It's a Hoot: Owl Storytime



Last week I did a storytime for one of the Jacob's Ladder pre-k groups. There were about 10 kids and adults. I decided to plan an owl-themed storytime for them, including books, a finger play, and a dance. I also found a great owl cut-out mask online, which I printed, colored, and glued popsicle sticks to. The kids absolutely LOVED the owl masks.



http://www.animaljr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/owl-mask-coloring-page-231x300.jpg



Here's the book line up I used. The kids were getting a little ancy by the end, so I decided to do another song with them instead of Owl Babies.


Opening Song: "If you Want to Hear a Story..."



Books:



I'm Not Cute! by Jonathan Allen. (The kids liked this a lot. All the animals tell baby Owl he is "so cute" and baby Owl gets upset. Easily relatable to kids. They were laughing and joining in with the repetitive line, "I'm not cute!" The illustrations are simple and fun. I also made little puppets for the various animals from pictures online, brown paper bags, and even little word bubble cut-outs that had "You're so cute baby Owl" on them.)



I'm Not Scared! by Jonathan Allen. (Very similar to the premise of "I'm Not Cute," except this time, they all accuse Owl of being scared. This book got the same reaction. I started out by asking them if they were ever scared. I've used these books numerous times and they are always a big hit!)



Wow, said Owl! by Tim Hopgood. (Great book about colors. A curious Owl decides to stay up during the day and is amazed by all the pretty colors. I paused during each page and had the kids yell out the colors.)



Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. (An adorble book with equally adorable illustrations about 3 young owls who worry that their mother won't come back after she leaves for a few moments. I'm hoping to do this the next time I do a storytime that is pre-k or older.)



Rhymes:



There's a wide eye owl (make fingers in large circles and cup over eyes)
With a pointed nose (use fingers to make a triangle & point out for nose)
2 pointed ears (use fingers for ears)
and claws for toes (wiggle fingers like toes)
he lives way up in the tree (point up to tree top)
and when he looks at you (point at kids)
he flaps his wings (use arms for wings, and flap)
and says whooo whooo (continue flapping wings)



This went over very well. I taught it to them first by having them repeat the lines and actions before we did it together straight through.



Check out: http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/owls/owl_songs.htm for more cute Owl finger plays and songs!



Dances:



We did "Do the Owl" by the Wiggles. They all danced around with their Owl masks.


End Song: "The More We Get Together" (Almost all the children knew this song and sang it along with me.)


What I learned: Next time I do a parent-child storytime and the parents are talking, I will say something--or even better, say something up front that explains if parents want to socialize or talk on the phone they should do so outside or after.