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!

The Little Red Caboose - You Can Do It, Even Though You're Small!

Preschool Themes: Trains / You Can Do It, Even Though You're Small!

Bible Theme:  -Loaves and Fishes-

Introduction: Show the children some nice glossy pictures of various trains. Get a nice over-sized book on trains at the library, and choose pictures with color and variety. Show a caboose, a passenger train, a diesel engine, etc. Spend a few moments discussing the pictures with the children.

Story: The Little Red Caboose, by Marion Potter .

Explain that even though small, the caboose was very important.

Finger play: "The Train"

Say: "Here is the engine on the track (thumb)

Here is the coal car, just in back (pointer)

Here is the box car to carry freight (middle)

Here is the mail car. Don't be late. (ring)

Way back here at the end of the train (little)

Rides the caboose through the sun and the rain."

Song: "Choo Choo Train," by Gary Lapow, from "I Like Noodles" album.

Bible Verse Bracelets: (The children love these! Print out multiple rows of the Bible verse onto a sheet of colored computer paper. Cut between each verse so that you have lots of long strips, each with the verse printed on it. Give one to each of the children by wrapping it round a wrist and securing it with a piece of sticky tape.)

Matthew 19:14: "But Jesus said, 'Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.' "

Story: What's for Lunch? by Joanne Bader.

Discuss how, just as in the caboose story, the most insignificant character can have the most important role. Reiterate how Jesus pays attention to and values children.

Song: "Praise Him, Praise Him" from "Songs of Praise" album by Cedarmont Kids.

Finger play: "I Caught a Fish Alive"

Say: "1-2-3-4-5, once I caught a fish alive.

6-7-8-9-10, then I let him go again.

Why did I let him go?

Because he bit my finger so!

Which finger did he bite?

This little finger on the right!"

Art Activity: Shape Train Collage

Use basic geometric shapes to form a collage of a train engine. With three circles for wheels, a square and a rectangle for the body of the engine, two triangles for the front of the train and top of its smokestack, a small square for a window, smaller rectangles for the roof and other details, help the children organize the shapes into a train. Use various bright colors for the shapes, and paste them onto a black background sheet. Use a bit of white chalk to create a wisp of smoke coming out of the top. The effect is very nice.

Enrichment: Give children "Fish Baskets" as they leave. Fill paper trays or disposable bowls with snack fish and oyster crackers, or other type of snacks that resemble loaves and fishes.

Rainbows - Noah's Ark

                                                       

Introduction: Show children a prism. (I borrowed one from my local preschool!) If you do not have access to a prism, make your own with beveled glass or a glass of water. Explore and discuss the rainbows that are created.

Game: Color Song (Tune: "Muffin Man")

"If you're wearing RED today,

RED today, RED today,

if you're wearing RED today,

stand up and say 'Hooray!'" (continue substituting colors until all children have been able to participate)

Story: The First Rainbow, by Su Box

Action Song: "Rise and Shine" from "Action Bible Songs" album by Cedarmont Kids
  

Song: "Old Man Noah Had an Ark" (Tune: "Old MacDonald")

"Old man Noah had an ark, Ee-I-Ee-I-O!

And on this ark he had two frogs, Ee-I-Ee-I-O!

With a ribbit ribbit here, and a ribbit ribbit there,

here a ribbit, there a ribbit, everywhere a ribbit ribbit....

Old man Noah had an ark, Ee-I-Ee-I-O!"

(keep changing the animals...use trumpeting elephants, chattering monkeys, hissing snakes, snapping crocodiles, growling bears, roaring lions, jumping kangaroos, and yawning koalas!)

Prayer and 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 the storytime topic.)

Genesis 9:13 "I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth."

Say a short prayer of thanks to God for what His rainbow means to us.

Story: What is the Sun? by Reeve Lindbergh (a second story can be used to fill a longer story hour.)

What Is the Sun?

Discuss how God created all things.

Rainbow fingerplay:

"One day the sun was shining bright (hold up right hand)

But clouds came along, & it was dark as night (move left hand over right hand as if clouds were covering the sun)

The rain began to sprinkle down (wiggle fingers of both hand while moving them downward)

Soon it was raining all over town.

But when the clouds had passed on by (move both hands to the right)

A beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky! (make an arc overhead)

Art: Rainbows

If the weather permits, and it is suitable for your group, take colored chalk outdoors and make giant rainbows on a sidewalk. If the weather doesn't agree, use damp colored chalk on nicely-colored paper to make lovely rainbows. Consider using a very long sheet of butcher paper (or a banquet-table-sized paper tablecloth) and make a giant paper rainbow.

                                                                             

The Tiny Seed - Autumn - Everything Has a Season

Autumn / Everything Has a Season...The Tiny Seed

Introduction: Show the children a collection of leaves and other Fall items. Discuss how God made the trees and the seasons. Talk about how trees change throughout the seasons.

Fall Fingerplay:

Red and yellow, green and brown (count off colors on fingers)

Leaves are falling to the ground (simulate falling leaves with hands)

We pile them up, oh so high ("pile" leaves with hands)

Then we JUMP in (pretend to jump in leaves)

My friends and I!

Story: Ten Tall Oaktrees, by Richard Edwards. Discuss how God wants us to care for the Earth He created. Discuss ways we can care for the Earth.

Song: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," from "Sunday School Songs" recording by Cedarmont Kids.

Fall Song/Game: "The Leaves on the Trees" (tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

Form a circle with the children then sing:

"The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down (flutter hands down while singing...)

The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, all over town (flutter hands down then turn around.)"

"The leaves on the trees are red, red, red. Red, red, red. Red, red, red (everyone wearing red goes to center of circle and shake themselves...)

The leaves on the trees are red, red, red...all over town."

Repeat for orange, yellow, green, brown, and purple (or any other colors, until all children have had a chance to be in the center of the circle.)

Story: The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. Briefly discuss the significance of a plant's life cycle.

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 the storytime topic.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."

Prayer: "Thank you, God, for the trees, and for the different seasons You created. Help us to take care of the beautiful world You made. Amen."

Art: Leaf Rubbings.

Use a variety of boldly-textured leaves. Help the children place paper over the leaves and make colorful rubbings using pencil, chalk, and/or pastels.

How Are You Feeling? Themes: Emotions, Feelings, Vegetables, Foods, Faces, Contentment, Joy, Peace

How Are You Feeling?

A Preschool Story Time Lesson on Emotions:

~Helping Children Understand Their Emotions

Introduction: Before the story hour begins, have some visual aids prepared. Using wood or PVA glue, draw facial expressions onto regular copier paper. Make 5 different expressions: sad, happy, angry, surprised (or scared,) and bored. Make very simple drawings with the glue. A circle for the face, lines for eyes, nose, and mouth, and eyebrows to indicate mood will suffice. Allow the glue to dry, creating a raised surface. Before your audience arrives, place each of the five facial expressions on a whiteboard or easel. Cover each with a plain white sheet of paper, so the expressions are concealed. When it's time to begin, take colored chalk or oil pastels and begin rubbing it over the first of the raised facial expressions. Use different colors for different moods. Consider blue for sad, yellow or orange for happy, red for angry, gray for bored, and perhaps bright florescent pink for startled or surprised. See if the children can guess each emotion before you begin the rubbing by looking at the color you have chosen. Talk with the children about each emotion as it is being revealed.

Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst. Share a personal story of a bad day you've gone through.

Feelings Fingerplay: (original author unknown)

"Sometimes I'm as angry as a buzzing bee. (Buzzzz!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me! (Hug self.)

Sometimes I'm silly as a monkey in a tree. (Act like a silly monkey.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I won't eat even one green pea. (Act defiant.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I trip and fall and scrape my knee. (Rub knee and look defeated.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I scream louder than the TV. (Cup hands around mouth in a silent yell.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I'm sad, as sad as can be. (Boo-Hoo!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I run and feel happy and free! (Run in a small circle.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!"

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.)

Psalm 28:7

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song." (NIV)

Explain that even though we sometimes experience frustration, anger, or sadness, the joy in our hearts doesn't go away. We can be full of joy and thankfulness even when we're in a bad mood, because of our faith in God and our trust in His strength.

Song: "Thank You, Lord" from "Kids Collection Sing Along Praise Songs: 14 Sing-Along Songs of Praise" by Brentwood Music, Inc.

Story: How Are You Peeling?: Foods With Moods, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers.  (This is a fantastic book about feelings featuring adorable photos of vegetables mimicking human emotions. Sounds crazy, but really funny.)

Song: "Happy All the Time" from Cedarmont Kids Classics Action Bible Songs recording.

Art Activity: Make Veggie Faces. Give each child a nice red tomato shape cut out of card stock. Give each a little green stem and leaves cut from card stock. Help them put their leaves on their tomatoes, then give each two google eyes, a small black button for a nose, a pipe cleaner for a mouth, and a black marker or crayon for eyebrows and any other features the children might like to add. Help them create their own veggie face in whatever expression they feel like!