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.
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 .
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.
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/
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!
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.
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.
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/projects/trc/2006/manual/todstars.html
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!
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!
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!
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.
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,
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,
Until the day goes by
http://www.superiorchildrenscentre.org/images/Fingerplays.pdf
http://www.superiorchildrenscentre.org/images/Fingerplays.pdf
PRINTABLES AND COLORING PAGES
Moon and Stars http://tinyurl.com/nccxymSun http://tinyurl.com/nalffzSun Windsock http://tinyurl.com/lwk7rr
Astronaut http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/astronaut-colouring-page Space http://tinyurl.com/hcd2l
Astronaut http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/astronaut-colouring-page Space http://tinyurl.com/hcd2l
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.
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.
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