This is Not My Hat, a Storytime about Stealing and Awesome Hats (Book by Jon Klassen)

Not my Hat - a Storytime about Stealing

Preschool themes: Hats, fish, stealing, envy, theft.

Bible themes: Covetousness, stealing

Introduction:
Have a variety of hats available to show to the children.  Make the selection as wide and as interesting as possible. Include hats for different occupations, sports, and purposes. Spend some time with the children discussing and modelling some interesting hats.

Ask the children, "What if someone took your favorite hat when you weren't looking? How would that make you feel? Why would someone take something that doesn't belong to them?" Discuss the concept of theft with the children. Discuss need versus want, envy, and the right way to deal with feelings of want.

Story:
This Is Not My Hat, by Jon Klassen.  Introduce the story by explaining that it's about someone taking something that doesn't belong to them, in this case, a favorite hat.  Enjoy the story with the children, and then discuss how the little fish tried to justify reasons that it was o.k. to take the big fish's hat. Take a few moments to talk about what was right and what was wrong in the story.



Game: Hide the Hat. Choose a colorful hat to be "it." Ask one of the children to hide it. Help the rest of the group cover their eyes and sing a little song or count for a few seconds while she hides it. (Ask a parent helper or other adult to help the child hide the hat.) Then, with the help of the adult, instruct the child to give clues to help the rest of the group find the hidden hat. Tell her to say "warmer, warmer" when the group is close to the hat, and "colder, colder" when they are not close to finding it. Play a couple of rounds of this game, and the children will soon catch on.

Bible Verse: Exodus 20:15 "Do not steal." (CEV)
Ask the children to sit again and take a moment to tell them what the Bible teaches about stealing. Explain that it is wrong to want something someone else has so much that they would take it. Also tell them that although stealing is very wrong, that Jesus loves each of us and is always ready to forgive.

Story:
Jennie's Hat, by Ezra Jack Keats
Read the story with the children and take time out to discuss the idea of being disappointed, and how to handle feelings of want and of disappointment in a healthy way. Explain that we don't just take what we want, or sulk about what we do not have. If we are patient, and if we take healthy action, we can be content and will be blessed.

Art Activity:
Paper hats.
Take the creativity of the previous story and run with it! Make "derby hats" with your young ones! ("Derby" here refers to the famous Kentucky Derby style hats.) Don't worry, the boys can have fun with this, too! Be sure to offer lots of fun items to decorate your hats with, including things that will appeal to both girls and boys. Let the children choose the colors and items they want to decorate their awesome hats with!

You will need: lots of newspaper, tape, a stapler, colorful tissue paper, glue, scissors, and lots of items for decorating.

The link below gives fantastic instructions on how to make these fanciful and fun paper hats:
http://www.henryhappened.com/how-to-newspaper-derby-hat-for-kids.html
                               Thank you, henryhappened.com!

A Little Bit of Winter - a Wintry Storytime

Winter

A Storytime Lesson Plan for Preschool Children

This story time lesson for preschool age children highlights some of the "coolest" aspects of winter: ice and snow! In addition to some neat winter stories, snowy games, and art, this lesson plan even presents a basic gospel message.

Introduction: Show pictures of snowy scenes. Find pictures of your own or from the library that show some of the extremes in winter weather: ice encrusted lampposts, glaciers, or blizzards. Then show some of the more serene winter scenes such as outdoor ice skating, snow skiing, or children making snow angels. Discuss with the children some of the experiences they've had in the snow.

Tactile/Ice Exploration Opener: Have a prepared snowman for the children to see and explore. A couple of days prior to the storytime, pour water into two round balloons. Make one larger than the other, and place in the freezer. On the day of the lesson, take the frozen balloons out of the freezer and carefully remove the balloons from the ice. Place the larger of the frozen balls in the bottom of a shallow baking dish or pan, then place the smaller frozen ball on top. It might help to place a little water on the lower ice ball in order to facilitate the two sticking together. You now have a small frozen snowman. You can freeze three balls for a more traditional looking snowman, but extra care needs to be taken to make sure the three balls stick together. As the snowman begins to melt, it will become more sturdy. Cut some accessories out of felt for the snowman. Wrap a felt scarf around his neck, place three round black felt buttons on his tummy, and make little eyes, a nose and a mouth. If you have a little hat that fits, use it. The children will be fascinated and will see that "A Little Bit Of Winter" (today's story) really does bite!

Story: A Little Bit of Winter, by Paul Stewart. (I have a big book version of this, which is very nice, but any edition will do.) Discuss the wintry aspects of this story. Have the children ever felt winter "bite?" If you live in a warm winter area, the icy snowman will provide a wonderful wintry experience for the children.

Rhyme: "My Pet Snowball" (original author unknown)

"I made myself a snowball, just as perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.

I gave it some pyjamas and a pillow for its head.

Then last night, it ran away, but first - it wet the bed!"

Game: "Pass the Snowball"

Sit in a circle and play wintry music, (such as "Winter Wonderland,") while passing around a "snowball" made of a wad of fluffy cotton or even a ball of wadded white paper. Stop the music periodically, and have the person caught holding the "snowball" sit in the middle of the circle. Continue until everyone has had a chance to sit in the circle.

Fingerplay: "Chubby Little Snowman" (original author unknown)

"A chubby little snowman had a carrot for a nose,

Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny was looking for his lunch...

And he ATE that snowman's nose...

nibble, nibble, - CRUNCH!"

Book:  Snowflakes, by Kenneth Libbrerecht. Enjoy browsing through this large photo book featuring incredibly magnified photographs of many actual snow crystals.

Discussion: The Bible talks about snow! Ask the children whether they knew that the Bible mentions snow. Psalm 147:16 says of God: "He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes." God created winter, snow, and ice, and each individual snow flake and ice crystal is an amazing work of art! 

Snow is also used as a representation of spiritual purity.  Explain how God washes away our sins and makes us white as snow. Discuss the imagery of snow, and how it represents purity. These concepts are rather abstract for young children, but they have the ability to understand the basic imagery. Use this opportunity to introduce a simplified gospel message to your audience.

Bible Verse Bracelets: 

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

Isaiah 1:18  "I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool." (CEV)

Song: "Whiter Than Snow," the age-old hymn, sung by Keith Lancaster and Rodney Britt. This beautiful version of this familiar song would be lovely to play while showing the pictures in the Snowflakes book!  Whiter Than Snow 

Art: Puffy snowmen. Prepare a mixture of shaving cream, white glue, and silver glitter. The percentage of shaving cream to glue should be about 60/40 or 70/30. Sprinkle in an adequate amount of glitter to make a pleasing sparkling effect. Give each child a piece of dark blue construction paper or card stock. Draw (or have prepared beforehand) the outline of a snowman on each piece of paper. Let the children finger paint the shaving cream mixture onto their snowmen, filling in the outlines. Give each child a construction paper scarf, some buttons, some eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and let them stick these onto their creations. After a while, the puffiness caused by the shaving cream will flatten out, but the artwork is left with a sparkly, feathery effect.

Thanks to bigactivities.com for the Snowman parts template!

Too Much Noise! Themes: Stress, Quiet, Solitude, Prayer, Distractions, Worship, Farm Animals, Noises, Sounds

Too Much Noise!

...A Preschool Story Time Lesson Plan About Seeking Quietness.

INTRODUCTION:

As an introduction to your storytime, bring in an assortment of noise makers for the children. Include objects that make loud noises (such as tin pie plates, rattles, plastic cups for banging together,) and items that create soft sounds (like organza scarves, sandpaper, pinwheels, or small triangles.) Alternate between having your group make loud then soft noises. Discuss the differences the children experienced. How did the loud noises make them feel? How would they feel if the loud noises went on for a very long time?

STORY: Too Much Noise, by Ann McGovern. Enjoy the story with the children. Take a few minutes after the story to discuss the main character's experience of having all those noisy farm animals in his house. How do they think that experience helped him feel better about the quieter "noises" in his home?

GAME: Play "Barnyard Match-up." Assign a farm animal noise to each child. Make sure there are two of every animal represented. For example, if you have twenty children, make sure you have two pigs, two cats, two cows, etc. to make 10 sets. Let the children all make their animal noises at the same time, seeking out their partner. Game is over when all the sets have come together. Assist younger children and have fun in the cacophony!

SONG and Quiet-Down: Gather everyone back to your storytime circle, and discuss the noisy game you just played. Emphasize the distinction between the noise before and the quiet now.

Explain that everyone needs to find a quiet place now and then to stay healthy and happy. Tell about how Jesus often sought out a quiet place away from the crowds to rest and to pray.

Play "Agnus Dei" from Cedarmont Worship for Kids, Volume 1. Sit back and let the music lead the children into a place of stillness and worship.

STORY: A Quiet Place, by Douglas Wood. Ask the children where their favorite quiet place is. Describe what Jesus' favorite quiet place might have been like.

BIBLE VERSE BRACELETS: Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I AM God..." (NKJV)

and/or Matthew 14:23 "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." (NKJV)

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY: Visit a local farm. Explore the many types of animals there. Discuss the different sounds each animal makes. Find the noisy places on the farm. Find the quiet places. Enjoy!!

The Secret Birthday Message: Storytime themes: Birthdays, Pirates, Directional Words, Shapes, Following Jesus

                              

Title:  The Secret Birthday Message

Author/Illustrator:  Eric Carle

Word Density: Low
Age-Appropriateness: Toddler to 8

Summary: 

I get really, really excited about ANY of Eric Carle's books. But I get especially happy when I find a new one (or in this case, old one.) First published in West Germany in 1971, The Secret Birthday Message is a little gem. With characteristically wonderful artwork, Carle presents a simple idea. A boy named Tim discovers a mysterious coded message in his room on his birthday-eve. In it are specific instructions for where to find his birthday present. Full of symbols, shapes, and directional words like "in," "behind," and "through," Carle uses specially-cut pages that lead the reader on a literal treasure hunt through the book. And of course, in classic Carle fashion, there's a surprise at the end of the search. A thoroughly lovely and educational presentation by my favorite author, artist, philosopher, and universal grandpa, Eric Carle.

Using this story as the basis for your lesson, choose from or combine the following themes found in this book to correspond with your current curriculum unit or lesson objectives:

Preschool themes:

1. Secret messages/Pirates.

2. Birthdays.

3. Shapes.

4. Directional words.

Christian themes:

1. Follow the Savior.

2. Jesus' Birthday.

3. The Greatest Treasure is Peace With God.

4. God's message for us.

Scripture connections:

1. Matthew 6:19-21: "Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will be where your treasure is." (New Century Version)

2. John 8:12: "Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.'" (New Century Version)

3. Acts 10:36: "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." (NIV)

4. Ephesians 4:6: "[There is] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (NIV)Song suggestions:

1. "Follow the Saviour" by Colin Buchanan from "Follow the Saviour" CD.

2. "The Greatest Treasure" by Colin Buchanan, from his "Practise Being Godly" CD.

3. "The Best Book to Read is the Bible" from Colin Buchanan's "Follow the Saviour" CD.

4. Song, "Luke, Chapter 9 Verse 23," from Colin Buchanan's "Practise Being Godly" CD.

·Enrichment: Provide a "secret message" for the children to decode. Place a bag of treats in a hidden area. Draw a map using symbols and pictures, and show it to the children. Help them decipher the map and find the treats.

                      

The Owl and the Woodpecker: Storytime Themes: Being a Good Neighbor, Forest Animals, Owls, Birds, Peace, Problem Solving

Title: The Owl and the Woodpecker

Author/Illustrator: Brian Wildsmith

Word Density: Medium

My Recommended Age-Appropriateness: 4 to 12

CHRISTIAN THEMES: 

1. Loving your neighbor.
2. Living peacefully with one another.

PRESCHOOL THEMES:
1. Settling differences.
2. Being a good neighbor.
3. Solving problems.
4. Forest animals.
5. Nighttime and daytime animals.

SUMMARY: In this classic fable about a group of forest animals who have property disputes, readers learn about how to be a good neighbor. With beautiful colors and lively textures, Wildsmith portrays the all-too-realistic argument between nocturnal Owl, who recently moved into the tree next door, and Woodpecker. Owl can't sleep and becomes infuriated with Woodpecker's daytime noise. Woodpecker, however, maintains that it's his right to peck on his own tree anytime and as loudly as he wants. The dispute grows more and more heated, eventually causing a siding of opinions among all the forest's residents. The tiny mouse sees Woodpecker's point of view, insisting that "Owl is always bossing...us around." The larger animals tend to see Owl's perspective, encouraging Woodpecker to compromise and "stop pecking" so they can all get some peace. Finally the residents gather round to encourage the troubled Owl to do something to fix the situation. He, however, feels the problem is entirely Woodpecker's fault, and insists on Woodpecker moving house. Their neighbors get so fed up with it all that they actually try to push down Owl's tree. Of course, this doesn't work, but coincidentally, two beavers begin to take a liking to Owl's tree. When a big storm comes along and threatens to blow down Owl's tree one day while he's fast asleep, Woodpecker sees the danger and, disregarding all their earlier disputes, rushes in to waken Owl one last time with his frantic pecking. Owl is so grateful to Woodpecker for rescuing him, that all is forgiven, and a suitable arrangement is made so that everyone lives peacefully together. Altogether an excellent way of demonstrating how to be, and not to be, a good friend and neighbor.

Choose from the following themes, songs, and Bible verses to create a lesson that best suits your curriculum or learning objectives:

SCRIPTURE CONNECTIONS:

1. 2 Corinthians 13:11 "...Try to get along and live peacefully with each other." (CEV)

2. Proverbs 11:25 "...those who help others will themselves be helped." (CEV)

3. Romans 15:2 "We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord." (NLT)

4. Romans 15:5 "God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ." (CEV)

SONG CONNECTIONS:

1. "Up All Night" (a song about nocturnal animals) by Zach Burba from "Cool Creatures" CD & MMMKids.
2. "Love Your Neighbor" from the Veggie Tales Veggie Tunes CD.
3. "This is My Commandment" from the Cedarmont Kids Platinum Collection.

Craft Idea: Let the children create paper plate owls. Give each child two paper plates, one large and one small. Staple the smaller one above the larger one to simulate the owl's head. Provide plenty of brown craft feathers (available in most arts and crafts supply stores) and let the children use glue to cover their owls in feathers. Finally, glue two plastic googly eyes (also available at craft stores) on the "face." Hang your lovely, silly owls around the room and enjoy!

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth! Story Time Themes: Frogs, Watching our Mouths, Words, Honoring God

STORYTIME LESSON PLAN:  Oh, Be Careful Little Mouth...!

OPENING ATTENTION-GETTER: Sing the nursery rhyme "Glub, Glub Went the Little Green Frog." (Author unknown.) You may use hand motions for added interest. (I have a little stuffed frog finger-puppet I like to use with this rhyme.)

"Glub, glub went the little green frog one day,

Glub, glub went the little green frog.

Glub, glub went the little green frog one day,

and his eyes went BLINK, BLINK, BLINK!"

DISCUSSION: Explain to the children the concept of using our mouths in ways that could hurt ourselves and other people. Ask the children for examples. Then ask them for some ways we can use our mouths in ways that help. Take a few minutes to talk with the children about this.

SONG: Sing "Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes..." with the children.

STORY: Read The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog by Ana Martin Larranaga.

SONG: Sing "Shhh!" from the Cedarmont Kids "Happy Songs" recording.

BIBLE VERSE: Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

FINGERPLAY: "A Green Frog" (author unknown)

~Use hand motions to act out the rhyme...

"Said the little green frog as he sat on a log,

'Nobody really likes me!'

A snake came along and said,

'You are wrong!'

And gobbled him up for tea!"

FINGERPLAY #2: "5 Little Speckled Frogs" (author unknown)

~Remember to use hand motions to act out the finger play...

"Five little speckled frogs

Sitting on a hollow log

Eating some moist delicious bugs (yum, yum!)

One jumped into the pool

Where it was nice and cool

Now there are four speckled frogs! (Ribit! Ribit!)"

...continue until there are "no more speckled frogs!

STORY: Read, What Would Jesus Do? by Helen Haidle. Explain how He wants us to use our mouths to encourage, heal, praise, and help. Give some concrete, age-specific examples of these.

ART: Make googly-eyed frogs! Prepare green frog shapes from suitable green card stock. Cut out enough for the number of children you anticipate to attend. (Always make more than you think you'll need!) Have enough plastic wiggly eyes (the kind you can find in the craft section of arts and crafts stores) for each child to have two. Let the children decorate their frogs with colors, chalk, glitter-glue, etc. Then help them glue on the plastic eyes.

CLOSING RHYME: Recite the following rhyme with the children:

"2 little eyes to look to God,

2 little ears to hear God's Word.

2 little feet to walk God's ways,

2 hands to serve God all my days.

1 little tongue to speak God's truth,

1 little heart for God in youth;

Take them, oh Jesus, let them be

always willing, true to Thee."

(~From Through the Church Door, by Louise Marshall Haynes.)

Dinosaur Roar!: Storytime themes: Dinosaurs, Grace, Opposites, Descriptive Words, God's Strength, Our Dependence Upon God

Story Time Lesson for Teaching About God's Sufficient Grace

Summary: Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland.

In this simple book, large colorful happy-looking dinosaurs accompany antonyms that will help children understand opposites. A perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of God's strength and our weakness.

Preschool Themes: Opposites, descriptive words, dinosaurs.

Christian Themes: God is strong when we are weak.

Opener:

Play an "opposites" game with the children. Give a few examples of opposites to demonstrate or remind children of the concept. Then let the children guess the opposite of a word's meaning by acting the opposite out. For example, say "up." The children guess "down," by saying it and acting out "down" in their own way. Say "hard" and let them act out and say "soft." Try "cold" and let them dramatize "hot." Give them cues as needed and have fun.

Story: Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland. See if the children can act out some of the dinosaur actions during the story. Reinforce the concept of opposites using examples from the story. Ask the children to give some examples of things that are strong, then things that are weak. Ask them if they've ever felt weak. (Perhaps when they've been ill or afraid.) Explain that God is always strong. Nobody is stronger than God! And when we feel weak and realize we're not very strong, we can remember how much He loves us and is strong for us!

Song: "Jesus Loves Me" (See if the children can catch when the words "weak" and "strong" are sung during the song, by acting out the words as they are sung.)

Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (a) (NKJV)

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Explain the verse to the children by saying that God is very strong. He is stronger than anything we can imagine. He knows that we are weak compared to Him. And because He is so strong, we are made strong through Him. So no matter how little or weak we feel, God is strong enough for everything and everyone!

Art: Dinosaur coloring pages. Please see the authors' and illustrator's website for free printables of dinosaurs from their book. This site also has templates for creating your own dino pop-up mouth! Choose any of these, make copies for the children, and let them color and decorate them as they wish.