Fable Day: The Fox & the Stork

Virtue: Charity & Love (kindness, sharing, helping, consideration, unity)
Habit/Motto: Do unto others as you would have others do to you

Song/Finger Play: 
When We're Helping We're Happy

Where is Thumbkin

5 Little ______ to Give
5 & 5 Make Ten


Yoga Pose: Table (eat on), Chair, triangle, telephone (call friend over to eat)

Craft/Activity: choose depending on age--listed easy to complex
A) Put everyone's handprints on one big poster with the golden rule/"Helping Hands."
B) Choose partners and make cards for each other (so everyone gets one)
C) Weaving/Braiding a friendship bracelet (working together/weaving makes a stronger rope)

Share: Have the children make something for another person, and exchange them (like friendship bracelets or cards) or have each child write tell one thing they can share with someone.

Snacks: 
One things they can split to share with each other: sliced apples? or 

Various snacks, so they can each share different things with each other and enjoy the variety sharing brings

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Letter: H
Words: hand, help, hello, hi
Number: 2 (working together) or 5, 10 (all fingers on helping hands)
Shape: triangle (for stork's beak)

Aesops Fables: The Fox & the Stork

The Fox & the Stork

The Fox one day thought of a plan to amuse himself at the expense of the Stork, at whose odd appearance he was always laughing.

"You must come and dine with me today," he said to the Stork, smiling to himself at the trick he was going to play. The Stork gladly accepted the invitation and arrived in good time and with a very good appetite.

For dinner the Fox served soup. But it was set out in a very shallow dish, and all the Stork could do was to wet the very tip of his bill. Not a drop of soup could he get. But the Fox lapped it up easily, and, to increase the disappointment of the Stork, made a great show of enjoyment.

The hungry Stork was much displeased at the trick, but he was a calm, even-tempered fellow and saw no good in flying into a rage. Instead, not long afterward, he invited the Fox to dine with him in turn. The Fox arrived promptly at the time that had been set, and the Stork served a fish dinner that had a very appetizing smell. But it was served in a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The Stork could easily get at the food with his long bill, but all the Fox could do was to lick the outside of the jar, and sniff at the delicious odor. And when the Fox lost his temper, the Stork said calmly:

Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself. (Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12 )

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Story Idea: focus on sharing/helping
We didn't have a stork puppet with a long beak, and I didn't want to pretend the little bird puppet had a long one,so we did a giraffe. The giraffe could eat way up in the trees (unlike fox who couldn't climb trees), and fox could eat what he's stored in the tree/ground (unlike giraffe who was too big/tall).
We used a stuffed tree thing we have with holes in it to put fox's food in and giraffe's food on top of. Fox invited Giraffe to the tree to eat, then giraffe invited fox to the tree to eat also. But both didn't share/help the other get food. They weren't considerate.
So for an alternative ending to make things right they both ending up sharing/helping the other animal eat.
This was great to liken to Ethan inviting friends over to play and then not sharing his toys with them. So when he goes to their houses they might not want to share either. So he chose to share/help.

Fable Day: The Plane Tree

Fable: The Plane Tree

Virtue: Grateful
Habit/Motto: Be grateful for what you have. Focus on the positive; don't cry for what you lack.

Song/Finger Play: 
We're Climbing up a Tree
Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree
Squirrel, Squirrel (if you do squirrel as one of the travellers in story)

Yoga Pose: Tree

Craft/Activity: choose depending on age--listed easy to complex
A) Hand trees with thumbprint leaves
B) Finger paint the scene
C) Build a bigger tree with tissue paper
D) Do a maze to find their way home, like the mouse

Share: Retell the story using their art or have them choose another animal to tell the story of...and tell what that animal could be grateful to the tree for.

Snacks: 
Nuts and berries (or a trailmix)

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Letter: T
Words: Tree, Thank You, Tall, Travel, The
Number: Three (why: animals in story, same start letter)
Shape: tall rectangle or cylinder (tall tree)

Aesops Fable: The Plane Tree

The Plane Tree

Two Travellers, walking in the noonday sun, sought the shade of a widespreading tree to rest. As they lay looking up among the pleasant leaves, they saw that it was a Plane Tree.

"How useless is the Plane!" said one of them. "It bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves."

"Ungrateful creatures!" said a voice from the Plane Tree. "You lie here in my cooling shade, and yet you say I am useless! Thus ungratefully, O Jupiter, do men receive their blessings!"

Our best blessings are often the least appreciated.

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StoryTime Idea:
We used this story to point out being grateful for things others do for us. Instead of two travellers we used three different animals travelling:
1. Racoon: hungry and tired, sought shade from the sun for his nap. Ungrateful for food the tree didn't have.
2. Bird: hungry and tired, sought a branch on which to perch and rest safe from wolves. Ungrateful for the food the tree didn't have.
3. Mouse: hungry and lost, sought to climb up high for a view from which to see his way home. Grateful for the view and never mentioned his dissapointment the tree didn't have food, but rather thanked the tree for it's tallness so he could find his way home.
THE TREE: shook and rumbled for the first to ingrates, but then welcomed the mouse into a hole in the tree to share some berries and nuts the tree had other animals store in him for grateful travellers.

DIY Bath Fingerpaints

Want to encourage art, but without a difficult to clean up mess? Here's a simple recipe to make fingerpaint for the bathtub. It won't stain and is made with soap! (we introduce color mixing this way, through this song)

2 T dish soap
1 T cornstarch (arrowroot powder works too)
1 drop food coloring

Mix all together and voila! Super simple.

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Idea 1
Letter: "W" (create a wave of blue paint to visually show it)
Words: wave, water, wash, wipe.
Color: Blue (it made the water blue and we talked about the ocean and such)
Animal: Turtle (we chose this because it went along with our fingerplay song--see below)
Song/Fingerplay: Tim the Tiny Turtle
Yoga Asanas: Turtle, waterfall, shark, otter, fish, frog, dolphin, boat, alligator

Idea 2
Letter: "B" (create two bubbles on top of eachother for letter visual)
Words: Bubbles, boat, beach, bath
Song: Row, Row Your Boat
Yoga Asana: Boat

Other Ideas
Yoga Asanas: Turtle, waterfall, shark, otter, fish, frog, dolphin, boat, alligator

Kids Yoga Asana: Easy Pose/Inhale

Basic Cross-legged position with hands rested on knees.

Inhale
One of the most important parts of any yoga pose,
Is remembering to breathe deeply by inhaling through my nose.

Easy Pose
I like to relax in Easy Pose,
Taking deep breaths in and out through my nose.
With legs crossed and my back straight,
I continue to breathe while counting to eight.

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We love this pose and start every yoga session by clapping and saying "come with me...sit down with hands on your knees." And then we start with Easy Poses and breathing in and out. The breath in and out your nose is super important to do regularly so children don't learn the bad habit of shallow breathing, which most people get accustomed to doing being in our fast-paced society.
If we aren't breathing well, then our body isn't getting the oxygen (and filtered air via nose) it needs to most beneficially run our body and it's systems. (it's the same with hydration)



*from ABC Yoga Book

Kids Yoga Asana: Gate

Gate


Starting on All Fours,
One leg bends
While the other extends.
Keeping my front arm straight,
My body begins to form a gate.
Sending my opposite arm up in the air,
I now balance in Gate Pose with Care.

Kids Yoga Asana: Grasshopper

Grasshopper


In yoga, my body can be many things.
Now I want to be a Grasshopper with wings!
Lying on my belly with my chin to the floor,
I take a moment to simply rest, nothing more.
Next I bend my arms and raise one leg straight off the ground.
I bring my leg back down and switch sides--all without a sound.



*this poem is from the ABC yoga book.

Music Time Songs

I wanted to post a list of different ways to use music simply for music time or circle time. You can use the same basic songs or tunes to sing slow or loud or to act as the animals, etc. Or to slightly change words to incorporate some of the educational aspects. My approach is minimalistic in that I want to be able to do as much of it as possible without extra tools, music players, etc. and to do have a lot of it from memory so I'm empowered to create from scratch and spur of the moment. I hope some helps.

How to Use Music

• Singing Along (same time, echo, round, etc.)
• Following Directions (same time, echo, round, etc.)
• Rhythm (tempo, counting beats, etc.)
• Specific Movement (Hand action, Body movement, etc.)
• Free Expression/creation (dancing, imitation of nature, etc.)
• Educational (Alphabet, Colors, Shapes, Numbers, Shapes)
• Instruments and Tools: shakers, sticks, tambourines, drums, scarves, parachute, etc.
• Transitions (to keep interest and to help move to another activity)
• For reverence and spirituality (see post for Primary Children's Songbook and it's uses)

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Songs for toddlers should keep their interest by having movements. By using this basic list of familiar songs in different ways helps the kids connect with something familiar while learning something new and also simplifies the number of tunes we need to remember.

------Basic List------

Old MacDonald

The Eensy Weensy Spider (finger play)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

5 Little Monkey's

Farmer in the Dell

5 in the Bed (finger play)

Row Row Row Your Boat/Pop Goes the Weasel

Mary Had a Little Lamb

BINGO

This is the Way We... (Follow leader movement)

If You're Happy And You Know It (follow leader movement)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (whole body movement)

I'm A Little Teapot (whole body movement)

1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Indians (finger play)

5 Little Ducks Went Out One Day (finger play)

This Old Man
London Bridge is Falling Down (group movement)
Ring Around the Rosie (group movement)
Three Blind mice (don't like the words, but it's a nice simple tune)

Hickory Dickory Dock (movement...pretend you are clock with swinging tick rock arms)

The Grand Ole Duke of York

-----Other Songs/Fingerplays/Rhymes------
By Topic. If no tune is listed next to the title, then it is a rhyme without a specific tune

Animals
The __________ at the Zoo (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Tiny Tim the Turtle (tune:?)

Swinging Monkeys (Tune: 5 Little Monkeys)
5 little Ants (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Horsey (Tune: This is the Way)
5 Little Ducks (Tune: One Little Duck…Feather on His Back)

One Little Bear
Caterpillar (Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)
The Goldfish
Butterfly Landed on You
Life of a Butterfly
Two Little Tweety Birds
Count the Eggs

Five Little Speckled Frogs
Here Comes the Fox

The Turkey (Tune: Pop Goes the Weasel)

Two Little Blackbirds (Tune: Baa Baa Black Sheep)

The Bird & the Tree (Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Octopus

Here is a Bunny

Boa Constrictor

Baby Shark

Turtle
Little Turtle
The Beehive

Little Mousie
The Little Bird

My Little Snail

The Grasshopper

The Elephant

The Elephant Song (for a group)
Bats Are Sleeping
Good Morning Birds

Something Flying
Mr Lobster & Mrs Crab
I Know a Penguin
Baby Gator
Reindeer Pokey
Spotted Giraffe
I'm a Little Zebra
Alice the Camel (horse or donkey)
Chicken Dance
Over in the Barnyard

Mr. Moose's Antlers

Bluebird, Bluebird (circle game/movement)
Squirrel, Squirrel
Squirrel Play
Wee Wiggly Worm
Leap Frog
5 Little Owls
3 Little Penguins
Swinging Monkeys (circle game song)
5 Little Snails
Jungle Animals Song (tune: Twinkle Twinkle)
Eggs
I'm a Little Penguin (tune: Little Teapot)

Nature
Going on a Hunt (no tune)
A Camping We Will Go (Tune: Farmer in the Dell)2 

Climbing Up a Tree (Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Mmmm, Apple Tree (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

The Bird's Apples (Tune: 5 Little Ducks)

Tiny Apple Seed (Tune: Eensy Weensy Spider)
Moon & Sun

Green Grass Grows
God's Creation
Day and Night
Out in the Garden
Ten Leaves in the Tree
Mr. Golden Sun or Mr. Moon
Parts of a Plant

SEASONS/WEATHER
Seasons (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

If It's Spring and You Know it... (Tune: If You're Happy & You Know It)

It's Wintertime
Thunderstorm

If All the Raindrops
Snow, Snow, See the Snow (Row, Row tune)
Ten Fat Peas (garden)

Body

Your Senses (Tune: Frere Jaques)

Where is Thumbkin (Tune: Frere Jacques)

Open, Shut Them (Tune: Frere Jacques)
I am Growing (Tune: Frere Jacques)
Wiggles

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Those Bones

Hokey Pokey (can tailor to animal parts...like turkey for thanksgiving)

Once I was a Baby
My Nose

Character & Family

Manners (Tune: Hickory, Dickory, Dock)

If You're Happy and You Know It

If You Chance to Meet a Frown

I Love You (signing poem)
Make Happy Days
Emotions
My Family
Grandmother
Be a Helper
Busy Little Fingers to Help
Dear Little Friend
Give a Smile Away
Sing a Happy Song

Educational

Vowel Sounds Song (Tune: Where is Thumbkin)

The Vowel Song
Vowel Sounds Song II (Tune: Old MacDonald)
Shapes Song

How Many Nuts (addition)
Mr. Groundhog (tune: Ten Little Indians)
Shape Song Movement (tune: twinkle Twinkle)

Holidays

Birthday Cake
Pumpkin, Pumpkin
The Witch on Halloween (group circle song/game)
Turkey Strut Hokey Pokey

Other
Johnny Works with One Hammer

Hurry Hurry… (Tune: 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little)

Little Red Wagon (Tune: 10 Little Indians)

My Colorful Hat

Zoom Zoom Rocketship

FILL-IN-THE-BLANK songs/rhymes
Sitting on a Gate _____________ 

1 little, 2 little, 3 little ____________  (Tune: Little Indians)

5 in the Bed (counting, hand motions)

5 & 5 _________

Five to Give Away

Pass, PAss, PAss the ___________  (circle song to row your boat)

*some of these fingerplays are from http://fingerplays-b3ok.blogspot.com/

7 Habits for Effective Kids

Here are the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (but for Children), by Stephen R. Covery.
There are helpful stories and books that go along with each principle. They are at my local library, so try yours if interested. We use win-win all the time! And first things first...and a few others. I love these universal principles.

	Habit 1 — Be Proactive You're in Charge I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.
	Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind Have a Plan I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
	Habit 3 — Put First Things First Work First, Then Play I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.
	Habit 4 — Think Win-Win Everyone Can Win I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
	Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Listen Before You Talk I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.
	Habit 6 — Synergize Together Is Better I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
	Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw Balance Feels Best I take care of my body by eating right, exercising and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.

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* Side note from the same website these were listed is this list of things parents and business leaders said they wanted schools to teach...

Leadership Accountability Adaptability Initiative and Self-direction Cross-cultural Skills

Responsibility Problem Solving Communication Creativity Teamwork

Aesops Fables: The Ants & The Grasshopper

The Ants & the Grasshopper

One bright day in late autumn a family of Ants were bustling about in the warm sunshine, drying out the grain they had stored up during the summer, when a starving Grasshopper, his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to eat.

"What!" cried the Ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?"

"I didn't have time to store up any food," whined the Grasshopper; "I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone."

The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust.

"Making music, were you?" they cried. "Very well; now dance!" And they turned their backs on the Grasshopper and went on with their work.

There's a time for work and a time for play.

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Storytime Ideas:
We used this to talk about how smart the ants were--being prepared by work before play. But we also have used it to talk about waste from the grasshopper's perspective. Since he wasted his time and his food--just eating when he was hungry and passing by other food he could have saved for later. And the ants aren't super nice in this one, so we have an alternative ending where the ants share some food and the grasshopper doesn't want to take too much or waste any since the ants worked hard to get it and he didn't.

List of Games

It's fun to know lots of games that can be played without lots of pieces and specific object. Here's a comprehensive list of many familiar games.

Outdoor Games

Kick the can

Keep away

Mother may I

Red light, green light

Sharks and minnows

Marco Polo

Tag (freeze, tv, flashlight)

Beckons wanted

Ghost in the graveyard

Crack the whip

Red rover

Leap frog
Follow the Leader
--------a few props needed-------

Jacks

Marbles
balloon volleyball

Jump rope

Horse (basketball)
Hopscotch
Hunts (treasure or something(s) hidden)

Indoor Games

Telephone

Because...story (popcorn telling a story)

Bodies (ear, ear ear, nose...--touching other part--like false Simon says)

Sardines/Hide & Seek/Hot and Cold (whole person or with props)

Waste basket bball
Simon Says
Ha, haha, hahaha Laughing circle game (lay in circle with heads on bellies...build laughter)

--------a few props needed-------
Pass the Package (unwrap each time music stops)

Musical chairs

Button, button, Who's got the button?
Pin the tail on the ________

Piñata

Bobbing for apples

Pass the orange

Tellistrations: Draw, write..repeat

Sock obstacle Bocci ball

Memory tray
Limbo (Candlestick--jump over/opposite)
Fish for...

Circle Games

Where's the ring (on the string)?
Tap, tap-tap circle hand game

Left/right Stories (pass, circle game)

Cup pass rhythm circle

Duck duck goose

Down by the banks

Big booty #...
Jack-in-the-Box (number off: leader claps a #, those stand up, etc.)
Ha! ...Ha! Ha! ...Ha! Ha! Ha! *laugh*

2-Person Competition Games

Thumb Wars
Quick Slap (both hands)
Stick Pull (feet together sitting and tug of war a broom stick)
Leg Wrestling

Group Races/Relays

Three legged

Bucket over head down the line

Spoon on string through the clothes up and down

Egg on spoon

Obstacle relays

Balloon with cardboard to keep afloat
Tug-o-war
Draw a Face Relay (eyes, then nose, then ears, etc.)

Car/Pass-the-Time Games:Alphabet

Make people smile

Out of state license plate

Grandmothers trunk (say everything been said in order)

Hinky pinky (say rhyming words hink, hinky, hinkity; plus clue)

20 questions

I spy

What's their story?