Scarecrows and Halloween: Fingerplays and Songs

Vintage Halloween Postcard

Tomorrow, the theme at the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park Whales, Tails and Sails program is of course, Halloween and Scarecrows and I am getting ready to fright and delight the wee ones. (more silly than scary)

Here are some the songs, stretchers and fingerplays I will share. They are not mine, but rather found all over the web with no attribution offered. Please feel free to use with your audience, students, or your own children. 






FINGERPLAYS

Five Little Scarecrows
Five little scarecrows standing in a row, 

The first one said, "Look, here come the crows!" 

The second one said, "I am very small."
The third one said, "But, I am very tall."
The fourth one said, "I can bend my head."
The fifth one said, "I can wave my arms, instead."
Five little scarecrows standing in a row,
Count them as they move when the wind blows.

Five Little Ghosts

Five little ghosts flying through the door, 

One flew away and then there were four.
Four little ghosts spooky as can be,
One flew away and then there were three.
Three little ghosts drinking Halloween brew, 

One flew away and then there were two.
Two little ghosts having lots of fun,
One went home and then there was one.
One little ghosts a real superhero,
Went to help a friend and then were was zero!

STORY STRETCH

Scarecrow, Scarecrow (Sung to Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around)
Scarecrow, Scarecrow, turn around.

Scarecrow, scarecrow, jump up and down

Scarecrow, scarecrow, arms up high

Scarecrow, Scarecrow, wink one eye

Scarecrow, scarecrow, bend your knee

Scarecrow, scarecrow, flap in the breeze

Scarecrow, scarecrow, climb into bed

Scarecrow, scarecrow, rest your head

SONGS

I’m a Little Scarecrow (Tune: I’m a Little Tea Pot)
I’m a little scarecrow (Point to chest and sing)
Stuffed with hay (Pretend to stuff straw in shirt)
Here I stand in a field all day (Outstretch arms like a scarecrow)
When I see the black crows (Place right hand over eyes as if looking afar)
I just shout (Cup hands around mouth)
“Hey, you crows! You better get out!”

The Ghost in the House (Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The ghost in the house goes boo boo boo, 
Boo boo boo,
boo boo boo
The ghost in the house goes boo boo boo
For this is Halloween

Additional refrains: I added the spider and the wind  refrain; I am sure you can think of more!

The steps in the house go creak creak creak
creak, creak, creak
creak, creak, creak

The cats in the house go meow meow meow
meow, meow, meow
meow, meow, meow

The mice in the house go squeak squeak squeak
squeak, squeak, squeak
squeak, squeak, squeak
The spiders in the house go creep, creep creep
creep, creep, creep
creep, creep, creep.

The wind in three goes whoo whoo whoo
whoo whoo whoo
whoo whoo whoo

The people in the house go eek eek eek
eek, eek, eek,
eek, eek, eek

The ghost in the house goes boo boo boo, 
Boo boo boo,
boo boo boo
The ghost in the house goes boo boo boo
For this is Halloween

SOMETHING EXTRA

If you need more here is another blog post I wrote in 2010 with stories, crafts and more. 
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2010/09/ghouls-ghosts-and-goblins-halloween-is.html
 

Karen Chace 2012 ©

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.

Bridging Differences through Storytelling

Bridge over Jordan River
Gesher, Israel
Photo by David L. Baird
Used with permission.

Beyond Labels: Bridging Differences through Storytelling
by Noa Baum © 2012

Growing up in Israel I have been surrounded by conflict and fear most of my life. Today I use storytelling as a tool for building bridges across differences both in performance and in interfaith workshops and other business and community settings. Here are some thoughts on why storytelling, as an interactive, in-person, event in time, is a powerful tool for change.

In her book Radical Acceptance, Tara Brach, PhD, talks about the challenges of seeing another person as real. The more different someone seems from us, the more unreal they may feel to us, making it easy to label them and shut them out.

She explains that this stems from our own complex and largely unconscious system of classifying and labeling others, with immediate responses of attraction or aversion, interest or inattention. It’s part of our biological programming for survival that alerts us to whether or not someone is from our tribe.

We seek the familiar and gravitate towards those who tend to think like us and have our preferences and values. Our cognitive constructs of the world help us navigate our life and feel secure, so we become attached to our way of thinking.

However, in an increasingly polarized and violent world, as our communities and workplaces become more diverse, our "biological programming for survival" no longer serves us. New ways are needed to deal with the challenges of working and living together.

There are visible and invisible ways in which our diversity is manifested. There are our cultural traditions, family values, personal preferences and the individual ways we think. When our way of thinking is challenged, we often feel threatened. We react by either argument - “I'm right and you're wrong,” or disengagement - “I can't deal with this person!”

Is there a way to respond to differences not as a threat but as an opportunity?

What if we invite people to listen to experiences and not to opinions or concepts?

Storytelling is about sharing experience. It’s a powerful tool to bridge differences, because using Storytelling strategically, i.e. in workshops or training, creates a shift in:

1.   The emotional connection - A sense of trust and intimacy are achieved in a very short time, not because of the content of the story but due to the process of sharing the space, listening and being listened to.

A participant in an interfaith workshop I led wrote: “I can't believe how close I felt to someone after listening to a 3-minute story. I feel like I know this man and it's the first time in my life I got to sit and talk, heart to heart with an Islamic person and it changed my life.”

2.   The cognitive connection - Unlike debate, where accepting another opinion means giving up mine, listening to a story uses the imagination - a virtual experience - temporarily adding the experience of another person, so there is no need to become defensive.

 

A workshop participant in a Mormon community, after listening to a story of someone who had an abortion, said:

“For the first time in my life I was able to consider something that contradicted everything I believe in because I was listening to her story. I found myself being able to accept that abortion could be a valid option and even essential for someone else.”

Storytelling allows us to suspend judgment and expand our ability to hold multiple or contradicting points of view.

This is not about changing someone's opinions but about changing our response to differences. By adding another way of looking at the world we get to expand our ability to work with differences.

Author Maxine Hong Kingston writes, “I learn to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for paradoxes.”*

When we make room for paradoxes we make room for change.

Using Storytelling in workplaces and communities can increase trust, change attitudes and make room for paradoxes so we can move beyond labels to accept “the other” as real and work with our differences.

*Kingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior. New York: Random, 1989

Storytelling is where Noa Baum’s work as a performance artist, educator, and diversity specialist intersects. Born and raised in Jerusalem, trained in theatre and education, she offers a unique combination of performances and practical workshops focusing on the power of narrative to heal across the divides of identity.

Her story A Land Twice Promised relives her heartfelt dialogue with a Palestinian woman, illuminating the complex history and emotions surrounding Jerusalem for Israelis and Palestinians. Noa’s performance highlights include:  The World Bank; Mayo Clinic; US Defense Department; Fabula Festival, Sweden; GWU Law School, DC; Hebrew University and The Kennedy Center. She can be reached at www.noabaum.com

PREVIOUS GUEST BLOGGER ARTICLES

If you missed any of the other terrific Guest Blogger articles this link will take you to a separate blog post where all of the links are listed.
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-rising-tideguest-bloggers-share-their.html

 

Noa Baum is a guest blogger for Karen Chace and Catch the Storybug blog. All rights to this article belong to Noa. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without her expressed, written permission. Of course, if you wish to link to the article via Facebook or Twitter, please feel free to do so. I you would like to be a Guest Blogger contact Karen at Storybug@aol.com for the details.

Tellabration™ Equals Celebration!

The Tease, 1901
by John William Godward

November will soon be upon us and instead of spending your nights alone come out and feast your ears and eyes at these amazing Tellabration's™ happening around the country. Some are strictly for adults, others for family audiences; there is sure to be something that strikes your fancy, warms your heart and teases the laughter right out of you!

Tellabration was invented by storyteller and past board member of the Connecticut Storytelling Center, J.G. Pinkerton also known as “Paw-Paw" Pinkterton. Tellabration began on November 18, 1988 as a way to re-introduce adults to the art of storytelling. Since then, Tellabration™ events have been held on every continent except Antarctica! The event is now under the auspices of the National Storytelling Network and there are more events listed at their link.

Please read the directions completely if you would like your venue listed. I hate to be such a crumudgeon but sadly, I do not have time to do the email shuffle.

If directions are not followed I will not contact you nor will I list the event. If everything is good, I will email you with a quick "Got it" email. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours that means the directions were not followed and your venue WILL NOT be listed. Thank you; your understanding, help and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.


Follow the format below.
Please do not use abbreviations; this is an international list.
Please do not send me fliers to edit or anything that needs rewording, spell checking or rearranging
of the format.
Please check, check and double check.
Deadline for submission is November 1, 2012.If you have a Tellebration event you would like featured on this page (it's free!) email me the information at storybug@aol.com using the format below:

SEQUENCE OF INFORMATION * Please note: You don’t have to actually type the headings, slashes, i.e. date/city/state, etc. This is just the sequence for the format. Follow the format in the actual listings below. Your submission should be in PARAGRAPH FORM.
Date/city/state/address.Two sentences on event
Tellers
Cost if any
Audience i.e. adult/family
Contact person, email, phone and/or website
Use Times Roman size 12 font/black

CALIFORNIA

November 16, 2012  North Hills, California. The San Fernando Storytelling Guild will be joining the Unitarian Church (The Onion) for a special Tellebration event with members of the guild and the church both telling stories at 7:30 p.m. The Onion is located at 9550 Haskell, North Hills, CA. There will be a $2.00 to cover costs and refreshments. For more information contact Bobbie at bjapka@att.net, or (818) 343-2693. We welcome both tellers and listeners.

November 17, 2012 Auburn, California, Placer Arts Building, 808 Lincoln Way the Foothill Storytelling Guild  will present a program titled Tell Me A Story: A Storytelling Celebration with 8 local tellers. The program will have a children's program from 3:30 to 4:30. The doors open at 7:30 for the grown-up program at 8:00 pm.   It is a free event but if you would like to donate ahead go to indiegogo.com/foothillstorytellingguild.  Contact Chery Anderson taleteller2@gmail.com or
530-613-1153.

November 17, 2012 Palo Alto, California, at the Church of Christ, 3373 Middlefield Road, at 7:00 P.M. The Southbay Storytellers and Listeners will present its 21st annual Tellabration story concert. Tellers will be Joy Swift, Laurie Pines, Steve Abell, Chip Curry, Karen Gough, Tom & Sandy Farley, and youth tellers Linnea & Andrea Stoll. Storytelling books and recordings will be available to purchase. Free with donations accepted at the door. For ages 8 through adult
Contact Tom & Sandy Farley farley@spont.com or call 650-366-1818 Southbay Storytellers and Listeners web-site http://www.southbaystorytellers.com

CONNECTICUT

November 15, 2012 Hartford, Connecticut Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue at 10:00 a.m.  Storyteller Arnie Pritchard will present a story based on his father’s letters home from the front lines of World War II.  It portrays a young man challenged by raw fear, his role as a leader, and a confrontation with a world both wider and more brutal than anything he had known.  Free. Adult audience. Contact Person is Kathleen Graham, kcoopergraham@gmail.com or call 860-233-6563.

November 16, 2012 Stoors/Mansfield, Connecticut. Baseball Tellabration in the Lecture Hall at E.O. Smith High School 1235 Storrs Road beginning at 7:30 p.m. All baseball stories for your grand slam evening. Come hear about Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, and Abner Doubleday. Suitable for Grade 4 through adult, baseball lovers and story enthusiasts alike will enjoy this Baseball Tellabration. Storytellers will be Carol Birch, Jim Harriman and Carolyn Stearns. Tickets are $5.00 available at the door or from Carolyn Stearns- producer at mothermoo2001@yahoo.com  or call 860-690-4292.

For more Tellabration listings in Connecticut go to http://www.connstorycenter.org/tellabration.htm

GEORGIA

November 17, 2012 Atlanta, Georgia at 30030 at The Friends School of Atlanta. Andy Offit Irwin will be the featured teller for the Southern Order of Storytellers Atlanta Tellabration! in the newly renovated Friends School of Atlanta auditorium, 862 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. He will share the stage with Georgia storytellers Betty Ann Wylie and Alice Henry with Tracy Walker as emcee. Doors open at 7:30pm and storytelling begins at 8:00pm. Free, onsite parking is available. Reserve tickets with Shannon McNeal at ShannonMcNeal@att.net or 404-626-4453. General admission tickets are $10 until November 7 and then increase to $15. Limited tickets available at the door. Tickets available online at SouthernOrderOfStorytellers.org beginning October 1.

ILLINOIS

November 17, 2012 Crystal Lake, IL at the Prairieview Education Center 2112 Behan Road. The McHenry County Conservation District and the McHenry County Storytelling Guild invite you and your family to our Fifth annual Tellebration Celebration. Our stories will be appropriate for storytelling enthusiasts of all ages. Tellers will include Andy Talley, Education Program Coordinator for the Conservation District and several other guest tellers from the McHenry County Storytelling Guild. Our “entry fee” to this family event is a donation of non perishable foods for our local food pantry.For more information call Prairieview Education Center at 815-479-5779 or visit www.mccdistrict.org .

November 17, 2012 Batavia, Illinois Bethany Lutheran Church; 8 South Lincoln 7:00-8:30 p.m. The Fox Valley Storytelling Guild and their talented friends will provide a show full of humor and heart. This all-ages show is a benefit for Batavia’s Inter-Faith Food Pantry. Your donation, one non-perishable food item per person, is your ticket.  For more information on performers or directions, please check out “Fox Valley Storytelling Guild” on Facebook OR call Mike at 815-727-2529.

November 18, 2012 Chicago, Illinois, at The Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone, Chicago, Il 60637 (enter from Dorchester), street parking 16th Annual Tellabration! brought to you by The Chicago Storytelling Guild. More than a dozen nationally and regionally acclaimed tellers will share personal and world tales in two venues: Family Stories from 3-5pm; and Stories for Adults, 7-9:30pm. Sign Language Interpretation provided. $5.00 suggested donation to continue the work of the Chicago Storytelling Guild. Contact: Judith Heineman: juhestories@aol.com; 312-925-0439.

 

MAINE

November 14, 2012 Portland, Maine, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square the Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts will present TELLABRATION!TM PORTLAND 2012. Franco-American Mainer Michael Parent Master of Ceremonies will introduce seasoned storytellers Jean Armstrong, Margaret Cardoza, Vernon Cox, Susan Dries, Meg Gilman, Bill Hinderer, Chris Newcomb and Katy Rydel. Doors will open at 6:30 for meeting a MOOSE and view Elegant Enigmas: The Art of Edward Gorey in the Lewis Gallery next to the Rines Auditorium. Performances are from 7pm -9pm. Visit: http://moosetellers.ning.com, or email moose4events@gmail.com  to learn more.

MICHIGAN

November 9, 2012 Ann Arbor, Michigan at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1400 W. Stadium Boulevard The Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild presents "Coming of Age," Ann Arbor's 21st Tellabration featuring Emcee and Guest Teller, Laura Pershin Raynor along with AASG members Star Burton-West, Lyn Davidge, Jill Halpern, Laura Lee Hayes and Glen Modell. Admission $10.00 Adults (14 and over) Information: Laura Lee Hayes 734-662-3770 lauragami@provide.net - www.annarborstorytelling.org

November 9, 2012 Muskegon, Michigan Muskegon Museum of Art Auditorium, 296 W. Webster Avenue, next to Hackley Library, downtown Muskegon at 7:00- 8:30 p.m.. Yarnspinners of Muskegon will present their Second Annual storytelling "concert" -- a Tellabration . Join us for an evening of variety and fun with stories especially geared to an audience of adults. (High School children will also enjoy the program.) Tellers: Anita Harms, Ardis Schaaf, Carrie Miel, Carri & Madeline Wilson, Cliff Cook, David Lewis, Ned Carter, Sally Hyma, Sue Kobza, Terrie Philip, Virginia Pastoor. Cost if any Tickets are $5 per person, at the door.  Audience: adult/family $15 for families Contact Person please call Jean at : 231/798-7120 .

November 11, 2012 Ann Arbor, Michigan at Ann Arbor District Library - Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Drive. Family Tellabration program featuring Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild members Jeff Doyle, Yvonne Healy, Darryl Mickens and Judy Schmidt. Free. Ages 4 & up. Information: Laura Lee Hayes 734-662-3770 lauragami@provide.net - www.annarborstorytelling.org


November 16, 2012 Midland Michigan 7:00 p.m at the Grace Dow Memorial Library, 1710 Saint Andrews St. Midland, MI. M.A.S.T. will present stories appropriate for ages 10- adult. Refreshments will follow. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information call Carol Garner at 989-506-8829.


November 16, 2012 Midland Michigan 7:00 p.m at the Grace Dow Memorial Library, 1710 Saint Andrews St. Midland, MI. M.A.S.T. will present stories appropriate for ages 10- adult. Refreshments will follow. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information call Carol Garner at 989-506-8829.

November 16, 2012 Livonia, Michigan at the Livonia Civic Center Public Library Auditorium, 32777 Five Mile Rd. Join the Detroit Story League as they celebrate 100 years of 'Service Through Storytelling' with Tellabration: a Night of Storytelling for Adults. 6:00 pm Silent Auction with light hors d'oeuvres. 7:00 pm storytelling featuring Elizabeth Najduch & 'Emma', Gabriell the Storyteller, Marilyn Music Flam, and Trudy Buckley with Carolyn Graves as Maestro. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information: www.detroitstorytelling.org or email Barb@WeaveStory.com 

MINNESOTA

November 17, 2012 Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Black Forest Inn Festsaal banquet space, 9 East 26th St. Cheap Theater is hosting an Open Tell: sign-up starts at 11:00 A.M. with stories beginning at Noon and ending at 4:00 P.M.. Free and Open to all. Call Richard Rousseau at 651-649-1757 for more details.

  

MISSOURI

November 16, 2012 Gladstone, Missouri, Fairview Christian Church, 1800 NE 65th Street, Gladstone, Missouri from 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. Featuring Larry Brown, Storyteller, Minister, Singer and all around great performer. Come and enjoy Larry Brown and other storytellers for a night of storytelling and music. Free; family audience. Contact person is Linda Kuntz, lindakkuntz@yahoo.com , 816-896-6893.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

November 17, 2012 Concord, New Hampshire, New Hampshire Technical Institute Library, 31 College Drive The Central New Hampshire Storytelling Guild presents their 13th Annual Tellabration. Peter Brodeur, Mike Lang, Ellen Secci, Johannah Brown, Simon Brooks, Neil Billings and Rebecca Rule will tell stories both wise and foolish. Cash and Cans accepted for The Friendly Kitchen in Concord, New Hampshire. Anyone old enough to enjoy an hour and a half of listening is welcome! Contact George Radcliffe at gradcliffe@mcttelecom.com or (603) 746-2824 or go to http://www.cnhsg.net

NEW MEXICO

November 17, 2012 Taos, New Mexico, Taos Public Library, 402 Camino De La Placita from 2:30-4:00 p.m. is the place for Tellabration 2012. Storytelling for adults, children and families by local storytellers is Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Storytellers of New Mexico; for information, contact Gail Kremer at 575-751-3442.

NEW YORK
November 8, 2012 Port Jefferson, New York from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Free Library. 100 Thompson Street. Members of the Long Island Storytelling Network will be featured performing a variety of folktales, myths, personal stories, stories from literature, tall tales, short tales, inspirational tales and songs. Stories will be appropriate for audiences ages 12 to adult. This is a free event. Call(631) 473-0022 for more information or check out our website: https://sites.google.com/site/lisntellers/programs/tellabration.

November 14, 2012 Setauket, New York from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library. 120 Main Street. Members of the Long Island Storytelling Network will be featured performing a variety of folktales, myths, personal stories, stories from literature, tall tales, short tales, inspirational tales and songs. Stories will be appropriate for audiences ages 12 to adult. This is a free event. Call(631) 941-4080 for more information or check out our website: https://sites.google.com/site/lisntellers/programs/tellabration

November 29, 2012 Riverhead, New York from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Riverhead Library. 120 Main Street.. Members of the Long Island Storytelling Network will be featured performing a variety of folktales, myths, personal stories, stories from literature, tall tales, short tales, inspirational tales and songs. Stories will be appropriate for audiences ages 12 to adult. This is a free event. Call(631) 727-3228 for more information or check out our website: https://sites.google.com/site/lisntellers/programs/tellabration

OREGON

November 17, 2012, Portland, Oregon ­ Portland Storyteller's Guild, in collaboration with the National Storytelling Network presents, TELLABRATION!  an evening of stories from Portland¹s own nationally and internationally known tellers Alton Chung, Will Hornyak, Anne-Louise Sterry and Rick Huddle. First Unitarian Church, 1211 SW Main, Portland, Oregon; 7:30 PM, doors open at 7:00 PM. $10.00 suggested donation. Tickets available at BrownPaperTickets. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/284759  Contact Barbara Fankhauser at 503-858-7176 or president@portlandstorytellers.org .

PENNSYLVANIA

November 17, 2012 Murrysville, Pennsylvania at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church, 4600 Old William Penn Highway, at 7:00 PM. Come here true stories at Yes! It Really Happened! featuring the storytellers of StoryWorks Storytelling Guild. Stories will be appropriate for audiences ages 10 to adult. This is a free event. Call 724-307-8679 for more information.

SOUTH CAROLINA

 

November 17, 2012 St. Johns Island, South Carolina at Johns Island Regional Library (3531 Maybank Highway. The Charleston County Public Library presents in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling  Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, Seven Sensational Stories from 11-12 a.m. Storyteller Tim Lowry spins seven world folk tales in his signature style. This event is free and is designed for children. For more information: Michel Hammes hammesm@ccpl.org
843-805-6884 www.ccpl.org.

November 17, 2012 James Island, South Carolina at James Island Library 1248 Camp Road James at  the Charleston County Public Library presents in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, Kaleidoscope of Stories from 11-12 a.m. Storytellers Claire Willett and Hawk Hurst share animated yarns especially for children. Hear stories about events long ago and others from current times. This event is free and is designed for children. For more information: Michel Hammes hammesm@ccpl.org 843-805-6884 www.ccpl.org.

 

November 17, 2012 North Charleston, South Carolina at Otranto Regional Library (2261 Otranto Road. The Charleston County Public Library presents in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, Tales from Africa and Beyond from 11-12 a.m. Children will enjoy playful tales from Africa and the Caribbean featuring teller Minerva King plus some laugh‐filled, humorous stories from David Baxley. This event is free and is designed for children. For more information: Michel Hammes hammesm@ccpl.org 843-805-6884 www.ccpl.org.

 

November 17, 2012 Mount Pleasant, South Carolina at Mt. Pleasant Regional Library 1133 Mathis Ferry Road. The Charleston County Public Library presents in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, Fun and Folktales from 11-12 a.m. Enjoy Linda Stout’s enthusiastic storytelling style as she shares old and modern folktales in this fun children’s program.This event is free and is designed for children. For more information: Michel Hammes hammesm@ccpl.org 843-805-6884 www.ccpl.org.

 

November 17, 2012 Charleston, South Carolina at the Main Library 68 Calhoun Street at the Charleston County Public Library presents in partnership with the Charleston Area Professional Storytellers and the S.C. Storytelling Network, which is funded in part by the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, Tales in the Afternoon from 2-3:30 p.m. Wrap up this day of celebration with an afternoon of stories from some of the best local storytellers. Perfect for the whole family, these stories will have you laughing and crying, often at the same time. The afternoon features stories from tellers David Baxley, Hawk Hurst, Minerva King, Tim Lowry, Sharon Cooper Murray, Linda Stout and Claire Willett. This event is free and is designed for the whole family. For more information: Michel Hammes hammesm@ccpl.org 843-805-6884 www.ccpl.org.

WISCONSIN

November 13, 2012 Monona, Wisconsin, Monona Public Library, 1000 Nichols Road. The Monona Public Library will host three storytelling performances for Tellabration: Storytelling for families with young children who move and wiggle and dance! From 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. Storytelling for families with adults and elementary & middle school children - all with a listening ear! From 6:15 to 7:15p.m.; and Storytelling for teens and adults who enjoy a well-told tale! From 7:30 to 8:15p.m. Performers include Tom Kastle, Don Falkos, Susan Gilchrist, Karen Wendt, and Janet Jones. All programs are free! Register online at http://www.mononalibrary.org  or by phone at 608-222-6127. For more information contact Karen Wendt at 608-216-7453 karen@mononalibrary.org.

Whales, Tales and Sails!

"Play by  me, bathe in me, mother and child."
from The Water Babies by Warwick Goble, 1909

I am delighted to share that I will be leading the Whales, Tales and Sails program at the New Bedford Whaling Historic Park again, every Friday beginning October 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for eight weeks. The park hopes to secure additional funding for the program so it may continue through the winter. Check their website for upcoming details.

This is a lapsit program for the younger children. There will be songs, stories both read and told, fingerplays, puppets, crafts and snacks. And yes, it is all free! There will be a theme each week beginning with, of course, Whales and the Ocean!  Every storyteller needs some snappy songs, rhymes and fingerplays in their bag of tricks so I have gathered some below for your use.

Here is one of the cute fingeplays I will use during the program:

I Walked to the Beach

I walked to the beach, (Swing arms and walk in place)

And what did I see? (Put hands over eyes, looking)

A lot of little fish, (Place hands together, wiggle)

Looking at me! (Point to self)

I jumped into the water, (Jump)

And splashed all around. (Put palms down; make splashing motions.)

The fish swam away, (Place hands together; wiggle)

And didn't make a sound! (Put fingers to lips)

Below is the good-bye poem I found. We end with each day it helps the little ones learn the names of their body parts while they have fun following along  as I point to my nose, toes, etc.

Good-bye Poem

On my face I have a nose,

And way down here I have ten toes.

I have two eyes that I can blink.

I have a head to help me think.

I have a chin and very near,

I have two ears to help me hear.

I have a mouth with which to speak,

An when I run I use my feet.

I have two arms to hold up high,

And here's a hand to wave GOODBYE!

Take Home Tips for Parents from The Center for Children’s Books.

During Programs

• Relax! Enjoy this special time with your infant.
• Don't worry if you don't know the song or rhymes - they will be repeated many times for you to join along and learn.
• Be sure to join in and sing along with the songs, rhymes and move your baby with the actions.
• Talk to your baby and identify various things from the stories, songs, and rhymes - Where are baby's toes? What does the duck say?
• Your baby may not appear to be actively participating, but she learns a great deal though her senses and is very much aware of sounds, touch, taste, and sight that are happening during the program.
• Feel free to take books and handouts after programs to use at home with your baby.

At Home and Every Day

• You are the best teacher for your baby as she gets ready for learning to read.
• Incorporate rhymes and songs into your daily routine: diaper changes, bathtime, mealtime, cartime, playtime, bedtime!!
• Pick the best time when both you and your baby are in the mood to share books.
• Share throughout the book - point to pictures and talk in an excited voice, name objects, colors; count.
• Relax - let him play with the book, turn pages, chew. (that's what board books are for!)
• Cuddles and love while sharing books- this is a special bonding time for you and your baby .
• Share books with musical qualities - repetition, rhymes and bouncing.
• If your baby loses interest, just come back and try at a different time.
• SHARE BOOKS EVERYDAY - it's important even if only for a few minutes.http://ccb.lis.illinois.edu/Projects/storytelling/piel/babies_takehome.html

Below are three blog posts with resources from some of my previous lapsit programs.

Birds, Bees and Butterflies

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/04/birds-bees-and-butterflies.html

Five Speckled Frogs

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/04/five-speckled-frogs-and-so-much-more.html

Let’s Swim with the Fishes
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/05/lets-swim-with-fishes.html

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Alphabet Soup.net – Songs, poems and fingerplays to complement many themes.
http://www.alphabet-soup.net/me/mesong.html
 

Children's Center for Books - If you are interested in starting a lapsit program in your area, there are helpful resources listed here with a number of suggested books and programming resources.
http://tinyurl.com/9u57ehj

Good Morning Songs
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems68.html

Good-Bye Songs
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems92.html

Kidsspace – Printable books with rhymes and fingerplays from the Toronto Public Library.
http://tinyurl.com/8jb6bvf 

You Are What You Read – Printable booklet form the Chicago Public Library. While some of the information is for older children, there are also rhymes, songs and more for the wee ones.
http://tinyurl.com/9evv7ub 

** Storytime Katie – This is one of my favorite storytime resources. Katie is a librarian and she shares her amazing knowledge with programs, all categorized by theme. If you are a preschool teacher, storyteller or parent, this is one site to bookmark!
http://storytimekatie.com/songs-rhymes/master-list/

Karen Chace 2012 ©

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.