Toddler Storytime: St. Patrick's Day
Updated: - 1/5/2021
Introduction: This Storytime is developed specially for children two and three years old and their caregivers. On this blog you will find various books, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, socialization, and crafts ideas. Each session of toddler storytime consists of a variety of activities that incorporate reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing.
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Age Range: 2 to 3 years old
Letter and/or Color: Letter L and counting to five.
Skills Supported: Vocabulary
Frequency: Weekly
Attendance: 20 children and their parent/caregiver
Staff or Volunteer Needed: 1 staff member, 1 volunteer
Format: Registration is required.
Books Shared: (from storytime)
How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
St. Patrick's Day by Julie Murray
Other Books to Display on Book Cart at Storytime:
That’s What Leprechaun’s Do by Eve Bunting
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase by James Dean
March by Julie Murray
A Fine St. Patrick's Day by Susan Wojciechowski
Ll by Bela Davis
Lana Lama’s Little Lamb by Barbara deRubertis
Storytime Preparation:
Print out Pot of Gold template on white paper. Cut out the pot, three coins and cloud.
Cut out six strips of construction paper in different "rainbow colors". 1/2" x 11.
1. Storytime Introduction: Welcome to Toddler Storytime. My name is Ms. Debbie. I am so glad to see you today. Our storytime is designed to be participated by everyone. We will share books, rhymes, and songs with your children. We encourage everyone to participate, but no worries if this doesn't happen. Sometimes when a child sees you participate, they might join in, but if your child is not in the mood, that is okay too. Our storytime can tend to be a little chaotic, but that is okay as well. If your child becomes disruptive, please take them outside the program room and then join us again when your child has settled down. This is normal, it is part of the process. So, let's start with our opening song.
2. Opening Song:
(Credit: No Time For Flash Cards. 2016, January 30).
Lyrics:
How Many Friends are Here Today?
How many friends are here today?
How many friends are here today?
Let's count it out!
Let's clap it out!
Let's dance it out!
There are ______ friends on their feet!
Now it's time to take your seat!
3. Early Literacy Aside: Explain:
Today's early literacy skill is focusing on vocabulary. Today our early literacy tip is on vocabulary, or knowing the meaning of words. Reading aloud to your child is a powerful way of talking with your child. It provides many different words that they hear in regular conversation. The more works children know, the easier it will be to understand what they read when they start reading.
4. Theme Talk:
Today our storytime is about St. Patrick's day, and the letter "L". Our literacy tip is on the topic of vocabulary.
5. Action Song: [I'm a little teapot]
Little Leprechaun
I’m a Little Leprechaun,
Short and Fat.
Here is My Shamrock, here is my hat.
If people try to catch me,
I will duck.
The Irish say, I bring Good Luck!
6. Information Book:
St. Patrick's Day by Julie Murray
7. Shakers Shaker Song
Sung to the tune of “London Bridge
“Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Shake your shakers, shake, shake, shake,
Shake your shakers!
Other Verses
Shake your shakers high, high, high,
Shake your shakers low, low, low,
Shake your shakers fast, fast, fast,
Shake your shakers slow, slow, slow"
(Mulvenna, L. (2013, January 17)
8. Early Literacy: When I read the book, St. Patrick's Day by Julie Murray, I stopped and pointed out words that maybe they have not heard of before. I did this by pointed at the illustration and then saying the word. As an example, on one page it says, "Pat wears a green pin". I would point to the pin so children can understand what the word pin means.
9. Movement Activity: [CHANGES EACH WEEK]
“Dance, Dance Leprechaun Dance” (to tune of “Skip to My Lou”) Dance, dance, leprechaun dance. Dance, dance, leprechaun dance. Dance, dance, leprechaun dance, Do a dance for me.
Bow…
Clap…
At this point I asked the kids in storytime what were some other things leprechaun’s did. Some of the answers I got were:
Search, search, search for gold…
Jump…
And I like to finish with… Sit, sit, leprechaun sit. Sit, sit, leprechaun sit. Sit, sit, leprechaun sit. Sit for our next story.
Credit: Jen in the Library: Storytimes, Programs & Library Thoughts. 2013, March 16. Saint Patrick's Day-Preschool Storytime. Retrieved from https://jeninthelibrary.com/2013/03/16/saint-patricks-day-preschool-storytime/
10. Book:
How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
11. Song:
The More We Read Together [Tune: "The More We Get Together" ]
Lyrics:
The more we read together, together, together.
The more we read together, the better it is!
'Cause reading and singing and talking together,
is how you learn the six skills for reading by six.
(Johnson County Library, 2011, February 8).
12. Felt board: 5 little Leprechauns
Start with 5 leprechauns on the felt board. Leprechaun Felt board template can be downloaded here:
Sing the song, take one leprechaun off at a time.
To make leprechaun felt board:
Print and laminated. Cut out. Glue sandpaper to back of leprechaun.
Five little leprechauns, scurrying by my door. One jumped away and then there were four. Four little leprechauns climbing in my tree. One hid in the green leaves and then there were three. Three little leprechauns, just a busy few. One went for a pot of gold, and then there were two. Two little leprechauns, having lots of fun. One hopped over the rainbow then there was one. One little leprechaun with all his work done, He slipped off for a nap, and then there were none.
Credit: Sunflower Storytime. (2015, March 1). Retrieved from https://sunflowerstorytime.com/2015/03/01/green-for-st-patricks-day/
13. Early Literacy Aside: Today, I pointed out the rich vocabulary in books - like leprechaun's, coins, pins, St. Patrick's Day. Many of these words we don't use in daily conversation. Use those harder words and explain them with simpler ones. Help by showing illustrations or photos. That's how children learn new words.
14. Good-bye Song
(L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 2014, September 28).
Goodbye Bubbles:
(Librarian/staff associate will blow bubbles while the parents/caregiver and children sing the song.
Lyrics:
Goodbye Bubbles
Goodbye Bubbles
Time to Go
Time to Go
I will help you
I will help you
With a blow
With a blow
15. Storytime Activity Ideas:
Craft: Pot of Gold
Supplies:
● One 12 x 18 piece of construction paper
● Print out of Pot of Gold craft (pot, cloud, and three coins)
● Six strips of 11 x 12 construction paper
● Glue stick
● Scissors (not included)
● Crayons
Directions:
Take your craft pieces out of the plastic bag and lay out on the table.
● Have your child color the pot.
● Glue coins on pot.
● Glue bottom of pot to 12 x 18 Construction paper. Leave the top loose so you can glue construction strips onto the backside of the pot.
● Glue cloud on 12 x 18 Construction paper. Leave the left side open to glue construction strips onto the backside of the cloud.
● Glue each strip of construction paper to the top of the pot. Twist once and tape the other end to the side of the cloud. This will make the appearance of a rainbow. See photo.
16. Takeaway:
Parents/caregivers are given the Early Literacy Newsletter for Toddlers.
The newsletters are developed around the specific program so they usually have to be tweaked every time we run the program.
Parent Newsletter:
Letter L Worksheet:
Virtual Toddler Storytime
Kit #1
In a canvas bag, parents/caregivers will receive:
● The book, How to Catch a Leprechaun by James Dean
● The book, My “L” Book by Jane Belk Monsure.
● Two crafts: Pot of Gold
● Coloring page: Letter “L”
● Worksheet: Letter L
● Felt board pieces
● Parent newsletter
Kit #2
In the kit you will find:
● The book, Saint Patrick’s Day by Julie Murray
● The book, My “L” Book by Jane Belk Moncure.
● Two crafts: Pot of Gold
● Coloring page: Letter “L”
● Worksheet: Letter L
● Felt board pieces
● Parent newsletter
Kit #3
In the kit you will find:
● The book, Pete the Cat: The great leprechaun chase by James Dean
● The book, Lana Llama’s Little Lamb by Barbara deRubertis.
● Two crafts: Pot of Gold
● Coloring page: Letter “L”
● Worksheet: Letter L
● Felt board pieces
● Parent newsletter
Notes:
References:
Memorial Public Library. (2014, September 28). Goodbye bubbles. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RXXQqVx0gT0
Jen in the Library: Storytimes, Programs & Library Thoughts. 2013, March 16. Saint Patrick's Day-Preschool Storytime. Retrieved from https://jeninthelibrary.com/2013/03/16/saint-patricks-day-preschool-storytime/
Johnson County Library. (2011, February 8).
Shake Shake Shake [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://lisaslibraryland.blogspot.com/2013/07/shake-shake-shake.html
No Time For Flash Cards. (2016, January 30). Circle Time Chant. [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ECHXNMFVumM
Sunflower Storytime. (2015, March 1). St. Patrick's Day. Retrieved from https://sunflowerstorytime.com/2015/03/01/green-for-st-patricks-day/
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