Theme:
Independence Day / Fourth of July
Books:
Fourth of July Mice by Bethany Roberts
Hats Off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert
Mouse’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson
Board Story:
Fireworks
We sit and look at the dark night sky,
Waiting for the fireworks to start to fly.
Then with a BOOM and a flash of light
A big RED firework sparkles in the night
Action Rhymes / Songs:
Action Rhyme: Fireworks go
Fireworks go
snap, snap, snap (snap fingers)
crack, crack, crack (slap knees)
zap, zap, zap (make flashing motions with hands)
Fireworks make me
clap, clap, clap (clap hands)
on Independence Day!
Songs:
You’re a Grand Old Flag
Yankee Doodle
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Play time:
Flag waving and patriotic sing-a-long with CD (Patriotic Medley from The Learning Station Kid’s Country Song and Dance CD)
Flag color by number / fact sheet
Early Literacy Asides:
Aside #1: Play is one of the primary ways young children learn language and literacy skills and learn about the world. General knowledge is an important literacy skill that helps children understand books and stories once they begin to read. Play also helps children think symbolically: a ruler becomes a magic wand, today becomes a time when dinosaurs were alive, a playmate becomes an astronaut exploring space. Through play children realize that one thing can stand for another. This also helps children understand that written words stand for real objects and experiences.
Aside #2: There are lots of ways to play! A favorite of most children is blowing bubbles and this is great because blowing bubbles is an awesome way to strengthen the small muscles in your child’s mouth that are important for speech. (Variations: give your child a cotton ball or feather to blow along the floor or off from his/her high chair tray.)
Other books considered / used for display:
Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
Happy 4th of July Jenny Sweeney by Leslie Kimmelman
How to Bake an American Pie by Karma Wilson
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet Wong
Meet Our Flag, Old Glory by April Jones Prince
Resources Consulted:
ALSC Blog
Melissa Depper Family
Storytime Secrets
Reflection: This was my first time doing a Fourth of July themed storytime and it turned out to be a fun one. The books are cute and provided lots of good talking points. The kids really liked my fireworks board story and it led into a conversation about our favorite kinds of fireworks. The best part by far though was seeing everyone dance and wave their flags during the songs at the end.
msdenilibrarian 