Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters -- 5/20/25

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen
Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand
My Dad Is Big and Strong, But . . . by Coralie Saudo

Books:
Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep by Barney Saltzberg
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Good Night, Owl by Greg Pizzoli
The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin

Craft: Monster Puppet
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out monster

- Color monster

- Fold along dotted lines to make mouth than can open/shut

- Optional: Glue sequins on for more decoration

Extension Activities:

- Bedtime stories are a great way to end the day with your child.  Choose books that are calming rather than more excitable books.
- Have a PJ fashion show.  Ask your child(ren) to show off their best pajama fashions.


Template --

Baby Bear's Chairs -- 5/13/25

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Baby Bear's Chairs by Jane Yolen
There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins

Books:
Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau
A Couch for Llama by Leah Gilbert
Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mahy
Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray
He Came with the Couch by David Slonim
I Am NOT a Chair by Ross Burach

Craft: Sitting Bear

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (bear, strip) making sure to cut along the slits in bear's legs

- Color bear and write name/saying on strip

- Fold bear's arms and legs

- Slide paper strip into slits in legs to make bear sit up

Extension Activities:

- Play a game of musical chairs.

- Frog on a Log involves animals only being able to sit on things they rhyme with.  Have your child(ren) come up with what objects different family and friends can sit on.

Template --

A Bear Sat on My Porch Today -- 5/6/25

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

A Bear Sat on My Porch Today by Jane Yolen
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback
Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher

Books:

Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer
The Farm That Mac Built by Tammi Sauer
Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig
Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore by David McPhail

Craft: Walking Bear
- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, legs)

- Color pieces

- Fold body along dotted lines so stands

- Glue tabs on head together into circle and then glue onto body

Extension Activities:

- Play a cumulative rhythm game.  Give a pattern of claps, stomps, etc. and have your child repeat it.  Continue repeating it back and forth adding more claps, etc. each round.

- Print out Jane Yolen's activity guide to her book A Bear Sat on My Porch Today.

Template --

Virtual Story Time: Jewish American Heritage Month -- May 2025

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's virtual Story Time.

Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak

Books:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen
It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach
Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed by Leslea Newman
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak


Extension Activities:
- Have a whistling contest.  Who can whistle the loudest? longest? like a bird?
- Make a pot of chicken soup with rice (or noodles).
- Visit jewishamericanheritage.org for activities for Jewish American Heritage Month for all ages.

Royal Stories: Attack of the Underwear Dragon -- 4/29/25

Each month, Miss Amy records a virtual Story Time that goes along with the monthly theme.  It will be posted monthly in the morning of the first Tuesday of the month.  (The video is available to watch for one month before a new one is uploaded.) 

Click HERE for this month's Story Time video.

Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman
The Tiny King by Taro Miura

Books:
Ace Dragon, Ltd by Russell Hoban
The Big Princess by Taro Miura
Elephant Joe, Brave Knight! by David Wojtowycz
Princess says Goodnight by Naomi Howland
Waking Beauty by Leah Wilcox

Craft: Dragon Flyer

- Print template onto cardstock or heavy paper

- Cut out pieces (body, wings)

- Color pieces

- Fold body along dotted lines

- Fold wings along dotted lines

- Glue wings to body where indicated

Extension Activities:

- Train to become a knight.  Create an obstacle course where kids have to gallop like a knight's horse, fly like a dragon, etc.

- Host a royal ball.  Have kids dance to classical music.

Template --