Preschool Storytime: Apples and Pumpkins

Last week marked the beginning of storytimes for the Fall! After taking a four week hiatus after the summer, I was ready to get back into the swing of things. A change of season was just the thing, so last week's theme was apples and pumpkins - my two favorite Fall foods!

OPENING SONG: "We're All Here for Storytime"

(sung to the tune of "London Bridges")

We're all here for storytime,
Storytime, storytime. (Children slap thighs to the beat.)
We're all here for storytime,
Let's get ready.
Can you turn your ears up high, (Turn earlobe upward.)
Ears up high, ears up high?
Can you turn your ears up high,

So you can hear?
Can you turn your mouth down low, (Pretend to button lips.)
Mouth down low, mouth down low?
Can you turn your mouth down low?
Now let's read!

(Source: Simply Super Storytimes: Programming Ideas for Ages 3-6 by Marie Castellano. UpstartBooks, 2003.)

ACTION RHYME: I Have Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers,
And they all belong to me. (Hold up both hands)
I can make them do things,
Would you like to see? (Wiggle fingers)
I can shut them up tight, (Make a fist)
I can open them wide, (Spread fingers out)
I can lock them together, (Clasp hands together)
I can make them all hide. (Put hands behind back)
I can dance my fingers way up high, (Raise hands over head)
I can dance my fingers way down low, (Lower hands to the ground)

I can fold my fingers together and put them just so. (Fold hands in lap)

BOOK: Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins

This counting story about farm animals each taking an apple off the farmer's apple tree was a big hit! The children loved making the different animal noises, and the rhyming, repetitious text was a perfect read aloud.

FELT RHYME/FINGERPLAY: Five Little Apples
When cleaning out the craft closet, I came across these big apples cut out of felt. I made leaves for each apple and -PRESTO- an instant felt board rhyme!



Five little apples, I wish there were more,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are four.
Four little apples hanging on a tree,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are three.
Three little apples, only a few,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are two.
Two little apples hanging in the sun,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there is one.
One little apple, pick it and run,
I (or the name of a child) just did that,
And now there are none!

BOOK: Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
This simple story about Jamie and his pumpkin seed was great for storytime! Children enjoyed watching the different growth stages of the pumpkin (and pointing out the animals on each page).



FELT RHYME/FINGERPLAY: Five Little Pumpkins
I traditionally use this rhyme in my Halloween storytime, but it's perfect for a pumpkin themed storytime!

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "My it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There's a chill in the air!"
The third one said, "But we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
The fifth one said, "Let's run, run, run!"
Then oooooo went the wind and out (clap hands) went the lights,
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

ACTION SONG: "Pumpkin, Pumpkin"
(sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground (crouch down)
How'd you get so big and round? (stretch arms out wide and make a circle)
Planted as a seed so small (pretend to hold a seed)
Now you are a great big ball! (make a huge circle with arms)
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground
How'd you get so big and round?

(Source: DLTK website)

BOOK: Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
This is a great story for toddlers and preschoolers. Simple text and cute illustrations make this a fun fall read - and a trip to the apple orchard will be in your future!



FINGERPLAY: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
This is one of my favorite rhymes from my childhood, and I enjoy sharing it with the toddlers and preschoolers.

Way up high in the apple tree, (stretch arms above head)
Two little apples smiled at me. (hold up two fingers and make smile face)
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (pretend to shake tree)
Down came the apples, (wiggle hands down)
Mmmm....they were good! (rub stomach)

CLOSING SONG: "Where is Thumbkin?"
Where is thumbkin, where is thumbkin?
Here I am! Here I am!
Did you like our stories? Yes, I liked our stories! (have thumbs "talk" to each other)
Time to go, hide away. (hide thumbs behind your back)
Where are all of you? Where are all of you?
Here we are! Here we are! (bring one hand out from behind your back at a time)
Can you wave goodbye now? Yes, I'll wave goodbye now! (wave hands)
Bye, bye, bye! Bye, bye, bye!

(Source: Simply Super Storytimes: Programming Ideas for Ages 3-6 by Marie Castellano. UpstartBooks, 2003.)

CRAFT: Apple Tree (from All Kids Network)
So simple! I have TONS of toilet paper rolls and was looking for a craft in which to offload some of my stash. Voila - apple tree! To eliminate the mess, I pre-cut the tree shape out of green construction paper, instead of having them paint the paper green. The kids had a blast!