put your patriotic pants on!

This could have been a great storytime, but it wasn't. I had one child who ruined it for everyone else by shrieking through most of our activities; because so many people showed up for our story the storytime room was hotter than the blazes of Hell, so that didn't help either.

Thought I would share what we did and some resources that we didn't use, but that might help others in the planning of their future July 4th storytimes.

Music/Movement:
“Shake Your Sillies Out,”  #13, Raffi’s More Singable Songs CD

Book 1: Apple Pie 4th of July, Janet S. Wong, illus. Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Music/Movement: “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” #1, Yankee Doodle Mickey CD w/sticks

Prop Story: “Going on a Picnic” w/plastic food (see below)

Music/Movement: Yankee Doodle,” #2, Yankee Doodle Mickey CD w/shakers

Book 2:  How to Bake an American Pie, Karma Wilson, illus. Raul Colon

Music/Movement: “Washington Post,” March (John Phillips Sousa), #8 Patriotic Songs & Marches CD
**Kids w/star wands (fireworks), Parents w/bells


We’re Going on a Picnic w/plastic food
Before beginning hand out all the food props to kids (parents too if there aren’t enough kids)

“We’re going on a picnic; we’re leaving right away
If it doesn’t rain we’ll stay all day.
Did we bring the ______________?
Yes, we brought the  ___________. (As you call out items, kids bring and put in picnic basket).
HERE WE GO!”
(Keep repeating)
At the end have the kids help repeat everything that we’re taking on our picnic

PROPS:
Tablecloth
Hamburgers
Banana
Grapes
Corn
Pizza
Chicken
Strawberries
Apples
Plates
Napkins
Cups
Pie
Mustard
Ketchup
Pie
Cake
Watermelon
Milk/Juice

Some other options:
Music:
·         “Ants go Marching” w/sticks
·         “The Tempo Marches On,” #1, Jim Gill’s Do Re Mi On My Toe Leg Knee
·         “Old MacDonald’s Band,” #21, Rhythm on Parade, Hap Palmer
·         “Hot Hot Hot,” w/shakers Sesame Street's Hot Hot Hot CD
Books:
·         Yankee Doodle, Mary Ann Hoberman
·         F is for Flag, Wendy Cheyette Lewison, illus. Barbara Duke
·         U.S. Symbols, Ann-Marie Kishel
Rhyme: (might be good w/younger crowd)
“Twinkle, Twinkle Fireworks,” w/star wands
Twinkle, twinkle, fireworks
Flashing high above the earth
All the shining sparkles say,
“Happy Independence Day!”
REPEAT

**For the record, it is apparently not ok to play Katy Perry's "Firework," for storytime.**

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