Hello Chant: A take on my normal hello chant; slap thighs then clap hands in rhythm
Bread and Butter
Marmalade and Jam
Let's say Happy Holidays as happy as we can / sad as we can
Loud/quiet; fast/slow
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Bear is determined to stay up for Christmas and with the help of his friends he tries his best to make it through the night to enjoy the holiday together. I love Bear and the kids noticed. I had just read Bear Snores On and had read this same book last week at our holiday event in the library. I could read these stories over and over again though and I don't think the kids mind it either. Unfortunately we do not have the Bear books available in the TMC yet though they are on a future order. If you haven't done so yet visit the Cortland Free Library. As long as you bring your SUNY ID and driver's license you will be able to sign up for a library card and have access to their resources.
Action Song: "Let's All Do a Little Clapping" (Tune: We Wish You a Merry Christmas)
Let's all do a little clapping
Let's all do a little clapping
Let's all do a little clapping
And spread Christmas Cheer.
(Jumping, Bending, Twirling, and Sitting)
Credit: Preschool Education via Storytime Katie
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
On Christmas Eve, snowmen hold a party in the center of town and celebrate with food, music and dancing, and presents. This story is part of the Snowmen series and features rhyming text and bright illustrations. Again, this book is not currently available in TMC so check out the public library.
Fingerplay: "Five Snowman"
Five little snowmen (hold up five fingers)
On a winter's day--
The first one said (cup hands around mouth as if shouting)
Wake Up! so we can play.
The second one said
Let's stomp on the the ground (stomp on the ground)
The third one said
Let's roll all around (roll hands around each other)
The fourth one said
Let's run and run and run (run in place)
The fifth one said
I'm afraid I feel the sun (act as if faint)
Oh dear, cried the snowmen
As they looked toward the sky
And the five melting snowmen
Waved a fond good-bye (wave good-bye as you "melt" to the ground)
Credit: Preschool Education
Action Song: "Must Be Santa"
Who's got a beard that's long and white?
Santa's got a beard that's long and white.
Who comes by on a special night?
Santa comes by on a special night.
Special night, beard that's white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa, Claus
Who wears boots and a suit of red / long cap on his head...
Who's got a big red cherry nose / laughs way HO, HO, HO
Who very soon will come our way / eight little reindeer pull his sleigh
Credit: BSLK Music Be sure to watch the video for the movements
The Three Bears Christmas by Kathy Duval
A holiday take on the classic Goldilocks just as fun as the original.
Song: "Up on the Housetop"
Up on the housetop, reindeer pause (point up)
Out jumps good old Santa Claus (jump)
Down through the chimney with lots of toys (point down)
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? (make Santa belly, shrug shoulders)
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? (make Santa belly, shrug shoulders)
Up on the housetop, click, click, click (snap fingers)
Down through the chimney with good St. Nick (touch ground)
Credit: Storytime Katie who originally got it from Sunflower Storytime though the link to the post was broken.
We didn't do a goodbye song because the event continued with a holiday singalong.