Friday, November 8, 2013

Celebrating Snow with the Small Ones

From The Snow Queen
by Edmund Dulac
1911

Last year, my theme for one of my winter lapsit programs was snow. Since snow is in next weeks forecast for the east coast I thought I would share the fingerplays, crafts, songs, etc. we did during our time together.

The songs and fingerplays are not mine, they are found around the Internet with no attribution. Feel free to use them. The interactive game is my creation but I hope you will also find time to "let it snow" with my blessings. Stay warm and happy!






FINGERPLAYS

I'm a Little Snow Person (Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little snow person, short and fat
Here are my buttons, here is my hat.
When the sun comes out, I cannot stay.
Slowly I just melt away.
 
STORY STRETCH

Let’s Make a Snowman

Start with a very tiny snowball (form a fist)
And roll it through the snow (roll hands)
Over and over and over again. Each turn makes it grow (pretend you’re pushing a snowball in the snow)
Now the ball is round and big (make ball with arms)
Add a head and then some arms (set on the head and pack on the arms)
Firm so they won’t fall. Now we’ll be the snowmen!
Here are buttons for his coat (Place buttons on)
A broom for him to hold. (Pretend to hold a broom)
Let’s put a hat upon his head (Pretend to put a hat on your head)
So he won’t get cold. (Pose as a cold stiff snowman.)

There’s a Chubby Little Snowman

There's a chubby little snowman with a carrot for a nose (make the
outline of snowman with your hands)
Along came a rabbit and what do you suppose? (hand up in the air like a shrug)
Well that hungry little bunny he was looking for some lunch (hold up your
hand up to your eyebrow like a lookout)
He stole that snowman's carrot and said, “Thanks a bunch!”(reach up to nose and pull)

Five Little Snowmen
Five little snowmen 0n a winter's day
The first one said, "Wake up, so we can play." (pretend to stretch and yawn)
The second one said, "Let's stomp on the ground." (stomp feet)
The third one said, "Let's roll all around."  (roll hands)
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run." (move arms as if running)
The fifth one said, "I'm afraid I feel the sun" (squint, hand shading eyes and look up)
"Oh dear!" cried the snowmen, as they looked toward the sky.
And the five melting snowmen (melting motions with hands)
Waved a fond good-bye. (wave good-by)
 
 
SONGS

Frosty the Snowman - Lyrics found at the link. I cannot list them here due to copyright restrictions..
http://www.41051.com/xmaslyrics/frosty.html

Walk In The Snow (to the tune of 'Mulberry Bush')

"Let's Go Walking in the Snow (walk)
Walking, walking, on tiptoe (tiptoe)
Lift your one foot way up high (hop on one foot)
Then the other to keep it dry (hop on other foot)
All around the yard we skip (skip)
Watch your step or you might slip (pretend to fall)

Dance Like Snowflakes (Sung to Are You Sleeping)

Dance like snowflakes, dance like snowflakes
In the air, in the air, whirling, twirling snowflakes
Whirling, twirling snowflakes, here and there, here and there

INTERACTIVE GAME

This was simple and easy. I brought in a white table cloth and two bags of cotton balls, found at any corner drug store. I taught the children the beginning of the classic song, Let It Snow.

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
So since we’ve no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

(If you don’t know the tune see the video at the end of the blog  below.)
After we practiced it a few times I told the children to children to all hold a piece of the cloth. When it was spread out I emptied the cotton balls into the middle. (Be sure to separate the cotton balls before hand because they have a tendency to stick together in the bag.) I told the children we were now all going to sing the song and when we came to the end and the words, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" they were to all wave the cloth up and down to make it snow. The loved it! We did it over and over again. Easy and inexpensive and they even had fun collecting the cotton balls that went awry.

BOOKS ABOUT WINTER
List courtesy of www.perrypubliclibrary.org

  • A Little Bit of Winter: by Paul Stewart
  • Animals in Winter: by Ronald Fisher
  • Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
  • Could it be? by Joanne Oppenheim
  • Creatures of the Woods: by Toni Eugene
  • Deep in the Forest: by Brinton Turkle
  • Deer at the Brook: by Jim Arnosky
  • Good as new: by Barbara Douglas
  • In the Snow by Sharon Denslow
  • Little Fern’s First Winter: by Jane Simmons
  • Lost! by David McPhail
  • Moondance: by Frank Asch
  • Owl Babies: by Martin Waddell
  • Snow Bears: by Martin Waddell
  • The Mitten: by Jan Brett
  • When I’m Sleepy / by Jane Howard
  • When Will it be Spring? By Catherine Walters

DEAN MARTIN'S RENDITION OF THE SONG "LET IT SNOW."




Karen Chace 2013 ©
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.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Slow and Steady: Stor e Telling July August 2010

Tortoise and Hare
from Childhood Favorites
and Fairy Tales
1909
I have penned the Stor E Telling column since January of 2002 and the articles from 2002-2006 are the publications page of my website found here http://tinyurl.com/llnn47y . I will be adding the columns from 2007 to 2012 to that page as well. However, I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or are now defunct. It is a time consuming process so I am taking the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and will post the individual columns on my blog for now.

I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network.

Please feel free to comment on the blog and let me know if you find this useful.

JULY AUGUST 2010

Mother Nature is in full bloom so I offer you some stories to brighten your summer days!

Among the Meadow People by Clara Dillingham Pierson, 1901.
http://tinyurl.com/yyzcgbk

The Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children, by Jane Andrews, 1888.

http://tinyurl.com/y8bof2z

 
August 3 is National Watermelon Day so let’s finish off the summer in style with some ripe and juicy watermelon tales!

The Golden Watermelon – Uzbek
http://tinyurl.com/yc2ntkx 

Never Mind Them Watermelons – Alabama, United States
http://tinyurl.com/y8wr3np

Tony Beaver and the Watermelon Party – West Virginia, USA
http://tinyurl.com/y9kyzjj

Story-Lovers.com - As always, Jackie serves up a plate full of tales perfect for the season. Dive in!  http://tinyurl.com/ya9topl

The Story of Watermelon Island - Vietnam
http://tinyurl.com/y9vaja7

Watermelon Magic - Vietnam
http://tinyurl.com/ybx2how


July 14 is Bastille Day so I offer some stories to celebrate the beautiful country of France.

The Fairy Tales of Marie-Catherine d´Aulony
Marie-Catherine lived in France during the time of Charles Perrault but her tales were shared in a more conversational style and usually featured a female protagonist. Many of her works were collected by Andrew Lang in his Fairy Books.
http://tinyurl.com/ydh2hfe

The Enormous Nose
http://tinyurl.com/y3mrnle

Quackling – French folktale adapted by Aaron Shepard
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/042.html

Since this issue is on Marketing and Technology I offer some blog posts I have shared through 2008 through 2010. I hope you will find them useful.

Tales, Technology and Techniques – Ancient Tradition Meets the 21st Century
In 2008 I was invited to take part in a panel discussion at the National Storytelling Conference in Tennessee. This is the handout I prepared for the attendees, which is still relevant today. You will find information on:

  • Blogs
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Forums
  • Listservs
  • Podcasts
  • Social Networks
  • Telecourses
  • Teleconferencing
  • YouTube
  • Webmarketing

Branding: It Doesn’t Need to Hurt!
If you are new to the business of storytelling or revamping your image, here are some sites to help you brand yourself with style.
http://tinyurl.com/yg7go8f  

The Business Side of Storytelling
Running your own business can be liberating but it can also resemble running through a maze, constantly trying to catch up, find your way, peek over the next obstacle...in short, being your own boss can be exhausting.
http://tinyurl.com/y9o3vxj

Grow Your Business in 2010
"It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn." - B.C. Forbes
http://tinyurl.com/yhl4t5a

Put Some Pizazz in Your Presentations
Many storytellers also present workshops at conferences and schools around the country. While our presentations are interactive, there are times when we should take the opportunity to use available technology; it may further define our message and make the information easier for your audience to digest.
http://tinyurl.com/ykpb27l

Weaving Storytelling and Business with an Authentic Voice
Storytelling is the ancient art of Oral Tradition and now business executives are discovering what the revered seanchaĆ­ and griots have known for centuries; there is power in story. They are applying the premise to connect with their customer base in commercials and public relations, sometimes with poor results.
http://tinyurl.com/yfzkheo

And if you missed any of the previous “Slow and Steady…” blog posts here are the links to the series so far.

2007


2008


2009


April May 2010
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/10/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_28.html

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

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.

 

Monday, October 28, 2013

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Stor e Telling April May 2010

Tortoise and the Hare
from Childhood Favorites
and Fairy Tales
1909
I have penned the Stor E Telling column since January of 2002 and the articles from 2002-2006 are the publications page of my website found here http://tinyurl.com/llnn47y. I will be adding the columns from 2007 to 2012 to that page as well. However, I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or are now defunct. It is a time consuming process so I am taking the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and will post the individual columns on my blog for now.

I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network.

Please feel free to comment on the blog and let me know if you find this useful.

April/May 2010                                            

April is National Frog Month so get let’s get hopping with these tales from around the globe!

Allaboutfrogs.org - Sixteen fables and parables about frogs.
http://tinyurl.com/36fjtg


Brer Fox Catches Old Man Tarrypin – USA
http://tinyurl.com/ybds94o

Frog Kings – Fourteen folktales from around the world.
http://tinyurl.com/28ukyj

Why the Stork Eats Frogs and The Wolf Hunts Sheep - Ukrainian Folktale
http://www.4to40.com/folktales/index.asp?p=Why_The_Stork_Eats_Frogs_And_The_Wolf_Hunts_Sheep

How Frog Went to Heaven A Tale of Angola – retold by Aaron Shepard 

Story-lovers.com – A virtual pond filled with Folktales, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Legends, Myths,
History, and more.

The Two Frogs
– Japan 
http://tinyurl.com/y9ngkky

Additional facts and information to complement your program of frog tales or use in the classroom.

A Frog’s Life
– Lots of information to share with your audiences from the American Museum of Natural History

Suite 101.com
– Information on the mythology and folklore associated with frogs. http://tinyurl.com/y93hchv

Jump into April, the month of fools with tales of tricks and laughter!

Native American Trickster Tales

Tales of Laughter from 1908. A collection tales from Ireland, Spain, France, Russia and other countries from around the globe. They are sure to have you smiling with delight!

April 27 is Tell a Story day so I offer you some public domain books to download for free. Expand your repertoire with a few clicks of the keys!

Folklore and LegendsEngland and Scotland by Charles J. Tibbets, 1894. 

The Laughing Prince: A Book of Jugoslav Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, by Parker Fillmore, 1921. Fourteen tales to add a smile to your day. 

Bengal Fairy Tales by F.B. Bradley-Brit, 1920 – Brahmins, jackals, riddles and more. http://tinyurl.com/ycnx46c

The Pearl Fountain and Other Fairy Tales by Bridget and Julia Kavanaugh, 1876.  Eleven fairytales from long ago.

Irish Fairy Tales by Edward Leamy, 1890.

The national Summer Reading Program theme in the USA is Make a Splash at Your Library. Here are some tales and information to help you make a splash!

The Boat That Went on Land and Water - France

The Dance for Water or Rabbits Triumph – Africa

Koobor the Koala and Water –
Australia

The Water Fairies
– Micmac Legend
http://tinyurl.com/y9rct48

Water Spirit Legends Eleven tales collected by D. L. Ashliman.

Why the Hippopotamus Lives in the Water – Africa

Water Mythology by S.M. Enzler MSc – Background information on myths and legends on water and water creatures.

Since the next magazine issue won’t be published until June, here is a site to give you a head start on the 4th of July celebration in the United States.

Myths and Legends of Our Own Land by Charles M. Skinner, 1896
http://tinyurl.com/ya9ko3n


And if you missed any of the previous “Slow and Steady…” blog posts here are the links to the series so far.


2007

January February 2007

2008


2009

2010



Karen Chace 2013 ©
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, October 13, 2013

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Stor e Telling January February 2010

Tortoise and Hare
from Childhood's Favorites
and Fairy Tales
1909

I have penned the Stor e Telling column since January of 2002 and the articles from 2002-2006 are the publications page of my website found here http://www.storybug.net/stor-e-telling.html. I will be adding the columns from 2007 to 2012 to that page as well. However, I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or are now defunct. It is a time consuming process so I am taking the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and will post the individual columns on my blog for now.

I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the
National Storytelling Network.

Please feel free to comment on the blog and let me know if you find this useful.

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2010

Two sites to complement this Brimstone Award issue.

The Foundation Center - Take a tutorial at the Learning Lab on grant researching, proposal writing, and funding research. Their simple to use search engine will help you easily navigate your way. 
http://fdncenter.org/

How to Write a Grant Proposal: From Summary to Budget
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/foundationfundinggrants/tp/grantproposalhub.htm

Make a clean sweep and start the New Year off in style with these three articles.

http://lii.org/images/clearpixel.gif
Dealing With Clutter –Topics include what to do with specific items (such as financial and tax records) and barriers to getting organized.
http://tinyurl.com/r2e2up

Organizing Your Home OfficeTips to guarding your productivity and setting realistic office hours.
http://tinyurl.com/y9qxkrd

Seven Easy Ways to Stop Procrastinating - I think the title says it all. Get going!
http://tinyurl.com/y9bqghg

January 26 is Australia Day! Join in the fun from the land down under and download these two legendary books.

Australian Legendary Folktales collected by Katie Langloh Parker with an introduction by Andrew Lang.

More Australian Legendary Folktales by Katie Langloh Parker from 1898. http://tinyurl.com/yczxfms

The Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger, begins on February 14. Here are some Chinese folktales and terrific tiger tales to help you celebrate in style!
Chinese Fables and Folk Stories - Download this book by Mary Hayes Davis, published in 1908.

The Old Woman and the Tiger – China
http://members.home.nl/marcmarti/yugur/folktale/tale07c.htm

A Tiger, a Worm a Snail – Vietnamese
http://tinyurl.com/y9fow7o

Why Oxen Do Not Have Upper Front Teeth and Tiger’s has Black Stripes - Khmer
http://khmertales.blogspot.com/2010/03/folk-tale-1-why-oxen-do-not-have-upper.html

Tiger and the Firewood Collector - Bali
http://tinyurl.com/ydoevfe

The Tiger and the Frog - Asia
http://tinyurl.com/yem5tho

The Priest, the Tiger and the Jackal - India
http://tinyurl.com/ye6qugj

The Tiger, the Ram and the Jackal – South Africa
http://tinyurl.com/y9lrjy2

St. Patrick’s Day will soon be here. Some Celtic tales to bring you cheer!

Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland – Legends of the Merrows, Elves, and more.
http://archive.org/details/fairylegendstrad00crokrich

Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales - A lovely collection of Scottish fairy and folk tales. http://tinyurl.com/5curxx

The Welsh Fairy Book - Eighty-four stories along with a page of pronunciation notes. http://tinyurl.com/6gfuhm

February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month so I thought I would combine the two.

Black History and Women
“Women are half the human race and they're half of black history, as well. Here are some highlights bringing together black history and women's history.”
http://tinyurl.com/ybus3x7

Famous Hispanic Women - “Hispanic women have contributed to the culture of the world and to American history.” Learn more about them here

Women in Black History - “You'll find women who are famous and women who should be better-known, from early America and slavery to the 21st century, including the Harlem Renaissance and the civil rights movement.
http://tinyurl.com/ybmjgwb

Women Warriors from 3500BC to the 20th Century - Throughout history women have been involved in battles, sieges, and duels. This site offers a glimpse at women warriors through the centuries.
http://tinyurl.com/ycawlqa


And if you missed any of the pervious “Slow and Steady…” blog posts here are the links to the series so far.

2007


2008

January February 2008
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html
March April 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_11.html
May June 2008
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-may-june-2008.html
Summer 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/08/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_25.html
Fall 2008
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html

2009

May June 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_14.html
July August 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_21.html
September October 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/09/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e_29.html
November December 2009
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/10/slow-and-steady-wins-race-stor-e.html

Karen Chace 2013 ©
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.