Alligator Story Time: April 1-2, 2019

Books:
Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis *
Alberto the Dancing Alligator by Richard Waring
Alligator Boy by Cynthia Rylant *
For Pete's Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh
A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan *

Craft: Paper Chain Alligator
This week's craft was inspired by the above picture with several changes.  Instead of gluing paper tubes together, the children make a three link paper chain out of green paper for the alligator's body.  A strip of cardstock was colored and then folded to make the alligator's mouth.  Two sequins were glued onto it for the eyes.  The head was then glued to one end of the chain for the head.  Four legs were colored and glued to the chain for the alligator's feet.

Extension Activities:
- This week we are focusing on the letter "A" for alligator.  Have your child point out all the "A"s in the book as you are reading.
- Learn more about alligators by checking out a book from the library.  There are several great nonfiction children's books about alligators.

Head Story Time: November 3-4, 2014

Books:
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan *
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle *
A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan
Imogene's Antlers by David Small
There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

Craft: Bunny Headband
This was a very simple craft to make.  Children colored a bunny cutout before gluing it to strips of paper to make into a headband.  They could then see what all they could do "with a bunny on their head".

Literacy Extensions:
- Ask kids to point to the different body parts as you name them.  Start with easy terms such as "ear, nose, etc." before moving on to more difficult terms such as "cheek, forehead, etc.".
- Do some simple exercises such as rolling your head, stretching your brack, etc. (i.e. From Head to Toe)

Rabbits Story Time: July 21-22, 2014

Books:
The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers *
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan *
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler
Peek-A-Boo Bunny by Holly Surplice *
What Does Bunny See? A Book of Colors by Linda Sue Park *

Craft: Bunny Mask
The center was cut out of a 9" paper plate.  Two bunny ears were glued to the top of the plate.  A jumbo craft stick was glued / taped to the bottom of the plate.  Cotton balls could be pulled apart and glued around the edge of the plate and the ears to make the bunny fuzzy.  The mask is held up so that you can see the child's face in the center of it.

Literacy Extensions:
- Practice rhyming using A Boy and His Bunny.  See if your child can come up with more activities they can do "with a bunny on their head" making sure to rhyme with "head".
- Explore shadows.  Discuss how shadows are created and then play with making shadows. (i.e. The Black Rabbit)