finger plays and crafts from Child’s Play.
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES


Star Dance - In advance, cut out 6-inch star shapes from yellow construction paper and tape them to the floor with double-sided tape. Choose music, such as Lullaby Classics by Baby Einstein, to accompany this activity. During the program, turn the music on and have the children dance among the stars by stepping on them, stepping over them, hopping on them, hopping over them, sitting on them, and running over them.

Bubbles - Either make or purchase a bubble mix in advance. To make bubble mix, mix ¼ cup blue dish washing liquid, 1-cup water, 1-teaspoon salt and 1-teaspoon glycerin. Combine well but gently. Do not stir too much and do not shake. Store in a sealed container. Gather bubble wands, or make some from pipe cleaners or from yarn tied to 2 straws. Tell the children to blow the bubbles up to the stars.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/projects/trc/2006/manual/todstars.html

One Little Astronaut

One little astronaut floating out from base, Hooked to a hose, exploring space. (Pretend to float in space.)

She thought it was such an amazing trick; she called another astronaut to join her quick. (Beckon with hand.)

Two little astronauts floating out from base (hold hands with second astronaut) Hooked to a hose, exploring space. (Pretend to float in space.)

They thought it was such an amazing trick; they called another astronaut to join them quick. (Beckon with hand.)

Continue until all children are holding hands. http://www.rpls.ws/lgiat/2007/READ/lincollibideas.pdf  (This website is now defunct.)

SONGS AND RHYMES                                       

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Star Light, Star Bright

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis version re-written)

You give us light and you make things grow.
At dawn and sunset, well, you hang real low.
You are a star.
Closest by far.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

You may have sunspots and solar flares.
We know at you to never stare.
We all use sunscreen.
Sunburn makes us scream.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

Sun, kiss me, baby! (They cross their arms and shake themselves as they bend at the knees. It makes their voices quiver.)
Feels good!
Sun, warm me, baby!
You warm me like the sun should.
You're bright!
At night!
Come on and shine you light, light, light, light!
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

You give us light and you make things grow.
At dawn and sunset, well, you hang real low.
You are a star.
Closest by far.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire! 
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/346.html


Lyrics to popular Moon Songs
While some may not be exactly for the younger set, many would be wonderful to play for the older children. 

FINGERPLAYS

Reaching for the Stars

I am reaching for the stars; I am climbing up to Mars
I think I might never stop
I hope I don’t drop …. Kerplop!
I am reaching for the stars; I am climbing up to Mars
I think I might never stop
I hope I don’t drop …. Kerplop!

Mr. Moon

Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon,
You’re out too soon; the sun is still in the sky.
Go back into your bed,
And cover up your head,

PRINTABLES AND COLORING PAGES


A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA


Lincoln Library Numerous games, activities, songs and more that will help you blast off to fun! Note: The original link is no longer available but the resources may still be accessed via the Wayback Machine at this link.

Reach for the Stars – A story stretch I wrote back in 2009 for the Summer Reading Program Theme, Spaceship Adventure. This is my own creation. You have my permission to use it in your performances or classroom, however I do request attribution. Should you wish to use it in any publication please contact me for written permission.



Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and web links may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©
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.

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